Blair targets most wanted criminals

Tony Blair today ordered a crackdown on Britain's 5,000 most wanted criminals.

The Prime Minister's drive to send law and order back up the political agenda was expected to be launched in a speech this afternoon.

He was targeting the hardcore of gang leaders, drug dealers, vandals and thieves blamed for a crime wave totalling one million offences.

Police said they need to adopt tough tactics to take on the 0.5 per cent of offenders behind almost one in 10 crimes.

Those on the "most wanted" list may be warned they have been singled out for attention when they leave prison.

CCTV cameras could be erected to monitor their homes and stop intimidation of neighbours who could put them back in jail. Police, probation staff and local authorities must direct the full force of new anti-social behaviour measures at them, Mr Blair is set to say.

Efforts will be focused on an average-of just 15 criminals by each of the 376 partnerships set up to crack crime across England and Wales. Criminal records and probation reports will be used to select them.

A pilot scheme targeting 16 prolific criminals cut their predicted offences by three-quarters from 1,600 to 400. It has saved an estimated £1.9 million in the north Bristol area since April 2002.

Mr Blair's speech to a Local Government Association conference in London this afternoon will come ahead of the introduction of new anti-social measures tomorrow.