from walking vandalism and looting. walking vandalism is wanton vandalism

>> successful societies are built on an ethic of hard work, compassion, solidarity and looking after each other.

we all bear a share of responsibility for what happens within it. it is right that we came back to debating this. it is right the public order must be paramount. but it's also imperative that even after order and normality are restored we do not ignore the lessons we must learn. we cannot afford to move on and forget. for all the people who have been in fear this week, for those who have lost loved ones, homes and businesses we owe a duty. that is our responsibility to the victims. it is our responsibility to the country. we on this side of play our part in making it happen. >> prime minister. >> thank you, mr. speaker. and i thank the right honorable gentleman for what he said today but also for what he said in recent days, and if i can say the way in which he has said it made a number of points. he is right to praise emergency services, the work they have

done. in spite of the fact that 57 started in many cities across our country, there have been no casualties from those fires and i think that speaks volumes about the professionalism and brilliance of our firefighters nationwide. he quite rightly says it is important that as soon as possible we could our high streets, cities, towns, back to real sense of normality. first of all, that has to stop with this increased police presence for people feel confidence to go out and to enjoy their towns and cities. i believe that will happen so the cities become the great bustling places we want them to be. we ask questions about police, courts, communities and deeper lessons. on the police what i said about the army, i chose my words carefully. none of us want to see a breakaway from the great british model of policing, but i do think that governments have responsibility to try and look

ahead and contingencies and potential problems and start asking potential problems and difficulty in advance. that is what cobra has done. in terms of simply asking if there were tasks for some simple guarding task that could be done that would free up police for more front-line duties. this is not for today or even for tomorrow. it's just so you have contingency plans in case it became necessary. he asked about operational costs. the treasury deserve is being used. he asked about policing numbers beyond the weekend. deployment must be an issue and a metaphor police chiefs. they want to assist the intelligence and situation for making those decisions but as far as the government is concerned they should feel free to deploy as many police for as long as they need. what matters most of all more than anything else is restoring order on our streets. he raised the issue of police budgets. i'm sure this will be debated. let me make a couple of points. what we are saying over the next four years we are looking for

cash reduction in policing budgets. 6% reductions over the next four years, i believe that is totally achievable without any reductions in visible policing. police are growing number -- [shouting] >> making their point. let me just make two additional points on that. today we still have 7000 trained police officers in back-office jobs. part or program in police reform is about freeing up police for front-line duties. that is why i can make this very clear pledge to the house. at the end of this process of making sure our police budgets are affordable, we will still be able to surge as many police onto the streets as we have in recent days in london, in manchester. i do think this is important people understand that. he asked about the court system and whether we are able to surge

capacity and her magister's and crown courts. yes, that is exactly what cobra has been asking for in recent days. on sensing i chose my words carefully. it is a matter for courts to sentence but if you look at what the sentencing caption says, those people found guilty of violence on our streets should expect to have a custodial sentence. he asked questions about cctv. we fully support cctv. we want to regulate it to make sure it is used properly but it has been an immensely by able as i've seen for myself in police control rooms up and down the country. he asked about in terms of communities, whether they would be any cap on the money available for communities to of course the riot damages act doesn't have any cap at all. because were allowed to 42 day period people will be able to apply to the police and the government will stand behind the police. when it comes to the deeper lessons i think he's right. he quoted a speech i made.

i said it is explaining doesn't mean excusing, and he's right to say the causes are complex. i hope in the debates we have the causes don't immediately fall into the discussion about resources. we have deep moral failures you don't hit them with a wall of money. i think it is right, actually key word the use and that i used is the issue of responsibility. people must be responsible for the actions. we are all responsible for what we do. finally, he asked about the question of how we'll listen to communities and what sort of inquiry is necessary. i think in the first instance, i found some talking to many members of parliament on both sides of the house who are deeply in touch with their communities, keep in touch with their police forces and police chiefs, one of the first things we can do is properly bring to bear all the information we are hearing from our communities. i understand the home affairs select committee will hold an inquiry and i think we should try and ask a parliamentary inquiry to do this work first.

but i thank them for the general tone of what he says and hope we can keep up his cross party working as we do with a difficult problem. [inaudible] instead of rounding them up. does the prime minister remember that in 1971 at the peak of the opposition to the vietnam war in the united states, that the u.s. government brought 16,000 troops into washington in addition to the police, that they rounded up the rioters, they arrested them, and they put 40,000 of them into the d.c. stadium in one morning? has he any plans to make the wembley stadium available for some of the youth?

>> i want the wimbley stimp to be available for great sporting events. and i think it's important as we get back to a sense of normality that sporting events going to let me make this point. he makes an important point which i think to be fair to the police and all the should think carefully before we start criticizing police tactics when they're the ones in the front lines. be fair to the police they now say that i think to begin with they spend too much time concentrate on the public order aspects and not enough on the criminality aspect. it has been a greater police presence on the streets and the greater are risking of people is help to bring the situation under control. the police themselves when she said to me yesterday it's time to tear up some of the man you about public order and restart. restart. he said where done this many times before and the police will do it again and we'll get it right. it's in that spirit we should praise british police. >> i want to accommodate members but i issue my usual exhortation with particular force for

brevity. >> what the prime minister said about the death of mark duggan and, indeed, about compensation for victims. 45 people have lost their homes, burned to the ground, run out of their homes during their children in their arms. and their crime is rare with the police. we can have this debate today, but it is no replacement for hearing from people themselves. will the prime minister, and speak to those victims? ended the to the independent shopkeeper, hairdressers, jewelers whose businesses are lying in centers? and what he also commit to a public inquiry that looked at why initial skirmishes were allowed to lead to a situation in which the great roman road

now is in centers? >> prime minister? >> i will certainly take up the honorable gentleman's invitation to go and hear for myself. i found in a visit i made real anger on the streets about what happened, about how it can be allowed to happen. and just a lot of questioning of the police tactics and police presence. as i said in my statement, to be fair to the police i think to begin with the cost of the situation with mark duggan they were hanging backward very good reason. they could understand that they accept that went on for too long. the police presence need to be greater and it needed to be more robust and it needed to be protecting peoples homes, people's shops and people's houses. we will now do everything we possibly can to get those people we house quickly, to make sure that money is available. i know my right honorable friend has been in touch. i think all of the local government leaders affected and will keep that up. entrance of the inquiry, and

what it was honestly i think we should start with a home of of ursula committee inquiry. let them do their work and let's take it from there. >> mr. john leech. >> thank you, mr. speaker. was a prime minister media organizations to immediately release all footage of criminal behavior and assist the police in bringing criminals to justice? >> i will certainly do that. i was impressed in the control room of the west midlands police yesterday how amateur photographers have been sitting -- seen in footage to help the police arrest those who are guilty. as has been said today, everyone has a responsibility media has responsibility and i hope they will act on it. >> mr. jack straw. >> thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, no one disputes were second the prime minister's determination to meet what he describes as a duty of government to keep the streets say. but will he not understand that his repetition amounts to

treasure lines, about police numbers, and police budget, and also -- [inaudible] put a big of him to recognize the reality that these cuts will lead to fewer police on the streets? but also that he must reverse the softer sentencing plans his justice secretary and stop the looting of this plan the justice sector has to close britain when there is no presently an urgent need? >> prime minister? >> first of all i don't accept what he says about police numbers. and, indeed, neither do chief constable. many chief constables, if i take the chief constable of the thames valley convoy she said is what i haven't done at all is reduce number of officers who did a control selection, so the author you see in vehicles, on foot, bicycles, we haven't got those numbers at all. let me make this point i think one of the things demonstrated by the last three days where we

have 32000 officers is they could take the action to surge from 3000 on the streets to 16,000 on the street. i think that is a demonstration of using what you have to maximum effect. >> while metropolitan police officers showed great courage and determination of a high degree, over the last few days, whether prime minister agree with my concerned, that there were boards that police officer on several occasions were instructed to stand and observe, rising -- rioting and looting that would take place? would he agree with you that is not an except obese or? if the police are concerned because of the province after the g20 some that he might be criticized for overreacting, there is an urgent need for fresh guidelines so that there is no ambiguity that it is the police and not looters and rioters who control our street?

>> we will be looking again at the guidance. let me be clear, there was no instruction to police officers to stand back. but as i've said anything police chiefs have been very frank about this, that the balance between what is right or public order in what is right for stopping criminality, looting and feeding, that balance wasn't got right to start with. they admit that. except that. but they were to be fair to the police who do this for difficult job on all of our behalf. they were facing a new set of circumstances. yes, they have had rights before. is david looting before. yes there's been violence and vandalism before. but we have and the country before had the same thing happening in different places with different people all doing at the same time. that was a challenge for them. challenge i believe that are now meeting actually but they didn't get everything right to start with. they are the first to admit that. >> i'm grateful for his telephone call yesterday. what happened on tuesday night was not about protests.

it was about delivered organize violent criminality. will the prime minister give his full backing to the police to intervene in the circumstances? because it was the case of some officers had instruction where they didn't have riot gear, where they were not trained, they had to stand by and watch what happened. the effect on public confidence is devastating. will he ensure the police have the backing and that confidence, review the guidance so it never again do we see the police fall back in the face of a violent mob as we saw? >> she speaks all the authority of a former police minister who knows this issue well, and i know discussed with the police. could what happened was unacceptable. tragically it reverse very many good years of excellent work, breaking up games, take on organized criminals. i suspect what happened is those gangs and criminal sought as an opportunity to reassert themselves. all these lessons must be learned that i know the great manchester police chief i've

spoken to wants to learn the lessons, is not right ever to seize control of our streets to haul against -- two hooligans. the time to learn the lessons is now. >> david davis. >> thank you, mr. speaker. and i commend the prime minister for his decision on action on gangs, but i would like to raise another issue. he quite rightly raised or told the house, in fact the whole country was moved by the words of the father yesterday. when the father made those comments come he did so against the background of some ethnic tension to try to calm the circumstance there. there's a risk at least that evil people try to use these complex to raise for the ethnic tension in the future is a government going to take action to lives of the need to make sure that is not done?

