BLUNKETT TO ANNOUNCE CONCESSIONS FOR POLICE

David Blunkett is expected to announce a compromise to his police
reforms this week in an attempt to silence critics.

The Home Office admitted last night that "more work" needed to be done
to an important part of the Police Bill that would give ministers
power to impose action plans on failing police forces.

Mr Blunkett is reported to have held secret talks with Oliver Letwin,
the shadow Home Secretary, to discuss a compromise. The proposal has
been criticised as undermining the long-standing principle that chief
constables operate independently of the Government.

One alternative said to have been discussed would mean that the police
authorities, rather than the Home Secretary, would approve plans for
under-performing constabularies.

A Home Office spokeswoman insisted that Mr Blunkett was determined to
maintain the principle. "We are happy to find a different route to the
same outcome," she said. "We are not prepared to dilute the principle
that the Home Secretary has the power to intervene in failing areas."

The framework for the powers is set out in a protocol to the Bill that
is due to begin its final passage through the Commons tomorrow.

Mr Blunkett is expected to announce on Wednesday that cannabis will be
reclassified from a class-B to a class-C drug. The move follows a
pilot project in Lambeth, south London, in which people caught with a
small amount of the drug were only given a warning so that police
hours could be spent on combating harder drugs.

It is believed the Home Secretary will seek to deflect criticism that
he is going soft on drugs by announcing harsher sentences for those
caught dealing cannabis.

Mr Blunkett is also likely to come under fire on Friday with the
publication of official figures showing a 6 per cent rise in crime
this year.