Rutland's Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews has welcomed the Government's new hard-hitting blueprint for tackling crime and making Britain's streets safer.

The Beating Crime Plan, unveiled today, sets out a serious of bold measures to drive down neighbourhood crime and violence and confront the underlying causes of repeat offending.

Mr Matthews says the plan complements his own vision for a safer Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and will deliver robust action to ensure law-abiding citizens across England and Wales have the security and confidence to feel safe.

He said: "I am fully behind the ambitious path laid out by the Government today to restore peace and power within our communities.

"Local people are right to be concerned about the problems impacting their wellbeing and their neighbourhoods and I am pleased the Government aims to tackle these with increased vigour, particularly the illicit use of drugs.

"Further new investment from the Safer Streets Fund is also great news and will allow us to make a real difference to people's safety but I also would like to see a stronger emphasis placed on community policing to build trust and confidence among the public.

"The police are not as visible as they could be. We need to invest in our local officers and re-engage them with our communities, encouraging greater problem solving with our partners and residents. Anything we can do to reunite the public with the police – including making sure they have the names and contact details of their neighbourhood officers as this plan pledges – is to be welcomed."

Mr Matthews continued: "We also need to empower police to do their jobs effectively which is why I am fully behind the Government's permanent relaxation on the use of stop and search powers. Knife crime is spiralling out of control and we need to do something urgent to put the fear of being caught back on the perpetrators of violence.

"Similarly, the ever-increasing online crime epidemic needs to be stemmed and I fully welcome confirmation of more resources and enhanced coordination among agencies on this issue as well as the Government's plans to combat violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and child sexual exploitation."

The PCC added: "What is inherently clear in the Beating Crime Plan is how vital coordination and partnerships are to delivering tangible improvements to safety. There needs to be greater accountability and stronger community safety partnerships to make any of these aspirations happen and I will be ensuring that I do everything in my power to galvanise this action here in this county."