Tag: Home Office

The press release issued by the Home Office on 2 October 2024.

Thirty-nine countries and global cyber insurance bodies have endorsed new guidance at the 2024 Counter Ransomware Initiative Summit.

The UK and 38 countries including Australia, Canada, Japan, the United States and New Zealand have united with international cyber insurance bodies to back important new guidance supporting organisations experiencing ransomware attacks and to boost global resilience.

The new guidance – agreed yesterday (1 October 2024) at the Counter Ransomware Initiative – will encourage organisations to carefully consider their options instead of rushing to make payments to cyber criminals in an attempt to stop disruption and data loss. It makes clear that paying a ransom will often only embolden these criminals to target other victims, and there is no guarantee of data retrieval, malware removal or the end of a ransomware attack.

Instead, organisations are encouraged to report attacks to law enforcement authorities, check if data backups are available and get advice from recognised experts. They should also take action ahead of a possible attack by preparing policies, frameworks and communications plans as part of contingency planning.

The new guidance will ultimately help undermine the business model of ransomware criminals and take away the incentive to target other organisations elsewhere, preventing future attacks and boosting global resilience.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said:

Cyber criminality does not recognise borders.

That is why international co-operation is vital to tackle the shared threat of ransomware attacks.

This guidance will hit the wallets of cyber criminals, and ultimately help to protect businesses in the UK and around the world.

Ransomware is the biggest cyber threat to most UK businesses and organisations, as cyber criminals constantly evolve their tactics to increase efficiency and boost profits, and last year was the worst year on record for ransomware payments, with more than $1 billion lost to victims worldwide, according to industry estimates by Chainanalysis.

As part of a crackdown on cyber criminals, this week the UK sanctioned sixteen individuals linked to the Evil Corp cyber gang in joint action with the US and Australia.

The prolific, long-standing Russian cybercrime group, Evil Corp had previously conducted malware and ransomware attacks on UK health, government and public sector institutions, as well as private commercial technology companies.

It was also revealed that Evil Corp actors had links to ransomware group LockBit. The National Crime Agency’s infiltration of LockBit, earlier this year revealed that cyber criminals often retained data even after victims paid a ransom on the promise it would be deleted.

The UK has led the way in this collaborative approach with the cyber insurance industry, who can play a key role in supporting organisations before, during and after a ransomware incident.

In May, the National Cyber Security Centre and 3 major UK insurance bodies (the Association of British Insurers, the British Insurance Brokers’ Association and the International Underwriting Association) joined forces to launch co-sponsored guidance for UK organisations.

NCSC Director for National Resilience Jonathon Ellison said:

Ransomware remains an urgent threat and organisations should act now to boost resilience.

The endorsement of this best practice guidance by both nations and international cyber insurance bodies represents a powerful push for organisations to upgrade their defences and enhance their cyber readiness.

This collective approach, guided by last year’s CRI statement denouncing ransomware and built on guidelines from the NCSC and UK insurance associations earlier this year, reflects a growing global commitment to tackling the ransomware threat.

The CRI is the only dedicated multilateral forum for UK and international partners to come together to develop new policies and processes to combat ransomware.

Last year, the forum agreed a groundbreaking joint statement again led by the UK and Singapore denouncing ransomware payments and confirming, for the first time, that no central government funds should be used to pay demands.

The new guidance comes as Cyber Security Awareness Month begins, which this year focuses on the importance of businesses building their cyber resilience.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 25 September 2024.

Zombie-style knives and machetes have this week (24 September) been added to the list of prohibited weapons in the Criminal Justice Act 1988 as the government cracks down on dangerous weapons with no legitimate purpose.

‘Zombie-style’ is the street name given to weapons which are over 8 inches in length and often have a serrated edge, spikes or more than 2 sharp points. A full list of the features of these knives can be found in the guidance for surrender of ‘zombie-style’ knives and ‘zombie-style’ machetes.