>> the government will certainly do that. i was in birmingham yesterday joined a meeting of committee leaders who came from all religions, all creeds, all races, who came together to make sure that the communities did not respond in an inappropriate way to the dreadful events that happen having. i patriot do chief of the west force them to leader of the city council and to all those people who form that meeting and went out and spoke to the committees and appealed for calm. i think this seems we all saw last night of communities coming together in birmingham to try to stop the violence was a model of how these things should be done. >> what justification can there be, bearing in mind what the prime minister has just said, for very experienced police officers who serve 30 years or more are so been forced to retire? and isn't it, where there is no adequate police presence as has

been the case once or twice during the last few days? >> i think the honorable gentleman is entirely right. yesterday when it was the number of police officers or something like doubling overnight compared to the previous night. i suspect this is happening in other parts of the westminster. the fact is that one of the lessons we need to learn is the ability to search the number of police officers very rapidly into our community when there are problems arising like this. let me just say again, the place to the difficult and dangerous job on our behalf. they learn from extreme. they don't always get it right. we must praise them when they get it right and we must i think here say that some of the tactics need to change. but not try to subsidy our own judgment for this. that would be a sensible approach. >> thank you, mr. speaker. my constituents and i witnessed some shocking events sunday and

monday. but what was particularly shocking was the age of the number of culprits that were in the instance that night. with the prime minister assure me that he could ask the police authorities to work with the education authorities in an attempt to identify many of these secondary school children who are out there causing these crimes because i certainly think that is a sensible suggestion but i think over and above that we have to recognize that the responsibility for the fact that some of these children, and i use the word children advisedly, rests with opinions but what we do need to have is a sense that parents will take more responsibility for their children and teach them the difference between right and wrong and point out this behavior is unacceptable. >> it is undeniably that these criminals who looted, stole,

rioted, cause intolerable damage to the people who are the victims of this, must be dealt with by the police and by the justice system. what i want to ask the prime minister is, do we regard these people, however abject terror acts, is only cleanable to society and great cost to the police, to the justice system into the prison system, or will we have positive policies to try if at all possible to reclaim them to society? >> i agree with the right honorable gentleman. it was we must never write people off. however, bad are we must try and build a strong society where you can turn people's lives around it but i think one of the lessons from this is too many people have been left for too long and we need much earlier interventions if something were members on all sides of the house have spoken about. much earlier interventions than when we see children going

wrong, we intervene earlier rather than leaving them to fall at school and lapse into life of criminality. >> thank you, mr. speaker. if these riots have broken up in other countries the police would've had at their disposal water cans, plastic bullets and teargas. mr. speaker, across the u.k. british people watched on television while police were instructed stanback -- stand back. so the premise of a 24 hours notice of use of water cannon is enough? and this is not about police numbers but about police being given the tools to do the job. >> let me say to the honorable lady is that the pleased to have access to battering rams and they are able to make the decision to use them. and in london they came quite close to making that decision. that must be operated decision for the police. on issue of water cannons, the

first on advice from the police is the cause on the whole they were not deal with very large crowds but very mobile crowds or people who were intent on criminal behavior. water cannons would not have been appropriate in these circumstances. that is the police do get the point i've made is we should be ready for every possible contingency in the future so we should know how we would enter future questions which is why they are now available at 24 hours notice. that i don't agree with her about this, the greatest possible to sort of lawlessness we saw is the people to know that if they do that living, they do that violent, they will be pulled out an an arrest in the late and be in front of a court that night. that is the answer. they key to that is more police on the street so they're able to be more robust in a way they intervene. >> can i welcome all the steps taken by the prime minister from the start of these and join with him and others in condemning the criminality, and also praising the police.

i, like he, without on the streets of london yesterday. they key issue was the police ability. does he say if a police force has to dip into the contingencies, in order to pay for what has been going on over the last six days, that the government will reimburse all the money? >> can i think the right honorable gentleman for what he said and for the work i know his can and will be doing in the coming weeks. the fact is treasure is standing ready to assist police forces. clearly the bill for the metropolitan police force for these last few days is going to be large. and if they continue to deploy in these numbers it will get larger and the treasury will stand behind them. >> mr. simon his. >> those of us in the commands affected,. [inaudible] the place of the minority other officers trained and able to use right headgear and right equipment. can he look with home secretary

at that thing reversed some of police officers have the presumption so they can act and intervene? will he make sure the full force of the law doesn't just go to the 50 committees of through communities but the adults with children who are also going into the shops and taking stuff, not just the children? setting an example. >> on the first point, of course there will be a proper review in terms of what is the right balance between riot police and normal burro policing so we meet the source of emergencies better in future. of course, that will happen. in terms of prosecuting the guilty, the police should go after everybody. they have the cct images. there are people all over the country ringing up in explaining their neighbors just acquired a new 42-inch plasma screen. >> thank you, mr. speaker. the people of liverpool are united in the absolute criminal acts that wreak so much havoc

caused so much fear in parts of liverpool over the last few days. but what specific things has the prime minister made to assist, to be able to be assisted in the future coming? >> liverpool will be able to apply, not onto the scheme that existed through this new special scheme that doesn't have a threshold you need to cross in order to claim payments under. also the riot damages act is effectively unlimited in the claims you can make. as i said the home office will stand and police forces so there's a series of measures and of the written statements and house today so she can see full details and share them with her council leaders. >> i know the prime minister will agree with me that we in principle have the best police force in the world. however, will he agree with me it is time to please will refocus back to being

crimefighters instead of social workers? >> i think the police have the clearest possible message that we want them to be a police force. we want them to be focused on crime. we don't want them fighting paper behind a desk, and i think they've been very clear message from the whole country this week that people visible policing but they want very robust policing spent david miliband. >> the prime minister will be pleased as i'm that we know rioting or looting in south shields turkey has rightly praised the indie pendant, the professionalism of the chief constable. why didn't we want to get rid of them all and make them stand for election? >> we are not proposing to make chief constables stand for election. what we are proposing is to police commissioners stand for election, replacing police authorities. and the point i would make, the point i would make is this, that actually in recent days, in recent days i think these arguments that yes, you have

independent police chief constables, yes, they have to be responsible for the judgment, but it's important they are accountable politically. there is a discussion that can take place between politicians and between police chief is a thoroughly good one. >> thank you, mr. speaker. it was badly smashed up on monday night. and man is critically ill in hospital having been attacked when he tried to put out a fire in elizabeth. people are devastated. we heard the prime minister say those who are big enough to take part in the riots are big enough to take part in -- they will feel the full force of the law including prison sentences speak with yes, i can give her that assure that our to thank her for the briefing she gave me of what had been happening, particularly on monday night. i can give her that ushered. the cincy must be a matter for the courts. the guidelines council is clear

that people taking part in violent disorder should expect to go to prison. >> thank you, mr. speaker. can i invite the prime minister to join with me, not only put on the record our gratitude to the place of work so hard the call to our streets, but also the outreach and committee workers who have been at everest single night talking to people, to reduce tension and restore order in our streets in partnership with the police? can i invite him to meet with those people so he understands it is not a tiresome debate, but we must learn from the experience and restore order, not just in these next few days but everyday and are committed, across the country. >> i certainly happy to meet with the honorable lady. the point she makes that reclaiming the streets is not just an issue for the police, but it's an issue for everybody. i think it's absolutely right and we've seen fantastic examples of the right across our country. the point i was trying to make about resources is i hope we can have an, of course, i hope also

we can have a debate about some of the culture, about some of the upbringing, some of the parenting, some of the deeper point that lie behind these problems. >> david tc davies. >> mr. speaker, frontline officers were telling me last night they had been afraid to use measure of fiscal sorts because concerns about criticism. five minutes of power which have seen, so when the prime minister, i welcome this, we will be robust and do whatever it takes. kenya shows that members of the south will support the police if they have to strike people with battens? because force has to be met with greater force. >> i know the honorable gentleman speaks with great expertise as he serves as a special constable himself. the point is this. people do what robust policing. of course, the police have to be sensitive to things that happen in the past. sometimes the pendulum can swing too far one way and into for the

other what i'm sure the message has been received loud and clear that went this sort of violent criminal behavior people what robust response. >> heidi alexander. >> the prime minister has talked about the wrong play by gangs and technology in the disorder that has taken place over the last week. does he share my concern about the popularity and accessibility of internet footage glorifying gangs and knives? what we do to ensure these despicable videos are taken down? >> i think the honorable lady speaks very powerful. but also on this issue where frankly everyone has responsibilities, not just minutes of parliament, police, parents. media companies and social media companies who are displaying these images, and all of them should think about their responsibilities and taking down those images. that's why don't sector is going to a meeting with those organizations to see what more

can be done. >> thank you, mr. speaker. two of the shocking images the prime minister virtue in his statement took place in my constituency. can i thank them for coming here on tuesday quick yesterday and today before my constituents finally got to see the kind of policing in terms of visibility and robustness that they want to see every night. came here issue to me and my constituents that we're not just going to see a temporary change of police tactics, but a permanent one? >> i thank the honorable gentleman for what he did to introduce me to some of the shopkeepers affected homeowners in his constituency, some of them have been made homeless. i can given that assurance because i think one of the things that has been demonstrated the last few days as i said is the importance of searching police numbers quickly. there are 30,000 officers in the met. having just 3000 on the streets on monday, on sunday wasn't enough. that's what action was taken to increase a bit unsure lessons will be learned in that regard.

