HC Deb 21 May 1999 vol 331 cc467-8W
Mr. Kidney

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further analysis he intends to(a) make and (b) publish of the crime and disorder audits. [84771]

Mr. Boateng

Over the next few months we will—in liaison with the Audit Commission and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary—be analysing the audits and strategies produced by local crime and disorder reduction partnerships. We will issue reports on key issues, for example, the consultation process and target setting. The main aim will be to provide the partnerships with advice on good practice so as to help them become more effective.

Mr. Kidney

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he intends to give to ensure that future crime and disorder audits contribute to the Government's road casualty reduction strategy. [84772]

Mr. Boateng

The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 does not specify what categories of crime and disorder must be included in the audit and strategy which local partnerships must produce. However, existing Home Office guidance to partnerships makes clear that strategic priorities must be based on the local audit findings and consultation with the community. Therefore, where this process has identified road safety as a priority, we would expect it to be addressed in the strategy.

Mr. Kidney

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which issues were most often identified by local authorities and police forces in their crime and disorder audits. [84769]

Mr. Boateng

We have not yet completed an analysis of the audits and strategies produced by the local crime and disorder reduction partnerships. A number of reports will be issued by the Home Office on various aspects of the partnerships' work over the next few months. Early indications are that burglary, car crime, drug and alcohol-related crime, and youth crime are among the issues most frequently mentioned in strategies as priorities to be tackled.

Mr. Kidney

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what percentage of crime and disorder audits enforcement of road traffic offences has been identified as a priority [84770]

Mr. Boateng

We have not yet completed an analysis of the audits and strategies produced by the local crime and disorder reduction partnerships. Early indications are that a relatively small number of partnerships have made road safety a priority issue.