Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Caerphilly)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department will take to help ensure that (a) all off road bikes are registered and (b) all owners of those types of bikes are identifiable.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
The Government recognises that misuse of off-road bikes can cause nuisance and distress to communities. The Minister for Safeguarding set out the Government’s approach to dealing with this problem in an adjournment debate on 20 June 2022. Data on the number of incidents is not held centrally.
Between May and September 2021, the Government held a consultation seeking views on new levels of fees applied to the removal and storage of vehicles under the Police Reform Act 2002 in England and Wales. The consultation also sought views on whether aspects of the regulations and legislation are adequate to provide a sustainable service for vehicle recovery. However, the consultation did not include plans to amend the Section 59 powers. We will shortly announce the next steps following our consultation.
The Government does not believe that the introduction of a mandatory registration scheme for off-road quad bikes would be the most effective way to tackle dangerous and anti-social use. It would also place a burden and cost on law abiding citizens who would be most impacted by the requirements.
We will continue to support the police to enforce road traffic legislation and will use every available measure to confront the scourge of antisocial behaviour.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Caerphilly)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of amending Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 to include vehicles which transport illegal off road bikes.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
The Government recognises that misuse of off-road bikes can cause nuisance and distress to communities. The Minister for Safeguarding set out the Government’s approach to dealing with this problem in an adjournment debate on 20 June 2022. Data on the number of incidents is not held centrally.
Between May and September 2021, the Government held a consultation seeking views on new levels of fees applied to the removal and storage of vehicles under the Police Reform Act 2002 in England and Wales. The consultation also sought views on whether aspects of the regulations and legislation are adequate to provide a sustainable service for vehicle recovery. However, the consultation did not include plans to amend the Section 59 powers. We will shortly announce the next steps following our consultation.
The Government does not believe that the introduction of a mandatory registration scheme for off-road quad bikes would be the most effective way to tackle dangerous and anti-social use. It would also place a burden and cost on law abiding citizens who would be most impacted by the requirements.
We will continue to support the police to enforce road traffic legislation and will use every available measure to confront the scourge of antisocial behaviour.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Caerphilly)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to raise the cost to recover an off road bike after it has been seized by the police.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
The Government recognises that misuse of off-road bikes can cause nuisance and distress to communities. The Minister for Safeguarding set out the Government’s approach to dealing with this problem in an adjournment debate on 20 June 2022. Data on the number of incidents is not held centrally.
Between May and September 2021, the Government held a consultation seeking views on new levels of fees applied to the removal and storage of vehicles under the Police Reform Act 2002 in England and Wales. The consultation also sought views on whether aspects of the regulations and legislation are adequate to provide a sustainable service for vehicle recovery. However, the consultation did not include plans to amend the Section 59 powers. We will shortly announce the next steps following our consultation.
The Government does not believe that the introduction of a mandatory registration scheme for off-road quad bikes would be the most effective way to tackle dangerous and anti-social use. It would also place a burden and cost on law abiding citizens who would be most impacted by the requirements.
We will continue to support the police to enforce road traffic legislation and will use every available measure to confront the scourge of antisocial behaviour.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Caerphilly)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of off road bike use in incidents of anti-social behaviour.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
The Government recognises that misuse of off-road bikes can cause nuisance and distress to communities. The Minister for Safeguarding set out the Government’s approach to dealing with this problem in an adjournment debate on 20 June 2022. Data on the number of incidents is not held centrally.
Between May and September 2021, the Government held a consultation seeking views on new levels of fees applied to the removal and storage of vehicles under the Police Reform Act 2002 in England and Wales. The consultation also sought views on whether aspects of the regulations and legislation are adequate to provide a sustainable service for vehicle recovery. However, the consultation did not include plans to amend the Section 59 powers. We will shortly announce the next steps following our consultation.
The Government does not believe that the introduction of a mandatory registration scheme for off-road quad bikes would be the most effective way to tackle dangerous and anti-social use. It would also place a burden and cost on law abiding citizens who would be most impacted by the requirements.
We will continue to support the police to enforce road traffic legislation and will use every available measure to confront the scourge of antisocial behaviour.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Caerphilly)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what agency will take responsibility for the cases open by Action Fraud as at 21 September 2021.
Answered by Damian Hinds
Victims will continue to be able to report frauds centrally to allow us to best tackle the frauds that affect millions of people across the country. The Home Office is working with the City of London Police (CoLP) on plans to replace the current Action Fraud service. The new service will improve the service to victims, provide greater intelligence and insight to policing on fraud and cybercrime affecting communities, and allow for greater prevention and disruption at scale. Home Office officials are engaging a wide range of partners ahead of publication of a Fraud Action Plan after the Spending Review is finished.
In the meantime, we continue to work closely with the City of London Police, who manage the service, and a number of improvements to the existing system have been put in place over the last year to ensure a smooth transition to the new service.
