Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Neighbourhood Policing

Monday 21 October 2024 · 11 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 9 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Neighbourhood policing has been reduced due to budget cuts, leading to a decline in public confidence.
  • The Government plan to deploy 10,000 additional neighbourhood police officers to rebuild trust and tackle local crime.
  • Support for rural and urban areas includes new powers for police to address specific community issues like antisocial behaviour and drug dealing.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Deirdre Costigan Lab Ealing Southall
Policing & Resources
Context

The MP raises concerns about the reduction in neighbourhood policing due to budget cuts and its impact on community safety.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to improve neighbourhood policing. The MP notes that neighbourhood policing has been decimated in recent years, leading to a decline in public confidence. She asks for specific measures to rebuild this aspect of policing.

Answer from Yvette Cooper

Neighbourhood policing is the bedrock of British policing, yet it has been decimated in many areas due to budget cuts. The Government are committed to rebuilding this by placing officers, PCSOs and special constables back on the streets with new powers against antisocial behaviour and local crime.

Partly answered
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Q2 Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth
Policing & Resources
Context

The MP highlights the need for more neighbourhood policing teams on local streets, referencing the government's commitment to add 10,000 neighbourhood police officers.

Question

My constituents want to see more neighbourhood policing teams. I welcome the Government's plan for 10,000 additional neighbourhood police officers but ask if west London will receive these needed teams. The MP notes previous cuts in PCSOs and special constables under the last government and asks for assurances.

Answer from Yvette Cooper

My hon. Friend is correct that we face this challenge across the country due to previous cuts in PCSOs and special constables. We are working quickly on a new neighbourhood policing guarantee, funding for specialist training through the College of Policing, and deploying officers back onto streets.

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Q3 Christopher Vince Lab Co-op Harlow
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP points out that the proportion of people rarely seeing police has risen significantly since the previous government took office, impacting public confidence.

Question

My community is concerned about fewer visible police officers. I highlight the statistic of half now reporting barely ever seeing the police compared to a quarter in 2010. The MP questions how this impacts public trust and what actions are being taken to restore it.

Answer from Yvette Cooper

My hon. Friend makes a crucial point about reduced public confidence due to fewer officers seen in communities. We need more police back on the beat with new powers for tackling antisocial behaviour, shoplifting and other issues affecting town centres.

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Q4 Peter Swallow Lab Bracknell
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP raises concerns about increasing drug users and dealers in Bracknell, affecting local communities.

Question

Residents are concerned about rising numbers of drug users and dealers. The MP mentions a meeting with the neighbourhood policing team to discuss this issue and asks what support can be given to address these problems locally.

Answer from Yvette Cooper

My hon. Friend highlights a serious challenge in many communities due to drug dealing, misuse, antisocial behaviour and other crimes. We need more neighbourhood police on the beat with new respect orders allowing action against repeat offenders to keep streets safe.

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Q5 Deirdre Costigan Lab Ealing Southall
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement Community Security
Context

The MP reports religious organizations in Ealing Southall are funding their own security, including patrols costing up to £4,000 per week.

Question

Religious groups in Ealing Southall are funding patrols at a high cost due to antisocial behaviour and crime. The MP discusses her recent crime summit with police efforts but calls for more officers on the streets and a return to neighbourhood policing. She asks about recruitment progress towards 13,000 new officers.

Answer from Yvette Cooper

I thank my hon. Friend for her leadership showing the need for increased neighbourhood police numbers as part of Labour's plan. We also need better partnerships between police and local communities, rather than relying solely on community efforts.

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Q6 Sarah Dyke Lib Dem Glastonbury and Somerton
Crime & Law Enforcement Agriculture & Rural Affairs Mental Health
Context

The MP cites a 41% increase in rural crime costs between 2022-2023, affecting farmers' mental health negatively.

Question

The cost of rural crime has risen sharply while impacting farmers' mental health according to recent surveys. The MP asks how the department supports neighbourhood officers and rural beats dealing with heightened levels of rural crime effectively.

