ABBREVIATION OR ACRONYM

FULL FORMAT OF ABBREVIATION OR ACRONYM

DESCRIPTION

AACDU

Action Against Crime and Disorder Unit

Now Public Order and Crime Issues Unit. See also ASBU for anti-social behaviour.

AADU

Action Against Drugs Unit

Now part of the Drugs Strategy Directorate, Drug Legislation and Enforcement Unit

ABC

Acceptable Behaviour Compact

Acceptable Behaviour Compact (or Contract)-first phase of securing an agreement not to misbehave, usually with juveniles.

ABI

Area-Based Initiative

ABIs are publicly funded initiatives targeted on areas of social or economic disadvantage, which aim to improve the quality of life of residents and/or their future life chances and those of their children. The work of ABIs is coordinated by the Regional Coordination Unit (RCU) http://www.rcu.gov.uk/

ABI

Anti-Burglary Initiative

West Midlands Government Office abbreviation for RBI

ACC

Assistant Chief Constable

Senior rank in UK police forces, below Chief Constable or Deputy Chief Constable. http://www.acpo.police.uk/

ACMD

Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is a statutory and non-executive non-departmental public body, established under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. It is there job to monitor the use of drugs and identify the potential for misusing drugs.

ACOP

Association of Chief Officers of Probation

Now Probation Boards Association (PBA)

ACPO

Association of Chief Police Officers of England,
Wales & Northern Ireland

The Association was set up to develop policing policies on behalf of the Service as a whole, rather than in 44 forces separately. http://www.acpo.police.uk

ANPR

Automatic Number Plate Recognition

It works by processing images of vehicle number plates captured by video cameras and checking them against a database of vehicle numbers.

APA

Association of Police Authorities

The APA is the national body representing police authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It influences policy on policing and it supports local police authorities.

A/R

Arrest Referral

Arrest referral (AR) is a crime reduction initiative that seeks to identify drug users at the point of arrest, encourage them to address their drug problem and obtain appropriate treatment

ASBO

Anti-Social Behaviour Order

An order by a magistrate which prohibits the defendant from doing anything described in the order. Set up in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

ASBU

Anti-social Behaviour Unit

A cross-departmental unit based in the Home Office. Its role is to deliver the Anti-social Behaviour Bill and to take forward work to reduce anti-social behaviour. www.homeoffice.gov.uk/inside/org/dob/direct/asbu.html

ATCM

Association of Town Centre Managers

Association dedicated to helping town and city centres realise their roles as prosperous locations for business and investment and as focal points for vibrant inclusive communities. http://www.atcm.org

BASBU

Birmingham Anti Social Behaviour Unit

A cross-departmental unit based in the Home Office. Its role is to deliver the Anti-social Behaviour Bill and to take forward work to reduce anti-social behaviour. www.homeoffice.gov.uk/inside/org/dob/direct/asbu.html

BCC

Business Crime Check

Business Crime Check was a joint Home Office and Scottish Executive initiative which sought to create, maintain and promote a database of information relevant to people who wished to reduce crime against business and publish a magazine called Communicate. The initiative was managed and funded by CGU Insurance but their withdrawal led to the demise of BCC in 2002.

BCS

British Crime Survey

BCS measures crimes against people living in private households in England and Wales. Begun in 1982 (every two years) but now annually as part of the Crime in England and Wales statistical series from the Home Office. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pubsintro1.html

BCSP

Birmingham Community Safety Partnership

Formally known as Birmingham Crime & Disorder Reduction Partnership. (See CDRP)

BCU

Basic Command Unit

These broadly equate to former police divisions or districts. There are currently 280 BCUs (2003) in England and Wales and recorded crime figures for six key offences at BCU level are published on the Home Office website, "Crime in England & Wales": http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/hosbpubs1.html

BID

Business Improvement District

A BID is a partnership arrangement through which local authorities and the local business community can take forward schemes which will benefit the local community, subject to the agreement of ratepayers. Ratepayers will agree to pay an additional levy on their rate bill to finance a BID. Guidance (working draft) on BIDs issued by ODPM in January 2003: 

BLUEPRINT

Drug Education Research Programme

Blueprint is a research programme designed to examine the effectiveness of a multi-component approach to drug education. This means that schools, parents and communities will work together to reduce the prevent and reduce the harm that drug use can cause.

