Neighbourhood Police Officers 2025-11-17

2025-11-17

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Mohammad Yasin Lab
Bedford
Context
The MP references the government's decision to phase out police and crime commissioners, with savings reinvested into frontline policing. He mentions a recent grant for additional wardens aimed at tackling antisocial behaviour in Bedford.
I welcome the Government’s decision to phase out police and crime commissioners, with the savings reinvested into frontline policing. I also warmly welcome the recent grant for additional wardens to tackle antisocial behaviour hotspots. The partnership between the council, community groups and the police has reduced antisocial behaviour in Bedford town centre by nearly 15%, but much more still needs to be done. What further reforms will the forthcoming White Paper include to help Bedfordshire police get more bobbies on the beat?
I am pleased to see the progress made, and I would love to visit again, as I did with the Prime Minister in opposition, to see that progress in action. There are two aspects to where we are, and we will be making significant changes. One is through the Crime and Policing Bill, which contains new powers for us to tackle antisocial behaviour in our town centres—respect orders being just one example. Our wider police reform will also look at the entire policing landscape in a way that the Opposition completely failed to do in government. We will make it more efficient and effective and ensure that our police are targeted where the public want them in our communities.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify what reforms would be included in the White Paper, but generally discussed areas of reform and new powers under the Crime and Policing Bill.
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Alice Macdonald Lab/Co-op
Norwich North
Context
The MP visited Mile Cross with local councillors and members of Mile Cross Litterbusters, a voluntary group tackling antisocial behaviour hotspots. She mentions that fly-tipping is a challenge in the area.
Recently, I visited Mile Cross with local councillors and members of Mile Cross Litterbusters, a local voluntary group that does excellent work to clean up the area, but they really should not have to. Fly-tipping is a real challenge in this area and in other parts of Norwich, so I welcome the pledge to increase neighbourhood police officers. Can the Minister assure me that they will have the powers and presence to be able to tackle fly-tipping, can she advise on any other measures that could be taken to crack down on this issue that blights so many neighbourhoods?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to raise this issue. It is an issue in my constituency, and I suspect in many across the country, and the scourge of fly-tipping must be tackled. Through the Crime and Policing Bill, we are putting in place new statutory enforcement guidance for local authorities on what is to be expected by them in tackling antisocial behaviour. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has an ongoing review of the powers that local authorities and the police have to seize vehicles and crush them when we have prolific offenders of this awful crime.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy