§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria he uses in establishing safer city initiatives; and whether he intends to establish a safer city initiative in Liverpool.
§ Mr. Hurd[holding answer 1 December 1988]: The criteria used to select safer cities initiatives are that the area must (i) be an unban programme area, (ii) have a high crime rate, (iii) be targeted for Government action, and (iv) be willing to participate in the safer cities programme. Nine areas have already agreed to join the programme and a futher seven will be selected shortly. If Liverpool applies, it will be one of the areas considered when coming to a decision.