Written questions by Pinkerton.

Whether her Department has modelled the potential impact on levels of employment of stricter conditions on shotgun certificate holders.

The Government is committed to undertaking a public consultation on whether to strengthen the controls on shotguns, including possible closer alignment with the controls on other firearms. This was set out in the Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February this year. Once the consultation is launched, we would welcome views from all interested parties, including from those who live and work in rural communities and shotgun holders.We will carefully consider all of the views put forward during the consultation before taking any decision on whether and what changes may be necessary in the interests of public safety. The Government will provide an assessment of the impact of any changes we bring forward, including to the business community in rural areas, at the relevant time.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed reforms to shotgun licensing on (a) rural hotels, (b) pubs and (c) tourism businesses reliant on shooting activity.

The Government is committed to undertaking a public consultation on whether to strengthen the controls on shotguns, including possible closer alignment with the controls on other firearms. This was set out in the Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February this year. Once the consultation is launched, we would welcome views from all interested parties, including from those who live and work in rural communities and shotgun holders.We will carefully consider all of the views put forward during the consultation before taking any decision on whether and what changes may be necessary in the interests of public safety. The Government will provide an assessment of the impact of any changes we bring forward, including to the business community in rural areas, at the relevant time.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of funding more neighbourhood police officers in Surrey Heath constituency.

We have made £200 million available in FY 25/26 to support the first steps towards delivering 13,000 more neighbourhood policing personnel across England and Wales by the end of this parliament, including up to 3,000 additional neighbourhood officers by the end of March 2026.Based on their £2,588,427 allocation from the Neighbourhood Policing Grant, Surrey are projected to grow by 25 FTE NHP police officers in 2025-26, and in addition, the force is also projected to grow by 15 special constables (headcount) over the same period.Arrangements for future years will be set out in due course.

What steps her Department is taking to tackle violence against (a) women and (b) girls in (i) Surrey Heath constituency and (ii) Surrey.

Tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a top priority for this Government with a manifesto mission to halve VAWG in a decade. We will deliver a cross-government transformative approach, underpinned by a new strategy which we aim to publish as soon as possible.In advance of the strategy, we have already introduced measures designed to strengthen the police response to VAWG, protect victims and hold perpetrators to account. These include: funding to rollout Drive Project to tackle high-risk and high-harm domestic abuse perpetrators across England and Wales; embedding the first domestic abuse specialists in 999 control rooms in five police forces; measures to tackle spiking; measures focusing on preventing and tackling ‘honour’-based abuse (HBA), and launching the new Domestic Abuse Protection Orders in selected police forces and courts which go further than any existing orders.The Home Office has provided the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Surrey with an annual funding allocation of £998,248 for 2025/26 for interventions around perpetrators of domestic abuse. PCCs in England and Wales receive annual grant funding from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), to commission local practical, emotional, and therapeutic support services for victims of all crime types.Furthermore, this government has increased funding to local authorities, which includes Surrey Heath constituency, to £160 million for 2025-26, an uplift of £30 million from the previous year, to provide further support in safe accommodation for domestic abuse survivors, including tailored support for protected groups.

What steps her Department is taking to prevent the online sale of devices capable of compromising keyless vehicle security in Surrey Heath constituency.

Estimates from the Crime Survey for England and Wales for the year ending March 2024 show that 58% of vehicle theft offences involved the offender manipulating the signal from remote locking device.In the Crime and Policing Bill we are banning the electronic devices used to steal vehicles, empowering the police and courts to target the criminals using, manufacturing, importing and supplying them.We are also working with the police and industry, to ensure a strong response to vehicle crime, including keyless car theft.The National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership and the police-led National Vehicle Crime Working Group are focusing on prevention and deterrence of theft of, and from, vehicles. This includes training police officers on the methods used to steal vehicles, encouraging vehicle owners to secure their vehicles, and working with industry to address vulnerabilities in vehicles.

