| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
5 Nov 2003 : Column 709W—continued
Crime Statistics
David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effect of the adoption of the National Crime Recording Standard on the capacity to compare crime statistics with previous years' performance. [135279]
Ms Blears: It is difficult to make valid comparisons of recorded crime statistics over time owing to changes in police recording, the latest being the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS) in April 2002. However, the adoption of the NCRS by all forces will establish a fairer and more consistent basis upon which future crime statistics can be interpreted, both nationally and between police forces.
In order to provide a more realistic picture of crime levels, the Home Office has conducted a full evaluation of the estimated impact of the NCRS at a national and
5 Nov 2003 : Column 710W
force level for 2002–03. More detailed information about the methodology can be found at http://www.homeoffice.gov.Uk/rds/pdfs2/rdsolr3103.pdf. The study concluded that overall the crimes counted in 2002–03 were approximately 10 per cent. higher than they would have been under pre-NCRS recording practices.
Additionally, it is important to note that findings from the British Crime Survey, which is the most authoritative source on crime trends (and which has not been affected by changes to police recording practices) enable trends in crime over the last 20 years to be identified on a reliable basis.
Crime Statistics (Avon and Somerset)
Dan Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug dealers were convicted in Avon and Somerset in (a) 1997, (b) 2002 and (c) 2003. [136324]
Caroline Flint: The table contains data from the Home Office Court Appearances and Cautions Drugs Database showing the number of drug dealers in the Avon and Somerset Police force area brought to justice in the years 1996 to 2000 (the latest year available). The term 'brought to justice' has been taken to mean cautioned or found guilty of 'dealing' in drugs. "Dealing" has been taken mean drug trafficking, that is: to include possession with intent to supply, unlawful supply, unlawful production and unlawful import/export.
| Number of dealers | |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 340 |
| 1997 | 360 |
| 1998 | 350 |
| 1999 | 330 |
| 2000 | 310 |
These data are taken from the annual Home Office Statistical Bulletin "Drug Seizure and Offender Statistics, UK 2000", which is available on the RDS website and in the Library http://www.homeoffice. gov.uk/rds/pdfs2/hosb402.pdf.
Drugs
Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of anti-drugs campaigns in (a) the United States and (b) other EU countries. [134837]
Caroline Flint: The issue of drugs is common to many countries. However trends in drug use differ form one country to the next. It is therefore difficult to make comparisons between Britain and other countries.
Part of the development of the "Frank" drugs campaign currently running in England and Wales was an assessment of the effectiveness of campaigns in the United States and in European Union member states. These supported the findings of research in this country that campaigns that aim to shock have at best limited success, because potential users do not associate themselves with the messages. What is needed instead is
5 Nov 2003 : Column 711W
reliable information and advice for personal contacts of potential users and for potential users themselves. The Frank campaign has been designed in that light.
Dungavel Removal Centre
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his response is to the Report by Her Majesty's Inspector of Prisons on Dungavel Removal Centre; and if he will make a statement. [135438]
Beverley Hughes: We welcomed the publication of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons' inspection report on Dungavel Removal Centre. We were pleased to see that the report concluded that Dungavel was essentially a place of safety where detainees were treated with respect and received a good standard of custodial care. The report contains a number of recommendations and we are considering these carefully. We will respond formally to Her Majesty's Chief Inspector shortly.
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Fatima Muse was fined by staff at Dungavel Removal Centre on 27 August after hiding food in her room; under what power this was done; and if he will make a statement. [135439]
Beverley Hughes: Detainees at Dungavel Removal Centre are not fined. They benefit from an incentive scheme that provides them with a weekly cash allowance provided their behaviour and conduct is satisfactory. In the case of unsatisfactory behaviour, a warning letter will be issued and, if the detainee's behaviour does not improve, consideration will be given to withdrawing the weekly allowance. Unsatisfactory behaviour may include breaches of the centre rules on hygiene or health and safety. Detainees taking food from the dining room to their rooms would constitute such a breach. In the case in question, a warning letter was issued in respect of a number of separate matters but the detainee's weekly allowance was not in fact withdrawn.
5 Nov 2003 : Column 712W
Ethnic Monitoring System
Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what published reports have been produced by Government (a) departments and (b) agencies using information gathered through an approved statutory ethnic monitoring system. [135773]
Beverley Hughes: The information requested is not immediately available. We are currently seeking this information. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as this information has been received and collated.
HMP Leyhill
Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have absconded from HMP Leyhill in the last 12 months for which figures are available; how many of these have not been recaptured; and if he will place in the Library for each absconder in the last year a list of (a) the original offence for which they were imprisoned, (b) their original sentence and (c) the average length of their outstanding sentence. [134996]
Paul Goggins [holding answer 28 October 2003]: Leyhill is an open category D training establishment containing adult males mostly from the South West Area, although many transfer from other establishments after their recategorisation to category D. Leyhill also holds life sentence prisoners, allocated nationally.
Eighty-two prisoners absconded from Leyhill between 1 November 2002 and 24 October 2003. Of these 19 have not yet been recaptured. Table 1 lists for each absconder the offence for which he was imprisoned, the sentence and the length of sentence outstanding between the date of abscond and the expected release date. For prisoners other than life sentenced prisoners the average period for the time from date of abscond to expected release date was 10 months. Table 2 shows the changes in population, and the number of time served prisoners who were discharged from Leyhill in the last 12 months.
5 Nov 2003 : Column 715W
| Baseline CNA(19) | Population | Discharges | |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2002 | 512 | 445 | 83 |
| November 2002 | 512 | 449 | 75 |
| December 2002 | 512 | 382 | 96 |
| January 2003 | 512 | 360 | 59 |
| February 20003 | 512 | 431 | 38 |
| March 2003 | 512 | 497 | 89 |
| April 2003 | 512 | 500 | 76 |
| May2003 | 512 | 495 | 81 |
| June 2003 | 512 | 500 | 82 |
| July 2003 | 512 | 508 | 82 |
| August 2003 | 512 | 511 | 69 |
| September 2003 | 512 | 506 | 61 |
(19) CNA = Certified Normal Accommodation
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |