§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what assessment he has made of the impact of CCTV on the crime rate in neighbouring areas; [29364]
(2) what statistical evidence his Department has collated on the impact on crime levels of the introduction of CCTV. [29365]
§ Mr. MichaelThe Home Office Police Research Group study, "CCTV in Town Centres: Three Case Studies" has shown that closed circuit television (CCTV) can be effective in reducing crime and fear of crime, particularly when it is deployed as part of a wider crime reduction strategy. This research, and also research sponsored by the Scottish Office on a CCTV scheme in Aidrie, revealed no evidence of displacement of crime from areas which had CCTV coverage to neighbouring areas which did not. The Department keeps under review the research literature on CCTV and we will be assessing the evaluations of effectiveness produced by the schemes which have received funding under the CCTV Challenge competition.