§ 14. Mr. AshbyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress his Department is making in preventing theft from retail premises; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenThe number of offences of theft from shops recorded by the police fell by just over 3 per cent. in668W 1987; but there is much scope for a further reduction in the incidence of these offences. Our handbook "Practical Ways to Crack Crime," published in March this year, points the way. This will aid the planning of effective counter measures against retail crime.
I am also encouraged by the interest shown by major retail organisations including the Association for the Prevention of Theft in Shops in our safer cities programme and the work of the new crime prevention organisation, Crime Concern.