§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain reports from chief constables as to how many police forces are now using the neighbourhood beat and the juvenile liaison schemes, respectively; and what evidence there is so far of their success.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganAll but two of the police forces in England and Wales have adopted some form of unit beat or neighbourhood policing. Reports from chief constables of increased operational efficiency, and of closer links with members of the public and faster response times to calls for help, provide evidence of the initial success of these schemes.
My latest information is that 17 forces operate juvenile liaison officer schemes in the whole or part of their areas. Studies of the effectiveness of two such schemes are being carried out, in Newham by the Home Office Research Unit in Accrington and Blackburn by Manchester University, with financial support from my Department. These studies are nearing completion.