§ 12. Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are being taken to improve the overall crime detection rate.
§ Mr. John PattenThe most recent figures available for 1989 show that the crime detection rate for the most serious offences, including violence against the person and sexual offences, remains high at around 75 per cent. I believe that it is important that chief officers should target their efforts on serious and other crimes of particular concern to the public, although they must decide their own priorities in the light of local circumstances. But crime cannot be dealt with by the police alone. They also need the help of the community to reduce the opportunities for crime and the Government will continue to encourage public involvement in crime prevention.