Written questions by Snowden.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 June 2025 to Question 54073 on Anti-social Behaviour: Lancashire, how the effectiveness of the Respect Order in tackling persistent anti-social behaviour in town centres will be evaluated.

We are committed to monitoring and evaluating the delivery of the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee and have worked collaboratively with policing to agree a full performance framework for the Guarantee and its five pillars. To monitor the crackdown on anti-social behaviour we will be measuring public perceptions and experience of ASB in their local area, how many dedicated lead officers there are for ASB, presence of ASB action plans, police recorded incidents of ASB and police use of ASB powers. The performance framework is published here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/neighbourhood-policing-guarantee-performance-frameworkAs part of their Hotspot Action Fund grant agreement forces are required to return precise data returns outlining the times spent patrolling ASB hotspots. This data is used by Home Office analysts to understand levels of patrolling and impact on volumes of ASB. Forces are also required to return data on the work they are undertaking as part of Hotspot Action Fund to problem solve the causes of ASB in their identified hotspots.The Respect Order was introduced in the Crime and Policing Bill, to crack down on persistent anti-social behaviour and crimes blighting our high streets and town centres. We will be piloting Respect Orders in police force areas prior to national rollout. Its use will be monitored to ensure that they are as effective as possible.In addition, through the Crime and Policing Bill, the Government will be introducing a duty for key relevant agencies including local authorities to report ASB data to the Government.Following commencement, regulations will be laid to specify which data the relevant agencies should provide, and the form and regularity of submission. This will improve the national data on how powers are being used and why, allow better monitoring of targeted ASB interventions, and help to inform future government work to tackle ASB. Additionally, a wide range of police data is already collected through the Home Office’s Annual Data Requirement. From April 2025, this includes data on police use of ASB powers in the 2014 Act. This is initially on a voluntary basis and subject to data quality, will be made mandatory from April 2026.

What training is provided to police officers to help (a) identify and (b) handle illegally modified e-bikes.

The training provided to police officers to help identity and handle illegally modified e-bikes is an operational matter for Chief Officers of police forces.The Government announced proposals in the Crime and Policing Bill to strengthen existing powers to clamp down on vehicles, including illegally modified electric bikes, involved in anti-social behaviour, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing vehicles.On 28 May, the Government launched a 6-week consultation on proposals to allow the police to dispose of seized vehicles which have been used anti-socially, or which have been ridden without insurance or a driving licence, from 14 days to 48 hours and 7 days respectively. Combined, these proposals will help tackle the scourge of vehicles ridden anti-socially and illegally by sending a clear message to would be offenders and local communities that this behaviour will not be tolerated.

How many illegally modified e-bikes have been seized by police in the past 12 months.

The Home Office does not centrally collect this data.

How many cases of online fraud and scams were reported in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire in the last 12 months.

A constituency level breakdown is unavailable. However, 5,991 fraud incidents, of all types, were reported to Action Fraud in Lancashire in the year ending May 2025, totalling £30m in reported losses. 67% of these were cyber-enabled, meaning there were approximately 4,000 frauds reported in Lancashire with an online component in the year ending May 2025 (this includes both individuals and businesses).Lancashire Constabulary receive support from the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVCU) at a level 1 and 2 service (Level 1: appropriate support to less complex cases where there is no indication of vulnerability, Level 2: more complex and difficult cases, where an indication of vulnerability has been identified). Since the inception of the NECVCU service in 2018, 13,169 victims of fraud and cyber crime from Lancashire have been through the service across levels 1 and 2.All victims who report to Action Fraud, including those in Lancashire, will receive a response and advice on how to protect themselves from fraud. If a victim’s case is being investigated, they receive support from the investigating force. If the case is not disseminated for investigation, it will be triaged for vulnerability and referred to the NECVCU. Cases with the highest level of vulnerability and those outside of the scope of the NECVCU (e.g. under 18s and businesses) will be sent to local police forces for safeguarding advice.Funding for the NECVCU services is allocated at a national level and is not broken down by number of victims per force. Home Office investment in the NECVCU for the last five financial years (FY) is set out below. The table sets out actual spend in financial years 2021/22-2024/25, and the indicative budget allocation for financial year 2025/26. All figures are provided to 1 decimal place:FY 2021/22 Actual SpendFY 2022/23 Actual SpendFY 2023/24 Actual SpendFY 2024/25 Actual SpendFY 2025/26 Indicative Budget5-year total£2.2m£2.2m£3.2m£3.3m£4.1m£15.0m The NECVCU endeavours to make victims feel safer and more confident, whilst assisting them to recover from the crime and reduce the likelihood of repeat victimisation. We do not hold data on force or constituency level revictimisation rates, but less than 1% of all the victims who engaged with the NECVCU at either level 1 or level 2 returned to the service.We do not hold data on response times by forces, however 74% of level 2 victims are contacted by the NECVCU within 12 days of their initial report. However, there have been instances where the NECVCU have responded within 72 hours for those victims who present as extremely vulnerable.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54074 on Fraud: Lancashire, what the average response time is for victims of online fraud and scams to receive support from the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit after reporting an incident.

