Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to give police officers the powers and protection they need against violent offenders.

We are committed to ensuring that the police have the support and protection they need. The Government has outlined its commitment via the Queens Speech to bring forward a Police Protection Bill to give police the support and protection they need to do their jobs effectively and safely. This includes plans to establish a Police Covenant.

We are making it easier for the police to use stop and search to tackle serious violence and knife crime. The police are clear that stop and search is one of the most important powers they have to take deadly weapons off our streets and recent figures show that an increase in police use of stop and search has led to 22% more arrests – almost 9,500 of these for offensive weapons and firearms.

The Government has also recently announced £10 million in funding to support chief officers to buy Tasers they require and ensure frontline officers are better protected. £10 million in ring fenced funding could mean over 10,000 more police officers in England and Wales will be able to carry the devices to help protect themselves and the public from harm.