HC Deb 14 December 1967 vol 756 cc602-4
7. Mr. Roebuck

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a progress report about the unit-beat system, and state when it is to be introduced in the constituency of the hon. Member for Harrow, East.

Mr. Callaghan

By 30th September, 1967, the system had been introduced in police areas in which some 16 per cent, of the population of England and Wales live. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis plans to introduce the system in the Pinner area, part of which lies within the constituency of my hon. Friend, early in 1968. The remainder of his constituency is covered by the Edgware sub-division, where the system will begin to operate at some time before the end of March, 1969.

Mr. Roebuck

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that satisfactory reply. Will he take note that in my constituency we have a particular problem because of our proximity to the M1? Will he ensure that the local police force has every help in discouraging thieves from entering my constituency and decamping along the Ml with the hard-earned possessions of my constituents?

Mr. Callaghan

I shall see what comments the Commissioner has to make on that.

Mr. Grant

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why this excellent system is apparently to be introduced solely in the constituency of Harrow, East? Does not Harrow, Central have a look in on this matter?

Mr. Callaghan

I should not like to make any comments on where the criminals are to be found. [Laughter.] The percentage of population to be covered by the unit-beat system is going up very fast, and by next March, which is only three or four months away, 63 per cent, of the population of England and Wales will be covered by the new system.

Mr. Arthur Davidson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that my constituency was chosen as the experimental city for this excellent system? Will he bear in mind that the results have been excellent, that the morale of the police has improved, that crime has dropped, and that rela- tions between the public and the police have improved as a result? Will he expedite the use of the system throughout the country?

Mr. Callaghan

I am aware of what my hon. Friend has said. I must add that in addition to these triumphs in Accrington my hon. Friend was returned as its Member in March, 1966.