HC Deb 23 June 1966 vol 730 cc904-6
3. Mr. Tilney

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces in the country are now equipped with television cameras and pocket radio sets; and whether he will take steps to encourage their use as part of the essential modern equipment for the police.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

Seventy-eight police forces in England and Wales are using pocket radio sets and seven have television cameras. I intend that all forces shall have some pocket radios, or pack sets where they are preferred, in this financial year.

Television cameras are more specialised equipment, the use of which is being studied by the Home Office Police Research and Planning Branch.

Mr. Tilney

Is the Home Secretary aware of the very considerable drop in the crime rate in the city of Liverpool due to hidden television cameras? Is he aware that these cameras work in well with the radio sets used by mobile patrols and that the chance of there being a camera hidden somewhere makes a person think twice before committing a crime?

Mr. Jenkins

Yes, Sir, and I have had an opportunity, as the hon. Gentleman is no doubt aware, of seeing this experiment for myself. I find it of great interest and we are studying the results very carefully to see if there can be a wider application of it.

Mr. Carlisle

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the use of these radios is probably one of the greatest recent advantages given to the ordinary policeman on the beat, and will he see that every police force has a sufficient number of them at the earliest possible opportunity?

Mr. Jenkins

Yes, Sir, and that is why, during the next two years, we will be providing a total of up to 12,000 of these sets, which I think will be a revolution in the use of police equipment in this country.

Mr. Heffer

Will my right hon. Friend be very careful in the extension of this development, which I support, to see that it does not go so far as to intrude into the personal liberties of the individuals? Will he take this into consideration?

Mr. Jenkins

I shall certainly watch that point.