Written questions by Wrigley.

If she will take steps to tackle (a) violence, (b) abuse and (c) neglect against young people.

The Government is seeking to protect young people against a range of specific harms. We have committed to the creation of a new Young Futures Programme (YFP), which will establish a network of Young Futures Hubs and Young Futures Prevention Partnerships, to intervene earlier to ensure at-risk young people are identified and offered support in a more systematic way, as well as creating more opportunities for young people in their communities, through the provision of mental health and careers support.New Young Futures Prevention Partnerships will bring local partners together to identify vulnerable children at-risk of being drawn into crime, map local youth service provision, and ensure that evidence-based support is provided to those in need.

What steps she is taking to reduce the number of cases under investigation by police for over one year.

Timely investigation of crime is important for victims and to ensure swift justice. Official statistics on crime outcomes, published by the Home Office for the year ending September 2024, shows that 86% of all offences (without fraud) are closed within 100 days.I welcome that HMICFRS is currently undertaking an ‘investigations’ thematic inspection and we will work with the sector on its recommendations. We will work closely with policing partners to continue to equip them with the tools needed to investigate crime and progress cases through the system swiftly, I welcome that HMICFRS is currently undertaking an including those which can significantly reduce the time taken to process digital forensic material.

If she will have discussions with the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly on the adequacy of the system for appointing a Chief Constable for Devon and Cornwall Police.

It is for locally elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to make decisions around appointing, suspending, and removing chief constables. The College of Policing updated the national Guidance for Appointing Chief Officers in February 2024 to ensure fair and appropriate processes are followed in the appointment of chief officers in England and Wales. The College also offer a range of services to help PCCs with the recruitment and appointment process including help to maximise the pool of potential candidates, support with delivering a process in line with the national guidance and to sit on the appointment panel as a senior police advisor.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of replacing Police and Crime Commissioners with police panels.

Police and Crime Commissioners play a vital local role acting as the voice of the public and victims in policing, holding Chief Constables to account and leading local partnerships to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour. The government will continue to work with PCCs and Chief Constables to set clear expectations for policing on performance and standards, ensuring that our communities have an effective and efficient police service within their force area. In her Written Ministerial Statement of 19 November 2024 (HCWS232), the Home Secretary announced her intention to present a White Paper to Parliament next year on reforms to deliver more effective and efficient policing, to rebuild public confidence and to deliver the Government’s Safer Streets mission. This reform programme will be a collaborative endeavor with policing. Proposals will also consider how the PCC role can be strengthened, including an enhanced role to prevent crime.