§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of crime prevention partnerships in reducing crime in the Portsmouth, South constituency; and if he will make a statement. [76790]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Crime Reduction Director for the South East regards the performance of the City of Portsmouth's crime and disorder reduction partnership as good and Portsmouth recently won the award for the best crime and disorder strategy for 2002–05 in the South East region. According to the latest available figures, total crime in Portsmouth is falling faster than in similar partnerships across England and Wales.
The partnership actively seeks to engage the local community in reducing crime. For instance, following a police operation in the Portsmouth, South constituency, there will shortly be a public meeting to work out with the local community ways of ensuring long-term sustainable improvements to the quality of life for the residents of Somerstown.