Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Home Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Alun Cairns Excerpts
Monday 13th July 2020

(4 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con)
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What steps her Department is taking to maintain public order during the covid-19 outbreak.

Selaine Saxby Portrait Selaine Saxby (North Devon) (Con)
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What steps her Department is taking to maintain public order during the covid-19 outbreak.

Priti Patel Portrait The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Priti Patel)
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The Home Office has been working with the National Police Chiefs’ Council every single day throughout the covid crisis, not only to back the police when it comes to law enforcement but, equally importantly, to ensure that they are resourced throughout covid to provide the support required for frontline police officers.

Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns
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During this covid period, many coastal communities have found themselves under threat from mass gatherings—in my constituency, Ogmore-by-Sea is one example and Barry Island is another. Will my right hon. Friend join me in sending the strongest message that such behaviour will not be tolerated? Will she support the police and pay tribute to them for the strong action they are taking to ensure that coastal communities can be enjoyed by families and by tourists who want to visit and enjoy our fantastic resources?

Priti Patel Portrait Priti Patel
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My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. I have visited his constituency in the past and know how beautiful it is. I commend the officers and the police chief for all the work that they have been doing. My right hon. Friend is right to want that area to protected for local residents so that it can be enjoyed responsibly. There is of course no scope at all for antisocial behaviour. We have been continuing to support the police to make sure that they have been equipped throughout this covid crisis to police effectively and encourage the right and responsible kinds of behaviours.