Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Violent Crime

Monday 8 February 2021 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Department assessed that overall levels of violent crime have reduced since the mid-1990s but public concern is increasing.
  • Government is taking action through increased police capacity and investing in programmes to prevent youth involvement in serious violence.
  • Prime Minister created a criminal justice taskforce to lead crime efforts, focusing on a public health-based approach to tackling violence among young people.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The question arises from growing public concern and stabilisation of the trend in violent crime levels since their peak in the mid-1990s.

Question

What recent assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of violent crime. The survey shows reduced overall levels but concerns are rising about stability and action is needed to address these issues specifically.

Answer from Kit Malthouse

Overall levels of violent crime have reduced since the mid-1990s peak but public concern is growing. The government is taking action through surging police capacity and investing in early intervention programmes to prevent youth involvement in serious violence.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific recent assessments or detailed actions beyond general statements.

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Q2 Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The serious violence taskforce has been discontinued, raising concerns about the government's commitment to a long-term public health-based approach to tackling youth violence.

Question

Last month I found out through a written parliamentary question that the serious violence taskforce was discontinued. Are you still committed to a long-term public health-based approach to tackling violence among young people? Concerns are raised about other measures being scrapped via backdoor methods.

Answer from Kit Malthouse

The Prime Minister decided on coming to office that he wanted to take leadership of the crime effort himself, so we created the criminal justice taskforce. There is a National Policing Board beneath it and a performance board focused largely on fighting violent crime. We remain committed and have announced extra £35 million funding for violence reduction units.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the concern about scrapping other measures via backdoor methods, only provided details of new taskforces and funding.

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Q3 Conor McGinn Lab
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The Government received the findings of Sir Craig Mackey's review into serious and organised crime last February but has yet to come forward with the recommendations. Concerns are raised about delays in implementation.

Question

Crime has not stopped because of covid-19, showing a rise overall and drug/firearms-related offences at previous levels. The Government received Sir Craig Mackey's review findings but no action has been taken since June. What is being waited for?

Answer from Kit Malthouse

We have been dealing with a pandemic which had significant impacts on policing and crime trends. A surge in violence was seen post-lockdown but has since stabilised. Research and analysis are ongoing to understand the implications of the pandemic for crime, while discussions continue with partners on future disposition.

Not addressed: Did not address what the government is waiting for or provide a timeline for implementation of recommendations.

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