§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many persons have been (a) arrested and (b) convicted for kerb-crawling in Liverpool under the Sexual Offences Act 1985 to date;
(2) how many persons have been (a) arrested and (b) convicted for kerb-crawling under the Sexual Offences Act 1985 in England and Wales to date.
§ Mr. John PattenThe information available to me, which may be incomplete indicates that up to the end of 1985 21 males had been found guilty of offences under section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 1985. None of these convictions was in Liverpool. Corresponding details for 1986 are not yet available. There is no power of arrest under the Sexual Offences Act 1985.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the operation of the provisons of the Sexual Offences Act 1985 relating to kerb crawling; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenI believe that chief officers of police do their best to enforce this Act, having regard to other calls on their resources. I understand that it is often difficult for the police to obtain evidence that all the elements of the offence as enacted by Parliament were present in a particular case.