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'No escape' for criminals

14/05/2008

Gordon Brown says the government will close "every loophole" to prevent criminals from keeping illegally-gained assets and escaping justice.

As he delivered the draft Queen's Speech in parliament, the prime minister explained the policing and crime reduction bill would reduce crime and empower citizens.

Proposals to be unveiled by the home secretary would create directly-elected representatives giving local people control over policing priorities, Mr Brown said.

He said this would improve the responsiveness of police teams and improve national standards.

"Our aim is not just a reduction of crime but to make people feel safe in their homes and neighbourhoods," he told MPs.

The legislation would give victims of crime more legal rights and afford witnesses and victims more protection.

Organised crime including the trafficking of drugs and people would be the focus of a new crackdown, Mr Brown added.

Commenting on the Home Office bills, home secretary Jacqui Smith said: "We have seen with the success of neighbourhood policing that listening to the public and to what local people want and then delivering on those priorities is the right way to move forward.

"I am committed to making sure that policing at all levels is citizen-focused and the policing and crime reduction bill builds on work already being done to combat crime and reduce binge and underage drinking."

Also announced in parliament was the communications data bill, which is designed to ensure the intelligence services have the capability to intercept communications for counterterrorism purposes.

But the government insisted the powers would be subject to strict safeguards to ensure a balance between privacy and protecting the public.