Local newspapers have an important campaigning role and can play a part in helping to reduce crime, home secretary Jacqui Smith has said.

Speaking at a Newspaper Conference lunch at the House of Commons, she told an audience of regional press lobby correspondents and London political editors how communicating at a local level was vital to reduce fear of crime.

Speaking of the importance of local newspapers, she added: “Firstly, there’s the significance of people’s views about crime and the availability of local information, secondly there’s the importance of campaigning on local issues.

“Between us we understand the power of sharing that information and understanding the importance of engaging with people locally.”

The Home Secretary said her previous position as Labour Party Chief Whip had involved shunning the limelight but, since her appointment as home secretary in June, communication had become all-important.

Making performance figures of local agencies available to a community was crucial in giving people the chance to judge services, and reduce fear of crime, she added.

That, she said, would “build confidence in local communities”.

Answering journalists’ questions at the lunch, the home secretary spoke on a range of topics including DNA databases, the killing of youngster Rhys Jones and ASBOs.

Administered by the Newspaper Society, the Newspaper Conference is made up of around 20 Westminster-based journalists who work for regional newspapers across the UK.