Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the oral evidence to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee on 3 June 2025, HC 523, whether the Department plans to publish a written update on progress with actions relating to a) Police Forces, b) mobile network operators and c) device manufacturers.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government remains committed to tackling mobile phone theft and is working closely with police forces, mobile network operators and device manufacturers to reduce the value of stolen devices and prevent criminals from profiting from this crime.
We welcome the recent progress made through collaborative working, including improvements to theft protections and closer cooperation between law enforcement and industry partners. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology provided an update on this work during its appearance before the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee on 8 July 2026.
The Home Office will continue to work closely with relevant partners to drive further progress and keep the effectiveness of existing measures under review. There are currently no plans to publish a separate written update.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, which stakeholders, including hon. Members, she has consulted in developing Police Bill reforms; and if she will publish a summary of responses to those consultations.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government set out its proposals for police reform in the White Paper published in January 2026. The proposals followed extensive engagement with policing stakeholders. That engagement continues as we take forward the reforms, including those to be included in the Police Reform Bill to be introduced later this session.
We are clear these reforms need to be delivered in partnership with policing and have established a Police Reform Delivery Authority, based in the Home Office, but formed of both officials and secondees from across the policing sector.
In due course we will publish a response to our recent consultation on a new legal framework for law enforcement use of biometrics, facial recognition and similar technologies. These reforms will support faster, more confident adoption of technologies like live facial recognition across law enforcement to protect the public, while ensuring they are being used lawfully, protect privacy and are operated without bias.
In addition, the Independent Review of police force structures recently closed a call for evidence which sought views from policing, local partners including health and the criminal justice sector, academics, local authorities, Mayors and campaign groups.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of governance and structural reforms on the ability of Devon and Cornwall Police to deliver improvement plans.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Police Reform White Paper, published on 26 January 2026, set out the Government’s commitment to introduce a new model for policing, so that it is fit for the modern world and we have the right policing in the right places.
The Independent Review of Police Force Structures was launched on 17 March 2026. It will make recommendations on the number and configuration of forces and how the delivery of local policing can be optimised. The Review will report its recommendations to the Home Secretary in the summer.
The new Policing Performance System outlined in the White Paper, will provide structured oversight, engagement and targeted support to help forces deliver sustained improvements where required as outlined in their improvement plans.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that police forces maintain specialist crime capability for coastal communities under proposed policing reforms.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Police Reform White Paper, published on 26 January 2026, set out the Government’s commitment to introduce a new model for policing, so that it is fit for the modern world and we have the right policing in the right places. We will ensure police forces are equipped to make their local communities safer and implement a new national approach to policing that protects us all. This includes ensuring every part of the country has access to high-quality specialist functions.
The Independent Review of Police Force Structures was launched on 17 March 2026 and will make recommendations on the number and configuration of police forces in England and Wales. The Review will report its recommendations to the Home Secretary in the summer.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will commission the National Audit Office to review the financial and skills capacity of the proposed new policing governance structures.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office is working with policing and local government stakeholders to design and implement future governance arrangements to replace Police and Crime Commissioners from May 2028. We will introduce a system of police governance that maintains consistently high standards of oversight, including arrangements for ensuring strong financial management over policing and the appropriate audit arrangements.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to create a South West regional police force as part of the boundary review.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Police Reform White Paper, published on 26 January 2026, set out the Government’s commitment to introduce a new model for policing, so that it is fit for the modern world and we have the right policing in the right places. We will ensure local police forces are equipped to make their local communities safer and implement a new national approach to policing that protects us all.
The Independent Review of Police Force Structures was launched on 17 March 2026 and will make recommendations on the optimal configuration of police forces. The Chair will report their recommendations to the Home Secretary in the summer.
The Government will publish the Independent Review’s findings and its response in due course.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the impact of the size of Policing Boards within the new merged Police Authority on (a) effective scrutiny and (b) decision making.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Home Office is working with policing and local government to design and implement future governance arrangements to replace Police and Crime Commissioners from May 2028. We remain committed to developing a system of police governance that maintains consistently high standards of oversight, which is joined up with other local services and that the public can trust.
Whilst the size of Policing and Crime Boards will be determined by the number of upper tier local authorities and Strategic Authorities in each police force area, they will be significantly smaller and more agile than previous police authorities, to facilitate effective decision making. They will be required to appoint a Policing and Crime Lead, who will provide visible day to day oversight of policing, akin to a Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.
Boards will also include independent co-optees, who will bring expertise and knowledge in specialist subjects as needed, to improve oversight and scrutiny.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential operational impact on Devon and Cornwall Police of closing the Torquay custody suite and consolidating custody provision in Exeter.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
Decisions regarding police resourcing and the police estate in a force area, including provision of custody suite for those being detained, are operational matters for the Chief Constable and elected Police and Crime Commissioner (or equivalent).
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of centralising the modern slavery unit on the responsiveness of services to local policing needs in (a) Devon and (b) Cornwall.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government is committed to tackling modern slavery and ensuring that law enforcement agencies have the tools and capabilities they need to prevent, disrupt and bring offenders to justice.
The department provided dedicated funding to the Modern Slavery and Organised Immigration Crime (MSOIC) Programme between 2016/17 and 2025/2026, which was hosted by Devon and Cornwall Police. The MSOIC Programme closed in March 2026. In its final year of funding, under the Ministerial Modern Slavery Action Plan for 2025/26, the MSOIC Programme focused on capturing expertise and lessons learned from 8 years of the Programme through the development of a framework for investigating modern slavery.
This framework provides a nationally consistent, evidence-based framework to support forces, equipping officers with guidance, training and practical tools to navigate these complex crimes, respond effectively to local threats, and strengthen local policing capability through the sharing of best practice. The guidance materials have been made available to all police forces in England and Wales, including Devon and Cornwall Police, via an online knowledge hub and the materials have also been incorporated into the College of Policing’s Authorised Professional Practice.
The Home Office has worked closely with partners to ensure that all forces are equipped to tackle modern slavery effectively in their areas and will continue to build on the work of the programme, alongside wider police reforms, to strengthen the operational response at both national and local levels.
Asked by: Martin Wrigley (Liberal Democrat - Newton Abbot)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will make an assessment of the potential financial impact on residents of Devon of harmonising police council tax precepts across larger policing areas following any future police force mergers.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Government has commissioned an independent review of police force structures, which will consider the optimal number and configuration of police forces across England and Wales. The review is expected to conclude by the end of the summer.
The Government will consider the recommendations of the review and respond in due course.