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2008-09
Type
House
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2008-09 (43)
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Answering member
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To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders received a police caution for residential burglary in each of the Cambridgeshire Constabulary basic command units in each year since 1997.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders received a police caution for residential burglary in each of the Cambridgeshire Constabulary basic command units in each year since 1997.
Asked by
Lord Jackson of Peterborough
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alan Campbell
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
10 November 2009
For answer on
12 November 2009
Answered on
12 November 2009
It has not been possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Subjects
Burglary; Police cautions; Cambridgeshire
Date
12 November 2009
Reference
499 c926W; 299927
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent from the public purse on measures to reduce numbers of burglaries in each of the last 10 years; and what plans he has for such spending in each of the next three years.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent from the public purse on measures to reduce numbers of burglaries in each of the last 10 years; and what plans he has for such spending in each of the next three years.
Asked by
Chris Ruane
(Labour)
Answered by
Alan Campbell
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
28 October 2009
For answer on
2 November 2009
Answered on
5 November 2009
[holding answer 2 November 2009]: Burglary reduction is core police business, and as such it is not possible to disaggregate what proportion of the significant investment in the police service over the past decade has been spent on this. The police and partners have experienced significant success over the past decade in bringing overall crime, including burglary, down. According to the British Crime Survey, domestic burglary has fallen by 54 per cent. since 1997.We have provided additional support to the frontline through specific crime reduction initiatives, such as £250 million in the Crime Reduction Programme between 1999 and 2002, of which £25 million was through the Reducing Burglary Initiative. Most recently we have launched Operation Vigilance and the Safer Homes Action Against Burglary programme, which are part of a £20 million package targeting acquisitive crime such as burglary.In addition, we are taking actions to manage offenders, including the Prolific and Priority Offender scheme, the Drug Intervention Programme and the adoption nationally of the Integrated Offender Management approach by next spring, are helping to bring down a range of crimes, including burglary.Spending plans for the next three years are not yet finalised.
Subjects
Crime prevention; Burglary
Date
5 November 2009
Reference
297340; 498 c1133W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what (a) minimum and (b) maximum sentence applies for someone convicted of an offence involving stealing car keys from a house then stealing a vehicle parked outside.
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what (a) minimum and (b) maximum sentence applies for someone convicted of an offence involving stealing car keys from a house then stealing a vehicle parked outside.
Asked by
Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
(Conservative)
Answered by
Jack Straw
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
21 October 2009
For answer on
26 October 2009
Answered on
29 October 2009
The more serious matter here is the stealing of keys within the house. This constitutes burglary in a dwelling, for which the maximum penalty is 14 years' imprisonment. That is the offence likely to be charged. There is no minimum penalty unless this is a third offence of domestic burglary, in which case there is a minimum penalty of three years for an adult.
Subjects
Burglary; Sentencing
Date
29 October 2009
Reference
498 c561W; 295743
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have obtained his Department's free burglary prevention advice pack since its launch in April 2009; and how many people have redeemed the discount vouchers included in that pack.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have obtained his Department's free burglary prevention advice pack since its launch in April 2009; and how many people have redeemed the discount vouchers included in that pack.
Asked by
James Brokenshire
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alan Campbell
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
14 October 2009
For answer on
16 October 2009
Answered on
26 October 2009
Since the launch of the 'Secure Your Home' burglary prevention advice pack in April:
No data are available yet on how many discount vouchers have been redeemed. We are continuing to talk to the three DIY stores who provided the vouchers to obtain these figures.
| Number | |
| Sent directly to members of the public through the action line | 10,304 |
| To police forces in England and Wales to distribute to victims of burglary, their neighbours and other at most risk | 329,088 |
| Total | 339,392 |
Subjects
Crime prevention; Burglary
Date
26 October 2009
Reference
498 c173-4W;498 c171-2W; 294213
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make an assessment of the merits of developing a password identification system to protect vulnerable people from bogus doorstep callers.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make an assessment of the merits of developing a password identification system to protect vulnerable people from bogus doorstep callers.
Asked by
David Anderson
(Labour)
Answered by
Alan Campbell
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
9 October 2009
For answer on
12 October 2009
Answered on
26 October 2009
All electricity, gas and water companies have a doorstep password scheme which enable people to set up their own passwords to verify the identity of doorstep callers. I would encourage people to sign up to such schemes which can offer access to other services for vulnerable customers on the supplier's Priority Service Register.
