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Category: Criminal Justice

  • Sadiq Khan – 2021 Comments on Tackling Violence in London

    Sadiq Khan – 2021 Comments on Tackling Violence in London

    The comments made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 20 July 2021.

    I’m determined to tackle violence in London by continuing to be both tough on violent crime and tough on the root causes of violent crime. There will be an increased police presence this summer in the areas of London worst affected by violence, but we know we will never simply be able to arrest our way out of the problem. That’s why, working with communities across our city, we’ve created thousands of new positive opportunities for young people so they have somewhere safe to go this summer, where they can make the most of their talents.

    With lockdown restrictions now lifted and schools breaking up for the holidays, it’s more important than ever that we work together to ensure we don’t see a rise in violence over the summer months. This means supporting our young people, diverting them away from crime and giving them opportunities to thrive.

    City Hall and London’s Violence Reduction Unit, the first of its kind in the country, is investing in hundreds of programmes – from mentoring and support for families, to sport, music and performing arts. Our city is brimming with opportunities for young Londoners this summer and beyond and I would encourage people to get involved.

  • Anna McMorrin – 2021 Comments on Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre

    Anna McMorrin – 2021 Comments on Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre

    The comments made by Anna McMorrin, the Shadow Minister for Victims and Youth Justice, on 19 July 2021.

    The Tories have overseen a dangerous deterioration of conditions in youth custody, undermining the rehabilitation of children and putting working people and families at risk of increased reoffending and crime.

    The slow response to conditions, closure of another secure centre, and the questionable extension of terms with the private US contractor show a shocking lack of ministerial oversight and this government’s recklessness with welfare and public safety. It is a damning reflection of the Conservatives appalling mishandling of the youth justice system.

    Labour have called for an independent review of conditions in youth custody and for ministers to get a grip of the crisis they created.

  • Priti Patel – 2021 Statement on the National Crime Agency

    Priti Patel – 2021 Statement on the National Crime Agency

    The statement made by Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, in the House of Commons on 13 July 2021.

    The National Crime Agency (NCA) leads the fight against serious and organised crime. It has the power to task other law enforcement partners and a capability, with local to international reach, to disrupt the impact of serious and organised crime on the UK.

    This is the eighth Her Majesty’s inspectorate of constabulary and fire and rescue services inspection of the NCA and examines the non-specialist NCA investigation teams based at the branch offices across the UK. The focus is specifically on the alignment of investigations to the threats, allocation of resources, and the NCA’s capacity to tackle organised crime.

    I have asked HMICFRS to publish the report. It will be published today and will be available online at http://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/. I will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

    The inspection found that NCA’s crime reduction function is working well in a number of areas of law enforcement. The agency’s management of the highest priority cases and the difficult management of scarce, specialist resources are effective, and cases being developed by the intelligence command are focused on SOC threats. The agency’s investigators show resilience and flexibility often in difficult conditions. However, the report also identifies a number of areas for improvement, including assessment of capacity in the investigations command to meet the demand being developed by the intelligence command, inadequate level and quality of equipment and access to investigative tools in some parts of the country, an over-reliance on legacy IT systems and the need for consistent investment to ensure the NCA is at the same standards as the police force.

  • Priti Patel – 2021 Comments on Knife and Firearms Ban

    Priti Patel – 2021 Comments on Knife and Firearms Ban

    The comments made by Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, on 14 July 2021.

    There is no place in our society for violent crime and harm caused by such knives and firearms. Lives have been lost through serious violence, and this ban will help save lives by getting more knives and other weapons off the streets and out of the hands of violent criminals.

    The human suffering and hurt caused by the tragic loss of life through violent crime is unacceptable, which is why the government will stop at nothing to give the police the powers needed to stop violent crime and protect the public.

    From today, anyone possessing one of these deadly weapons unlawfully will face the full force of the law.

  • Nick Thomas-Symonds – 2021 Comments on Tackling Racist Abuse

    Nick Thomas-Symonds – 2021 Comments on Tackling Racist Abuse

    The comments made by Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Shadow Home Secretary, on 14 July 2021.

    The long awaited Online Harms Bill has been continuously promoted as a way to solve this problem by the Government but, not only do delays mean it is unlikely to come into force before 2024, but the current bill would not stop this vile abuse.

    The racist abuse on social-media faced by our England players is unacceptable, social-media companies need the toughest of sanctions to do more to take down this awful material.

    The time for change is now, more delays will only prolong the abuse that takes place on social media. This must be a priority for the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary.

  • Nick Thomas-Symonds – 2021 Comments on Financial Cost of Priti Patel’s Bullying

    Nick Thomas-Symonds – 2021 Comments on Financial Cost of Priti Patel’s Bullying

    The comments made by Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Shadow Home Secretary, on 9 July 2021.

    Taxpayers will be appalled at having to pick up the Bill for the Home Secretary’s unacceptable behaviour with £370,000 having been used to settle the case – this money could have been used on extra police officers, or tackling anti-social behaviour.

    It was wrong that when Priti Patel broke the Ministerial Code, it was the Prime Minister’s independent adviser who resigned.

    As usual with this Government it is one rule for them, another for everyone else.

  • David Lammy – 2021 Comments on Reduced Juries

    David Lammy – 2021 Comments on Reduced Juries

    The comments made by David Lammy, the Shadow Justice Secretary, on 22 June 2021.

    Labour first called for war-time juries of six in most cases until restrictions were lifted back in January.

    But instead of taking the bold actions needed to clear the backlog, the government dithered and delayed.

    The result is a record-breaking backlog, with tens of thousands of victims being denied justice and countless criminals being let off the hook.

  • Rupert Matthews – 2021 Statement on Disorder in Oakham

    Rupert Matthews – 2021 Statement on Disorder in Oakham

    The statement issued by Rupert Matthews, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, on 20 June 2021.

    I have received several complaints about the event at Rutland showground, and I am distressed to hear how little regard has been given to the residents of Oakham. There’s been intimidation and dangerous driving, not to mention breaking the covid rules.

    I have contacted the Chief Constable demanding an update now and a meeting tomorrow. Of course, I fully support the work that Rutland Police do in the action they are taking and urge residents with concerns to please dial 101.

  • David Lammy – 2021 Comments on Government’s Rape Review

    David Lammy – 2021 Comments on Government’s Rape Review

    The comments made by David Lammy, the Shadow Justice Secretary, on 20 June 2021.

    After a decade of Conservative incompetence and cuts has led to record-low conviction and prosecution rates for rape, the last thing victims need from the Justice Secretary is a U-turn.

    The Conservatives must urgently clarify whether or not they intend to stick to the target of increasing the number of rapists who are charged and end up in court.

  • Priti Patel – 2021 Comments on Anniversary of Reading Attacks

    Priti Patel – 2021 Comments on Anniversary of Reading Attacks

    The comments made by Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, on 20 June 2021.

    A year on from the cowardly attack in Reading’s Forbury Gardens, my thoughts and prayers on this very difficult day are with the families and loved ones of Joe Ritchie-Bennett, James Furlong and David Wails, those that were injured and affected & the truly brave police officers.