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The latest information on crime reduction
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MORE KNIFE CRIME OFFENDERS JAILED
Date:
2009-06-11
Source: Ministry of Justice
Link: http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/newsrelease110609a.htm
More criminals are being jailed for carrying a knife and the number of offences dealt with involving knives has fallen, according to new statistics published by the Ministry of Justice today.
The statistics also show that offenders caught carrying a knife are receiving longer prison sentences and fewer cautions.
Between January and March 2009 the statistics show a fall of 7% in the total number of offences involving possession of a knife or other offensive weapon dealt with to 6,477 from 6,931, compared to same period in 2008. This fall increases to 15% for youths aged between 10 and 17.
The number of prisoners serving a sentence for possession of an offensive weapon increased by nearly half again (44%) between the first quarter of 2008 and the same period in 2009.
TOUGH NEW POWERS AND MANDATORY CODE TO TACKLE IRRESPONSIBLE ALCOHOL SALES
Date:
2009-05-13
Source: Home Office
Link: http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases/tack-irresponsible-alcohol-sales
A ban on irresponsible drinks promotions including 'all you can drink for £10', speed drinking competitions and 'dentist’s chairs' — pouring alcohol directly into people’s mouths — are among the conditions of a proposed new mandatory code on alcohol sales launched for consultation by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith today.
The proposed mandatory code of practice for pubs, clubs, off-licences and supermarkets is the latest step in the government's plans to tackle alcohol-related crime and disorder and harm to health which costs the UK up to £13 billion every year.
The proposals take a two-tiered approach with a small number of mandatory conditions for all alcohol retailers. This will ensure consistent good practice alongside new discretionary powers for local authorities to tackle problem premises where irresponsible drinking could put individuals at risk and lead to crime and anti-social behaviour.
Any premises that breach the mandatory code or local discretionary conditions that have been imposed will face a range of possible sanctions. This includes losing their licence, having additional tough conditions imposed on their licence or, on summary conviction, a maximum £20,000 fine and/or six months imprisonment.
The proposed mandatory code of practice includes:
* banning promotions such as 'all you can drink for £10', speed drinking competitions and ‘dentist’s chairs’ where alcohol is dispensed directly into the mouth of any customer. These promotions encourage people to drink quickly or irresponsibly, can lead to crime or anti-social behaviour and make it impossible for people to keep track of the units consumed
* ensuring all bars, pubs and clubs offer alcohol in both measures so customers have the choice between a single or double measure of spirits and a large or small glass of wine
* requiring alcohol retailers to display information about the alcohol unit content of drinks and for supermarkets and convenience stores, the health impacts of alcohol under powers from the Food Safety Act. This allows customers to make an informed decision about how much they drink and the effects on their own health.
NEW HEALTH TASKFORCE TO SPOT SIGNS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Date:
2009-05-13
Source: Home Office & Department of Health
Link: http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases/health-taskforce-violence-women
A new taskforce of health professionals working together to spot early signs of violence and abuse against women and girls, investigate the scale of the problem and ensure victims across the NHS get the support they need, was announced today by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Health Secretary Alan Johnson.
The taskforce has been set up in response to issues raised during the Violence against Women and Girls consultation which began in March. The government recognises that victims may talk more freely with health professionals about their fear of violence – even when they are not ready to take the next step to reporting the crime.
The government wants to make sure that health professionals are prepared to give victims of violence and abuse information about local support services. The taskforce will also look at helping health workers to identify women at risk earlier and how they can offer these women support to reduce repeat victimisation.
Professor Sir George Alberti, former national clinical director for emergency access and service design, will lead the work of the taskforce. The taskforce will comprise health professionals, NHS managers and representatives from the public, social services and voluntary sector.
Alongside this, the government also pledged to double funding for the 24-hour national domestic violence helpline, bringing total support to £1 million for this year.
PUBLIC GIVEN GREATER SAY AS NEW CRIME STRATEGY PUBLISHED
Date:
2009-05-12
Source: Home Office
Link: http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases/new-crime-strategy-published
Local people will be able to choose how money from a £4 million criminal assets fund is spent in their area, alongside further targeted work to tackle property-related crime and a tougher approach to dealing with prolific offenders announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Justice Secretary Jack Straw today.
Cutting crime: two years on
Speaking today at the first conference for Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (new window) (CDRPs), the Prime Minister unveiled the government’s updated crime strategy – Cutting Crime: Two Years On (new window) – and set out the government’s commitment to tackling the new crime challenges the country faces.
