HC Deb 12 April 1988 vol 131 cc5-6W
Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the recently published crime statistics in north Wales.

Mr. John Patten

In 1987 the increase in recorded crime in north Wales was greater than in England and Wales as a whole, but the number of offences per 100,000 population was well below the national average. The increase in the clear-up rate from 32 to 43 per cent. is encouraging. We also welcome the above-average fall in domestic burglaries, and the increase in the number of these offences cleared up following a growth in neighbourhood watch and other crime prevention activities.