§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if any special measures have been taken to counter racial harassment in the London borough of Newham.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis shares our very great concern about racial harassment and has identified the handling of racial incidents, which include racial harassment, as a priority for police activity within the Metropolitan police area.
An analysis of racial incidents in 1984 in Newham revealed that 70 per cent. of incidents occurred in or near the victim's home. In consequence new reporting and investigating procedures were introduced in "K" district which involve home beat officers operating under close supervision by Inspectors and follow up visits made to victims by the police community liaison officer. In cases where the police have identified problems which require more detailed analysis they seek co-operation from other agencies in the community.
The police are actively seeking greater co-operation with local community leaders and the development of better understanding between the police and the community at large and particularly with the young. I understand that the police are discussing with the borough council the making of consultative arrangements under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, within the guidelines my right hon. and learned Friend issued last January.
§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the police detection and clear-up rates for racial harassment in the London borough of Newham for the years (a) 1983, (b) 1984 and (c) 1985;
(2) if he will list the police detection rates (a) for burglary in the home, (b) for robbery, (c) for auto theft and (d) for racial harassment on the London borough of Newham for each of the last five years.
§ Mr. MellorI understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the information requested relating to burglary in a dwelling, robbery and the theft of motor vehicles for the years 1981–84 is as given in the table; corresponding figures for 1980 are not readily available. Clear-up rates for recorded offences do not distinguish racial from non-racial incidents.
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Offences of burglary in a dwelling, robbery and theft or unauthorized taking of a motor vehicle recorded by the police in the London Borough of Newham which were cleared up* 1981 1982 1983 1984 Number of offences cleared up Burglary in a dwelling 256 286 210 257 Robbery 71 61 47 77 Theft or unauthorized taking of motor vehicle 24 17 15 16 Percentage cleared up Burglary in a dwelling 10 8 6 7 Robbery 24 17 15 16
Amounts invoiced for and received to date (31 May 1985) by the Metropolitan Police for police services, by financial year 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 Invoiced £ Received £ Invoiced £ Received £ Invoiced £ Received £ (a) sporting events and leisure activities* 337,569 332,078 488,490 487,056 420,178 419,858 (b) other private companies 11,312 11,092 17,282 16,488 21,079 19,133 (c) nationalised industries 9,804,989 9,804,989 10,732,389 10,732,389 11,175,125 11,175,125 * excludes football matches other than those at Wembley Stadium. Police services in categories (a) and (b) are provided and paid for in accordance with section 15 of the Police Act 1964. The only nationalised industry which the Metropolitan Police invoiced for police services was the British Airports Authority, in accordance with section 26 of Aviation Security Act 1982.
The policing of ceremonial events constitutes a normal police function, the cost of which generally falls to be met from the Metropolitan Police Fund. But in accordance with section 15 of the Police Act 1964, the Roman Catholic Church was invoiced for and paid for Metropolitan police services provided on private premises during the papal visit in May 1982.