Police Efficiency and Resourcing 2022-12-19
2022-12-19
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about improving efficiency and resource allocation in the police force, emphasizing the need to support officers effectively.
What steps she is taking to improve (a) efficiency and (b) resourcing of the police force?
Our police force is one of the best in the world. I am stripping out unnecessary bureaucracy and boosting numbers, as evidenced by Cumbria police having over 1,000 officers with more to come next year.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to improve efficiency were not detailed
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlights the prevalence of fraud in modern crimes, emphasizing the need for a new policing model to address this growing threat.
I thank the Home Secretary for her response. Around 40% of today's crimes are fraud but only about 1% of police resources tackle that issue. Can my right hon. and learned Friend please outline what steps are being taken in the Home Office to review capability and resourcing, and when we can expect to see the fraud plan published?
Tackling fraud requires a unified response. We will publish the fraud strategy focusing on prevention and law enforcement responses soon. Some progress includes the Metropolitan police's largest anti-fraud operation targeting iSpoof, resulting in 100 arrests.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific timeline or detailed steps outlined for reviewing capability and resources
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP notes concerns about police officers being required to spend significant time on training, hindering their availability for duties. The current requirement for a graduate programme is questioned.
I welcome the investment in Thames Valley Police with over 600 new officers but because they are required to attend training courses, only 80% of their time can be dedicated to police work. Can she explain what progress she is making to achieve that change and how it will benefit policing?
I am addressing concerns regarding degree requirements. I instructed the College of Policing to design options for a new non-degree entry route, ensuring more choices for chief constables in recruitment and building a police force fit for the future.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Local residents in Barnsley are concerned about antisocial behaviour such as fly-tipping and arson, exacerbated by cuts to police forces over the past decade.
Across Barnsley local people are concerned about antisocial behaviour from fly-tipping to arson. With police forces having seen cuts in the past 12 years, what are the Government doing to support them so that they have the personnel and resources to tackle antisocial behaviour?
Antisocial behaviour is a focus for neighbourhood policing, requiring increased numbers of officers on frontline. This means responding quickly to crime, antisocial behaviour, burglary, vandalism, and graffiti across the country.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific measures or resources detailed
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the loss of Richmond police station, budget cuts for local policing, and officers being pulled away to support central London events.
Does the Home Secretary agree that a visible, regular local presence would help Met Police build trust with Londoners, and will she support the Liberal Democrats' call for a return to community policing and put an end to police station closures?
The Lib Dems should stop their opposition and support the Government's plan for increased police numbers. The Mayor of London has a poor record on rising crime in London, especially knife crime.
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Assessment & feedback
Direct attack on Liberal Democrats instead of addressing the issue
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP criticizes recent police grants, pointing to a £62 million fall in core Government funding for the police during an economic crisis.
Last week's police grants saw core Government funding for the police fall by £62 million. Can the Home Secretary explain these cuts or is this just a case of her Government's abject failure?
This Government propose £17.2 billion in total police funding for 2023-24, an increase of up to £287 million compared with 2022-23. Assuming full take-up of the precept flexibility, overall police funding available to PCCs will increase by up to £523 million next year.
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Assessment & feedback
Explanation provided but does not directly address cuts mentioned in question
Response accuracy