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Tag: Home Office

  • PRESS RELEASE : Review of police dismissals launched [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Review of police dismissals launched [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 18 January 2023.

    A review to ensure that the police officer dismissal process is effective at removing those who are not fit to serve the public has been launched by the Home Office today.

    The internal review will look at the effectiveness of the disciplinary system so the public can be confident it is fair but efficient at removing officers who fall far short of the high standards expected of them.

    Baroness Casey’s interim report into the culture and standards at the Metropolitan Police Service, published last year, raised concerns about the low number of police officers being dismissed and that those with multiple allegations of misconduct against them are still serving the public. She was also concerned that officers from ethnic minorities are disproportionately represented in the misconduct system.

    As set out in the terms of reference published on GOV.UK Police officer dismissals review: terms of reference, Home Office officials will examine the consistency of decision making at misconduct hearings and disproportionality in dismissals, alongside reviewing the existing model of misconduct panels and the impact of legally qualified chairs (LQCs).

    The review, which will be completed within approximately 4 months, will also ensure that forces are able to effectively use regulations that allow probationary officers who do not meet the required standard to be let go, and look at whether the current three-tier performance system is effective in being able to dismiss officers who fail to perform the duties expected of their rank and role.

    The Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, said:

    The reputation of British policing has been severely damaged by the atrocious behaviour of police officers like David Carrick, and the public’s trust in our police has been shaken.

    Officers who fall short and are not fit to serve the public have no place in our police, and we must ensure they can be dismissed as swiftly as possible.

    I have been clear that culture and standards in policing must improve and they focus on common sense policing which the public rightly expects and deserves.

    This review will ensure that bureaucracy and unnecessary process will not prevail over ethics and common sense.

    It will urgently identify reforms to the dismissals process so that we can enact change.

    Policing stakeholders are also invited to submit evidence on the broader effectiveness of the disciplinary and performance systems for consideration outside of this review.

    The is one part of the government’s work to tackle police culture and standards following recent high-profile events, including the appalling case of David Carrick, which have shattered public confidence in policing. The government is clear that there is no place in our police forces for officers who fall seriously short of the acceptable standards of behaviour and are not fit to wear the uniform, and police forces must root out these officers to restore the public’s trust.

    The government has introduced significant reforms to the police complaints and discipline systems in recent years – from misconduct hearings in public and independent legally qualified chairs (LQCs) to the introduction of the barred list and the strengthening of powers for the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

    In addition, the Angiolini Inquiry is currently examining the issues raised by the conviction of then serving officer Wayne Couzens for the murder of Sarah Everard last year, and the Home Secretary expects part 2 of this inquiry to examine police culture and vetting processes.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Next steps to rid police of misogyny and predatory behaviour [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Next steps to rid police of misogyny and predatory behaviour [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 18 January 2023.

    The Home Secretary has set out next steps to strengthen vetting of police officers following the David Carrick case.

    The government will do whatever it takes to root out misogyny and predatory behaviour from the ranks of the police.

    In the wake of the appalling crimes committed by David Carrick and acknowledged failures within the Metropolitan Police that allowed such a despicable criminal to serve the public, the government – working with police chiefs across the country – is taking immediate action to ensure that the system is effective at removing officers who are simply not fit to wear the uniform.

    The National Police Chiefs’ Council has confirmed that it will ask all police forces to check their officers and staff against national police databases. This will help identify anyone who has slipped through the net before vetting standards were toughened and ensure those who are unfit to serve can be rooted out.

    The Home Secretary has also asked the College of Policing to strengthen the statutory code of practice for police vetting, making the obligations all forces must legally follow stricter and clearer. This will make a raft of guidance a legal requirement for all police forces.

    Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

    David Carrick’s sickening crimes are a stain on the police and he should never have been allowed to remain as an officer for so long.

    We are taking immediate steps to ensure predatory individuals are not only rooted out of the force, but that vetting and standards are strengthened to ensure they cannot join the police in the first place.

