HC Deb 08 June 1978 vol 951 cc355-6
9. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with chief constables about steps to reduce the level of vandalism.

Dr. Summerskill

This is not a problem which can be solved by the police alone; the public must also play its part. From his discussions with chief officers of police my right hon. Friend knows that they are aware of the concern about vandalism, and give as much priority as they can to tackling it in conjunction with the other individuals and organisations involved.

Mr. McNair-Wilson

If the Minister says that this is a matter for the public, what are the Government doing about launching a massive anti-vandalism campaign to warn the public and perhaps the local authorities about the problem and to give some guidance on security measures that they could introduce?

Dr. Summerskill

That has already been done by the Home Office in advice to the police and the public. The police themselves are organising public support locally. They are holding meetings with local authorities, with schools and with parent-teacher associations, and are impressing upon the public the need to report acts of vandalism. This is a joint matter between the police and the public.

Mr. Stoddart

Does my hon. Friend agree that television scenes depicting gross vandalism and violence encourage such behaviour among the population, particularly among the young? Does she also agree that the media ought to be told that their attitude in glorifying violence and lionising its perpetrators does not help solve the problem of vandalism and violence which daily they condemn in their columns?

Dr. Summerskill

I am sure that most hon. Members will agree with my hon. Friend. No doubt the media will note his comments this afternoon.

Mr. Lawrence

Is the Minister aware that the public would be more co-operative with the police in stopping vandalism if it could be more confident that the Government were taking every measure to try to strengthen the forms of punishment available for dealing with the vandals once they have been caught?

Dr. Summerskill

Further provisions of the Criminal Law Act which come into force next month increase the maximum fine for offences of this type, on summary conviction, to £1,000 for an adult, £200 for a young person aged 14 to 16, and £50 for a child under 14.