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UK Parliament

Policing and Crime Bill returns to the Lords

19 January 2017

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The Policing and Crime Bill returned to the House of Lords on Wednesday 18 January for consideration of Commons amendments in 'ping pong'.

Peers considered Commons amendments on subjects including sentences for stalking offences and the victims' code.

Following agreement by both Houses on the text of the bill it received Royal Assent on 31 January 2017. Royal Assent is the monarch's agreement to make the bill into an Act of Parliament (law).

Lords third reading: Monday 19 December

Members discussed offences punishable under laws relating to the Navy, sentences for stalking offences and powers conferred on the Department for Justice in Northern Ireland.

Lords report stage day three: Monday 12 December

Members discussed proof of nationality, pardons for abolished offences and pre-charge anonymity in sexual offence cases. There were three divisions (votes).

Members discussed changes to the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992 to prevent anyone being named as a suspect before being charged with a sexual offence. In a vote, 113 members were in favour of this change, with 236 disagreeing, so the change was not made.

Lords then voted on a change to stalking laws. The change increased the maximum penalty for stalking from five to ten years, and, in cases where stalking is aggravated by racial or religious motivation, from seven to fourteen years. 160 members voted for the change; 149 voted against. This change was inserted into the bill.

The final vote was on a change that required the Parliamentary Ombudsman to investigate complaints that the police had not upheld the Victims' Code, which sets out the services and information victims of crime are entitled to. With 136 for and 130 against, this change was made.

Third reading, a chance to 'tidy up' the bill and make changes, is scheduled for 19 December.

Lords report stage day two: Wednesday 7 December

Members discussed maritime enforcement powers, revenues and customs officers and the possession of firearms for hunting.

Lords report stage day one: Wednesday 30 November

Members discussed collaboration with fire and rescue services, limits on bail periods and allegations of corruption between police and newspaper organisations. There were two divisions (votes) on amendments to the bill.

The first vote was on an amendment requiring the prime minister to commission an independent inquiry into complaints alleging corrupt relationships between the police and newspapers. 246 members voted in favour of this amendment, and 196 voted against, so this change was made to the bill. 

Members then considered an amendment removing the part of the bill allowing volunteer police or civilian staff to use CS or PAVA sprays, use of which is currently limited to police officers. This went to a vote, where 179 were in favour of removing this section and 184 were against. This meant this part of the bill was not changed.

A second day of report stage is scheduled for 7 December.

Lords committee stage day four: Wednesday 9 November

Members discussed additional ammunition controls, premises with gambling licenses and the prescribed alcohol limit for drivers.

Lords committee stage day three: Wednesday 2 November

Members discussed agency cooperation in investigations, the use of Tasers and the detention of individuals under the Mental Health Act 1983.

Lords committee stage day two: Wednesday 26 October

Members discussed amendments on emergency responses to flooding, police complaints in the media and appeals to police tribunals.

Lords committee stage day one: Wednesday 14 September

Members discussed amendments on the Police Reform and Social Authority Act 2011, the role of police and crime commissioners and fire and rescue provisions.

Lords second reading: Monday 18 July

Policing and Crime Bill summary

This bill will aim to:

  • improve the efficiency and effectiveness of police forces, including through closer collaboration with other emergency services
  • enhance the democratic accountability of police forces and fire and rescue services
  • build public confidence in policing
  • strengthen the protections for persons under investigation by, or who come into contact with, the police
  • ensure that the police and other law enforcement agencies have the powers they need to prevent, detect and investigate crime
  • further safeguard children and young people from sexual exploitation

Further information

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