    Every day thousands of decent, hardworking police officers perform their duties with the utmost professionalism and I am sure they all share my disgust at his despicable betrayal of everything they stand for.

    The government has also brought forward the second part of the Angiolini Inquiry, the terms of reference of which will be published today for consultation, to identify and address any systemic issues with policing. This will:

    ask whether processes around recruitment and vetting do enough to identify those who are not fit to serve
    investigate the extent to which misogynistic and predatory behaviour exists in police culture
    look at whether current measures do enough to keep women safe in public spaces and manage risks posed by perpetrators
    The Angiolini Inquiry was established in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard to understand how a serving police officer was able to carry out such a horrendous crime. The Home Secretary confirmed yesterday that Lady Angiolini will also look at the specifics surrounding the David Carrick case as part of her inquiry.

    The government has also commissioned His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services to conduct a rapid review of all forces’ response to the inspectorate’s recent report into vetting and counter-corruption. This will make sure chief officers are taking the necessary action to remove those who are not fit to serve.

    The Home Secretary has also launched an internal review into police dismissals to make sure the system is effective at removing officers who fall short of the standards expected of them.

    The Prime Minister will meet with Met Commissioner Mark Rowley later on today to make clear we must work together to root out the misogyny and predatory behaviour within the police’s ranks to restore public confidence.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Lord Anderson appointed to review the Investigatory Powers Act [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Lord Anderson appointed to review the Investigatory Powers Act [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 17 January 2023.

    The Home Secretary has today (17 January 2023) appointed Lord (David) Anderson KBE KC to carry out an independent review of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.

    The Investigatory Powers Act provides a framework for the use of investigatory powers by the security and intelligence agencies, law enforcement and other public authorities. These powers cover:

    • the interception of communications
    • the retention and acquisition of communications data
    • and equipment interference for obtaining communications and other data

    The act also makes provision relating to the security and intelligence agencies’ retention and examination of bulk personal datasets. The effective operation of the act ensures that there is appropriate oversight in place to give the public confidence in the use of these important powers. Section 260 of the act requires that the secretary of state prepare a report on the operation of the act during a 6 month period between May 2022 and November 2022. This report will be published and laid in Parliament in due course.

    Lord Anderson previously held the post of Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation for 6 years, during which he carried out 2 independent reviews which informed the original act.

    Lord Anderson’s review will be entirely independent from the Home Secretary’s statutory report and will assess the case for legislative change, now or in the future. The review will focus in particular on the effectiveness of the bulk personal dataset regime, criteria for obtaining internet connection records, the suitability of certain definitions within the act, and the resilience and agility of warranty processes and the oversight regime.

    Lord Anderson will carry out his own consultation with law enforcement, the intelligence agencies, and wider public authorities, as well as other external organisations and individuals with an interest in this work.

    He will conclude his review and publish his findings in a report later this year.

    Biography

    Lord Anderson of Ipswich KBE KC is a barrister at Brick Court Chambers in London.

    Between 2011 and 2017 he served as Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation. He reported on investigatory powers in “A Question of Trust” (2015) and “Bulk Powers Review” (2016). In 2018 he was knighted for services to national security and civil liberties, and appointed to the House of Lords where he sits as an independent cross-bench peer.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Proposed changes to passport application fees [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Proposed changes to passport application fees [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 11 January 2023.

    The government will introduce new passport fees for all applications on 2 February 2023, the first time in 5 years that the cost of applying for a passport has increased.

    The proposals, which are subject to Parliamentary scrutiny, will include the following:

    • the fee for a standard online application made from within the UK will rise from £75.50 to £82.50 for adults and £49 to £53.50 for children
    • postal applications will increase from £85 to £93 for adults and £58.50 to £64 for children
    • priority service fees are being aligned so all customers will pay the same

    The new fees will help the Home Office move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation. The government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.

    The fees will also contribute to the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas, including for lost or stolen passports, and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders. The increase will also help enable the government to continue improving its services.

    The new fees include those newly applying or renewing their passport.

