A new plan to reduce crime, protect victims and make the country safer will be set out by the government today (Tuesday 27 July).

The measures build on progress to date toughening sentences to keep the most dangerous offenders behind bars and the delivery of almost 9,000 of the 20,000 extra police officers promised by 2023 – one of the Prime Minister’s first commitments in office.

The plan will ensure the public is better protected across all parts of the country, with each neighbourhood having contactable, named police officers, who know their area and are best placed to ensure that persistent crime and anti-social behaviour is tackled.

The government’s promise to the public through this plan is that every crime matters, every victim matters and every neighbourhood matters. That is why, alongside getting more officers out on streets and making local forces more easily contactable, the public will be given more opportunity to scrutinise results, with league tables for 101 and 999 call answering times to be introduced for each force.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

When I first stood on the steps of Downing Street as Prime Minister, I promised to back the police and make people safer, because we cannot level up the country when crime hits the poorest hardest and draws the most vulnerable into violence.

That is why my government has remained unstinting in its efforts to protect the British public and this plan delivers a fresh commitment, as we emerge from the impacts of the pandemic, to have less crime, fewer victims and a safer society.

The Beating Crime Plan spans work across the police, courts, prison and probation service to drive down and prevent crime, improve confidence in the criminal justice system, rehabilitate offenders to ensure they do not go on to commit crimes again and create the safer streets and homes the public want for themselves and their neighbours.

A particular focus is given to early intervention, prevention and practical measures to deliver real results across communities, and to tackle serious violence and neighbourhood crimes.

These include:

• expanding the use of electronic monitoring so burglars and thieves will have their whereabouts monitored 24 hours a day upon release from prison

• permanently relaxing conditions on the use of section 60 stop and search powers to empower police to take more knives off the streets

• trialling the use of alcohol tags – which detect alcohol in the sweat of offenders guilty of drink-fuelled crime – on prison leavers in Wales; this is to address the fact alcohol is a significant driver of crime, playing a part in 39% of all violent crime

• making unpaid work more visible by getting offenders to clean up streets, alleys, estates, and open spaces, and ensuring justice is seen to be done

• investing over £45m in specialist support in both mainstream schools and Alternative Provision – including mental health professionals, family workers, and speech and language therapists – in serious violence hotspots to support young people at risk of involvement in violence to re-engage in education

• a new £17m package for Violence Reduction Units to provide high-intensity therapeutic and specialist support from trained youth workers, including at crisis points such as when a young person is being admitted to A&E with a knife injury or upon arrest, to divert them away from violence

• rolling out two further rounds of the Safer Streets Fund to increase the safety of public spaces through steps including targeted patrols, increased lighting and CCTV, and work with councils to design out crime

• enhancing the role for Police and Crime Commissioners by launching the second part of the PCC Review to equip them with the tools they need to drive down crime and anti-social behaviour in their local areas

Home Secretary Priti Patel said:

I am absolutely determined to cut crime and deliver a safer society for the public, and the Beating Crime Plan shows how the government is going to do just that.

We’re putting 20,000 new police officers on the street, equipping them with new powers to catch criminals and take away knives, and shutting down drug gangs who exploit children and the vulnerable to make money.

This plan sets out a clear path for a better future for the British public – one with less crime, fewer victims, and a safer society for all.

The Beating Crime Plan recognises the need to address the underlying causes of crime, with new tactics and investment to deal with alcohol and the scourge of illegal drugs, which are major driver of burglaries and violent crime. Last year almost half of all homicides were drug-related.

To address this, alongside the plan the government will also respond to Parts 1 and 2 of Dame Carol Black’s review today. This will specifically set out steps to:

• expand Project ADDER – an innovative, new approach which combines tough law enforcement with increased provision of treatment and recovery services – to eight more local authorities. Backed by an additional £31m, this will allow the police to target local gang leaders driving the drugs trade while better helping people to recover from addictions in more of the hardest-hit areas

• increase the police’s use of drug testing on arrest to crack down on recreational drug use and ensure those who break the law face consequences

The increase of testing upon arrest marks the first step in work to challenge drug misuse, reduce demand and change the perceived acceptability of using illicit drugs which devastate communities and fuel serious violence.

To drive this work, the government will convene a summit to bring together key partners including employers, educators, enforcement and health partners to work up a comprehensive package to drive down illicit drug demand and misuse, and tackle these challenges across society.

Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland said:

We’ve backed the probation service with an extra £310 million to boost recruitment to record levels and expanded the use of electronic tags to keep an even closer eye on offenders.

We’re also toughening sentences for the most dangerous, building 18,000 more prison places and putting victims at the heart of all our reforms so that they and the wider public are better protected.

You can read the Beating Crime Plan.

Stats:

• Almost 9,000 extra police officers have been recruited since September 2019, with an additional £415m provided this year to continue recruitment.

