§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 28 November 2001 (WA 38) on retail crime, what representations they have had on the subject since the reply; and what developments there have been in regard to the funding of help for retailers to enhance the security of their premises. [HL2935]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Rooker)My noble friend will recall that he wrote to me on 14 January forwarding representations he had received about the problems caused to retailers by the anti-social behaviour of groups of young people gathering outside their stores. I replied on 21 February detailing measures we are taking to address the serious problem of anti-social behaviour. There have also been continuing discussions and correspondence between Ministers and officials at the Home Office and retail representative and trade organisations about crime which impacts on retailers.
My right honourable friend the Minister of State at the Home Office with responsibility for crime reduction (Mr Denham) also announced, on 6 February, those schemes which have been allocated funding in the first year of the scheme to assist small retail businesses in deprived areas. These first year allocations, totalling £2.9 million, will provide direct assistance to over 2,700 businesses in England and Wales. It is hoped that thousands more businesses will benefit from funding of £5.8 million in each of the following two years.