    Since January last year, over 95% of standard applications have been processed within 10 weeks and customers are advised that they should apply in good time before travelling. Apply online for a UK passport.

    Passport fees are reviewed in line with His Majesty’s Treasury guidance Managing public money.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Safer Streets Fund is building confidence in the police [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Safer Streets Fund is building confidence in the police [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 11 January 2023.

    To date, £120 million has been spent on initiatives such as improving street lighting and home security to cut neighbourhood crime. This follows the government’s commitment to work tirelessly to crack down on anti-social behaviour.

    People in communities that have had extra CCTV and streetlighting rolled out are less likely to worry about being mugged or robbed, an independent evaluation of the first round of the Safer Streets Fund has found.

    The findings also show that the fund is helping to build confidence in the police, with residents in these areas more likely to think their local police are doing a good or excellent job. This reflects the efforts made to make residents aware of the work being done to make them feel more secure such as fitting new locks, video doorbells and alarms.

    The Safer Streets Fund was launched in January 2020, and has to date supported 270 projects aiming to cut neighbourhood crime such as theft, burglary, anti-social behaviour and violence against women and girls. Police and Crime Commissioners and local authorities in England and Wales, the British Transport Police and eligible civil society organisations have received £120 million in total across 4 rounds of the fund.

    Successful projects include in Humberside where improved communal entrances in flats are helping to prevent drug dealing, and new storage units are stopping bike and motorbike theft.  In Northampton, funding has supported improvements to the security of thousands of homes that were vulnerable to burglary, with alleyway gates installed to prevent an easy escape for offenders.

    Other projects across the country have set up Neighbourhood Watch groups, increased CCTV, and introduced wardens to undertake community engagement and sharing crime prevention advice with the public – demonstrating levelling up in action.

    Minister of State for Crime & Policing, Chris Philp, said:

    Our local communities are the beating hearts of the UK, and I want our streets to be safe for everyone to go about their daily lives without fear inflicted on them by criminals.

    Increasing public safety in our communities, and restoring people’s confidence in the police and pride in where they live, is an absolute priority.

    This funding gives local people the power to make real changes in their area, as well as driving investment in businesses and jobs.

    The evaluation shows the positive impact of investing in initiatives to improve local environments, and how this makes people feel safer and more engaged in their communities:

    “People have been thrilled to see [the improvements]; it’s made a huge difference. In consultation, people feel unsafe when they’re walking through an area covered in litter and graffiti, and what this has done has helped actually lift the area.”

    Round One Project Lead

    “What we’re finding is we’re now getting more information about what’s happening in the community… previously we found people weren’t that forthcoming with information. So we are gaining trust.”

    Humberside Police

    As part of the government’s commitment to drive down crime and improve public safety, the Home Office has to date run four rounds of the Safer Streets Fund, which provides funding to communities across England and Wales.

    Inspector Richard Mirfin, Humberside Police said:

    The Safer Streets funding has allowed us to work alongside partners and the local community – who all had a real desire to implement positive change across the Westcliff area. It has enabled us to come together to design out crime and increase a sense of community ownership – making the local area safer and stronger.

    As part of this initiative, approved security features were added to properties, along with the implementation of innovative design solutions leading to a reduction in antisocial behaviour and a decrease in opportunities for crime to occur. A network of champions from within the local community supported the delivery of wider initiatives increasing the sense of community and pride in the local area.

    This initiative supported us in increasing our connection with the local community, providing regular opportunities for a two-way conversation with local residents and businesses about the issues causing them concern and then taking action together. Officers continue to be in regular attendance at the community centre at the heart of Westcliff, where they are on hand to provide advice and reassurance and listen to any concerns alongside our partner agency teams.

    Thanks to the Safer Streets funding we are now further connected with our local community – and our local dedicated Neighbourhood Policing Teams are proud to remain part of that. Designing out crime has opened up these channels of engagement, and by doing that we can continue to invest into our community.

    Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Chair Marc Jones, said:

    We are pleased to see that the work we do as Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) is making a tangible difference in our communities and improving the public’s confidence in policing.

