Written questions by Maguire.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the number of neighbourhood police officers in Surrey.

Neighbourhood policing is the bedrock of the British policing model. Every community deserves visible, pro-active and accessible neighbourhood policing with officers tackling the issues that matter to them.£200m has been made available to police forces in England and Wales in 2025/26 to fund additional policing personnel into neighbourhood teams. By the end of this parliament there will be 13,000 more neighbourhood policing personnel across England and Wales, including up to 3000 additional neighbourhood officers by the end of March 26.In 2025/26 Surrey Police has been allocated £2,582,672 and has a delivery plan which sets out a projected growth of 25 newly recruited officers and 15 newly recruited special constables.Full details of the Neighbourhood Policing Grant allocations and projections for 2025/26 can be found here: Neighbourhood policing grant allocations and projections: 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK

Whether her Department plans to (a) extend beyond the current trial areas and (b) make permanent the pilot of Serious Violence Reduction Orders.

Serious Violence Reduction Orders (SVROs) were piloted for two years throughout Merseyside, Sussex, Thames Valley and West Midlands police force areas. The pilot took place between 19 April 2023 and 18 April 2025.The final independent evaluation of the pilot, due this Summer, will look to understand the effectiveness of SVROs in reducing reoffending and knife carrying. These insights will be critical in informing future decisions on whether the orders will be rolled out nationally.

With reference to her Department's review on the UK's response to Transnational Repression, whether she had discussions with the 10 bountied Hong Kongers residing in the UK.

The safety and security of Hong Kongers in the UK is, and always will be, a priority. Owing to the sensitive nature of this topic and the need to protect individuals who may be at threat, it would be inappropriate to provide further detail of any specific discussions we have had.

Whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of her Department's guidelines to call 101 or 999 when reporting transnational crimes as her Department does not have a working definition of transnational repression.

As recommended by the Defending Democracy Taskforce's review of transnational repression (TNR), the UK recognises TNR as a term used to describe certain foreign state-directed crimes against individuals, ranging from threat-to-life to online harassment. The description is deliberately broad to provide maximum flexibility to address this evolving threat. The National Security Act 2023 has already given us powers to address this activity.The Government has published new guidance on GOV.UK providing those who believe themselves to be at risk of TNR with practical advice for their safety both physically and online, including what TNR is and how to report it.The TNR Review carefully considered – in consultation with Counter Terrorism Policing - how best to encourage reporting and ensure that reports received are treated seriously and dealt with appropriately. Existing functions have been found to be efficient, effective, and widely recognised, with trained officers and staff dealing with crime reporting on a 24/7 basis. These existing mechanisms ensure victims receive the support they need.The College of Policing have launched training and guidance on state-directed crimes which is now available for all 45 territorial police forces in the UK.

Whether her Department (a) has consulted and (b) plans to consult with members of the Hong Kong community living in the UK on the Transnational Repression review.

The TNR Review engaged with civil society organisations on behalf of communities they consider to be at risk of TNR, as well as with victims of TNR, community leaders and academics. Further engagement, including with victims of TNR and civil society organisations is planned.More broadly, the UK Government meets regularly with and maintains good relationships with civil society organisations including those advocating on TNR on behalf of communities they consider to be at risk.

What guidance her Department provides to people seeking to complain about private security companies hired by local authorities.

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is a Home Office arm’s length body established by the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (PSIA) as the regulator of the private security industry.The SIA publishes guidance for buyers of private security which is available at: Do you buy security?.Complaints or concerns about the SIA, or about private security companies, or people working in the private security industry, can be raised at: Complaints procedure - Security Industry Authority - GOV.UK, Report a Crime or Concern.

What steps her Department is taking to support people with the police complaints process.

The statutory police complaints process allows members of the public to raise concerns or express dissatisfaction with the police. They can do so directly to their local police force or via the online portal on the website of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC has a phone line for the public to ask for assistance on making their complaint. The most serious and sensitive matters are investigated independently by the IOPC, but all complainants have a right to an independent review if their complaint is dealt with first by the police force. The IOPC run targeted campaigns to build awareness among specific groups, including women and girls, about how to access the police complaints system.The Government keeps the police complaints system under review to ensure that it is fit for purpose. In October last year, the Home Secretary announced a package of reforms to improve public confidence in police accountability. This includes amendments in the Crime and Policing Bill, to put the victims right to review on a statutory footing for complainants who want to challenge a decision by the IOPC not to refer a case to the Crown Prosecution Service.