A constituency level breakdown is unavailable. However, 5,991 fraud incidents, of all types, were reported to Action Fraud in Lancashire in the year ending May 2025, totalling £30m in reported losses. 67% of these were cyber-enabled, meaning there were approximately 4,000 frauds reported in Lancashire with an online component in the year ending May 2025 (this includes both individuals and businesses).Lancashire Constabulary receive support from the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVCU) at a level 1 and 2 service (Level 1: appropriate support to less complex cases where there is no indication of vulnerability, Level 2: more complex and difficult cases, where an indication of vulnerability has been identified). Since the inception of the NECVCU service in 2018, 13,169 victims of fraud and cyber crime from Lancashire have been through the service across levels 1 and 2.All victims who report to Action Fraud, including those in Lancashire, will receive a response and advice on how to protect themselves from fraud. If a victim’s case is being investigated, they receive support from the investigating force. If the case is not disseminated for investigation, it will be triaged for vulnerability and referred to the NECVCU. Cases with the highest level of vulnerability and those outside of the scope of the NECVCU (e.g. under 18s and businesses) will be sent to local police forces for safeguarding advice.Funding for the NECVCU services is allocated at a national level and is not broken down by number of victims per force. Home Office investment in the NECVCU for the last five financial years (FY) is set out below. The table sets out actual spend in financial years 2021/22-2024/25, and the indicative budget allocation for financial year 2025/26. All figures are provided to 1 decimal place:FY 2021/22 Actual SpendFY 2022/23 Actual SpendFY 2023/24 Actual SpendFY 2024/25 Actual SpendFY 2025/26 Indicative Budget5-year total£2.2m£2.2m£3.2m£3.3m£4.1m£15.0m The NECVCU endeavours to make victims feel safer and more confident, whilst assisting them to recover from the crime and reduce the likelihood of repeat victimisation. We do not hold data on force or constituency level revictimisation rates, but less than 1% of all the victims who engaged with the NECVCU at either level 1 or level 2 returned to the service.We do not hold data on response times by forces, however 74% of level 2 victims are contacted by the NECVCU within 12 days of their initial report. However, there have been instances where the NECVCU have responded within 72 hours for those victims who present as extremely vulnerable.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54074 on Fraud: Lancashire, how much funding has been allocated to support victims of online fraud and scams through the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit in each of the last five years.

A constituency level breakdown is unavailable. However, 5,991 fraud incidents, of all types, were reported to Action Fraud in Lancashire in the year ending May 2025, totalling £30m in reported losses. 67% of these were cyber-enabled, meaning there were approximately 4,000 frauds reported in Lancashire with an online component in the year ending May 2025 (this includes both individuals and businesses).Lancashire Constabulary receive support from the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVCU) at a level 1 and 2 service (Level 1: appropriate support to less complex cases where there is no indication of vulnerability, Level 2: more complex and difficult cases, where an indication of vulnerability has been identified). Since the inception of the NECVCU service in 2018, 13,169 victims of fraud and cyber crime from Lancashire have been through the service across levels 1 and 2.All victims who report to Action Fraud, including those in Lancashire, will receive a response and advice on how to protect themselves from fraud. If a victim’s case is being investigated, they receive support from the investigating force. If the case is not disseminated for investigation, it will be triaged for vulnerability and referred to the NECVCU. Cases with the highest level of vulnerability and those outside of the scope of the NECVCU (e.g. under 18s and businesses) will be sent to local police forces for safeguarding advice.Funding for the NECVCU services is allocated at a national level and is not broken down by number of victims per force. Home Office investment in the NECVCU for the last five financial years (FY) is set out below. The table sets out actual spend in financial years 2021/22-2024/25, and the indicative budget allocation for financial year 2025/26. All figures are provided to 1 decimal place:FY 2021/22 Actual SpendFY 2022/23 Actual SpendFY 2023/24 Actual SpendFY 2024/25 Actual SpendFY 2025/26 Indicative Budget5-year total£2.2m£2.2m£3.2m£3.3m£4.1m£15.0m The NECVCU endeavours to make victims feel safer and more confident, whilst assisting them to recover from the crime and reduce the likelihood of repeat victimisation. We do not hold data on force or constituency level revictimisation rates, but less than 1% of all the victims who engaged with the NECVCU at either level 1 or level 2 returned to the service.We do not hold data on response times by forces, however 74% of level 2 victims are contacted by the NECVCU within 12 days of their initial report. However, there have been instances where the NECVCU have responded within 72 hours for those victims who present as extremely vulnerable.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54074 on Fraud: Lancashire, whether the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit has a (a) presence and (b) partnership with local police forces in (i) Fylde constituency and (ii) Lancashire.