    The Safer Streets Fund allows us as PCCs to work with our local partners in areas that are disproportionately affected by neighbourhood and acquisitive crime, investing in preventative approaches to make our communities safer.

    We have witnessed firsthand the positive impact these preventative initiatives have had in supporting victims, tackling anti-social behaviour, embedding vital community safety projects and helping to tackle violence against women and girls.

    We look forward to continuing this work alongside our partners, preventing crime and making a real difference to the lives of those in our communities.

    National Police Chiefs’ Council Chair, Martin Hewitt, said:

    It’s encouraging to see that the work being carried out by forces as part of the Safer Streets Programme and the response to various crimes, such as robbery and theft, is having a positive impact on the public’s view towards policing.

    There have been numerous examples of insightful and innovative projects implemented by forces in their areas, which has helped give their local communities more confidence in policing and made them feel safer. This extends across a range of different areas, including violence against women and girls and neighbourhood policing, as well as better engagement and communication by forces with their communities.

    We’re hopeful that this positive shift in public perception will continue and evaluations of the other rounds will show similar results.

    Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, said:

    Projects have made a huge impact on local communities. For example, in Hampshire, an expansion in the number of CCTV cameras together with new lighting, new automated gates, new fencing and barriers on either side of a subway and the demolition of an old building to improve sight lines as part of SSR1 resulted in a 45% decrease in anti-social behaviour.

    Since its launch, the government has committed £120 million to the Safer Streets Fund to support local areas across England and Wales to introduce initiatives aimed at stopping offences happening in the first place.

    Safer Streets Fund Round One allocations:

    PCC Area Total grant funding
    Avon and Somerset Manor Farm, Bristol £400,000
    Bedfordshire Midland Road area, Bedford £464,000
    Bedfordshire High Town Area, Luton £448,150
    Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Arbury/West Chesterton area, Cambridge £546,693
    Cheshire Bewsey and Whitecross, Warrington £550,000
    Cleveland Newport area, Middlesbrough £479,838
    Cleveland Burn Valley area, Hartlepool £444,608
    Cleveland South Bank area, Redcar £110,250
    Cumbria Barrow-in-Furness area off Salthouse Road, Barrow-in-Furness £436,994
    Derbyshire West End, Derby £514,561
    Devon and Cornwall North Stonehouse close to Plymouth City Centre £546,781
    Dorset Pokesdown, Bournemouth, Dorset £230,985
    Dorset Boscombe West, Bournemouth £35,372
    Durham Northgate, Darlington £298,918
    Durham Horden, County Durham £560,360
    Dyfed Powys Glanymor and Tyisha, Carmarthenshire £195,673
    Greater Manchester Hilton Park, Leigh £523,933
    Greater Manchester Fallowfield, South Manchester £360,080
    Hampshire Bargate, Southampton £549,991
    Hertfordshire Cheshunt East £310,802
    Hertfordshire Cheshunt South and Theobalds £390,976
    Humberside Westcliffe Estate, Scunthorpe £650,000
    Kent Gillingham North, Medway £111,005
    Lancashire Bank Hall & Fulledge/Rose Hill & Burnley Wood, Burnley £549,510
    Lancashire Birchgreen, centre of Skelmersdale in West Lancashire £197,500
    Leicestershire Westcotes, Narborough Road £441,998
    Leicestershire Warwick Way and Dishley Estates £649,999
    Leicestershire Braunstone Frith, Leicester £526,309
    Lincolnshire West Lindsey, Lincoln £250,780
    Merseyside Bidston and St James Ward, Birkenhead £549,700
    MOPAC Hendon Park, Barnet £301,162
    Norfolk North Central, Norwich £442,001
    North Wales Queensway, Wrexham £550,000
    North Wales Rhyl West £517,000
    North Yorkshire Whitley Ward £548,980
    Northamptonshire Castle Ward, Wellingborough £545,700
    Northamptonshire St Crispin’s, Northampton £650,000
    Northamptonshire All Saints Ward, Kettering £280,000
    Nottinghamshire Chatham and Northgate, near Newark town centre £550,000
    South Wales Merthyr Tydfil £513,410
    South Yorkshire Hexthorpe, Doncaster £649,964
    Staffordshire Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent £583,870
    Staffordshire Northwood, Stoke-on-Trent £484,263
    Surrey Stanwell North £547,791
    Sussex PCC Lower St Leonards and Warrior Square, Hastings £545,396
    Sussex PCC Eastbourne town, East Sussex £419,970
    Thames Valley East Oxford Secure Homes Zone £408,568
    Thames Valley Iffley Road area, Oxford £422,948
    West Mercia Brookside, Telford £550,000
    West Midlands Hillfields, Coventry £549,040
    West Yorkshire Fagley, Bradford £549,375
    West Yorkshire Gledhow, Leeds £159,936
    Total £23,095,140
  • PRESS RELEASE : New funding to support child victims of abuse [January 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New funding to support child victims of abuse [January 2023]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 4 January 2023.

