Safer Cities Scheme

HL Deb 12 November 1991 vol 532 cc479-80

3.15 p. m.

Lord Campbell of Croy asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there have yet been any direct results from the safer cities scheme.

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, we have established 19 local projects which have undertaken and planned over 1,600 local crime prevention measures. Examples of their impact and success are shown in the latest safer cities progress report issued on 30th October, a copy of which I am placing in the House of Lords Library.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that encouraging reply. As the scheme seems to be producing worthwhile results, will it be extended to other areas with government support, in particular to areas in which there is ram raiding of shops 53, carefully organised criminal gangs in cars and vans?

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, the existing projects are reviewed after three years of operation. The indications are that this form of crime prevention is highly effective. We shall consider what should be the proposals for the future in due course. I agree with my noble friend that ram raiding is quite intolerable but decisions on priority for action in the safer cities areas are decided by local steering committees. So far ram raiding has not been selected as a crime problem to target.

Lord Richard

My Lords, is the Minister aware that in the press statement issued by his Ministry on 4th October four local authorities were singled out as being particularly worthy of praise in respect of this initiative: Birmingham, Lewisham, Nottingham and Wolverhampton? Is he aware also that those are all Labour authorities.

What is the current level of funding for the programme and, in view of the increase in crime figures announced recently, are there any proposals to increase that?

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, with regard to the fact that the four authorities to which the noble Lord referred are all Labour authorities, I can only say thank goodness there is some sense somewhere.

With regard to the rest of the noble Lord's question, the funding was for 20 projects. Nineteen have been established and one more will be established. We must see what future course is taken when my right honourable friend has considered all the points at issue.

Lord Richard

My Lords, can the noble Earl say what is the current level of funding?

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, I knew that the noble Lord had thrown me by his first absurd supplementary question! As regards the level of funding, £2.9 million has been spent since April 1989. At present, about £7 million per year is spent because funding has increased. Of that £5 million is spent on grant and £2 million on salaries and running costs.