HC Deb 16 May 1986 vol 97 cc567-9W
Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has as to the extent to which statistically either the perpetrators or the victims of crimes of violence against the person are under the influence of alcohol at the time of the offence in question; and if he will make a statement.

driving or attempting to drive when unfit through drink or drugs under section 5(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1972 and (b) driving or attempting to drive with blood alcohol concentrations above the prescribed limit under section 6(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1972 in the Metropolitan police area for the last 10 years;

(2) how many (a) screening breath tests and (b) evidential breath tests were given by the specialist traffic police and by divisional officers, respectively, for the most recent 10-year period or any convenient period in the Metropolitan police area;

(3) how many motorists in the Metropolitan police area were given (a) screening breath tests and (b) evidential breath tests; and what was the number of subsequent convictions for the last 10 years including the most recent year available.

Mr. Mellor

The latest available information is given in the table; that shown as not readily available could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The statistics on screening breath tests and evidential tests cannot be compared directly with those on court proceedings because they are obtained from separate collections which are not subsequently reconciled. Information on the functional status of the police officers administering screening or evidential breath tests is not available.

Mr. Mellor

No statistics are collected on the consumption of alcohol by violent offenders or their victims. Research suggests that the relationship between alcohol and crime is very complex.

Mr. Pike

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department has any plans to conduct further research into the effects of the fear of crime.

Mr. Mellor

Findings from the British crime survey on fear of crime have been published in Home Office research studies and two further reports, commissioned from outside researchers, are awaited. Further research is under consideration.