    The funding will develop early intervention strategies to prevent violence against women and girls, the Safeguarding Minister announced today.

    More than £10 million has been allocated to organisations providing vital support to children who have survived domestic abuse, such as counselling and 1:1 support. These projects include Welsh Women’s Aid, The Children’s Society and SafeLives.

    This will be rolled out through the Children Affected by Domestic Abuse Fund. Originally set up in 2018, this fund has already supported thousands of children and families.

    Minister for Safeguarding, Sarah Dines, said:

    The impact of domestic abuse is devastating and it is especially heartbreaking that children are being affected by this horrific crime. This is why we have invested additional funding into vital services supporting children who have been impacted.

    We are also proud to invest further in projects which identify the most effective ways to intervene early and prevent these crimes from being committed in the first place, which will protect those most vulnerable to abuse.

    Minister for Children and Families, Claire Coutinho, said:

    “Instead of a safe and stable family life, children who experience domestic abuse are growing up with pain and conflict at home as their norm. This investment will provide crucial support like 1:1 counselling and support work for those affected by domestic abuse.”

    The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 legally recognised children as victims of domestic abuse in their own right where they see, hear or experience the effects of domestic abuse, and are related to either the perpetrator or victim.

    This latest iteration of the Children Affected by Domestic Abuse Fund will provide up to £10.3 million over 3 years and will go to 8 organisations, including over £2.5 million for Welsh Women’s Aid.

    Welsh Women’s Aid Chief Executive, Sara Kirkpatrick, said:

    “Welsh Women’s Aid is delighted to have secured this vital funding via the Home Office Children Affected by Domestic Abuse Fund in partnership with 15 of our specialist member organisations across Wales. This much-needed funding will help us strengthen our capacity to work with and support children and young people who have been affected by domestic abuse. Together, we will test a range of trauma-informed interventions and create a clear evidence base of what works.”

    From the £17.8 million, up to £7.4 million will be invested over 3 years to programmes which prioritise early intervention and research into the most effective ways of preventing abuse.

    This will work to establish how to prevent violence against women and girls, marking a commitment in the Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy.

    This includes projects ranging from improving awareness of VAWG, through preventative work with young people to researching possible connections between increased use of online sites and sexual exploitation. Projects include Changing Lives, who will use the funding to prevent sexual abuse and exploitation online, and Surrey PCC, who will develop a public campaign to increase younger people’s understanding of stereotyping, misogyny, sexism and sexual offences to enable them to challenge violence against women and girls.

    Laura McIntyre, Head of Women’s and Children’s Services at Changing Lives, said:

    Changing Lives has been providing support to adult women who have been targeted, groomed or exposed to sexual abuse for over 15 years.

    During coronavirus (COVID-19), we developed a report called Net-reach, where we observed a worrying number of young women and girls (18-25 years old) advertising sexual services online, raising concerns about child sexual exploitation and ongoing vulnerability to abuse in adulthood.

