Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Home Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Bob Blackman Excerpts
Monday 6th July 2015

(9 years, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Karen Bradley Portrait Karen Bradley
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I suspect victims would like to be able to go to the Supreme Court here in Britain to have their rights upheld. That is what the Government are looking at.

Bob Blackman Portrait Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)
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10. What recent guidelines her Department has issued on requirements in crime reporting.

Mike Penning Portrait The Minister for Policing, Crime and Criminal Justice (Mike Penning)
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The Home Office issues strict guidelines on how police should record crimes reported to them. They must comply with those guidelines. In April, the rules were amended to ensure that all crimes are now recorded within 24 hours of being reported to them, especially if those crimes are reported by carers, professionals and social workers, as well as by the victims.

Bob Blackman Portrait Bob Blackman
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There is concern that local police are having to report minor fights between siblings as crimes—a waste of police time when some sort of caution or discretion would be much more helpful. Will my right hon. Friend review the guidelines to make sure we are not wasting police time?

Mike Penning Portrait Mike Penning
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The most important thing is that people have the confidence to come forward and report crimes such as domestic violence, which was dramatically under-reported over the years. If that has an effect on crime statistics, so be it. The police already have the discretion to give cautions. It is up to them what they do. We want people to come forward and report these crimes.

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Mike Penning Portrait The Minister for Policing, Crime and Criminal Justice (Mike Penning)
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I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising the issue. We are already looking into it. The practice is taking place across the country, and we do not know the exact extent of it, but we will, I hope, work together to eliminate this horrible crime.

Bob Blackman Portrait Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)
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T4. As we heard earlier, the new Prevent duties were introduced last week. Will the Security Minister update the House on how the legislation will be used to identify and eliminate extremism?

John Hayes Portrait Mr John Hayes
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Governments have their part to play in delivering the national interest and the common good, but don’t we all? It is vital for communities themselves to play a part, and public services too. The organisations that we have asked to do their bit in respect of their new duties—including prisons, schools, colleges, health authorities and local authorities—already have a duty of care, including pastoral care. They are very well placed to identify radicalism, protect vulnerable people, and secure our national wellbeing and national interest.