A constituency level breakdown is unavailable. However, 5,991 fraud incidents, of all types, were reported to Action Fraud in Lancashire in the year ending May 2025, totalling £30m in reported losses. 67% of these were cyber-enabled, meaning there were approximately 4,000 frauds reported in Lancashire with an online component in the year ending May 2025 (this includes both individuals and businesses).Lancashire Constabulary receive support from the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVCU) at a level 1 and 2 service (Level 1: appropriate support to less complex cases where there is no indication of vulnerability, Level 2: more complex and difficult cases, where an indication of vulnerability has been identified). Since the inception of the NECVCU service in 2018, 13,169 victims of fraud and cyber crime from Lancashire have been through the service across levels 1 and 2.All victims who report to Action Fraud, including those in Lancashire, will receive a response and advice on how to protect themselves from fraud. If a victim’s case is being investigated, they receive support from the investigating force. If the case is not disseminated for investigation, it will be triaged for vulnerability and referred to the NECVCU. Cases with the highest level of vulnerability and those outside of the scope of the NECVCU (e.g. under 18s and businesses) will be sent to local police forces for safeguarding advice.Funding for the NECVCU services is allocated at a national level and is not broken down by number of victims per force. Home Office investment in the NECVCU for the last five financial years (FY) is set out below. The table sets out actual spend in financial years 2021/22-2024/25, and the indicative budget allocation for financial year 2025/26. All figures are provided to 1 decimal place:FY 2021/22 Actual SpendFY 2022/23 Actual SpendFY 2023/24 Actual SpendFY 2024/25 Actual SpendFY 2025/26 Indicative Budget5-year total£2.2m£2.2m£3.2m£3.3m£4.1m£15.0m The NECVCU endeavours to make victims feel safer and more confident, whilst assisting them to recover from the crime and reduce the likelihood of repeat victimisation. We do not hold data on force or constituency level revictimisation rates, but less than 1% of all the victims who engaged with the NECVCU at either level 1 or level 2 returned to the service.We do not hold data on response times by forces, however 74% of level 2 victims are contacted by the NECVCU within 12 days of their initial report. However, there have been instances where the NECVCU have responded within 72 hours for those victims who present as extremely vulnerable.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54074 on Fraud: Lancashire, whether her Department has assessed the effectiveness of the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit in reducing repeat victimisation in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

A constituency level breakdown is unavailable. However, 5,991 fraud incidents, of all types, were reported to Action Fraud in Lancashire in the year ending May 2025, totalling £30m in reported losses. 67% of these were cyber-enabled, meaning there were approximately 4,000 frauds reported in Lancashire with an online component in the year ending May 2025 (this includes both individuals and businesses).Lancashire Constabulary receive support from the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVCU) at a level 1 and 2 service (Level 1: appropriate support to less complex cases where there is no indication of vulnerability, Level 2: more complex and difficult cases, where an indication of vulnerability has been identified). Since the inception of the NECVCU service in 2018, 13,169 victims of fraud and cyber crime from Lancashire have been through the service across levels 1 and 2.All victims who report to Action Fraud, including those in Lancashire, will receive a response and advice on how to protect themselves from fraud. If a victim’s case is being investigated, they receive support from the investigating force. If the case is not disseminated for investigation, it will be triaged for vulnerability and referred to the NECVCU. Cases with the highest level of vulnerability and those outside of the scope of the NECVCU (e.g. under 18s and businesses) will be sent to local police forces for safeguarding advice.Funding for the NECVCU services is allocated at a national level and is not broken down by number of victims per force. Home Office investment in the NECVCU for the last five financial years (FY) is set out below. The table sets out actual spend in financial years 2021/22-2024/25, and the indicative budget allocation for financial year 2025/26. All figures are provided to 1 decimal place:FY 2021/22 Actual SpendFY 2022/23 Actual SpendFY 2023/24 Actual SpendFY 2024/25 Actual SpendFY 2025/26 Indicative Budget5-year total£2.2m£2.2m£3.2m£3.3m£4.1m£15.0m The NECVCU endeavours to make victims feel safer and more confident, whilst assisting them to recover from the crime and reduce the likelihood of repeat victimisation. We do not hold data on force or constituency level revictimisation rates, but less than 1% of all the victims who engaged with the NECVCU at either level 1 or level 2 returned to the service.We do not hold data on response times by forces, however 74% of level 2 victims are contacted by the NECVCU within 12 days of their initial report. However, there have been instances where the NECVCU have responded within 72 hours for those victims who present as extremely vulnerable.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54074 on Fraud: Lancashire, what steps her Department is taking to raise awareness of the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit's services among residents in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