Subjects
Burglary
Date
26 October 2009
Reference
498 c176W;498 c174W; 291791
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many burglary prevention advice packs are planned to be distributed; how they will be distributed; and what the timetable is for their distribution.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many burglary prevention advice packs are planned to be distributed; how they will be distributed; and what the timetable is for their distribution.
Asked by
Nick Hurd
(Conservative)
Answered by
Alan Campbell
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
16 July 2009
For answer on
20 July 2009
Answered on
1 September 2009
The Home Office is supplying 360,000 burglary advice packs. The contracted distributors, Prolog, are despatching them to members of the public who have ordered them via the dedicated public order telephone line, and to named contacts in all police forces in England and Wales which have requested the packs. All packs are due to be distributed to the police by the end of August 2009.
Subjects
Crime prevention; Burglary
Date
1 September 2009
Reference
496 c1873W; 288846
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes of burglary were reported in Rotherham constituency in each year since 2001.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes of burglary were reported in Rotherham constituency in each year since 2001.
Asked by
Denis MacShane
(Labour)
Answered by
Alan Campbell
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
1 June 2009
For answer on
3 June 2009
Answered on
8 June 2009
The available information relates to offences recorded by the police in the Rotherham local authority area and is given in the following table. The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced in April 2002 and data for 2002-03 onwards are therefore not directly comparable with the data for earlier years.
| Burglary offences recorded by the police in the Rotherham local authority area | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial year | Burglary in a dwelling | Other burglary | Total burglary |
| 2000-01 | 2,514 | 3,192 | 5,706 |
| 2001-02 | 2,567 | 3,007 | 5,574 |
| ¹ | — | — | — |
| 2002-03 | 2,680 | 3,174 | 5,854 |
| 2003-04 | 2,046 | 2,607 | 4,653 |
| 2004-05 | 1,389 | 1,933 | 3,322 |
| 2005-06 | 1,374 | 2,151 | 3,525 |
| 2006-07 | 1,457 | 2,106 | 3,563 |
| 2007-08 | 1,313 | 1,818 | 3,131 |
| ¹ The National Crime Recording Standard was introduced in April 2002 and figures before and after that date are not directly comparable. |
Subjects
Burglary; Rotherham
Date
8 June 2009
Reference
493 c711-2W; 278080
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) cautions and (b) penalty notices for disorder were issued for (i) burglary, (ii) theft and (iii) other offences in each of the last three years; and if she will make a statement.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) cautions and (b) penalty notices for disorder were issued for (i) burglary, (ii) theft and (iii) other offences in each of the last three years; and if she will make a statement.
Asked by
Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
(Conservative)
Answered by
Maria Eagle
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
13 May 2009
For answer on
15 May 2009
Answered on
1 June 2009
I have been asked to reply.Data on the number of offenders issued with (a) a caution for (i) burglary (ii) theft and (iii) other offences for England and Wales in each year from 2007 (latest available), are shown in table 1.Data on the number of penalty notices for disorder issued for the offence of retail theft and other offences included in the PND scheme for England and Wales in each year from 2005 to 2007 are shown in table 2. The disposal is not available for issue for burglary or for any other category of theft offence.Cautions and PND data for 2008 will be available in the autumn of 2009.
| Table 1: Number of offenders issued with a caution by offence type, and the offence stealing from shops and stalls (shoplifting), in England and Wales, 2005 to 2007¹ | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Offence type/Offence | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
| Burglary | 6,451 | 7,687 | 6,972 |
| Theft and handling stolen goods | 67,619 | 72,369 | 72,790 |
| of which: | |||
| Stealing from shops and stalls (shoplifting) (Theft Act 1968, Sec 1)² | 44,012 | 45,054 | 44,747 |
| Violence against the person | 51,020 | 57,273 | 52,334 |
| Sexual offences | 1,761 | 1,922 | 1,966 |
| Robbery | 622 | 712 | 614 |
| Fraud and forgery | 6,936 | 8,024 | 8,587 |
| Criminal damage | 7,246 | 9,018 | 8,813 |
| Drug offences | 34,390 | 37,426 | 43,050 |
| Other indictable offences | 6,889 | 9,378 | 9,972 |
| Summary offences (excluding motoring) | 116,011 | 146,168 | 157,797 |
| Total | 298,945 | 349,977 | 362,895 |
| ¹ Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. ² The data for this offence are also included in the offence type of theft and handling stolen goods. Source: Evidence and Analysis Unit—Office for Criminal Justice Reform, Ministry of Justice. |
