Mike Penning (Hemel Hempstead) (Con): What measures he is taking to tackle violent crime. [33819] The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Charles Clarke): Violent crime as measured under the British crime survey has fallen by 34 per cent. since 1997, but it is still too high, so the Government are undertaking a full range of work that will continue to reduce it. They include measures in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill, which is currently before Parliament. Those measures will give police and local communities the powers that they need to tackle guns, knives and alcohol-related violence.
Mike Penning: The Home Secretary will not have cheered up any of my constituents with that short and complacent comment. Drink abuse has made my town centre a no-go area. My excellent police force is doing its level best to control the situation, but extending licensing hours and abolishing the Hertfordshire constabulary is not the answer. Can the Home Secretary come up with something better? Mr. Clarke: There is no complacency at all. Our measures, including those in the Violent Crime Reduction Bill, are designed to strengthen our capacity to deal with violent crime. As for the reorganisation of the constabulary, it is a means of conveying more resources to the front line, where they are really needed. | 