Reports submitted to Action Fraud are considered by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB). Where enough evidence is available and viable leads are identified, the case is sent to the appropriate local police force to consider whether enforcement activity should take place. Reports not deemed viable for investigation by local police forces are not closed but remain under constant consideration for links to newly reported crimes. The intelligence is also used to identify opportunities to disrupt offenders, protect victims, and prevent further frauds.
It is important that victims of fraud receive the support that they are entitled to. The Action Fraud Economic Crime Victim Care Unit delivers services to vulnerable victims of fraud and cyber crime to help them recover and prevent them from becoming victims in the future. Including those whose cases are not disseminated for investigation. Action Fraud also provides protective advice to individuals who contact the service. Further advice is currently available online at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Caerphilly)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has to assist people whose cases have not been progressed by Action Fraud.
Answered by Damian Hinds
Victims will continue to be able to report frauds centrally to allow us to best tackle the frauds that affect millions of people across the country. The Home Office is working with the City of London Police (CoLP) on plans to replace the current Action Fraud service. The new service will improve the service to victims, provide greater intelligence and insight to policing on fraud and cybercrime affecting communities, and allow for greater prevention and disruption at scale. Home Office officials are engaging a wide range of partners ahead of publication of a Fraud Action Plan after the Spending Review is finished.
In the meantime, we continue to work closely with the City of London Police, who manage the service, and a number of improvements to the existing system have been put in place over the last year to ensure a smooth transition to the new service.
Reports submitted to Action Fraud are considered by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB). Where enough evidence is available and viable leads are identified, the case is sent to the appropriate local police force to consider whether enforcement activity should take place. Reports not deemed viable for investigation by local police forces are not closed but remain under constant consideration for links to newly reported crimes. The intelligence is also used to identify opportunities to disrupt offenders, protect victims, and prevent further frauds.
It is important that victims of fraud receive the support that they are entitled to. The Action Fraud Economic Crime Victim Care Unit delivers services to vulnerable victims of fraud and cyber crime to help them recover and prevent them from becoming victims in the future. Including those whose cases are not disseminated for investigation. Action Fraud also provides protective advice to individuals who contact the service. Further advice is currently available online at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Caerphilly)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent discussions officials in her Department have had with relevant stakeholders on tackling fraud in the context of the closing of Action Fraud.
Answered by Damian Hinds
Victims will continue to be able to report frauds centrally to allow us to best tackle the frauds that affect millions of people across the country. The Home Office is working with the City of London Police (CoLP) on plans to replace the current Action Fraud service. The new service will improve the service to victims, provide greater intelligence and insight to policing on fraud and cybercrime affecting communities, and allow for greater prevention and disruption at scale. Home Office officials are engaging a wide range of partners ahead of publication of a Fraud Action Plan after the Spending Review is finished.
In the meantime, we continue to work closely with the City of London Police, who manage the service, and a number of improvements to the existing system have been put in place over the last year to ensure a smooth transition to the new service.
Reports submitted to Action Fraud are considered by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB). Where enough evidence is available and viable leads are identified, the case is sent to the appropriate local police force to consider whether enforcement activity should take place. Reports not deemed viable for investigation by local police forces are not closed but remain under constant consideration for links to newly reported crimes. The intelligence is also used to identify opportunities to disrupt offenders, protect victims, and prevent further frauds.
It is important that victims of fraud receive the support that they are entitled to. The Action Fraud Economic Crime Victim Care Unit delivers services to vulnerable victims of fraud and cyber crime to help them recover and prevent them from becoming victims in the future. Including those whose cases are not disseminated for investigation. Action Fraud also provides protective advice to individuals who contact the service. Further advice is currently available online at https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Caerphilly)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that customer service staff are protected from abuse during the covid-19 lockdown.
Answered by Kit Malthouse
Any such abuse is unacceptable, and the Government is working closely with the National Retail Crime Steering Group (NRCSG) to deliver a programme of work which aims to provide better support to victims, improve reporting, increase data sharing and raise awareness of this despicable crime.
The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides the police, local authorities and other local agencies with a range of flexible tools and powers that can be used to respond quickly and effectively to anti-social behaviour.
The Government continues to work with these different agencies throughout the pandemic to ensure anti-social behaviour is tackled. This includes marshals, stewards and ambassadors being deployed to engage members of the public and businesses to explain COVID-19 Secure guidelines and restrictions, and the police who continue to enforce where necessary.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Caerphilly)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment he has made of the financial effect on police widows and widowers of the loss of their survivor pension due to remarrying or cohabiting.
Answered by Nick Hurd
The Home Office does not hold information on the number of survivors’ pensions surrendered on remarriage or cohabitation, as police pensions are administered at police force level by the relevant Police Pension Authority.