| Table 2: Number of penalty notices for disorder issued to all persons aged 16 and over, by offence, England and Wales 2005 to 2007¹ | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Number issued | |||
| Offence code and description | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
| £80 tickets issued | |||
| Wasting police time | 2,525 | 3,933 | 3,966 |
| Misuse of public telecommunications system | 405 | 909 | 1,193 |
| Giving false alarm to fire and rescue authority | 92 | 106 | 96 |
| Causing harassment, alarm or distress | 64,007 | 82,235 | 77,827 |
| Throwing fireworks | 642 | 682 | 649 |
| Drunk and disorderly | 37,038 | 43,556 | 46,996 |
| Sale of alcohol to under 18 | 2,058 | 3,195 | 3,583 |
| Purchasing alcohol for under 18 | 170 | 407 | 555 |
| Purchasing alcohol for under 18 for consumption on premises | 83 | 60 | 64 |
| Delivery of alcohol to under 18 | 209 | 297 | 431 |
| Criminal Damage (under £500) | 12,168 | 20,620 | 19,946 |
| Theft (retail under £200) | 21,997 | 38,772 | 45,146 |
| Breach of fireworks curfew | 33 | 53 | 39 |
| Possession of category 4 firework | 13 | 28 | 22 |
| Possession by a person under 18 of adult firework | 47 | 76 | 106 |
| Sale of alcohol to drunken person | 32 | 47 | 81 |
| Supply of alcohol to person under 18 | 3 | 60 | 54 |
| £50 tickets issued | |||
| Trespass on a railway | 220 | 1,042 | 1,527 |
| Throwing stones at a train/railway | 20 | 15 | 25 |
| Drunk in a highway | 3,138 | 2,712 | 2,066 |
| Consumption of alcohol in public place | 712 | 1,061 | 1,544 |
| Depositing and leaving litter | 737 | 1,169 | 1,374 |
| Consumption of alcohol by under 18 on relevant premises | 84 | 75 | 85 |
| Allowing consumption of alcohol for under 18 | 27 | 14 | 11 |
| Buying alcohol by under 18 | 21 | 73 | 158 |
| Total all offences | 146,481 | 201,197 | 207,544 |
| ¹ Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Source: Office for Criminal Justice Reform Evidence and Analysis unit.. |
Subjects
Anti-social behaviour; Burglary; Fixed penalties; Police cautions; Sentencing; Theft
Date
1 June 2009
Reference
493 c178-80W; 276244
House
House of Commons
The number of burglaries across the west midlands, as well as across the whole United Kingdom, has dropped dramatically in the past 12 years—further evidence that we are the only Government since the war to preside over a reduction in crime rather than an increase in crime.
As for the precise level of sentences that are issued, I inform the hon. Gentleman, in case he has not worked it out, that in this country there is a separation of powers between Parliament, which sets the overall sentencing framework—and Ministers within that—and sentencers, who are independent of the Executive. It is not me or anybody in this House who sentences individuals. Penalties for burglary are quite adequate; it is a matter for sentencers to use them within the guidelines.
The number of burglaries across the west midlands, as well as across the whole United Kingdom, has dropped dramatically in the past 12 years—further evidence that we are the only Government since the war to preside over a reduction in crime rather than an increase in crime.
As for the precise level of sentences that are issued, I inform the hon. Gentleman, in case he has not worked it out, that in this country there is a separation of powers between Parliament, which sets the overall sentencing framework—and Ministers within that—and sentencers, who are independent of the Executive. It is not me or anybody in this House who sentences individuals. Penalties for burglary are quite adequate; it is a matter for sentencers to use them within the guidelines.
Answered by
Jack Straw
(Labour)
Asked by
Mark Pritchard
(Conservative)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Oral answers to questions
Now that the Government have pretty much designed out custodial sentences for burglaries, which are rising, preferring a complex web of fines and cautions instead, does the Secretary of State feel some embarrassment that in some parts of the west midlands burglars can commit up to 12 burglaries before receiving a custodial sentence? Is that how he intends to keep the people of the west midlands safe?
Subjects
Burglary; Sentencing
Date
5 May 2009
Reference
492 c17-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
One of the consequences of the affair concerning the hon. Member for Ashford (Damian Green) is the indication that there is woeful ignorance among senior police officers and civil servants, and probably servants of this House and Ministers, about the implications of article 9 of the Bill of Rights. What will the Justice Secretary do to increase awareness of the implications of our own United Kingdom Bill of Rights of 1689, particularly in relation to article 9, with its ramifications for this place? Will he discuss this now, please? Article 9—you know about that, do you?
