Written Question·Home Office·UIN 18503

Animal Welfare: Children

Tabled: 13 July 2026
Answered: 27 July 2026

Question

James McMurdock

Independent — South Basildon and East Thurrock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether police forces are required to refer incidents of animal cruelty involving people under the age of 18 to a) safeguarding agencies and b) Youth Offending Teams.

Answer

Sarah Jones
Police forces are operationally independent from Government. Chief Constables and their officers are responsible for determining what action is appropriate in individual cases, including when information should be shared with relevant safeguarding partner...
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