HC Deb 18 January 1996 vol 269 cc706-7W
22. Ms Corston

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what studies his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated of the fear of crime among women. [7870]

Mr. Maclean

There are 11 publications on this subject and I have arranged for a list of these, together with copies of the actual studies to be lodged in the House of Commons Library.

25. Ms Church

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to combat the fear of crime among women. [7874]

Mr. Maclean

We are aware that women are generally more fearful of becoming victimes of crime, and for that reason women can be seen as the primary interest group in our crime prevention activities.

The best way to tackle fear of crime is to tackle crime itself. We continue to pursue a comprehensive strategy to combat crime, through the second phase of the partnership campaign which was launched this month; through the provision of practical advice on measures which people can take to help keep themselves safe; and through the use of technology, such as closed circuit television. The Home Secretary recently announced a new competition which will inject another £15 million into CCTV schemes up and down the country.

We are also aware of the need to tackle domestic violence; and we have established inter-departmental groups at official and ministerial level to promote a co-ordinated response to the problem at a national and local level. And the recent public awareness campaign placed the issue firmly on the public agenda.

Last year the Government published an interagency circular on domestic violence which set out the Government's approach to the issue and encouraged a more co-ordinated response to the problem by local agencies.