Home Office

We have allocated £2,776,367 to West Midlands Police under the Knife Crime Concentration Fund for 2026-27. This funding is additional to the previously announced police funding settlement for 2026-27, under which West Midlands Police will now receive £889 million.

Funding for the Knife Crime Concentration Fund programme was originally announced as part of the Government’s Knife Crime Action Plan in April 2026. You can find more information here: Knife crime hotspots to see surge in police operations - GOV.UK.

Funding allocations for subsequent financial years have not yet been finalised.

RICU does not provide guidance or briefings to police Family Liaison Officers assigned to the families of crime victims.

RICU provides analysis on terrorist use of propaganda and exploitation of the internet to inform the UK’s counter-terrorism system. All activity complies with relevant legislation. RICU works with a range of partners across HMG to support this counter-terrorism mission, including Counter Terrorism Policing.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (‘ACMD’) published its review of the use and harms of ketamine on 28 January. The report provides a detailed assessment of the evidence on harms and trends in use and includes 15 recommendations.

Ministers have been considering the recommendations carefully and will respond to the report as soon as possible. In advance of that, in October 2025 the Department for Health and Social Care launched a campaign to raise awareness among young people about the dangers of ketamine misuse, and law enforcement is taking action against the threat from criminal gangs supplying the drug.

Information on knife-enabled robbery offences for selected police forces is published on a quarterly basis broken down at the Police Force Area level, including West Midlands Police.

The latest information can be found here: Police recorded knife-enabled robbery offences - GOV.UK.

The Government is clear that an effective, well-supported police service is central to delivering safer communities and improved public confidence.

The Home Office does not set a requirement for the number of officers forces should have in order to operate effectively.

For too long the focus has been on officer numbers alone. Society, crime, and public expectations are changing, and policing must modernise to reflect this.

The Police Reform White Paper published earlier this year outlines our plans to develop a new Police Workforce Strategy to build and support a modern, capable, and sustainable police workforce. The strategy will consider what mix of officers, staff, and specialist skills policing needs to respond to today’s challenges and anticipate those of the future.

It is for Chief Constables, directly accountable to the relevant Police and Crime Commissioner or Mayor, to make operational decisions. This includes decisions on local workforce requirements informed by individual forces’ operational needs and assessments of local demand and risk.

Over the four years in question, the Disclosure & Barring Service spent £89,916.02 on interpreters and related translation services (including British Sign Language interpretation and translation plus other deafness support).

This breaks down as £16,413.69 in 2022; £24,730.10 in 2023; £21,093.70 in 2024; and £27,678.53 in 2025.

Lord Macdonald submitted the report of the Independent Review of Public Order and Hate Crime Legislation on 29 May. The Government is considering the report’s findings and recommendations as it develops its response.

We intend to publish the report alongside the Government’s response and will provide an update to Parliament in due course.

Home Office Ministers have regular meetings with the leadership of Police Federation of England and Wales where issues affecting officers are discussed.

Racist abuse directed at police officers is wholly unacceptable and has no place in our society. The Government is determined to tackle all forms of hate crime and discrimination wherever they occur. Police officers and staff should be able to carry out their duties free from intimidation, hatred and abuse, and we recognise the impact that such behaviour can have on wellbeing.

The Government remains committed to supporting the welfare of the police workforce and to promoting a policing culture that is fair, inclusive and respectful, helping to attract and retain talented people from all backgrounds. We continue to work with police leaders to ensure that the right support is in place for officers and staff throughout their career.

The Home Office has not assessed the Metropolitan Police Service's compliance with statutory deadlines for responding to Subject Access Requests under data protection legislation.

Compliance with data protection obligations, including the handling of Subject Access Requests (SARs), is the responsibility of individual police forces. The Information Commission is the independent regulator responsible for overseeing compliance with data protection legislation and has powers to investigate concerns and take enforcement action where appropriate.