[inaudible] with resources to support the police and what they're doing here, can ask the prime minister the context every doing the action of the police over the last few days, and using their lengthy experience of right controls and inviting the police to handle the situation in the future speak with of course it's enormously helpful having -- who serve so well in northern ireland but it is an issue i raised myself and cobra about accessing their expertise in the police service in northern ireland. i would just make the point that i think one of the issues that we need to grip quickly was the fact that this was not a political protest. it was actually looting gangs. so every case is different. that's i think one of the difficulties police have to fa face. >> when the authority of parents and teachers and police have been eroded, consistently for so

many years, and hopefully the prime minister will reverse the process but he himself has said again and again, it's the stability of families that can't. he's made tremendous progress. but before the election he said part of thi his marriage was thu bring in a marriage tax allows but it still hasn't happened. will he now do it? >> as the honorable member knows, i support, i think we should support families and marriage in every way we can. i think we should set a simple test for all government policies which is this. is what we're about to do going to enhance responsibility, whether parental responsibly or the responsibility of the teacher in the school come the response a police officer on the street it is is going to earn have the response that we should do it. if it isn't we shouldn't. >> thank you, mr. speaker. does the prime minister realize that in times of economic downturn, inquisitive crime increases always? the difference this week was it

was backed up by extreme violence and perpetrated by mobs. can i ask him to reconsider the cuts to the police budgets? you will be seen not to be getting into mob violence by giving into commonsense. >> i simply don't accept this determined that when you get change in the economy there are automatic change in the levels of criminality. and, indeed, the figures over the last recession disprove that. we should be clear in this house that it is criminals that are responsible for crime. it is an individual act and we should hold people responsible for those acts. let me take this opportunity for paying tribute to the welsh police officers, that gave great support to police forces across england. >> mark pritchard spent can i congratulate on the leadership is shown and the initiatives that he has announced today? isn't not the case though that those local authorities that attempted to close down youth services should think again?

and perhaps consider shutting off and closing down some of the more lavish firms enjoyed by some local authority workers? >> the point i would make to the honorable gentleman is every organization, whether it is a local authority, central government, a police force, at a time whatever is having to make budget reductions has got to focus on the front end on the things that matter most. we're doing that at central government. police forces are doing that and local authorities should do the same. >> i was on the streets at the height of the rioting on monday night. and i know how frightened people are, and remained at and i believe most important thing is to regain control of our street. but on the question of the army, let me say this. when we are attracted, to

further militarization of the situation to some members of this house, even to some of my own constituents, but let me say this. he will be aware that he who has ordered battering rams and water cannons is against the use of these things in the current situation. and i say to this house, whether it is a popular thing to say or not, that the further militarization of the situation we face will not help and may bring things to and even worse level. >> first of all let me agree with what the honorable lady said. i think very private about the fact this was criminality on the streets and about how frightened people were. i agree with others who say now is not the time to take these steps to the point i would make is government has a responsibility to ask about contingencies, to work out what next, what if it got worse? those are responsibility we take

seriously. let's take this opportunity to pay tribute to what the armed services do often do in our own country when it comes to floods and other emergencies. they play an incredible role and we should thank them for it. >> mr. speaker, would not write up a friend agree when facing the circumstances we face it is nonsense that magistrate courts have to -- because their own sensing power are inadequate let's will he take steps to give magistrate courts how to deal with these cases? >> as i sit in my statement we keep these sensing powers under the that magistrate courts can sense of the six-month. they have been passing sensitive they've been doing that overnight. and also refer cases to chronic what i think is vital to make sure there's enough crime core capacity to deal with these cases quickly. >> mr. speaker, can i bet the prime minister to change his mind about a commission of inquiry? this isn't going to go away.

we could wish it to go away. this is a complex changing social phenomena but we've got to understand in order to combat it. he announced this week a commission of inquiry, i'm a great supporter as he knows, but it's not enough to lead to a select committee inquiry. to me that's not -- [shouting] >> i think we should have more confidence in our select committees in this house to do this work. i think the home affairs select committee doesn't excellent job. i don't know these things out in the future. at a start with that. sometimes commissions of inquiry have had to be ordered because committees in this house have been able to get to the information or the people. i don't see why that should be the case in this circumstance. >> thank you, mr. speaker. some cities have suffered hugely this week while others have avoided violence. and have managed to squash any trouble before it kicked off. when inquiries are established

and when the select committee does its work with the prime minister incher we learned lessons on from those areas where violence was kicked off, but from cities where there was any trouble? and made we and learned lessons from what went right in those areas speak with i think she's right. any inquiry should certainly do that. >> prime minister may i thank you for this where you met our decent citizens have become victims, had seen the buildings and businesses burned down, had seen offices and shops trashed. the people into war zone, because that's what was, we're making the plea, where were the police? for hour after hour after hour people were free to pillage and lived with no uniformed officers around. may i ask the prime minister, may i ask the prime minister impact on behalf of the people i met the last two days distraught and said people, the victims, i would ask prime minister, i

would plead with the prime minister on behalf of my constituents to think again about police numbers because the please -- the people of london want more police in london and not fewer. to would be the wrong policy at precisely the wrong time. >> with the right honorable friend, the time i spent in croydon was powerful to you about the immense frustration and anger that the shopkeepers and those householders and tenants felt. but i would say this to the problem was that the police were not on the street. the problem wasn't about police budget in four years time. the problem was about the the the other place right now. there are 32000 officers in the net. we need to get more onto the streets to more quickly and more of them to croydon. it is about now. it is not about the budgets of the future. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i very much welcome -- [inaudible] about social media. as part of that, what might be

called the internet equivalent of the corporate it would seem the police have been wasting time dealing with false rumors about modern activity and the laws and building must be updated. >> i think the honorable gentleman makes a good point. just as the police have been using technology more effectively, so criminals are now using technology more effectively. there are false trails that were laid on twitter and blackberry messenger and all the rest of the. i think we need a major piece of work to make sure the police have got all of their electronic capabilities that they need to hunt down the criminals. >> thank you, mr. speaker thank you, mr. speaker. can the prime minister say what measures he has in mind to strengthen families? and in particular, parental responsibility which so many members of the public rightly think is a big faction in all this? >> let me give them one area

where we have made progress but i want to see further progress. that is the issue of discipline in schools. we've got to make sure that schools are able to confiscate things off children and are able to exclude children without being overruled by appeals bills. all of those things add to responsibility. in terms of families it is making sure every single tax and benefit that we have is profound, is pro-commitment, is profiled as of this decrepit part of the problem is the fathers have left to me of these communities and that's what young people look towards the gang. >> the prime minister has referred twice in the last 24 hours to phony concerns about human rights. he will be aware of the many lessons we all receive about people who are dismayed by decisions taken that seem to laugh at her thighs and believes in this country. can i suggest to him if he is yours about wanting to build the responsible society, that would be much more easily build if we remove the human rights act?

[shouting] >> the point of a specifically making was the concern that is often expressed and was expressed to me over the last couple of days, was whether pictures could be published, photographs as it were under the human rights act. i wanted to specifically send a message to police forces and local authorities they should go ahead and do that. on the human rights act more generally, he knows where plans to reform it. >> mr. richard burton. >> can i add my true to the works of the police, emergency services, noble authority workers, but also the active citizenship shown by those broom brigades and the families last i? i would just say, could he look again at the figures who is mentioning about the police budget. image and 6%. if you look at metropolitan areas, the cut amounts to a lot more than that because of the way the formula works.

will he look again at that because i think he may be operating on wrong figures? >> let me take you to what was done in birmingham. i think as a model of bringing communities together after the honorable gentleman played a part in the. the point i'm making is police funding comes from both the grant and precipitation make normal associate about the present what we're asking is on average basic% cash reduction over four years. i don't think that is impossible to do while keeping police visibility. a growing number of police chiefs are agreeing with the. in terms of his own force, we are basically taking a funding back to the level it was in 2007. the way he is speaking to think we're taking back to 1987. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i would urge the prime minister resist the nature, to call for a revision to the plan for the please budgets and police numbers. [shouting] let me, let me urge the prime minister to remember this isn't about the resources, the management of resources and the

more respected use of resources. that is the view of my own chief constable in the west midlands. that is the view that should prevail. >> i think the honorable lady is entirely right that what matters is getting the most out of the budgets that are there. frankly, let me just, i was not a big day for politics but both parties went into the election promising to make reduction in policing budgets. the party opposite reduction of a billion. because we are prepared to freeze police they come to reform allowances, to ask for greater contributions to pensions, because we got rid of the stop and search, we can make those reductions without affecting visible policing. but only because we made those difficult decisions which the party opposite isn't making. >> thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, on tuesday night -- there were warnings in my constituency may come under attack.