What estimate her Department has made of the scale of keyless car theft enabled by signal-amplifying technology in Surrey Heath constituency.

Estimates from the Crime Survey for England and Wales for the year ending March 2024 show that 58% of vehicle theft offences involved the offender manipulating the signal from remote locking device.In the Crime and Policing Bill we are banning the electronic devices used to steal vehicles, empowering the police and courts to target the criminals using, manufacturing, importing and supplying them.We are also working with the police and industry, to ensure a strong response to vehicle crime, including keyless car theft.The National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership and the police-led National Vehicle Crime Working Group are focusing on prevention and deterrence of theft of, and from, vehicles. This includes training police officers on the methods used to steal vehicles, encouraging vehicle owners to secure their vehicles, and working with industry to address vulnerabilities in vehicles.

What estimate her Department has made of the number of British citizens who have been registered under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System at (a) airports and (b) the Port of Dover.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System is not due to launch until late 2026. Information on the number of travellers registered by the European Entry/Exit System is not recorded by the Home Office as it is a matter for the European Commission and French authorities.

What steps her Department is taking to (a) reduce and (b) prevent equipment theft in Surrey Heath constituency.

We will be implementing the Equipment Theft Act, making it harder for criminals to sell on stolen vehicles and equipment and assisting the police with identifying the owner.The Act’s secondary legislation will require forensic marking to be applied to new All-Terrain Vehicles and for the details to be registered on a property database, for forensic marking to be applied to all new GPS units for use in agricultural and commercial settings, and for the details to be registered on a property database. This provides an important additional tool to help police identify if an item is stolen and to return it to its rightful owner.Additionally, the Crime and Policing Bill introduces a new power for the police to enter and search premises to which items have been electronically tracked by GPS or other means, which will help the police in tackling stolen equipment and machinery.This financial year we have provided the first Home Office funding since 2023 for the National Rural Crime Unit. This funding will enable the Unit to continue to increase collaboration across all police forces, including Surrey Police, to target the serious organised crime groups involved in crimes like equipment theft from farms.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure consistency in the medical checks required for firearms licensing applications in the South East.

The Government publishes Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing. The Statutory Guidance was most recently refreshed and strengthened in August this year and it is helping to ensure consistency in the assessment of those who hold, or who apply for, firearms licences across all police forces, in the interests of public safety.The Statutory Guidance requires all applicants for a firearms licence to provide information from their doctor about whether they have experienced any relevant medical conditions, including mental health conditions and drug and alcohol abuse. There is a defined list of medical conditions which is set out in the Statutory Guidance and in the information that is provided to the applicant’s GP. A firearms marker which all applicant’s GPs are asked to place on the patient’s medical record then ensures that the doctor can alert the police to any material change to the licence holder’s relevant medical condition, to allow the police to then review whether the licence holder remains suitable to hold a firearms licence.The issuing of firearms certificates, resourcing of firearms licensing teams and the efficiency of police forces is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police and Police and Crime Commissioners. In the interests of consistency and transparency, the National Policing Chiefs Council Lead for Firearms Licensing has published performance data for firearms licensing teams in all forces. This includes performance against a target for forces to complete applications for the grant or renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates within four months, unless there are concerns about the suitability of the applicant.The Government has no plans to introduce a new central national body for firearms licensing. The Firearms Act 1968 places statutory responsibility for firearms licensing on the Chief Officer of Police of each individual force in England, Wales and Scotland. This framework is supported by the Statutory Guidance to Chief Officers of Police issued by the Home Secretary in respect of firearms licensing and by Authorised Professional Practice issued by the College of Policing.

Whether she has had recent discussions with the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner on the (a) consistency, (b) efficiency and (c) adequacy of the resourcing of firearms licensing.

The Government publishes Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing. The Statutory Guidance was most recently refreshed and strengthened in August this year and it is helping to ensure consistency in the assessment of those who hold, or who apply for, firearms licences across all police forces, in the interests of public safety.The Statutory Guidance requires all applicants for a firearms licence to provide information from their doctor about whether they have experienced any relevant medical conditions, including mental health conditions and drug and alcohol abuse. There is a defined list of medical conditions which is set out in the Statutory Guidance and in the information that is provided to the applicant’s GP. A firearms marker which all applicant’s GPs are asked to place on the patient’s medical record then ensures that the doctor can alert the police to any material change to the licence holder’s relevant medical condition, to allow the police to then review whether the licence holder remains suitable to hold a firearms licence.The issuing of firearms certificates, resourcing of firearms licensing teams and the efficiency of police forces is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police and Police and Crime Commissioners. In the interests of consistency and transparency, the National Policing Chiefs Council Lead for Firearms Licensing has published performance data for firearms licensing teams in all forces. This includes performance against a target for forces to complete applications for the grant or renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates within four months, unless there are concerns about the suitability of the applicant.The Government has no plans to introduce a new central national body for firearms licensing. The Firearms Act 1968 places statutory responsibility for firearms licensing on the Chief Officer of Police of each individual force in England, Wales and Scotland. This framework is supported by the Statutory Guidance to Chief Officers of Police issued by the Home Secretary in respect of firearms licensing and by Authorised Professional Practice issued by the College of Policing.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing a national firearms licensing system.

The Government publishes Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing. The Statutory Guidance was most recently refreshed and strengthened in August this year and it is helping to ensure consistency in the assessment of those who hold, or who apply for, firearms licences across all police forces, in the interests of public safety.The Statutory Guidance requires all applicants for a firearms licence to provide information from their doctor about whether they have experienced any relevant medical conditions, including mental health conditions and drug and alcohol abuse. There is a defined list of medical conditions which is set out in the Statutory Guidance and in the information that is provided to the applicant’s GP. A firearms marker which all applicant’s GPs are asked to place on the patient’s medical record then ensures that the doctor can alert the police to any material change to the licence holder’s relevant medical condition, to allow the police to then review whether the licence holder remains suitable to hold a firearms licence.The issuing of firearms certificates, resourcing of firearms licensing teams and the efficiency of police forces is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police and Police and Crime Commissioners. In the interests of consistency and transparency, the National Policing Chiefs Council Lead for Firearms Licensing has published performance data for firearms licensing teams in all forces. This includes performance against a target for forces to complete applications for the grant or renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates within four months, unless there are concerns about the suitability of the applicant.The Government has no plans to introduce a new central national body for firearms licensing. The Firearms Act 1968 places statutory responsibility for firearms licensing on the Chief Officer of Police of each individual force in England, Wales and Scotland. This framework is supported by the Statutory Guidance to Chief Officers of Police issued by the Home Secretary in respect of firearms licensing and by Authorised Professional Practice issued by the College of Policing.

What recent assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of guidance provided to police forces on firearms (a) licensing and (b) variation procedures in the South East.

The Government publishes Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing. The Statutory Guidance was most recently refreshed and strengthened in August this year and it is helping to ensure consistency in the assessment of those who hold, or who apply for, firearms licences across all police forces, in the interests of public safety.The Statutory Guidance requires all applicants for a firearms licence to provide information from their doctor about whether they have experienced any relevant medical conditions, including mental health conditions and drug and alcohol abuse. There is a defined list of medical conditions which is set out in the Statutory Guidance and in the information that is provided to the applicant’s GP. A firearms marker which all applicant’s GPs are asked to place on the patient’s medical record then ensures that the doctor can alert the police to any material change to the licence holder’s relevant medical condition, to allow the police to then review whether the licence holder remains suitable to hold a firearms licence.The issuing of firearms certificates, resourcing of firearms licensing teams and the efficiency of police forces is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police and Police and Crime Commissioners. In the interests of consistency and transparency, the National Policing Chiefs Council Lead for Firearms Licensing has published performance data for firearms licensing teams in all forces. This includes performance against a target for forces to complete applications for the grant or renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates within four months, unless there are concerns about the suitability of the applicant.The Government has no plans to introduce a new central national body for firearms licensing. The Firearms Act 1968 places statutory responsibility for firearms licensing on the Chief Officer of Police of each individual force in England, Wales and Scotland. This framework is supported by the Statutory Guidance to Chief Officers of Police issued by the Home Secretary in respect of firearms licensing and by Authorised Professional Practice issued by the College of Policing.

