§ Mr. Heddleasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional measures he proposes to take to combat crime in the inner cities.
§ Mr. John PattenWe are developing a range of measures to make our cities safer places. We are evaluating the lessons learned from our "Five Towns" local crime prevention initiative with a view to establishing similar arrangements in other urban areas. For this purpose, we shall again be working with the police and seeking the cooperation of local authorities and the private and voluntary sectors. We shall continue our efforts to encourage and support chief police officers in their endeavours to put more police officers on the streets. We will work with other government departments to build on the valuable contribution they are already making to the prevention of crime through the policies and programmes for which they are responsible.