BRGV

Birmingham Reducing Gang Violence Group

A CPTG of BCSP

BSI

British Standards Institution

BSI is an independent, non-profit distributing organisation which facilitates the creation of standards and is the UK's National Standards Body. http://www.bsi-global.com/

BVPI

Best Value Performance Indicators

A suite of indicators developed for monitoring the performance of local authorities set by the departments in central government. BVPIs have only been set since the duty of best value on local authorities came into effect under the Local Government Act 1999. Prior to best value, the Audit Commission set similar measures of performance.

C&PG

Crime and Policing Group

This group, part of HO Research Development and Statistics Directorate, is responsible for collection and analysis of statistics on crime and the police, research on how to reduce crime and how to improve police performance/effectiveness, and the identification and dissemination of good practice for crime reduction and effective policing. (formerly PRCU)

C&E

Customs and Excise

HM Customs and Excise is a Government department with responsibility for collecting billions of pounds in revenue each year in VAT, other taxes and customs duties. It also protects the country from illegal imports of drugs, alcohol and tobacco smuggling and tax fraud.

CAD

Communities Against Drugs

Central 3 year funding programme for community based interventions, announced in 2001. £220m provided to CDRPs over the 3 years. Guidance at www.crimereduction.gov.uk/drugsalcohol23.htm

CAF

Confiscated Assets Fund

The Fund is made up of money confiscated from drug dealers. Local community and voluntary anti-drug groups, which address drug issues and how they influence people’s lives, can apply for money from this fund.

CBO

Community Beat Officer

Police officer dedicated to a beat or ward area within a BCU.

CCJEP

Centre for Criminal Justice Economics and Pyschology

The core purpose of the CCJEP is to conduct research aimed at helping to reduce the impact of crime on society and promote public safety. Set up by the Home Office, in partnership with the University of York in April 2001, the Centre combines the knowledge and expertise of economists, psychologists and statisticians in addressing the key concerns of the criminal justice system. http://www.york.ac.uk/criminaljustice

CCTV

Closed Circuit Television

A TV system that does not broadcast signals to public systems but to a limited number of monitors. It may use cable or wireless transmitters/ receivers or the Internet. The Home Office ran a CCTV funding programme under the CRP http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/cctvminisite4.htm

CDRPs

Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships

Set up through the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, CDRPs must audit crime and disorder in their areas and set up a strategy to reduce it every three years.

CHILDREN'S FUND

The Children’s Fund is a government initiative supporting some of the poorest and most vulnerable 5-13 year olds in England.

CICA

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority

Non-departmental public body sponsored by the Home Office and Scottish Executive. It administers the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. http://www.cica.gov.uk

CIDA

Concerted Inter Agency Drug Action group

Has responsibility for action at national and international level to reduce the availability of Class A drugs to the UK.

CJCC

Criminal Justice Consultative Council

CJCC is an inter-agency group bringing together top level representatives from across the Criminal Justice System to promote cooperation within the CJS and to advise government on matters of practical application. http://www.cjsonline.org.uk/working/aims/joined.html

CJIT

Criminal Justice Information Technology

CJIT is a joint initiative between the Home Office, Lord Chancellor's Department and the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure better integration of information systems, IT and related business processes across the Criminal Justice System (CJS) of England and Wales. http://www.cjsonline.gov.uk

CJJPU

Criminal Justice Joint Planning Unit

CJJPU's purpose is to take forward the work that emerged from the cross-departmental Comprehensive Spending Review for the CJS, including establishing and maintaining joint strategic planning and performance management arrangements across the CJS and producing CJS strategic and business plans. http://www.cjsonline.gov.uk

CJS

Criminal Justice System

The Criminal Justice System in England and Wales is made up of a number of separate agencies and departments which are responsible for various aspects of the work of maintaining law and order and the administration of justice.

