Police Information

BURGLARY, VANDALISM AND ARSON

Sun, May 20, 2001

Source:

An Action Plan to step up the battle against burglary, vandalism and arson has been published.

 

An Action Plan to step up the battle against burglary, vandalism and arson has been published.

The Property Crime Reduction Action Team (PRCAT), set up by the Home Office, has published its first report. And it made a plea for more businesses to get involved in the fight against crime.

The report sets out ways for PCRAT to achieve:

 

• Better designed environments;
• Better security for products;
• Arson reduction;
• Active partnerships - how all members in society can play a role;
• Improved methodology to assess the results of crime reduction measures;
• Sharing good practice.

Home Office Minister Charles Clarke:

 

"Property crime is on the decline but the battle has not been won. It still costs this country millions of pounds and we will continue to work with the police and business to drive it down further. Our anti-crime measures such as the chipping of goods, design against crime, targeted policing and reducing burglary initiatives are just some examples of action taken so far.

 

"It is clear that individuals, as well as product designers and developers have a role to play to bring down property crime. Owning, buying or using stolen goods encourages crime. I want to see goods and homes designed in such a way to discourage criminals.

 

"I'm delighted at the work PCRAT have put in to produce this initial report which sets out where early progress can be made and their future work. I hope that many more organisations can get involved to secure its objectives in reducing property crime."

Mark Wood, Chief Executive Designate Prudential UK and Europe and Chair of PCRAT said:

 

"PCRAT's purpose is to identify initiatives which together will reduce property crime by 25 per cent over five years to March 2006. Our recommendations are practical and where implemented they make a mark towards reducing property crime."

Welcoming publication of the report, Rachel Burns, Policy Adviser at the British Chambers of Commerce and a member of PCRAT said:

 

"This is an important first step in tackling the serious issue of property crime. Crime against property costs business thousands of pounds each year diverting essential resources away from investment in new technology and innovation."

 

Copies of the PCRAT report are available on the Home Office website at www.crimereduction.gov.uk or from their press office on 020 7273 3736.

PCRAT was announced by the Home Secretary in November 1999 and it's purpose is to reduce property crime by working in partnership with the Government and other interests including central and local Government, police, fire service, and other commercial organisations. It covers burglary, vandalism and arson in both residential and commercial property.

Members of PCRAT include representatives of the Metropolitan Police Service, Association of British Insurers, Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters, Tyne and Wear Metropolitan Fire Brigade, British Security Industry Association Ltd, Philips Electronic UK Ltd, Ernst &Young, South Yorkshire Neighbourhood Watch Association, Dixons Group plc, Chubb Security Systems, London Borough of Sutton, Thames Valley Police, the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions, BT Payphones and the British Chambers of Commerce.