Blunkett takes step towards a comeback

David Blunkett's comeback to frontline politics was set for another big step forward today with a pre-election visit to south London.

At his first event in the capital since his resignation as Home Secretary in December, Mr Blunkett was expected to tour Battersea to praise Labour's record on crime.

Returning to highlight the success of one of his own flagship policies, he will hail the impact of a new "dispersal zone" designed to clamp down on yobs in a high-crime area. The ex-minister was due to meet local residents and police to witness how the zone and curfew powers have reduced crime.

Halfway through the sixmonth scheme, police have reported a 60 per cent drop in robberies, with reports of threatening behaviour falling by a similar degree.

The trip is part of Tony Blair's efforts to use Mr Blunkett, still popular with voters, to shore up the party's support. He resigned after an inquiry found he had been involved in fast-tracking a visa for his ex-lover's nanny.