Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Paula Cox is launching a crusade "to encourage people to become involved'' in the fight against crime.

And she has also promised she will do all she can to make sure that Police manpower needs are met.

Speaking after yesterday's Throne Speech, in which the PLP Government announced that the reintroduction of the Police Cadet Scheme, the civilianisation programme and the effectiveness of the Parish Constable scheme will all be reviewed, Ms Cox said: "We have got to look at what we can do to encourage people to become involved.

"It's a question of finding out what the requirements of the Police Service are.

"What we are talking about is how we can build an infrastructure of opportunity and clearly part of that is to encourage and educate our young people to know what career options there are out there.'' The new minister will be meeting with Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay next week to discuss various issues including the possibility of reintroducing the Police Cadet scheme, which, she feels, would encourage youths to consider a career in the Police Service.

Ms Cox also stressed that Government is also committed to getting a Halfway House up and running as soon as possible. The centre will help criminals fresh out of Westgate to be rehabilitated back into society.

"That has to be one of our priorities,'' she said.

Last night Commissioner Lemay said he would not comment on any possible PLP proposals until he had the opportunity to meet with the Minister first.

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