local people, maas, handed temples, place volunteers outside the religious places to protect them. as tragedy, i think you very much for mentioning the volunteers during that. but i must assure you that those people were led by local member of parliament, local counselors, faith leaders, military leaders and business leaders. may i ask the prime minister to come to my constituency and meet those volunteers, bless this committee leaders so that they can ask you a few questions which they feel that were not answered here and not answered, and they fear you may not able to answer in the future? may i ask you to visit us in the near future speak as i can say i will get a number of enticing invitations today. let me make the point. i think the whole country admires what happened with the protection of the table. let me j. just say this, i have

admiration for the people who want to protect their homes and properties and the commute. of course, it should be the job of the police and we need to make sure the police are on the streets in greater numbers to do that. but happy to to the people for the achieved. >> will my right of a friend except, those that will be addressed by the -- one factor in common, a widespread belief that anyone can have that anything they want, without paying for it and without living within their means? [shouting] will he resist the foreign call to give up his plans to make all departments, including the police, live within our means? especially if every police person i know, every police officer i know and have spoken to says that they could dramatically increase the proportion of their times used effectively to public good if they were deployed more

efficiently? it cannot be beyond the wit of man to live within those budgets, policing within -- [inaudible] >> i think he makes a very powerful point. i made a point of sitting there with my own chief constable in my constituency and going through budget line by line so i could see the changes that were being made so that savings would be made, but visible policing wouldn't be affected. with a 6% cash reduction it can be done. >> the prime minister has made much as others have of importance of parental responsibility. but does he realize that many of those people involved particularly in gangs, that their parents are actually the game? some of the issues we need to look at in terms of gangs and how they operate in inner-city areas like london really, really are crucial in this, and could he also tells the committee what he means by a gang injunction? >> first of all, the honorable lady is entirely right. there is no single one measure

that is going to increase parental responsibility and breakup gain membership. one of the reasons why i have asked the right honorable member to play a role in this is i think before coming onto the front bench, the social justice organization spent a huge amount of time trying to look at the best practice in terms of dealing with gangs. the our gang injunctions at the moment that only apply to adults, that can prevent people from doing particular things. that is a good start but as i said, there's no one single answer. [inaudible] >> mr. speaker, can enjoy my colleagues in thanking the prime minister for his visit which we appreciated in transit. and i join to maintain a high profile. but once the situation stabilize we do need to look at the underlying causes. and as he says, said, there is a group in our society that does not know the difference between right and wrong.

>> the honorable gentleman is entirely right. i think when you look at the token scenes it was quite clear that the criminality, looting, and quite a lot of it was done by very young children who should've been under the control of their parents. >> the prime minister is right. many of my constituents support the police. what horrified when they saw police in full riot gear watching as looters went into shops, plastic bags full of loot and left, under rested by the police. this was a victory for criminals. can the prime minister give my constituents and this house an assurance that if there is another criminal assault on manchester that all those criminals will be arrested? >> i concert to go further than that and say that even those criminals who did that while the police were not intervene and perhaps the way he and others would like, they will be arrested too.

their faces and pictures are captured by cctv. even as we have the cobra meeting this morning there were 60 arrests taking place across limited under the same is happening in manchester, too. but i do agree with what he says, that we do need to examine tactics to make sure we get it right in the future. future. >> sir robert smith. >> the prime minister is quite right identify this as major criminal activity, and, therefore, i welcome the fact that attempt to help the victims, specifically for small businesses with different of tax. will he also issued that taxes were do not penalize businesses who are late in filing tax returns and vat returns because of the disruption? >> we will shortly do that. that's why as i said in the statement they will be facility for businesses affected to pay the tax late. >> can i voice my support for the police, including the brave officers who face oppressive levels of violence and criminality in manchester on tuesday night it as the prime

minister says, it's about now. there is one very practical thing he could do that would reduce the process on the metropolitan police in particular. and that's to delay or preferably cancel the current proposal to allow terrorist suspects who currently are required to live away from him to return to the city next year? will he get the proposal series consideration? >> as the germans are in the home office i will look carefully at closely awaits a. let me join him in being traded to the police. he's a fellow member of parliament. i'm sure everyone in this house will praise the bravery of officers and what they do putting themselves in harm's way. it's not fair to blame them if sometimes the tactics don't work. i think with be very careful with the way we express ourselves on this issue. >> thank you, mr. speaker. the literally thousands of victims deserve the justice be done. addressing to me there's a very heavy reliance on the use of cctv to capture images. our police considering other

things like spring in double chemical dye on rioters so that they can identify them, pick them up the following day? >> as i said i think the police should use all available technology here and in other countries to make sure the arrest as many people as possible. [inaudible] [inaudible] with the prime minister recognize and accept that the scheduled reductions of public spending, not only for the police but for fire, the and its service, for the court and for the much back office staff, will affect the ability of those to respond effectively? will he please think again? >> mr. speaker, it is an hour and 20 minutes before i said but i have to say there is reason we're having to reduce these budgets and has because we inherited a complete fiscal bureaucrat --

[shouting] and there is a connection, there is a connection between this statement were having and the statement we are about to have which is if countries don't get control of their fiscal situation, you can see what happens with even the largest country in the world getting the debt downgraded. >> stuart jackson. >> mr. speaker, the prime minister is quite right to look at the events this week in the context of social malaise and family breakdown. can't i question them on the point where my honorable friend of the games were, the policy to which he refers and the tax system was an agreement on which we are both elected, surely this week of all weeks, take within a holistic context that we will support marriage and family and we will review the policy and bring forward proposals? >> he's right that it was in the manifesto and it is indeed in the coalition agreement. the coalition agree with the two parties take a different view.

i remain a strong supporter of the proposal. >> sir alun michael. >> trainman. as a member of the home repair select committee i'm confident the report would make a contribution. but doesn't the prime minister accept that something more than that is needed, we need an in depth wide-ranging full-time report, led by summary of the authority independence it would -- we need a quickly. the issues the prime minister himself has referred to our to be fully explored. >> let me make a couple of points. i know the -- first of all sometimes the need for wider commissions of inquiry has come about because there -- we are not at that point you. segue these events are still continue. so to start talking of what sort inquiry now i think is wrong. the third point i would make is this. of course, you shouldn't jump to conclusions but i think everyone is clear on the differences between what we've seen in the

last three days, we saw in 1981. this was not political protest or writes about politics or about politics. it was common looting. we don't need an inquiry to tell us that. >> following the demonstrations in london and the unfortunate death that he could come police officers have been reluctant to use force. what reassurance can he give us? >> the reassurance i can give is that we will put the resources into the police force to make sure the train officers that we need. >> thank you, mr. speaker. can i pay my could do the police who i think did an excellent job in birmingham and surrounding cities to it was right. those killed had to be punished quickly. but what discussions to make sure the prisons have the capacity?

>> the honorable rick lady raises a good point i was in her constituency yesterday. the discussions we've had at cobra what justice mrs. were present at all of the meetings was to make sure that we had enough capacity in police cells, and had enough capacity in the magistrate court system and the court has been sitting at or twitter out, and have enough capacity in our prisons to do with it. i've been assured on all of those levels that the work is there and the capacity is available. [inaudible] the shouldn't parents be held responsible for their children's behavior in the court? >> i think the honorable gentleman is right. there are parenting orders that can be used and the help they will be widely used on this occasion. >> thank you, mr. speaker. yesterday and the day before homes and businesses in my constituency were vandalized by a very small minority but it was

the majority they came together on tuesday and wednesday morning to clean up the mess. but there is damage that couldn't be swept away. the prime minister said the government will ensure that police have the funds to meet any legitimate compensation claim. was a prime minister confirmed that all of these funds will be in addition to the police authorities existing budget? >> that's exactly what i said. you've got a rights damage is act. so even if they're uninsured can apply to develop a police force and home office will stand behind that force. that is a scheme that has been in place for decades. in addition to that, there are of course the two schemes i've announced today. one of which will directly impact on her constituency because it was affected by the right. >> doesn't prime minister agree with me that what we've witnessed on the streets of our major towns and cities is nothing more or less than pure criminality and thuggery? and those who seek to excuse this behavior, deprivation, are

themselves symptomatic of the no blame, no responsible which is undermine our society to the sorry state? >> i think the honorable john makes a powerful point. i've actually instructed at meeting for the local people or community leaders or police officer, everyone has in making the point that this is about criminality and not about political protest. >> mr. speaker, after the rioting, local traders told me that they fear the emergence of a new class of criminal consumer. self organize groups whose newfound collectivism has diminished their fear of the police, and increase their contempt for the law. they are cry to the primacy was please reverse the planned reduction of a thousand uniform police officers in west midlands. i'm sorry he doesn't like to be there. he's got to give them an edge

now. we at least agree, we at least agree to keep the matter under review speak with what i say to the honorable gentleman is the first half of this question which was all about the new technology that the criminal is using bore no relation to the second half of the question, which is about resources. what matters is are we going to give the police the technology either to trace people on twitter or blackberry messenger, or as i said in my statement on occasion to close it down? that's the step we should be taken rather than launching into discussion of resources in four years time. >> thank you, mr. speaker. may i urge the prime minister not just in terms of the amount of compensation but also the speed. getting his business back on the fee. so more jobs and money and communities that so badly need them. >> my audible friend makes a very good point and i can say that my audible friend pashtun

audible friend will give advice to all the members of parliament. it's the important not just to set up these schemes but to make sure money is paid rapidly. >> 1 million -- 19 year olds in one of the apprentices said a lot about children and people. what he has in our half. can he take this opportunity, can he take this opportunity to make clear that the vast majority of young people are decent, law-abiding, good people? and they are appalled by the stigmatization they are getting from the media? and there are also appalled, they are afraid, they are not criminals, they are just in fear at this time. >> in my statement i said that what happened was in no way representative of the brilliant young people we have in our country. [shouting] let me just as i understand there will be a meeting of people, i think in westminster,

