Police Officer Numbers Impact 2023-05-16
2023-05-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP asks about recent assessments made regarding the impact of changing police officer numbers on the English and Welsh criminal justice system.
What recent assessment has he made of the impact of changes in the number of police officers on the criminal justice system in England and Wales?
The successful delivery of the pledge to recruit 20,000 additional police officers is contributing positively by increasing investigations and charges and bringing more offenders to justice in courts.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Lacks a specific assessment or analysis on how changes impact the criminal justice system.
Ingeniously Done, Mr Speaker.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP highlights a memorial football tournament organised by the Josh Hanson Trust in memory of Joshua Hanson who died at age 21 due to knife crime. The trust supports those who have lost loved ones to violent crime.
What steps will my right hon. and learned Friend take to ensure that victims and their families are supported throughout the criminal justice process and that their voices are heard loudly and acted upon?
The Government's Victims and Prisoners Bill aims to improve the public's and victims' confidence in the criminal justice system by placing the principles of the victims code onto the face of the Bill. This ensures what victims can expect from the criminal justice system.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Lacks specifics on steps being taken beyond mentioning a bill.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The MP notes that the addition of police officers will lead to more court cases, but highlights a Public Accounts Committee finding concerning the backlog in courts. She challenges the adequacy of planning for managing new cases alongside existing backlogs.
Can he give us any up-to-date reassurance on proper planning for how those additional cases will be managed on top of the existing court backlog?
The Government is keeping 24 Nightingale courts open, increasing judicial recruitment and ensuring support through independent sexual violence advisers. Magistrates courts have reduced backlogs by the end of 2020 due to their efforts, though there are pressures in the Crown court.
▸
Assessment & feedback
No specific up-to-date planning or reassurance regarding managing additional cases is provided.
Response accuracy