CLEDU

Drugs Unit - Communities & Law Enforcement

see Drug Legislation and Enforcement Unit (DLEU)

CLPU

Criminal Law Policy Unit

Part of Home Office Criminal Justice Group (Criminal Law & Policy). Keeps under review aspects of the criminal law, including ensuring that it is sufficient for the purposes of opposing criminal activities. Formerly SOU.

CMF

Capital Modernisation Fund

The CMF was set up in the Comprehensive Spending Review to support capital investment to improve public services. The fund is allocated on a competitive basis - details from Capital Modernisation Fund (CMF)

CONNEXIONS

Young peoples advice and support services.

COSMOS

Community Safety Mapping Online System

COSMOS is designed as a central point of contact for agencies in Birmingham and the West Midlands.

The system will provide access to multi-agency data through standard reports and easy to use mapping and analysis tools.  Data will be reported in standard geographies allowing data and information to be compared and analysed together whilst maintaining maximum flexibility

CPA

Comprehensive Performance Assessment

A framework to measure the overall performance of a local authority council, using best value performance indicators, best value inspection reports, and audit reports. http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/cpa/

CPO

Crime Prevention Officer

Police employee who is trained in crime prevention techniques and problem solving - until September 2003 by the HO CRC -transferred to Centrex at this time. Other titles used include Crime Reduction Officer, Community Safety Officer, Crime Risk Manager etc.

CPS

Crown Prosecution Service

Responsible for prosecuting people in England & Wales charged by police with a criminal offence. http://www.cps.gov.uk

CPTG

Core Priority Theme Group

CPTED

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design

The basic premise of CPTED is that proper design and effective use of the physical environment can lead to a reduction in the incidence and fear of crime. http://www.cpted.net

CRAVED

Concealable, Removable,
Available, Valuable, Enjoyable, Disposable

Characteristics that make items attractive to criminals, introduced by RV Clarke.

CRC

Crime Reduction Centre

Part of the Home Office Crime Reduction Delivery Team, CRC offers learning, publishing and information services http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/crc.htm (formerly Crime Reduction College)

CRCSG

Crime Reduction and Community Safety Group

Home Office Directorate formed in April 2003 from PCRG and OCDIG. Encompasses police policy & standards, crime, anti-social behaviour, organised crime, international issues and drugs.

CRDB

Crime Reduction Delivery Board

Established in 2003 chaired by the Home Office with respresentation from key stakeholders.

CRDs

Crime Reduction Directors

Now called Home Office Regional Directors HORD.

CRDT

Crime Reduction Delivery Team

Home Office unit within CRCSG which includes crime strategy & reassurance, partnership performance, and volume crime and resources.

CRISS

Crime Reduction in Secondary Schools

This initiative received £12 million under the Crime Reduction Programme. A two year project which aimed to reduce local crime rates by improving school management of pupils' behaviour and reducing truancy, exclusion, unauthorised absence and bullying. Evaluation is being undertaken by Sheffield Hallam University http://www.shu.ac.uk/schools/ed/rescrime.html

CRP

Crime Reduction Programme

The Crime Reduction Programme (CRP) was a £250 million programme that ran for 3 years from April 1999 and which took an evidence-based approach to reducing crime in England and Wales. An extra £153 million, for the Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) initiative, was announced in March 1999. http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/crimered.htm

CRPPU

Crime Reduction Programme and Partnerships Unit

See CRDT (formerly CRPU, below)

CRPU

Crime Reduction Programme Unit

See CRDT (formerly Crime Reduction Unit, CRU)

CRT

Crime Reduction Team

Teams within Government Offices which make a regional contribution to Home Office Aim to build a safe, just and tolerant society.

CSP

City Strategic Partnership

CSR

Comprehensive Spending Review

The review sets out the Government's tax and spending plans, including those for public investment, in the context of its overall approach to social, economic and environmental objectives.

CSSU

Correctional Services Standards Unit

Part of the Correctional and Rehabilitation Policy Directorate in the Home Office Correctional Services

DAR

Drug Analysis and Research

A unit in the Home Office.

DAT

Drug Action Team

DAT's are defined in the National Drugs Strategy. They are non-statutory, autonomous bodies charged with the role of being the 'principal mechanism by which agencies will develop the resource partnerships' to give 'clear co-ordination between objectives, resources and outcomes'.