A constituency level breakdown is unavailable. However, 5,991 fraud incidents, of all types, were reported to Action Fraud in Lancashire in the year ending May 2025, totalling £30m in reported losses. 67% of these were cyber-enabled, meaning there were approximately 4,000 frauds reported in Lancashire with an online component in the year ending May 2025 (this includes both individuals and businesses).Lancashire Constabulary receive support from the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVCU) at a level 1 and 2 service (Level 1: appropriate support to less complex cases where there is no indication of vulnerability, Level 2: more complex and difficult cases, where an indication of vulnerability has been identified). Since the inception of the NECVCU service in 2018, 13,169 victims of fraud and cyber crime from Lancashire have been through the service across levels 1 and 2.All victims who report to Action Fraud, including those in Lancashire, will receive a response and advice on how to protect themselves from fraud. If a victim’s case is being investigated, they receive support from the investigating force. If the case is not disseminated for investigation, it will be triaged for vulnerability and referred to the NECVCU. Cases with the highest level of vulnerability and those outside of the scope of the NECVCU (e.g. under 18s and businesses) will be sent to local police forces for safeguarding advice.Funding for the NECVCU services is allocated at a national level and is not broken down by number of victims per force. Home Office investment in the NECVCU for the last five financial years (FY) is set out below. The table sets out actual spend in financial years 2021/22-2024/25, and the indicative budget allocation for financial year 2025/26. All figures are provided to 1 decimal place:FY 2021/22 Actual SpendFY 2022/23 Actual SpendFY 2023/24 Actual SpendFY 2024/25 Actual SpendFY 2025/26 Indicative Budget5-year total£2.2m£2.2m£3.2m£3.3m£4.1m£15.0m The NECVCU endeavours to make victims feel safer and more confident, whilst assisting them to recover from the crime and reduce the likelihood of repeat victimisation. We do not hold data on force or constituency level revictimisation rates, but less than 1% of all the victims who engaged with the NECVCU at either level 1 or level 2 returned to the service.We do not hold data on response times by forces, however 74% of level 2 victims are contacted by the NECVCU within 12 days of their initial report. However, there have been instances where the NECVCU have responded within 72 hours for those victims who present as extremely vulnerable.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 54074 on Fraud: Lancashire, how many victims of online fraud and scams have received support from the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire since its inception in 2018.

A constituency level breakdown is unavailable. However, 5,991 fraud incidents, of all types, were reported to Action Fraud in Lancashire in the year ending May 2025, totalling £30m in reported losses. 67% of these were cyber-enabled, meaning there were approximately 4,000 frauds reported in Lancashire with an online component in the year ending May 2025 (this includes both individuals and businesses).Lancashire Constabulary receive support from the National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVCU) at a level 1 and 2 service (Level 1: appropriate support to less complex cases where there is no indication of vulnerability, Level 2: more complex and difficult cases, where an indication of vulnerability has been identified). Since the inception of the NECVCU service in 2018, 13,169 victims of fraud and cyber crime from Lancashire have been through the service across levels 1 and 2.All victims who report to Action Fraud, including those in Lancashire, will receive a response and advice on how to protect themselves from fraud. If a victim’s case is being investigated, they receive support from the investigating force. If the case is not disseminated for investigation, it will be triaged for vulnerability and referred to the NECVCU. Cases with the highest level of vulnerability and those outside of the scope of the NECVCU (e.g. under 18s and businesses) will be sent to local police forces for safeguarding advice.Funding for the NECVCU services is allocated at a national level and is not broken down by number of victims per force. Home Office investment in the NECVCU for the last five financial years (FY) is set out below. The table sets out actual spend in financial years 2021/22-2024/25, and the indicative budget allocation for financial year 2025/26. All figures are provided to 1 decimal place:FY 2021/22 Actual SpendFY 2022/23 Actual SpendFY 2023/24 Actual SpendFY 2024/25 Actual SpendFY 2025/26 Indicative Budget5-year total£2.2m£2.2m£3.2m£3.3m£4.1m£15.0m The NECVCU endeavours to make victims feel safer and more confident, whilst assisting them to recover from the crime and reduce the likelihood of repeat victimisation. We do not hold data on force or constituency level revictimisation rates, but less than 1% of all the victims who engaged with the NECVCU at either level 1 or level 2 returned to the service.We do not hold data on response times by forces, however 74% of level 2 victims are contacted by the NECVCU within 12 days of their initial report. However, there have been instances where the NECVCU have responded within 72 hours for those victims who present as extremely vulnerable.

