HC Deb 22 February 1979 vol 963 cc612-3
17. Mr. Norman Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what priority he accords in his policy of combating street crime and household break-ins to increasing the number of policemen on the beat or to applying a similar amount of financial support to publicity campaigns on crime prevention.

Dr. Summerskill

Police forces generally, and those in metropolitan areas particularly, are below establishment. Priority can be given to their need to recruit up to establishment without restricting expenditure on crime prevention publicity.

Mr. Atkinson

Does my hon. Friend agree that we should be spending much more on crime prevention, especially on the use of modern publicity techniques, so that the public generally are made aware of how they may prevent a great deal of street crime, in particular, from taking place? In promoting such publicity campaigns, will she take a lead from other major cities in Europe and plead with the public not to carry openly purses, wallets and like items that attract crime? Likewise, should we not be publicising modern methods of securing doors and windows?

Dr. Summerskill

I can assure my hon. Friend that a great deal is being done. Nearly £400,000 will be spent on crime prevention publicity in 1978–79 compared with £250,000 in the year before. Local chief officers of police are spending money as they see fit to deal with problems of crime prevention in their areas.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

Does my hon. Friend agree that a great deal may be done by existing resources being applied in a different way? Will she bear in mind the success of the Devon and Cornwall force in community policing, which has reduced street crime by about 40 per cent., and that of the Hands-worth force, which has achieved a 50 per cent. reduction? Is it not time that we applied that system throughout the country?

Dr. Summerskill

Each chief officer of police is left to decide the needs of his own area. I am sure that the chief officers are aware of the procedures in other areas and will take measures to emulate them if they think fit.

Mr. Costain

May I draw the hon. Lady's attention to the fact that the police in the Folkestone area are giving much appreciated talks to various organisations such as senior citizens clubs? The talks are much appreciated and are helping to reduce crime? Will she carry that initiative to other areas?

Dr. Summerskill

That is done in many areas, including my constituency of Halifax. I should like to see the practice spread throughout the country.