What steps her Department is taking to improve consistency in firearms licensing decisions across police authorities.

The Government publishes Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing. The Statutory Guidance was most recently refreshed and strengthened in August this year and it is helping to ensure consistency in the assessment of those who hold, or who apply for, firearms licences across all police forces, in the interests of public safety.The Statutory Guidance requires all applicants for a firearms licence to provide information from their doctor about whether they have experienced any relevant medical conditions, including mental health conditions and drug and alcohol abuse. There is a defined list of medical conditions which is set out in the Statutory Guidance and in the information that is provided to the applicant’s GP. A firearms marker which all applicant’s GPs are asked to place on the patient’s medical record then ensures that the doctor can alert the police to any material change to the licence holder’s relevant medical condition, to allow the police to then review whether the licence holder remains suitable to hold a firearms licence.The issuing of firearms certificates, resourcing of firearms licensing teams and the efficiency of police forces is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police and Police and Crime Commissioners. In the interests of consistency and transparency, the National Policing Chiefs Council Lead for Firearms Licensing has published performance data for firearms licensing teams in all forces. This includes performance against a target for forces to complete applications for the grant or renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates within four months, unless there are concerns about the suitability of the applicant.The Government has no plans to introduce a new central national body for firearms licensing. The Firearms Act 1968 places statutory responsibility for firearms licensing on the Chief Officer of Police of each individual force in England, Wales and Scotland. This framework is supported by the Statutory Guidance to Chief Officers of Police issued by the Home Secretary in respect of firearms licensing and by Authorised Professional Practice issued by the College of Policing.

What recent discussions she has had with police authorities in the South East on (a) delays and (b) variations in the processing of firearms licence (i) applications and (ii) renewals.

The Government publishes Statutory Guidance for Chief Officers of Police on firearms licensing. The Statutory Guidance was most recently refreshed and strengthened in August this year and it is helping to ensure consistency in the assessment of those who hold, or who apply for, firearms licences across all police forces, in the interests of public safety.The Statutory Guidance requires all applicants for a firearms licence to provide information from their doctor about whether they have experienced any relevant medical conditions, including mental health conditions and drug and alcohol abuse. There is a defined list of medical conditions which is set out in the Statutory Guidance and in the information that is provided to the applicant’s GP. A firearms marker which all applicant’s GPs are asked to place on the patient’s medical record then ensures that the doctor can alert the police to any material change to the licence holder’s relevant medical condition, to allow the police to then review whether the licence holder remains suitable to hold a firearms licence.The issuing of firearms certificates, resourcing of firearms licensing teams and the efficiency of police forces is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police and Police and Crime Commissioners. In the interests of consistency and transparency, the National Policing Chiefs Council Lead for Firearms Licensing has published performance data for firearms licensing teams in all forces. This includes performance against a target for forces to complete applications for the grant or renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates within four months, unless there are concerns about the suitability of the applicant.The Government has no plans to introduce a new central national body for firearms licensing. The Firearms Act 1968 places statutory responsibility for firearms licensing on the Chief Officer of Police of each individual force in England, Wales and Scotland. This framework is supported by the Statutory Guidance to Chief Officers of Police issued by the Home Secretary in respect of firearms licensing and by Authorised Professional Practice issued by the College of Policing.

Whether her Department has plans to review guidance to police forces on the proportionality of enforcement measures in cases involving non-violent offences.

