Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Laurence Robertson and Robert Buckland

Tuesday 14th January 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con)]

Do Ministers agree that the crime of burglary has devastating effects on those who have been burgled? Will they increase the sentences available for people who have committed that offence?

[Robert Buckland]

My hon. Friend is right to remind us that burglary is a crime not just against property, but against the wellbeing of people whose homes are violated. He will be glad to know that average sentences for burglary have increased over the years from an average of 21 months to 28 months. I will have a further conversation with him about this, but I assure him that sentences are going in the right direction when it comes to dwelling house burglaries.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Laurence Robertson and Robert Buckland

Thursday 29th June 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury) (Con)]

10. What recent assessment he has made of the extent to which sentencing of people convicted of burglary has been unduly lenient.

[The Solicitor General (Robert Buckland)]

Last year the Attorney General and I referred 11 cases for burglary as unduly lenient and achieved an increase in sentence in seven of those. Only the most serious types of burglary offence currently fall within the unduly lenient scheme, but we have recommitted in our manifesto to extend its scope and we will work with my right hon. Friend the Lord Chancellor to implement that commitment.

[Mr Robertson]

I thank my hon. and learned Friend for that answer and for the welcome news. Only 10% of first-time burglars receive immediate custodial sentences. Does that not encourage them to carry on their crimes? Burglary is quite a serious crime; will he have a look at that statistic?