What guidance is available for councils contracting private security firms to patrol town centres.

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is a Home Office arm’s length body established by the Private Security Industry Act 2001 (PSIA) as the regulator of the private security industry.The SIA publishes guidance for buyers of private security which is available at: Do you buy security?.Complaints or concerns about the SIA, or about private security companies, or people working in the private security industry, can be raised at: Complaints procedure - Security Industry Authority - GOV.UK, Report a Crime or Concern.

Pursuant to the Answer of 10 February 2025 to Question 27962 on Police: Workplace Pensions, whether she plans to calculate the cost of allowing police survivors who (a) remarry and (b) cohabit after losing a spouse who had a pre-2006 police pension scheme to retain their full pension entitlement.

The 1987 Police Pension Scheme provides a pension for the widow, widower or civil partner of a police officer who dies. In common with most other public service pension schemes of that time, these benefits cease to be payable where the widow, widower or civil partner remarries or cohabits with another partner. With the introduction of the 2006 and 2015 police pension schemes, all eligible police officers were able to join a pension scheme that provides life-long survivor benefits for spouses, civil partners and unmarried partners, including those who remarry or cohabit after losing a spouse.From 1 April 2015, the 1987 Police Pension Scheme was amended to allow widows, widowers and civil partners of police officers who have died as a result of an injury on duty to receive their survivor benefits for life regardless of remarriage, civil partnership or cohabitation.There are no plans at this time to make any further changes to benefits accrued in the 1987 police scheme.

Whether her Department has considered removing the exemption for both parties being within the dwelling in section 31 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1988.

The Government regularly reviews legislation to ensure it safeguards the public and adequately reflects challenges that are likely to be faced today. Where we identify gaps in the legislation, we will seek to address them.

What measures her Department is taking to protect people living in the UK against (a) harassment (b) abuse (c) intimidation and (d) other forms of harm carried out by other states engaged in transnational repression in the UK.

The first duty of the Government is to keep the country safe and we are committed to responding to foreign interference, including those actions which amount to transnational repression. We continually assess potential threats in the UK, and take protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety very seriously. Any attempt by any foreign state to intimidate, harass or harm individuals in the UK will not be tolerated.We have a broad suite of powers available to counter transnational repression, and we continue to implement measures in the National Security Act 2023, which make the UK a harder target for those states which seek to conduct hostile acts. On 4 March, I announced a new package of training for frontline police officers and staff to increase their understanding of foreign state threats. This training will improve law enforcement’s ability to detect and investigate incidents which may be state-directed.The Defending Democracy Taskforce is reviewing the UK’s existing response to transnational repression to ensure it is robust and joined across government and law enforcement. In the interim, anyone who thinks they might be at risk should report incidents or suspicious activity to the Police via 101, a local police station, or 999 in emergencies.

What steps her Department is taking to tackle (a) anti-social behaviour and (b) noise disturbances in Epsom and Ewell constituency.

Tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) is a top priority for this Government and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission.The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides police, local authorities and other local agencies with a range of tools and powers they can use to respond to ASB, including noise nuisance. It is for local areas to decide how best to deploy these powers depending on the specific circumstances.In November 2023, the Home Office published a report on police perceptions of powers within the 2014 Act; this can be found on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/police-perceptions-of-powers-within-the-anti-social-behaviour-crime-and-policing-act-2014/police-perceptions-of-powers-within-the-anti-social-behaviour-crime-and-policing-act-2014.Findings confirmed that police were generally content with the range of powers available and considered them effective in the short-term.As part of this government’s Plan for Change, we are committed to there being a dedicated ASB lead officer in every force working with communities to develop a local ASB action plan. We will also put 13,000 neighbourhood police and community support officers into local communities, ensuring residents have a named officer they can turn to when things go wrong. We are determined to crack down on those causing havoc on our high streets and in communities by introducing tougher powers in the Crime and Policing Bill including the new Respect Order to tackle the most persistent ASB offenders.The Home Office is also providing £66.3m funding in 2025/26 to police forces in England and Wales for hotspot policing to tackle ASB and knife crime. Surrey police will be allocated £1,000,000 of this funding.

