UK police to train South African officers

South African police force: Faced with rising crime

Britain is to train South African police officers in a bid to help tackle the country's spiralling crime rate.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has announced that a £500,000 programme has been set up by the Metropolitan Police to train 100 officers from the Scorpions investigation unit.

The elite unit was set up by South African President Thabo Mbeki last year to target organised crime in South Africa's sprawling townships and cities.

Thabo Mbeki: Meeting Tony Blair

The programme will be based at the Met's own training centre in Hendon, north London.

Mr Blair and President Mbeki are scheduled to begin talks in Downing Street at the annual UK-South Africa summit.

Along with the police training programme, Mr Blair is expected to offer continued help in modernising the South African Defence Force.

He will also recommend the secondment of a civil servant to the South African Department of Trade to co-ordinate investment by British arms firms.

The Prime Minister said: "South Africa is and will remain a key partner for Britain - not just in politics, business and international affairs but also in working together to create a safer, more secure world."

The South African President is meeting the Queen before the detailed discussions in Downing Street with Mr Blair on Thursday.