The Politics of Law and Order Today

A comprehensive introduction to a controversial issue in contemporary Britain, examining the topic from a political perspective. The book assesses key events which help shape this perspective, from the confait affair to the murder of James Bulger. It begins with an account of the erosion of consensus on law and order, and how this has affected the thinking of Britain's political parties. Attention then moves to the five key areas of public policy: police power; police management; sentencing reform; public order; and the security service. The text concludes by examining whether a new political consensus is forming and how successful it is likely to prove.