Winchester & Chandler’s Ford MP, Steve Brine, has backed a change in the law to protect against the growing menace of pet theft.
He signed amendments to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which would legislate against the purchasing a pet with cash, ensure vets scan microchips when an animal is presented to them in an attempt to catch pet thieves and strengthen general pet theft legislation. The amendments were brought forward by former Conservative leader, Sir Iain Duncan Smith.
The MP, who is the proud owner of Monty the Labrador said; “I want to back up my right hon. Friend, having put my name to these amendments. The reason that this measure needs to be in this Bill is that we have seen such a huge rise in the number of pet owners during the pandemic.
“I have seen a striking rise in casework in this area so we need to see a change in the law to add new protections.”
During the debate the Lord Chancellor, Robert Buckland, responded by saying; “On pet theft, it is vital that the underlying seriousness of this type of criminality is fully reflected by the law. That is why, since its launch on 8 May, the pet theft taskforce has been working to look at the wider issues. I am grateful to my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Sir Iain Duncan Smith) for his work on this. As a pet owner myself, I understand the depth of feeling that exists. I am able to say in the strongest terms that we will act to drive out this pernicious crime.
“The new clauses address some of the issues at the heart of where we will take action. I give him, and others, the assurance that it is our intention to make any necessary changes to this Bill in the Lords before it returns to the Commons once we have finalised the detail of exactly what is needed, using a range of powers, including primary legislation. The effect of these changes will, I believe, help to achieve what members are seeking to achieve today.”
Speaking in the debate, Steve Brine also spoke against controversial amendments from MP Diana Johnston which would have greatly relaxed abortion laws in England. The MP was inundated with requests to oppose the measures which were withdrawn by the Labour MP before any vote could be held. And he warned Ministers controversial sections of the Bill relating to the policing of protests needed work; “The parts of the Bill on protest are not right just yet, and I predict that they will have a challenging time in the other place”, he told MPs.
Mr Brine also used the debate to speak in favour of clauses in the Bill which tighten the law on illegal traveller encampments. He cited the arrival of a group on the Cattle Market Car park in Winchester this week and called on Winchester City Council to move them on without delay.
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill passed its Third Reading Stage by 365 to 265 and will now move on to the House of Lords.
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