HC Deb 07 December 1989 vol 163 cc390-1W
44. Mr. Patrick Thompson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crime prevention panels now exist in England and Wales.

Mr. John Patten

At the end of June 1989 there were 398 crime prevention panels and 209 junior panels in England and Wales. More than 40 junior panels were formed in the first six months of this year, in addition to a continuing growth in the number of senior panels.

50. Mr. Riddick

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to encourage crime prevention panels to be set up in secondary schools; and what level of success he has met.

Mr. John Patten

Crime Concern, the national crime prevention organisation established last year, is encouraging the setting up of youth crime prevention panels. In July 1989, Crime Concern organised a successful national youth crime prevention panels conference, opened by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal and attended by Ministers from the Department of Education and Science and representatives from the Home Office. Crime Concern is now planning a programme of work to stimulate the growth of youth crime prevention panels. At the end of June 1989 there were 209 youth crime prevention panels in England and Wales, mostly based in schools, an increase of almost 40 in six months.