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Home Office

Answer

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress against the National Distraction Burglary Task Force's action plan. [102734] Mr. Bob Ainsworth: The National Distraction Burglary Task Force drew up a two year action plan in 2000. It set out a wide range of activities which reflect the Task Force's aim, which is "To tackle distraction burglary and thereby improve the quality of life of vulnerable communities through a co-ordinated national partnership initiative within England and Wales". That action plan was substantially completed in 2002. The Task Force held 11 regional conferences which were well attended and positively received. The report on the conferences has been published and sent to those who attended, others who work with the elderly and Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships. The Task Force has also produced a range of materials to raise awareness of the issue of distraction burglary among a range of organisations, and to disseminate good practice. Nearly 7,000 toolkits, comprising a copy of a Good Practice Guide, two videos and samples of useful items for making homes more secure were produced for use by those working with the elderly and vulnerable. A leaflet highlighting the message "Stop ... Chain ... Check" has been produced and a series of newsletters for practitioners has been published. Funding has been provided for two substantial research projects on distraction burglary. These are investigating key factors that affect vulnerability and the ability to resist attempted offences. We hope to publish the report of this research in May 2003. From April 2003, offences deemed to be distraction burglary will be included in the recorded crime series; incorporated as a sub-heading within the Burglary Dwelling category. Although the original action plan has been substantially completed, work to reduce distraction burglary is continuing and the Task Force has set up three sub-groups, to consider Communications, Prevention and Partnership. They will look at ways to develop key actions, such as offering advice and training, liaising with utility companies, police forces and others in order to improve the prevention and detection of this crime, and ways of further developing the existing guidance and materials.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

401 c968-9W; 102734

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Crime prevention Crime Burglary Police Older people Publicity Research Statistics Utilities Crime and disorder reduction partnerships

Link

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