§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions, on findings of guilt, for offences of criminal damage to property were recorded in England and Wales in each year from 1960 to 1974, inclusive; how many such convictions were recorded against young people between 14 and 21 years of age; and how many such findings of guilt were recorded against children between the ages of 10 and 14.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonFigures for 1974 are not yet available. The figures given in the following table are not comparable over the whole period because of a change in the age of criminal responsibility from eight to 10 years on 1st February 1964, and because of changes in the definition of offences classified as criminal444W damage resulting from the Criminal Damage Act 1971:
PERSONS FOUND GUILTY OF OFFENCES CLASSIFIED AS MALICIOUS OR CRIMINAL DAMAGE: BY AGE, ENGLAND AND WALES, 1960–73 Persons found guilty Year All ages Aged 8 and under 14 Aged 14 and under 21 1960 … 16,905 4,962 6,789 1961 … 17,624 4,736 7,438 1962 … 18,537 4,610 7,962 1963 … 18,366 3,587 8,142 Year All ages Aged10 and under 14 Aged14 and under 21 1964 … 17,348 2,552 8,168 1965 … 17,949 2,691 8,233 1966 … 17,200 2,485 7,727 1967 … 16,697 2,162 7,311 1968 … 18,064 2,186 8,099 1969 … 18,662 1,969 8,772 1970 … 20.743 2,148 10,023 1971 … 22,879 2,050 11,245 1972 … 25,594 2,058 12,387 1973 … 31,417 2,470 15,678
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total cost of repairing damage caused by reported criminal damage-solved and unsolved-in England and Wales in each year from 1960 to 1974, inclusive.
§ Mr. Alexander W. LyonI regret that the information is not available.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in order to detect, prevent and deter the commission of offences of criminal damage by children and young persons, he will seek to ensure that all police forces have the necessary manpower and resources to ensure the level of regular foot patrols.
§ Alexander W. LyonIt is the responsibility of each chief officer of police to deploy his force to the best advantage. All chief officers are aware of the value of foot patrols and make appropriate provision for them in authorised establishments. It is the Government's policy to continue to strengthen the police by encouraging recruitment within these establishments.
§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in order to deter and prevent the commission of offences of criminal damage by children and young persons, he will introduce appropriate legislation to enable the 445W courts to sentence offenders to corporal punishment in appropriate cases.