saying they specifically this was not done in their name. and i applaud that and all of the other social action initiatives what people have stood up and say this wasn't wasn't about me or for me or anything to do with me. >> the prime minister had linked social media to violate the with the join and congratulate the huge number of people have joined social media -- telling people what is happening, would he accept those positive issues and blades are clamping down social media could have very damaging consequences? >> the honorable gentleman exhibit for which went home sector will explore this with a social media companies, with other services as well. the key thing though, i would make this point is the police were facing a new circumstance where rioters were using the blackberry messenger service and closed network so they knew where they're going to vote and the police couldn't keep up with

them. we've got to examine and we have to get ahead of them. >> the prime minister has said on cctv has proved highly viable, so can he explain how he might make it easier for commuters who want more? >> by making funds available on the first things i did in politics as a home office special adviser was set up one of the first ever cctv challenge funds so communities can invest in it. >> mr. speaker, with -- would my right of a friend agree with me when it comes to punishment, the courts need to consider the issue of compensation of victims at the heart of the deliberations, whatever the income or means of the offender? and secondly, the powers to confiscate the proceeds of crime should be deployed and put into effect by the court. >> i agree with what he says that he speaks with great expertise as his practice in the criminal law and so. and also the opportunities in the forthcoming sentencing bill to look at even for the powers

of confiscation to make sure we get after these criminals. >> thank you, mr. speaker. on sunday and monday night we saw violent looting and ransacking in my constituency and my bro. there have been some out in the country who have sought to attribute these acts to particular racial or religious groups. we may not know the exact causes of all of these events around the country, with the prime is agreed with me that we do know it was people of all different religions and all different races he were responsible for this? into racialized this issue is gravely wrong and does our country a great disservice? >> i think he makes important point. this wasn't about race. it was about crime. >> my constituency not only have violence this week but also in april as well. we very much appreciate the strong words the prime minister is used today. in dealing with deeper issues in society would he agree with me that people give themselves marginalized are much more likely to first listen to and

respect for strong words of people at the other in the social spectrum, not just in the boardroom, or rather more popular people of the site as well do not display such menial and consumption behavior two people fall in? >> of course the honorable gentleman is right but i think in setting out as it were a hierarchy of message is very important to get across. there's simply no justification for this sort of looting that we saw. there's no excuse for that. >> mr. speaker, i would like to thank the prime minister for coming to my consensus against the indian retailers who are affected by what happened, including the computer shop that was ransacked and looted. what we have seen in recent days is what happened when order breaks down. when order breaks down, there is no liberty. when order breaks down, there is fear. the prime minister is right to say that whoever did this are

responsible. but governments also have responsibilities. so can i ask him, will he reconsider his government's plan to make cctv harder for communities to use instead of easier? and would also look again at the issue of police numbers? because the idea that the budget cuts he is making wouldn't affect numbers may look good, but i have to tell him it will not commence? >> what we're doing is making sure the cctv is properly regulated. we don't want to restrict its use. cctv has violate important in the fight against crime. i'm one of% committed to. can i say, since i thought the righright honorable jim and spoe yesterday we talked about the very fine lines that can be between order and disorder and importance of giving support to a police inkling the excellent work done by the westminster force. >> ordered an to accommodate the interest of colleagues, but we

are now starting to get many speeches. entirely understandable but that's what we're getting and it does absorb a lot of time. can appeal to college for brevity. >> thank you, mr. speaker. her majesty's, 1.5 billion pounds a year can be made in police efficiency, savings. can the prime minister tell us that the home office will mandate collaboration to ensure that these savings are delivered, and protecting the front line which is what we all want to see? >> the honorable gentleman makes an important one. the hmic has said those savings are available. they were not taken, they were taken into account that pay freeze for police officers and increased pension contributions, or indeed some of the extra work that we've done to get paid for. that is what i feel so confident in saying that on average 6%

cash reduction over four years should lead to no reduction in visible policing. [inaudible] crisis policing is not an alternative to sustained community policing. so i was very disappointed visiting damage in my constituency to talk to sergeants who are losing their jobs today, who are being made to reapply for their jobs today as part of 300 job losses in london alone. the prime minister says when circumstances change we must change. he must now change his policy of damaging the leadership to london's neighborhoods spent what you saw in london over the last few days where we have 32000 officers in the met is a great deployment of more of those officers onto the street. frankly, it wasn't good enough for only 3000 deployed when this started, and it shows how much you can do getting up to 16,000

deployed with help from outside, and as i said those numbers will be available at all times in the future, even with the reductions we're in budget. >> today marks the start of a normal, sober and difficult post more as to why society chose to rob the very committed that they were part of. the prime minister implied we must start by looking at the powers given to the police. can ask him to show the house is a please just use water cannons and they can do so without influence why ministers again if necessary they had to close down -- as a ton after the 77 bombs to make sure we isolate the use of twitter and facebook which allowed the mobs to be one step ahead of the police speak with the point i made to the honorable jim is of course conversation have to take place between the home office and the police. about the use of different technologies work different tactic. the point home secretary and i've been making in recent days is they should be feel free to

examine whether they need these capabilities and the knowledge that our political support for doing what is necessary to keep our streets safe. >> the prime minister keeps referring to the police officers in london. we only have 60,000 police. they came to an busload from places, saving the great manchester police under stress and not able to face down a violent crowd of a thousand individuals. we've already lost more than 300 police officers. there is no case for any marcottes. >> i don't think the honorable lady is being their on the system that make sure the police officers are sent to the areas where they are needed. in the case of greater manchester they themselves were getting mutual aid from other parts of the country the. >> thank you, mr. speaker. the prime minister spoke of the significant number of young people who have no moral concern and no sense of community. on monday, i visited one of the

programs. i was impressed with what i saw. cannot also say they are ordered and reviewed in recommendation before the program proper to the recent events the last few days taking into account? >> i think the honorable lady makes an excellent point. i feel passionate it is a great idea for young people in our country. we want to make it is able to as many young people as we can. we are piloting 30,000 places in the coming months to come looking for to visiting some of them myself and i think it went to mr. with honorable member opposite spoke what which is how may positive role models there are amongst our young people. >> thank you, mr. speaker. hundreds of specialist police officers have been deployed from scotland's eight forces in support of colleagues in england, and it is right and proper everything is provided to assist areas that have been struck by the rioting and disorder. could the prime minister confirm what conversations he or the home secretary have had direct with the scottish government about this supports?

>> i'm not aware of any conversation but what i am aware of is the excellent role that scottish police officers played, particularly plink the west midlands force. i saw them for myself the impact they had. i think our forces can cooperate in this way. >> prime minister pay tribute to the police forces from outside london. is remaining officers were extended just. they have been supported by large numbers, a special constables to keep policing going. >> i will start to do that. i support having local police forces. i was never in favor of these large police come and i think last 72 hours have demonstrate how you can have a system where you get the police officers unique in the places that you need. >> mr. speaker, the police courts and cbs must be commended for the work around the clock to deliver swift arrest and charging decisions. but there's much more to do, not least to ensure that successful

prosecutions are delivered. given the unprecedented nature of these events and the strength of justice system is already under to to project cuts, will the prime minister commit today to making additional resources available to ensure that justice can be delivered to victims? >> what i can say to the honorable lady is that at cover there was not only a justice minister but also the attorney general making sure that where there were any problems that a police force was reporting with a local grant prosecution service we could work very closely to make sure resources were put in place. i think we should continue to in the coming days. perhaps mostly at an official of to make sure these bottlenecks are dealt with. >> can i warmly welcome my right honorable friend to say about robust sentencing, and whilst speedy justice is important it should be at the expense of an unacceptable compromise. shirley all those who organize rides from this use of social media, attacked police, the missiles should face very long sentences and imprisonment?

>> i agree with the honorable gentleman. it is up to the courts is that the senses but they have tough sentences of able and i'm sure they will use them. >> thank you, mr. speaker. these indeed are difficult times. the prime minister talk about olympics and international damage. he was right -- is it going to be right that pictures -- what is the prime minister do on that? >> this was discussed at cobra this point but as i understand subsequent to the it's been decided big game should be postponed that as i stepped intention is that of the games in london, the start of the season should go it. but perhaps starting earlier in the day. i think that somebody very sensible agree. if that indeed is what is agre agreed. >> i think the prime minister very much.

[inaudible] the fact that the actions, criminal actions have been a problem for the committee's out there, screaming about for years. [inaudible] whilst i welcome the provisions, can the prime minister reassure me to the fact that come up actions will have consequences? >> i think the honorable lady speaks very powerfully about this but i think this'll be a wakeup call to the police in terms of the way they work with communities and make an even more determined, even low-level disorder and violence must be punished and punished quickly. i think if there's an opportunity we must look for good things to come out of this. one good thing that should come out of this is police should commit themselves even more deeply to some of those communities. >> thank you, mr. speaker. mr. speaker, i pay tribute to all of the public sector workers

who we rely upon time and time again. but mr. speaker, those -- over many months, of the many months i've had lectures from serving police officers, concerned about the windsor report and effect on morale, concerned about issues of a 19 enlisting senior officers, and now concerned about the fact about having called upon in our time of need, after on the streets putting themselves in the firing line literally sometimes, they're having lead counsels and they're having to give up the requirements. mr. speaker, we took an hour and a half to hear the words hmi seek. and we have heard nothing about johnson's you on policing cuts. with the prime minister now finally get to his feet and address this? [shouting] ..

