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Home Office

Answer

Sir Peter Emery: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to combat the rise in rural crime, with special reference to the south-west. [142696] Mr. Charles Clarke: The British Crime Survey shows that crime levels are significantly lower in rural areas than in urban areas, with levels of burglary, violent and vehicle crime declining. Nevertheless, tackling crime and the fear of crime in all areas, including rural areas, remains a high priority for this Government. Our approach in all areas is to assist the police and the local crime and disorder partnerships to address local crime effectively. We announced in June that rural police forces were to benefit this year from an additional £15 million from the Police Modernisation Fund. The allocation to forces in the south-west is as follows: Avon and Somerset, £494,892; Devon and Cornwall £1,554,673; Dorset £221,858; Gloucestershire £387,093; and Wiltshire £544,900. The money rises to £30 million next year. This money will make a real difference to policing in rural areas. In addition, we are providing funding for a range of initiatives and projects in rural areas as part of the Government's Crime Reduction Programme. In Devon and Cornwall, these include £81,000 to tackle persistent offending in east Devon and £950,000 to tackle alcohol related crime across the force area as part of the Targeted Policing Initiative; and £367,200 for four projects as part of the Reducing Burglary Initiative.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

360 c50-1W;360 c51W; 142696

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Crime prevention Crime Finance Police Rural areas South West

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk