HC Deb 26 October 1989 vol 158 cc606-7W
21. Mr. Anthony Coombs

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many neighbourhood watch schemes now exist in West Mercia; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

I understand from the West Mercia constabulary that at the end of September 1989 there were 2,928 schemes in West Mercia, covering approximately 73,000 households. This is an increase of 859 schemes compared with the position reported 12 months previously.

29. Mr. Gerald Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many neighbourhood watch schemes now exist in Staffordshire; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

I understand from the Staffordshire police that at the end of September 1989 there were 760 neighbourhood watch schemes in Staffordshire, covering approximately 84,000 households. This represents an increase of 228 schemes compared with the position reported 12 months previously.

36. Dr. Twinn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many neighbourhood watch schemes now exist; and if he will make a statement.

67. Mrs. Roe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many neighbourhood watch schemes now exist in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

At the end of September 1989 there were estimated to be in the region of 75,300 residential neighbourhood watch schemes in England and Wales. The total number of schemes is almost 16,000 more than recorded 12 months ago and covers well over 3.5 million households. In addition the original neighbourhood watch idea has diversified to include initiatives such as pub watch, business watch, taxi watch and farm watch schemes. I welcome this evidence of the public's continuing support for crime prevention in general and neighbourhood watch in particular.

59. Mr. Jacques Arnold

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many neighbourhood watch schemes now exist in Kent; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

I understand from the Kent constabulary that at the end of September 1989 there were 1,604 neighbourhood watch schemes in Kent, covering approximately 201,000 households. This is an increase of some 280 schemes compared with the position reported 12 months previously.