The Government is committed to tackling mobile phone theft and supports the operational activity being led by policing through Operation Reckoning.

Since January 2025, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has delivered its most comprehensive and intelligence-led response to mobile phone theft and robbery through Operation Reckoning. This is delivering results – street crime involving the theft of a mobile phone recorded by the MPS has fallen by over 16,000 offences in the year to September 2026, a reduction of 21% across London and 43% in Westminster, according to their own published data.

The Home Office collects data on the number of theft offences reported to the police in England and Wales by police force. It is not possible from information held centrally to identify mobile phone thefts reported to individual police forces.

The most recent phase of Operation Reckoning has, for the first time, expanded beyond London and involved forces across England and Wales working with industry and other partners. Activity has included visits to second-hand mobile phone retailers, intelligence-led enforcement activity and work to disrupt the criminal markets that enable stolen devices to be sold on for profit.

The operation is coordinated nationally by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, enabling forces to share intelligence, operational tactics and lessons learned to strengthen the collective response to mobile phone theft and support disruption activity across England and Wales.

The Government is committed to tackling mobile phone theft and supports the operational activity being led by policing through Operation Reckoning.

Since January 2025, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has delivered its most comprehensive and intelligence-led response to mobile phone theft and robbery through Operation Reckoning. This is delivering results – street crime involving the theft of a mobile phone recorded by the MPS has fallen by over 16,000 offences in the year to September 2026, a reduction of 21% across London and 43% in Westminster, according to their own published data.

The Home Office collects data on the number of theft offences reported to the police in England and Wales by police force. It is not possible from information held centrally to identify mobile phone thefts reported to individual police forces.

The most recent phase of Operation Reckoning has, for the first time, expanded beyond London and involved forces across England and Wales working with industry and other partners. Activity has included visits to second-hand mobile phone retailers, intelligence-led enforcement activity and work to disrupt the criminal markets that enable stolen devices to be sold on for profit.

The operation is coordinated nationally by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, enabling forces to share intelligence, operational tactics and lessons learned to strengthen the collective response to mobile phone theft and support disruption activity across England and Wales.

The Government is committed to tackling mobile phone theft and supports the operational activity being led by policing through Operation Reckoning.

Since January 2025, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has delivered its most comprehensive and intelligence-led response to mobile phone theft and robbery through Operation Reckoning. This is delivering results – street crime involving the theft of a mobile phone recorded by the MPS has fallen by over 16,000 offences in the year to September 2026, a reduction of 21% across London and 43% in Westminster, according to their own published data.

The Home Office collects data on the number of theft offences reported to the police in England and Wales by police force. It is not possible from information held centrally to identify mobile phone thefts reported to individual police forces.

The most recent phase of Operation Reckoning has, for the first time, expanded beyond London and involved forces across England and Wales working with industry and other partners. Activity has included visits to second-hand mobile phone retailers, intelligence-led enforcement activity and work to disrupt the criminal markets that enable stolen devices to be sold on for profit.

The operation is coordinated nationally by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, enabling forces to share intelligence, operational tactics and lessons learned to strengthen the collective response to mobile phone theft and support disruption activity across England and Wales.

The Government is committed to tackling mobile phone theft and supports the operational activity being led by policing through Operation Reckoning.

Since January 2025, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has delivered its most comprehensive and intelligence-led response to mobile phone theft and robbery through Operation Reckoning. This is delivering results – street crime involving the theft of a mobile phone recorded by the MPS has fallen by over 16,000 offences in the year to September 2026, a reduction of 21% across London and 43% in Westminster, according to their own published data.

The Home Office collects data on the number of theft offences reported to the police in England and Wales by police force. It is not possible from information held centrally to identify mobile phone thefts reported to individual police forces.

The most recent phase of Operation Reckoning has, for the first time, expanded beyond London and involved forces across England and Wales working with industry and other partners. Activity has included visits to second-hand mobile phone retailers, intelligence-led enforcement activity and work to disrupt the criminal markets that enable stolen devices to be sold on for profit.

