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1715221

registered interest
date	01/05/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Shoplifting and Theft
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of scrapping the £200 summary offence rule for shoplifting and theft.
tabling member constituency	Portsmouth South
tabling member printed	Stephen Morgan
uin	24524
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/05/2024 answer text <p>Since 2010 our communities are safer, with neighbourhood crimes including burglary, robbery and theft from the person down 48% and overall violent crime down 44%, and with more police officers on the streets than in 2010.</p><p>However, there has been a worrying rise in shoplifting and violence towards retail workers, which we need to address.</p><p>Police Recorded Crime figures show shoplifting offences increased by 37% in the 12 months to December 2023. Although, the number of people charged with shoplifting offences in the same period rose by 46%, showing the police are heeding the message and taking action.</p><p>The Government has taken a number of recent significant steps to reduce and prevent retail crime. Our plan – &quot;Fighting retail crime: more action&quot; was launched on 10 April, which highlights five areas of work this Government will drive forward to tackle retail crime. This will include us introducing a presumption towards electronic monitoring as part of a sentence served in the community for those who repeatedly steal from shops. We will develop a retail theft electronic monitoring (EM) ‘package’, to offer sentencers starting in a pilot area, a clear community sentence pathway for repeat retail theft offenders.</p><p>This builds on the police-led Retail Crime Action Plan, which includes a commitment to prioritise police attendance at the scene where violence has been used towards shop staff, where an offender has been detained by store security, and where evidence needs to be secured and can only be done by police personnel. Figures published by the NPCC show early signs of progress.</p><p>Furthermore, we will bring forward legislative changes to introduce a presumption towards electronic monitoring as part of a sentence served in the community for those who repeatedly steal from shops. This legislative change will provide that on the third sentencing occasion, an offender would be electronically monitored as part of any community sentence or post-release for the duration of any licence period.</p><p>Under section 176 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, low-value shoplifting (value of £200 or less) is a summary offence, unless an adult elects to be tried in the Crown Court. Where a summary offence is committed, the case can be handled as a police-led prosecution.</p><p>Police-led prosecutions were introduced to improve the efficiency of the criminal justice system by allowing for a simpler, more proportionate police-led process in high-volume, low-level, uncontested cases. This route enables cases to be handled more speedily, rather than cases having to go to the CPS and through the Crown Court.</p><p>Repealing this would mean victims of shoplifting have to wait longer for cases to come to court.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp grouped question UIN 24525 question first answered 13/05/2024 16:54:52 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	4653 label Biography information for Stephen Morgan

1714882

registered interest
date	30/04/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Drugs: Crime
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make an assessment of the implications for his policies of trends in the number of convictions for class (a) A and (b) B drug possession in the last five years.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	24237
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/05/2024 answer text <p>No specific assessment on trends in convictions for drug offences as a result of policy changes has been made, but the Government takes the matter of harmful drugs very seriously. Our approach to them remains clear - we must prevent drug misuse in our communities and support people through treatment and recovery.</p><p>The police have a range of powers at their disposal to deal with drug-related offences, such as illegal possession, and how police choose to pursue investigations is an operational decision for Chief Constables, but we are clear that we expect them to enforce the law. We expect police to take a zero tolerance approach to drug possession, and this can include sanctions other than prosecution. This includes referrals to treatment, as well as sanctions to make offenders understand the impact of their actions and opportunities for them to change their behaviour. However, we are clear prosecution remains an option to deal with repeat offenders.</p><p>We keep the classification of drugs under review. Ministers are subject to a statutory obligation to consider advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), an independent scientific advisory body, before making legislation on the classification of drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Legislative changes are accompanied by a robust impact assessment where we set out the potential impacts of such changes.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 08/05/2024 15:25:44 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1713942

registered interest
date	25/04/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Drugs: Misuse
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of trends in the levels of synthetic drugs in circulation.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	23765
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2024 answer text <p>Tackling Class A drugs, including synthetic opioids, is a priority for the Government and through our 10 year drugs strategy ‘From Harm to Hope’ we are taking action to tackle drugs supply and reduce demand.</p><p>UK agencies are highly alert to the threat from synthetic drugs, including synthetic opioids like fentanyl and nitazenes, as well as synthetic cannabinoids and benzodiazepines. We assess that the scale of trafficking of synthetic opioids into the UK remains low. However, nitazenes, a type of synthetic opioid, have sadly been linked to more than 100 deaths in the UK during the last year, and we are taking action.</p><p>The cross-Government Synthetic Opioids Taskforce is working with partners, such as the NCA, the Department for Health and Social Care and the National Police Chiefs Council to deliver an evidence-based response to the risk posed by synthetic opioids, and to implement effective action to stem the demand and supply of these dangerous substances.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 02/05/2024 15:55:34 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1713960

registered interest
date	25/04/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	WEDINOS
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of (a) expansion and (b) potential roll-out across the UK of the WEDINOS laboratory drug-testing service.
tabling member constituency	Easington
tabling member printed	Grahame Morris
uin	23722
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/04/2024 answer text <p>The Government has not made a formal assessment of the benefits of drug testing services but it recognises the potential harm reduction benefits of them. The Government facilitates drug testing services provided that the possession and supply of controlled drugs are licensed by the Home Office Drugs and Firearms Licensing Unit or, exceptionally, relevant exemptions under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 may apply.</p><p>Ministers are clear that drug testing services must not condone drug use and should only be delivered where licensed and operated responsibly, in line with Government policy to ensure that they discourage drug use and signpost potential users to treatment and support.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 30/04/2024 16:11:18 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	3973 label Biography information for Grahame Morris

