§ Mr. Ronnie CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he proposes to tackle youth crime in Blyth Valley and in south-east Northumberland.
§ Mr. MacleanMy Department is already supporting in different ways a range of local action which has a reduction of the opportunity for, and prevalence of, crime by young people among its objectives. Thus, the local probation service is involved in a number of multi-agency initiatives. An activity project has been set up for more constructive use of leisure time and programmes are being developed to increase training and employment opportunities.
In addition, the Home Office funded Drugs Prevention Newcastle, in collaboration with the Northumbria Coalition Against Crime has produced "Dialogue on Drugs", an educational resource pack on good practice for drugs education which is being disseminated through Education Departments in Northumberland and Tyne and Wear.
The Government announced on 2 March 1993 further measures to tackle youth crime throughout England and Wales ranging from improving discipline in schools to giving courts a new sentence of detention, the secure training order, for persistent juvenile offenders.
§ Mr. Ronnie CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what percentage of offenders appearing before the courts in south-east Northumberland were unemployed in each year since 1989;
(2) what percentage of offenders in Blyth Valley and south-east Northumberland were aged under 21 years in the last year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. MacleanInformation is not collected centrally on the employment status of defendants appearing before the courts.
The table shows the number and percentage of offenders by age convicted at Blyth Valley, Morpeth and Wansbeck petty sessional divisions and at the Crown court who were committed by the above mentioned three courts for 1992. 1993 data will not be available until autumn 1994. From 1 April 1993 the three courts combine to form the south-east Northumberland petty sessional division.
Number and percentage of offenders aged under 21 and all ages found guilty at Blyth Valley, Morpeth and Wansbeck petty sessional divisions and at the Crown Court by committing Blyth Valley, Morpeth and Wansbeck petty sessional divisions and type of offence 1992 Under 21 PSD/Type of offence Number Per cent. All ages (= 100 per cent.) Blyth Valley Indictable offences 176 37 479 Summary non-motoring offences 81 9 895 Summary motoring offences 121 17 701 All offences 378 18 2,075 Morpeth Indictable offences 64 32 198 Summary non-motoring offences 58 18 317 Summary motoring offences 89 5 1,894 All offences 211 9 2,409 Wansbeck Indictable offences 161 39 411 Summary non-motoring offences 92 16 579 Summary motoring offences 128 22 570 All offences 381 24 1,560 Note:—From 1 April 1993 Blyth Valley, Morpeth and Wansbeck PSD combine to form the South East Northumberland PSD.
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§ Mr. Ronnie CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new strategies he intends to promote to tackle drug problems in Blyth Valley and in south-east Northumberland.
§ Mr. MacleanThe Government's overall strategy for tackling drug misuse is aimed at reducing both the supply of and demand for drugs throughout the United Kingdom. Through the local drugs prevention teams we are developing imaginative strategies specifically designed to tackle local drug problems in key areas. Initiatives planned by the team in Newcastle include the launch of a drugs information line and publication of information packs for both young people and parents which will also benefit those living in Blyth Valley and south-east Northumberland.