    Thanks to the funding, this project will allow our specialist team to build up relationships with women in a growing environment, where we can offer support to prevent sexual abuse and exploitation. We understand that not all women are abused online, but organisationally we see increasing numbers of women accessing our services after being harmed online, traumatised and feeling suicidal.

    This funding is part of the government’s commitment to tackle violence against women and girls.

    In March last year, we published the cross-government Tackling Domestic Abuse Plan, which invests over £230 million in tackling these heinous crimes. This includes over £140 million for supporting victims and over £81 million for tackling perpetrators. The plan will transform the whole of society’s response in order to prevent offending, support victims and pursue perpetrators, as well as to strengthen the systems and processes in place needed to deliver these goals.

    The Home Office also launched the ground-breaking, long-term behavioural change ‘Enough’ campaign. The campaign aims to provide bystanders with a range of safe ways to intervene if they witness an incident of violence against women and girls, ranging from sexual harassment on the street, public transport or at work, to unwanted touching, sharing intimate images of someone without their consent and coercive control in a relationship.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Arrivals to the UK warned to prepare for disruption at the border [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Arrivals to the UK warned to prepare for disruption at the border [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 21 December 2022.

    The UK government is making preparations ahead of Border Force strike action at the end of the week, including training military personnel to step in and keep our border safe.

    Since strikes, due to begin on Friday 23 December, were announced by the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union, Border Force and the government have undertaken extensive planning to minimise the disruption this action will cause.

    Thousands of people, including civil servants and military personnel are ready to support Border Force over this period, many of whom are sacrificing their Christmases to ensure passenger’s travel plans are protected and they get to where they want to be this Christmas.

    The government has also been working closely with ports, airports and the travel industry to understand the impact of strike action, to minimise delays for passengers and ensure the flow of goods through the border.

    While the government is taking action to minimise disruption, travellers due to arrive in the UK over the Christmas period are warned to expect delays and disruption over the strike action affecting border control.

    Passengers should be prepared for longer wait times and should check with their travel agents, tour operators and airlines/carriers about possible disruptions to their journey prior to travelling.

    Our eGates will continue to function as per normal and we encourage all those eligible to use them to do so, as the quickest and most efficient way to pass through border control.

    Steve Dann, Border Force Chief Operating Officer, said:

    We apologise for any disruption caused to travellers entering the UK.

    Border Force’s number one priority to is keep our citizens safe and borders secure. We are working together with partners across the travel industry to ensure we can continue to meet critical demand and support the flow of passengers and goods through our border.

    During the periods of industrial action, travellers should be prepared for disruption.

    We encourage everyone to check the latest advice from your operators before travelling.

    Notes to Editors:

    Border Force Strike Dates:

    • 23rd December
    • 24th December
    • 25th December
    • 26th December (until about 7am)
    • 28th December
    • 29th December
    • 30th December
    • 31st December (until about 7am)

    Border Force Strike Locations

    • Birmingham Airport
    • Cardiff Airport
    • Gatwick Airport
    • Glasgow Airport
    • Heathrow Airport – Terminals 2,3,4,5
    • Manchester Airport
    • Port of Newhaven

    Strikes are not the only factor that might cause disruption, for example adverse weather or flight delays may impact journeys, meaning it is essential for passengers to plan ahead and keep up-to-date with the latest information, through relevant sources including airport and carrier websites.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Government proposes extending licensing hours for the Coronation [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Government proposes extending licensing hours for the Coronation [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 19 December 2022.

    Pub licensing hours are set to be extended under proposals being published by government today (Monday 19 December) to mark His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Consort’s Coronation, providing an opportunity for our communities to come together and celebrate this historic moment, and support our hospitality industry.

    The consultation will propose extending licensing hours from 11pm to 1am from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 May in pubs, clubs and bars in England and Wales.

    The Home Secretary, under Section 172 of the Licensing Act 2003, can make an order relaxing licensing hours to mark occasions of “exceptional national significance”, and the Coronation is an occasion which will see our country united in celebration across the Bank Holiday weekend.

    The Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

    His Majesty the King’s Coronation will be a historic moment that will see our great nation and the entire Commonwealth joined together in celebration.

