§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will launch a public awareness campaign in order to encourage motorists to fit anti-theft devices to their vehicles.
§ Sir John WheelerThe Government have taken a number of initiatives against car crime in Northern Ireland in recent years.
In 1991 the Northern Ireland Office launched a crime prevention campaign titled "Stopping Crime Starts With You". A key part of the campaign was the distribution of a free handbook providing advice on, inter alia, how to safeguard motor vehicles.
The Northern Ireland Office has also recently given its support to a new car-crime initiative in Northern Ireland known as "Sold Secure—The Partnership Against Car Theft", which I was pleased to help launch at the Northern Ireland motor show on 14 February. The initiative offers motorists an opportunity to obtain advice on a range of car 993W security products which have been tested against strict criteria. The initiative is supported by the RUC and the local motor retail industry. A free leaflet is available of participating retailers.