• This year’s police funding settlement totalled up to £15.8bn, an increase of up to £600m compared to last year’s settlement. We also provided forces with almost £200m last year to meet unforeseen Covid-19 costs, outside the funding settlement.

• An extra £310m invested in the probation service has helped recruit 1,000 probation officers in the past year alone and we are spending £4 billion to deliver 18,000 new prison places.

• We are investing £450m to deliver speedier justice and help courts reduce delays for victims. This has included setting up temporary ‘Nightingale courts’ across the country as we recover from the pandemic, as well as rolling out further technology and hiring 1,600 extra staff to increase capacity.

Further facts on measures:

• We are rolling out Project ADDER to eight new local authorities. We provided £28m in January to launch pilots for the programme in five areas with some of the highest rates of drugs misuse – Blackpool, Hastings, Middlesbrough, Norwich and Swansea Bay. Now, with a further £31m investment over the next two years, ADDER sites will be set up in two London boroughs (Hackney and Tower Hamlets), three local authorities in Liverpool City Region (Liverpool City, Knowsley and Wirral), Bristol, Newcastle and Wakefield.

• This January announcement was part of a £148 million package to take a system-wide approach to the problem of illegal drugs. It gave extra resources to the police and NCA to dismantle organised criminal gangs alongside the largest increase in drug treatment funding for 15 years.

• We are increasing investment in the Safer Streets Fund, with two further rounds rolled out this year, to support crime prevention measures such as CCTV and better street lighting, taking the total investment to £70m. The first two rounds of funding supported 102 projects across England and Wales.

• In March, the Acquisitive Crime GPS tagging project was launched in six police force areas (Avon and Somerset, Cheshire, Gloucestershire, Gwent, Humberside and West Midlands). It sees all burglars, robbers and thieves in those areas who have served a prison sentence of a year or more automatically fitted with a GPS tag on release, allowing their whereabouts to be monitored by satellites 24 hours a day for up to 12 months. This will be extended to a further 13 police force areas (Bedfordshire, the City of London, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Durham, Essex, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, the Metropolitan police district, North Wales, Nottinghamshire and Sussex) in the Autumn.

• Alcohol monitoring tags, which detect alcohol in the sweat and are currently fitted to the ankles of those serving community sentences related to alcohol-fuelled crimes, will also be extended to prison leavers in Wales as we explore how alcohol tags can help the probation service monitor and change the behaviour of those released on licence from prison.

Delivery:

Significant work is already underway across the government and law enforcement to bear down on all types of crime. The plan also sets out how we will build on existing work, including by:

• investing over £130m this year to tackle serious violent crime – including murder and knife crime. We are using data-driven policing in violence hotspots and working with preventative Violence Reduction Units to stop violence before it takes young lives

• shutting down county lines and protecting those exploited by drugs gangs – our £65m investment since November 2019 has already seen more than 1,100 lines closed, over 6,300 arrests made, and more than 1,900 vulnerable people safeguarded

• investing in the future of young people and intervening early to divert them away from a life of crime, including through the £200m 10-year Youth Endowment Fund

• publishing an Economic Crime Plan and backing it with £80m to stop fraudsters in their tracks

• we have passed the landmark Domestic Abuse Act and are publishing a range of bespoke strategies which recognise the complexity of these crimes. This includes the violence against women and girls strategy, which is built on over 180,000 responses to a public call for evidence following the tragic death of Sarah Everard, and upcoming domestic abuse strategy

• we have introduced the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill to equip the police with the powers and tools they need to keep the public safe, while overhauling sentencing laws to keep serious sexual and violent offenders behind bars for longer, and placing greater emphasis on rehabilitation to help offenders turn their lives around and prevent further crimes

• the Counter-Terrorism and Sentencing Act represents the biggest shake up of terror sentencing and monitoring in decades – giving the courts, police and security services greater powers to protect the public and ending the prospect of early release for anyone convicted of a serious terror offence

• our Prisoners (Disclosure of Information About Victims) Act – known commonly as ‘Helen’s Law’ – came into force in January. It places a legal duty on the Parole Board to consider the anguish caused by killers and paedophiles who withhold information on their victims when considering them for release – meaning they could spend longer behind bars

• the new Victims’ Code came into force 1 April 2021 – boosting the support for victims at every stage of the criminal justice system and paving the way for new legislation to strengthen victims’ rights even further

• we are also addressing hate crime online, including by expanding the Football Banning Orders regime to cover online racists who abused England footballers following Euro 2020

Workplace daily contact testing sites will be expanded to a total of 2,000 sites across the country, with prisons, waste collection and defence among the critical sectors prioritised for the newest sites. This expansion follows last week’s initial announcement of 800 sites for the food industry, transport workers, Border Force staff, frontline police and fire services.

