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Written question asked by Priti Patel (Conservative) on Thursday, 24 November 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 November 2011. It was answered by Lord Herbert of South Downs (Conservative) on Thursday, 1 December 2011 on behalf of the Home Office.

Telephones: Nuisance

Question
(3) (a) what steps her Department is taking and (b) what guidelines her Department issues to the police to ensure that complaints about (i) nuisance telephone calls and text messages and (ii) sexually suggestive and obscene telephone calls and text messages which are offensive to the recipient are investigated in a prompt manner.
Answer

While the Secretary of State for the Home Department, my right hon. Friend the Member for Maidenhead (Mrs May), has overall responsibility for ensuring the delivery of an efficient and effective police service in England and Wales and setting the national strategic direction of policing, Ministers have no role in operational policing decisions, which are for chief officers of each police force and their constables. The Home Office does not set central targets for police response times or assess support available during police investigations. Provisions to deal with harassment involving any form of data communication is also covered in the Association of Chief Police Officers' Practice Advice on Stalking and Harassment.As part of the Violence Against Women and Girls Action Plan, the Government launched a consultation on stalking on 14 November 2011 to ask for views on how we can protect victims of stalking more effectively. The consultation incorporates a number of issues, including current legislation, the effect of police information notices, search powers, the work of existing organisations and alternative measures to tackle stalking. The consultation will remain open until 5 February 2012.The Home Office has been working with the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Ministry of Justice and a number of stalking charities to ensure that best practice guidance is disseminated through a series of regional events. This kind of help and improved training can ensure that stalking behaviour is identified early and acted upon.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
83718; 536 c1073-4W
Session
2010-12
Subjects
Nuisance Telephones
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk