The Prime Minister and his Cabinet will meet today [Tuesday 17th
May] to drive forward their mission to cut crime and make our
streets safer.
In a meeting of Cabinet today, the Prime Minister will reinforce
that the critical role of any government is to protect the public
before Ministers update on the progress being made to tackle
crime and restore confidence in our justice system.
Since the Prime Minister came into office, there are now over
13,500 more police officers across England and Wales. This
growing police force has helped roll up over 1,500 county lines
and through Project ADDER, disrupt over 700 organised crime
groups.
Today’s meeting comes as Ministers prepare to announce a package
of additional measures to crack down on crime across the country
this week, including empowering the police to take more knives
our streets and stepping up action on drug use to tackle the
crimes they fuel.
Speaking ahead of the Cabinet meeting, Prime Minister said:
“While neighbourhood crime and serious violence is falling, the
sad reality is that too many people are still growing up in
communities blighted by criminals. That is why this government is
determined to crack down on violence and restore confidence in
our justice system, in order to truly level up the country.
“Through our Beating Crime Plan, we are putting thousands more
police on our streets, getting tougher on violent criminals and
cracking down on county lines drugs gangs – so that everyone can
have the security and stability that comes from having safer
streets.”
Today’s Cabinet meeting comes as the Government continues to back
police with the tools and resources they need to protect the
public and make our streets safe.
Yesterday, the Home Secretary lifted restrictions on the police
using stop and search in areas where they expect serious violence
to happen. These restrictions, which have been in place since
2014, have limited when officers could use the vital power and
hindered their ability to rid the streets of dangerous weapons.
By making it easier for the police to seize more weapons, the
government is backing forces to drive down knife crime and save
more lives.
Later today, in a speech to the Police Federation, the Home
Secretary will announce that Special Constables will be given
powers to use Taser, if Chief Officers authorise it and they
receive Taser training. This is the latest example of this
Government ensuring they have the tools, power and resources they
need to keep us safe and protect themselves.
These announcements coincide with this year’s Operation Sceptre -
a week of intensive action from every police force in England and
Wales to combat knife crime up and down the country.
On Thursday, Policing Minister will host a National Drug Summit to tackle drug use
and the crimes it fuels. On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister and
Justice Secretary will outline new investment to
get young offenders back on track, and reduce reoffending.
During the meeting, the Cabinet will also get an update on the
action that has already been taken to make our streets safer.
This includes recruiting over 13,500 police officers to date –
putting us well on our way towards meeting the manifesto
commitment of putting 20,000 officers on our streets by 2023 –
and recruiting more rape specialists to the CPS with a 20%
increase in CPS Rape and Serious Sexual Offences staff.
Cabinet will also discuss how the recently passed Police, Crime,
Sentencing and Courts Act will give the police and courts the
tools they need to keep people safe, overhaul the justice system
to restore confidence and make sure punishments fit the severity
of the crime.
Together, these initiatives are a crucial step but there is more
to do, and Ministers will be urged to ensure all departments
support this mission and do everything they can to cut crime and
keep the public safe.
As well as cutting crime, this Government’s priorities over the
coming months are doing all we can to end Putin’s onslaught in
Ukraine, growing the economy to address the cost of living,
funding the NHS to clear the covid backlogs and providing the
leadership needed in challenging times.
