Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Residents in Darenth and other parts of Dartford are facing persistent antisocial riding issues involving motorbikes and quad bikes, affecting local woodlands for several years. The police have started using powers under the Crime and Policing Act to seize vehicles and issue community protection notices.
Residents of Darenth and other parts of my constituency are facing persistent nuisance owing to the antisocial riding of motorbikes and quad bikes in local woodlands over the last few years. I know from my conversations with the new district commander for Dartford and Gravesham that the police are starting to use the powers in the Crime and Policing Act to seize and crush vehicles and issue community protection notices to offenders. Can the Minister tell Dartford residents how those new powers, and other Government measures, will finally tackle this antisocial behaviour at source?
Through the Crime and Policing Act, we have strengthened police powers to swiftly seize vehicles that are used antisocially. We have stripped away the requirement to issue a warning, which enables officers to act immediately to take vehicles off the streets, and we are introducing new respect orders, which can tackle persistent offenders in this and other areas. We have just carried out a consultation, and will shortly be looking at what we can do to shorten the period for police dispersal so that these things can be crushed more quickly.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows a previous one about antisocial riding in local woodlands, and the police's use of new powers under the Crime and Policing Act to seize vehicles. The background includes persistent issues affecting residents.
Residents are experiencing significant nuisance due to motorbike and quad bike antisocial riding in local woodlands over several years. Given that the police have begun using powers from the Crime and Policing Act, can you outline how these new measures will effectively address the root causes of this antisocial behaviour?
I think we all share the hunger to tackle this awful crime, which blights communities. Through the Crime and Policing Act, we have strengthened police powers to swiftly seize vehicles that are used antisocially. We have stripped away the requirement to issue a warning, which enables officers to act immediately to take vehicles off the streets, and we are introducing new respect orders, which can tackle persistent offenders in this and other areas.
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Assessment & feedback
shortening the period for police dispersal
Looking At What We Can Do To Shorten The Period
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
There has been a rise in violence towards wildlife, often involving the use of catapults. Studies indicate that pet abuse is frequently linked to domestic violence; seven out of ten victims of domestic violence who owned pets reported their abusers threatening or harming their pets.
In my constituency and across the country we have seen a troubling rise in violence towards wildlife, often with the use of catapults. Studies show that pet abuse is commonly linked to domestic violence; seven out of ten victims report threats or harm to their pets by abusers. Will the Minister consider Holly's law which proposes an animal cruelty register to deter wildlife crime and other violent acts?
We will certainly look at any proposals to tackle wildlife crime. I know that the use of catapults is a particular issue. This week I shall be holding a roundtable with interested parties, including those who may raise similar concerns as the hon. Lady. We fund the national rural crime unit and the national wildlife crime unit which provides additional resources for tackling these issues.
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Assessment & feedback
details of Holly's Law implementation
Holding A Roundtable
Keeping All Options On The Table
Response accuracy