• Research Briefing

    Commons Library analysis: Policing and Crime Bill 2015-16

    The Policing and Crime Bill 2015-16 has its second reading on 7 March 2016. It includes provisions covering collaboration between police and fire services; reforms to the police complaints and discipline systems; new safeguards for pre-charge bail; powers for police staff and volunteers; and changes to firearms law. This briefing analyses the Bill and the policy background, and provides some relevant comment.

  • Research Briefing

    Police complaints reform in 2016

    This Library briefing paper summarises the Government's proposed reforms to the police complaints system in England and Wales and to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

  • Debate Pack

    Safer Neighbourhood Policing in London

    A Westminster Hall debate on the subject of safer neighbourhood policing in London has been scheduled for 1130hrs on Tuesday 5 January 2016. The member in charge of this debate is Ms Karen Buck.

  • Debate Pack

    The Prüm Decisions

    A debate on a motion relating to cross-border cooperation to tackle serious and organised crime is to be held on Tuesday 8 December 2015 in the main chamber. The debate will ask MPs to vote on whether the UK should opt back into the European Council Decisions, known as the Prüm Decisions, which relate to the sharing of DNA, fingerprint and vehicle registration information between European police forces.

  • Research Briefing

    Retention of fingerprints and DNA data

    This note sets out the current law in England and Wales on the retention of fingerprints and DNA data by the police under the regime introduced by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. It also outlines the background to the changes made by the Act.

  • Debate Pack

    Police and Fire Shared Services

    A Westminster Hall debate on shared services between police forces and fire services has been scheduled for Tuesday 3 November 2015 at 1430hrs. The member in charge of the debate is Amanda Milling.

  • Debate Pack

    Funding for West Midlands police

    This debate pack has been prepared for the Westminster Hall debate on Funding for West Midlands police on Wednesday 9 September at 2.30pm. It provides a summary, relevant parliamentary and press articles and links to further reading.

  • Research Briefing

    The UK block opt-out in police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters: recent developments

    The UK Government would like to opt back into 35 measures in the area of police and judicial cooperation in criminal matters adopted before the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, but will the other EU Member States agree unanimously on this? Will the Government manage to get approval for the draft regulations published on 6 November which complete the transposition of 11 of the 35 opt-back-ins?

  • Research Briefing

    Election addresses

    This note looks briefly at the current provisions covering the free postage of election addresses and the decision to make the election addresses of the candidates for the Police and Crime Commissioner elections in 2012 available on a central website instead of mailing them to households. Turnout at the PCC elections averaged 14.7% across all police areas. Following the death of the Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands a by-election is to be held on 21 August 2014. The Government has published a draft Order to allow booklets containing the candidates’ election addresses to be delivered to homes in the West Midlands.

  • Research Briefing

    The Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill

    An emergency Bill, the Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill, is due to pass through all its parliamentary stages between 15 and 17 July. The Bill aims to allow police and security agencies to have continued access to communications data in order to combat crime and terrorism. This Note summarises the background, the Bill and criticisms that have been made of it.

  • Research Briefing

    Charging decisions and police-led prosecutions

    Since 2010, the police have been given greater responsibility for charging decisions and prosecutions with the aim of cutting bureaucracy. The police are now responsible for nearly 80% of all charging decisions and prosecuting an increased range of offences, including, for example, criminal damage under £5,000 and careless or inconsiderate driving. The Crown Prosecution Service retains responsibility for the most complex and serious cases.