What recent steps she has taken to ensure that the hospitality sector has adequate access to (a) seasonal, (b) international and (c) other labour.

The Government’s Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, sets out how relevant sectors will need to develop workforce strategies to reduce their reliance on international labour, including the hospitality sector. Further details will be set out in due course.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that emergency response teams are adequately (a) trained and (b) equipped to respond to road traffic incidents in (i) Fylde constituency and (ii) Lancashire.

The development and maintenance of police driving-related curricula and supporting resources is the responsibility of the College of Policing, with support from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Police Driving Lead.Decisions on the allocation of equipment used to respond to road traffic incidents is an operational matter for Lancashire Constabulary.

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the powers the police have to prevent the use of illegally modified electric bikes that do not conform to regulations on roads.

Ministers and officials meet with their counterparts on a regular basis and discuss a wide range of topics.The police have powers under the Police Reform Act 2002 to deal with vehicles being used anti-socially and under the Road Traffic Act 1988 to deal with vehicles being ridden without insurance or driving licence. How the police use these powers is an operational matter.The Government announced proposals in the Crime and Policing Bill to strengthen existing powers to clamp down on vehicles, including illegally modified electric bikes, involved in anti-social behaviour, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing vehicles.On 28 May, the Government launched a 6-week consultation on proposals to allow the police to dispose of seized vehicles which have been used anti-socially and which have been ridden without insurance or a driving licence from 14 days to 48 hours and 7 days respectively. Combined, these proposals will help tackle the scourge of vehicles ridden anti-socially and illegally by sending a clear message to would be offenders and local communities that this behaviour will not be tolerated.

What recent discussions she has had with major social media companies on their obligations under the Online Safety Act 2023 to remove content inciting gang violence.

We are continously working to enhance our understanding of how social media platforms are being used by gangs, and how content translates to ‘real-world’ violence. We are investing in targeted law enforcement capabilities to disrupt online gang operations and reduce the crime and violence they bring to our communities. The National Crime Agency is working in partnership with policing colleagues across the UK and internationally to map and target key offenders operating online, including the darknet markets. The Online Safety Act 2023 is a key mechanism to monitor and tackle illegal content online. It requires providers within the scope of the Act to implement measures to remove illegal content, including that related to inciting violence. If providers fail to abide by their duties under the Act, Ofcom, as the independent regulator, can now enforce against the illegal content duties and have already launched several enforcement programmes to monitor compliance with the regime. The Government is closely monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of the Online Safety Act and is committed to ensuring it delivers the necessary protections to ensure a safer online environment and tackles illegal content. Exposure to violent content online, including knife-sales material, can have real-world impacts. Following the independent end-to-end review of online knife sales conducted by Commander Steve Clayman, we are working to tackle the impacts of online knife-sales content on ‘real-world’ knife crime.

What discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the use of illegally modified electric bikes.

Ministers and officials meet with their counterparts on a regular basis and discuss a wide range of topics.The police have powers under the Police Reform Act 2002 to deal with vehicles being used anti-socially and under the Road Traffic Act 1988 to deal with vehicles being ridden without insurance or driving licence. How the police use these powers is an operational matter.The Government announced proposals in the Crime and Policing Bill to strengthen existing powers to clamp down on vehicles, including illegally modified electric bikes, involved in anti-social behaviour, with officers no longer required to issue a warning before seizing vehicles.On 28 May, the Government launched a 6-week consultation on proposals to allow the police to dispose of seized vehicles which have been used anti-socially and which have been ridden without insurance or a driving licence from 14 days to 48 hours and 7 days respectively. Combined, these proposals will help tackle the scourge of vehicles ridden anti-socially and illegally by sending a clear message to would be offenders and local communities that this behaviour will not be tolerated.

