§ Mr. RiddickTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the contribution to combating crime arising from the introduction of(a) the national DNA database and (b) closed circuit television; and what plans he has to expand the scope of each. [9690]
§ Mr. MacleanThe national DNA database was launched in April 1995. On 17 January 1996, the database held over 23,000 DNA profiles and 284 matches had been made between suspects and scenes of crime, or between one scene of crime and another. Of these matches, 15 were across police force boundaries.
708WThe Government welcome the developing use of closed circuit television in the fight against crime. The experience of CCTV operators and the police is that CCTV can make a significant contribution to the prevention and detection of crime and to reduction of the fear of crime.
In order to help further expand the use of CCTV, my right hon. and learned Friend recently announced that £15 million had been made available for another CCTV challenge competition. Our aim is to place 10,000 more CCTV cameras on the streets of Britain over the next three years.