The home secretary has set out plans to give local people a greater say in the policing of their communities.

In a Commons statement on Tuesday, David Blunkett said there would be "greater accountability" as a result of the new proposals.

But he warned that the government was not prepared to stand back if police forces and authorities were failing to tackle crime.

"Local people, through their local councillors, will have new powers to require information, appropriate consultation and, where appropriate, action," Blunkett told MPs.

He also said there would be "new channels for local people to influence policing in their own neighbourhood".

"Police authorities, who will now have enhanced local democratic representation, must increase their community links," he said.

"Clear responsibilities must lead to greater visibility and greater accountability."

There will be enhanced powers for authorities to "hold chief constables to account" and set performance objectives.

They will also conduct performance appraisals, oversee engagement with the public and "for the first time" have a duty to promote diversity.

Raising standards

The home secretary announced that new national minimum standards would be introduced in a bid to raise performance standards.

"First contact with the police is crucial, whether on the street or on the phone," he said, calling for the treatment of victims and witnesses to "improve dramatically".

But in a sign that he will not shy away from intervening in local forces that fail to raise standards, Blunkett said there should be "credible mechanisms" to take action.

"Nationally, it is the duty of government to set the strategic framework and be prepared to stand back and let chief officers and police authorities deliver the service," he said.

But he warned that the role of the home secretary "must be more than simply distributing taxpayers' money".

"Where local communities are failed action must be forthcoming, and this home secretary will not duck the duty to act where necessary," Blunkett said.

'Nothing new'

The Conservatives said the plans were "nothing new or radical".

Shadow home secretary David Davis accused the government of launching a "taxpayer-funded PR exercise in the run up to a general election".

"The fact is detection rates are down by a fifth since 1997," he said.

"Only half the cases of violence against the person are detected compared to 80 per cent in 1997. 

"Sexual offences detected have halved since this government came to power.

"This is the single most important issue facing the police today."

Davis added that if ministers were "serious about dealing with crime" they would give the police the time and the ability to deter and detect criminal activity.