The operation is coordinated nationally by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, enabling forces to share intelligence, operational tactics and lessons learned to strengthen the collective response to mobile phone theft and support disruption activity across England and Wales.

The Home Office does not centrally hold data on the number of electric scooters or electric bikes that have been seized by police in England and Wales.

Decisions on the seizure of electric scooters and electric bikes are an operational matter for police forces, who may hold this data individually.

Police already have powers to seize e-scooters and e-bikes where they are being used unlawfully. Under section 165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988, police may seize motor vehicles being driven without insurance or a valid licence. This can include privately owned e-scooters and illegally modified e-bikes where they meet the legal definition of a motor vehicle.

Through the Crime and Policing Act, police no longer need to issue a warning before seizing vehicles used anti-socially, inconsiderately and in a manner causing alarm, distress or annoyance.

The Government has also reduced vehicle disposal timeframes to seven days, taking swift action and preventing opportunities to re-offend.

The Government has provided total funding of £21.2bn to policing this year, of this £18.5bn is for police forces, this is £2bn of increased investment in policing since 2024.

Police forces are operationally independent and are responsible for determining how they deploy their resources and respond to local policing priorities. It is for chief constables to decide whether to undertake dedicated enforcement operations against the illegal use of e-bikes and e-scooters and what tactics to employ based on local circumstances.

Police already have powers to seize e-scooters and e-bikes where they are being used unlawfully. Under section 165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988, police may seize motor vehicles being driven without insurance or a valid licence. This can include privately owned e-scooters and illegally modified e-bikes where they meet the legal definition of a motor vehicle.

Through the Crime and Policing Act, police no longer need to issue a warning before seizing vehicles used anti-socially, inconsiderately and in a manner causing alarm, distress or annoyance.

The Government has also reduced vehicle disposal timeframes to seven days, taking swift action and preventing opportunities to re-offend.

The Government has provided total funding of £21.2bn to policing this year, of this £18.5bn is for police forces, this is £2bn of increased investment in policing since 2024.

Police forces are operationally independent and are responsible for determining how they deploy their resources and respond to local policing priorities. It is for chief constables to decide whether to undertake dedicated enforcement operations against the illegal use of e-bikes and e-scooters and what tactics to employ based on local circumstances.

The Government is committed to legislation around knife sales which helps ensure that knives do not fall into the hands of those aged under 18. The measures in the Crime and Policing Act 2026 in respect of the reporting of online bulk sales of knives and the strengthening of age verification requirements for online sales of knives will ensure we have robust controls on knives. The measures in the Crime and Policing Act 2026 are likely to be commenced next Spring.

Non-pointed cutlery knives have been specifically excluded from the new reporting requirements for online bulk sales of knives in section 42 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026. No similar provision was made in section 32 of the 2026 Act for the new age verification checks for online sale and delivery of knives.

However, we are aware of the argument that non-pointed cutlery knives, designed for eating food, present a lower risk to the public and the law should be amended. Such a change could be made via secondary legislation, and we are carefully considering representations made by retailers about whether there could be changes to legislation.

The Government shares the concern about the use of catapults against wildlife, people or property. We are aware of catapults being an issue in some areas of the country, and there are a range of laws in place that can be used against individuals who use catapults in this way.

Where a catapult is used to harm animals, the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 provide the police with powers to deal with deliberate attempts to kill, injure or inflict harm on wildlife. It is also an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to cause an animal any unnecessary suffering.

Under the Prevention of Crime Act 1953, if a person carries an offensive weapon in a public place or threatens a person with an offensive weapon, they may face up to four years in prison. The definition of an ‘offensive weapon’ may include a catapult depending on the circumstances of the case.

