Community Policing

HC Deb 29 November 1995 vol 267 cc775-6W

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on community policing in rural areas. [2649]

Mr. Maclean

Police operations in rural areas are a matter for individual chief officers of police. The Government encourage a partnership approach to policing, and we are aware of a number of successful local initiatives in rural areas, including the farm watch and horse watch schemes, which involve a close partnership between the police and rural communities. In addition, the Government have introduced the parish constable scheme which is being taken up in many rural areas.