    Our country, and in particular our hospitality industry, has faced many challenges in recent years and the King’s Coronation is an opportunity to give a boost to our local businesses, and celebrate with our local communities.

    Over the Bank Holiday weekend we can raise a glass to our new monarch, and with our friends and families wish him a long and successful reign.

    The extension of licensing hours for the Coronation will be subject to public consultation, and follows the government’s announcement of an additional Bank Holiday on Monday 8 May, with public events and local community celebrations being planned across the country to mark the historic occasion.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Martyn’s Law to ensure stronger protections against terrorism in public places [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Martyn’s Law to ensure stronger protections against terrorism in public places [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 19 December 2022.

    • New laws to keep people safe will scale up preparedness for, and protection from, terrorist attacks.
    • Martyn’s Law will ensure better protection against the continued and evolving threat that the UK faces from terrorism.
    • Support, guidance and training will help embed best practice and drive-up standards across the UK.

    The UK’s resilience to terrorism is to be stepped up, as the Government announces details for the Protect Duty, now to be known as ‘Martyn’s Law’ in tribute of Martyn Hett, who was killed alongside 21 others in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017.

    Working closely with security partners, business and victims’ groups, including Figen Murray and the Martyn’s Law Campaign Team, and Survivors Against Terror, the new duty will require venues to take steps to improve public safety, with measures dependent on the size of the venue and the activity taking place.

    The threat picture is complex and ever evolving. Recent attacks demonstrate that terrorists may choose to target a broad range of locations. Martyn’s Law will ensure that security preparedness is delivered consistently across the UK, ensuring better protection of the public.

    Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said:

    The way the city of Manchester came together as a community in the wake of the cowardly Manchester Arena attack, and the amazing work of campaigners like Figen Murray who have dedicated their lives to making us safer and promoting kindness and tolerance, is an inspiration to us all.

    I am committed to working with Figen to improve security measures at public venues and spaces and to delivering this vital legislation to honour Martyn’s memory and all of those affected by terrorism.

    Figen Murray, mother of Martyn Hett said:

    Martyn’s Law isn’t going to stop terrorism, but common-sense security, and making sure venues are doing all they can to keep people safe, could mean fewer suffer what myself and the families of Manchester have had to endure.

    I welcome the Government’s commitment to including smaller venues and working quickly on this legislation. It is vital we now take the necessary steps to protect ourselves and others wherever possible and I hope other countries learn from this ground-breaking legislation.

    Home Secretary, Suella Braverman said:

    Protecting the public from danger is a key responsibility of any government. The terrorist threat we face is diverse and continually evolving, which is why this legislation is so important.

    I would like to thank Figen Murray and the Martyn’s Law campaign for their support in the development of this vital reform.

    Their tireless efforts have helped inform our approach and the heart-breaking stories from survivors and their families are a constant reminder as to why we must deliver on this commitment to work together to improve public security.

    The plans have been developed following public consultation and extensive engagement across industry, charities, local authorities, security experts and with survivors. 70% of the thousands who responded to the consultation agreed that those responsible for publicly accessible locations should take measures to protect the public from potential attacks.

    Martyn’s Law will follow a tiered model linked to activity that takes place at a location and its capacity aimed to prevent undue burden on businesses.

    • A standard tier will apply to locations with a maximum capacity of over 100 which can undertake low-cost, simple yet effective activities to improve preparedness. This will include training, information sharing and completion of a preparedness plan to embed practices, such as locking doors to delay attackers progress or knowledge on lifesaving treatments that can be administered by staff whilst awaiting emergency services.
    • An enhanced tier will focus on high-capacity locations in recognition of the potential consequences of a successful attack. Locations with a capacity of over 800 people at any time, will additionally be required to undertake a risk assessment to inform the development and implementation of a thorough security plan. Subsequent measures could include developing a vigilance and security culture, implementation of physical measures like CCTV or new systems and processes to enable better consideration of security.

