Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Neighbourhood Policing

Monday 15 April 2024 · 7 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Last year reached record numbers of police officers at over 149,000.
  • Neighbourhood policing numbers increased from 61,083 in 2015 to 67,785.
  • Extra 66 million funding for antisocial behaviour hotspot patrolling was provided.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 James Morris Con
Policing & Resources

Question

What steps have been taken to increase police visibility in local communities?

Answer from Chris Philp

Last year, we reached record numbers of police officers—in excess of 149,000, which was over 3,000 more than at the previous peak under the last Labour Government. In terms of local policing, we achieved 67,785 as of March last year.

Answered
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Q2 Andrew Western Lab Stretford and Urmston
Policing & Resources
Context

The Government has not replaced neighbourhood police officers that disappeared since 2015. Labour proposes to recruit 13,000 new neighbourhood police officers.

Question

Under this Government, 10,000 neighbourhood police officers have disappeared since 2015 and have yet to be replaced on the frontline. Given the Government's proclivity for lifting Labour's policies, may I gently encourage the Minister to adopt Labour's plan to recruit 13,000 new neighbourhood police officers, allowing for a named, contactable officer in every ward in the country?

Answer from Chris Philp

Neighbourhood policing numbers have increased from 61,083 in 2015 to 67,785. The figures mentioned by the hon. Member are five years out of date and do not reflect recent increases.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked if the government would adopt Labour's plan for recruiting new neighbourhood police officers; this was not addressed directly.

How: Under Review, Using Outdated Figures

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Q3 Virginia Crosbie
Crime & Law Enforcement Community Security

Question

Does the Minister join me in thanking Chief Inspector Robert Rands, PC Lisa Thomas and many others who work so hard to improve the lives of people who live and work in Holyhead? Can you provide additional information on funding for antisocial behaviour?

Answer from Chris Philp

I join my hon. Friend in thanking those officers as well as countless others around the country who do such good work. There is an extra £66 million of funding for antisocial behaviour hotspot patrolling from the beginning of this month, which will make a difference.

Answered
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Q4 Paul Howell
Policing & Resources
Context

The Labour PCC in Durham is prioritizing back-office staff over frontline police officers.

Question

Does the Minister agree that getting extra officers out in our communities should be top of the list for any police and crime commissioner? Unfortunately, in Durham, we see that the Labour PCC is more interested in increasing her back-office staff and overseeing a decline in standards. Does he agree that the sooner we get an ex-beat cop in place, such as the Conservative candidate Rob Potts, the sooner Durham will return to being an outstanding police force?

Answer from Chris Philp

I completely agree. Spending money on things such as flowerbeds and diversity staff instead of frontline police officers is the wrong priority. Former frontline officers such as Rob Potts, running for PCC in Durham, will do a good job of getting priorities straight.

Answered
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Q5 Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Kulsuma Akter was murdered by her estranged husband in Bradford. Research shows that regular foot patrols reduce offending.

Question

Research has repeatedly shown that regular foot patrols—especially in crime hotspots—lead to reduced offending and increased public confidence, particularly if combined with community-based prevention. Greater Manchester police and West Yorkshire police want to learn lessons from this tragic murder. What lessons has the Home Secretary learned about reducing neighbourhood policing and the prevalence of such appalling crimes?

Answer from Chris Philp

We will study any findings by the Independent Office for Police Conduct very carefully. The Government are providing £66 million this financial year on top of the regular police funding settlement to fund hotspot patrolling, which may help in such situations.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked specifically about lessons learned regarding neighbourhood policing; while additional funding was mentioned, no specific lessons were provided.

How: Under Review, Studying Findings

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Q6 James Morris Con
Policing & Resources
Context

The Labour west midlands police and crime commissioner's decision could lead to the closure of Halesowen police station.

Question

Does the Minister agree with me and Tom Byrne that keeping Halesowen police station open is critical for community confidence and for the effectiveness of neighbourhood policing?

Answer from Chris Philp

I agree very strongly. West Midlands police is getting an extra £50 million this year—a 6.8% increase and well above the rate of inflation. Tom Byrne would do an excellent job of making sure that that maintains frontline services.

Answered
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Q7 Mary Glindon Lab Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
Policing & Resources
Context

Northumbria police force has lost officers and budget since 2010. The PCC Kim McGuinness calls for further investigation into police resources.

Question

Will the Minister support the call from Northumbria's PCC Kim McGuinness for further investigation into police resources as, clearly, not all areas of the country have benefited equally from the uplift programme?

Answer from Chris Philp

Northumbria force's funding has gone up by £28 million this financial year—a 7.6% increase and more than double the rate of inflation. Conservative PCCs tend to spend those resources most wisely.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked if the minister would support further investigation into police resources; no direct commitment was given, but emphasis on conservative spending was made.

How: Under Review, Conservative Pccs

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