HC Deb 07 March 2001 vol 364 cc264-5W
25. Mrs. Lawrence

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he next plans to visit west Wales to discuss crime reduction. [151072]

Mr. Paul Murphy

I have no immediate plans to visit west Wales to discuss crime reduction. However, I meet the chief constables of all four Welsh police authorities regularly to discuss a range of issues, including crime reduction. My most recent meeting with chief constables was on 15 January. The Under-Secretary of State for Wales and I also make regular visits to organisations across Wales to discuss a wide range of issues, including crime reduction.

27. Mr. John Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the Chief Constable of South Wales to discuss crime reduction in the Vale of Glamorgan. [151074]

Mr. Paul Murphy

I met the Chief Constable of South Wales on 15 January to discuss a range of issues affecting policing in Wales, including crime reduction. South Wales police are doing an excellent job in tackling crime, and recent crime figures published by the Home Office show that south Wales has experienced a record 16.9 per cent. fall in crime in the 12 months to September 2000—the largest fall of any police force area in England and Wales.

29. Mr. Win Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Home Secretary about crime levels in Wales and joint efforts to reduce them. [151076]

Mr. Paul Murphy

I meet the Home Secretary regularly to discuss a range of issues, including crime levels and joint efforts to reduce crime.

I welcome the work being done by statutory crime and disorder reduction partnerships across Wales in implementing local crime reduction strategies, and in particular the close co-operation between police and local authorities on crime reduction issues.

Wales has so far attracted investment of £5.6 million from the Government's Crime Reduction Programme and the programme is supported in Wales by complementary Assembly initiatives tackling a range of related issues. These joint efforts to reduce crime will be instrumental in building safer communities throughout Wales.

Mr. Michael

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he has discussed with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales the role of the health service in crime reduction in Wales. [151053]

Mr. Hanson

NHS Trusts in Wales have a crucial role to play in local crime and disorder reduction partnerships. There have been some notable examples of best practice, and both the UK Government and the Assembly are actively encouraging greater participation by NHS Trusts and the Health Service across Wales.

I know that my right hon. Friend has been closely involved with the violence reduction project focused on the Accident and Emergency Unit at University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and that both he, as First Secretary, and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary have commended it as an example of best practice.

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