Crime Prevention 2023-10-18
2023-10-18
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP noted a constituent suffering from stress due to repeated antisocial behaviour, highlighting the impact on communities. The victim was not entitled to any support under current legislation.
What steps his Department is taking to help prevent crime in Wales? Antisocial behaviour has a devastating impact on communities across Wales and in Cardiff North. My constituent, Sarah, suffered a miscarriage due to stress from repeated antisocial behaviour but was not entitled to any support as this Government considers victims of antisocial behaviour second-class victims. How can they claim to prevent crime while failing to support victims?
The Government are committed to investing in our police to drive down crime across Wales. That includes an extra 1,127 police officers for Welsh forces under the police uplift programme. Approximately £9 million has been allocated to Welsh forces through the safer streets fund, targeting neighbourhood crime, violence against women and girls, and antisocial behaviour. I assure the hon. Lady that victims of antisocial behaviour are as much victims of crime as anyone else. This Government have brought in longer prison sentences for serious crimes and made it easier for the police to arrest people carrying out crime.
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Assessment & feedback
The amendment rejection was not directly addressed
I Have Not Seen The Amendment Tabled By The Hon. Lady
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The chief constable of Dyfed–Powys police reported a milestone in the number of officers following UK Government investment.
Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating Dyfed-Powys police force on reaching the milestone of having more officers than at any time in its history, and on all the hard work it does in helping to make Pembrokeshire one of the safest parts of the country?
My right hon. Friend will be as pleased as I am that the Government have delivered on their 2019 manifesto commitment to recruit 20,000 extra police officers, and I commend the work of police officers in Dyfed-Powys. I had the privilege and honour to go to one of the passing out ceremonies recently.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Shoplifting has been rising in Wales, increasing by 31% from March 2022 to March 2023. Labour proposed scrapping the minimum £200-worth of stolen goods rule.
Why will the Secretary of State's Government not adopt Labour's plan to scrap the minimum £200-worth of stolen goods rule, which was introduced by his Government in 2014 and allows gangs of shoplifters to escape punishment, putting shop workers at risk?
I agree with the hon. Lady that shoplifting is a serious offence and repeat offenders must be dealt with by the full force of the law. The Government have brought in longer prison sentences for people carrying out the most serious offences.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific Labour proposal was not addressed, instead focusing on sentence length
I Do Not Understand Why The Hon. Lady Will Not Join The Government In Supporting Longer Prison Sentences
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The prison estate across Wales is overcrowded, with judges being instructed to jail fewer people and criminals released early.
With his Government having to commandeer police cells, with judges told to jail fewer people, and with criminals—including those convicted of assault—being released early on the instruction of his Justice Secretary, how can the Welsh public have any faith that they will be protected?
The prison population has increased as a direct result of policies ensuring those committing serious offences spend more time in prison. The Government are building emergency prison places and filling up prisons, because people who commit serious offences deserve to go to prison.
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Assessment & feedback
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Talks About The Need For Longer Sentences Without Addressing Public Trust In Current Overcrowding
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The Welsh Government opposes building additional prison places, leading to issues with overcrowded prisons.
With his Government having to commandeer police cells, judges told to jail fewer people, and criminals—including those convicted of assault—being released early on the instruction of his Justice Secretary, how can the public trust in protection when the Welsh Government is against building extra prison places?
The prison population has increased as a direct result of policies ensuring those committing serious offences spend more time in prison. The Government are building emergency prison places and filling up prisons, because people who commit serious offences deserve to go to prison.
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Assessment & feedback
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Talks About The Need For Longer Sentences Without Addressing Public Trust In Current Overcrowding
Response accuracy