HC Deb 11 May 1998 vol 312 cc50-1W
38. Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Government's initiatives to increase the security of people in their homes. [40300]

Mr. Michael

The Crime and Disorder Bill includes a range of measures to reduce crime and disorder, and the fear of crime. Foremost of these is the proposal for the police and local authorities together to undertake a crime and disorder audit in the district, borough or unitary authority area, in consultation with other agencies and the wider community. They will then have to develop a local strategy to tackle the identified crime and disorder problems. The work of the partnerships created to implement the local strategies, which will include clear targets, will include action at a much more local level within the local authority area. I am confident that these measures will have a significant effect on local levels of crime and disorder, and that this will in turn help people to feel more secure both in their homes and their communities.