Knife Crime and Serious Violence 2022-09-05
2022-09-05
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about high-profile knife attacks in Ipswich.
What steps she is taking to tackle knife crime and serious violence. I am pleased that we have secured extra funding from the safer streets fund, and that we are getting our uplift to the 20,000 officers but does the Minister agree that our UK shared prosperity fund bid to get even more police presence during the day would help to tackle knife crime? Does he also agree that it is right that we look at the national police funding formula in order to provide long-term fairer funding for Suffolk police?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who pays laser-like attention to crime and policing issues in his area. He was at the forefront of arguing the case for the safer streets bid, which has, fortunately, been successful. It is very welcome that his area is seeing £8.9 million of additional police funding and we have seen 114 extra officers recruited.
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Assessment & feedback
Does not address the specific ask about the UK shared prosperity fund bid or reviewing national police funding formula
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
High-profile knife attacks in Ipswich during the summer.
Over the summer we had two very high-profile knife attacks in Ipswich. We know that this is inter-gang violence—it is often members of each gang who are targeted—but it often erupts in a public space and has a chilling effect within communities. Does the Minister agree that our UK shared prosperity fund bid to get even more police presence during the day would help to tackle knife crime? Does he also agree that it is right that we look at the national police funding formula in order to provide long-term fairer funding for Suffolk police?
Building on the work that is already happening, those resources will come together to help to continue to drive down crime in his area. That is a priority for this Government, as it is for him, and I know he will continue to follow this closely.
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Assessment & feedback
Does not address the specific ask about UK shared prosperity fund bid or reviewing national police funding formula
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent was attacked with a machete and there have been several further incidents.
Why is it still legal for anyone over the age of 18 to go into a shop and buy a machete?
I am very grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for his question. It is important to note that since 2019 we have seen 72,000 weapons taken off our streets, but we cannot be complacent on this, which is why Ministers are looking at this issue of serious weapons, with a serious weapons review.
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Assessment & feedback
Does not directly address the legality or rationale behind purchasing machetes
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
A tragic case in the constituency of Ellie Gould, who was murdered by a knife-wielding boyfriend.
What discussions has he had with his colleagues in the Ministry of Justice about guidelines for sentencing? When can we expect the results of that consultation to come out?
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his question. We do have Ministers who are joint between the Home Office and the MOJ, which means that we have been able to look at some of these issues in the round. What I hope can give him some reassurance is the fact that, through serious violence reduction orders, which we are introducing through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, we are seeing a greater likelihood of people being caught, of being before the court and of receiving a custodial sentence.
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Assessment & feedback
Does not specify when results will be released or details of discussion with Ministry of Justice
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
On the Home Secretary's watch, crime rates have risen and police morale has declined.
What does the Minister think the Home Secretary is most proud of: criminals laughing in our face as they get away with it, or thousands more people across this country blighted by crime?
I think it is fair to say that my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, who I believe has done a sterling job in the role, can be proud of seeing burglary down by 24% nationally, neighbourhood crime down by 33% and vehicle offences down by 28%. We have got 72,000 weapons off our streets since 2019.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy