Asked by: Baroness Kennedy of Cradley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many Police Support Volunteers there were working for police forces in England and Wales in each year from 2014 to 2018.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Home Office collects and publishes statistics on the number of police support volunteers working for each police force in England and Wales on a bi-annual basis. These data are published in the ‘Police workforce, England and Wales’ statistical bulletins.
The latest published figures, representing the picture as at 30 September 2018, can be accessed in ‘Table 7’ of the accompanying data tables here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-workforce-england-and-wales-30-september-2018
Data on the number of police support volunteers in England and Wales as at 31 March 2019 are due to be published on 18 July 2019.
The Home Office has only collected data on police support volunteers since March 2018. Data for previous years are not held.
Asked by: Baroness Kennedy of Cradley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of livestock theft in England.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
According to the 2017 Commercial Victimisation Survey (CVS), 2 per cent of premises in the Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing sector premises located in England and Wales had experienced livestock theft in the previous 12 months, a similar level found to that in the 2013 CVS (4 per cent).
Details can be found at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/704366/crime-against-businesses-2017-hosb0718.pdf
Asked by: Baroness Kennedy of Cradley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent of farm equipment theft.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Home Office’s Commercial Victimisation Survey (CVS) asks businesses about their experience of crime in the last 12 months.
Figures on crime experienced by business premises within the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector have been published in the latest ‘Crime against businesses’ publication: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/crime-against-businesses-findings-from-the-2017-commercial-victimisation-survey-data-tables.
This includes estimates of theft and specifically of livestock theft but not on the theft of farm equipment.
Asked by: Baroness Kennedy of Cradley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent of farm animal theft.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Home Office’s Commercial Victimisation Survey (CVS) asks businesses about their experience of crime in the last 12 months.
Figures on crime experienced by business premises within the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector have been published in the latest ‘Crime against businesses’ publication: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/crime-against-businesses-findings-from-the-2017-commercial-victimisation-survey-data-tables.
This includes estimates of theft and specifically of livestock theft but not on the theft of farm equipment.
Asked by: Baroness Kennedy of Cradley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to combat modern day slavery in agriculture.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority operates a licensing scheme to regulate businesses that provide temporary labour in high risk sectors in the agricultural, shell fish gathering and food processing and packaging sectors, to protect workers from exploitation. The scheme is underpinned by licensing conditions, which require businesses to comply with employment and other relevant law.
In addition, section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, requires all businesses operating in the UK with a turnover of £36 million or more to report on the steps they are taking to prevent and tackle slavery and human trafficking in their supply chains. While many businesses in the agricultural sector may not meet the turnover threshold, the legislation is having a knock on effect with many large businesses, including supermarket chains, providing support and advice to smaller businesses in their supply chains to improve standards.
Asked by: Baroness Kennedy of Cradley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many children under the age of 18 were recruited as covert human intelligence sources in each year since 2010, broken down by police force.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) is the legislation which governs the use of covert human intelligence sources (‘CHIS’). RIPA provides that restrictions on certain groups of CHIS can be imposed in secondary legislation. In 2000 the then Government put in place the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Juveniles) Order 2000 which established an enhanced set of safeguards in relation to the use of juveniles as CHIS.
While investigators may wish to avoid the use of young people as CHIS, we must recognise that some juveniles are involved in serious crimes, as perpetrators and victims. Consequently, young persons may have unique access to information that is important in preventing and prosecuting gang violence and terrorism. This includes the troubling ‘county lines’ phenomenon which, along with the associated violence, drug dealing and exploitation, has a devastating impact on young people, vulnerable adults and local communities.
Those operating these powers have access to extensive guidance to ensure that the powers are used appropriately and that juveniles are suitably safeguarded. This includes the codes of practice and internal guidance. By way of example the CHIS guidelines issued by the National Police Chiefs Council runs to some 380 pages, which includes a chapter dedicated to Juvenile CHIS.
The welfare of the CHIS is taken very seriously in any deployment and the code of practice provides clear guidance on this issue saying at paragraph 6.13:
“Any public authority deploying a CHIS should take into account the safety and welfare of that CHIS when carrying out actions in relation to an authorisation or tasking, and the foreseeable consequences to others of that tasking. Before authorising the use or conduct of a CHIS, the authorising officer should ensure that a risk assessment is carried out to determine the risk to the CHIS of any tasking and the likely consequences should the role of the CHIS become known. This should consider the risks relating to the specific tasking and circumstances of each authorisation separately, and should be updated to reflect developments during the course of the deployment, as well as after the deployment if contact is maintained. The ongoing security and welfare of the CHIS, after the cancellation of the authorisation, should also be considered at the outset and reviewed throughout the period of authorised activity by that CHIS.”
