§ Mrs. MayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the success of schemes of policing for rural areas with particular reference to country watch. [11785]
§ Mr. MichaelThe Government recognise that the most effective response to rural crime is a partnership between the police and the local community, but no specific assessment has been made of country watch. We encourage crime prevention schemes that enable members of the public—with the support of the local police—to do something positive in the fight against crime.
In accordance with this, we intend to introduce new statutory duties for local authorities and the police to work together and with the local community to analyse and identify local problems of crime and disorder and then together to draw up and implement strategies for tackling such problems. That will apply in both rural and urban areas.
569WSchemes like country watch will continue to play a role in this partnership. The support which such schemes attract from the local community can make a significant impact on crime in the countryside.