What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of (a) the police and (b) local authorities to effectively respond to (i) noise nuisance and (ii) other forms of anti-social behaviour.

Tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) is a top priority for this Government and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission.The Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 provides police, local authorities and other local agencies with a range of tools and powers they can use to respond to ASB, including noise nuisance. It is for local areas to decide how best to deploy these powers depending on the specific circumstances.In November 2023, the Home Office published a report on police perceptions of powers within the 2014 Act; this can be found on GOV.UK here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/police-perceptions-of-powers-within-the-anti-social-behaviour-crime-and-policing-act-2014/police-perceptions-of-powers-within-the-anti-social-behaviour-crime-and-policing-act-2014.Findings confirmed that police were generally content with the range of powers available and considered them effective in the short-term.As part of this government’s Plan for Change, we are committed to there being a dedicated ASB lead officer in every force working with communities to develop a local ASB action plan. We will also put 13,000 neighbourhood police and community support officers into local communities, ensuring residents have a named officer they can turn to when things go wrong. We are determined to crack down on those causing havoc on our high streets and in communities by introducing tougher powers in the Crime and Policing Bill including the new Respect Order to tackle the most persistent ASB offenders.The Home Office is also providing £66.3m funding in 2025/26 to police forces in England and Wales for hotspot policing to tackle ASB and knife crime. Surrey police will be allocated £1,000,000 of this funding.

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help tackle the illegal modification of e-bikes and e-scooters.

The police have powers available to them to tackle the illegal use of e-scooters and e-bikes and we expect police to deploy them appropriately.The Home Office has also established a taskforce, which includes representatives from across Government, Policing and Fire and Rescue Services to help tackle the fire risks linked to lithium-ion batteries, e-bikes and e-scooters.

How many new firearms licence certificates have been granted in each of the last five years.

The Home Office collects and publishes information annually on the number of new firearms licence certificates that have been granted in the statistical publication on firearm and shotgun certificates. The latest available data is for the year ending 31 March 2024 and can be accessed at the following link:Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates: April 2023 to March 2024 - GOV. UK (www.gov.uk).The number of new firearms licence certificates that have been granted in each of the last five years can be found in data table 1.

How many new firearms licence certificates have been granted in each of the last five years.

The Home Office collects and publishes information annually on the number of new firearms licence certificates that have been granted in the Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates publication. The latest available data is for the year ending 31 March 2024 and can be accessed at the following link: Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates: April 2023 to March 2024 - GOV. UK (www.gov.uk).The number of new firearms licence certificates that have been granted in each of the last five years can be found in data table 1.

What discussions she has had with individual police forces on ensuring a timely administration of the Immediate Choice Police pension group to receive their McCloud remedy pension payments.

While the Home Office has responsibility for overarching policy and legislative changes to the police pension regulations, the police pension scheme is locally administered by individual police forces.It is for each Chief Constable, in their role as scheme manager for their force, to determine their administrative timetable, including when remedy payments will be distributed.The Home Office is actively collaborating with policing to support the effective implementation of the McCloud remedy for all affected individuals.

Whether she plans to implement the recommendations of the consultation entitled Review of the Computer Misuse Act 1990, which closed on 6 April 2023.

The Computer Misuse Act (CMA) plays a vital role in ensuring that the UK has the right legislative framework to allow us to tackle cyber harms. The Government is committed to ensuring the CMA remains up to date and effective to tackle criminality.As part of the Review, officials are scoping several areas of legislative reform to give law enforcement the tools and powers they need to investigate and prosecute cyber criminality.  Some of these areas are quite complex in nature and require further engagement with stakeholders to ensure we get them right.We will update in due course on any proposals that we take forward.