Welfare is even more important in cases involving young persons and the legislation requires that any decision to authorise the use of a juvenile as a CHIS must be accompanied by an enhanced risk assessment that takes into account the physical and psychological welfare of the young person.
Additionally, in 2015 the National Police Chiefs Council endorsed and published the National Strategy for the Policing of Children and Young people. This strategy says “It is crucial that in all encounters with the police those below the age of 18 should be treated as children first. All officers must have regard to their safety, welfare and well-being as required under S10 and S11 of the Children Act 2004 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.”
Since 2000 the police and other public authorities have been applying those safeguards on the rare occasions where juveniles have been deployed as CHIS. Their use has been subject to the oversight of the Surveillance Commissioner and more recently the Investigatory Powers Commissioner. The Commissioner, like his predecessors, provides the guarantee of impartial and independent scrutiny of the use of these tactics. In relation to Juvenile CHIS there is enhanced oversight with the former Chief Surveillance Commissioner, Lord Judge, making clear during a debate on this issue in Parliament on 18 July 2018 that “...in relation to any CHIS activity involving juveniles, the inspectors pay particular attention to see that the issues of welfare and so on have been properly addressed”.
The Investigatory Powers Commissioner, and previously the Surveillance Commissioner, is responsible for deciding what statistics to collect and publish. Statistics on the number of juvenile CHIS authorisations or the outcomes of cases in which they are used are not collected centrally or published but we know, from discussions with investigators, that juvenile CHIS are authorised in very small numbers as young people will not normally be deployed in this role unless there is no other way to achieve the same result. Going forward, Lord Justice Fulford will collect statistics on the number of juvenile CHIS in place and will consider how this information and his oversight in this area can appropriately be included in his annual reports in the future.
Asked by: Baroness Kennedy of Cradley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how they intend to improve the independent inspections of the use of children under the age of 18 as covert human intelligence sources (CHIS); and whether they have any plans to ensure that these inspections are carried out before these children are deployed as CHIS.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) is the legislation which governs the use of covert human intelligence sources (‘CHIS’). RIPA provides that restrictions on certain groups of CHIS can be imposed in secondary legislation. In 2000 the then Government put in place the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Juveniles) Order 2000 which established an enhanced set of safeguards in relation to the use of juveniles as CHIS.
While investigators may wish to avoid the use of young people as CHIS, we must recognise that some juveniles are involved in serious crimes, as perpetrators and victims. Consequently, young persons may have unique access to information that is important in preventing and prosecuting gang violence and terrorism. This includes the troubling ‘county lines’ phenomenon which, along with the associated violence, drug dealing and exploitation, has a devastating impact on young people, vulnerable adults and local communities.
Those operating these powers have access to extensive guidance to ensure that the powers are used appropriately and that juveniles are suitably safeguarded. This includes the codes of practice and internal guidance. By way of example the CHIS guidelines issued by the National Police Chiefs Council runs to some 380 pages, which includes a chapter dedicated to Juvenile CHIS.
The welfare of the CHIS is taken very seriously in any deployment and the code of practice provides clear guidance on this issue saying at paragraph 6.13:
“Any public authority deploying a CHIS should take into account the safety and welfare of that CHIS when carrying out actions in relation to an authorisation or tasking, and the foreseeable consequences to others of that tasking. Before authorising the use or conduct of a CHIS, the authorising officer should ensure that a risk assessment is carried out to determine the risk to the CHIS of any tasking and the likely consequences should the role of the CHIS become known. This should consider the risks relating to the specific tasking and circumstances of each authorisation separately, and should be updated to reflect developments during the course of the deployment, as well as after the deployment if contact is maintained. The ongoing security and welfare of the CHIS, after the cancellation of the authorisation, should also be considered at the outset and reviewed throughout the period of authorised activity by that CHIS.”
Welfare is even more important in cases involving young persons and the legislation requires that any decision to authorise the use of a juvenile as a CHIS must be accompanied by an enhanced risk assessment that takes into account the physical and psychological welfare of the young person.
Additionally, in 2015 the National Police Chiefs Council endorsed and published the National Strategy for the Policing of Children and Young people. This strategy says “It is crucial that in all encounters with the police those below the age of 18 should be treated as children first. All officers must have regard to their safety, welfare and well-being as required under S10 and S11 of the Children Act 2004 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.”
Since 2000 the police and other public authorities have been applying those safeguards on the rare occasions where juveniles have been deployed as CHIS. Their use has been subject to the oversight of the Surveillance Commissioner and more recently the Investigatory Powers Commissioner. The Commissioner, like his predecessors, provides the guarantee of impartial and independent scrutiny of the use of these tactics. In relation to Juvenile CHIS there is enhanced oversight with the former Chief Surveillance Commissioner, Lord Judge, making clear during a debate on this issue in Parliament on 18 July 2018 that “...in relation to any CHIS activity involving juveniles, the inspectors pay particular attention to see that the issues of welfare and so on have been properly addressed”.
