Organised Crime 2023-11-27
2023-11-27
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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The MP is concerned about the growing levels of organised crime in his constituency.
What steps are being taken to help reduce levels of organised crime, particularly focusing on disrupting criminal gangs' activities and international operations?
We will continue to break the business model of organised crime gangs to keep people safe. The Criminal Justice Bill creates new powers targeting organised criminal gangs, and we are disrupting their activities both domestically in the UK and internationally.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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The MP highlights the dangerous journeys of smuggled individuals and the need to stop boats in a way that is consistent with international obligations.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that we must focus on breaking the business model of criminal gangs involved in illegal small-boat crossings, ensuring their activities are stopped?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We must do everything we can to break the business model of these criminal gangs, including recent work with international partners to seize boats and engines.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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The MP discusses serious organised acquisitive crime targeting high-value agricultural equipment in rural communities and the work of the National Rural Crime Unit.
What additional resources can be provided to ensure that the NRCU has what it needs to tackle serious organised criminal gangs involved in stealing agricultural equipment?
Driving down rural crime is important, and we have provided £200,000 to help set up the NRCU. We will continue to work with rural police forces.
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Q4
Direct Answer
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The MP highlights the problem of organised groups peddling drugs and exploiting young people in Burnley and across Lancashire, mentioning good work by the enhanced rural policing unit.
What additional support can be given to Lancashire Constabulary to tackle county lines and bring order back to streets?
We are investing up to £145 million in the county lines programme, resulting in over 4,700 county lines closed, over 14,800 arrests and over 7,200 safeguard referrals.
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Q5
Direct Answer
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The MP highlights the tripling of time it takes for a crime to be charged since 2016 and asks if the Government will embrace Police Federation's “Simplify DG6” campaign.
Will the Secretary of State embrace the Police Federation's 'Simplify DG6' campaign to cut bureaucracy, get cases to CPS quicker, and free up officers' time?
We are actively working with the CPS to simplify and speed up this process. We want police officers out on the beat, tackling crime.
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Q6
Direct Answer
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The MP notes a 25% increase in shoplifting and highlights the issue of organised criminal gangs targeting shops.
What assurance can be provided to shop workers that the Government will start dealing with these gangs involved in retail crime?
We take seriously through Operation Pegasus. We are working on this issue through leadership of the police and crime commissioner for Sussex.
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Q7
Direct Answer
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The MP discusses the Government's pledge to treat retail crime as organised crime but questions their Criminal Justice Bill.
Will the Government accept amendments adding protection for shop workers into legislation addressing retail crime?
Attacking shop workers is already a statutory aggravating factor. We will look at what more can be done to protect them.
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