§ 31. Mr. Corbettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent research results he has had on the effect on crime of increased police foot patrols; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdI am aware of the results of research summarised in the report "Crime and Police Effectiveness". I am informed by chief constables that increases in the number of police officers on the beat has allowed the investigation of minor crimes to be increasingly undertaken by uniformed staff, thereby releasing the CID to concentrate on more serious crime. It has also enabled the police to establish schemes such as neighbourhood watch. The effectiveness of these schemes is being studied.