§ Mr. AshdownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to allocate additional cash for policing in Somerset; and if he will make a statement. [121214]
§ Mr. Charles Clarke[holding answer 9 May 2000]: Somerset and Avon Police Authority set a budget this year of £181.2 million, an increase of 4.5 per cent compared with last year. In addition, the force will benefit from a number of initiatives to help tackle crime. Distribution of resources between the counties of Avon and Somerset will reflect the Chief Constable's judgment of priorities at different times and is not subject to Government determination.
167WUnder the Crime Reduction Programme, over £2 million has been allocated so far to Avon and Somerset for the Reducing Burglary, Targeted Policing and Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) initiatives.
Five Reducing Burglary bids have been approved with programme funding amounting to £0.3 million. Under the latest round of the Targeted Policing Initiative, two proposals with a combined value of just over £1 million have been approved for further development: one combating robbery in central Bristol, the other increasing the use of court confiscation orders against property criminals and drug dealers in Avon and Somerset. Another £1 million has been allocated to fund nine projects in Avon and Somerset under the CCTV initiative.
Additionally, through the Crime Fighting Fund, Avon and Somerset will receive resources for additional recruits above and beyond the number that would otherwise have been recruited.