Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Home Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Steve McCabe Excerpts
Monday 15th April 2024

(8 months, 1 week ago)

Commons Chamber
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James Cleverly Portrait James Cleverly
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Quite frankly, the Mayor of London has been a massive disappointment when it comes to the policing of London. The Met is the only police force in the country to see its police numbers reduce. It has failed to meet its recruitment targets. Quite frankly, Londoners deserve better.

Steve McCabe Portrait Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Selly Oak) (Lab)
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As the chair of the all-party parliamentary group on retail crime, I welcome the announcements, as I am sure will shop workers everywhere. When will the announcements be operationalised, and what is the monitoring process, so that we can all judge whether they are not just words but action?

James Cleverly Portrait James Cleverly
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The hon. Gentleman makes an important point. We are putting the changes through as amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill. The sooner it makes its passage through the House, the quicker we can put these specific changes in place, but we are not waiting for that. We have had conversations with police forces to ensure there is visible policing on our high streets and that they respond to every reasonable line of inquiry, sending a signal to retailers and potential criminals that we take this issue incredibly seriously, and that the police will respond to this important type of crime.