§ Mr. ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there are any plans to extend further the number of neighbourhood watch schemes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenThere are already over 42,000 neighbourhood watch schemes in England and Wales. They provide clear and welcome evidence of the public's willingness to help the police to prevent crime. We are sure that there is scope for the further development of the neighbourhood watch concept and for the establishment of new schemes. The Home Office is therefore preparing a further guidance note on neighbourhood watch which will draw examples of good practice from across the country to help and encourage those who are thinking of setting up new schemes or of expanding the range of activity within existing ones.