HC Deb 19 July 1993 vol 229 cc7-8W
Mr. Richards

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are being taken in Wales to discourage action by vigilantes; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Charles Wardle

The Government do not condone the formation of vigilante groups. Vigilante action may lead to an offence and has to be treated by the police in the same way as any other offending behaviour. In Wales, and in other areas, the police have used the media and public meetings to advise members of the public about the danger of taking the law into their own hands.

sector, raising £1.9 million in general sponsorship from this source in 1992–93; the membership of National Board for Crime Prevention which holds its first meeting on 26 July includes three senior executives from the private sector; local business and industry is represented on the steering committees of each of the 20 safer cities projects. The private sector has contributed sponsorship and is involved in other ways in local crime prevention schemes promoted by safer cities projects; the Dixon Group plc has seconded to the Home Office one of its directors for a period of two years to carry out an assignment on business crime.