Police Resources 2023-09-18
2023-09-18
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about increasing police funding and resources.
What steps she is taking to increase police resources. Total police funding stands at £17.2 billion this year, a record level with frontline policing receiving an extra £550 million compared to last year. The number of police officers in England and Wales reached 149,566, surpassing previous Labour levels.
Total police funding stands at £17.2 billion this year, a record level with frontline policing receiving an extra £550 million compared to last year. The number of police officers in England and Wales reached 149,566, surpassing previous Labour levels.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for further measures was not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Durham faces funding pressures on both police and fire services with a low local tax base. The Labour police and crime commissioner's decision to move Newton Aycliffe police station is under scrutiny.
Does the Minister agree that good plans help cost-effective delivery, and will he meet me to discuss funding and programme delivery for the police and fire services in Durham? Does he also agree that electing Robert Potts, the Conservative candidate for the next PCC elections in May, would be a far better outcome for the police in Durham?
I will certainly meet with my hon. Friend, and yes, I do agree. Only today, PCC Donna Jones in Hampshire announced that she would be opening 10 new police counters, an example of what happens when we have sound Conservative policies in operation.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for a meeting and agreement on the candidate's election was not addressed.
Changing Subject To Another Area
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The Mayor of London planned to close Uxbridge police station, but was forced into a humiliating U-turn.
My right hon. Friend will recall his recent visit to Uxbridge. Will he join me in calling for the Mayor of London to guarantee the future of Uxbridge police station as fully operational?
Of course, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, had planned to close down Uxbridge police station until my hon. Friend forced him into a humiliating U-turn before he was even elected. I join him in calling on the Mayor of London to keep Uxbridge police station open and to add that custody suite.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
The area experienced a real escalation in antisocial behaviour and violent disorder, particularly around bonfire night.
In my constituency, we have experienced a real escalation in antisocial behaviour and quite violent disorder in recent years, particularly around bonfire night. Last year, police had to deploy 100 officers to just one area of my constituency where local communities were being terrorised. What consideration has the Minister made of additional powers or resources for areas up and down the country that are anticipating further unacceptable disorder ahead of this year's bonfire night?
Our antisocial behaviour plan envisages strengthening various antisocial behaviour powers. As of next April, every police force in the country will have funding for antisocial behaviour hotspot patrols. Every force will have that funding from next April, and the situation described sounds like the ideal use for those ASB hotspot patrols.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The shops and newsagents on Kilburn High Road are constantly targeted by criminals, who shoplift but also intimidate staff.
When I raised the issue with the police, they said they receive 1,000 calls a day from central north London alone, limiting their ability to deal with it. What plans does the Minister have to increase the resources to deal with this sort of crime, especially retail theft?
I strongly sympathise with those affected by shoplifting on Kilburn High Road. The Metropolitan police has a record number of police officers—about 35,000—and I have recently been in discussions with Amanda Blakeman to increase patrolling in shoplifting hotspot areas and to have a more comprehensive response from the police in terms of investigation.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for further plans was not addressed.
Response accuracy