HC Deb 08 July 1986 vol 101 cc142-3W
82. Mr. Ryder

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what means he is encouraging education for crime prevention in schools.

Mr. Chris Patten

My right hon. Friend is encouraging education for crime prevention in schools in a number of ways, including the following—through the Government's policy, as set out in "Better Schools", for improving standards of academic achievement and behaviour at all schools; —through the arrangements for paying Education Support Grant in respect of approved schemes for

  1. (a) promoting social responsibility in schools, and
  2. (b) combating the misuse of drugs
—through promoting better co-operation between police and the schools; —through action to increase parental involvement in schools; —through various projects on which grant is payable under the Urban Programme and through grants made by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary under Section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966.

Mr. Yeo

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action his Department is taking as a result of the Downing street seminars on crime prevention.

Mr. Chris Patten

At the seminar in January of this year the Department undertook two assignments: to collect and disseminate examples of good crime prevention strategies in relation to school premises and to commission a research study on the nature and extent of wilful damage to buildings and property and to advise on cost-effective and practical solutions. The first was completed on 26 June when a discussion document was sent by the Department to all local education authorities and interested national bodies in England. The research study has been commissioned and is now in progress. The findings are expected to be available in the spring of 1987 and the Department will issue practical guidance on school security before the end of 1987.