The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 also provides the police, local authorities and other local agencies with tools and powers that they can use to respond to anti-social behaviour including that involving catapults. This includes Community Protection Warnings and Notices (CPWs and CPNs), and Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) which can be used to prevent behaviour that is having, or likely to have, a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those in the locality. Through the Crime and Policing Act 2026, we have increased the upper limit for a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for breaches of a PSPO or a CPN from £100 to £500 and this will come into force from 26 October 2026.

A roundtable was held in June this year with Members of Parliament and stakeholders to discuss the misuse of catapults. The Government is now working with the police to ensure that existing legislation is used consistently and effectively. We have noted the proposals for new restrictions, including age restrictions on the sale of catapults, and we are actively considering what more might be done around enforcement.

Lord Macdonald submitted the report of the Independent Review of Public Order and Hate Crime Legislation to the Home Secretary on 29 May. The report as submitted to the Home Secretary will be published in full shortly.

This Government recognises that there can be challenges in responding to rural crime and is taking a coordinated, cross-system approach to tackling this issue. To support the policing response, the Home Office is providing over £800,000 in 2026/27 to the National Rural Crime Unit and National Wildlife Crime Unit. These specialist capabilities provide intelligence, analysis, coordination and operational support to forces across the UK, helping to identify, disrupt and pursue offenders operating across force boundaries.

Policy measures to be implemented through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 will prevent under-18s from using sexualised AI chatbots and restrict their access to sexual features on AI chatbots.

In addition, the Crime and Policing Act 2026, provides a new regulation-making power enabling the Government to bring currently unregulated AI chatbots into scope of the Online Safety Act, subjecting providers to requirements to protect users from illegal content and activity.

This will enable Ofcom to use its enforcement powers to ensure these services are held to account. Ofcom have the Government's full backing to use all the enforcement levers at their disposal.

The Home Office does not hold information on the City of London Police annual spend on the cycling sin-bin strategy. Decisions on the allocation of police resources and expenditure are operational matters for individual police forces, who are best placed to determine their local requirements.

The Government has a strategy to reduce the use of animals in science. The direction of travel is clear: to accelerate replacement, reduction and refinement while maintaining protections for human and animal health and the environment.

The 2.54 million scientific procedures carried out in 2025 represent a reduction of around 3.8% from 2.64 million in 2024 and the lowest annual total recorded under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The Government nevertheless recognises that the figure remains significant. The aggregate total must also be understood alongside the purpose, species and severity of procedures, and the distinction between experimental procedures and the breeding of genetically altered animals.

Under the statutory principles of replacement, reduction and refinement, a scientifically satisfactory non-animal method must be used wherever possible; the number of animals must be reduced to a minimum without compromising the objectives of the programme; and methods must be refined to eliminate or reduce pain, suffering, distress and lasting harm.

In November 2025, the Government published its Replacing Animals in Science strategy, backed by £75 million, to accelerate the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods and work towards replacing animal use in all but exceptional circumstances. The 2025 figures reinforce the case for sustained delivery of that strategy. Where suitable alternatives do not yet exist, well-justified and appropriately designed animal research may continue under the rigorous requirements of ASPA to protect human and animal health and the environment.

For 2024/25 the fiscal year spend was £2266m

For 2025/26 the fiscal year spend was £2203m

For 2024 the calendar year spend was £2390m

For 2025 the calendar year spend was £2064m

The correspondence dated 28 July was accepted for response by the Ministry of Justice, who have responsibility for the Early Release Scheme, on 30 July.

We know the devastating impact that crime can have on a victim, and how stalking and harassment can leave victims living in fear going about their day-to-day lives. That is why the Government recognises the importance of victims being kept informed about developments in their case.

The police are required to notify victims of bail conditions by requirements in the Victims’ Code (the Code). The Code sets out the minimum level of service that victims of crime in England and Wales are entitled to receive from criminal justice agencies, including the police. It includes a number of statutory rights which require victims to be kept informed of key developments in their case, including being told about any bail conditions imposed on a suspect and any subsequent changes to those conditions.

