§ Mr. GunnellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to give local authorities a statutory obligation to co-ordinate local initiatives to prevent crime and develop plans to make them more effective. [4811]
§ Mr. MichaelWe intend to place a new responsibility on local authorities and the police service jointly to develop statutory local partnerships for crime prevention and community safety and to agree, with the key partners, local community safety targets. Our proposals will be developed on the basis of full consultation with all interested parties. This will be included in the forthcoming Crime and Disorder Bill.