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The plans were first suggested in an Office Cabinet Report, which outlined a service providing local crime information, with the intention of allowing the public to compare crime levels and the performance of criminal justice services in their area.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown endorsed the report's proposals, which also included training and funding schemes to help local groups tackle crime more effectively and the appointment of a Public Commissioner on crime, saying "people have told us what they want to be done and we are going to act".

The eight-month study was compiled from a variety of sources, including public consultation.

The report reveals that nine in every 10 UK citizens feel they don't get enough information about what happens to criminals, while 79% think the criminal justice system is there to serve the rights of the criminals and not the victims.