§ 13. Mr. HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to help prevent crime in west Cornwall; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenWe have a crime reduction strategy that applies to all parts of England and Wales. Central to this strategy is the involvement of the local community in crime prevention activity. Crime Concern was launched to support such activity and our national publicity campaign will continue to provide further advice to the public on ways in which they can reduce crime. In west Cornwall, I am pleased to report that there are now 100 neighbourhood watch schemes where 18 months ago there were none. Young people, too, are co-operating with the police. Youth crime prevention panels have been set up in Hayle with the assistance of schools liaison officers. The police and community of west Cornwall are enthusiastically working together to prevent crime.