In 1993, a fresh-faced Tony Blair received continuous applause from police officers when he addressed the Police Federation of England and Wales's annual conference in Blackpool.

Mr Blair, then the shadow home secretary, told delegates the criminal justice system was on the brink of collapse, police morale was low and court procedures were outdated. He called for an investigation into the reasons for a drop in prosecutions and said courts should be given more powers to control young offenders.

On June 27, Mr Blair steps down after 10 years in power, but opinion in the police service is divided over whether the Prime Minister delivered his promises and is leaving the police service in a good position.

Ken Jones, president of ACPO, says the service is 'fundamentally' better than it was in 1993, with reforms to the criminal justice system, more visible police presence and better accountability.

He says: 'The Prime Minister and people involved in those changes can take credit for that. The changes in the service in the last decade are fundamental and we are all the better for it. The performance culture is deep-rooted now and it was very sketchy in the 1990s.'

But Ian Johnston, president of the Superintendents' Association, says many of the areas Mr Blair spoke about in 1993 still need addressing.

He says: 'The relationship between the police and the Crown Prosecution Service [CPS] leaves a considerable amount to be desired. The number of cases discontinued by the CPS seems to be on the increase. Evidence from our members is that the CPS is loath to take cases to court unless they are certain there will be a conviction. The relationship referred to in 1993 has got worse.'

Jan Berry, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, says that in his 1993 speech Mr Blair recognised what had to change. But she says the Prime Minister has not managed to tackle the problems in an effective way: 'He has overseen a fragmented and piecemeal reform of the service but he should have had a holistic overview.'