Have your say on the Policing and Crime Bill

Do you have relevant expertise and experience or an interest in the Policing and Crime Bill which is currently passing through Parliament? If so, you can submit your views in writing to the House of Commons Public Bill Committee which is going to consider this Bill.

Policing and Crime Bill 2015-16

Summary of the Policing and Crime Bill

The Policing and Crime Bill has its second reading on 7 March 2016. It covers a wide range of subjects. Some of the proposed changes form part of the Government’s manifesto commitment to develop the role of Police and Crime Commissioners. Others are part of the Government’s response to concerns in recent years about police integrity. Other changes to police powers are in response to more specific concerns – for example over detention of people suffering mental health crises, and over the length of time people can be held on police bail before they are charged. The Bill also covers areas as diverse as firearms control; alcohol licensing; enforcement of United Nations and EU sanctions; and child sexual exploitation.

Policing and Crime Bill explanatory notes

Follow the progress of the Policing and Crime Bill

The Bill was presented to the House on 10 February 2016. On Monday 7 March, the Bill received its Second Reading in the House of Commons where MPs debated the main principles of the Bill.

The Bill has now been sent to the Public Bill Committee where detailed examination of the Bill will take place. The Bill Committee is expected to hold oral evidence sessions on Tuesday 15 March.

Guidance on submitting written evidence

Deadline for written evidence submissions

The Public Bill Committee is now able to receive written evidence. The Committee will stop receiving written evidence at the end of the Committee stage on Thursday 14 April. Please note: When the Public Bill Committee reports, it is no longer able to receive written evidence and it could report earlier than Thursday 14 April.

What should written evidence cover?

Your submission should address matters contained within the Bill and concentrate on issues where you have a special interest or expertise, and factual information of which you would like the Committee to be aware. Your submission could most usefully:

suggest amendments to the Bill with explanation; and
(when available) support or oppose amendments tabled or proposed to the Bill by others with explanation

It is helpful if the submission includes a brief introduction about you or your organisation. The submission should not have been previously published or circulated elsewhere. If you have any concerns about your submission, please contact the Scrutiny Unit (details below).

How should written evidence be submitted?

Your submission should be emailed to scrutiny@parliament.uk. Please note that submissions sent to the Government department in charge of the Bill will not be treated as evidence to the Public Bill Committee.

Submissions should be in the form of a Word document. A summary should be provided. Paragraphs should be numbered, but there should be no page numbering. Essential statistics or further details can be added as annexes, which should also be numbered. To make publication easier, please avoid the use of coloured graphs, complex diagrams or pictures. As a guideline, submissions should not exceed 3,000 words.

Please include in the covering email the name, address, telephone number and email address of the person responsible for the submission. The submission should be dated.

What will happen to my evidence?

The written evidence will be circulated to all Committee Members to inform their consideration of the Bill. Most submissions will also be published on the internet as soon as possible after the Committee has started sitting. The Scrutiny Unit can help with any queries about written evidence.

Scrutiny Unit contact details

Email: scrutiny@parliament.uk
Telephone: 020 7219 8387
Address: Ian Hook
Senior Executive Officer
Scrutiny Unit
House of Commons
London SW1A OAA