§ David DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on discussions he has held with the National Neighbourhood Watch Association regarding the Neighbourhood Watch logo. [177731]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 9 June 2004]:: Earlier this year the Home Office began receiving complaints from local schemes and one police force that the National Neighbourhood Watch Association (NNWA) had registered the logos as trademarks. This was done without consulting or obtaining agreement from the Police, the Home Office, local authorities or Neighbourhood Watch generally.
The Neighbourhood Watch logos are Crown copyright. We are taking steps to resolve the situation with NNWA and to restore ownership and control of the Neighbourhood Watch trademarks to the Home Office. Our aim is to protect the rights of local and regional schemes to continue to use the logos. Discussions are still under way to resolve the situation.