NPCC lead for knife crime, Commander Stephen Clayman said:

Tackling knife crime requires all agencies and partners working together, approaching this from a number of different perspectives. Dealing with the accessibility of deadly and intimidating weapons is key and we are doing all we can to reduce how easily they can end up in the wrong hands. Many of these ‘zombie-style’ knives and machetes are clearly designed to intimidate and cause harm, rather than serve any practical purpose, so the ban will support us by significantly stopping their manufacture and overall availability.

Our fight to remove knife crime from our communities has been further strengthened with the government’s recent announcements and I look forward to leading an end-to-end review of online knife sales. This is just part of the ongoing work and we will continue to work in close partnership with the Home Office, retailers and the third sector to find ways we can bring meaningful, long-term change that will make our streets safer for everyone.

This is just one of a package of measures being introduced by the government to halve knife crime in a decade. Earlier this month, the government announced that legislation is underway to ban ninja swords and it has also commissioned the largest ever review into how knives are sold online to identify any gaps in legislation which will prevent these being sold illegally to under-18s.

The Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime has also been launched, bringing together campaign groups, families of people who have tragically lost their lives to knife crime, young people who have been impacted and community leaders, united in their mission to save lives and make Britain a safer place for the next generation.

From 24 September, anyone caught with a zombie-style knife or machete could face time behind bars.

The ban on zombie-style knives comes at the end of a Home Office run surrender scheme which allowed members of the public to hand in these types of weapons, and those who wished to do so were eligible for compensation. This scheme ended on 23 September and anyone still in possession of these weapons should safely hand them into their local police station or local surrender bin immediately.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 24 September 2024.

New measures to cut historically high levels of net migration have been announced today, bolstering the Home Secretary’s approach to tackle the root causes behind the UK’s long-term reliance on international recruitment.

Sectors most reliant on overseas workers will be targeted to ensure they are addressing their failure to invest in skills here in the UK.

The government will task the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) with monitoring and proactively highlighting key sectors where skills shortages have led to surges in overseas recruitment and provide a yearly assessment to ministers to inform policy decision making.

Rules around visa sponsorship of migrant workers will also be strengthened so that strong action can be taken against employers who flout employment laws, restricting their ability to hire workers from abroad. This is in addition to work already underway to clamp down on existing sponsor licence holders and to stop visa abuse, such as the ramping up of investigation visits by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), and suspending and revoking licenses where employers abuse the immigration system and exploit migrant workers.

This follows plans already set out by the Home Secretary to link migration policy with skills and wider labour market policy, so that international recruitment is no longer the default choice for employers filling skills shortages, as well as the government’s confirmation that changes made by the previous administration to the immigration system will remain in place.

The new joined-up approach across government, set out by the Home Secretary in July, establishes a framework in which the newly formed Skills England, the Industrial Strategy Council, together with input from the Department for Work and Pensions, will work closely with the MAC so that migration is not used as an alternative to tackling training or skills shortages in the UK.

The MAC’s annual assessment will help industries respond swiftly to skills gaps and take necessary steps to reduce their dependency on migrant workers and invest in training, workforce plans, and higher quality jobs for workers here at home.

The expanded role for the MAC will be bolstered by additional capacity and includes work to assess the root causes of why certain sectors are so reliant on overseas workers. It has already been commissioned by the Home Secretary to look at IT and engineering – key sectors which have consistently relied on the international workforce, rather than sourcing the workers and skills they need here in the UK.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 22 September 2024.

A 3-day crackdown against people-smuggling gangs saw 31 arrests.

A Home Office crackdown against people-smuggling gangs and people exploiting the Common Travel Area (CTA) has led to the arrest of 31 people in multiple locations across the UK.

As the government steps up its pursuit against the criminal groups abusing our borders on all fronts, Immigration Enforcement teams, alongside UK police forces and international partners, descended on locations in the UK including Belfast, Scotland, Liverpool and Luton as part of a 3-day operation.

