To ask the Prime Minister if he will seek to improve co-ordination between the Home Office and Departments of Environment and Transport to identify where early action can be taken to reduce the public's fear of, and to help prevent, crime by improving the standard of street lighting in towns; and if he will make a statement.

The Home Office has just received a first draft of a report of a major research study undertaken by the University of Southampton to assess the impact of improved streetlighting on crime and the fear of crime in the London borough of Wandsworth. The results are being considered. The Home Office is also engaged in a monitoring exercise on the link between lighting improvements and crime in four urban areas. When all the relevant information is to hand Home Office Ministers will consider, in conjunction with other Departments as appropriate, what further action is necessary to try and reduce the public's fear of crime.