>> he was focusing not on sartorial matters, but on violence, and he was perfectly in order, and i'll leave it at that. i do ask the house to try to rise to the level of events. mr. steven metcalf. >> mr. speaker, can i thank my right honorable friend for his statement and particularly the support that he is offering to small and medium-sized businesses. as one whose business has been directly affected by this although not disastrously, i have to admit, i know the destruction this is causing.

will the prime minister assure me that no business will be lost and no livelihoods subsequently lost because of the actions of these thugs and high hooligans d the fund if deemed not big enough will be increased to insure those actions won't happen. >> well, there's the right to damages act as well as the 20 million pound scheme. i believe that should be enough, but i know my right old friend will be on the case. >> caroline. >> mr. speaker, violence is always to be condemned, but as the prime minister has said, seeking to understand violence is a world away from seeking to justify it and, indeed, we ought to try to understand it to stop it in the future. a role to play in at least pulling some people into violent behavior. could the prime minister reassure the house the comprehensive impact that will be undertaken before his government introduces any more policies --

[inaudible] inequality. >> of course, everyone wants to see a fairer and more equal country, i be i have to say -- but i have to say young people smashing windows and stealing televisions is not about inequality. >> matthew hancock. >> mr. speaker, will the prime minister join me in congratulationsing policemen from suffolk and across -- [inaudible] who came to london to support. but will he also answer this question? my constituents were shocked to discover that only 3,000 of the 32,000 policemen were on duty. what are we going to do to change that, and can we get cross-party support for it? >> first of all, i certainly join him in congratulationsing suffolk and east anglia as well. one of the lessons we have to learn is the ability to surge up quickly the numbers when the circumstances require it. >> dan biles.

>> mr. speaker, do you agree that no matter how good you are at least in arresting these people, too many of these thugs simply don't care because they have no respect or fear of the criminal justice system, and until we can result that, we will not be able to address the wider problem. >> i think the honorable gentleman makes a good point. there will be people who nicked things thinking somehow that was okay who are going to get an almighty shock when they get a record and potentially go to jail. but he's right the say there's the hard core who aren't frightened enough of the concern scwaws dissystem, and we need -- justice system and we need to make sure they are. >> actually, on we half of the overwhelming majority of my constituents who are appalled by this organized criminality, can i ask the prime minister if he will look at this, there really does have to be a review and he's committed to this, of the tactics of policing.

that may reveal that because police officers were working 12-hour shifts on the night manchester was trashed, there must be a real question about the numbers available. now, within that con trek, can the prime minister commit he will review the situation to make sure that numbers will never be a situation in not having the blue uniformed police when we need them? >> of course we'll look at all these issues. the point i'd just simply make to the honorable gentleman is because on tuesday it was possible in manchester, in london to surge the numbers up more rapidly, it would have been possible on monday. this is not to criticize the police. you can't get everything right when you're dealing with these very difficult situations. but i think it's the surge capacity we've got to look at rather than pretending this is all about the resources in two, three, four years' time. >> mr. david bare rows.

>> marked contrast the former london mayor who tried to justify the havoc and should be condemned by all the house. as we provide unqualified support to our police, is it not the case to empower our police so they can get their hands on water cannons and bullets, but also to free the hands up from the time it takes to protest individual arrests and free them up there this diverse culture? >> as my honorable friend used to work as a policeman, he knows this well. there's far too much time taken up in paperwork after an arrest makes. we need to cut down the paperwork. virtual courts are helping with that and also the 24-hour courts working around the clock have made a big difference too. >> jim sheridan. >> because a vast majority of the people have gotten the anger of these -- [inaudible] equally disappointed that this

was an english problem. i have to say people are extremely disappointed, but i welcome the statement by the prime minister taking advice from police. the judicial system's gone. take seriously the concern of the police in the community and -- [inaudible] impose proper sentences. >> be i'll certainly look at what the honorable gentleman says. i particularly admire the work done on gangs, and i want to make sure we learn that across the united kingdom. >> jane ellison. >> the day after the riots and looting in my constituency, we saw the inspiring sight of the broom army, many of them young people. that's really positive. as well as wanting to reclaim the streets. they also wanted to express solidarity between local shopkeepers and businesses. what the prime minister said on business rates and -- [inaudible] he'll do all he can to keep

these vital businesses going and attract more businesses in town centers. >> well, i certainly back what the honorable lady says, and i know she'll be on to the business department on behalf of her stitch wents, and let me just say how much i admired the broom army, people coming together and saying they can't want to put up with this and they wanted to clean up their that i coulds. they are the best of british. >> prime minister will be aware we have some instances of thuggish criminality, but thankfully, not on the scale of the rest of the city. however, the most disgraceful incident was the torching of the ambulance bus, a bus that takes many frail, elderly people to daycare on a daily basis. will the prime minister look at, put aside emergency funds for that so they can replace facilities that might have been destroyed in these riots? >> well, i absolutely share what

the honorable gentleman says. some of the things and places and people that were attacked were truly shocking, and for people to attack sort of facility he's talking about really is appalling and should make us stop and think about what's happened in our country. in terms of getting compensation and money, i've set out the schemes all of which i think will be available for the sort of charity he's speaking about. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i join the prime minister and the disbelief of this house that children as young as 11 and 12 have been involved in the violent criminality of the last few days. can the prime minister tell the house whether the age of any of the rioters prevented the police from using riot techniques? >> well, i'll certainly look at what the honorable says. of course, the age of criminal responsibility is 10, and we don't have any proposals to change that, but she raises an important point at whether the police needed to hang back because of the very young age, and some of the people doing the looting were understood the age

of 10. -- were under the age of 10. i'll get back to her on that. >> for the last two nights we've had a very, very heavy police presence due to right-wing extremist groups trying to create unrest and bad feelings between different racial groups. be once we want to support people who are public spirited and coming out to defend their communities, but does my prime minister join me in saying that most people don't be diverted from your efforts by those extremists seeking to exploit this situation? >> i think the honorable gentleman speaks, frankly, for the whole house in depp cra candidating -- depracating the edp there's none sicker than the edl. >> duncan haines. >> it will soon be 50 years since the last royal commission

on policing, and the prime minister has alluded to some of the changing challenges the police have face inside that time. since it is at least as important to be able to mobilize the police officers as to consider absolute numbers, will he consider the case for a fresh royal commission? >> i'm afraid i think the need to reform police and policing and modernize it is more urgent than that. it's often said about royal commissions that they take minutes and louisiana for years. i think we need to get on with this job now. >> [inaudible] >> thank you, mr. speaker. when rioters on monday night spilled into the heart of my constituency, local people of all backgrounds came together from wases, from -- businesses, from mosques and wider communities. they stood in peaceful resistance to keep out the rioters and help keep the community safe. we are now faced with the threat of the english defense legal coming to my be constituency in september, and despite requests to the police before these riots

and to the home secretary, we haven't got an affirmation that there will be a ban. will the prime minister look at legislation if education in to stop the edl from marching and also to stop the static marchs from taking place? >> um, well, as the honorable lady will know, there is a process that has to be followed where the police have to apply to the home office for a ban. they should follow that process, and we'll try to make sure that the right thing happens. >> james murray. >> mr. speaker, my constituents are understandably angry about the violence in nearby birmingham. would the prime minister agree with me the most important thing now the people of the black country is that the government is seen to stand up for the law-abiding majority in our country? is. >> i think the hon rack yes minnesota, d honorable yes map is entirely right. they simply want to make sure the government and the police stand up for the law-abiding, take back the streets and make

sure they belong to the law-abiding people of our country. >> jasmine -- [inaudible] >> [inaudible] or 100% for the flood victims. >> the point i make is the belwin scheme will operate in its normal way, so there will be a threshold. but, of course, we're putting in place an alternative scheme that doesn't have a threshold and that doesn't have a maximum or minimum and will be available through the dclg. >> amber -- [inaudible] >> mr. speaker, the victims of this violence and criminality, is the prime minister aware that throughout the country such as my community in hastings there were rumors of social media activity about gangs meeting and it is only the good work of the community leaders and our local police that stopped anything kicking off? >> i think the honorable lady makes an important point that there were a lot of these rumors circulating and the use of social media was helping gangs do bad things, it was also

letting the law-abiding know how to react and how to stop it. >> [inaudible] >> clearly should be dealt with under criminal law. does the prime minister accept that removing people from social houses for them to be put into other communities in social houses by taking -- [inaudible] does not solve the problems? >> i do think that it can be part of solving the problem is saying to people in social housing if you misbehave, you can be thrown out of your house. >> dr. phillip lee. >> thank you, mr. speaker. may i first congratulate the police on the support they provided in london in the recent days. does the prime minister agree with me that relative poverty is no excuse for having no values? >> i think the honorable gentleman is right. of course, we all want to see a country where opportunity is more equal, where people can go from the very bottom to the very top, where our schools are

engines of liberty. there's no excuse for the sort of violence and looting that we saw. >> [inaudible] >> police say they will lose 880 police officers with neighborhood officers most at risk. hugh -- [inaudible] says grassroots neighborhood policing is key in this country because of the effectiveness of building relationships and trust over the long run. will he listen to sir hugh and reverse the cuts before long-term damage is done? the ability of the police to protect the public. >> the point i'd make to the to be rabble gentleman is that -- honorable gentleman is chief counsels are coming out and explaining how they're going to achieve these relatively modest budget reductions, 6% in cash terms over four years while maintaining the rate of visible policing. everyone, the party opposite commit today a billion pounds of policing cuts. they'll be having to do exactly the same thing as we are. >> lee scott.

