HC Deb 15 March 1984 vol 56 cc502-3
19. Mr. Wood

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement about recent levels of crime and violence.

Mr. Mellor

The number of offences of violence against the person recorded in 1983 was 111,000, 2 per cent. more than in 1982. The rate of increase was the lowest in the last 10 years. The number of robberies fell by 3 per cent. The total of all notifiable offences recorded by the police in 1983 fell by 1 per cent.

Mr. Wood

All hon. Members will welcome that news. Does my hon. Friend believe that the significant factor has been bringing policemen back on the beat? Secondly, are there things that individual citizens might do to help reduce the level of crime?

Mr. Mellor

I am certain that returning police officers to the beat has materially helped, and that it will help even more in the years ahead: As well as taking precautions to protect themselves against the most common crimes of burglary and auto crime, I hope that individuals will participate and co-operate with the police in the burgeoning neighbourhood watch schemes. A true partnership between the police and the community could send our crime figures down even more, and that is what we hope to achieve.