Ten years of Blair: good or bad for policing?

After 10 years, Tony Blair – the man who promised to be “tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime” – is stepping down as prime minister (and into a lucrative speaking vocation, predict some). Nationally, opinion has been mixed about Blair’s effectiveness as prime minister, a dynamic that was reflected when we posed the question: Ten years of Blair – were they good or bad for policing?

Suleman Nagdi MBE, Federation of Muslim Organisations, Leicester, doesn’t believe there has been an increase in police officers, as promised, but an increased number of admin staff and PCSOs instead.

“Members of communities from a range of different faiths have told me that this is ‘policing on the cheap’, in other words, there has only been an increase in police support officers, who do not have full police powers. Why was that money not put towards full powered police officers? We are continually told police officer numbers have increased but only PCSO numbers are increasing.”

“Our impression of Tony Blair’s time as prime minister is generally positive. Police funding, particularly in recent years, has been relatively good, and over the years he has made statements that are supportive of the police. But I think many officers will remember him for initiatives that were very much short-termism. The robbery strategy that was imposed across the country and wasn’t a problem for many parts of the country. We seem to have one initiative after another, which I think for many officers confused them as to what was this week’s or this month’s initiative. Any politician that serves and survives for 13 years as a leader and 10 as prime minister should be thanked for his service to his country.”

Ian Johnston, president of the Police Superintendent’s Association of England and Wales

“Tony Blair’s impact on policing has been more money not matched by the equivalent reductions in crime, accompanied by a massive increase in central targets, which has been demoralising for everyone in policing. This is the same story from New Labour across all public services.”

Nick Herbert, shadow minister for Police Reform

“Although there has been a great deal of discussion over the application of performance management within the service, what cannot be denied is that over the past 10 years we have seen a service transformed into meeting the needs of the community in a way which we have never seen before. The service has responded positively to the rise of consumerism and the raised expectations that are inherent in that. Never before have we been so accountable to so many.”

Brian Langston, BCU Commander at Slough

“In the ten years since Tony Blair came to power there have been changes of a positive nature for gay people. The decriminalisation of most of the specific homosexual offences, equal age of consent and civil partnerships are all positive things that have happened.

“We now have a more liberal and tolerant society, which has helped to change the culture of the police service and the people we deal with.”

Bernard McEldowney, spokesperson for the Gay Police Association (GPA)

“During Mr Blair’s term there have been significant developments and contributions to the field of forensic science. Investment from central government, for example, to the DNA Expansion Programme has had a positive impact on crime reduction.”

Albert Gilbert, head of scientific support, Norfolk Constabulary

“Each generation makes it better for the next and I think certain aspects of policing and legislation and race equality have improved. The Race Relations Amended Act 2000 is one example, but a body to enforce that legislation is needed.

“Looking at post-9/11 and 7/7, regarding race relations and non-white people, there has been a legitimising of intolerant language.”

Vinny Tomlinson, chair of th