>> >> [inaudible] through recent travels, i note the fact of what has changed in the last two days, we've taken the handcuffs off our police and allowed them to do the job they want to do. >> i certainly join him in paying tribute to his constituents and all those who played an important part in actually bringing back some sanity to london's streets. >> john robinson. >> thank you, mr. speaker. [inaudible] exalted tv and so disagree with me that this will possibly be a deterrent to people breaking the law. and if so, will he look at the protections of freedoms bill which is something he obviously hasn't had to look at and change it. so far the local council's been able to put the tv up and the riots took place. >> local councils can put up cc-tv. they'll go on being able to put up cc-tv, and we can see how effective it is when you have

people walking out of court trying to hide their faces but a they know -- because they know that's how they got caught. >> does the prime minister agree with me that those who are found guilty of crimes in these riots should be forced to face up to the full consequences of the damage that they've caused both to their communities and for the victims individually? that means tough sentences. but does he also agree that it should mean reparation and that these young people should be forced to listen while the victims of these crimes explain what the damage to the communities means, the jobs that will be lost, the damage to the buildings, the sense of tragedy that many of these people feel? >> i think the honorable gentleman is right. we should use all means to bring home to these criminals the damage they've done to their communities and to local people, and he makes a number of suggestions in that regard. >> mr. barry gardener. >> prime minister, the events of the past five nights in london

have changed the whole nature and context of the debate about police cuts. and the people of london will not understand if he persists with this, they will not forgive, and even his own mayor now opposes him on this point. >> do i don't agree with the honorable gentleman. i think people in london will understand that saying that over four years you have to make some cash reductions to a budget and live within the means of that budget, and people in london have seen over the past few days what you can do when you surge police numbers onto the streets from 3,000 to 16,000 in just two days. >> mark reckless. >> the prime minister speaks for the public on sentencing, but the guidelines are set by a -- [inaudible] will my right honorable friend look begun at the sentencing guidelines council and consider transferring its powers either to parliament or to the locally-elected police and crime commissioners? >> the honorable gentleman makes

some interesting suggestions. i've always felt that the sentencing guidelines council should be properly scrutinized by parliament, and we're looking at the right way for parliament to be able to express its views about what's contained in that very important set of documents. >> dave watts. >> with can i give the prime minister an opportunity to clarify the confusion of his policy over surveillance cameras? you seemed today to say you want to see more of them, but the coalition agreement he signed up to says he wants to see less. which one is it? >> we want to see them in the right place properly regulated, and that may well mean more of them. >> [inaudible] >> mr. speaker, can the prime minister tell the house how many people have been charged under part one, section one of the public order act of 1986 for rioting which there is a specific offense for which carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison? will the prime minister agree that that would give the kind of sentences to people that the public demand, and will he make sure that the crown prosecution services don't undercharge

people in order to get convictions -- [inaudible] that they deserve? >> i can't give the honorable gentleman the figures for which specific part of the act people have been charged under because as he will know, there are many different parts under the act which has stood the test of time under which people can be charged. but the latest figures i have in london alone, i think over 880 people have been arrested, and over 370 have already been charged. >> [inaudible] >> at a meeting this morning attended by a number of members of parliament from london of all parties who were concerned about the impact on their constituencies, mine included of the riots, the mayor of london made it perfectly clear that these events made an overwhelmingly powerful case to reconsider the cuts in the police budget which will adversely impact the numbers of police be available on the beat. the prime minister's been

unwilling to listen to the voice of members on this side of the house. will he listen to the views of his the one elected member with responsibility for policing on the national -- do. >> let me just make this point. today as we speak only 12% of police officers are on the beat at any one time. i simply refuse to expect that we cannot get better value for money, we cannot get more visible policing, we cannot cut down on more paperwork so we have the visible policing that everybody wants. they seem to be idle at even considering the changes you could make to get the police more visible in the our community. >> mr. richard harrington. >> thank you, mr. speaker. would the prime minister agree with me that the biggest deterrent for rioters is not just the conviction, is not just being brought to the courts, being convicted, it's the court handing out some stiff sentences?

>> i think it's important to make two points. first of all, i think the greatest deterrent is not just the sentence, but knowing you're going to be arrested and put in front of a court, and that's why the strength of numbers of police on the streets and actually lifting people and arresting them is vitally important. the second thing is when events like this take place, it's perfectly possible for courts to set some exemplary sentences to send out a very clear message, and i for one hope they'll do that. >> last wednesday it was determined to immediately close all nine police cells in -- [inaudible] does the prime minister instinctively agree with me and local police officers that now is not the time to be closing police cells? >> well, i think it's very important we have a good network of police cells in our o towns and cities and that we don't have to have officers driving for miles after they've made an arrest. and that's why cutting some of the paperwork and bureaucracy that has led to some of these cell closures is so important. >> ben wallace. >> thank you, mr. mr. speaker.

too many times recently we've seen the metropolitan police trying to travel in two main functions, one of leading specialist national operations and the other of trying to police london. when the dust settles, will the prime minister consider splitting the met so we have a police force for london focusing on low level criminality and perhaps an enhanced agency for national and specialist operations? >> i hear what the honorable gentleman says. with a year to go to the to rim picks, i think -- the olympics, i think that sort of major change simply wouldn't be right. >> new north wales -- [inaudible] for two rps; good use of cc-tv evidence and immediate imposition of stiff sentences. why is the prime minister presiding over a government that is making both those things more difficult? >> we're not.

>> -- disturbances, does the prime minister believe that the public will believe that now is the right time to spend 150 million pounds on elections for elected police and crime commissioners? >> i think, i think people, i think people will conclude when they think about recent days, i think they'll conclude, actually, that police authorities who have been relatively invisible who i don't believe actually called the police to account, haven't done a good job over the years, and i think an individual to who the police are accountable which is actually what happens in london is a tar more powerful way of making sure there's a proper conversation between elected individuals and police chiefs. >> terry mccarthy. >> given that we've had a year of social unrest from the student protest to direct eax against the courts and, of course, there were riots in bristol a couple of months ago all of which puts pressure on our police forces, can i urge

him to listen to the voice of the chair of my local police authority to say the last thing they need at the moment is the distraction of going through elections for police commissioners. >> of course police authorities don't welcome the fact they're being replaced, but i think it's right because i don't think they've done a good job of calling police chiefs and forces to account, and i think we do need a new system for doing just that. >> damian collins. >> the prime minister was right to say -- more law-abiding people in this country, but people watching around the world as well. will the government in the wake of the riots be -- [inaudible] when understandably the police in london and in my own portion in kent will obviously be highly committed? >> we believe we have good security measures in place for the olympic games, there'll be very intense meetings going on from the autumn onwards to the olympic games to make sure that we do everything possible to make the games not only a

success, but a safe success. >> emma reynolds. >> thank you, mr. speaker. businesses in hamptop as the prime minister is aware bore the brunt of the criminal activity on tuesday night, and i'm sure he will agree with me that now is time for members across the political divide the come and work together. and i suggest to him next time he arrives in the train station i'll be there ready to cel welcome him. with regard to what he said to gangs, can he reassure me and my constituents that as well as looking at punitive measures he will also look at measures and perhaps additional resources to strengthen community organizations who are well placed to reach out to young people to stop them joining gangs? >> well, i'm sorry, i missed the honorable lady yesterday, and i'll try and make up for that in the future. when i met the honorable member in his place, so it wasn't any party issue this. she makes a good point about what local government can do to

thicken society in our constituencies, and i applaud that wherever it takes place. >> mr. robin walker. >> thank you, mr. speaker. instant mutual aid to the west midlands police force and keeping numbers up on the streets. the police made a number of arrests for inciting public disorder through social media. will the prime minister join me in commending that front-footed proactive approach but also making sure that the police and the courts have the talent they need to -- the power they need to pursue not just the perpetrators, but the organizers of this criminal violence? >> i think my honorable friend makes a good point which is we have to make sure people who use this new technology for evil purposes are properly prosecuted and convicted, and i'm sure they will be. >> [inaudible] >> one of the ways in this which ordinary people are trying to get their voices heard is by going on the government's new web site and signing a petition that was posted only two days ago which has already got up to almost 100,000 signatures asking for the rioters to have their

benefits withdrawn. how is the prime minister going to meet those expectations to say to those 100,000 people who have signed that e-petition that something will happen as a result of going on to a government-sponsored web site? >> first of all, i'd say to the honorable lady that one of the points of the new e-petition's web site is to make sure if it reaches a certain level of signatures, i it will be debated this this house whether we like it or not. i go on to say that i think there may be opportunities possibly through the new sentencing legislation to make sure we're better at confiscating things from people when they commit crimes was we've got to dub -- because we've got to make sure our punishments are robust. >> dr. sara -- [inaudible] >> as a former police sergeant, i personally witnessed the great professionalism of our police force in the face of extreme provocation, and this week they've faced extreme violence as well.

at all times they've been accountable. is it time for us to make a defense that anybody involved in rioting and demonstrating to coffer their faces so that they, too, can be identifiable and accountable? >> in my statement i said we're going to extend the power the police have whereas at the moment they can do it with limited people to say that they have a more blanket power of insisting that people remove face masks. >> the honorable gentleman. >> lillian betweenwood. >> thank you, mr. speaker. some appalling incidents in some parts of our city on monday and tuesday night, and i want to pay be tribute to police for bringing the situation under control and for arresting those responsible. what plans does the prime minister have to meet with residents and community leaders in notingham to listen to their concerns and what they believe needs to be done to learn the lessons of recent days?

