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Question
The Minister’s response is shocking given the crisis; police were asked to arrest fewer people because the system could not cope. Last week, 280 prisoners spent nights in cells due to lack of places. Early release has been expanded and now includes domestic abusers; Operation Early Dawn may lead to delays taking prisoners to court, risking public safety. What assessment did he do when these letters went out? Who does he think should not be sent to court because the Government failed on law and order?
Minister reply
The right hon. Lady exaggerates about the situation; according to the crime survey, crime has halved since Labour left office. She forgot that under her government's tenure, 80,000 people were released early through the early custody scheme. Chief Constable Rob Nixon’s letter states there have been no delays in arrests and only minor ones in conveying prisoners to court; everyone who needed to get to court did so. There was no compromise on public safety.
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Question
Does my right hon. Friend agree that this debate, touching upon public safety and the criminal justice system's operation, should be dealt with calmly? It is reasonable to adopt contingency measures but ensuring consistent investment in policing, courts, prisons, and legal aid is crucial.
Minister reply
My hon. and learned Friend correctly states that investment is important; record numbers of police officers are in place, 20,000 prison places are being constructed (5,900 operational), and more money is going into the Crown Prosecution Service and legal aid.
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Question
Public safety is paramount; contingency plans being drawn up are indeed worrying. If these plans are activated in future, what happens if the police decide not to prioritise an arrest leading to harm? I think of non-contact sexual offences and retail crime.
Minister reply
The right hon. Lady is correct about the importance of arresting offenders; even under contingency scenarios, such arrests would continue. The ECSL 70 measure for up to 70 days will ensure that such scenarios do not occur.
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Question
Will the Minister agree that the leader of the National Police Chiefs’ Council interfering with justice undermines the separation of powers? The Times describes this as a failure of administration.
Minister reply
The Criminal Justice Board chaired by the Lord Chancellor meets frequently. The police are operationally independent and we support them in discharging their duties appropriately.
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Question
Is it not concerning that 215,933 burglaries went unsolved last year? Why is the Minister getting worked up about the shadow Home Secretary?
Minister reply
We take matters seriously. The Lord Chancellor works to increase prison capacity. Prison places have not collapsed; police are doing a good job.
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Question
What process has been put in place to ensure consultation before issuing such instructions?
Minister reply
We liaise closely with the NPCC and regularly discuss matters with relevant leads. We thank police for their careful management over the past week.
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Question
Are the Government suggesting that county lines operations should have continued due to mismanagement of the criminal justice system?
Minister reply
Prison places have not collapsed. 6,000 county lines have been closed in four years. Contingencies were not activated; dangerous criminals are being arrested.
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Question
Can the Minister update us on when prison building will catch up with population?
Minister reply
By next year, we will add 10,000 prison places. We are embarking on a huge prison construction programme.
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Question
What is the Minister’s message to constituents where suspects will not be arrested as a result of guidance?
Minister reply
The police are continuing to arrest dangerous criminals. Contingencies were not required.
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Question
What action is being taken with the Mayor of London to ensure Met Police meet recruitment targets?
Minister reply
Sadiq Khan's Metropolitan police missed its target. We attended a meeting and discussed growing police numbers in London.
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Question
Can the public have confidence if the police can give instructions not to arrest criminals?
Minister reply
Crime has fallen by 6% in the past year and 55% since 2010. The Lord Chancellor's steps will prevent future contingencies.
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Question
The Minister claims that serious violence and sexual offenders are excluded from the early release scheme, yet my inbox is full of cases where perpetrators of domestic violence, rape, sexual violence and child abuse against multiple victims are being released early. Does he think that someone who has raped someone, gone to prison, come out and done it again is not deemed a threat to public safety?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady's question can be specifically answered: the early release scheme excludes serious violence and sexual offenders, including rapists. Additionally, there is an added safeguard where governors have veto power if they believe there is a threat to public safety.
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Question
Is the Minister not presiding over operational failures in policing, courts and prison systems by implementing ad hoc panic measures like 70-day early release?
Minister reply
The police are successfully reducing crime. Courts and prisons are under pressure due to post-covid delays. The individuals released are closely supervised under licence with the ability for recall if they breach their conditions.
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Question
A constituent's sister was tragically killed by four men driving a stolen lorry; one of whom has been released early, having served only half his sentence. What can the Minister do to help in this case?
Minister reply
I sympathise with victims and am willing to assist if there are specific policing aspects that need addressing. For sentencing or probation-related issues, my right hon. Friends from the Ministry of Justice stand ready to assist.
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Question
A local primary school reported intimidation due to antisocial behaviour on their estate; what message does it send when chief constables deprioritise arrests?
Minister reply
Cases of the kind described are not within the scope of the contingency measures. The Government have launched an antisocial action plan with funded hotspot patrols, and I urge the hon. Lady to speak to her local police and crime commissioner about setting up a patrol near the school.
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Question
Bedfordshire police has the slowest response time to 999 calls due to understaffing. Does the Minister realise how ridiculous it sounds to ask the police not to police and arrest fewer people?
Minister reply
That is a completely inaccurate characterisation of the situation; arrests were not forgone or cancelled as part of the contingency measures. We have record police numbers and lower crime than 14 years ago.
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Question
The prison capacity crisis is partly about reoffending; HMP Dartmoor has inadequate education and work opportunities, leading to an increase in sexual offences. What is he doing about it?
Minister reply
We are increasing prison capacity to ensure better rehabilitation, preventing reoffending by getting more people into drug treatment both inside and outside prisons. Continuity of care for drug treatment post-release has increased dramatically.