Policing

In the House of Commons, several Labour MPs raised questions about steps the government is taking to increase public trust and confidence in policing. Matt Western, the MP for Warwick and Leamington, asked about a community protection notice issued by Warwickshire police against the Warwickshire hunt, which was later replaced by a secret protocol. He expressed concern about the lack of transparency and the resignation of the chief constable, and requested a meeting to discuss the need for an independent inquiry. Responding, Home Office Minister Jess Phillips acknowledged the importance of public trust in policing and agreed to meet with Western and the Minister for Policing to discuss the matter further. Jayne Kirkham, the MP for Truro and Falmouth, raised concerns about the poor response times and under-reporting of crimes such as shoplifting and antisocial behaviour in Cornwall. She called for more neighbourhood policing to restore trust in the rule of law. Minister Phillips agreed that extra neighbourhood policing is crucial to improving public confidence, as constituents need to feel that their calls for help are being responded to. Siân Berry, the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, highlighted the issue of toxic culture within some police services, including racist, homophobic and sexist messages. She asked when the recommendations from the Home Office review into the police officer dismissal process will be implemented, to ensure that those who fail re-vetting can be more easily dismissed. Minister Phillips acknowledged the need to strengthen this area and promised to announce steps to improve police conduct and vetting systems in due course, in order to restore the trust that has been lost, particularly among women. Other interventions included a question from Adnan Hussain, the Independent MP for Blackburn, who called for additional powers for both the police and local authorities to combat antisocial behaviour involving e-scooters and bikes. The Shadow Home Secretary, James Cleverly, raised concerns about political interference in policing and the potential impact on public confidence, as well as the government's handling of negotiations with various groups.