One of the consequences of the affair concerning the hon. Member for Ashford (Damian Green) is the indication that there is woeful ignorance among senior police officers and civil servants, and probably servants of this House and Ministers, about the implications of article 9 of the Bill of Rights. What will the Justice Secretary do to increase awareness of the implications of our own United Kingdom Bill of Rights of 1689, particularly in relation to article 9, with its ramifications for this place? Will he discuss this now, please? Article 9—you know about that, do you?
Asked by
Andrew Mackinlay
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Topical questions - Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
5 May 2009
I do indeed remember article 9, although I was not here to witness its coming into force—[Interruption.] It was marginally before my time. [Interruption.] If I could have less levity from my ministerial colleagues, that would be helpful. Of course I understand my hon. Friend's point. This has been a subject of considerable interest in the context of bribery and whether there should be application to Members of Parliament, which it is generally felt there should be. If he looks at our Green Paper on a Bill of rights and responsibilities, he will see that there is a good discussion of article 9 and the privileges of Parliament.
Subjects
Bill of Rights; Burglary; Sentencing
Date
5 May 2009
Reference
492 c18
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Now that the Government have pretty much designed out custodial sentences for burglaries, which are rising, preferring a complex web of fines and cautions instead, does the Secretary of State feel some embarrassment that in some parts of the west midlands burglars can commit up to 12 burglaries before receiving a custodial sentence? Is that how he intends to keep the people of the west midlands safe?
Now that the Government have pretty much designed out custodial sentences for burglaries, which are rising, preferring a complex web of fines and cautions instead, does the Secretary of State feel some embarrassment that in some parts of the west midlands burglars can commit up to 12 burglaries before receiving a custodial sentence? Is that how he intends to keep the people of the west midlands safe?
Asked by
Mark Pritchard
(Conservative)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Topical questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
5 May 2009
The number of burglaries across the west midlands, as well as across the whole United Kingdom, has dropped dramatically in the past 12 years—further evidence that we are the only Government since the war to preside over a reduction in crime rather than an increase in crime.
As for the precise level of sentences that are issued, I inform the hon. Gentleman, in case he has not worked it out, that in this country there is a separation of powers between Parliament, which sets the overall sentencing framework—and Ministers within that—and sentencers, who are independent of the Executive. It is not me or anybody in this House who sentences individuals. Penalties for burglary are quite adequate; it is a matter for sentencers to use them within the guidelines.
Subjects
Burglary; Sentencing
Date
5 May 2009
Reference
492 c17-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I do indeed remember article 9, although I was not here to witness its coming into force—[Interruption.] It was marginally before my time. [Interruption.] If I could have less levity from my ministerial colleagues, that would be helpful. Of course I understand my hon. Friend's point. This has been a subject of considerable interest in the context of bribery and whether there should be application to Members of Parliament, which it is generally felt there should be. If he looks at our Green Paper on a Bill of rights and responsibilities, he will see that there is a good discussion of article 9 and the privileges of Parliament.
I do indeed remember article 9, although I was not here to witness its coming into force—[Interruption.] It was marginally before my time. [Interruption.] If I could have less levity from my ministerial colleagues, that would be helpful. Of course I understand my hon. Friend's point. This has been a subject of considerable interest in the context of bribery and whether there should be application to Members of Parliament, which it is generally felt there should be. If he looks at our Green Paper on a Bill of rights and responsibilities, he will see that there is a good discussion of article 9 and the privileges of Parliament.
Answered by
Jack Straw
(Labour)
Asked by
Andrew Mackinlay
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Oral answers to questions
One of the consequences of the affair concerning the hon. Member for Ashford (Damian Green) is the indication that there is woeful ignorance among senior police officers and civil servants, and probably servants of this House and Ministers, about the implications of article 9 of the Bill of Rights. What will the Justice Secretary do to increase awareness of the implications of our own United Kingdom Bill of Rights of 1689, particularly in relation to article 9, with its ramifications for this place? Will he discuss this now, please? Article 9—you know about that, do you?
Subjects
Burglary; Sentencing
Date
5 May 2009
Reference
492 c18
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
Asked by
Mark Pritchard
(Conservative)
Answered by
Jack Straw
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Topical questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Answered on
5 May 2009
Notes
Lead question not printed.
Subjects
Burglary; Sentencing
Date
5 May 2009
Reference
492 c17-8; 272292
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the levels of crime against domestic property in (a) Cheshire and (b) Halton constituency in the latest period for which figures are available.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the levels of crime against domestic property in (a) Cheshire and (b) Halton constituency in the latest period for which figures are available.