When police officers are required to use force in order to achieve a lawful objective, the force used must be reasonable, proportionate and necessary in all circumstances. Where officers take the decision to use force, they are accountable through the law for their actions.The College of Policing is responsible for setting guidance and standards which police abide by. Before being deployed all officers must pass comprehensive training, set by the College of Policing, in Public and Personal Safety which must be refreshed annually. Training reinforces the importance of legitimacy in police use of force at every level and is aimed at de-escalating the situation wherever possible to prevent harm.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that vulnerable adults are appropriately safeguarded during (a) arrest and (b) detention procedures.

The Home Office sets the statutory framework for the treatment of vulnerable adults through the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) and its Codes of Practice.PACE Code C requires police to identify whether people brought into police custody are vulnerable and provide additional safeguards if so. Where there is any doubt, officers must treat the person as vulnerable and make reasonable enquiries to confirm this.Vulnerable adults must be supported by an appropriate adult, independent of the police, whose role is to safeguard their rights and welfare, assist communication, and ensure fair treatment. Except in exceptional circumstances, the appropriate adult must be present for key procedures, including:Reading and explaining rights and entitlementsInterviews under cautionTaking of forensic samplesSearches involving exposure of intimate partsCustody officers must also ensure that detainees receive clinical attention as soon as practicable if they appear to require it, including where they show signs of mental disorder. Where the detainee is vulnerable, the appropriate adult should be involved in discussions about health and welfare needs.Before releasing a detainee from custody, the custody officers must assess any ongoing risks with regard to health, mental state and vulnerability and ensure that appropriate support or referrals are in place.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of reducing the proposed qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain for (a) nurses, (b) doctors and (c) other NHS workers in Surrey Heath constituency.

Within the new settlement rules, individuals will have the opportunity to reduce their qualifying period based on contributions to the UK economy and society. We will be consulting on those new rules later this year.

What recent discussions her Department has had with police forces on the adequacy of the steps they are taking to deter incidents of arson in Surrey Heath constituency.

Steps taken by Surrey Police to deter arson is an operational matter for the police force, working with the fire service and other partners.

What steps her Department is taking to support shop owners subject to persistent theft in Surrey Heath constituency.

Shop theft continues to increase at an unacceptable level. Tackling it is a priority for this Government.We are providing £5 million over the next three years to fund a specialist analysis team within Opal, the National Policing Intelligence Unit for serious organised acquisitive crime, to crack down on the organised gangs targeting retailers.We are also investing £2 million over the next three years in the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) which provides a resource for both police and businesses to learn, share and support each other to prevent and combat crime.Via the Crime and Policing Bill we will repeal the legislation which makes shop theft of and below £200 a summary-only offence, which means it can only be tried a magistrate's court. This will send a clear message that any level of shop theft is illegal and will be taken seriously. Also included in the Bill is a new offence of assaulting a retail worker to protect the hardworking and dedicated staff that work in stores.We are also supporting a new Tackling Retail Crime Together strategy to tackle shop theft published by policing, retail sector representatives and industry as part of collective efforts to combat shop theft.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of (a) suicide-related and (b) mental health-related emergency callouts on frontline emergency services in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Home Office is responsible for policing, while the impact on other emergency services falls to their respective departments, including the Department of Health and Social Care and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.The Government has been clear that the health and wellbeing of our police is a priority and that those who have faced suicide-related or mental health-related incidents in the line of duty receive the support they need to recover and continue serving.Work is underway nationally to support improvements in mental health provision and to reduce inappropriate demand on police resources through the Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) approach. This aims to ensure people in mental health crisis receive care from appropriately trained professionals while enabling the police to focus on core policing duties.Almost all forces across England and Wales are now adopting RCRP or similar models. The impact of this approach will vary by area, depending on local needs and partnership arrangements. Local governance structures are responsible for reviewing impacts on police time, health and social care services, and outcomes for individuals.