Checks were conducted at major ports, airports, and road networks across the country, targeting illegal migration and disrupting smuggling routes. Ruthless criminal gangs, operating both in the UK and internationally, often exploit vulnerable migrants, charging them thousands of pounds to enter the UK illegally, luring them with false promises of a better life.

During the operation, £400,000 of criminal cash and 10 fraudulent identity documents were seized. These documents, which are critical tools used by people-smuggling gangs, enable them to evade immigration controls. Created by criminal networks, counterfeit documents allow migrants to bypass border checks, trapping vulnerable people in further illegal activities. By exploiting these people, the gangs not only profit but also place them at risk of severe legal and personal consequences.

The multi-agency operation was led by Immigration Enforcement’s Criminal and Financial Investigations team in Northern Ireland, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), the National Crime Agency (NCA), other UK police forces, and international partners.

This operation is part of a national effort to stop irregular migration and human trafficking at key entry points across the UK, as the government works to tackle people-smuggling gangs and bring those exploiting vulnerable people to justice.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said:

This government will not stand by as criminal gangs exploit vulnerable people, risking their lives and giving them false hopes of a better life in the UK. Driven by greed, these gangs have no regard for human life or safety, charging outrageous fees, preying on those desperate to escape hardship, and forcing them into illegal and dangerous situations.

We are taking the fight to them on all fronts under the leadership of our new Border Security Commander. Dismantling the business models of these gangs does not just apply to the small boats trade – we are also stamping out other routes into the UK to bring them to justice and slash their profits.

Home Office Immigration Enforcement Inspector, Jonathan Evans, said:

This operation has been a huge success and sends a clear message that the smuggling gangs who break our laws will face serious consequences.

We are taking action day in, day out to ensure we stay a step ahead of these criminal groups, disrupting them at the earliest possible stage. We will continue working relentlessly to ensure no one abuses the Common Travel Area or the UK’s borders.

I’m incredibly proud of our teams across the country, as well as our partners from the police, the National Crime Agency, and international counterparts, for their hard work and collaboration in carrying out this important operation.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 21 September 2024.

Women and girls will be better protected under a new national strategy using advanced data analysis and algorithms to relentlessly target the most dangerous perpetrators of abuse.

This initiative is part of an ambitious, unprecedented mission to reduce such violence by 50% within the next decade. It will see police forces use new data-driven tools to focus on the small number of offenders responsible for the highest levels of harm.

Working closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), and the College of Policing, the Home Secretary will oversee the development of a new national approach to the use of these data-driven tools – which use computer programmes to bring together and analyse a range of police data to identify and pursue offenders involved in domestic abuse, sexual assault, harassment and stalking.

These tools, used alongside police officers’ expert judgment, will help law enforcement prioritise and pursue the most dangerous offenders, enabling a more effective allocation of police resources.

The government is committed to providing both local and national capabilities to tackle these devastating crimes and ensure law enforcement agencies pursue the most prolific offenders.

In addition, the technology will assist in building risk profiles for both perpetrators and victims, enabling law enforcement and partner agencies to implement robust management plans that disrupt offenders’ behaviour and enhance victim safety.

This new approach will standardise the use of predictive technologies across police forces, ensuring those who pose the greatest threat are identified and managed through the criminal justice system or community-based, multi-agency interventions.

The Home Office funded National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Taskforce will lead the charge in creating a framework for forces to follow. This framework will focus on identifying and managing the most dangerous offenders and drive forward a consistent national approach that allows those in operational policing to help meet the ambition to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 19 September 2024.

Home Secretary to spearhead a cross-government approach to tackling violence against women and girls, part of the wider mission to take back our streets.

Victims of domestic abuse will be better protected from vile perpetrators under new plans to strengthen the police’s fight against violence towards women and girls, announced by the Home Secretary today (Friday, 20 September).

Marking the first step in the government’s pledge to halve violence against women and girls in the next decade, a key element of the wider mission to take back our streets, domestic abuse specialists will be embedded in 999 control rooms.

