§ 19. Mr. Woodburnasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware that a contributory cause of successful burglaries is the failure to provide in otherwise sound premises proper locks and other precautions against illegal entry; and whether he will consider issuing a circular to all planning authorities urging them to make it a prerequisite of consent for 1049 building that the advice of the Crime Prevention Department of the police should be complied with.
§ Sir K. JosephNo, Sir. A condition of the kind suggested could not be regarded as proper to planning control.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs the Minister aware that the public are becoming alarmed at the degree to which occupiers of premises are contributing to crime, and that the police regard some of the locks and precautions almost as an invitation to entry, providing considerable temptation, especially to youths, to start on a career of crime? Is it right that public money should be wasted because of contributory negligence on the part of banks and others who are not taking proper precautions to safeguard their premises?
§ Sir K. JosephAs my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said, this is more a matter for co-operation between owners of premises and the police. Planning powers and land use control powers are not suitable for this sort of thing.
§ Mr. WoodburnIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the police are very concerned about the lack of co-operation? Who is responsible for getting that co-operation? Surely the Government must take some steps in this matter?