To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to monitor the change in the incidence of residential burglaries in areas where neighbourhood watch schemes have been established; and if he will make a statement.

Where police forces have been able to isolate crime figures to areas covered by individual schemes the results have indicated that well-run schemes can reduce the level of local crime including residential burglary. For example, neighbourhood watch schemes were established in the five towns project area in north Tyneside. By the end of the first 18 months of the project, residential burglary was down by 23 per cent. and crime overall was reduced by 18 per cent. Given that there are now over 50,000 schemes in England and Wales, it would not be practical for the Home Office to collect such results centrally, but we are considering proposals for a study in one police force area of the effectiveness of neighbourhood watch schemes in preventing crime.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a further statement on the spread and achievements of the neighbourhood watch movement.

There are now more than 50,000 neighbourhood watch schemes in England and Wales, almost double the figure 12 months ago. With so many schemes there is inevitably a variation in their size, scope and in the commitment of their members and, like all voluntary activity, some schemes are more effective than others. There are, however, many examples of schemes where crime has been reduced in neighbourhood watch areas coupled with an equally important enhancement, or revival of community spirit.