Almost 100 domestic abuse related offences were recorded by the police every hour on average last year. This new initiative will ensure calls for help are treated with the urgency needed and victims get the specialist support they need straight away.

This will form part of ‘Raneem’s Law’, in memory of Raneem Oudeh and her mother Khaola Saleem, who were murdered by Raneem’s ex-husband in 2018.  There were 13 reports made to the police about concerns for Raneem’s safety, with no arrests made. On the night she was killed, she rang 999 four times.

The government will fund this pilot in targeted police forces from early 2025. Specialists with expertise in domestic abuse will be embedded in 999 control rooms to advise on risk assessments and work with officers on the ground, to ensure that victims get a fast response when needed and are referred to support services as quickly as possible.

These specialists will be backed up by dedicated teams to improve how the police respond to these kinds of calls, including using new technology to respond more quickly such as rapid video response.

‘Raneem’s Law’ will be put on a statutory footing by issuing national guidance that police will be required to follow.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said:

Victims of appalling domestic abuse need to know that the police will be there for them. Today’s measures are the start of this new government’s mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.

Failure to understand the seriousness of domestic abuse costs lives and far too many have already been lost. That’s why introducing ‘Raneem’s Law’ in memory of Raneem and her mother Khaola is so vital – and has been a personal priority for me.

Through an expert-led, practical police response, we need to ensure that when victims and survivors of abuse have the courage to come forward it will be treated with the seriousness and urgency it deserves. Our mission is for the whole of government, agencies, organisations and communities to work together to halve violence against women and girls in a decade, and today is just one step of many towards tangible and long-lasting change.

Nour Norris, lead campaigner, aunt and sister of Raneem Oudeh and Khaola Saleem, said:

Six years ago, when I lost my niece Raneem and sister Khaola, my world fell apart. Their suffering and the way the system failed them is something I will never forget. That’s when I began my campaign, Secure Life for Raneem’s Law. What started as a quest for justice for my family became a mission to improve outcomes for all domestic abuse victims everywhere.

Raneem’s Law will ensure that domestic abuse specialists are present in 999 control rooms so victims’ calls for help are taken seriously and save lives by making sure no warning signs are ignored, unlike in Raneem’s story. I am deeply proud that this government has listened and acted quickly to make Raneem’s Law a reality. Their commitment to addressing domestic violence has shown me that change is possible when we refuse to stay silent.

Knowing that Raneem’s name will now be a source of hope and protection for others fills me with a sense of pride I cannot put into words. Raneem’s memory lives on in this law, and it means the world to me to know that her story will help save lives.

In a further step to keep women and girls safe, from November more domestic abusers will be ordered to stay away from their victims and face tougher sanctions if they fail to do so through the launch of the new domestic abuse protection order pilot.

The pilot will build on powers police already have to legally order abusers to not make contact with or go within a certain distance of the victim – but domestic abuse victims are currently only protected for up to 28 days.

The new orders will go further, with measures such as making it a legal requirement for perpetrators to inform the police of any change in name or address, imposing electronic tagging, and ordering assessments for behaviour change programmes. There will also be no maximum duration for these orders.

The orders will cover all forms of domestic abuse, including violence, stalking and controlling behaviour, and more agencies will be able to apply for them – not just the police and criminal courts but also family and civil courts, and third parties such as local authorities, charities and social services, with victims also able to apply directly for the order themselves.

Breaching one of these new orders will be a criminal offence, punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls Jess Phillips said:

For too long, we know victims haven’t had the protection they deserve. We have set out an ambitious mission – to halve violence against women and girls in a decade – and offering the strongest and most effective response to incidents of domestic abuse is absolutely fundamental to this.

Embedding domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms and rolling out new protective orders to pilot forces and courts across the country are both huge steps towards the best response for victims possible.

Working with Nour, Raneem’s aunt and Khaola’s sister, has been one of the greatest honours of my life. We must make sure that when we change our policies those are the people that it comes from. The people with direct experience.

