Oral Answers to Questions

Desmond Swayne Excerpts

Thursday 13th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[The Solicitor General]

The CPS in Northamptonshire and the east midlands, like in all other regions, acknowledges that it should never rest on any laurels it might gather. I urge my hon. Friend to meet the chief Crown prosecutors and staff to focus on particular areas where he thinks the CPS in Northamptonshire and the east midlands needs to make progress. Recent quarterly and monthly figures show that in many areas, such as burglary, it has been above average, but I am sure it would welcome his constructive input.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

8. What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the CPS in prosecuting crimes involving corrosive substances.

[The Solicitor General (Robert Buckland)]

Corrosive substance attacks are unacceptable. There is no place in society for these horrendous crimes. Last month, the CPS successfully secured the conviction of nine men for carrying out a violent attack in which a corrosive substance was squirted at bystanders who tried to stop an assault in the street.

[Sir Desmond Swayne]

What account is taken of gangs in this context?

[The Solicitor General]

My right hon. Friend is right to raise the sad connection with gang offending. Sadly, corrosive substances are sometimes used as weapons by gangs in retribution and as a means of enforcement. The CPS guidance identifies that phenomenon and encourages prosecutors to apply for criminal behaviour orders to prevent such gang-related offending.