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MPs met this morning in the House of Commons to discuss amendments to The Crime and Policing Bill which was put forward in February 2025 by home secretary Yvette Cooper in an attempt to reduce violent crime within the UK.
Dame Diana Johnson, minister of state for crime, policing, and fire introduced the meeting at 9:20 a.m. by clarifying some recent confusion regarding the number of job cuts within the metropolitan police. She stated that the government anticipates a reduction in the number of police officers, PCSO’s and police staff, and that she was concerned about there being 1,419 less staff within the metropolitan police.
The shadow minister of state for crime, policing, and fire, MP for Stockton West Matt Vickers, was at the forefront of the debate, suggesting several clauses and amendments to certain aspects of the bill. He began by putting forward the concerns of his constituents regarding dangerous driving related to delivery drivers on mopeds. As it stands, moped users do not need a full licence to drive a moped on the roads to deliver food and other goods. Mr. Vickers stated that an amendment to the bill which would grant police extra powers to seize these vehicles if riders drove them dangerously.
Dame Diana Johnson responded by saying that although she did not agree with this amendment which MPs ultimately voted against, the government are introducing plans to make it easier for police to seize vehicles used in an anti-social way, and review laws to motorcycle licencing.
Matt Vickers then proposed an amendment to the bill which would suspend parental responsibility for those who were convicted of a serious sexual offence involving a child, adding, “this clause puts child safety above anything else, and that currently doing this requires families to instigate expensive court proceedings, with an automatic suspension making proceedings more simple.”
His argument was countered by MP and crime and policing bill committee member Alex Davies-Jones, who began by saying, “Child sex abuse is an abhorrent crime that leaves a lasting impact on victims and their families,” before outlining several reasons why the government could not support this amendment, claiming that it could be inconsistently applied and offer uneven protection for children.
Mr. Vickers also proposed an amendment which would make the starting point of sentencing anyone who is found guilty of the murder of a child with a whole life order, adding, “These are crimes that permanently scar the moral fabric of society and must be treated with the upmost severity in our justice system. By adopting this measure, we show victims’ families that their suffering is acknowledged, and we uphold the principle that the life of every child must be fiercely protected both in law and in practice.”
Despite commending him for his commitment to the protection of children, and reminding him that anyone convicted of this offence must serve a minimum term and be on licence for the rest of their life, she added that this amendment could not be supported as the justice system cannot automatically be treated as the same. Alex Davies-Jones finished by once again commending Matt Vickers for raising his concern on the issue.
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