Chamber
Plenary, 13 Mar 2003
13 Mar 2003 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Question Time
Crime (North Ayrshire)
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
I will quote from a recent article in the Largs and Millport Weekly News. The headline reads "Crime rates are falling", and the article says:
"Falling rates of crime in North Ayrshire have been applauded by the local MSP, Allan Wilson …
Daily crime rates have apparently fallen from an average of thirty per day in 2001-02 down to twenty-four at the end of January this year."
Kay Ullrich asks about the Executive's response, so I will indicate what we are doing. There are record numbers of police and support staff throughout Scotland. In North Ayrshire, we have invested £143,000 in closed-circuit television; £238,000 in a community safety partnership award; a total of £490,000 in youth justice in 2002-03; £6.75 million over three years from the better neighbourhood services fund to tackle such issues as community safety and crime; £1.9 million for additional drug treatment—
"Falling rates of crime in North Ayrshire have been applauded by the local MSP, Allan Wilson …
Daily crime rates have apparently fallen from an average of thirty per day in 2001-02 down to twenty-four at the end of January this year."
Kay Ullrich asks about the Executive's response, so I will indicate what we are doing. There are record numbers of police and support staff throughout Scotland. In North Ayrshire, we have invested £143,000 in closed-circuit television; £238,000 in a community safety partnership award; a total of £490,000 in youth justice in 2002-03; £6.75 million over three years from the better neighbourhood services fund to tackle such issues as community safety and crime; £1.9 million for additional drug treatment—
In the same item of business
6. Kay Ullrich (West of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
To ask the Scottish Executive whether adequate resources are being applied to combat crime in North Ayrshire. (S1O-6622)
The Deputy Minister for Justice (Hugh Henry):
Lab
While we could always argue for more resources, in recent years substantial extra investment has been made in North Ayrshire to combat crime.
Kay Ullrich:
SNP
I remind the minister that new Labour has been in power since 1997. Can he explain why, since then, the incidence of violent crime in North Ayrshire has rise...
Hugh Henry:
Lab
I will quote from a recent article in the Largs and Millport Weekly News. The headline reads "Crime rates are falling", and the article says:"Falling rates o...
The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel):
NPA
Order.
Hugh Henry:
Lab
And, Presiding Officer—
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
No, Mr Henry—hang on.
Hugh Henry:
Lab
Last but not least—
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
No.
Hugh Henry:
Lab
—the sum of £4.85 million over the next three years for quality-of-life funding.
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
I remind ministers that other members like to ask supplementaries. Ministers might like to keep some of their ammunition for those members.
Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab):
Lab
Will the minister join me in welcoming the news that resources have been allocated to provide CCTV in Irvine, the contract for which will go out to tender in...
Hugh Henry:
Lab
I would like to commend the local groups that have been actively involved. I am sure that the introduction of CCTV in those areas will be welcomed. Those cam...
Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con):
Con
Does the minister accept that the figures that Allan Wilson and the local press gave seem to be at odds with the figures that the Government released? Follow...
Hugh Henry:
Lab
I believe that a new police station will be opened in the next couple of months. However, operational matters are the responsibility of the chief constable.P...