Crime and Policing Bill

Called upon participants to remain present for the majority of the debate and reminded them to be back in time for both wind-ups. Emphasised the importance of staying involved throughout the debate.

Asked about the percentage increase in knife crime since 2015, questioning the effectiveness of current measures.

Supported drug testing but raised concerns about patchiness in drug and alcohol treatment facilities across the country.

Suggested automatic dismissal for officers failing vetting, questioning public confidence measures.

Welcomed the implementation of Law Commission’s review but expressed concern over online content removal delays.

Asked about removing aids to suicide from social media, addressing public safety issues.

Questioned the replacement of Vagrancy Act with a measure perceived as overly harsh on rough sleeping, suggesting it may criminalise homelessness more.

Expressed concerns about the definition of 'nuisance rough sleeping' potentially leading to worse criminalisation of people who are homeless.

Supported renewal and change to Vagrancy Act but raised issues about practicality and effectiveness of foreign prison transfers.

Emphasised need for proportionality in measures, questioning the evidence base supporting entry to premises without warrant and transfer of prisoners abroad.

Asked for careful examination of identification principle on corporate criminal liability, suggested extending principles to other areas to reduce fear of costs.

Highlighted the disparity between fraud's prevalence and police resource allocation for it.

Supports the overall goals of the Bill in tackling crime and supporting victims. Expresses concern over clause 19, which allows entry into private premises without a warrant for investigating stolen goods, fearing misuse could lead to miscarriages of justice.

Raises concern about the backlog in courts that has left victims waiting for years to have their cases heard. Questions whether increasing police numbers alone is sufficient without addressing court system issues.

Supports the idea of a police bravery award for those who lose their lives in the line of duty.

Expresses agreement with concerns about clause 19 and suggests that it could undermine privacy rights.

Acknowledges existing powers under which police can enter premises with reasonable suspicion but expresses uncertainty about the necessity of new provisions.

Stephens raised concerns about the Bill's approach to solving crime and its potential negative impacts, particularly on ethnic minorities. He highlighted the disparity in stop and search rates between different ethnic groups and argued for a more community-focused approach to reducing violent crime. Stephens supported the idea of establishing youth violence reduction units similar to Scotland’s model but criticised aspects such as expanded drug testing and new measures targeting homeless individuals engaging in 'nuisance begging.' He emphasised the need for social services, education, and youth organisations to address root causes rather than punitive measures.

Criticises criminalisation of rough sleeping, arguing that it does not solve the problem but pushes people further from support. Suggests holistic approach is needed instead.

Agrees with the need to avoid criminalising rough sleepers, highlighting that it would be counter-productive and hinder efforts to address homelessness.

Johnson raises issues about clause 73 not fully addressing ethical policing expectations. She supports the creation of a specific offence for spiking but criticises the Home Office's lack of progress on this issue. Concerned about police misconduct and culture change, she suggests more clarity is needed in clauses dealing with appeals and disciplinary decisions. Johnson also highlights the need for better resourcing of new drug testing powers and calls for a roll-out of naloxone to all police forces. She expresses disappointment that her proposed amendment related to abortion law reform is not included in the Bill.

[INTERVENTION] Priti Patel acknowledges Diana R. Johnson's constructive speech on policing ethics, welcoming the Government's introduction of a duty of candour but expressing concern about its deliverability and how it fits within the overall structure of ethical policing.

Supports the Bill's measures to discourage serious self-harm and increase penalties for knife crime. Emphasises the importance of ethical policing, sentencing hearings, and antisocial behaviour provisions. Concerned about the criminalisation of rough sleepers without robust support services.

Clarifies that the Bill's provisions on nuisance begging are separate from those dealing with nuisance rough sleeping, confirming the necessity of addressing both issues but highlighting the need for caution regarding criminalising rough sleepers.

Supports clauses on non-consensual sharing of intimate images, offenders attending sentencing hearings, increased penalties for child grooming and murder aggravating factors. Concerned about lack of funding for police and courts, criminalisation of rough sleeping, inadequate measures against stalking, missed opportunities like removing parental responsibility from sexual offenders, decriminalising abortion access.

