§ 28. Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress in preventing and pursuing thefts of and from private cars.
§ Mr. John PattenMy right hon. Friend introduced the Aggravated Vehicle-Taking Bill in the House last week. That Bill proposes tough measures against those who take cars and drive them dangerously, or cause injury or damage.
My right hon. Friend is also engaged in a series of meetings with leading car manufacturers to consider what measures they can take to improve car security. The next meeting will take place on 11 December. Car crime prevention features prominently in the Government's crime prevention publicity; we intend to intensify our activity on this front in the months ahead.
Local chief officers of police are responsible for the investigation and detection of car crime. I am confident that they give this matter the priority it deserves in their respective areas. The police have the Government's full support in acting against car crime.