HC Deb 02 July 2001 vol 371 cc53-4W
21. Gareth Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of crime prevention partnerships. [634]

Mr. Denham

The local crime and disorder reduction partnerships, established by the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, ensure that the resources and commitment of local authorities and a wide range of other local organisations are harnessed to support the police in the fight against crime. This joint effort has helped secure the 10 per cent. reduction in crime measured by the British Crime Survey 2000.

27. Mr. Salter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support is being given to crime and disorder partnerships to tackle drug-related crime. [640]

Mr. Denham

Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships are being provided with additional investment and guidance to disrupt local drugs markets, and tackle drug-related crime.

Partnerships have been allocated a total of £50 million this year to tackle drugs problems, under the Communities Against Drugs initiative, and this will rise to £70 million in 2002–03 and £100 million in 2003–04. The Communities Against Drugs toolkit is available on the Crime Reduction website (www.crimereduction.gov.uk) and further written guidance is under preparation. Advice to partnerships is being provided by the Crime Reduction Directors and by the Drugs Prevention Advisory Service (DPAS) in the regions in England, and in Wales by the Crime Reduction Director and the Substance Misuse Intervention Branch.