Decisions on the management of individual investigations are operational matters for police forces. The College of Policing's Authorised Professional Practice on victim and witness care also states that victims should be kept informed at all stages of an investigation and they should be told when a suspect is released under investigation, charged, or released on bail. In addition, the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 strengthened the pre-charge bail framework by introducing a duty to seek victims' views when imposing or varying bail conditions, to ensure that those conditions better protect all victims.

We know the devastating impact that crime can have on a victim, and how stalking and harassment can leave victims living in fear going about their day-to-day lives. That is why the Government recognises the importance of victims being kept informed about developments in their case.

The police are required to notify victims of bail conditions by requirements in the Victims’ Code (the Code). The Code sets out the minimum level of service that victims of crime in England and Wales are entitled to receive from criminal justice agencies, including the police. It includes a number of statutory rights which require victims to be kept informed of key developments in their case, including being told about any bail conditions imposed on a suspect and any subsequent changes to those conditions.

Decisions on the management of individual investigations are operational matters for police forces. The College of Policing's Authorised Professional Practice on victim and witness care also states that victims should be kept informed at all stages of an investigation and they should be told when a suspect is released under investigation, charged, or released on bail. In addition, the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 strengthened the pre-charge bail framework by introducing a duty to seek victims' views when imposing or varying bail conditions, to ensure that those conditions better protect all victims.

Yes - The Home Office is required to contribute to the funding laid out under line 5 of the Defence Investment Plan explainer.

Departments have been asked to contribute 1p in every £1 of their capital budgets to fund this Government’s Defence Investment Plan, helping keep the country safe in an increasingly volatile world.

The majority of public funding for police forces in England and Wales is provided by the Home Office and is agreed by the House of Commons on an annual basis at the police funding settlement. Each year the Home Office produces a Police Grant Report which is published and voted on by Parliament and contains grant funding allocations for the following year to be paid out under the Police Act 1996. The funding formula used for distributing Home Office Police Main Grant divides funds between different activities that the police undertake. A portion of total funding is also distributed according to population sparsity, to address the specific needs of rural forces. A copy of the most recent Grant Report for 2026-27 has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and can be found online:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6979db5b316fd8f8015520ad/E03528744_-_HC_1638_-_Police_Grant_Report_2026-27_BOOKMARKED.pdf

The Police Reform White Paper confirmed that we will review the formula once the implementation of police reform is underway so that the new formula reflects the new police force structures.

Reviewing the funding formula is an opportunity to review and update the factors that drive relative demand on modern police budgets for all forces – whether rural, urban or a blend of the two. Next steps of this review will be set out after the Independent Review of structures has reported.

The Government is working with European partners to strengthen collective efforts to deter illegal migration and prevent dangerous Channel crossings, most notably with France. The UK maintains regular engagement with the French Government at all levels on illegal migration and border security.

Detailed plans for the new authority are being developed, including costs. As currently set out in the Asylum & Immigration Bill (schedule 2, paragraph 11), once the IIAA is operational, it will publish its annual report and accounts as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each financial year.

No final decision has been taken on the future use of MOD Bicester Site A.

Suitability assessments are ongoing and will consider a range of factors including safety, security, operational deliverability, planning requirements, and the impact on local services and communities. This work is informed by engagement with Thames Valley Police and other statutory partners. Relevant planning considerations, including crime and the fear of crime, would be considered through the appropriate planning processes.

If the site is taken forward, it would have security permanently on site supported by CCTV and appropriate access-control arrangements.

The Home Office would continue working closely with police and local partners to assess risks and help protect the safety and wellbeing of local communities, staff and those accommodated on site.

It is not possible to estimate the number of sponsor human rights claims made in the first three years after commencement as applicants currently apply for entry clearance in their own right and can raise Article 8 grounds as part of that application, or at appeal.

These reforms do not create new rights and entitlements or make it easier for overseas family members to enter the UK. Sponsors will still need to meet a high threshold by showing that refusal of entry would result in a breach of their Article 8 rights.

