Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Herbert of South Downs and Amber Rudd

Monday 28th June 2010 Commons Chamber

[Nick Herbert]

It is important to convey the message that antisocial behaviour may be activity that is criminal and should be treated as such. The public still feel that there is too much antisocial behaviour in their neighbourhoods, and they want it to be prioritised by police forces. The best way to do that is not only by policing but through effective partnerships on the ground, using the full range of resources that can be provided by local authorities, other agencies and the police family working together.

[Amber Rudd (Hastings and Rye) (Con)]

19. What recent representations she has received on the amount of time spent on administrative tasks by police officers each year.

[The Minister for Police (Nick Herbert)]

With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to group this question with Question 22.

--- Later in debate ---

[Nick Herbert]

I apologise, Mr Speaker. I refer my hon. Friend the Member for Hastings and Rye (Amber Rudd) to the answer that I gave some moments ago.

[Amber Rudd]

I thank the Minister for his answer. Recent statistics demonstrate that police spend 14% of their time on patrol and 20% on paperwork. Will he give an example of what administrative function might be cut from their work, so that we can give them the opportunity to spend more time out on the beat?

[Nick Herbert]

The most important example is the policy we have had for a long time: scrapping the unnecessary stop form, whose introduction made it harder for police forces to interact sensibly with the public, and resulted in a great deal of unnecessary bureaucracy. However, we will not stop at that, but will look at the whole performance framework and the central targets that have bedevilled policing for too long. We will free up police officers, so that they can do the job.