Blunkett announces far-reaching crackdown on crime

PETITIONS gathered by crime-plagued communities will be able to trigger official snap inspections of their local police force as part of a crime crackdown in Britain, Home Secretary David Blunkett said yesterday.

The move will be part of a wide-ranging crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour, which will also see thousands of extra civilian wardens recruited.

Mr Blunkett also announced a radical Big Brother-style network of border controls to keep track of terrorists and criminals.