CHOICES AND CONSEQUENCES (C2) WINS NATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD

HERTFORDSHIRE'S Choices and Consequences (C2) programme, which aims to steer prolific, acquisitive criminals away from a life of crime, has scooped the prestigious national Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Excellence in Policing Award 2009.

The ground-breaking project was voted the winner by attendees at the Excellence in Policing Conference, at the National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA) in Ryton, on Tuesday (September 22), coming top over three other shortlisters. In total there were 55 entries from 20 police force and police organisations.

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Miller, who developed the programme, commented: "C2 is a new and challenging way of working, and whilst we still have a way to go as this is, in effect, a four year programme, there's no doubt that it has already achieved some very positive outcomes for the local community, both in terms of crime detection and reduction.

"I would like to thank all those involved in the project, including our partners, for their continued commitment in breaking the cycle of crime for the long term. In targeting the small number of offenders who have the biggest criminal impact in Hertfordshire, we hope to make it even safer."

Detective Superintendent Mark Drew, who leads on the C2 programme, presented it to voters at the conference. He said: "It is fantastic that the hard work of all those involved in C2 - from those who developed the programme, to those area staff involved in the initial investigation of the offenders, through to those who deliver the programme today - has been recognised on a national scale."

The C2 programme is the first of its kind nationally. Offenders accepted onto the project must comply with all the conditions of their C2 order. This includes actively participating in the C2 project, abstaining from using any form of drugs - regular tests will be carried out to ensure there are no substances in his system - and attending a number of interim court hearings.

Any sentence C2 candidates may have received had they not been on the C2 project is deferred for a period set by the courts, and they must stay away from offending and deal with any addiction for a period of up to three years - if they don't, they will be brought back before the court to be re-sentenced.

Chair of Hertfordshire Police Authority, Stuart Nagler, said: "Once again, Hertfordshire Constabulary has shown that it leads the field in innovation and partnership working. My congratulations to all the officers and staff who have worked so hard to make C2 the success that it is. In particular, I would like to thank Chris Miller, who had the vision, drive and enthusiasm to get others committed to this ground-breaking initiative."

The C2 programme is run by Hertfordshire Constabulary in partnership with Hertfordshire Probation Service, The Rank Foundation, Crown Prosecution Service, the Drug Intervention Programme, the Regional Offender Management Service, Herts in Trust, the Regional Offender Learning & Skills Centre, Turning Point, the Hertfordshire Criminal Justice Board and Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust.

The Excellence in Policing Award was set up by ACPO to enable forces and partnerships to share details of the most innovative policing projects throughout England and Wales.