DAAT

Drug and Alcohol Action Team

5 regional teams in Wales which review the extent of drug and alcohol problems within their areas and the existing strategy to deal with them. Based on these reviews, they establish local strategies and plans for overcoming the misuse of drugs and alcohol in their respective areas.

DANOS

Drug and Alcohol National Occupational Standards

See drugs website for information.

DAT

Drugs Action Team

DBTF

Distraction Burglary Task Force

DBTF is a partnership covering local and national government, the police, business and the voluntary sector. It is sponsored by the Home Office and a number of utility companies. DBTF aims to tackle distraction burglary (also known as burglary artifice or bogus callers). http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/burglary59.htm

DEF

Drug Education Forum

The Drug Education Forum brings together a range of national organisations from health, education, police and voluntary sectors that deliver or support the delivery of drug education

DfES

Department for Education and Skills

Government Department covering children's education, life and work skills for young people and adult learning. http://www.dfes.gov.uk

DIP

Drug Intervention Programme

This is a 3-year programme to develop and integrate measures for directing adult drug-misusing offenders out of crime and into treatment

DLEU

Drug Legislation and Enforcement Unit

DLEU is responsible for delivering the Communities and Supply Disruption targets of the National Drugs Strategy; the statutory framework governing the wider misuse of drugs; the regulation of the licit trade in controlled drugs and chemicals; European and wider international liaison; and providing the secretariat to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs.

DPAS

Drugs Prevention Advisory Service

See Regional Drugs Teams (RDT)

DRUGSCOPE

DrugScope is the UK's leading independent centre of expertise on drugs. Our aim is to inform policy development and reduce drug-related risk.

DSD

Drug Strategy Directorate

The Drugs Strategy Directorate oversees the delivery of the National Drugs Strategy's aims through the work of Drug Action Teams (DATs). It works closely with the the Home Office, Department of Health (DH), the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Treasury as well as with key agencies.

DSP

District Strategic Partnership

DTTO

Drug Treatment and Testing Order

The Drug Testing and Treatment Order (DTTO) is a new community sentence, aimed at breaking the link between drug use and crime. It is an alternative to custodial sentences.

DV

Domestic Violence

DVLA

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport (DfT)
www.dvla.gov.uk

EAZ

Education Action Zone

Education Action Zones allow local partnerships - schools, parents, the community, businesses and local authorities - to find radical and innovative solutions to their problems.

EMCDDA

European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) provides the Community and its Member States with objective, reliable and comparable information at European level concerning drugs and drug addiction and their consequences.

ESRC

Economic and Social Research Council

UK Government's research funding and training agency for economic competitiveness, public services, policy and quality of life. http://www.esrc.ac.uk

FCO

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

The purpose of the FCO is to work for the United Kingdom's interests in a safe, just and prosperous world.

FoI

Freedom of Information

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 extends the rights of individuals to see information held on them by public bodies - other data is covered by the Data Protection Act 1998.

FRANK

Drug Communications. Visit the Frank website.

FSB

Federation of Small Businesses

The FSB is the largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the blank-employed and owners of small firms. Formed in 1974, it now has over 185,000 members across 33 regions and 230 branches. The FSB is non-profit making and non-party political. www.fsb.org.uk

FSS

Forensic Science Service

FSS is an executive agency of the UK Home Office. It is non-profit making and its main purpose is to provide scientific support in the investigation of crime and expert advice to the courts. http://www.forensic.gov.uk

GIS

Geographical Information System

GIS systems are computer systems that handle maps and geographical information in digital form, and can link maps, statistics, and other types of information in order to facilitate advanced analysis.

GO

Government Office

GOs are responsible for delivering government policy in the regions and, since May 2002, are part of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister ODPM. There are 9 GOs in England each headed by a Regional Director.

