Michael Howard and David Blunkett have both had their say on the police this week, now it's our turn. JO HAYWOOD kickstarts the debate.

THE political sabres are out and are being furiously rattled. But are they effective weapons when it comes to cutting through the problems facing the justice system, or are they simply a sharp tool of the propaganda trade? On Monday, Michael Howard pledged to introduce zero tolerance policing, scrap Labour's electronic tagging programme, put a stop to racially-monitored police stops and build more prisons if the Tories come to power at the next election.

David Blunkett hit back yesterday by revealing that he wants every criminal offence to be made arrestable, setting aside the current system under which officers can arrest someone if they suspect them of committing an offence which carries a punishment of at least five years' imprisonment.

He also wants to significantly reform the search warrants system, in a bid to make them less restricted.

The debate continues, but does it amount to anything more than a war of words?

"I'm a third generation copper," says Mark Botham, chairman of North Yorkshire Police Federation, "and I have always taken my dad's advice: believe nothing until you see it in writing, and then believe only half of it until you see it in action.

"Michael Howard and David Blunkett can rattle their sabres as much as they like, but I'll believe it when I see it."

Chris Bone, the federation's deputy secretary, took a similar wait-and-see approach, disclaiming Michael Howard and David Blunkett's exclamations as "just part of the party political process".

He says the core issue his members would like to see tackled is bureaucracy and the increasing reams of paperwork facing police officers every day.

But, once again, he is sceptical whether any political party is willing to stop talking about this subject long enough to actually tackle it.

"A cut in bureaucracy has been promised by every party in every election and has never seen the light of day," he says.

"Bureaucracy increases time and time again. North Yorkshire Police has had to increase its support staff from around 500-600 to 950 in the last five years, presumably to deal with the paperwork.

"We basically want our officers to be able to do what the public wants us to do.

"They want us to be more visible on the streets and we want to be able to provide visible policing for them."

Middlesbrough mayor Ray Mallon, who in his former career as a police officer was nicknamed "Robocop" for vociferously championing the zero tolerance approach, was pictured alongside Mr Howard when he made his proclamation on Monday.

He has been quoted as saying we have to fight for every inch of our streets before it's too late and that zero tolerance is the only practical solution.

This is not necessarily a view shared by the North Yorkshire federation and, pressed to stand on one side of the fence or the other, all PC Bone would say was that members might favour "less tolerance".

"We need to make sure that all the players - not just the police but all the other agencies involved in the process - are doing their utmost to reduce crime," he says. "We would much rather see priority given to our members, enabling them to conduct high visibility policing, and less emphasis on some of the other groups in the policing family."

Kevin Shepherd, Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator for Chapelfields Road, York, is also a firm believer in joined-up justice, involving not only the police, but the judiciary and the public too.

"The police work hard and they make arrests, but then the magistrates let the criminals off too easy," he says.

"We need to get rid of all these goody-goodies who give thieves and vandals a slap on the wrist and tell them not to do it again.

"Young offenders should be named and shamed. They get away with too much these days.

"We have got to get the young ones sorted, but you've got to control the parents before you can control the kids."

At the other end of the judicial spectrum, Mr Shepherd says the public had to do their bit too by reporting incidents to the police and helping them with their inquiries once an incident had occurred.

"They should help the police and let them know if they are suspicious of anything," he adds.

"Unfortunately, however, people generally don't want to do their bit anymore.

"They want Neighbourhood Watch but they are not willing to get involved.

"Everyone must play their part.

"The public have to help the police; the police have to be on the streets to make the arrests; and the magistrates have to dish out harsher punishments that will actually act as deterrents."

Back-to-basics is a phrase that crops up a lot in conversation with Mr Shepherd.

He doesn't give credence to fancy ideas or convoluted solutions.

He believes getting the basics right is the only way forward. "Forget all the high-tech stuff and get police on their bikes on the streets," he says.

"If people, particularly young kids, know a policeman is round the next corner they won't think about messing about."

Doug Unwin, who was assaulted outside his home in Acomb last October, leaving him scarred for life, is another proponent of basic justice.

He believes zero tolerance is the answer. But not just in terms of policing.

"I hope Mr Howard's government would introduce zero tolerance into CPS (Crime Prosecution Service) thinking and Home Office guidelines on sentencing," he says.

"It's no use toughening up police powers if the criminals then go through a justice system that deals lightly with them, which is now the norm."

Mr Unwin believes the present system is far too permissive, allowing young offenders in particular to commit crime after crime without having to face the consequences.

The youth who assaulted him was given a final warning by the police on top of two previous warnings.

He then went on to commit a further violent assault, for which he was given a non-custodial sentence in the form of a one-year referral order.

"In my view, the justice system has gone out of its way not to send him to court," he says, "instead giving him reprimands, warnings and final warnings."

Under the current system, his previous violent crimes count for nothing.

"It is pointless giving the police more powers of arrest if the CPS lets them all off on legal technicalities and the Home Office sentencing guidelines remain the same as they are now."

Updated: 11:53 Friday, August 13, 2004