HC Deb 19 October 1976 vol 917 cc369-70W
Mr. Macfarlane

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions there were for crimes of violence against the person in the metropolitan area of London in 1966; and how many there were in 1975.

Mr. John

In 1975, 4,482 persons were convicted of offences of violence against the person in the Metropolitan Police District.

Comparable information for 1966 could not be obtained without disproportionate effort.

Mr. Macfarlane

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what studies have been undertaken by his Department into the increasing crime rate in the outer London boroughs; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John

The increase in the rate of crime in the outer London boroughs and elsewhere is a matter of serious concern to us. While much of the current research into crime is of some relevance to the problem, none of the studies currently being undertaken relates specifically to the crime rate in the outer London boroughs.