HC Deb 14 March 1996 vol 273 c710W
22. Mr. Alan W. Williams

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the effectiveness of policemen on the beat. [19004]

Mr. Maclean

Police officers on the beat are crucial to the fight against crime which is why there is a national objective for high visibility policing. Patrol work, properly directed and targeted, is an effective tool in increasing community safety.