Blunkett on stop-and-search drive

One of London's most notorious crime blackspots was singled out today as part of a government crackdown that will also see a new emphasis on stop-and-search.

The blackspot, the area around Camberwell Green in south London which has become infamous for gun crime, street robbery and gang violence, is one of five trouble-spots across England and Wales to be chosen as new policing priority areas.

The plan was announced today by Home Secretary David Blunkett and marks the start of what he calls a "drive against the disintegration and fracturing of decent behaviour".

It also comes as he signalled a key change in the way the controversial stop-and-search tactics are used, which is set to see a significant rise in the number of suspects questioned.

On stop-and-search, Mr Blunkett will spell out how police will be required to hand out a ticket detailing time, location, reason and outcome of a search. The measure, a key demand in the Macpherson Report into the Stephen Lawrence case, is aimed at reassuring the public and ending concerns that black youths are unfairly targeted. The hope is police will feel more confident in using the tactic and the public will be ready to support its wider use.

The Home Secretary will also use an event in Bristol to launch the first five policing priority areas. Camberwell Green and other areas in Bristol, Bradford, Stoke and North Wales, have been chosen because they are all seriously deprived areas where police struggle to crack crime because they find it hard to engage with the local community.

Camberwell Green, which has a 30 per cent black population, has six council wards which are ranked in the five per cent of most deprived in the country.

Street robbery, crack cocaine and youth crime are acute problems, but there is also particular concern about gun crime, often linked to the nightclub scene in the area. The area, which is dominated by 1960s high and medium-rise blocks, is also a hotspot for late-night violent street robberies.

In partnership with the Home Office, Scotland Yard will appoint a senior figure to manage the project. Their first task will be to come up with an action plan identifying problems and solutions. The area is eligible for millions of pounds for crime reduction projects, but police and council partners have not been bidding. The new project manager will mastermind new cash bids. Mr Blunkett's new Standards Unit will help by trying to bring the area's school, magistrates, courts, businesses and residents together in the fight against crime.

A senior Home Office source said: "The reason the area was chosen in consultation with police is that for years it has defied the best policing ideas. These five places are amongst Britain's most deprived areas with deep-seated crime problems - if we can turn these areas around, we can come up strategies to work anywhere."

Way of life in Camberwell Green