1713476

registered interest
date	24/04/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Fire Prevention: Surrey
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to mitigate potential wildfires in Surrey.
tabling member constituency	Westmorland and Lonsdale
tabling member printed	Tim Farron
uin	23450
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2024 answer text <p>The Home Office are the lead Government Department for Wildfire Response and own the National Security Risk Assessment (NSRA) wildfire risk. Government departments including Home Office, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities and key stakeholders work closely to mitigate the risk of wildfire.</p><p>The published Wildfire Framework outlines the work being undertaken to improve the UK’s preparedness for wildfires in England. The Home Office maintains regular engagement with National Bodies including the National Fire Chiefs Council and England and Wales Wildfire Forum to monitor and review sector led improvements to wildfire response and mitigation.</p><p>The Home Office have committed to scoping a wildfire strategy and action plan by mid-2024, with support from Defra and its agencies. This commitment is outlined in the third National Adaptation Plan and includes considering prevention, response and recovery actions.</p><p>In 24/25, the Home Office is funding a new National Resilience Wildfire Advisor who will assess what additional wildfire national capabilities might be needed to increase resilience to the wildfire risk and to ensure coordination of approaches across the sector.</p><p>Surrey County Council has overall responsibility for fire and rescue services in Surrey. The county council will receive an un-ringfenced grant for all of their services including fire, through the Local Government Finance Settlement and they will allocate funding according to their priorities.</p><p>All Fire and Rescue Authority’s including Surrey, are required to plan for the foreseeable risks in their area (including wildfires) through their Integrated Risk Management Plan. This will include plans to prevent and respond to incidents.</p><p>Individuals should contact their own insurance providers with regard to any potential claims for damage as a result of wildfire.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp grouped question UIN 23451 23452 question first answered 01/05/2024 14:15:40 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	1591 label Biography information for Tim Farron

1713477

registered interest
date	24/04/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Fires: Surrey
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the risk of potential wildfires in Surrey.
tabling member constituency	Westmorland and Lonsdale
tabling member printed	Tim Farron
uin	23451
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2024 answer text <p>The Home Office are the lead Government Department for Wildfire Response and own the National Security Risk Assessment (NSRA) wildfire risk. Government departments including Home Office, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities and key stakeholders work closely to mitigate the risk of wildfire.</p><p>The published Wildfire Framework outlines the work being undertaken to improve the UK’s preparedness for wildfires in England. The Home Office maintains regular engagement with National Bodies including the National Fire Chiefs Council and England and Wales Wildfire Forum to monitor and review sector led improvements to wildfire response and mitigation.</p><p>The Home Office have committed to scoping a wildfire strategy and action plan by mid-2024, with support from Defra and its agencies. This commitment is outlined in the third National Adaptation Plan and includes considering prevention, response and recovery actions.</p><p>In 24/25, the Home Office is funding a new National Resilience Wildfire Advisor who will assess what additional wildfire national capabilities might be needed to increase resilience to the wildfire risk and to ensure coordination of approaches across the sector.</p><p>Surrey County Council has overall responsibility for fire and rescue services in Surrey. The county council will receive an un-ringfenced grant for all of their services including fire, through the Local Government Finance Settlement and they will allocate funding according to their priorities.</p><p>All Fire and Rescue Authority’s including Surrey, are required to plan for the foreseeable risks in their area (including wildfires) through their Integrated Risk Management Plan. This will include plans to prevent and respond to incidents.</p><p>Individuals should contact their own insurance providers with regard to any potential claims for damage as a result of wildfire.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp grouped question UIN 23450 23452 question first answered 01/05/2024 14:15:40 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	1591 label Biography information for Tim Farron