Daily contact testing using rapid lateral flow tests will enable eligible workers who have received alerts from the NHS Covid 19 app or have been called by NHS Test and Trace and told they are a contact and to isolate, to continue working if they test negative each day.

Research carried out by the University of Oxford between April and June 2021 and supported by the Department of Health and Social Care found that in schools, daily contact testing was just as effective at controlling transmission as the current 10-day self-isolation policy. This pioneering work puts the UK at the forefront of scientific research.

Vaccines continue to be the best form of defence against the virus, and are highly effective at reducing the risk of serious illness, hospitalisation and death. So the government is continuing to encourage everyone to get fully vaccinated – and will work with employers participating in daily contact testing to encourage all their employees to get the vaccine.

Organisations are being contacted by NHS Test and Trace so they can mobilise sites this week to ensure critical workers can continue their vital roles safely. Employers and workers taking part in Daily Contact Testing will be provided with guidance about the protocols they must follow.

In addition to critical staff working in prisons, defence and waste collection, people working in energy, pharmaceuticals, telecoms, chemicals, communications, water, space, fish, veterinary medicine and HMRC will also be prioritised for the 1,200 new daily contact testing sites.

Lord Chancellor, Robert Buckland QC MP, said:

Daily testing will allow our frontline officers – who have been so dedicated and hardworking throughout the pandemic – to continue their essential work rehabilitating offenders and protecting the public.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said:

Critical workers up and down the country have repeatedly stepped up to the challenge of making sure our key services are delivered and communities are supported.

We all owe them a huge debt of gratitude and will continue to support them to do their jobs safely and securely. This expansion of the daily contact testing centres is vital and hugely welcome.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

Our Armed Forces have worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic, ensuring operations and training at home and abroad continue while at the same time providing round the clock support to the nation’s response to Covid.

Expanding the daily contact testing scheme is hugely welcome, allowing our personnel to continue that vital work across the UK and abroad.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:

Whether it’s prison guards reporting for duty, waste collectors keeping our streets clean or workers in our energy sector keeping the lights on, critical workers have been there for us at every stage of this global pandemic.

As we learn to live with the virus, we will keep doing everything in our power to break chains of transmission and stop this virus in its tracks. Daily contact testing will play a vital role in this, helping minimise the potential for disruption caused by rising cases, while keeping staff protected.

Self-isolation remains an essential tool for suppressing the transmission of the virus.

People who have been identified as contacts are at least five times more likely to be infected with COVID-19 than other members of the public. Vaccines are highly effective at reducing the risk of serious illness, hospitalisation and death, and we are encouraging everyone to continue to get the vaccine to enable us to tackle the virus.

• NHS Test and Trace is working quickly with different sites to supply tests and set up daily contact testing sites.

Following the merger of the former Airforce Department, Army Department and Admiralty Constabularies on 1 October 1971, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the MDP.

For half a century, the MDP has had a constant presence at many defence sites and establishments, including HM Naval Base Portsmouth. However, there undoubtedly remains some lack of awareness and understanding on the role of the force, which has previously been described as one of the department’s ‘best kept secrets.’

Over the coming weeks, during the lead up to the anniversary on 1 October, the MDP will be looking back, looking ahead and celebrating and showcasing the present force, which is marketed as ‘a force with a difference.’

So, what is different about the MDP and how does its work support the Defence purpose and national security?

MDP explained

Who?

What?

The Departmental Mandate and Statement of Requirement for the MDP defines its purpose within defence and the policing capabilities the force maintains, by:

• delivering unique specialist policing to protect sites, people and assets essential to defence and national infrastructure
• providing a highly visible and proactive policing presence to reassure stakeholders, customers and local communities
• deploying people and resources effectively and efficiently and to national policing standards

How?

As an enabling organisation within the Defence Operating Model, through provision of operational policing and protective security services, the MDP enables delivery of the following defence tasks:

• Defence, security and resilience of the UK and its overseas territories
• Nuclear deterrence and the defence nuclear enterprise
• Strategic intelligence and the global defence network
• Overseas defence activity
• Promote UK prosperity and civil society

In support, the MDP’s primary policing outputs are focused on:

• Nuclear Policing: provision of specialist armed policing services that contribute to the protection of the UK’s Strategic Nuclear Deterrent
• Territorial Policing: provision of specialist armed policing services that contribute to the protection of defence and UK Critical National Infrastructure sites, people and assets
• National Counter Terrorist Response: contribution towards the UK’s national armed policing response to major incidents
• Crime and Intelligence: collation and dissemination of criminal and security intelligence and, investigation and detection of fraud, corruption, and the theft of, or criminal damage to, Defence equipment and assets

Where?