GO-E

Government Office for the East Region

http://www.go-east.gov.uk

GO-EM

Government Office for the East Midlands Region

http://www.go-em.gov.uk

GO-L

Government Office for the London Region

http://www.go-london.gov.uk

GO-NE

Government Office for the North East Region

http://www.go-ne.gov.uk

GO-NW

Government Office for the North West Region

http://www.go-nw.gov.uk

GO-SE

Government Office for the South East Region

http://www.go-se.gov.uk

GO-SW

Government Office for the South West Region

http://www.gosw.gov.uk

GO-WM

Government Office for the West Midlands Region

http://www.go-wm.gov.uk

GO-YH

Government Office for the
Yorkshire and Humber Region

http://www.goyh.gov.uk/

HAZ

Health Action Zone

Brings together all those contributing to the health of the local population to develop and implement a locally agreed strategy for improving the health of local people.

HDA (HEA)

Health Development Agency

The Health Development Agency is a special health authority that aims to improve the health of people in England - in particular, to reduce health inequalities.

HEES

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Run by DEFRA, this scheme is now known as "Warm Front" and provides packages of insulation and heating measures depending upon the needs of the householder and the construction of the property. The grants are available to specific groups of people on income related benefits. http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/energy/hees/01.htm

HIMO/HMO

House in multiple occupancy

A house which is occupied by persons who do not form a single household - Housing Act 1985/Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

HMCIC

Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary

See HMIC

HMIC

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary

HMIC is responsible for carrying out inspections of provincial police forces under the Police Act 1964. It promotes collaboration between forces and encourages application of new techniques and the results of central police research. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/hmic/hmic.htm

HO

Home Office

The Home Office is the Government department responsible for internal affairs in England and Wales. It aims to build a safe, just and tolerant society, to enhance opportunities for all, and to ensure that the protection and security of the public are maintained and enhanced. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk

HORD

Home Office Regional Director

Based in the Government Offices for the Regions, they are responsible for crime and disorder reduction. Formerly Crime Reduction Director (CRD)

ICT

Information and Communications Technology

ITPR

Individual Target Performance Report

JDI

Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science

http://www.jdi.ucl.ac.uk

JVU

Justice and Victims Unit

Now Victims Unit in the HO Criminal Justice Group

LCD

Lord Chancellor's Department

now the Department of Constitutional Affairs http://www.lcd.gov.uk

LDGs

Local Delivery Groups

A district reflective partnership group with the knowledge, people, power and resources to meet its present local priorities and deliver upon them in a coherent, planned and timely fashion.  An LDG should deliver against local priorities, connect to central focus and ensure that it reflects the communities’ needs that it serves.

LFP

Locks for pensioners

A scheme operated in conjunction with Warm Front (HEES) to enable low income pensioners in high burglary areas to upgrade security at the same time as insulation and heating measures were installed. Applications for LFP are no longer being accepted, although Warm Front still continues. http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/burglary35.htm

LGA

Local Government Association

Represents the local authorities of England and Wales to promote better local government. http://www.lga.gov.uk

LPSA

Local Public Service Agreement

A Local Public Service Agreement (Local PSA) is a voluntary agreement negotiated between an individual local authority and the Government. The overall aim of Local PSAs is to improve delivery of local services through a greater focus on outcomes.

LSP

Local Strategic Partnership

LSPs are non-statutory bodies central to the delivery of the National Strategy for neighbourhood renewal. They aim to bring together at a local level a range of stakeholders - from the public, private, voluntary and community sectors.

MCRG

Motorcycle Crime Reduction Group

Motorcycles and powered two wheelers - working group which is part of VCRAT

NACRO

National Association for the
Care and Resettlement of Offenders

Nacro is an independent voluntary organisation working to prevent crime. It works with ex-offenders, disadvantaged people and deprived communities to reduce offending. http://www.nacro.org.uk

NAFIS

National Automated Fingerprint Identification System

PITO funded system providing all forces in England and Wales with automated fingerprint services. http://www.pito.org.uk/what_we_do/identification/nafis.htm

NCB

National Children's Bureau

NCB promotes the voices, interests and well-being of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives. It provides essential information on policy, research and best practice for members and other partners.

NCIS

National Criminal Intelligence Service

NCIS works on behalf of all the United Kingdom's law enforcement agencies. It provides a range of intelligence products and services to aid the fight against serious and organised crime.