Highlights the importance of imposing tougher sentences, welcomes new power to compel offenders to attend sentencing hearings, urges expansion of this provision to cover a wider range of offences, calls for amendment in Bail Act 1976 to allow electronic monitoring under police bail conditions, and supports measures against fraud including banning SIM farms.

The speaker emphasises the need for decriminalising abortion to protect women’s rights and improve healthcare access. She notes that decriminalisation is supported in other countries, such as Northern Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The amendment would maintain existing time limits on abortions but remove criminal penalties, ensuring medical oversight while upholding reproductive autonomy.

Ms Caroline Ansell argues for criminalising cuckooing, a growing problem in her constituency. She highlights the tenfold increase in Eastbourne and the impact on victims' sense of safety and belonging. She also emphasises the Government’s commitment to tackling this issue as stated in their antisocial behaviour action plan.

[INTERVENTION]: Mr Bob Stewart asks Caroline Ansell for the reason behind the tenfold increase in cuckooing cases in Eastbourne, showing support for further discussion on the issue.

Eshalomi supported provisions that require individuals to attend court for sentencing, but raised concerns over the use of force against BAME offenders. She criticised punitive measures targeting rough sleeping and homelessness, arguing that such policies would only criminalise people in difficult situations without addressing root causes like mental health issues, substance abuse, domestic violence, alcoholism, and poverty. She also expressed dissatisfaction with proposed reforms on police misconduct, urging for stronger measures to restore public trust.

Stewart agreed with Eshalomi's concerns over the clarity needed regarding forcing non-compliant individuals into court, asking for confirmation on whether police officers would be required to physically bring offenders to court.

Creasy highlighted the challenge of refugees becoming homeless due to short notice regarding housing, suggesting that more planning could prevent rough sleeping and help find alternative accommodation for those in need.

Mr Hayes supports the Bill's approach to antisocial behaviour, knife crime, and vagrancy. He argues for more stop and search powers and advocates for retributive justice to maintain public faith in criminal justice. He also highlights the need for stricter sentences for shoplifters, vandals of war memorials, and those involved in persistent antisocial behaviour.

Intervenes to support Mr Hayes' stance on community payback schemes, highlighting their positive impact on communities by making offenders visible and accountable for minor crimes through public service.

Agrees with Meg Hillier's points, particularly on shoplifting and its impact on retailers. Suggests that changes are needed in both mindset and law to ensure all crimes, especially those affecting small shops, receive appropriate attention.

Agrees with Meg Hillier that persistent shoplifters who intimidate others should face stricter penalties. Supports the need for action to address issues like shoplifting.

Supports Meg Hillier's emphasis on the mental health impact of shoplifting on workers. Agrees that ensuring the safety of shopkeepers must be a priority.

Expresses concern about low reporting rates for fraud due to shame and stigma, highlighting the need for better public communication on this issue.

Supports making spiking a separate criminal offence, emphasising the need to name and address this crime properly. Cites the importance of victims having their day in court and the gravity of crimes like cuckooing and spiking needing specific legal recognition.

Supports making spiking a separate criminal offence, citing cases where victims have not reported incidents to the police. Highlights the need for legislative change to enable proper data collection and encourage victims to come forward.

Welcomes clauses 65 to 71, which extend the maximum period of certain directions, reduce the minimum age for community protection notices and allow for the closure of premises by registered social housing providers. The provisions will bring tangible benefits to his constituents and those across the House. Also welcomes proposals for reviews of antisocial behaviour by local policing bodies as it helps resolve difficulties in responsibility attribution. Mentions a boxing club initiative that has helped prevent young people from becoming involved in criminality, highlighting its success in building confidence and resolving conflicts.

Criticises the Government for failing to deliver on prison places and addressing capacity crises. Argues that the Bill does not provide a strategic approach to the current crisis, relying instead on gesture politics with provisions for prisoner transfers to foreign prisons without deals in place. Supports measures reducing demand on the prison system but criticises probation service reforms as underfunded and fragile.

The shadow Home Secretary repeatedly requests to intervene but is not given the opportunity. She raises a point of order about parliamentary procedure, suggesting that the Minister should provide courtesy by taking interventions after naming another MP.

Defends the Minister's procedural actions. He clarifies to Yvette Cooper that she is well aware of parliamentary procedures and that her request for an intervention, despite being named by the Minister, does not constitute a point of order.