Neighbourhood Policing 2024-10-21
2024-10-21
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raises concerns about the reduction in neighbourhood policing due to budget cuts and its impact on community safety.
What steps her Department is taking to improve neighbourhood policing. The MP notes that neighbourhood policing has been decimated in recent years, leading to a decline in public confidence. She asks for specific measures to rebuild this aspect of policing.
Neighbourhood policing is the bedrock of British policing, yet it has been decimated in many areas due to budget cuts. The Government are committed to rebuilding this by placing officers, PCSOs and special constables back on the streets with new powers against antisocial behaviour and local crime.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlights the need for more neighbourhood policing teams on local streets, referencing the government's commitment to add 10,000 neighbourhood police officers.
My constituents want to see more neighbourhood policing teams. I welcome the Government's plan for 10,000 additional neighbourhood police officers but ask if west London will receive these needed teams. The MP notes previous cuts in PCSOs and special constables under the last government and asks for assurances.
My hon. Friend is correct that we face this challenge across the country due to previous cuts in PCSOs and special constables. We are working quickly on a new neighbourhood policing guarantee, funding for specialist training through the College of Policing, and deploying officers back onto streets.
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Q3
Partial Answer
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The MP points out that the proportion of people rarely seeing police has risen significantly since the previous government took office, impacting public confidence.
My community is concerned about fewer visible police officers. I highlight the statistic of half now reporting barely ever seeing the police compared to a quarter in 2010. The MP questions how this impacts public trust and what actions are being taken to restore it.
My hon. Friend makes a crucial point about reduced public confidence due to fewer officers seen in communities. We need more police back on the beat with new powers for tackling antisocial behaviour, shoplifting and other issues affecting town centres.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q4
Partial Answer
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The MP raises concerns about increasing drug users and dealers in Bracknell, affecting local communities.
Residents are concerned about rising numbers of drug users and dealers. The MP mentions a meeting with the neighbourhood policing team to discuss this issue and asks what support can be given to address these problems locally.
My hon. Friend highlights a serious challenge in many communities due to drug dealing, misuse, antisocial behaviour and other crimes. We need more neighbourhood police on the beat with new respect orders allowing action against repeat offenders to keep streets safe.
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Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP reports religious organizations in Ealing Southall are funding their own security, including patrols costing up to £4,000 per week.
Religious groups in Ealing Southall are funding patrols at a high cost due to antisocial behaviour and crime. The MP discusses her recent crime summit with police efforts but calls for more officers on the streets and a return to neighbourhood policing. She asks about recruitment progress towards 13,000 new officers.
I thank my hon. Friend for her leadership showing the need for increased neighbourhood police numbers as part of Labour's plan. We also need better partnerships between police and local communities, rather than relying solely on community efforts.
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Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP cites a 41% increase in rural crime costs between 2022-2023, affecting farmers' mental health negatively.
The cost of rural crime has risen sharply while impacting farmers' mental health according to recent surveys. The MP asks how the department supports neighbourhood officers and rural beats dealing with heightened levels of rural crime effectively.
The hon. Member raises serious concerns about increased crime costs and mental health impacts on farmers. We need more neighbourhood policing in rural areas recognising unique challenges. A new rural crime action plan is set to address these issues alongside broader plans for neighbourhood policing.
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP notes a significant crime reduction excluding fraud and computer misuse under the last Conservative Government, highlighting community cooperation in reducing antisocial behaviour.
Under the previous government, crime excluding fraud fell by 50%. The MP praises local efforts in Beverley for reducing antisocial behaviour through partnerships with community groups like the Cherry Tree Centre. He asks what actions will ensure further crime reduction as seen under Conservatives.
I caution against excluding common crimes impacting town centres. Recent years have seen spikes in shoplifting, street crime and theft with no response from the previous government. We prioritise these crimes now by changing laws around shoplifting and assaults on workers to get more police back on the beat.
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Assessment & feedback
The actual community cooperation efforts mentioned by the questioner
Caution
Exclusion Of Data
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Off-road bikes are a significant problem in Cheadle, causing antisocial behaviour that harasses and intimidates residents.
One of the biggest problems faced by the neighbourhood police team in Cheadle is antisocial behaviour and the scourge of off-road bikes. What is the Secretary of State doing to help Greater Manchester police tackle off-road bikes in our communities?
The hon. Member is right that off-road bikes are a total nightmare in some communities. We are looking at ways to strengthen the law on off-road biking to give the police the powers they need to tackle damaging antisocial behaviour.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions or timeline for strengthening laws were not provided
We Are Looking At Ways
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The Home Secretary has expressed concern about shoplifting and antisocial behaviour. A successful pilot programme called 'Putting it Right' for young offenders has been implemented in Alison Griffiths' constituency.
Given the Home Secretary's great concern about shoplifting and antisocial behaviour, will she make an assessment on the 'Putting it Right' scheme for young offenders that has been successfully piloted in my constituency?
To tackle shoplifting, we need to ensure strong laws and policing partnerships are in place. We are setting up a new Young Futures programme to prevent young people from being drawn into crime.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific 'Putting it Right' scheme was not addressed
We Need
We Are Setting
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
The question addresses the previous Conservative Government's support for police officers, including tougher sentences for assaults on them and recognition through the Elizabeth medal. It references a campaign led by former policeman Tom Curry.
We introduced tougher sentences for those who assaulted our brave police officers and emergency service workers and recognised those who lost their lives in duty with the Elizabeth medal. We also aimed to recognise discharged service members due to injuries on the frontline. Will you continue this work? Will you meet me and Tom Curry?
I support the Elizabeth medal, paying tribute to Bryn Hughes for his work. I have attended the police bravery awards yearly since 14 years ago, demonstrating my commitment to support brave officers who put their lives at risk. I am determined to continue and go further with this work through cross-party collaboration.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not commit to a specific meeting or provide timelines for continuing the recognition programme.
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
There are concerns in Greater Manchester about unclear lines of responsibility leading to mishandled cases. The “right care, right person” approach was introduced recently but may still require better co-ordination.
The 'right care, right person' approach was introduced in Greater Manchester for mental health calls, where police response might not be the best fit. However, unclear lines of responsibility cause concerns about mishandled cases. What steps are being taken to ensure clear and effective coordination?
The hon. Member raises a critical issue of co-ordination in cases where individuals may be at risk due to mental health crises or not posing danger, but needing professional support instead of police intervention. Significant work has been done, yet closer collaboration between police and mental health services is necessary across the country.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not specify concrete steps or timelines for improving coordination.
Response accuracy