Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Crime Prevention

Wednesday 18 October 2023 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government committed to investing in police forces in Wales, adding 1,127 police officers through the police uplift programme.
  • Government allocated approximately 9 million to Welsh forces via the safer streets fund, targeting neighborhoods for improvement.
  • Government delivered on the 2019 manifesto commitment to recruit 20,000 extra police officers, commending the work of police in Dyfed-Powys.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Anna McMorrin Lab Cardiff North
Crime & Law Enforcement Wales Community Security
Context

The MP noted a constituent suffering from stress due to repeated antisocial behaviour, highlighting the impact on communities. The victim was not entitled to any support under current legislation.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to help prevent crime in Wales? Antisocial behaviour has a devastating impact on communities across Wales and in Cardiff North. My constituent, Sarah, suffered a miscarriage due to stress from repeated antisocial behaviour but was not entitled to any support as this Government considers victims of antisocial behaviour second-class victims. How can they claim to prevent crime while failing to support victims?

Answer from David Davies

The Government are committed to investing in our police to drive down crime across Wales. That includes an extra 1,127 police officers for Welsh forces under the police uplift programme. Approximately £9 million has been allocated to Welsh forces through the safer streets fund, targeting neighbourhood crime, violence against women and girls, and antisocial behaviour. I assure the hon. Lady that victims of antisocial behaviour are as much victims of crime as anyone else. This Government have brought in longer prison sentences for serious crimes and made it easier for the police to arrest people carrying out crime.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The amendment rejection was not directly addressed

How: I Have Not Seen The Amendment Tabled By The Hon. Lady

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Q2 Anna McMorrin Lab Cardiff North
Policing & Resources
Context

The chief constable of Dyfed–Powys police reported a milestone in the number of officers following UK Government investment.

Question

Will the Secretary of State join me in congratulating Dyfed-Powys police force on reaching the milestone of having more officers than at any time in its history, and on all the hard work it does in helping to make Pembrokeshire one of the safest parts of the country?

Answer from David Davies

My right hon. Friend will be as pleased as I am that the Government have delivered on their 2019 manifesto commitment to recruit 20,000 extra police officers, and I commend the work of police officers in Dyfed-Powys. I had the privilege and honour to go to one of the passing out ceremonies recently.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q3 Stephen Crabb Con
Crime & Law Enforcement Wales Local Government
Context

Shoplifting has been rising in Wales, increasing by 31% from March 2022 to March 2023. Labour proposed scrapping the minimum £200-worth of stolen goods rule.

Question

Why will the Secretary of State's Government not adopt Labour's plan to scrap the minimum £200-worth of stolen goods rule, which was introduced by his Government in 2014 and allows gangs of shoplifters to escape punishment, putting shop workers at risk?

Answer from David Davies

I agree with the hon. Lady that shoplifting is a serious offence and repeat offenders must be dealt with by the full force of the law. The Government have brought in longer prison sentences for people carrying out the most serious offences.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific Labour proposal was not addressed, instead focusing on sentence length

How: I Do Not Understand Why The Hon. Lady Will Not Join The Government In Supporting Longer Prison Sentences

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Q4 Jo Stevens Lab Cardiff East
Justice & Courts Wales
Context

The prison estate across Wales is overcrowded, with judges being instructed to jail fewer people and criminals released early.

Question

With his Government having to commandeer police cells, with judges told to jail fewer people, and with criminals—including those convicted of assault—being released early on the instruction of his Justice Secretary, how can the Welsh public have any faith that they will be protected?

Answer from David Davies

The prison population has increased as a direct result of policies ensuring those committing serious offences spend more time in prison. The Government are building emergency prison places and filling up prisons, because people who commit serious offences deserve to go to prison.

Partly answered

Not addressed: null

How: Talks About The Need For Longer Sentences Without Addressing Public Trust In Current Overcrowding

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Q5 Jo Stevens Lab Cardiff East
Justice & Courts Wales Local Government
Context

The Welsh Government opposes building additional prison places, leading to issues with overcrowded prisons.

Question

With his Government having to commandeer police cells, judges told to jail fewer people, and criminals—including those convicted of assault—being released early on the instruction of his Justice Secretary, how can the public trust in protection when the Welsh Government is against building extra prison places?

Answer from David Davies

The prison population has increased as a direct result of policies ensuring those committing serious offences spend more time in prison. The Government are building emergency prison places and filling up prisons, because people who commit serious offences deserve to go to prison.

Partly answered

Not addressed: null

How: Talks About The Need For Longer Sentences Without Addressing Public Trust In Current Overcrowding

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