Today’s announcement marks the launch of the government’s unprecedented mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade, which is an integral part of the wider mission to take back our streets and raise confidence in the police and criminal justice system to its highest levels.

To deliver this long-term reform and ensure efforts remain coordinated and effective, the Home Secretary will spearhead a cross-government approach to violence against women and girls through the Safer Streets Mission Board. This will ensure that all parts of government are focused on tackling gender-based violence.

The package of measures announced today reinforce the government’s commitment to use every government and police tool to target perpetrators and address the root causes of violence. This includes supporting schools and educational institutions in teaching children about healthy relationships, respect, and consent. Prevention and education are key pillars of the government’s broader strategy, alongside enforcement and victim protection.

Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs said:

I welcome today’s announcements on progress to introduce Raneem’s law and pilot the new domestic abuse protection orders.

It is estimated that the police receive a call about domestic abuse every 30 seconds. Emergency call handlers must be equipped to respond with the understanding and urgency that is needed to keep victims safe.

Domestic abuse protection orders should also play an important role in protecting victims from harm, enabling police to manage the risk posed by perpetrators more effectively. This pilot is much needed, and must be tested effectively so that when it is rolled out nationally, every victim is able to access a robust protective order.

These announcements represent a first step forward in government’s commitment to halve VAWG in a decade, and I look forward to working together to make this ambition a reality.

National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Domestic Abuse, Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe, said:

Domestic abuse is a complex and entrenched societal problem that can inflict life-long harm on victims and families, and accounts for a significant proportion of police-recorded crime.

Providing support for victims and their families and to introduce effective and sustainable solutions to disrupt perpetrators is vital.

Policing is working hard to improve the way it responds to domestic abuse, from the moment a crime is reported through to conviction.

We remain deeply committed to working with partners, including government, as part of a whole-system approach to safeguard victims and pursue perpetrators. We welcome the government’s commitment to making improvements in this area.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 18 September 2024.

Safe access buffer zones will be in force around abortion clinics from 31 October to bring in stronger safeguards for women accessing services.

Protection zones around abortion clinics will be in force from 31 October, as the government moves to bring in stronger safeguards for women accessing this vital health service.

Safe access buffer zones will make it illegal for anyone to do anything that intentionally or recklessly influences someone’s decision to use abortion services, obstructs them, or causes harassment or distress to someone using or working at these premises. The law will apply within a 150 metre radius of the abortion service provider.

Anyone found guilty of breaking the law will face an unlimited fine. The College of Policing and Crown Prosecution Service will publish guidance for police and prosecutors ahead of 31 October, to ensure there is clarity and consistency with the enforcement of the new offence.

Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips said:

The right to access abortion services is a fundamental right for women in this country, and no one should feel unsafe when they seek to access this.

We will not sit back and tolerate harassment, abuse and intimidation as people exercise their legal right to healthcare, which is why we have fast-tracked this measure to get it up and running without further delay.

For too long abortion clinics have been without these vital protections, and this government is determined to do all we can do to make this country a safer place for women.

Baroness Merron, Minister for Patient Safety, Women’s Health and Mental Health said:

The safety and wellbeing of women accessing abortion services remains our priority. No women should feel scared or threatened when accessing these services, and it is only right they are protected from any abuse or harassment.

This government will continue to work closely with NHS England, abortion providers and the wider sector to ensure that women have access to safe, high quality abortion services.

The relevant zones also need to be on or next to a public highway or road, in an open space to which the public has access, or within the area of land attached to an abortion clinic, or in a location that is visible from any of those areas.

The measure applies to any clinics and private hospitals that are approved under the Abortion Act 1967, and for any NHS hospital that has given notification in the current or previous calendar year that it has carried out abortions.

Safe access zones were introduced through the Public Order Act 2023, following a free vote in Parliament that received cross-party support.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 12 September 2024.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill will increase preparedness for, and protection from, terrorist attacks at public venues.

