HC Deb 31 July 1981 vol 9 cc647-8W
Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a special survey of the backgrounds and personal circumstances of those persons convicted in respect of the recent civil disorders.

Mr. Mayhew

We are considering what special information about these offenders it would be useful and feasible to collect and analyse centrally.

Sir Frederic Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now in a position to indicate how many members of the public have been injured in civil disturbances so far in 1981.

Mr. Mayhew

No. There is no means of comprehensively recording this information, since members of the public are not required to report injuries.

Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will set out the following information for the riots in Toxteth since 1 July: the estimated numbers involved, the predominant race involved, the numbers of police committed, the estimated number of petrol bombs thrown, the number of police injuries, the number of injuries to members of the public, including rioters, the value of damage to property, the estimated value of goods stolen, the number of arrests, the numbers since charged, the numbers who have so far appeared in court, the sentences of imprisonment over one year, between six months and one year, between three and six months, under three months, the numbers sent to detention or borstal, the numbers committed to care, fines over £1,000, fines between £500 and £1,000, fines between £100 and £500, fines between £50 and £100, fines under £50 and the numbers sentenced to penalties other than fines and custodial sentences.

Mr. Whitelaw

I shall write to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Hill

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to make the throwing of missiles in public places a specific offence rather than within the category of conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

Mr. Whitelaw

I am considering this in my review of the Public Order Act 1936 and related legislation.