1713478

registered interest
date	24/04/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Fires: Surrey
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on potential insurance claims and damages as a result of wildfires in Surrey.
tabling member constituency	Westmorland and Lonsdale
tabling member printed	Tim Farron
uin	23452
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2024 answer text <p>The Home Office are the lead Government Department for Wildfire Response and own the National Security Risk Assessment (NSRA) wildfire risk. Government departments including Home Office, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities and key stakeholders work closely to mitigate the risk of wildfire.</p><p>The published Wildfire Framework outlines the work being undertaken to improve the UK’s preparedness for wildfires in England. The Home Office maintains regular engagement with National Bodies including the National Fire Chiefs Council and England and Wales Wildfire Forum to monitor and review sector led improvements to wildfire response and mitigation.</p><p>The Home Office have committed to scoping a wildfire strategy and action plan by mid-2024, with support from Defra and its agencies. This commitment is outlined in the third National Adaptation Plan and includes considering prevention, response and recovery actions.</p><p>In 24/25, the Home Office is funding a new National Resilience Wildfire Advisor who will assess what additional wildfire national capabilities might be needed to increase resilience to the wildfire risk and to ensure coordination of approaches across the sector.</p><p>Surrey County Council has overall responsibility for fire and rescue services in Surrey. The county council will receive an un-ringfenced grant for all of their services including fire, through the Local Government Finance Settlement and they will allocate funding according to their priorities.</p><p>All Fire and Rescue Authority’s including Surrey, are required to plan for the foreseeable risks in their area (including wildfires) through their Integrated Risk Management Plan. This will include plans to prevent and respond to incidents.</p><p>Individuals should contact their own insurance providers with regard to any potential claims for damage as a result of wildfire.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp grouped question UIN 23450 23451 question first answered 01/05/2024 14:15:40 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	1591 label Biography information for Tim Farron

1713207

registered interest
date	23/04/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Antisocial Behaviour: Cars
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his Department is taking steps to support Birmingham City Council’s efforts to tackle street cruising.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
tabling member printed	Tahir Ali
uin	23304
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/04/2024 answer text <p>The exercise of powers under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 by local authorities is a local matter.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 30/04/2024 16:16:05 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	4747 label Biography information for Tahir Ali

1702394

registered interest
date	19/04/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Knives: Amnesties
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a knife amnesty.
tabling member constituency	East Londonderry
tabling member printed	Mr Gregory Campbell
uin	22701
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>Many police forces provide amnesty bins all year round to provide the public with a facility to safely dispose of unwanted knives and other offensive weapons. It is for Chief Constables, directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and Mayors with PCC functions to make operational decisions including how to allocate resources based on their local knowledge and experience.</p><p>The Government continues to encourage police forces to undertake a series of coordinated national weeks of action to tackle knife crime under Operation Sceptre. The operation includes targeted stop and searches, weapon sweeps of hotspot areas, surrender of knives, including through amnesty bins, test purchases of knives from retailers, and educational events. The latest phase of the operation took place between 13 to 19 November 2023 and saw 12,149 knives surrendered or recovered.</p><p>On 25 January we laid the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment, Surrender and Compensation) Order 2024 in Parliament. Subject to parliamentary approval, this will prohibit the manufacture, supply, sale and possession of zombie-style knives and machetes in England and Wales from 24 September 2024. From 26 August 2024 to 23 September 2024 we will be running a surrender and compensation scheme so that those who own zombie-style knives and machetes which will be banned, can surrender them and receive compensation.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 24/04/2024 16:25:18 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	1409 label Biography information for Mr Gregory Campbell

1701823

registered interest
date	17/04/2024
answering body	Home Office
answering dept id	1
answering dept short name	Home Office
answering dept sort name	Home Office
hansard heading	Crime Prevention: Birmingham
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps his Department has taken to (a) reduce crime and (b) improve community safety in Birmingham.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Hall Green
tabling member printed	Tahir Ali
uin	22397
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>This Government is committed to cutting crime, keeping our streets safe, and restoring confidence in the criminal justice system.</p><p>Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), as the locally elected and democratically accountable individual, are responsible for the totality of policing in their area. They set local policing and crime objectives in partnership with their communities and key stakeholders and hold the Chief Constable to account for the delivery of efficient and effective policing.</p><p>The Government is funding a range of initiatives in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands police force area to reduce crime. Through the Safer Streets Fund, the West Midlands has received just over £3.7m of investment through five rounds of the Fund. As part of the current Round Five, the West Midlands PCC has been allocated £819k to deliver interventions aimed at targeting neighbourhood crime, anti-social behaviour, and violence against women and girls.</p><p>To tackle the drivers of serious violence, the Home Office has invested over £20m since 2019 to develop the West Midlands Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), including funding of over £4.38m in 2023/2024. The West Midlands VRU delivers a range of preventative interventions, cognitive behavioural therapy programmes, and sports-based diversionary programmes.</p><p>During the Police Uplift, West Midlands recruited 1,376 additional uplift officers against a total three-year allocation of 1,218 officers. As at 30 September 2023, there were 7,982 police officers in West Midlands, a total growth of 1,291 additional officers against the baseline (6,691) at the start of the Police Uplift.</p><p>Overall, the West Midlands will receive up to £790.4 million in 2024/2025 from the police funding settlement, an increase of up to £51.1 million when compared to 2023/2024.</p> answering member constituency Croydon South answering member printed Chris Philp question first answered 24/04/2024 16:27:11 answering member 4503 label Biography information for Chris Philp
tabling member	4747 label Biography information for Tahir Ali