The home secretary has committed the government to further police reform as part of a pledge to deliver a safer and more secure society.

Charles Clarke told officers at the annual conference of the Police Federation: "We cannot go into another general election with people feeling uncertain about crime and worried about anti-social behaviour. We have to solve this problem."

He added: "We need a major programme of change if we are to meet the aspirations of people in this country."

Clarke appealed for constructive dialogue with the federation but insisted that talks between the government and the federation had to deliver more effective neighbourhood policing .

Meanwhile, Clarke's Home Office colleague, Hazel Blears, used her speech to the annual conference of chief police officers to urge the public to "get out of their armchairs" and help the police tackle anti-social behaviour.

Blears, the police minister, said people were needed who would "lay down a marker and set limits" for yobs and those who made life a misery for local communities.