Asked by
Derek Twigg
(Labour)
Answered by
Alan Campbell
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
23 March 2009
For answer on
25 March 2009
Answered on
27 March 2009
The relevant offences are those of burglary in a dwelling and criminal damage to a dwelling.In 2007-08, there were 3,865 offences of burglary in a dwelling recorded in the Cheshire police force area. This represents a fall of 13 per cent. compared to 2006-07. There were 5,297 recorded offences of criminal damage to a dwelling in 2007-08, a fall of 14 per cent. compared to the previous year.There were 581 offences of burglary in a dwelling recorded by the police in Halton in 2007-08, a fall of 12 per cent. over the previous year. There were 1,159 recorded offences of criminal damage to a dwelling, a fall of 8 per cent. over the previous year.
Subjects
Burglary; Cheshire
Date
27 March 2009
Reference
490 c764-5W;490 c760-1W; 266808
House
House of Commons
When I met my constituents in Highway ward on Saturday, they told me that the single biggest issue was their rising fear of burglary. Measures such as the security fund that help people to make their homes more secure are very important and necessary. Will my right hon. and learned Friend give me an assurance that the Government will do all they can, while working closely with the police, to combat that growing fear?
When I met my constituents in Highway ward on Saturday, they told me that the single biggest issue was their rising fear of burglary. Measures such as the security fund that help people to make their homes more secure are very important and necessary. Will my right hon. and learned Friend give me an assurance that the Government will do all they can, while working closely with the police, to combat that growing fear?
Asked by
Joan Ryan
(Labour)
Answering body
Prime Minister
Prime Minister's questions - 1st Supplementary
Status
Answered
Answered on
25 March 2009
The Home Secretary can give that assurance, as do I. Against the background of concern about burglary, I know that my right hon. Friend the Member for Enfield, North (Joan Ryan) will reassure her constituents that there are more police on the beat and tougher penalties against those who are caught and prosecuted. I know that she supports police community support officers, and she can reassure her constituents that burglary across London has fallen by half.
Subjects
Crime prevention; Burglary
Date
25 March 2009
Reference
490 c296
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons she did not invite representatives of the Master Locksmiths' Association to her recent burglary summit.
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons she did not invite representatives of the Master Locksmiths' Association to her recent burglary summit.
Asked by
Chris Huhne
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Baroness Smith of Malvern
(Labour)
Answering body
Home Office
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
4 March 2009
For answer on
6 March 2009
Answered on
18 March 2009
Invitees to the burglary summit held on 4 February were intended to provide as wide a representation of stakeholders as possible across the public, private and voluntary sectors, within the constraints of the venue. The security industry was represented in the first instance by the British Security Industry Association, as they have a wide reach through the industry, but the Home Office recognises that Master Locksmiths’ Association has a very valuable role to play.The summit was the first event in an ongoing programme of work, and the Home Office is developing the ideas that emerged from that meeting, involving a wider range of partners. Since the summit, a number of companies and industry bodies have contacted officials expressing a willingness to support the real help for people in hard times work. The support of the Master Locksmith's Association is most welcome; they have been contacted by Home Office officials and will be included in relevant aspects of this work as it progresses.
Subjects
Burglary
Date
18 March 2009
Reference
489 c1165W;489 c1167W; 261907
House
House of Commons
I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for making that point. A key issue is what we do with people who are sentenced to less than 12 months in prison, because going through the revolving door of prison gates is not conducive to preventing reoffending. We have a menu of options. Ultimately, it is for the courts to decide. Custody will be an option, depending sometimes on an individual's persistence with burglary or another offence, but I want to see what works. On many occasions, a drug rehabilitation order or a strong and intensive community sentence will be just as important as a short custodial sentence in helping to prevent reoffending.
I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for making that point. A key issue is what we do with people who are sentenced to less than 12 months in prison, because going through the revolving door of prison gates is not conducive to preventing reoffending. We have a menu of options. Ultimately, it is for the courts to decide. Custody will be an option, depending sometimes on an individual's persistence with burglary or another offence, but I want to see what works. On many occasions, a drug rehabilitation order or a strong and intensive community sentence will be just as important as a short custodial sentence in helping to prevent reoffending.
Answered by
Lord Hanson of Flint
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Beith
(Liberal Democrat)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Oral answers to questions
Has the Minister found some new evidence that short periods in prison make offenders less likely to commit further burglaries? If he has not, will he ensure that the courts have available to them community payback schemes, restorative justice and the means to address the original causes of offending, such as drug addiction, rather than spending lots of money on prison sentences that do not work?
