Serious Violence Debate

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Department: Home Office

Serious Violence

Gareth Thomas Excerpts
Wednesday 15th May 2019

(4 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Sajid Javid Portrait Sajid Javid
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I have not yet had the opportunity to watch the programme to which my right hon. Friend referred, but I absolutely understand the issue he raised. It is important that we do everything we can to support our brave police officers. I and the Policing Minister have made a number of announcements in the past 12 months to do just that. We continue to work with police officers and their leaders across the country, including talking to frontline officers about what more we can do.

Gareth Thomas Portrait Gareth Thomas (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op)
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Serious violence is often—not always—caused by organised criminal groups. Does the Home Secretary share the head of the National Crime Agency’s assessment that, without more resources, we are in danger of losing the fight against organised crime?

Sajid Javid Portrait Sajid Javid
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I share the concerns around serious organised crime. I welcome the National Crime Agency’s national strategic assessment, which says that the cost of such crime to society is at least £37 billion a year. Clearly the work the NCA is doing with police forces around the country is vital. It is important that we continue to work together with the NCA and the police. It was welcome that this year we increased resources to the NCA to fight serious organised crime. We will certainly look at longer term resource need in the spending review.