NCPE

National Centre for Policing Excellence

Working with ACPO, the APA, HMIC and the PSU, the NCPE will identify, develop and spread good practice in operational policing throughout the service. Where appropriate, good practice will be enshrined in codes of practice or regulations under the provisions of the Police Reform Act. http://www.centrex.police.uk/ncpe/

NCRS

National Crime Recording Standard

NCRS is an ACPO standard implemented across all forces in England and Wales by March 2002. It aims to move the crime counts for the 43 forces of England and Wales onto a more consistent national basis and to take a more victim-centred approach to crime recording.

NCRS

New Car Security Rating System

Owned by the insurance industry; gives ratings on the ability of new cars to withstand theft of the vehicle and theft from the vehicle. More information available at http://www.thatcham.org

NCS

National Crime Squad

NCS was established in April 1998 through the amalgamation of the six Regional Crime Squads, inheriting their staff, premises, equipment and workload. Its mission is to combat national and international serious and organised crime. http://www.nationalcrimesquad.police.uk

NCSN

National Community Safety Network

Launched in 1996, NCSN is a network which aims to promote crime related community safety as a key issue at national, regional and local level throughout the United Kingdom. It has registered charity status. http://www.community-safety.net

NDC

New Deal for Communities

NDC is a Government programme to tackle multiple deprivation in the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country. The aim is to bridge the gap between these neighbourhoods and the rest of England, tackling five key themes of: poor job prospects; high levels of crime; educational under-achievement; poor health; and problems with housing and the physical environment. 17 pathfinder partnerships were announced in 1998, followed by a second round of 22 partnerships in 1999. Approximately £2bn has been committed to the 39 partnerships. http://www.neighbourhood.gov.uk/ndcomms.asp?pageid=34

NDTMS

National Drug Treatment Monitoring System

NDTMS is used to obtain accurate, good quality, and timely information for reporting drug treatment activity.

NHEG

National Health Education Group

The group works to improve the quality of health education, within an equal opportunities framework for young people.

NHTCU

National Hi-Tech Crime Unit

NHTCU was set up in April 2001 as part of the National Hi-Tech Crime Strategy. It aims to combat national and transnational serious and organised hi-tech crime within, or which impacts on the UK. http://www.nhtcu.org

NIM

National Intelligence Model

NCIS produced the National Intelligence Model (NIM) on behalf of the ACPO Crime Committee to professionalise the intelligence discipline within law enforcement. It is currently being implemented across all police forces in the UK. http://www.ncis.co.uk/nim.asp

NOMS

National Offender Management Service

The National Offender Management Service brings together the Prison and Probation Services to ensure offenders continue their good behaviour in the community, and don't re-offend.

NPD

National Probation Directorate

NPD exercises on behalf of the Home Secretary all responsibilities for the probation service in England and Wales.

NPP

National Policing Plan

The National Policing Plan for England and Wales, published in 2002, sets out the Government's strategic priorities for the police service for 2003-2006. http://www.policereform.co.uk/natpoliceplan/index.html

NPT

National Police Training

From 1 April 2002, NPT became the Central Police Training and Development Authority (Centrex), a non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Home Office. http://www.centrex.police.uk

NRP

National Reassurance Project

See Booklet.

NRU

Neighbourhood Renewal Unit

Part of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister ODPM charged with driving progress across government in line with the National Strategy Action Plan http://www.neighbourhood.gov.uk

NSPIS

National Strategy for Police Information Systems

NSPIS was developed jointly by the police, police authorities and the Home Office in 1994 to ensure that the police take full advantage of information technology and get best value for money in investment in this area. Delivery of NSPIS systems is managed through PITO.

NTA

National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse

NTA is a special health authority established by Government in 2001 to improve treatment services throughout England.

