§ 57. Mr. Litherlandasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to reduce the incidence of crime in Greater Manchester.
§ Mr. HurdThe chief constable of Greater Manchester has set the stimulation of community involvement in crime prevention as a force objective. The establishment of the Greater Manchester police is 6,943, an increase of 208 since 1979. The strength on 31 January 1987 was 6,747, an increase of 307 since 1979. I understand that the police authority envisages that the force will reach full establishment during the 1987–88 financial year.
Since the beginning of 1986, nearly 3,000 home watch schemes have been established in the Greater Manchester police area, an encouraging indication that the public are prepared to take an active role in helping to prevent crime.
Nine community programme crime prevention initiative projects have been established in the Greater Manchester area and a total of 633 places have been authorised. Those projects are undertaking a range of useful crime prevention activities including property marking, the fitting of home security equipment for the elderly and disadvantaged, crime analysis and developing and supporting home watch schemes.
One of the five local crime prevention initiatives has been established in Bolton. The Bolton project is examining the means by which crime and the fear of crime can be reduced by preventive measures tailored specifically to meet local needs and concerns. Developments arising from the project have so far been encouraging, particularly those initiatives relating to property marking and the replacement of gas and electricity pre-payment cash meters.