Located at sites across the UK, including:

• Clyde, Portsmouth and Devonport naval bases
• Atomic Weapons Establishment sites in Aldermaston and Burghfield
• Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ)
• Defence HQ in Whitehall
• US Visiting Forces’ bases
• Defence munitions establishments and various other Defence sites

Take a look at MDP station locations.

Did you know?

• Authorised Firearms Officer roles make up the majority of posts in the MDP, with most officers carrying firearms in the daily course of their duties. All new recruits are trained to be AFOs from the beginning of their careers with the MDP.

• The primary focus of the MDP’s work is armed security and the protection of critical defence sites and assets but, there is much more that they do. This includes a range of specialisms from dog handling to marine policing, from investigating crime to public order, from community policing to protester removal.

• The MDP has the largest marine policing capability and second largest police dog capability in the UK.

• Although the MDP is not a Home Office police force, officers work closely with their colleagues in police forces across the UK (including Police Scotland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland). They can also provide mutual aid and specialist policing support to other forces. For example, the MDP recently supported the policing operation for the G7 Leaders’ Summit.

• Counter terrorism policing is an important part of the MDP’s role. The Force can, and has been, called upon to support the national policing response to major terrorist incidents, as part of the national Strategic Armed Policing Reserve and the MOD’s commitment to Operation Temperer. The MDP also delivers and supports national counter terrorist policing initiatives, such as Project Servator, Prevent and Action Counters Terrorism (ACT).

• The MDP is not ‘military police’. Unlike Service Police colleagues, with whom the MDP work closely, their officers’ jurisdiction can extend outside the Defence estate, and MDP officers have full powers and privileges of constables, identical to other civil police officers in the UK.

What’s next?

This snapshot will be followed by a closer look at force capabilities and history, with personal stories and reflections from the people of the MDP, on the MDP’s Facebook and Twitter pages: search #MDP50.

Filming is planned to take place with the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) during the coming weeks and we look forward to sharing with you further insight on life in the MDP.

The MDP’s next recruitment campaign will open for applications in October. If you’re looking to join MDP, you can register your interest to apply now, so that pre-screening can begin. Visit mod.police.uk for more information.

Coming soon: Chief Constable Andy Adams speaks on the role of the modern MDP, the challenges that the force faces and future plans.

Read more:

A brief history of the Ministry of Defence Police | July 2021 | Medium
Contact MDP
New! MDP Recruitment Website
Ministry of Defence Police on GOV.UK
MDP Annual Business Plan 2020 and Corporate Plan 2020-25
Talk Through: the magazine of the Ministry of Defence Police

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has appointed John Clarke as UK Shared Business Services Ltd (UK SBS) Board Chair, following an open competition conducted in line with the Governance Framework on Public Appointments.

UK SBS provide HR, payroll, finance, procurement, and IT services to its joint owners – the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). UK SBS is a trusted shared services provider to government, supporting over 20,000 public sector employees through its business services and expertise.

John brings a wealth of experience to the role, currently serving as a non-executive director with the UK Ordnance Survey, and a former non-executive member with the Department of Work and Pensions – as part of the Digital Advisory Committee since 2018 and 2017 respectively.

John is a former partner with Ernst & Young and has held senior corporate positions including:

• Chief Executive and Chairman at Mind Foundry
• Chief Information Officer at Nokia
• Chief Technology Officer at Tesco
• Interim Chief Information Officer at Morrisons and Primark.

He has also led a range of large-scale digital transformations, developed global business services, shared services, digital and cyber operations and had led several large-scale corporate transactions.

John’s extensive transformation experience, shared services, digital and technological knowledge will serve to strengthen and further enhance the service UK SBS delivers to its partners.

As Board Chair, John will play a crucial role in leading and supporting UK SBS during a critical time in its shared services transformation journey as it prepares to meet future demand in response to the Government Shared Services Strategy. John’s strong leadership will guide the company in delivering leading-edge shared services to multiple clients at the best value and providing end-users with the high-quality user experience they have become accustomed to in the digital age.

John Clarke said:

I am honoured to have been offered the position as a Chair of the Board and I am very much looking forward to supporting UK SBS in developing shared services to support government departments in delivering on their respective priorities and enhancing business operations.

Richard Semple, Chief Executive Officer of UK SBS said:

I am delighted to welcome John to UK SBS as our new Chairman and greatly look forward to working with him over the coming months and years. He joins our Board as the company embarks on a journey of expansion and transformation to meet the Government’s Shared Services Strategy, and I have no doubt that his wealth of business and digital experience will prove to be invaluable in setting our strategic direction for the future.

• non-executive board members are experts from outside government who provide oversight and challenge to the department in the development of policy and the management of resources
• John Clarke is a non-executive director for the Ordnance Survey, Department of Work and Pensions and Brain in Hand. He is also Strategic Adviser for Silo AI in Finland. He is currently Chief Information Officer for Primark
• read more information about UK SBS