Answer from Yvette Cooper

The hon. Member raises serious concerns about increased crime costs and mental health impacts on farmers. We need more neighbourhood policing in rural areas recognising unique challenges. A new rural crime action plan is set to address these issues alongside broader plans for neighbourhood policing.

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Q7 Graham Stuart Con Beverley and Holderness
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP notes a significant crime reduction excluding fraud and computer misuse under the last Conservative Government, highlighting community cooperation in reducing antisocial behaviour.

Question

Under the previous government, crime excluding fraud fell by 50%. The MP praises local efforts in Beverley for reducing antisocial behaviour through partnerships with community groups like the Cherry Tree Centre. He asks what actions will ensure further crime reduction as seen under Conservatives.

Answer from Yvette Cooper

I caution against excluding common crimes impacting town centres. Recent years have seen spikes in shoplifting, street crime and theft with no response from the previous government. We prioritise these crimes now by changing laws around shoplifting and assaults on workers to get more police back on the beat.

Not addressed: The actual community cooperation efforts mentioned by the questioner

How: Caution, Exclusion Of Data

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Q8 Tom Morrison Lib Dem Cheadle
Crime & Law Enforcement Community Security
Context

Off-road bikes are a significant problem in Cheadle, causing antisocial behaviour that harasses and intimidates residents.

Question

One of the biggest problems faced by the neighbourhood police team in Cheadle is antisocial behaviour and the scourge of off-road bikes. What is the Secretary of State doing to help Greater Manchester police tackle off-road bikes in our communities?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

The hon. Member is right that off-road bikes are a total nightmare in some communities. We are looking at ways to strengthen the law on off-road biking to give the police the powers they need to tackle damaging antisocial behaviour.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or timeline for strengthening laws were not provided

How: We Are Looking At Ways

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Q9 Alison Griffiths Con Bognor Regis and Littlehampton
Crime & Law Enforcement Community Security
Context

The Home Secretary has expressed concern about shoplifting and antisocial behaviour. A successful pilot programme called 'Putting it Right' for young offenders has been implemented in Alison Griffiths' constituency.

Question

Given the Home Secretary's great concern about shoplifting and antisocial behaviour, will she make an assessment on the 'Putting it Right' scheme for young offenders that has been successfully piloted in my constituency?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

To tackle shoplifting, we need to ensure strong laws and policing partnerships are in place. We are setting up a new Young Futures programme to prevent young people from being drawn into crime.

Not addressed: The specific 'Putting it Right' scheme was not addressed

How: We Need, We Are Setting

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Q10 Matt Vickers Con Stockton West
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement Veterans
Context

The question addresses the previous Conservative Government's support for police officers, including tougher sentences for assaults on them and recognition through the Elizabeth medal. It references a campaign led by former policeman Tom Curry.

Question

We introduced tougher sentences for those who assaulted our brave police officers and emergency service workers and recognised those who lost their lives in duty with the Elizabeth medal. We also aimed to recognise discharged service members due to injuries on the frontline. Will you continue this work? Will you meet me and Tom Curry?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

I support the Elizabeth medal, paying tribute to Bryn Hughes for his work. I have attended the police bravery awards yearly since 14 years ago, demonstrating my commitment to support brave officers who put their lives at risk. I am determined to continue and go further with this work through cross-party collaboration.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not commit to a specific meeting or provide timelines for continuing the recognition programme.

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Q11 Lisa Smart Lib Dem Hazel Grove
Crime & Law Enforcement Mental Health
Context

There are concerns in Greater Manchester about unclear lines of responsibility leading to mishandled cases. The “right care, right person” approach was introduced recently but may still require better co-ordination.

Question

The 'right care, right person' approach was introduced in Greater Manchester for mental health calls, where police response might not be the best fit. However, unclear lines of responsibility cause concerns about mishandled cases. What steps are being taken to ensure clear and effective coordination?

Answer from Yvette Cooper

The hon. Member raises a critical issue of co-ordination in cases where individuals may be at risk due to mental health crises or not posing danger, but needing professional support instead of police intervention. Significant work has been done, yet closer collaboration between police and mental health services is necessary across the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not specify concrete steps or timelines for improving coordination.

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