UK policing minister has purse stolen at policing convention

The UK’s Policing Minister had her purse stolen at an annual policing conference this week.

Dame Diana Johnson gave a speech at the Police Superintendents Association’s (PSA) Conference on Tuesday where she said communities are desperate for change to tackle the crime “epidemic” they face. She said town centres were blighted by “anti-social behaviour, theft and shoplifting” and announced the rollout of specialist neighbourhood policing training.

It has since emerged Dame Diana, who is Minister of State for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention, had her belongings stolen at the event, which was held at the four-star Chesford Grange hotel in Kenilworth town in Warwickshire. The Home Office confirmed she had been the victim of theft and Warwickshire Police are investigating the matter.

In her speech, Dame Diana announced plans for thousands of police officers to be given specialist training to tackle anti-social behaviour after a “decade of decline” under the Tories. She said: “Too many town centres and high streets across the country have been gripped by an epidemic of anti-social behaviour, theft and shoplifting which is corroding our communities and cannot be allowed to continue. ”

PSA President Nick Smart in his address to the conference said the police service has been “financially drowning for more than a decade”. “Simply put – There are not enough police officers to deal with the demand we face,” he said. “There has been a chronic under-investment in policing for years and this must change.”

He commended the police’s response to widespread riots across the country this summer. But he emphasised a lack of resources and overstretched police forces.

The Superintendent took aim at Keir Starmer at the time saying a “standing army of specialist public duty officers” were ready to respond to the disorder, adding: “Let’s be clear. There were never any ‘extra’ police officers. There was no standing army of officers, waiting and ready on the sidelines. There is no ‘box of riot cops’ to break out.”

A spokesman from Warwickshire Police said: “We’re investigating a report of the theft of a purse at a hotel on the B4115 in Kenilworth. The theft occurred some time between 11.00-13.15 on Tuesday. Enquiries are ongoing. A 56-year-old man from Coventry has been arrested on suspicion of burglary and has since been released on bail while enquiries continue.”

The Mirror has contacted Dame Diana for further comment.