§ Q24. Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Prime Minister what steps she proposes to take to reduce the level of crime.
§ The Prime MinisterWe are strengthening the powers of the courts and supporting the police and other agencies of the criminal justice system in their efforts to counter crime. In the light of the increases in manpower in the last four years, chief constables are being encouraged to concentrate their resources more effectively on specific crime problems. But crime is associated with a wide range 107W of factors, as I made clear in my reply to the hon. Member's question on 18 March. Efforts to reduce crime cannot therefore be confined to the criminal justice system alone; they must involve the community as a whole. We are giving a lead in encouraging and developing initiatives aimed at reducing crime which involve all sectors of the community, particularly at a local level.