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05/11/2004
Bailed drugs users who refuse treatment face jail
More drug users who commit crime to pay for their habit will face the threat of jail in the New Year if they do not consent to treatment, the Home Secretary David Blunkett has announced today.
The 'restriction on bail' programme, which has been piloted in Nottingham, Manchester and Salford since May, gives courts powers to order drug assessment and treatment as conditions of bail. The scheme is now to be extended to up to 39 new Drug Action Team areas by April next year, with 10 of these going live in January.
Across the three pilot areas 286 defendants, who have tested positive for heroin, cocaine or crack, have now been bailed under 'restriction on bail' provisions. Only 20 defendants were remanded in custody for breaching the provisions.
As part of the government strategy to target those offenders who cause the most harm to communities, many of the offenders on this programme will be prolific offenders.
The Home Office also announced today that 6,975 prolific offenders have been identified by Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships and Community Safety Partnerships across England and Wales. This strategy, launched in September, is a key part of the current five-year plan to tackle crime. It makes sure that these offenders are being targeted at every stage of the criminal justice system to get them away from their criminal activity.
Mr Blunkett said: "We know that around 75% of crack and heroin addicts commit crime to fund their addiction. These offenders who do enormous damage to their communities are being targeted and made to face the consequences of their actions. The prolific and other priority offenders strategy that I launched in September is designed to do exactly this. More than 6,000 offenders across the country, many of whom are drug users, now know that they are being targeted by the police and other agencies."
The restriction on bail provision was introduced under Section 19 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.
(gmcg/sp)
The 'restriction on bail' programme, which has been piloted in Nottingham, Manchester and Salford since May, gives courts powers to order drug assessment and treatment as conditions of bail. The scheme is now to be extended to up to 39 new Drug Action Team areas by April next year, with 10 of these going live in January.
Across the three pilot areas 286 defendants, who have tested positive for heroin, cocaine or crack, have now been bailed under 'restriction on bail' provisions. Only 20 defendants were remanded in custody for breaching the provisions.
As part of the government strategy to target those offenders who cause the most harm to communities, many of the offenders on this programme will be prolific offenders.
The Home Office also announced today that 6,975 prolific offenders have been identified by Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships and Community Safety Partnerships across England and Wales. This strategy, launched in September, is a key part of the current five-year plan to tackle crime. It makes sure that these offenders are being targeted at every stage of the criminal justice system to get them away from their criminal activity.
Mr Blunkett said: "We know that around 75% of crack and heroin addicts commit crime to fund their addiction. These offenders who do enormous damage to their communities are being targeted and made to face the consequences of their actions. The prolific and other priority offenders strategy that I launched in September is designed to do exactly this. More than 6,000 offenders across the country, many of whom are drug users, now know that they are being targeted by the police and other agencies."
The restriction on bail provision was introduced under Section 19 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.
(gmcg/sp)
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The Prime Minister has announced plans to target a hardcore of persistent offenders – around 5,000 people who are believed to be responsible for nearly 10% of all crime. Tony Blair said that while this is only an average of 15 or 20 people for each of the 376 Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships, they are "wreaking havoc".
Strategy set to target UK's 5,000 'hardcore' offenders
The Prime Minister has announced plans to target a hardcore of persistent offenders – around 5,000 people who are believed to be responsible for nearly 10% of all crime. Tony Blair said that while this is only an average of 15 or 20 people for each of the 376 Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships, they are "wreaking havoc".
01 May 2009
Former Offenders Call On Schoolkids To 'Swap A Knife for A Life'
Westminster officers are joining forces with former offenders to ask local schoolchildren to 'Swap a Knife for a Life' as they launch a new initiative encouraging young people to think twice before carrying a knife and getting involved in youth violence.
Former Offenders Call On Schoolkids To 'Swap A Knife for A Life'
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Brixton Drug Gang Get Long Sentences
A gang of criminals who ran a lucrative drug dealing network from a car tyre shop in Brixton were sentenced last week to a total of 81 years in prison. Nine men, who were previously convicted of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, appeared at Kingston Crown Court today to hear their sentences.
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20 July 2012
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02 March 2012
Three Jailed After Death Of Television Executive
Three people have been jailed today after television executive Gagandip Singh was attacked and killed in February last year. They include 20-year-old female medical student Mundhill Mundill Kaur Mahil of Gladstone Place, Brighton. She had been convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent and was given six years in a Youth Offenders Institute.
Three Jailed After Death Of Television Executive
Three people have been jailed today after television executive Gagandip Singh was attacked and killed in February last year. They include 20-year-old female medical student Mundhill Mundill Kaur Mahil of Gladstone Place, Brighton. She had been convicted of grievous bodily harm with intent and was given six years in a Youth Offenders Institute.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
