Closed Circuit Television

HC Deb 13 February 1996 vol 271 cc507-8W

Mrs. Anne Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the cost effectiveness of municipal CCTV systems in fighting crime. [14224]

Mr. Maclean

The reports we have received from the police and closed circuit television—CCTV —operators confirm that there has been significant reductions in crime and the fear of crime in the areas where CCTV has been introduced. The reductions demonstrate the value of CCTV as a crime prevention measure. The evaluation of the cost effectiveness of individual CCTV schemes is a matter for the system operators.

Mrs. Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his criteria for (i) accepting and (ii) rejecting applications from local authorities for matching funding for CCTV systems. [14142]

Mr. Maclean

Bids to the second Home Office closed circuit television—CCTV—challenge competition will be judged against the criteria set out in the bidding guidance which was issued on 22 November 1995. Copies of the bidding guidance have been placed in the Library.