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03/04/2003
Greater trans-Atlantic cooperation on law and order
Following the Home Secretary's visit to the US, the government has revealed new measures signalling a greater degree of trans-Atlantic cooperation over criminal justice and national defence.
Earlier today, David Blunkett and the Lord Chancellor Derry Irvine today announced plans to support the development of US-style community courts in Britain.
The New York-based Center for Court Innovation has been invited to help develop plans for pilot community justice centres in England and Wales. These will, according to the government, "ultimately aim to shift the focus of the criminal justice system to engaging more in crime prevention and problem-solving" in the community in addition to bringing perpetrators to justice.
Mr Blunkett said: "By bringing together the relevant agencies, by adopting a more cohesive approach to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and by making courts more responsive to the communities they serve, we aim to reduce crime and the fear of crime and increase clear-up rates and public confidence in the criminal justice system."
It is anticipated that community justice centres would act as a focus point for communities and reduce disorder and anti-social behaviour.
Also today, came the announcement that a new extradition treaty and an agreement on sharing criminals’ confiscated assets has agreed.
The treaty is designed to bring Anglo-US procedures more in line with extradition arrangements to European countries by removing the need for prima facie evidence but still requiring a detailed statement of the facts of the case to be provided. It makes any crime carrying a penalty of at least 12 months imprisonment in both states extraditable.
The new treaty also maintains the present position that political motivation cannot be used to block extradition in the case of terrorist or other violent crimes.
The Home Secretary also signed a memorandum of understanding with John Walters, the Director of the US Office of National Drugs Control Policy today. The agreement will lead to increased information sharing and co-operation in research and development and will allow up to $10 million to be spent on joint projects.
These will primarily explore new drugs detection and surveillance technologies such as the use of lasers to "sniff out" drugs with greater sensitivity.
(GMcG)
Earlier today, David Blunkett and the Lord Chancellor Derry Irvine today announced plans to support the development of US-style community courts in Britain.
The New York-based Center for Court Innovation has been invited to help develop plans for pilot community justice centres in England and Wales. These will, according to the government, "ultimately aim to shift the focus of the criminal justice system to engaging more in crime prevention and problem-solving" in the community in addition to bringing perpetrators to justice.
Mr Blunkett said: "By bringing together the relevant agencies, by adopting a more cohesive approach to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and by making courts more responsive to the communities they serve, we aim to reduce crime and the fear of crime and increase clear-up rates and public confidence in the criminal justice system."
It is anticipated that community justice centres would act as a focus point for communities and reduce disorder and anti-social behaviour.
Also today, came the announcement that a new extradition treaty and an agreement on sharing criminals’ confiscated assets has agreed.
The treaty is designed to bring Anglo-US procedures more in line with extradition arrangements to European countries by removing the need for prima facie evidence but still requiring a detailed statement of the facts of the case to be provided. It makes any crime carrying a penalty of at least 12 months imprisonment in both states extraditable.
The new treaty also maintains the present position that political motivation cannot be used to block extradition in the case of terrorist or other violent crimes.
The Home Secretary also signed a memorandum of understanding with John Walters, the Director of the US Office of National Drugs Control Policy today. The agreement will lead to increased information sharing and co-operation in research and development and will allow up to $10 million to be spent on joint projects.
These will primarily explore new drugs detection and surveillance technologies such as the use of lasers to "sniff out" drugs with greater sensitivity.
(GMcG)
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26 February 2009
Communities Fighting Crime In Nottingham
A group of residents in Nottingham, who are working alongside the council and the police to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, watched offenders doing Community Payback as part of a visit by the Crime and Justice adviser, Louise Casey. The group visited the former Eastglade primary school which had suffered from fly-tipping and graffiti.
Communities Fighting Crime In Nottingham
A group of residents in Nottingham, who are working alongside the council and the police to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, watched offenders doing Community Payback as part of a visit by the Crime and Justice adviser, Louise Casey. The group visited the former Eastglade primary school which had suffered from fly-tipping and graffiti.
30 March 2010
First Victims' Commissioner Appointed
Louise Casey has been appointed as the UK's first independent Victims' Commissioner, Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced today. Today's announcement comes as part of a package of reforms designed to improve the support and services available to victims and witnesses.
First Victims' Commissioner Appointed
Louise Casey has been appointed as the UK's first independent Victims' Commissioner, Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced today. Today's announcement comes as part of a package of reforms designed to improve the support and services available to victims and witnesses.
27 October 2008
Prison Reform Groups 'Must Focus On Victims' Needs'
Prison reform campaigners must focus on the needs of the victims, rather than offenders, the Justice Secretary has said today, in an attack of the "criminal justice lobby". In a speech on prison policy to the Royal Society of Arts, Jack Straw is to call for a rebalancing of criminal justice priorities to give victims a stronger voice.
Prison Reform Groups 'Must Focus On Victims' Needs'
Prison reform campaigners must focus on the needs of the victims, rather than offenders, the Justice Secretary has said today, in an attack of the "criminal justice lobby". In a speech on prison policy to the Royal Society of Arts, Jack Straw is to call for a rebalancing of criminal justice priorities to give victims a stronger voice.
05 January 2004
'Life' tariff increased for heinous murders
From today, the start of the new legal year, life will mean life for the most heinous murderers.
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From today, the start of the new legal year, life will mean life for the most heinous murderers.
22 July 2003
Restorative justice will see more criminals face their victims
Proposals to extend the way that restorative justice is used could see more victims of crime, anti-social behaviour and school bullying face those who offended against them, the Home Secretary has announced today. The scheme is currently used with young offenders, but the proposals published today are set to extend its remit.
Restorative justice will see more criminals face their victims
Proposals to extend the way that restorative justice is used could see more victims of crime, anti-social behaviour and school bullying face those who offended against them, the Home Secretary has announced today. The scheme is currently used with young offenders, but the proposals published today are set to extend its remit.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