    The Government will establish an inspection and enforcement regime, promoting compliance and positive cultural change and issuing credible and fair sanctions for serious breaches.

    Dedicated statutory guidance and bespoke support will be provided by the Government to ensure those in scope can effectively discharge their responsibilities, with even small venues also able to benefit from this and take voluntary action. Expert advice, training and guidance is also already available on the online protective security hub, ProtectUK.

    Martyn’s Law will extend to and apply across the whole of the United Kingdom and the Government will publish draft legislation in the early Spring to ensure the law stands the test of time.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Efforts to tackle serious violence and homicide stepped up [December 2022]

    PRESS RELEASE : Efforts to tackle serious violence and homicide stepped up [December 2022]

    The press release issued by the Home Office on 16 December 2022.

    The Serious Violence Duty will come into effect in January 2023, placing a new legal requirement on a range of public sector organisations to share information locally to reduce incidents of violence, like knife and gun crime, and prevent loss of life.

    Guidance published today (16 December 2022) will support police, health, fire and rescue services, local government and criminal justice partners in meeting their responsibilities under the duty, outlining how they must collaborate to find and address the causes of serious violence in their communities.

    The Home Secretary will be able to step in where public bodies are not delivering on their duty to work together and, where necessary, can issue directions compelling them to do more.

    Early intervention and prevention lies at the heart of this ‘whole-system’ response.

    Home Secretary Suella Braverman said:

    Any life lost to violence will always be one too many. While knife crime is falling and gun crime in this country remains low, we simply cannot get complacent.

    We know that the drivers behind such violence are complex and preventing further tragedy is the shared responsibility upon all in public service – not just the police. This new duty will see schools, hospitals and councils work together to intervene before devastation happens.

    With strategies to cut violence prioritised in every local area and the recruitment of 20,000 additional police officers, we will keep our young people and our streets safe.

    In tackling serious violence, duty holders should focus on public space youth violence, including knife and gun crime, and activities where threats of violence are commonplace, such as county lines. The duty has been introduced through the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act (2022), which was amended to also make clear that serious violence can include domestic abuse and sexual offences.

    Each area will set their own definition of serious violence, based on what affects their communities. Police and Crime Commissioners will bring together relevant agencies, from law enforcement to local authorities, education, health and the voluntary sector, to create a strategy targeting their area’s specific needs.

    The guidance has been published following a public consultation and engagement with public sector bodies, Violence Reduction Units and the voluntary sector in summer 2022.

    To prevent more murders from being committed, a number of innovative projects have also been awarded a share of £1.8m of government funding over the next 2 years, including 5 nation-wide initiatives. This includes:

    • The National Police Chiefs’ Council investing in new technology such as data mining, artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify and manage likely perpetrators of domestic abuse and knife crime. They will also create a knife crime co-ordinator role, to work directly with the Home Office and forces across the country, building a national picture on knife carrying and policing best practice in this area.
    • The National Crime Agency driving behavioural science research on how to stop young people being drawn to homicide.
    • The College of Policing analysing ‘near-misses’, including attempted murder. This will improve understanding of trends around homicide, by increasing the number of cases available for study. They will also replicate a project by Kent Police, where domestic abuse data is shared between accident and emergency departments and police to better identify and help those at risk of lethal violence.

    The government has made £130m available this financial year (2022/2023) to tackle serious violence, including murder and knife crime, building on similar levels of investment in previous years.

    The evidence shows that this whole system approach to tackling serious violence is working. Through police, government and community efforts to tackle the crime that hits our communities the hardest, since 2019:

    • 90,000 dangerous weapons have been taken off our streets.
    • Over 49,000 violent offences prevented and 260,000 vulnerable young people have been supported through ‘hotspot policing’ tactics and Violence Reduction Units.

    Also in early 2023, four police forces across the country will trial new powers to stop and search those convicted for knife crime or offensive weapon offences. Police, local authorities and public health bodies in three regions will also work together to review homicides involving offensive weapons, identifying where lessons can be learnt from these deaths. Pending successful pilots, both approaches would then be rolled out nation-wide.