Mr. Jim Callaghanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he has given to local authorities on measures to combat vandalism; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GowGeneral advice on reducing vandalism is contained in circular 1/1984 issued jointly last month by my department, the Home Office, the Department of Health and Social Security and the Welsh Office.
Advice on combating vandalism on public sector housing estates is contained in the Department's HDD occasional paper 1/81, and in "Local Housing Management: a Priority Estates Project Survey" published this month by the Department. This report shows how vandalism and other problems which affect many council housing estates can be reduced by establishing local housing management teams. I have sent copies of the report to every English local housing authority and to new towns which retain housing responsibilities. A copy has been placed in the Library.