§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking in relation to automobile-related crime.
§ Mr. John PattenMy right hon. and learned Friend met the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in June, and asked it to consult members, and report back, on the following issues:
- (i) how progress could best be made in Europe towards a new mandatory common standard on car security;
- (ii) what plans manufacturers have for voluntarily building better security—particularly improved locks and locking mechanisms—into their new cars; and
- (iii) what manufacturers arc doing to encourage car buyers to give a higher priority to car security when buying a new car.
We are awaiting the society's report.
Officials are discussing with the Consumers Association, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association and the insurance industry how they might assist with initiatives aimed at tackling car crime. We are also producing a car theft index to show which makes and models of cars are most likely to be the subject of crime.
Car crime has continued to receive a high priority in our crime prevention publicity campaign, including TV and press advertisements and our crime prevention handbook "Practical Ways to Crack Crime"—over 3 million copies of which have been distributed—and the briefer "Family Guide"—over 2 million copies of which have been distributed.