Oral Answers to Questions

Dean Russell Excerpts

Tuesday 16th May 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Don’t forget that Chorley court is still empty—we’ll take the capacity problems that Preston has.

[Dean Russell (Watford) (Con)]

2. What recent assessment he has made of the impact of changes in the number of police officers on the criminal justice system in England and Wales.

[The Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice (Alex Chalk)]

Ingeniously done, Mr Speaker.

The successful delivery of the pledge to recruit 20,000 additional police officers is good news for victims, good news for the rule of law and bad news for criminals. It is already contributing to more offences being investigated and charged and more offenders being brought to justice in our courts.

[Dean Russell]

For the past two years, I have had the privilege of attending the Josh Hanson memorial football tournament at the Watford football club training ground. Josh Hanson sadly lost his life at the age of 21 to knife crime. The Josh Hanson Trust, set up by Josh’s mum, Tracey, and her family, provides support for those who have lost loved ones to violent crime, and Tracey’s story is heart-breaking and inspirational in equal measure. What steps will my right hon. and learned Friend take to ensure that victims and their families are supported throughout the criminal justice process and that their voices are heard loudly and acted upon, so that justice can be served?

[Alex Chalk]

I am so grateful to my hon. Friend for highlighting the brilliant work of Tracey Hanson and the Josh Hanson Trust, which supports those who have lost loved ones to violent crime. Josh’s death was an appalling tragedy. Improving victims’ experience of the criminal justice system is a core mission of this Government. Our Victims and Prisoners Bill, which had its Second Reading just yesterday, will ensure that the public and victims are better protected and can have greater confidence in the system, placing the principles of the victims code on to the face of the Bill, which will make sure what victims can and should expect from the criminal justice system.