§ 22. Mr. Harry Barnes (North-East Derbyshire) (Lab)If she will make a statement on the impact of the Crown Prosecution Service's role in the street crime initiative in North-East Derbyshire. [141778]
§ The Solicitor-GeneralThe impact of the street crime initiative has been to cut street crime and to bring more street crime cases to court. It has also had a good effect 648 in the police and the CPS working even more closely together and in the CPS doing more to help victims of crime make statements and give evidence in court.
§ Mr. BarnesI welcome that response, but the question was about the street crime initiative in North-East Derbyshire. My understanding is that although it is working well within the larger conurbations, there are problems in areas such as mine. There may be a link through the displacement of crime from the neighbouring conurbation of Sheffield, which may be affecting us, and social problems arising from the decline of the manufacturing industries.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralMy hon. Friend makes an important point. Street crime is obviously not just a problem in the big cities—the so-called street crime hotspots—it is of concern in all areas, including North-East Derbyshire. It is important for the police, the crown prosecutors, the local council and community groups to work with him as the Member of Parliament for the area to ensure that everyone is doing what they can to tackle street crime. Sometimes it might be categorised as minor crime, but it can make people fearful and it is important to bear down on it.