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Police should visit burglary victims, crime minister says Police should visit burglary victims, crime minister says
(35 minutes later)
Police officers should always attend the homes of burglary victims, the crime minister has said.Police officers should always attend the homes of burglary victims, the crime minister has said.
Mike Penning said he disagreed with comments by the head of the National Police Chiefs' Council, who said the public should not expect to see an officer after a break-in.Mike Penning said he disagreed with comments by the head of the National Police Chiefs' Council, who said the public should not expect to see an officer after a break-in.
Sara Thornton had said that police in England and Wales needed to prioritise resources in the face of budget cuts.Sara Thornton had said that police in England and Wales needed to prioritise resources in the face of budget cuts.
But Mr Penning told a committee of MPs that "a victim is a victim".But Mr Penning told a committee of MPs that "a victim is a victim".
Ms Thornton told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire show in July that forces needed to focus on crimes such as sexual offences, terrorism and cyber crimes, which she said were increasing.Ms Thornton told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire show in July that forces needed to focus on crimes such as sexual offences, terrorism and cyber crimes, which she said were increasing.
'They should attend''They should attend'
She said: "If we're really serious about putting a lot of effort into protecting children, for example, it might mean if you've had a burglary, for example, and the burglar has fled, we won't get there as quickly as we have in the past."She said: "If we're really serious about putting a lot of effort into protecting children, for example, it might mean if you've had a burglary, for example, and the burglar has fled, we won't get there as quickly as we have in the past."
But Mr Penning, appearing at the Parliamentary Home Affairs committee on Tuesday, said: "I'm not saying when they should attend, I am saying they should attend and a victim is a victim." Asked by the Parliamentary Home Affairs committee on Tuesday whether he agreed with that view, Mr Penning said "No".
He said it was for chief constables to decide how to police their areas, but questioned whether it was possible to generalise about which crimes should or should not be deemed a priority.
On burglary specifically, he added: "I'm not saying when they should attend, I am saying they should attend and a victim is a victim."
Forces are facing a 5% cut in government funding in 2015/16 and are preparing for further large budget reductions over the next five years.Forces are facing a 5% cut in government funding in 2015/16 and are preparing for further large budget reductions over the next five years.
Ms Thornton, the former Thames Valley chief constable, took up her role in April when the NPCC replaced the Association of Chief Police Officers.Ms Thornton, the former Thames Valley chief constable, took up her role in April when the NPCC replaced the Association of Chief Police Officers.
Mr Penning declined to offer a view on moves by Durham Police to stop actively pursuing cannabis smokers and those who grow small amounts for personal consumption.Mr Penning declined to offer a view on moves by Durham Police to stop actively pursuing cannabis smokers and those who grow small amounts for personal consumption.
The minister said that was an "operational decision".The minister said that was an "operational decision".
He was also questioned about proposals for a new funding formula to decide how much each police force receives.He was also questioned about proposals for a new funding formula to decide how much each police force receives.
A consultation was launched earlier this year as ministers took steps to replace the current system, which they say is "out of date".A consultation was launched earlier this year as ministers took steps to replace the current system, which they say is "out of date".
Mr Penning confirmed the government had drawn up projections on the possible impact of the new formula but had not yet published them.Mr Penning confirmed the government had drawn up projections on the possible impact of the new formula but had not yet published them.
He said this was because it would mean the argument focused on how much individual forces could receive rather than the principle of replacing a "fundamentally flawed" system with a "better and fairer" one.He said this was because it would mean the argument focused on how much individual forces could receive rather than the principle of replacing a "fundamentally flawed" system with a "better and fairer" one.
The Home Office, which provides money to forces, is among the departments told by the Treasury to prepare for savings of between 25% and 40% by 2019/20.The Home Office, which provides money to forces, is among the departments told by the Treasury to prepare for savings of between 25% and 40% by 2019/20.
The department has said no decisions have been taken on police funding beyond 2015/16.The department has said no decisions have been taken on police funding beyond 2015/16.