The action the government is taking will build on existing policies to prevent crime and deliver responsive, visible justice which has resulted in a fall in crime of almost 40% since 1997.
The Prime Minister announced:
*** A new programme tackling serious property-related crimes ***
A new programme tackling serious property-related crimes such as burglary, robbery and car theft. This programme will target interventions in areas where emerging problems are identified to prevent them from becoming entrenched. Operation Vigilance will include a £3 million scheme piloted in these priority areas will intensify the targeting and management of known offenders, helping police, probation and local authorities learn from what works and how to use more proactive methods to target and catch offenders.
*** Stronger powers to seize criminal assets ***
Stronger powers to seize criminal assets and a greater public say in how these are spent. The public will be able to have a say on how a £4 million fund of cash seized from criminals is spent in their local area. The fund will be available for local projects and will be decided by local communities using websites, neighbourhood policing meetings or citizens’ panels.
Powers will also be introduced to ensure criminals must prove their assets like boats and cars came from legitimate source. This comes as the first performance tables showing the value of assets seized by individual police forces are published today, showing in the value of criminals’ assets seized by the police has risen from £100 million 2006-7 to more than £150 million by 2008-9.
*** The first virtual courts pilot ***
The first virtual courts pilot to ensure a speedier and more efficient justice system for all. Cases could be heard at a magistrates’ court via secure video link from the police station within four hours of a defendant being charged. If successful, this could cut costs by £10 million a year, free up police and magistrates’ court’s time and improve the service given to victims and witnesses.
*** Intensive community payback ***
Intensive community payback to be rolled out over the coming year to even more unemployed offenders where they will have to carry out demanding work for at least 18 hours a week. This will ensure a significant loss of liberty and free time for more offenders across England and Wales who must now wear branded orange jackets so that the public can see that justice is being done.
CRIME IN ENGLAND AND WALES QUARTERLY UPDATE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 2008
Date:
2009-04-23
Source: Home Office
Link: http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=399422&NewsAreaID=2
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said:
"Since 1997, overall crime has fallen by 39%, violence is down by 40% and burglary is down by 55%. Today's statistics show that overall crime is stable or falling and the risk of being a victim remains historically low. Violent crime, robbery, sexual offences and firearm offences continue to fall and I particularly welcome the 12% fall in knife related murder.
"But we know we are facing some new challenges now and are focussing our experience and knowledge to tackle these head-on. That is why we have already responded to early concerns about burglary - working with police, charities, DIY stores and insurers to increase enforcement activity, target repeat offenders and give practical advice to help people secure their homes.
"There is an apparent rise in theft from the person shown by the BCS, although the comparable recorded crime figure has fallen by four per cent. We are also seeing falls in both robbery and vehicle crime. Levels of all household and acquisitive crime remain stable. Record numbers of police already have the flexibility and resources to tackle local crime priorities and ensure that we can help to keep crime down."
NEW GUIDANCE TO CRACK DOWN ON DANGEROUS DOGS
Date:
2009-04-16
Source: Defra (Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Link: http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=398734&NewsAreaID=2
Guidance to help police and local authorities enforce dangerous dogs law more effectively and crack down on irresponsible dog ownership has been published, Environment Minister Jane Kennedy announced today.
Written in association with the police, the RSPCA and local authorities, the guidance sets out the current law and provides advice on how the legislation can be used effectively to improve enforcement.
The guidance:
* Provides an outline of the law on dangerous dogs, including an explanation of 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act and the 1871 Dogs Act;
* Sets out best practice for the main enforcement authorities: the police and local authorities;
* Provides guidance on identifying pit bull terrier-type dogs; and
* Provides examples of existing local initiatives.
NEW MEASURES TO SUPPORT VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
Date:
2009-04-15
Source: Home Office
Link: http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=398627&NewsAreaID=2
New measures to improve the investigation and prosecution of rape and to provide support to victims were announced today by Home Office Minister, Vernon Coaker.
The new measures follow discussions with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) to ensure the best possible support for victims of rape. The measures include:
* Up to £1.8 million of new funding for Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) and Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs);
* Helping every police force to ensure that all victims are seen by a specially trained officer within an hour of reporting;
* Training for police officers on what do when a rape is first reported;
* New National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA) 'best practice' guidance for the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) on investigating and prosecuting rape to be published this summer and the provision of an expert support team to ensure consistent implementation;
* A Rape Performance Group, led by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) and the CPS to monitor police and CPS performance on rape and undertake continuous assessments of performance;
* An investigation into how the best practice guidance has been implemented by the HMIC in 2010;
* Ensuring that the police involve specialist sexual violence voluntary sector services in delivering training programmes on rape for the police; and
* Specific rape sessions as part of the Violence Against Women and Girls consultation programme.
