Crime Wave May Cost Police Local Autonomy

The government warned police chiefs that it would intervene if they failed to halt growing lawlessness on British streets.

Home Secretary David Blunkett said the government would use proposed new powers to take over local police forces that are losing the anti-crime battle. London, hit by a wave of muggings and robberies, could be one of the first forces affected.

Glen Smyth, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, said Blunkett was trying to shift blame. The city has 700 fewer officers now than when Tony Blair became prime minister in 1997, and 2,000 fewer than a decade ago, he said.