<p><br /> Police across England and Wales have been told that they no longer need to chase performance targets.<br /> </p><p><br /> Home Secretary Theresa May announced the immediate abolition of the last remaining target, which was to increase public confidence in police.<br /> </p><p><br /> Mrs May also axed the Policing Pledge, a 2008 New Labour innovation outlining the standards people can expect from their force.<br /> </p><p><br /> Speaking at the Association of Chief Police Officers conference, she said: "I know that some officers like the Policing Pledge, and some, I'm sure, like the comfort of knowing they've ticked boxes.<br /> </p><p><br /> "But targets don't fight crime. Targets hinder the fight against crime.<br /> </p><p><br /> "In scrapping the confidence target and the policing pledge, I couldn't be any clearer about your mission: it isn't a 30-point plan; it is to cut crime. No more, and no less."<br /> </p>
