§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the steps which Her Majesty's Government have taken since 1979 to promote crime prevention.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe Government's strong belief in the potential for the whole community to contribute to crime prevention is reflected in the range of measures we have taken which include the following
(i) Publication in 1984 and in 1990 of circulars to local authorities and a variety of relevant agencies, recommending the development of locally based crime prevention schemes through partnership between local authority departments, the police and commercial and voluntary interests.(ii) A series of national publicity campaigns using TV and press advertising. The most recent, which is not yet complete, features the latest edition of the handbook of crime prevention advice entitled "Practical Ways to Crack Crime". Over 3 million copies of this handbook have been distributed.(iii) The establishment of Crime Concern, an independent body (funded initially by the Home Office) which seeks to encourage and facilitate local crime prevention activity, and to draw the business sector into crime prevention.(iv) The safer cities programme. Projects have been set up in 16 inner-city areas with the objectives of reducing crime, lessening the fear of crime and creating conditions in which economic enterprise and community life can flourish.(v) The establishment of the standing conference on crime prevention, giving the opportunity for a wide range of groups and agencies to discuss ideas on crime prevention.(vi) Enhancement of the training offered to the police service by the Home Office crime prevention centre, including specialist areas such as architectural liaison and designing out crime.(vii) A seminar in 1986, chaired by the Prime Minister, brought together representatives from the private sector, the unions, the police and central and local government to discuss action on crime prevention. This event led to the setting up of the ministerial group on crime prevention, through which Ministers from 13 Government Departments coordinate an interdepartmental approach to crime prevention.