Debate on early intervention

Graham Allen, the Labour MP for Nottingham North, has led a debate on early intervention and the role of police and crime commissioners.

Mr Allen published a report in 2011 saying that early intervention would improve the lives of vulnerable children and help break the cycle of "dysfunction and under-achievement".

The report recommended regular assessments of all pre-school children focusing on their social and emotional development and called for a national parenting programme in the UK.

Mr Allen used the debate to make the case for the role newly-elected police crime commissioners could have in co-ordinating and overseeing early intervention strategies.

He said commissioners could play a role in "getting to the source of crime" rather than waiting until "some 20 years later ... to pick up the pieces".

"They can used their skills and independence to bring a strategic and long-term view to reducing crime, which would be welcomed by police officers, victims and taxpayers," he told MPs.