Context
The question arises from constituent concerns about the grooming of young people, particularly young women. There is a statistic showing only 6.9% of violent or sexual crimes in the west midlands were solved in the year ending June 2024.
Question
Can I say how excellent it is to see the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham Yardley (Jess Phillips), in her place on the Front Bench? I have heard concerns from many constituents in recent days about the grooming of young people, particularly young women, and those are concerns that all of us in this House clearly share. Given that only 6.9% of violent or sexual crimes in the west midlands were solved in the year ending June 2024, what steps are being taken to hold the thugs to account and to protect young people, particularly young women and girls in Newcastle-under-Lyme, so that they can live their lives safely?
Answer from The Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention (Dame Diana Johnson)
I echo my hon. Friend’s comments about my hon. Friend the Safeguarding Minister. On the point he raises, there is an interesting article in the papers today where the Minister is quoted as saying: ‘It is completely unacceptable that fewer and fewer violent and sexual crimes are being solved, with more victims being let down time and time again.’ I cannot think of a better champion to take forward the work to protect young women in particular than the Safeguarding Minister.
Not addressed: The specific steps taken or planned to address low clearance rates for violent and sexual crimes were not detailed.
How: Redirected Attention To A New Champion, Quoted Another Minister
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