§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to extending the use of closed-circuit television used for traffic management to such uses as crime prevention and detection; and what guidance he has issued on these matters.
§ Mr. John PattenThe use of surveillance systems is an operational matter for chief officers. The Home Office has, however, issued guidance that closed circuit television should he used by the police only when necessary for the proper and efficient conduct of police operations.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assistance he has given to pilot projects on the use of closed-circuit television as an instrument for tackling crime in city centres.
§ Mr. John PattenThe steering committees of a number of local safer cities projects have recommended giving financial support to a total of nine crime prevention schemes involving the use of closed-circuit television in city centre locations, including schemes confined to car parks. Home Office grant totalling £280,000 has been approved for these schemes. In the case of each scheme, the grant is a partial contribution only to the total cost.