The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) works for the essentials of life food, air, land, water, people, animals and plants. This government department's remit is to bring all aspects of the environment, rural matters, farming and food production together and act as a focal point for rural policy. For general information, documents and publications on countryside and wildlife conservation.

Visit www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/ or telephone 08459 33 55 77

ODPM's responsibilities for local and regional government, housing, planning, fire, regeneration, social exclusion and neighbourhood renewal puts the Office at the heart of Government's ambition to create sustainable communities for all.

Visit www.odpm.gov.uk or telephone 0207 944 4400

The Home Office is the Government department responsible for internal affairs in England and Wales. It works to ensure that the protection and security of the public are maintained and enhanced. For more information or to download on-line documents on policing, drugs or crime statistics and research.

Visit www.homeoffice.gov.uk or telephone 0870 0001 585

CABE is the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, which champions the quality of our buildings and spaces. CABE Space is publicly funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) and aims to bring excellence to the design, management and maintenance of parks and gardens in our towns and cities. CABE Space works with local authorities and other bodies responsible for public space to help them provide a better service. Through its work, it encourages local councils to think holistically about their green space, and what it means for residents' health and wellbeing, routes to school and work, and recreation through play and sport. Its aim is to ensure that every person in England has easy access to well designed and well looked after public space. CABE Space campaigns, conducts research and manages award schemes; it also gives guidance on green space strategies and management plans.

To order or view publications visit www.cabespace.org.uk or telephone 020 7960 2400

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) is one of the largest independent social policy research and development charities in the UK. It supports a wide programme of research and development projects in housing, social care and social policy. JRF has carried out research into harassment, particularly racial harassment.

To access the research online visit www.jrf.org.uk and enter "harassment" in the search box, or telephone 01904 629241