The Act Commentary on Sections Part 1: Police Reform Paragraph 30: Arrangements for obtaining the views of the community on policing
120.Paragraph 30 amends section 96 of the 1996 Act which places a duty on police authorities to make arrangements for obtaining the views of the community on policing the force area and the cooperation of the community in preventing crime. Sub-paragraph (2) amends section 96(1)(b) of the 1996 Act to extend the duty on police authorities to cover the making of arrangements for seeking the cooperation of the community in preventing anti-social behaviour (in addition to the prevention of crime). Sub-paragraph (4) substitutes subsections (6) to (10) of section 96. The new subsections enable the Secretary of State to make regulations (subject to the negative procedure) supplementing the general duty on police authorities imposed by section 96(1). The Secretary of State must consult with the APA and the ACPO before making any order under new section 96.