What mechanisms are in place currently to monitor (a) gang-related content and (b) violence scoreboards on social media platforms.

We are continously working to enhance our understanding of how social media platforms are being used by gangs, and how content translates to ‘real-world’ violence. We are investing in targeted law enforcement capabilities to disrupt online gang operations and reduce the crime and violence they bring to our communities. The National Crime Agency is working in partnership with policing colleagues across the UK and internationally to map and target key offenders operating online, including the darknet markets. The Online Safety Act 2023 is a key mechanism to monitor and tackle illegal content online. It requires providers within the scope of the Act to implement measures to remove illegal content, including that related to inciting violence. If providers fail to abide by their duties under the Act, Ofcom, as the independent regulator, can now enforce against the illegal content duties and have already launched several enforcement programmes to monitor compliance with the regime. The Government is closely monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of the Online Safety Act and is committed to ensuring it delivers the necessary protections to ensure a safer online environment and tackles illegal content. Exposure to violent content online, including knife-sales material, can have real-world impacts. Following the independent end-to-end review of online knife sales conducted by Commander Steve Clayman, we are working to tackle the impacts of online knife-sales content on ‘real-world’ knife crime.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of online content on trends in (a) youth violence and (b) knife crime.

We are continously working to enhance our understanding of how social media platforms are being used by gangs, and how content translates to ‘real-world’ violence. We are investing in targeted law enforcement capabilities to disrupt online gang operations and reduce the crime and violence they bring to our communities. The National Crime Agency is working in partnership with policing colleagues across the UK and internationally to map and target key offenders operating online, including the darknet markets. The Online Safety Act 2023 is a key mechanism to monitor and tackle illegal content online. It requires providers within the scope of the Act to implement measures to remove illegal content, including that related to inciting violence. If providers fail to abide by their duties under the Act, Ofcom, as the independent regulator, can now enforce against the illegal content duties and have already launched several enforcement programmes to monitor compliance with the regime. The Government is closely monitoring the implementation and effectiveness of the Online Safety Act and is committed to ensuring it delivers the necessary protections to ensure a safer online environment and tackles illegal content. Exposure to violent content online, including knife-sales material, can have real-world impacts. Following the independent end-to-end review of online knife sales conducted by Commander Steve Clayman, we are working to tackle the impacts of online knife-sales content on ‘real-world’ knife crime.

What support her Department provides to victims of online fraud and scams in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

The National Economic Crime Victim Care Unit (NECVCU), led by the City of London Police, is a national service that supports all 43 forces in England and Wales, which provides victims of all types of fraud and cybercrime with the support they need.The aim of NECVCU is for victims to feel safe and more confident following contact, whilst assisting them to cope and recover from the crime, and reduce the likelihood of repeat victimisation. Since its inception in 2018, NECVCU has supported over 440,000 victims of fraud.

What steps she is taking to reduce antisocial behaviour in town centres in (a) Fylde constituency and (b) Lancashire.

Tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) and the harm it causes is a top priority for this Government and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission. As part of the Neighbourhood Policing Grant, £200 million has been allocated to forces for 2025/26 to support the Government’s commitment to deliver an additional personnel into neighbourhood policing . Lancashire Constabulary has been allocated £5,090,296 and will deliver an increase of 53 police officers and 30 PCSOs by 31 March 2026.​These officers will be equipped with tougher powers, such as the Respect Order, which was introduced in the Crime and Policing Bill, to crack down on persistent anti-social behaviour and crimes blighting our high streets and town centres. Other measures in the Bill include enhancing the powers for the police to seize nuisance off-road bikes, and other vehicles which are being used in an anti-social manner, without having to first give a warning to the offender.The Home Office is also providing £66.3 million funding in 2025-26 to forces in England and Wales to deliver high visibility patrols in the areas worst affected by knife crime, serious violence and anti-social behaviour. Lancashire Police will receive £1,713,512 of this funding.

If she will take legislative steps to criminalise people who knowingly mislead a potential employer with a misrepresentative CV.

The Government’s key priorities within the Safer Streets Mission are to restore neighbourhood policing, tackle antisocial behaviour, and halve the levels of knife crime and violence against women and girls within a decade. We have no plans to divert policing resources to focus on the Hon Member’s suggested priority instead.