§ Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 18 December 2001,Official Report, column 237W, how much funding was provided by central Government to neighbourhood watch in each of the financial years from 1997–98 to 2001–02; and how much will be provided in the next financial year. [25305]
§ Mr. DenhamNeighbourhood Watch is a movement of over 160,000 local schemes covering 6 million households. Local schemes are independent and largely self-financing. The police play a crucial supporting role, including providing advice on how to set up schemes and assisting with administration and publicity.
The Government have supported the National Neighbourhood Watch Association by sponsoring the cost of their annual conference in 2001, which was £80,000. The organisation is largely self-financing with core funding being provided by the private sector. The Government recognise the role Neighbourhood Watch plays in the fight against crime and in building communities. We have given and will continue to give support in kind to the National Neighbourhood Watch Association. In 2000–01 we produced publicity and training material for Neighbourhood Watch at a cost of more than £100,000.