The Investigatory Powers Commissioner, and previously the Surveillance Commissioner, is responsible for deciding what statistics to collect and publish. Statistics on the number of juvenile CHIS authorisations or the outcomes of cases in which they are used are not collected centrally or published but we know, from discussions with investigators, that juvenile CHIS are authorised in very small numbers as young people will not normally be deployed in this role unless there is no other way to achieve the same result. Going forward, Lord Justice Fulford will collect statistics on the number of juvenile CHIS in place and will consider how this information and his oversight in this area can appropriately be included in his annual reports in the future.
Asked by: Baroness Kennedy of Cradley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what advice, training and guidance is issued to police and intelligence officers to ensure that children under the age of 18 who are used as covert human intelligence sources are protected and treated in line with the requirements of the Protection of Children Act 1999 and the requirements of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford - Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) is the legislation which governs the use of covert human intelligence sources (‘CHIS’). RIPA provides that restrictions on certain groups of CHIS can be imposed in secondary legislation. In 2000 the then Government put in place the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Juveniles) Order 2000 which established an enhanced set of safeguards in relation to the use of juveniles as CHIS.
While investigators may wish to avoid the use of young people as CHIS, we must recognise that some juveniles are involved in serious crimes, as perpetrators and victims. Consequently, young persons may have unique access to information that is important in preventing and prosecuting gang violence and terrorism. This includes the troubling ‘county lines’ phenomenon which, along with the associated violence, drug dealing and exploitation, has a devastating impact on young people, vulnerable adults and local communities.
Those operating these powers have access to extensive guidance to ensure that the powers are used appropriately and that juveniles are suitably safeguarded. This includes the codes of practice and internal guidance. By way of example the CHIS guidelines issued by the National Police Chiefs Council runs to some 380 pages, which includes a chapter dedicated to Juvenile CHIS.
The welfare of the CHIS is taken very seriously in any deployment and the code of practice provides clear guidance on this issue saying at paragraph 6.13:
“Any public authority deploying a CHIS should take into account the safety and welfare of that CHIS when carrying out actions in relation to an authorisation or tasking, and the foreseeable consequences to others of that tasking. Before authorising the use or conduct of a CHIS, the authorising officer should ensure that a risk assessment is carried out to determine the risk to the CHIS of any tasking and the likely consequences should the role of the CHIS become known. This should consider the risks relating to the specific tasking and circumstances of each authorisation separately, and should be updated to reflect developments during the course of the deployment, as well as after the deployment if contact is maintained. The ongoing security and welfare of the CHIS, after the cancellation of the authorisation, should also be considered at the outset and reviewed throughout the period of authorised activity by that CHIS.”
Welfare is even more important in cases involving young persons and the legislation requires that any decision to authorise the use of a juvenile as a CHIS must be accompanied by an enhanced risk assessment that takes into account the physical and psychological welfare of the young person.
Additionally, in 2015 the National Police Chiefs Council endorsed and published the National Strategy for the Policing of Children and Young people. This strategy says “It is crucial that in all encounters with the police those below the age of 18 should be treated as children first. All officers must have regard to their safety, welfare and well-being as required under S10 and S11 of the Children Act 2004 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.”
Since 2000 the police and other public authorities have been applying those safeguards on the rare occasions where juveniles have been deployed as CHIS. Their use has been subject to the oversight of the Surveillance Commissioner and more recently the Investigatory Powers Commissioner. The Commissioner, like his predecessors, provides the guarantee of impartial and independent scrutiny of the use of these tactics. In relation to Juvenile CHIS there is enhanced oversight with the former Chief Surveillance Commissioner, Lord Judge, making clear during a debate on this issue in Parliament on 18 July 2018 that “...in relation to any CHIS activity involving juveniles, the inspectors pay particular attention to see that the issues of welfare and so on have been properly addressed”.
The Investigatory Powers Commissioner, and previously the Surveillance Commissioner, is responsible for deciding what statistics to collect and publish. Statistics on the number of juvenile CHIS authorisations or the outcomes of cases in which they are used are not collected centrally or published but we know, from discussions with investigators, that juvenile CHIS are authorised in very small numbers as young people will not normally be deployed in this role unless there is no other way to achieve the same result. Going forward, Lord Justice Fulford will collect statistics on the number of juvenile CHIS in place and will consider how this information and his oversight in this area can appropriately be included in his annual reports in the future.