HC Deb 18 February 1997 vol 290 cc519-20W
Sir Irvine Patnick

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of CCTV schemes in each city in South Yorkshire which are currently in operation; and what assessment he has made of the effect of each scheme on crime rates. [15704]

Mr. Maclean

In the two Home Office closed circuit television challenge competitions which have so far been held, six schemes in South Yorkshire have been awarded grants. They areGrimethorpe village, Barnsley (awarded £116,000); Scawsby community centre, Brodsworth (£4,250); The community and educational campus, Dinnington (£72,500); Balby Street school, Doncaster (£5,000); Clifton Comprehensive and Coleridge junior and infant schools, Rotherham (£37,850); and Lower Don industrial area, Sheffield (£53,000).

Grimethorpe village and the community and educational campus are not yet operational. The local police report that the other four schemes have all had a significant impact on crime.

Although information about CCTV systems in which the Home Office has no involvement is not collected systematically, we are aware that town centre CCTV systems are operational in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. The local police report that these schemes have also resulted in significant reductions in crime.

Mr. Dunn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the timetable of events, with dates, connected with the successful application for funding the installation of CCTV in Dartford town centre, by the Dartford borough council; what sums were awarded to the borough council; and when the project was completed. [15864]

Mr. Maclean

A bid from a partnership led by Dartford borough council for funds to install closed circuit television in Dartford town centre was submitted in the first CCTV challenge competition in January 1995. Some £50,000 was awarded in March 1995. The first phase of the system—12 cameras—became operational in July 1996. The second phase—a further nine cameras—became operational in September 1996.