§ Mr. Bill O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many industrial business watch schemes are in operation in England working to prevent crime and theft on industrial estates; and if he will make a statement; [142181]
(2) what assistance his Department offers to industrial business watch schemes; and if he will make a statement. [142178]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeWe do not provide any direct formal or financial assistance to industrial business watch schemes, and there are no central records available as to the number of such schemes. We do, of course, welcome any such initiatives to combat crime. Among the projects to assist business to reduce crime is Business Crime Check which seeks to create, maintain and promote a database of information relevant to those who wish to reduce crime against business.
§ Mr. Bill O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many businesses took part in the National Retail Business Watch scheme; and if he will make a statement. [142180]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeI am not aware of the National Retail Business Watch scheme. The Government's drive against retail crime is being taken forward by the Retail Crime Reduction Action Team (RCRAT) and its work with the police and others in the public and private sectors has already had an impact on retail crime. RCRAT has produced a comprehensive guide to setting up and managing a Retail Crime Reduction Partnership and to date almost 250 of these partnerships have been established, covering all the major shopping centres in England and Wales.