Crime, Prisons and Policing

Gang violence prevention plans outlined in report

Analysis of gang and youth violence has been made by a team of senior ministers since the August disruption and their suggestions of how to tackle the national problem have been set out in a report.

Initiatives detailed in 'Ending Gang and Youth Violence: A Cross-Government Report’ (Cm. 8211) will act as a platform for intensive support required for the areas most affected by gang violence.

Police reform proposals examined by Committee

In the report, 'New Landscape of Policing’ (HC 939), the Home Affairs Committee scrutinised the proposals set out by the Government in July 2010 for improving UK police.

More than a year after the Government announced it was phasing out the National Policing Improvement Agency it is yet to announce any definite decisions about the future of the vast majority of the functions currently performed by the Agency. The Committee suggested a delay in phasing out the Agency until the end of 2012.

Baha Mousa Inquiry findings revealed

‘The Report of the Baha Mousa Inquiry’ (HC 1452) details findings of the investigation into an Iraqi civilian’s cause of death whilst detained by British troops eight years ago.

On 15 September 2003, 26-year-old Baha Mousa died in a detention facility in Basra, Iraq; a combination of his weakened physical state and a final struggle with the guards working at the facility led to his death, the report finds.

MPs discourage competition for probation services

The Justice Committee warns that the Government's proposals for opening up probation services to competition need further thought, in the report 'The Role of the Probation Service’ (HC 519-I).

The Committee believes that the Government's proposals for payment by results and wider competition in the provision of rehabilitative services are limited because they separate the commissioning of prison places from the commissioning of every other form of sentence provision.

Mull of Kintyre tragedy conclusions published

‘The Mull of Kintyre Review’ (HC 1348) examines previous reports, evidence and information relating to the fatal helicopter crash which caused 29 deaths on the Mull of Kintyre in 1994.

On 02 June 1994, RAF Chinook Helicopter ZD576 crashed whilst transporting 25 members of the Northern Ireland security and intelligence community from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to Fort George near Inverness.

Inquiry findings suggest state failed to protect Rosemary Nelson

'The Rosemary Nelson Inquiry Report’ (HC 947) found no evidence of state agencies contributing to the murder of solicitor Rosemary Nelson but concludes that there was insufficient prevention of the attack.

Sir Michael Morland looked into the murder of the solicitor in Lurgan, Northern Ireland, after a bomb exploded under her car near her home in March 1999.

Extensive review of police pay considers implications of cutbacks

With over 80% of police force budgets spent on staff pay, making efficiency savings in this sector will be incredibly challenging, as detailed in the 'Independent Review of Police Officer and Staff Remuneration and Conditions’ (Cm. 8024).

Reviewer Tom Winsor must ensure that pay and conditions and the structures around them are optimised given the current state of public finances.

Consequences of cutbacks on police funding detailed by Home Affairs Committee

As a result of required savings over the next four years it is expected that there will be a considerable decline in police staff across a range of services.

The impact of the Government’s proposed settlement for police forces from 2011-12 to 2014-15 is discussed in the report 'Police Finances’ (HC 695).

Committee gathers evidence for the debate on voting by convicted prisoners

This short report, 'Voting by Convicted Prisoners: Summary of Evidence' (HC 776) sets out a summary of evidence taken by the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee looking into the issue of voting by convicted prisoners, in advance of the debate taking place on 10 February 2011.

Evidence was taken from legal experts, including the former Lord Chancellor, Lord Mackay of Clashfern.

Green Paper details plans for fundamental changes to the criminal justice system

With safety and security of law-abiding citizens at the top of the Coalition Government’s agenda, the central objective is to break the cycle of crime.

'Breaking the Cycle: Effective Punishment, Rehabilitation and Sentencing of Offenders’ (Cm. 7972) outlines the need to punish offenders, protect the public and reduce reoffending.

Police should be given more control to stop drink and drug inflicted accidents

'Drink and Drug Driving Law' (HC 460) calls for the police to be given an additional power to permit preliminary breath tests as part of any designated drink drive enforcement operation.

Current statistics show that 18% of all drivers killed in road accidents are over the drink-drive limit (in 2007, based on coroners’ data), but that only approximately 3% of drivers in the UK are stopped and tested for alcohol compared to the European average of 16%.

Billy Wright Inquiry report findings revealed

‘The Billy Wright Inquiry – Report’ (HC 431) examines findings of the four-year inquiry into the murder of Northern Irish paramilitary leader Billy Wright over 12 years ago.

Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) leader Billy Wright was shot to death whilst secured as an inmate at HMP Maze prison in Belfast on Saturday 27 December 1997. His murderers, also HMP Maze inmates, were three members of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA), a republican paramilitary faction.

Commission confirms Ulster Volunteer Force responsible for Belfast killing

The Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) has revealed that the murder of Bobby Moffett on 28 May 2010 on Shankhill Road, Belfast, was a result of the Ulster Volunteer Force's (UVF) actions.

As detailed in the ‘Twenty-Fourth Report of the Independent Monitoring Committee’ (HC 443), the Commission concluded that there were two main reasons for the murder and the way in which it was committed:

• to stop Mr Moffett's perceived flouting of Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) authority; and
• to send a message to the organisation and the community that this authority was not to be challenged.

Plans for the most radical policing reform in 50 years

‘Policing in the 21st Century: Reconnecting Police and the People’ (Cm. 7925) outlines Government plans to revolutionise the structure of the UK police force by introducing a community led system.

The main objective is to increase democratic accountability in policing by delegating responsibility to individuals who understand the main priorities for crime and anti-social behaviour in specific areas of the UK.

Bloody Sunday events outlined in Lord Saville’s report

The Saville Inquiry was the investigation set up to examine the tragic actions that occurred on 30 January 1972 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

On the day named Bloody Sunday, 13 people died after members of the British Army's Parachute Regiment opened fire on civil rights marchers in the Bogside area.

Public police complaints need to be resolved by the Commission

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is doing little to prevent complaints against police behaviour despite an ever-increasing workload.

Despite a budget of £35 million per annum the organisation lacks clear success measures. ‘The Work of the Independent Police Complaints Commission’ (HC 366), reports on the urgency for the Commission to reconnect with the public to improve UK policing.

Decision on retention of DNA records must balance public safety against individual privacy recommends report

As a result of growing concern about the increasing size of the police National DNA Database, the Committee decided to take evidence on the subject. This process however was largely overtaken by the introduction of the Crime and Security Bill on 19 November 2009.

'The National DNA Database’ (HC 222-I) now focuses on two main issues:

• the principle of retaining DNA profiles taken from individuals arrested but not subsequently charged or from those charged but not convicted; and
• the lack of consistency in decisions to remove from the database their profiles.

More work must be done on improving prisoner reconviction rates, says NAO

More than 60,000 prisoners serve sentences of under 12 months each year at a cost to National Offender Management Service (NOMS) of around £300 million. These prisoners tend to have more previous convictions than other offenders with an average of 16 previous convictions each and, as a group, they also have a high level of homelessness, joblessness and drug and alcohol problems.

NOMS is successfully keeping the vast majority of short-sentenced prisoners safe and well - a notable achievement in a time of prison overcrowding - but is currently struggling to manage this group effectively, in part because most spend six weeks or less in prison. However the provision of daytime activity for them is generally inadequate to meet HM Inspectorate of Prisons' standards for a healthy prison.

Police spending cuts are announced

'Protecting the Public: Supporting the Police to Succeed’ (Cm 7749) aims to build on reforms laid out in last year's Green Paper, 'From the Neighbourhood to the National: Policing our Communities Together ‘(Cm. 7448). Over the next five years the increasing challenges faced by the police will need to be met within the context of a much tighter fiscal environment.

42 day detention plans examined

This Report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights, 'Counter-Terrorism Policy and Human Rights (Eleventh Report): 42 Days and Public Emergencies' (HL 116 / HC 635), comments on the adequacy of the additional safeguards that the Government has indicated it intends to bring forward to meet the human rights concerns about its proposal to extend the maximum period of pre-charge detention to 42 days.

Excessive surveillance 'erodes trust', Government warned

Surveillance is defined as the use of monitoring and recording technology, along with the creation and use of databases of personal information, and the record of communications in the digital age. The potential for surveillance of citizens in public spaces and private communications has increased dramatically over the last decade, making it possible for what the Information Commissioner calls 'the electronic footprint' people leave in their daily lives to be built up into a detailed picture of activities.

This Report from the Home Affairs Committee, 'A Surveillance Society?' (HC 58-I), examines the benefits of surveillance in terms of public safety and public services, and the risks in terms of the consequences of mistakes, misidentification, and loss of sensitive information.

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.