CRAKCING DOWN ON BURGLARY
Date:
2009-04-07
Source: Home Office
Link: http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=398011&NewsAreaID=2
Free burglary prevention advice and a crack down on repeat burglars are part of a new package of support to help the public to protect themselves from burglary and help keep crime down, announced by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith today.
The package is part of wider government action to help increase people's personal security, particularly those who are the most vulnerable to burglary, and ensure that criminals face the consequences of their crimes.
Today, police forces and Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships across the country are focussing their efforts as part of a national day of action to tackle burglary. Activity will include arrest operations and community work such as street briefings, safety roadshows and practical work fitting security devices at the homes of vulnerable people.
It follows a burglary summit hosted by the Home Secretary in February which brought together representatives from charities, public and private sector organisations to discuss practical measures to keep crime down, backed up by a £20 million fund. Today's announcement sets out how £15 million of that fund will be spent.
It includes:
* Intensified police operations around the country to turn the tables on repeat burglars, with burglary a top priority for the police nationally. This will be backed by £3 million funding in targeted areas, to step up the monitoring and management of burglars on release from prison;
* A free advice pack for people concerned about becoming victims of burglary that provides simple and practical advice on what they can do to prevent it. It includes discount vouchers for home security products from B&Q and Focus, a DIY company;
* A new £6 million Safer Homes fund to pay for local handy-people to visit up to 45,000 homes of people who are less likely to have good home security, such as older people and people on low incomes, and install security devices such as window locks making those houses more secure; and
* New advice from insurers on what home security measures householders can install to get the best deal from the insurance market.
CRACKING DOWN ON BURGLARY
Date:
2009-04-07
Source: Home Office
Link: http://nds.coi.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=398011&NewsAreaID=2
Free burglary prevention advice and a crack down on repeat burglars are part of a new package of support to help the public to protect themselves from burglary and help keep crime down, announced by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith today.
The package is part of wider government action to help increase people's personal security, particularly those who are the most vulnerable to burglary, and ensure that criminals face the consequences of their crimes.
Today, police forces and Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships across the country are focussing their efforts as part of a national day of action to tackle burglary. Activity will include arrest operations and community work such as street briefings, safety roadshows and practical work fitting security devices at the homes of vulnerable people.
It follows a burglary summit hosted by the Home Secretary in February which brought together representatives from charities, public and private sector organisations to discuss practical measures to keep crime down, backed up by a £20 million fund. Today's announcement sets out how £15 million of that fund will be spent.
It includes:
* Intensified police operations around the country to turn the tables on repeat burglars, with burglary a top priority for the police nationally. This will be backed by £3 million funding in targeted areas, to step up the monitoring and management of burglars on release from prison;
* A free advice pack for people concerned about becoming victims of burglary that provides simple and practical advice on what they can do to prevent it. It includes discount vouchers for home security products from B&Q and Focus, a DIY company;
* A new £6 million Safer Homes fund to pay for local handy-people to visit up to 45,000 homes of people who are less likely to have good home security, such as older people and people on low incomes, and install security devices such as window locks making those houses more secure; and
* New advice from insurers on what home security measures householders can install to get the best deal from the insurance market.
£3.7m FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Date:
2009-03-19
Source: Ministry of Justice
Link: http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/11770.htm
Victims of human trafficking will be helped to escape prostitution and domestic servitude following the award of a new £3.7 million government grant to the POPPY Project, Justice Minister Maria Eagle announced today.
The POPPY Project has been providing places of refuge and vital support to hundreds of victims of human trafficking since 2003, backed by £5.8 million government support. This new investment will allow them to build on this work by:
* providing more victims across the UK with a safe haven
* expanding the number of support workers available to assess the needs of individual victims and offer them specialised packages of support
* ensuring increased access to counselling, health and psychological assistance for victims
* expanding the community outreach team and locating workers within the UK Human Trafficking Centre to work in partnership with the police, UK Border Agency and other partners to help identify victims in the community early and refer them into the appropriate support services
* enabling more victims to access independent legal advice
* creating a new national coordinator who will set minimum standards of support and help local areas deliver targeted support for victims.
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