Every Article 8 case is different and must be decided on its own facts. These reforms are designed to support more consistent decisions, but it is not possible to predict the outcome of individual cases and therefore how many sponsor human rights claims will result in an appeal.

Instead, we will monitor the impact of the reforms by looking at indicators like grant rates, refusal rates, appeal outcomes and the reasons that appeals succeed, to ensure the policy is working as intended.

There was no data collected on ‘core cohabiting families’ as part of the Article 8 case sample, which was used in the Impact Assessment for the Immigration and Asylum Bill.

Details of the sample methodology are published in the impact assessment in Annex 3.

Controlling or coercive behaviour (CCB) is an insidious form of domestic abuse, and we recognise the long-term emotional and psychological distress it can cause.

‘Freedom from violence and abuse: a cross government strategy to build a safer society for women and girls’, sets out a range of commitments to improve the response to CCB, including:

• Updating the Controlling or Coercive Behaviour Statutory Guidance to reflect the latest policy and practice. This will further strengthen the understanding of CCB by frontline agencies, such as the police;
• Investing £13.9 million this year into the National Centre for VAWG and Public Protection to strengthen the police response to VAWG crimes, including CCB; and
• Rolling out Domestic Abuse Protection Orders to all police forces and courts across England and Wales. These cover all forms of domestic abuse, including CCB, and can impose tougher restrictions on perpetrators.

Lord Hogan-Howe submitted his report of the Independent Review of Police Force Structures to the Home Secretary on 17 September 2026.

The Government is considering the report and will set out its formal response in due course.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs published its review of the use and harms of ketamine on 28 January. The report provides a detailed assessment of the evidence on harms and trends in use and includes 15 recommendations.

Ministers have been considering the recommendations carefully and will respond to the report as soon as possible. In advance of that, in October 2025 the Department of Health and Social Care launched a campaign to raise awareness among young people about the dangers of ketamine misuse, and law enforcement is taking action against the threat from criminal gangs supplying the drug.

Cannabis is controlled as a Class B drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Ministers have a statutory obligation to receive and consider advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (‘ACMD’) before seeking to make changes to the classification of drugs through secondary legislation.

The Government has no current plans to commission the ACMD to re-assess the classification of cannabis under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

The White Paper, ‘From local to national: a new model for policing’ sets out a range of proposals for the police workforce, including the development of a new Police Workforce Strategy.

The Police Workforce Strategy will build and support a modern, capable, and sustainable police workforce, ensuring policing has the right people, with the right skills, in the right places, at the right time. It will also enable us to consider how we might make the pay structure for policing more effective, including how policing opportunities compete with the wider employment market.

The independent Police Remuneration Review Body, Senior Salaries Review Body and National Crime Agency (NCA) Remuneration Review Body will continue to have a key role to play in advising the Government on the pay and allowances for police and NCA officers, including any changes to existing pay structures.

We do not comment on the attendance of officials at individual Taskforce meetings, however officials from the Northern Ireland Executive are not standing members of the Taskforce.

Officials from the Taskforce and member departments such as the Joint Election Security Preparedness Unit regularly engage with the Northern Ireland Executive on relevant topics. The Taskforce will continue to do so as we approach the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections next year.

We are currently preparing the FIRS annual report for publication, and it will be laid in Parliament as soon as practicable. The report will set out, among other things, the number of registrations, the number of information notices issued, the number of persons charged with an offence and the number of persons convicted of an offence.

The Joint Security and Resilience Centre (JSaRC) acts as a convening and engagement mechanism for the security industry that supports delivery of the National Security Strategy 2025.

JSaRC is staffed by 15 full-time equivalent civil servants, supported part-time by three secondees from industry. Its budget for 2026 to 2027 is £1,748,476.

These resources enable JSaRC to provide the secretariat for the Security and Resilience Growth Partnership board and to run the annual Security & Policing Exhibition.