Police and Justice Bill

I agree very much with my hon. Friend. That is one aspect of the Government’s record in relation to policing of which we can be most proud. This is not historic: the Metropolitan police will establish the neighbourhood policing teams in London up to more than a year ahead of the national target precisely because of the encouragement of the Metropolitan Police Authority, as well as the personal commitment of the commissioner and his senior leadership. That relationship of positive encouragement towards protective policing is an example of accountability of the kind that the Bill is intended to strengthen.