Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill second reading, now have your say
14 December 2010 (updated on 14 December 2010)
Home Secretary, Theresa May introduced the second reading of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill in the House of Commons on Monday 13 December. The Bill passed with a vote and will now be considered by a Public Bill Committee
Have your say on the Bill by submitting your views in writing to the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Public Bill Committee which is going to consider this Bill.
- Video and audio: Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill
- Commons Hansard: Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill
- Bills before Parliament: Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill
- About Parliament: Passage of a Bill
Have your say
Do you have relevant expertise and experience or a special interest in the Government’s Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill?
If so, you can submit your views in writing to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee which is going to consider this Bill.
Summary of the Bill
To make provision about the administration and governance of police forces; to amend the Licensing Act 2003 to assist with controlling noise nuisance and giving communities greater say in licensing decisions; to prohibit certain activities in Parliament Square; to enable provision in local authority byelaws to include powers of seizure and forfeiture; to increase the control of dangerous or otherwise harmful drugs; to restrict the issues of warrants for certain extra-territorial offences.
Key areas of the Bill
- Part 1 of the Bill contains provisions to abolish police authorities and replace them with directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners for each police force outside London
- Part 2 of the Bill amends the Licensing Act 2003 to give licensing authorities, the police, local authorities, and communities a greater say in licensing decisions
- Part 3 of the Bill contains a new legal framework for Parliament Square which aims to prevent encampments and other disruptive activity
- Part 4 of the Bill is divided into three sections; the first enables local authorities to attach powers of seizure and retention of property; the second introduces powers for the Secretary of State to temporarily control a drug for up to one year by statutory instrument; and the third requires the consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions before an arrest warrant can be issued on the application of a private prosecutor in respect of offences for which the United Kingdom has asserted universal jurisdiction.
Deadline for submissions
The sooner you send in your submission, the more time the Committee will have to take it into consideration. The Public Bill Committee is expected to meet for the first time on Tuesday 18 January and complete its consideration of the Bill by Thursday 17 February.