The Home Secretary announced plans to invest £5m to fund new 'community crime fighters'. 3,600 members of the public (who are already involved in helping their communities) will be trained to provide a link between the public and the police.

The training will take place in 2009 and will include a focus on:

• How to get the best services from the criminal justice system;
• How crime victims and witnesses can get help;
• What the police pledge means; and
• How best to address antisocial behaviour.