Written questions by Darling.

What steps her Department is taking to strengthen cooperation with other nations to help tackle online fraud.

The Government recognises the serious threat posed by fraudsters targeting UK citizens from abroad. In October 2024, the UK played a pivotal role in helping pass the first ever UN Resolution on Fraud at the 12th Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).The resolution outlines a set of key recommendations that all signatories to the UNTOC (186 Member States) should implement to mitigate the threat of fraud to their citizens. These recommendations include codifying fraud as a serious crime, pursuing fraudsters, protecting victims, and collaborating closely with the private sector to design out fraud. By establishing these guidelines, the resolution sets a baseline of global standards for all member states to follow. This is a significant advancement in the global fight against fraud and underscores our shared commitment with international partners in combating this pernicious crime.As part of the Government’s on-going work to tackle fraud internationally, we continue to work closely with our strategic partners including Five Eyes countries, Singapore, EU nations and INTERPOL, to target fraud and scams at source. Through these forums we are working with source countries (where transnational organised fraud and cybercrime groups operate) to build capacity in their law enforcement agencies, in order to tackle and disrupt overseas fraud before it reaches the UK.

If she will publish a regional breakdown of the costs of tool theft.

We recognise the negative impact theft has on victims who rely on the tools of their trade to earn a living.We are continuing to work with the police-led National Business Crime Centre and industry via the Combined Industries Theft Solutions forum to explore ways to tackle and prevent the theft of tools.We are also working alongside the police and businesses to tackle these crimes and ensure perpetrators receive just punishment including work to make tradespeople’s vans secure.Following engagement with the Home Office and National Vehicle Crime Working Group, Thatcham Research agreed to add to their New Vehicle Security Assessment (NVSA), locks and alarms on the back of vans (previously NVSA only covers the cab area of vans) and a motion sensor on the load area of the van.The Office for National Statistics publishes estimates from the Crime Survey for England and Wales on the proportion of incidents involving tools being stolen in personal theft offences. These estimates are available in Table 3b of Nature of crime: personal and other theft. They also provide estimates of theft of tools against individuals, including those who are self-employed, but do not cover crimes against commercial premises. No regional breakdown is available.

What steps her Department is taking to help tackle tool theft.

We recognise the negative impact theft has on victims who rely on the tools of their trade to earn a living.We are continuing to work with the police-led National Business Crime Centre and industry via the Combined Industries Theft Solutions forum to explore ways to tackle and prevent the theft of tools.We are also working alongside the police and businesses to tackle these crimes and ensure perpetrators receive just punishment including work to make tradespeople’s vans secure.Following engagement with the Home Office and National Vehicle Crime Working Group, Thatcham Research agreed to add to their New Vehicle Security Assessment (NVSA), locks and alarms on the back of vans (previously NVSA only covers the cab area of vans) and a motion sensor on the load area of the van.The Office for National Statistics publishes estimates from the Crime Survey for England and Wales on the proportion of incidents involving tools being stolen in personal theft offences. These estimates are available in Table 3b of Nature of crime: personal and other theft. They also provide estimates of theft of tools against individuals, including those who are self-employed, but do not cover crimes against commercial premises. No regional breakdown is available.

What steps her Department is taking to monitor the implementation of the right person right care policy by Devon and Cornwall constabulary.

The Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) national programme commenced in May 2023 with a focused team supported by subject matter experts.Whilst appreciating that police forces remain operationally independent, the national implementation team at the National Police Chiefs Council conduct a monthly meeting with all force representatives and partners (including Devon and Cornwall). Alongside this, one to one meetings are arranged between force representatives responsible for the governance and implementation of RCRP and the national team, of which Devon and Cornwall are engaged.To support the partnership working, guidance has been produced for police forces by the NPCC and College of Policing and additional guidance has been produced by the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and NHS England.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of a legal right to Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans for disabled (a) tenants and (b) leaseholders in residential blocks who are unable to independently evacuate in the event of fire.

The previous Government consulted on Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans, identifying concerns over their practicality, proportionality and safety.Following further consultation, Government has committed to introduce legislation later this year to mandate an alternative package of measures called Residential Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans for mobility-impaired residents of high rise residential blocks, and of 11-18 metre high residential blocks with a simultaneous evacuation strategy in place.

If she will introduce legislation to (a) abolish the post of Police and Crime Commissioners and (b) replace them with local boards of elected councillors.

PCCs play an importantrole as the voice of the public and victims in policing at a local level, holding Chief Constables to account and leading local partnerships to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.The government will continue to work with PCCs an...

Whether she plans to criminalise the act of exploiting children for criminal purposes.

The Government is committed to preventing young people being lured into crime, drugs, and criminal gangs. We will deliver on our Manifesto commitment and will bring forward measures to strengthen the law to tackle child criminal exploitation.

What guidance her Department provides on rules governing the recruitment of Deputy Police and Crime Commissioners.

The arrangements enabling a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to appoint a deputy and the functions a deputy can exercise, are set out within the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.Before appointing a deputy, a PCC must notify the local Po...

Whether the Government plans to take steps to increase transparency around the recruitment of Deputy Police and Crime Commissioners.

The arrangements enabling a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to appoint a deputy and the functions a deputy can exercise, are set out within the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.Before appointing a deputy, a PCC must notify the local Po...

Whether she plans to abolish the recruitment of deputy Police and Crime Commissioners.

The arrangements enabling a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to appoint a deputy and the functions a deputy can exercise, are set out within the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.Before appointing a deputy, a PCC must notify the local Po...