Subjects
Burglary; Sentencing
Date
17 March 2009
Reference
489 c761
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
My hon. Friend is right to say that improving literacy and numeracy and the opportunities to learn new skills and gain employment are key to preventing reoffending. We have dramatically increased the amount of investment and the number of hours available both in young offender institutions and adult prisons to deal with education for literacy and numeracy. There is self-evidently more that can be done, but I give my hon. Friend an assurance that we will continue to do that, because those things are key to preventing reoffending.
My hon. Friend is right to say that improving literacy and numeracy and the opportunities to learn new skills and gain employment are key to preventing reoffending. We have dramatically increased the amount of investment and the number of hours available both in young offender institutions and adult prisons to deal with education for literacy and numeracy. There is self-evidently more that can be done, but I give my hon. Friend an assurance that we will continue to do that, because those things are key to preventing reoffending.
Answered by
Lord Hanson of Flint
(Labour)
Asked by
Rob Marris
(Labour)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Oral answers to questions
For first-time offenders who are found guilty of burglary and get a custodial sentence, a key component of ensuring that they do not, on their release, commit burglary again is their educational skills—illiteracy among prisoners is high. To stop first-time offenders becoming second-time offenders, what are my right hon. Friend and the Government doing about education in the Prison Service, which is vital?
Subjects
Burglary; Sentencing
Date
17 March 2009
Reference
489 c760
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
As I said in answer to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson), at the moment 22 per cent. of offenders convicted of burglary with no previous convictions are sentenced to immediate or suspended custody. Whatever response the courts make, I am clear that we need to ensure sufficient prison places for those for whom custody is an option in the courts. That is why we will build an additional 3,500 or so prison places in England and Wales this year alone and why we have an ambitious programme to get to 96,000 places by 2013-14. We currently have some headroom in the prison system, but we want to ensure that there will always be places for people who are sentenced. That is why we have the ambitious building programme that we do.
As I said in answer to the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson), at the moment 22 per cent. of offenders convicted of burglary with no previous convictions are sentenced to immediate or suspended custody. Whatever response the courts make, I am clear that we need to ensure sufficient prison places for those for whom custody is an option in the courts. That is why we will build an additional 3,500 or so prison places in England and Wales this year alone and why we have an ambitious programme to get to 96,000 places by 2013-14. We currently have some headroom in the prison system, but we want to ensure that there will always be places for people who are sentenced. That is why we have the ambitious building programme that we do.
Answered by
Lord Hanson of Flint
(Labour)
Asked by
Gregory Campbell
(Democratic Unionist Party)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Oral answers to questions
Instances of burglary tend to increase in times of recession. Given that prison places are at a premium and given the depth of the recession that we are going through, what steps will the Minister take to ensure that those who engage in criminal activity for the first time face extreme sanction and the knowledge that they should not carry out such actions, and that they do not repeat those offences?
Subjects
Burglary; Sentencing
Date
17 March 2009
Reference
489 c761
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons
I think I have made it clear that the Government and the judiciary feel strongly that we need to strengthen and encourage custodial sentences for burglars when appropriate. Under the previous Conservative Government, the average sentence for burglary was 15.8 months, whereas the average sentence now is 16.7 months. Indeed, 85 per cent. of those who commit a third burglary are now sentenced to custody.
I think I have made it clear that the Government and the judiciary feel strongly that we need to strengthen and encourage custodial sentences for burglars when appropriate. Under the previous Conservative Government, the average sentence for burglary was 15.8 months, whereas the average sentence now is 16.7 months. Indeed, 85 per cent. of those who commit a third burglary are now sentenced to custody.
Answered by
Lord Hanson of Flint
(Labour)
Asked by
Laurence Robertson
(Conservative)
Answering body
Ministry of Justice
Type
Oral answers to questions
I am grateful to the Minister for that reply, although I think that burglary has increased more recently. When I raised the matter on 3 February, the Justice Secretary said that the Lord Chief Justice had issued""very strong guidance to sentencers on burglary".—[Official Report, 3 February 2009; Vol. 487, c. 697.]"
He also said that there would be a "toughening up" of sentencing policy. However, the key points in that sentencing document include the following:""Previous convictions and the record of an offender are of more significance than in the case of some other crimes.""
What exactly does that mean? It seems like a weakening rather than a strengthening of sentencing policy.
Subjects
Burglary; Sentencing
Date
17 March 2009
Reference
489 c760
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons