§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many neighbourhood watch schemes there are in operation in(a) each county in Wales, (b) Wales and (c) England; and if he will make a statement. [25012]
§ Mr. MacleanInformation on the number of neighbourhood watch schemes is collected by police force area, not county. At 31 March 1995, the figures were as follows:
Neighbourhood Watch schemes in Wales, by police force area Area Number Dyfed-Powys 1,455 Gwent 363 North Wales 3,381 South Wales 1,911 Total 7,110 (b) Neighbourhood Watch schemes in England: 135,892.
The number of schemes in Wales rose by some 23 per cent. between December 1993 and March 1995. I am delighted that the people of Wales are embracing neighbourhood watch so enthusiastically. It has a very important part to play in the fight against crime.