§ 27. Mr. Greg KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for seeking to reduce car crime.
§ Mr. John PattenLast November, the Home Office standing conference on crime prevention set up a working group to consider the prevention of car crime. Austin-Rover, who are represented on the working group, have offered to produce a thief-proof concept car, incorporating a range of the latest technology in car security, for display at this year's standing conference in December.
Three parts of a British Standard on vehicle security (mechanical locking systems, security of in-car entertainment equipment, and window etching) have been published and further parts are due to be published shortly. We are seeking to have the British Standard adopted as a European Community directive.
Our new crime prevention publicity campaign launched earlier this month includes information on car crime and the scope for preventing it.