NTORS

National Treatment Outcome Research Study

NTORS is the largest longitudinal cohort study of treatment outcome for drug misusers in the UK. Between March-July 1995, 1075 clients were recruited by 54 participating treatment programmes and the study monitors the progress of clients in one of four treatment modalities. http://www.doh.gov.uk/ntors.htm

NW

Neighbourhood Wardens

Neighbourhood Wardens are a uniformed semi-official presence in residential areas with the aim of improving the environment, quality of life and safety. They work closely with the police and local authorities to tackle deprivation and anti-social behaviour at grass roots level. Street wardens are similar but with more emphasis on caring for the physical appearance of an area. The Neighbourhood Wardens Team (ODPM) Adminsters a programme of grants for NW http://www.neighbourhood.gov.uk/nswardens.asp

ODPM

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

ODPM was created as a central department in its own right in May 2002. It is responsible for policy on housing, planning, devolution, regional and local government and the fire service. It also takes responsibility for the Social Exclusion Unit, the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit and the Government Offices for the Regions. http://www.odpm.gov.uk

OCU

Operational Command Unit

OFSTED

Schools Inspectorate

Is responsible for inspecting all schools in England. Its role also includes the inspection of local education authorities, teacher training institutions and youth work.

ONS

Office for National Statistics

ONS analyses and reports on the UK's changing economy.

PA

Police Authority

Police authorities are the means of local accountability for police forces throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  Their consultations with local people provide an important and transparent link between the police and the public they serve. See also APA.

PADA

Parents Against Drug Abuse

These groups offer support to parents of drug users and a range of services, from education in schools, parent education, prison visiting and much more.

PAT

Problem Analysis Triangle

Simple tool used in crime reduction problem solving. See http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/learningzone/RAT.htm for an explanation.

PAT

Policy Action Team

18 Policy Action Teams were set up by the Social Exclusion Unit to look at major policy areas. These have led to some major changes and targets now being implemented by government departments or cross-department units. http://www.socialexclusion.gov.uk/page.asp?id=212

PBA

Probation Boards Association

Represents and supports the 42 local probation boards in England & Wales, succeeding ACPO and the Central Probation Council.

PCRAT

Property Crime Reduction Action Team

PCRAT was established by the Government to reduce property crime through partnership involving central and local government, police, fire service and other commercial organisations. PCRAT covered burglary, vandalism and arson both in residential and commercial property. It no longer exists.

PCRG

Policing and Crime Reduction Group (Home Office)

Now the Crime Reduction and Community Safety Group within the Home Office

PCT

Primary Care Trusts

A responsible authority under the Crime and Disorder Act (CDA) 1998 as amended by the Police Reform Act 2002. PCT's are local organisations that will work with local authorities and other agencies that provide health and social care. They are now at the centre of the NHS and will get 75% of the NHS budget.

PITO

Police Information Technology Organisation

PITO supports the UK police and other criminal justice organisations by providing information and communication technology solutions, either directly or through contracts with suppliers. http://www.pito.org.uk

PMDU

Prime Ministers' Delivery Unit

The Unit works in partnership with the Treasury, No. 10, other parts of the Cabinet Office and stakeholder departments, to assess delivery and provide performance management for the Governments top public priorities.

PNC

Police National Computer

Police intelligence tool which holds data on criminals, vehicles and property. It began in 1974 with stolen vehicle information and is accessed through a secure network by police and other criminal justice agencies.

POCIU

Public Order and Crime Issues Unit

Unit includes youth crime & information sharing, business crime, firearms licensing, gun crime, domestic violence, and public order. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/inside/org/dob/direct/index.html

POOLED BUDGETS

Funds young people’s substance misuse services

POP

Problem Oriented Policing

A proactive strategy that involves police-community collaboration in the identification and resolution of community problems. See also SARA.

POSITIVE FUTURES

Home Office targeted drugs programme.

PPAF

Policing Performance Assessment Framework

The PPAF Programme aims to deliver a suite of performance measures that span the full remit of police work. PSU is leading development as set out in the National Policing Plan and PPAF is expected to be implemented in April 2004.

PRCRU

Property and Road Crime Reduction Unit

See POCIU - for domestic burglary see CRDT

PRCU

Policing and Reducing Crime Unit

See C&PG - part of HO Research Development and Statistics Directorate

PSA

Public Service Agreement

PSAs set out each government departments' aim, objectives and key outcome-based targets. They form an integral part of the spending plans set out in the Spending Review.

PSDB

Police Scientific Development Branch

P