§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how his Department intends to evaluate the Street Crime Initiative in the relevant police force areas; and if he will publish the evaluation. [105313]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthThe Street Crime Initiative is ongoing and as part of its day to day management there is regular identification and exchange of good practice across the various agencies involved. At local level a number of specific evaluations of projects or initiatives have been commissioned. These are a matter for the local partners.
In addition, various strands of activity contributing to reducing street crime are being examined by a number of independent inspectorates, including Her Majesty's Inspectorates of Constabulary, Prisons, and Probation, and the Social Services, Crown Prosecution Service, and Magistrates Courts' Inspectorates. Findings are expected to be made available in the summer.
§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there is evidence to show that the street crime initiative has displaced such crimes into areas not subject to the initiative. [105314]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthIt is not currently possible to make an assessment of displacement effects from areas subject to the Street Crime Initiative to areas that are not part of the initiative. It should not be assumed that decreases in crime in a particular force area are at the cost of increases elsewhere.
Criminal statistics are published on a quarterly and annual basis. The latest figures for England and Wales show that robbery fell by 10 per cent. in July to September 2002 compared to the year before.