§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give details of the measures he is taking to reduce crime in Durham.
§ Mr. Charles WardleDurham constabulary has resources to maintain a strong and effective police service. At the end of September 1993 the force strength was 1,375 police officers and 539 civilians. This represents an increase in strength of 63 police officers and 39 civilians since 1979. Under the recently announced parish constable initiative, a parish constable was appointed to the Langley parish on 17 January 1994.
The Government have also encouraged the development of effective crime prevention programmes. Nine crime prevention panels are in operation in the area, along with over 900 neighbourhood watch schemes covering over 105,000 households. In addition the Durham Agency Against Crime has been set up locally as a partnership to improve the quality of life for the whole community by supporting crime prevention initiatives. Durham constabulary has seconded an officer to the agency. The recent publication of two major law and order Bills underlines the Government's commitment to firm action against crime on all fronts.
Probation/bail hostels Probation area Hostel Sex Location Beds Avon Ashley House Male/Female Bristol 20 Brigstocke Road Male Bristol 29 Bridge House Male Bristol 18 Bedfordshire Bedford Male/Female Bedford 25 Napier Road Male/Female Luton 23 Berkshire Elizabeth Fry Male/Female Reading 20 Manor Lodge Male Old Windsor 27 St. Leonards Male Reading 23 Wellesley House Male Windsor 18 Buckinghamshire Milton Keynes Male/Female Great Holme 16 Cambridgeshire Peterborough Male Peterborough 32 Cheshire Bewsey Street Male/Female Warrington 20 Cleveland The Crescent Male Middlesborough 27 Cornwall Meneghy House Male/Female Camborne 18 Cumbria Bowling Green Male Carlisle 24 Derbyshire Burdett Lodge Male/Female Derby 25