Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Policing

Monday 21 October 2024 · 10 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 7 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial questions focused on issues of police culture, officer dismissals, and vetting processes.
  • Requests were made for independent inquiries into secret protocols involving local police services.
  • Concerns were raised about the need for more neighbourhood policing to restore trust in retail environments.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Siân Berry Green Brighton Pavilion
Policing & Resources Safeguarding & DBS
Context

Concern about the toxic culture in some police services, including racist, homophobic and sexist messages.

Question

We have seen a toxic culture in some police services. Will she clarify when multiple recommendations from the Home Office review into the process of police officer dismissals will be actioned, particularly changing the law so that those who fail re-vetting can be more simply dismissed?

Answer from Jess Phillips

We need to strengthen this area with women especially feeling less confidence over the last few years. We are working on it at pace, promising how we will ensure police conduct and vetting systems are fit for purpose, bringing back some of the lost trust.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline and action details were not provided

How: We Are Working On It At Pace

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Q1 Siân Berry Green Brighton Pavilion
Policing & Resources Safeguarding & DBS
Context

Concern about the toxic culture in some police services, including racist, homophobic and sexist messages.

Question

We have seen a toxic culture in some police services. Will she clarify when multiple recommendations from the Home Office review into the process of police officer dismissals will be actioned, particularly changing the law so that those who fail re-vetting can be more simply dismissed?

Answer from Jess Phillips

We need to strengthen this area with women especially feeling less confidence over the last few years. We are working on it at pace, promising how we will ensure police conduct and vetting systems are fit for purpose, bringing back some of the lost trust.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline and action details were not provided

How: We Are Working On It At Pace

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Q2 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
Policing & Resources Standards & Ethics
Context

A community protection notice against the Warwickshire hunt was replaced by a secret protocol, and there is suspicion of lack of transparency due to financial ties between the police and countryside organizations.

Question

The police and crime commissioner claims he knew nothing about the secret protocol despite financial support from the Countryside Alliance. The chief constable refused to provide information, now she has resigned citing retirement. Can the Minister meet me to discuss a truly independent inquiry?

Answer from Jess Phillips

I thank my hon. Friend and as a local to Warwickshire I take a keen interest in those matters myself. Of course, I will meet him along with the Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham (Dame Diana Johnson). It is vital that the public can trust those who police us are held to account.

Answered
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Q2 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
Policing & Resources Standards & Ethics
Context

A community protection notice against the Warwickshire hunt was replaced by a secret protocol, and there is suspicion of lack of transparency due to financial ties between the police and countryside organizations.

Question

The police and crime commissioner claims he knew nothing about the secret protocol despite financial support from the Countryside Alliance. The chief constable refused to provide information, now she has resigned citing retirement. Can the Minister meet me to discuss a truly independent inquiry?

Answer from Jess Phillips

I thank my hon. Friend and as a local to Warwickshire I take a keen interest in those matters myself. Of course, I will meet him along with the Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham (Dame Diana Johnson). It is vital that the public can trust those who police us are held to account.

Answered
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Q3 Jayne Kirkham Labour (Co-op) Truro and Falmouth
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Cornwall town councils employ street rangers, antisocial behaviour officers, and have ShopWatch radios funded from precepts or business improvement districts. Shop managers still struggle with shoplifting and ASB due to poor 101 call response.

Question

Shop workers feel powerless and there is a need for more neighbourhood police. Can the Minister explain how trust in police and rule of law will be restored to retail staff and shop managers?

Answer from Jess Phillips

Extra neighbourhood policing is important not just because we need more police on our streets, but also for confidence when constituents call the police. The neighbourhood police will help with confidence and crime in Cornwall.

Answered
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Q3 Jayne Kirkham Labour (Co-op)
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Cornwall town councils employ street rangers, antisocial behaviour officers, and have ShopWatch radios funded from precepts or business improvement districts. Shop managers still struggle with shoplifting and ASB due to poor 101 call response.

Question

Shop workers feel powerless and there is a need for more neighbourhood police. Can the Minister explain how trust in police and rule of law will be restored to retail staff and shop managers?

Answer from Jess Phillips

Extra neighbourhood policing is important not just because we need more police on our streets, but also for confidence when constituents call the police. The neighbourhood police will help with confidence and crime in Cornwall.

Answered
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Q4 Siân Berry Green Brighton Pavilion
Policing & Resources Standards & Ethics
Context

Concern about toxic culture in police services and need for stronger measures against prejudice.

Question

The Home Office review recommends multiple actions to improve the process of police officer dismissals, including changing the law on re-vetting. When will these recommendations be implemented?

Answer from Jess Phillips

We need to strengthen this area and we are working on it at pace. We will ensure that police conduct and vetting systems are fit for purpose, bringing back some of the trust lost.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline was not provided

How: We Are Working On It At Pace

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Q5 Adnan Hussain Ind Blackburn
Community Security Local Government
Context

Concern about e-scooters and bikes causing antisocial behaviour in Blackburn, with poor response from police.

Question

Will she consider civil powers for local authorities to combat hotspot areas before somebody is seriously hurt?

Answer from Jess Phillips

We will bring in respect orders to ensure that antisocial behaviour in particular areas is targeted as it has not been recently.

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Q6 James Cleverly Con Braintree
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Concern about political interference in police operations, citing examples from the Foreign Secretary's experience.

Question

Does the Home Secretary believe it is right for Ministers to overrule police threat assessments and scrap police independence?

Answer from Jess Phillips

Operational decisions for policing fall to the police. I sat in front of Figen Murray, mother of Martyn killed at an event in Manchester, stressing that security should not be taken lightly.

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Q7 James Cleverly Con Braintree
Community Security Foreign Affairs
Context

Concern about VIP protection decisions made by the Home Secretary potentially undermining foreign security services.

Question

Does she recognise the difficult position put on her Foreign Secretary when future requests come in for protection after similar events involving rockstars?

Answer from Jess Phillips

Concerts were cancelled in Vienna due to a terror threat identified by the CIA. We take security seriously, as seen last week with Figen Murray's case.

Answered
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