§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what resources are provided to police forces to manage neighbourhood watch schemes through-out the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. John PattenIn England and Wales resources allocated to the police service—which we have increased substantially—are not dedicated to particular police activities. It is for chief constables to decide on the deployment of police officers and other resources and consequently on the extent to which to offer support to neighbourhood watch, which is essentially a community activity. The position in Scotland is similar. There are no neighbourhood watch schemes in Northern Ireland.
Some forces in England and Wales have developed ways of supporting neighbourhood watch, which reduces the demand on police officers, including the use of civilian liaison officers; trainees on Government-sponsored employment training schemes during their periods of practical training; and answerphone facilities to pass information and advice to local volunteer co-ordinators.