HC Deb 21 July 1988 vol 137 c756W
50. Mr. Chapman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a further statement about the number and progress of neighbourhood watch schemes with particular reference to the Metropolitan police area.

57. Mr. Anthony Coombs

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he can report on the number of neighbourhood watch schemes presently in operation and their effect on crime in the areas they cover.

Mr. John Patten

There are now over 50,000 neighbourhood watch schemes in England and Wales with more than 8,800 in the Metropolitan police area alone. An estimated 3 million households nationally are involved. The growth of neighbourhood watch schemes reflects a growing recognition by concerned members of the community that they are not powerless against crime and that much can be achieved when the community gives active support to its police force. It is not possible to be certain about the precise effects of watch schemes on crime figures, but I very much welcome the fact that as the number of neighbourhood watch schemes has increased there has been a welcome decrease in burglaries in dwellings—down about five per cent. in the Metropolitan police area and 4.5 per cent. in England and Wales as a whole.