HC Deb 16 July 1987 vol 119 c610W
6. Mr. Terry Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new proposals he has to improve the crime clear-up rate.

Mr. Hurd

Clear-up rates for the most serious offences, including violence against the person and sexual offences, remain high at over 70 per cent.

I shall continue to encourage chief officers to target their resources on the most serious crimes which are of particular concern to the public. They must decide their own priorities and methods in the light of their appreciation of local circumstances. But the police cannot succeed in detecting or preventing crime by themselves. The whole community must be involved; and I will be looking for ways to encourage that involvement.