Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Public Order: Covid-19

Monday 9 November 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Home Office acknowledges the challenges police forces face in maintaining public order during the COVID-19 outbreak.
  • Additional funding of 30 million has been provided to support police forces dealing with the pandemic.
  • Essex police are praised for their work in enforcing social distancing and stopping illegal gatherings.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Amess Con
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP is concerned about maintaining public order as the UK faces significant challenges due to the ongoing pandemic. He notes that there are unprecedented pressures on police forces to enforce restrictions.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to maintain public order during the covid-19 outbreak? The vast majority of the public have come together, followed the law and helped to prevent the spread of this virus. However, the MP inquires about specific measures being taken by the Home Office to support police forces.

Answer from Priti Patel

Our police forces face unprecedented challenges right now in terms of maintaining public order, but they have been working exceptionally throughout this crisis and have done so with a great deal of determination. The answer does not specify any concrete steps or funding being provided.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures to assist police forces are not mentioned

How: Working Exceptionally

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Q2 Karl McCartney Con
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP is concerned about the balance between policing during the pandemic and regular crime prevention. He highlights that while local forces are complying with curfews, other types of crimes are increasing.

Question

My right hon. Friend may well be aware that, while our police forces such as in Lincolnshire have been checking in with pubs and policing the 10 pm curfew, for example, in Lincoln, other crimes are still continuing and on the rise in some cases. What steps are being taken to ensure that our police forces do not take their eyes off the day job?

Answer from Priti Patel

I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I praise his local police force in Lincoln for the outstanding work that they are doing and have been doing throughout coronavirus. He raises an important point about additional help and support. He will be well aware of the additional £30 million that has gone to local police forces across the country to really assist them in tackling the root causes, keeping on top of crime prevention and going after the criminals, but, specifically with coronavirus, going after the egregious breaches while also working with the community on the principles of the four Es—engage, explain, encourage, enforce—and encouraging people to comply.

Answered
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Q3 David Amess Con
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP is concerned about the effectiveness of enforcement during another lockdown period, particularly in his constituency where illegal gatherings are occurring.

Question

While I much regret that we are having another lockdown, Essex police are doing a brilliant job under challenging circumstances. Will my right hon. Friend please spell out again what the powers are to enforce social distancing and to stop illegal gatherings such as those happening too often in Old Leigh in my constituency?

Answer from Priti Patel

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. I think I can stand with him with a degree of conviction and praise Essex police for the outstanding work that they have been doing. I was with the chief constable just over a week ago. My hon. Friend asks about the powers that the police have. The regulations and the guidance are very clear in terms of police powers on fines and going after individuals who are breaching the covid regulations with egregious activities such as mass gatherings. We have seen the £10,000 fines being used very effectively, and in Essex as well.

Answered
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