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Read on for Crime, Prisons and Policing stories:
First National Security Strategy set out by Government
The Cold War threat has been replaced by a new set of threats and risks - including international terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, conflicts and failed states, pandemics, and trans-national crime - which affect the United Kingdom directly and have the potential to undermine wider international stability. These threats and risks are driven by a diverse set of underlying factors, including: climate change; competition for energy; poverty and poor governance; demographic changes; and globalisation.
The 'National Security Strategy of the United Kingdom: Security in an Interdependent World' (Cm. 7291) sets out how the Government will address and manage both the risks and the underlying factors that drive them.
Home Office's role in reducing the risk of violent crime considered
This Report from the National Audit Office, 'Reducing the Risk of Violent Crime'
(HC 241), focuses on the role of the Home Office in creating and implementing the appropriate legislative framework and co-ordinating local delivery in order to tackle violent crime.
Use of intercept as evidence recommended
The creation of this Privy Council Review, 'Privy Council Review of Intercept as Evidence: Report to the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary'
(Cm. 7324), was announced on 25 July 2007 to 'advise on whether a regime to allow the use of intercepted material in court can be devised that facilitates bringing cases to trial while meeting the overriding imperative to safeguard national security'.
Prison system ‘at a crossroads’
‘HM Chief Inspector of Prisons for England and Wales - Annual Report 06/07’ (HC 207) covers the period 2006-07. The Report charts the effects on prisons and prisoners of an increasingly pressurised system.
Strategic plan for crime and justice unveiled
This Paper, 'Working
Together to Cut Crime and Deliver Justice - A Strategic Plan for 2008-2011' (Cm
7247), sets out a strategic vision for the UK criminal justice system up to
2011.
Offender Management Act explained
'Explanatory
Notes' to the 'Offender Management Act 2007' have just been published.
The
'Offender
Management Act 2007' received Royal Assent on 26th July 2007 and is
designed to reduce re-offending and better protect the public.
Young black people in the criminal justice
system
Young black people are over-represented at all stages of
the criminal justice system; black people form 2.7% of the population aged
10-17 but represent 8.5% of that age group arrested in England and Wales. They
are more likely to be stopped and searched, less likely to be given
unconditional bail and more likely to be remanded in custody.
Home Office performance reviewed
This publication,
Home
Office Departmental Report 2007, reviews the Home Office's performance
against Spending Review 2004 targets and on key objectives in 2006-07.
Serious Crime Bill human rights questions
In this Report
‘Legislative
Scrutiny: Fifth progress report‘ (HL 91/HC 490), the Joint Committee on
Human Rights draws attention to some human rights compatibility issues
concerning the
Serious
Crime Bill (HL Bill 27).
The main purpose of the Bill is to
introduce Serious Crime Prevention Orders (SCPOs), empowering courts to impose
a wide range of prohibitions or requirements in order to prevent harm from
serious crime.
NHS, armed forces and prison officers’ pay
reviewed
These Reports review the salaries of the armed forces,
senior civil servants, prison offers and health professionals, including
doctors, dentists and nurses.
Recommendations set out in these Reports
are applicable from 1 April 2007.
IRA set on political strategy
This assessment, part of the Independent Monitoring
Commission's (IMC) six-monthly cycle of reporting on paramilitary activity,
concludes that the IRA has undergone substantial changes and is firmly set on a
political strategy.
Government responds to Carter Review on Legal Aid
The Department for Constitutional Affairs and the Legal
Services Commission set out reforms to the system of procurement of legal aid
services, moving towards a market-based system.
This Paper is an outline
of Government responses to Lord Carter's proposals for Legal Aid
Procurement.
More agencies given parenting order powers
The Police and Justice Act came into force in November
2006. The objective of the Act is to help build safer communities: measures
drive forward both the police reform programme and the Respect Action Plan.
New powers proposed to fight organised crime
The
Serious
Crime Bill (House of Lords Bill 27) will introduce new powers that will
strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to fight serious organised
crime.
New powers proposed to fight organised crime
The
Serious
Crime Bill (House of Lords Bill 27) will introduce new powers that will
strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to fight serious organised
crime.
Planning system shake-up proposed
'Planning
for a Sustainable Future - White Paper (Cm. 7120)' sets out the
Government's detailed proposals for the reform of the planning system, in light
of the recommendations made by the
Barker
Review of Land Use Planning and the
Eddington
Transport Study.