On Monday there was a discussion entitled “Organised Crime” that was arranged by three Conservative MPs from Devon, Buckingham and Burnley and they initially each asked the question “What steps he is taking to help reduce levels of organised crime.” and the Minister who responded was James Cleverly. However later on in the session Chris Elmore, the Labour MP asked a different question and James responded and he referred to Sussex in his response. So here are the initial comment from James to the three Conservative MPs with their question listed above.

James: We will continue to break the business model of organised crime gangs to keep the people of this country safe. We are disrupting their activities both domestically in the UK and internationally, including disrupting the work of the gangs behind the illegal small-boat crossings, and it is why the Criminal Justice Bill creates new powers to target organised criminal gangs. We will also publish a new serious and organised crime strategy soon.

And here is the question from Chris Elmore and the response from James Cleverly that refers to Sussex.

Chris: The police report a 25% increase in shoplifting in recent months. There is much evidence, as the Home Secretary will be aware, that organised criminal gangs go into shops to try to steal as much as they can and target shop workers. As we approach Christmas, what assurance can the Home Secretary provide to shop workers—not just at Christmas, but across the year—that he will start dealing with these gangs and start realising that all retail crime is a problem in this country that needs tackling?

James: The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to highlight this issue. It is one that we take seriously through Operation Pegasus. We are working through the leadership of the police and crime commissioner for Sussex on this very issue. No doubt either the Policing Minister, my right hon. Friend Chris Philp or I will have the opportunity to update the House on this work as it progresses.