§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received regarding inadequate street lighting from(a) women and (b) pensioners; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenWe have received six representations in the last 18 months from women and pensioners, including one from the hon. Member for Hackney, North and Stoke Newington (Ms. Abbot) and one from the hon. Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Mrs. Dunwoody). We have also received representations from members of the Parliament lighting group. We recognise that there is 263W considerable public concern about the possible link between street lighting and crime. This is why we are undertaking research, most notably in the London borough of Wandsworth, to examine that link. Interim results from this research should be available during the first half of next year.
Lighting is only one factor to be considered in preventing crime and reducing the fear of crime. The Government have made available advice on the personal safety of women and the elderly in the publication "Practical Ways to Crack Crime", of which nearly 3 million copies have been distributed.