The public will be better protected from terrorism under new laws requiring many public venues to improve preparedness against attacks and bring in measures to help keep people safe.

The new legislation, also known as ‘Martyn’s Law’ in tribute of Martyn Hett who was killed alongside 21 others in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, will make sure venues across the UK must consider the security of the public, and take steps to protect them from harm.

This will deliver on the government’s manifesto commitment to strengthen the security of public events as well as the Prime Minister’s personal promise to Martyn’s mother, Figen Murray, that he would bring in this law.

Under the changes, a new duty will be placed on those responsible for premises and public events, requiring them to take appropriate action to strengthen public safety, with requirements reflecting the size of the venue and the activity taking place.

Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said:

Martyn’s Law has been a long time coming.

I want to pay tribute to Figen Murray and her campaign team who have tirelessly worked to make this happen.

This legislation will strengthen public safety, help protect staff and the public from terrorism and ensure we learn the lessons from the terrible Manchester Arena attack and the inquiry that followed. It is important we now take this forward through Parliament in Martyn’s memory and to help keep people safe.

Figen Murray, mother of Martyn Hett, said:

I want to thank everyone who has played a part in getting the bill to this stage, and especially the Prime Minister, who gave me his word that he would act quickly to introduce Martyn’s Law. He said he would act quickly and he has.

Today means we are one step closer to making public spaces safer for everyone. It is also hugely important for my family that Martyn’s Law will be on the statute book ahead of the next anniversary of Martyn’s death.

As set out in the bill, those responsible for premises will be required to fulfil necessary but proportionate steps, according to their capacity, to help keep the public safe. This includes a tiered approach, linked to the size of the venue, how many people will be there and the activity taking place, making sure undue burdens are not placed on small businesses.

A standard tier premises will apply to locations with a capacity of more than 200 people but under 800. These businesses will be asked to undertake simple yet effective activities to put in place procedures to reduce harm to the public in the event of an attack. These could be as simple as training staff to lock doors, close shutters and identify a safe route to cover.

The enhanced tier will apply to premises and events with a capacity of more than 800 individuals, given the devastating impact an attack could have in these spaces. These locations will need to put in place measures such as CCTV or hiring security staff.

Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, said:

We are determined to strengthen security at public events and venues and passing Martyn’s Law will be vital step forward in this objective.

Today’s bill is the result of a considerable amount of consultation, consideration and collaboration. I look forward to working with colleagues in Parliament to deliver this important legislation.

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Matt Jukes, said:

Through Martyn’s Law we can ensure that the public have additional protection from terrorist attacks while at events and public venues. Counter Terrorism Policing welcomes today’s bill and we look forward to seeing it progress through Parliament.

We’re all inspired by and motivated by the experience of victims and survivors. Figen Murray has campaigned tirelessly for Martyn’s Law and it’s thanks to her unwavering determination that we are one step closer to ensuring the public has additional protection in the form of this legislation.

We will continue to work with the public, with businesses, and with the government to ensure that when a terrorist attack takes place we have the right mitigations in place that will prevent other families from experiencing those tragedies.

Following Royal Assent, businesses will be given time and support to understand and implement their new obligations and allow for the new regulator to be established. This will include dedicated guidance so that those affected will have the required information on what to do and how best to do it.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 10 September 2024.

Specialist neighbourhood policing training will be rolled out across the country as the government kicks off its pledge to restore neighbourhood policing.

With crimes that blight communities on the rise, like shoplifting, snatch theft and antisocial behaviour, the government has pledged to put thousands more neighbourhood police officers, community support officers and special constables are out patrolling streets and town centres.

As a first step towards this goal, the Policing Minister will today announce nationwide rollout of a new training programme for neighbourhood policing officers developed by the College of Policing, to improve standards and consistency across forces.

The Neighbourhood Policing Pathway, which is currently being trialled and based on evidence of what works, will help officers build on the core skills they need to tackle the issues communities face every day. This will include helping officers build relationships across local communities and give them the skills and confidence they need to solve issues that affect local residents.

