21. Mr. Bob Brownasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to encourage chief constables to extend the system of foot patrols on the beat in order to arrest the ever-increasing rate of vandalism.
§ Mr. SharplesThe deployment of police manpower is the responsibility of chief officers of police. I am quite sure they have in mind the importance of finding effective ways of checking vandalism.
Mr. BrownIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the public are becoming increasingly apprehensive about the ever-increasing, mindless vandalism that is taking place? For example, last Friday night my car was damaged by vandals during a 35-minute visit to my constituents. It not the only way to deal with this to put men on the beat where they are known?
§ Mr. SharplesI am well aware of the growth of vandalism, and, like the hon. Gentleman, I deplore this tendency. The growth of unit beat policing, which goes back almost to the village constable idea, is probably the best development, and this is taking place in many police forces. I welcome this.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisWill the hon. Gentleman say why it was impossible for him to answer my Parliamentary Question about the number of policemen on duty each night in my constituency, and why he was unable to answer a similar Question from another hon. Member? Will he now answer those Questions or tell us why he cannot answer them?
§ Mr. SharplesIf I remember aright, the hon. Gentleman asked me about the number of police available in particular areas at particular times. I do not think it would be in the public interest to disclose those figures.