Home Office to split in two

The Home Office is to be split into two separate departments for security and justice, the Government has announced.

The Home Office will take on a stronger role in tackling the threat of terrorism, alongside its existing responsibilities of the police service, crime reduction, immigration and asylum, and identity and passports.

A new Office of Security and Counter-terrorism will be set up within the Home Office, responsible for developing and supporting the country’s overall counter-terrorism strategy.

Prime Minister Tony Blair said: “All those working in the field of counter-terrorism – particularly the police, security and intelligence agencies – have worked unstintingly to protect the country from the threats we face.

“Our counter-terrorism capabilities are among the best in the world. However, the continuing and growing threat from terrorism means the Government must develop and improve its counter-terrorism and security capabilities, and its governance.”

As part of the changes, which build on the Government’s recently published Security, Crime and Justice Policy Review, the Government will form a new Ministerial Committee on Security and Terrorism, chaired by the Prime Minister, which will meet regularly to share information on security issues. A national security board chaired by the Home Secretary will meet weekly to study threats to the UK.

A Ministry of Justice will be created to provide a stronger focus on the criminal justice system, and on reducing re-offending.

This new ministry will take over the staff and responsibilities of the Department for Constitutional Affairs, and the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), including the prison and probation services, and have lead responsibility for criminal law and sentencing.

Finally, the Office of Criminal Justice Reform will remain a tripartite office, as it is now, but will operate from the new ministry, rather than from the Home Office.

The Prime Minister said the new Ministry of Justice “will take the leading role in delivering a fairer, more effective, speedy and efficient justice system”.

Some changes are immediate. In a written ministerial statement, the Prime Minister said: “The security and counter-terrorism changes will have immediate effect.” The creation of the Ministry of Justice, and the movement of the units into that ministry, will take place in May.

ACPO President Ken Jones said: “The creation of an Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism within the Home Office which brings together all aspects of counter-terrorism strategy and policy is a welcome move and one which ACPO looks forward to being a part of. We await fine detail on what is bound to be a difficult transition.”

ACPO recently warned that the planned review of the police service should not threaten the chain of accountability from street level policing through to police chiefs and authorities.

Similarly, the police service works closely from top to bottom with criminal justice agencies and the link particularly with prisons and probation teams must not be broken.

“The new Ministry of Justice must strike a proper balance between what the public need and the interests of the judiciary and legal profession who will now have a greater stake in criminal justice policy, criminal law and sentencing.”

Jan Berry, chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales said: “Whilst the safety and security of the public is our number one priority, the Police Federation will need to consider the constitutional implications of this announcement on the independence of the police service. Separating the police from the criminal justice system has the potential to fundamentally change our duty to the rule of law and the office of constable.

“However, if separating the responsibilities within the Home Office allows the Home secretary to listen and address the issues affecting police officers today, it will be well received.

“Ill-conceived a