In a speech delivered at the Police Superintendents’ Conference today, Dame Diana Johnson, the Crime and Policing Minister said:

Too many town centres and high streets across the country have been gripped by an epidemic of anti-social behaviour, theft and shoplifting which is corroding our communities and cannot be allowed to continue.

There are thousands of incredible police officers and support staff doing an admirable job. But we have to face the reality that there are still too many victims of anti-social behaviour who feel that when they call the police, no one listens and no one comes.

Our neighbourhoods and police forces have suffered enough after a decade of decline, and this government will help restore neighbourhood policing, with skilled, resilient and dedicated local cops.

Every community deserves local officers who understand what is needed to keep them safe, and with this new training and our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, we will deliver the change our towns and villages are desperate for.

The College of Policing’s Neighbourhood Policing Programme Career Pathway focuses on problem solving the issues that affect local residents, like drug dealing or drug use in public places, nuisance behaviour on our streets which causes harassment and street drinking. It will also cover community engagement, supporting officers to build relationships which help to gather intelligence, cut crime and develop plans to address local issues. There is also specific training for those who lead neighbourhood teams.

The most recent crime figures showed that 35% of people have experienced or witnessed anti-social behaviour in their local community in the last year alongside a 30% annual rise in shoplifting, which remains at a record high.

Chief Constable at the College of Policing, Sir Andy Marsh, said:

Dedicated training for neighbourhood officers by the College of Policing will help transform the service policing provides to local communities and help deliver trusted and effective policing that cuts crime and keeps people safe. This programme is based on years of evidence of what works and I’m confident it will make a real difference.

This is a welcome investment by the government and the College of Policing, that will support dedicated and hardworking officers and staff to protect their communities, cut crime and rebuild trust and confidence.

Good neighbourhood policing, which, at its core is about engaging with local people on local issues, is a vital part of any police force, if they are to be effective and help people feel safe.

First launched in June, the training has been piloted in 11 forces, including Northumbria, North Wales, Derbyshire and the Metropolitan Police. When fully rolled out, the training programme will be available to police forces across the country to enrol any neighbourhood officer or PCSO on.

The pilots are expected to finish at the end of March 2025, after which the training programme will be refined before being expanded across the country.

The press release issued by the Home Office on 10 September 2024.

People dealing with the death of their partner and facing financial hardship will soon be able to apply to have the application fee for settlement waived, under new rules laid in Parliament today.

Currently, people who wish to apply for settlement in the UK following the death of their partner are required to pay a £2,885 fee. This is despite the sudden change in financial circumstances that often occurs following a loss.

The policy change forms part of a fairer and more compassionate approach to those wishing to stay in the UK and facing acute financial vulnerability during times of grief.

From 9 October, those who qualify include partners on a family visa who meet the criteria for destitution, if their partner either had:

• been a British citizen
• indefinite leave to remain in the UK
• been from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and had pre-settled status

Bereaved partners of members of HM Armed Forces, Gurkhas or Hong Kong military unit veterans (discharged before 1 July 1997) may also benefit from this fee waiver.

Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Seema Malhotra MP, said:

Losing a loved one is a deep and unimaginable pain, all too often compounded by the immense financial strain faced by those left behind.

Widows, widowers, and their dependent children who had become integral parts of our communities can now apply for a fee waiver if facing destitution, in order to settle and keep the life they have built.

This marks a fairer and more compassionate approach to those unable to afford the settlement fees, but who have often worked, paid their taxes and contributed to life here in the UK, including the partners of our military veterans.

Minister for Veterans and People, Alistair Carns OBE MC MP, said:

We are committed to supporting our Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families who have made extraordinary sacrifices to ensure we are secure at home and safe abroad.

Whilst we cannot lessen the pain of losing a loved one, this measure will lessen the financial burden on the Armed Forces community, giving families the support they rightly deserve to continue building their life in the UK.