Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Retail businesses in Keighley, such as Colin Appleyard Motorcycles, have faced severe losses due to ram raids involving significant thefts.
Colin Appleyard Motorcycles in Keighley was recently the victim of a ram raid. Seven individuals stole nine off-road bikes worth approximately £80,000. Will the Minister tell me what the Government are doing to work with local police forces such as West Yorkshire police to identify and shut down these Mafia-style criminal gangs causing significant harm for businesses in Keighley?
The Government are focused on fighting crime, and 100 additional officers will be deployed by West Yorkshire Police by the end of March. The £5 million investment in a specialist intelligence-led policing unit will help identify and tackle serious organised criminals involved in retail crimes.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Retail businesses in Keighley, such as Colin Appleyard Motorcycles, have faced severe losses due to ram raids involving significant thefts.
Colin Appleyard Motorcycles in Keighley was recently the victim of a ram raid. Seven individuals stole nine off-road bikes worth approximately £80,000. Will the Minister tell me what the Government are doing to work with local police forces such as West Yorkshire police to identify and shut down these Mafia-style criminal gangs causing significant harm for businesses in Keighley?
The Government are focused on fighting crime, and 100 additional officers will be deployed by West Yorkshire Police by the end of March. The £5 million investment in a specialist intelligence-led policing unit will help identify and tackle serious organised criminals involved in retail crimes.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Violence, abuse, and intimidation against retail workers has increased. This includes incidents such as spitting in people's faces.
The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers informed me of increased levels of violence, abuse, and intimidation towards retail workers including violent attacks and spitting. Will the hon. Friend say what measures the Government are taking to protect mainly lower-paid workers in the workplace?
We are introducing a specific offence of assault on retail workers and working closely with retailers to target repeat offenders. Charges for shop thefts, often accompanied by assaults, rose by 21% last year.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address the specific measures requested for protecting lower-paid workers directly.
Working Closely With Retailers
Response accuracy