>> i think it's very important the prime minister should make a number of visits, as i having doing, i think the deputy prime minister has plans to visit notingham very shortly. i don't have plans at the moment, but i will be trying to get to as many parts of the country as i can. >> in welcoming my right honorable friend's statement and his comment on policing and more tool available to the police, could i urge on him that for police officers and their commanders in particular to be willing to take greater risks rather than have their men stand by does entail recognizing that sometimes those actions will have grave, unforeseen consequences, and police commanders need to be sported. >> we must always back the police when they do the right thing. there's a lot been said about police tactics and the rest of it. every year i go to the police bravery awards, and there you see police officers do extraordinary things,

confronting people with guns and kniveses when they don't even have any body armor. so let it be on the record in this house that individual officers do incredibly brave things every day, and we praise them for it. >> jon cryer: >> thank you, mr. speaker. it took two nights to put 16,000 police officers on the street, that put people and businesses in danger. so far i haven't heard a convincing explanation as to why that took so long. could the prime minister give it? >> >> i think in the end the deployment and the numbers are an issue for the metropolitan police commissioner, and that's a question he'll have to answer. the point i would make is there were, it was a different situation sunday night to monday night to tuesday night, and i think you have to look at that in finding that answer. the point i was making is that it is possible to surge, they demonstrated it's possible to surge, but we needed to surge more quickly. >> mr. john hemming. >> the prime minister shares my concern about the children on the streets and the importance of parental responsibility.

and parental discipline. does he share my concerns that certain parents say that the public institutions from time to time undermine par rental authority and that issue needs to be looked at as well? >> as i said, we should test government policy by whether it improves responsibility or undermines it. >> mr. john mcdonnell. >> the honorable member from brighton, but can i thank the prime minister for the words of tribute he paid to firefighters? at the parliamentary group, can i ask does the commitment he's given to police authorities to stand by any be additional -- [inaudible] apply to fire authorities as well because there's been a thousand posts, firefighter posts cut over the last year, and there are real concerns about overstretch. >> the point i was making about the police is they have to stand behind the riot damages act, and that's why it's important the home office stands behind them, so it's not an an juice situation to the fire brigade.

>> john glenn. >> [inaudible] identified new and grew anemic threats -- unique threats that the police have faced in recent days. what new and unique solutions does he think will be necessary to deal with the underlying causes of this social unrest? >> taking the first part of the honorable gentleman's question, i think the police themselves will want to review what has happened when you have large numbers of different groups looting in different parts of the country at the same time. they will want to work out how to address that, what tactics are needed, how to make sure you get arrests made more quickly, and the home office will want to work with them in that endeavor. >> hugh bailey. >> london to birmingham to manchester, the consequence has been that four rest days have been canceled, police officers are now working 12 hours on, 12 hours off around the clock, and

there's no more fat to cut. will the prime minister give the house an estimate of how much in belwin money and riot damages act money and other compensation the public purse will have to pay out? and wouldn't it make sense in future years to spend that money on the police instead of on paying for the cost of disorder? >> i can't give an estimate for what will be paid out under the schemes that we've established today because it'll depend on the demand that comes from local authorities. but there's a huge amount of money and resources available. i don't agree with his idea that somehow if we'd spent more on the police this year, that would have prevented the disorder that took place. i think his causation is entirely the wrong way around. >> mr. george freeman. >> -- agree that the outbreak of mob rule this week -- [inaudible] responsibility across our society. banking, media and dare i say in

politics of the welfare state? we're witnessing the consequences of a -- [inaudible] far from the debt crisis being the cause of this criminality, it is, in fact, a vital opportunity for us to wean our young people off a celebrity culture and restore some old-fashioned virtues, first responsibility and respect for the law. >> well, i think my friend makes an important point about the culture that has grown up, and i think these are important if people want to consider those in the coming days. >> chris bryan. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i commend the prime minister on being be extremely reluctant to send in the troops because when 100 years ago the troops were sent in to try and deal with the riots, they actually made the situation worse rather than better. but doesn't it then place all the more emphasis on making sure that there are enough people in police uniforms on the street able to do a robust job? and i'd say to him, he commends welsh police forces for sending people down the london, but in the next four year we're going

to have 1,200 fewer police officers in wales, and it's going to be more difficult for us to help you out. >> the point i'd make, in wales as in edge land there are opportunities to get police officers off from desk jobs and i.t. jobs, and they shake their heads. that is what is so hopeless about the party opposite, a sense that there is no reform you can make to try to get better value for money. that is why, frankly, the country isn't listening to you. >> david morris. >> mr. speaker, would the prime minister share his gratitude for seasoning down 76 -- sending down 76 police officers to help out in london, and would he also convey to the opposition that with my insistence on the matter 12 months ago, they found a way of keeping their pscos and also saving two of my constituents from violence and rioting, and my constituents in lancaster: >> well, i certainly pay tribute to the lancaster force as to ore

forces who acted very quickly to make forces available in london or where they were most needed. >> jack -- [inaudible] >> mr. speaker, following the tragic killing of three young men in birmingham, the city faced its most dangerous moment in a decade. will the prime minister join with me in paying tribute to our brave police under the inspirational leadership of chief constable chris simms and all that is best in our community, the honorable member for ladywood who acted to hold the community together so that birmingham could say with one voice, we will not be divided? >> i agree wholeheartedly with the honorable gentleman. i was extremely impressed when i went to the control center and saw that chris simms was spending as much of his time on meeting and talking with community leaders and representatives as he was on planning to make sure there were the right number of police on the streets right across the west midlands. it was very impressive, the

birmingham city council paid a big role as well. >> thank you, mr. speaker. will the prime minister join me in paying tribute to the 1300 voluntary special constables who played a vital part in restoring calm on tuesdays, but many special constables including one in my constituency struggle today insure permission from their employer in order to take part in the -- >> i think the honorable gentleman is entirely right. there has been a growth in specials in the recent period in some sports forces that's hugely welcome, but i think we do need employers to show a sense of social responsibility to release them rapidly for service when they're needed. >> simon -- [inaudible] >> thank you, mr. speaker. i welcome the 20 million pounds for high street businesses, but the problem is that 48,000 retailers have been directly or

indirectly affected by the riots. is the fund enough, and how will it work? >> well, the point about the 20 million pound fund is that is available from the business department, but you've also got the riot damages act that is an act dating back to 1886. i think it's probably another thing the liberal democrats might have been responsible for that enables business to claim money off the police services that then it is possible for the home office to stand behind. >> mary mcleod. >> i'm shocked and horrify by the scene of violence and looting that took place over the last week. what was evident was the complete lack of respect and discipline amongst those who actually did it. would the prime minister reassure the house that he will work closely with schools to make sure we can improve this for the future? >> i will certainly do that. i think in the task of trying to make a more responsible society,

schools are going to play a major part in that. >> could i just remind the house that members who weren't here at the start of the statement shouldn't now be stand anything the expectation of being called. mr. ian davidson. >> scottish police assisting their english colleagues is part of the benefit of the union. but could i ask, could i ask why is it from the beginning of the riot the government has given the impression of being -- [inaudible] always playing catch up, doing too little, too late, and is this not a sign of incompetence? >> of course i don't accept that, but i think it is important that forces come to each other's aid, and just as if there were problems in scotland, english forces would do the same thing. >> daniel -- >> thank you, mr. speaker. many of my constituents have watch inside horror the events in our city, and they have written to me overwhelmingly to say when are we going to have tangible and enforceable

penalties for parents who don't discipline their children? >> as i said earlier, there are parenting orders, they can be used, they can involve parents paying quite hefty fines, and i very much encourage their use at this time. >> helen jane. >> the prime minister is quite right, to insure people are safe and to bring criminals to justice. but when that has been done, there are serious issues to be considered not only about policing, but about employment and education, the values we transmit as a society and the direction in which we are going. these cannot be considered by one select committee. so will he, therefore, rethink his view on setting up a committee inquiry into what lies behind these riots so that we will insure they are never repeated again? >> with as i said earlier, you know, this is only, you know, a week from the very starting

event that triggered this process. and so i think actually having a selecting inquiry to start with is right. let me just make one point. she mentions the economic circumstances. i checked this morning. if you look at a three-mile radius from be top there are actually over 1,300 apprenticeships that are available for young people. i think that is yet another example of attempts to try and link this to sort of economic circumstances or try and find some excuse for it. i think it's completely wrong. >> [inaudible] >> thank you, mr. speaker. the film and print media have shown us film and paragraphs of incidents such as people to have offing -- torching shops. they would say we have a right to information, of course, but they should recognize they also have a duty and a responsibility as members of society not just as spectators to report what they see to the authorities. can the prime minister confirm

whether reporters have called the police at the time they saw these things happening, whether the media's handed over their film and recordings and whether that evidence will be accept inside our courts of law? >> i can't give the honorable lady that assurance. what i can say is i think media organizations like others have responsibilities and should act on those responsibilities and, of course, that sort of evidence can be admissible in if a court of law. >> garrett thomas. >> i join the prime minister in congratlating the police, but can i take this opportunity to point out to the prime minister the decisions taken by the mayor of london are already leading to police sergeant posts being eaked in my constituency? and can i, therefore, add my voice to those urging him to think again about police budgets? >> i can only say again what i said. there are 32,000 officers in the met. there is a perfect capability to

surge that number of officers when it is necessary. i don't believe that the sort of reductions in budget that are planned in the next four years should lead to any reduction in visible policing whether in london or elsewhere. there are police officers working in i.t., working in hr, working in desk jobs that can be civilianized so the police can be released to the front lines. and because this government is taking difficult decisions about police pay, about police allowances, we're not going to have to make the reductions in police numbers that the cuts proposed be i the party opposite would have meant. >> andrew stephenson. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i join with my honorable friend in paying tribute to police who didn't just send officers down to london, but also sent officers to support manchester police. following the arrest of a 25-year-old in nelson, in my constituency, for inciting people via facebook, could the prime minister comment more on what is being done to insure