Written question asked by Tim Loughton (Conservative) on Monday, 10 March 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 21 March 2003. It was answered by Bob Ainsworth (Labour) on Friday, 21 March 2003 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many reported incidences of distraction burglary there were in each of the last five years; and what estimate he has made of the number of incidences of distraction burglary that go unreported each year. - Includes no figures. (Further information found at Daily Part 15 May 2003 405 c431-2W).

Answer: Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reported incidences of distraction burglary there were in each of the last five years; and what estimate he has made of the number of incidences of distraction burglary that go unreported each year. [102736] Mr. Bob Ainsworth: In 2002-03, we will have spent nearly £328,000 centrally on work to combat distraction burglary, including funding for a project targeting distraction burglary in Leeds, and the work of Distraction Burglary Task Force. Crime reduction funding for 2003-04 has mainly been distributed directly to Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships to use to tackle local priorities. There is no central Home Office budget dedicated to distraction burglary.

Secondary information