Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what (a) steps his Department is taking and (b) support his Department is providing to police forces to tackle burglary offences.

The Government recognises the particularly invasive nature of burglary and the impact that it can have on people’s lives. This is why we encourage all victims to report these crimes to the police, and we expect the police to take all such reports seriously, to investigate and, where appropriate, bring offenders to court so that they can receive appropriate punishment.

It is, however, for Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners, as operational leaders and elected local representatives, to decide how best to deploy resources to manage and respond to individual crimes and local crime priorities.

The police have the resources they need to carry out their vital work. We have provided a strong and comprehensive funding settlement that is increasing total investment in the police by over £460 million in 2018/19.