Tag: Law and Order

Review group calls for tighter control of fireworks

An expert group that includes police, fire and animal welfare representatives has called for the introduction of no fireworks zones and tighter restrictions on the purchase and use of fireworks.  

The independent Firework Review Group has submitted its final report to Ministers, urging a fundamental shift in the way fireworks are bought and used.

The call comes following widespread public support across Scotland to reduce the negative impact of fireworks.

The group, chaired by former Chief Fire Officer Alasdair Hay, has recommended a number of measures be taken forward, including:

  • the introduction of mandatory conditions when fireworks are purchased from retailers
  • restricting the times of day fireworks can be sold and volume of fireworks that can be purchased at any one time
  • restricting the days and times fireworks can be set off
  • the introduction of no firework areas or zones
  • the creation of a proxy purchasing offence to prevent adults from buying fireworks on behalf of those under the age of 18

Responding to the report, Community Safety Minister Ash Denham told Parliament: “I welcome and fully endorse these recommendations and thank Alasdair Hay and the members of the Review Group for their diligent work, especially in recent months during the pandemic.

“We are determined to keep all of Scotland’s communities safe from the harmful use of fireworks and the group’s findings will help us achieve that.

“I will now explore how these recommendations can be implemented, within the powers available to Parliament, and bring forward legislation to make these a reality.

“With Bonfire Night approaching, it is vital the public continues to adhere to the rules on meeting up with other households to help stop the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

“If someone does plan on using fireworks I would urge them to please do so responsibly and safely and to be mindful of their neighbours.

“I would also ask them to consider the various harmful impacts the noise of fireworks can have, including on our veterans, those with sensory issues and on our pets and livestock. Adapting alternative celebrations and sticking to the rules in place can go a huge way to ensuring everyone’s safety.”

Chair of the Review Group Alasdair Hay said: “I am pleased to set out the recommendations from the Firework Review Group.  We have carefully considered the available evidence, and believe a step change is needed in how fireworks are accessed and used by the general public. 

“This is not to prevent adults using fireworks sensibly and safely – rather, to ensure all safety requirements are fully understood and adhered to, and the impact on others has been fully considered.”

Firework Review Group: Report to the Scottish Government.

Community Safety Minister Ash Denham’s full statement to parliament. 

“Enough Is Enough”

  • ministers act swiftly after second terror attack in as many months
  • around 50 jailed extremists will see their automatic release blocked
  • no terrorist offender released before the end of their sentence unless the Parole Board agrees

Emergency legislation introduced in the Westminster Parliament today will end the automatic early release of terrorist offenders, as the government takes decisive action to protect the public and keep our streets safe.

The urgent laws, unveiled by Justice Secretary Robert Buckland QC MP, will ensure terrorist offenders cannot be released before the end of their sentence without a thorough risk assessment by the Parole Board – with those considered still a threat to public safety forced to spend the rest of their time in prison.

The new rules will apply to offenders sentenced for crimes such as training for terrorism, membership of a proscribed organisation, and the dissemination of terrorist publications.

The Bill will cover England & Wales, and Scotland and the government’s Counter-Terrorism Sentencing Bill will apply UK-wide.

The move will end the current automatic half-way release for offenders who receive standard determinate sentences. Instead, they will be forced to spend a minimum of two-thirds of their term behind bars before being referred to the Parole Board for consideration.

It will mean around 50 terrorist prisoners already serving affected sentences will see their automatic release halted.

Justice Secretary & Lord Chancellor, Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP, said: “No dangerous terrorist should be released automatically only to go on to kill and maim innocent people on our streets.

“Enough is enough. This government will do whatever it takes to keep the public safe, including making sure no terror offender is released early without a thorough risk assessment by the Parole Board.

“And we are not stopping there. We are stepping-up deradicalisation measures in our prisons, introducing a 14-year minimum for the worst terrorist offenders, and giving more money to the police to deal with these horrific crimes.”

In addition to the Bill the government will ensure that when a terrorist offender is released they will be subject to robust safeguards, which could include notification requirements, restrictions on travel and communications, and imposed curfews.

The Bill is expected to be debated in Parliament as a matter of urgency, receiving Royal Assent by the end of February. It delivers on the government’s commitments following the senseless attack in Streatham last week, with ministers acting swiftly to prevent another terrorist being released early.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Recent months have been a stark reminder of the threat we continue to face from terrorism.

“We are determined to ensure that dangerous terrorists are not free to spread their hateful ideologies or harm the public.

“We are already boosting funding for counter-terrorism police and victims of terrorism and this legislation will ensure terrorist offenders are not released early unless there has been a full assessment of the risks.”

Most serious terror offences already attract extended sentences, which require an offender to be referred to the Parole Board before they can be considered for release before the end of their sentence. The worst cases receive life sentences and may never be released.

However, those who serve what is known as ‘standard determinate sentences’ are released automatically at the half-way point. This means that authorities are powerless to prevent a release – even if an offender continues to display concerning behaviour.

The emergency legislation will prevent that from happening and make sure terrorist offenders are assessed by the Parole Board, who have the powers and expertise to examine sensitive evidence about the specific risks that terrorists pose to public safety.

Today’s announcement builds on recent action by ministers to strengthen the response to terrorism following the Fishmongers’ Hall attack in London Bridge. This includes plans for a new Counter Terrorism Sentencing Bill to be introduced in the coming months which will:

  • Introduce tougher sentences for the most serious terrorist offenders and a 14-year minimum for the worst terrorist offenders.
  • Remove the possibility of any early release from custody for serious dangerous terrorist offenders who receive an Extended Determinate Sentence (EDS).
  • Introduce measures to strengthen licence supervision for terrorist offenders, with longer periods on licence following release.
  • Introduce Polygraph testing for terrorist offenders on licence.

And finally, the Westminster government will review whether the current maximum penalties and sentencing framework for terrorist offences is indeed sufficient or comprehensive on the underlying principle that terrorist offenders should no longer be released until the Parole Board is satisfied that they are no longer a risk to the public.

Seven MILLION hours of community payback

Community sentences continue to support local projects across Scotland

Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf has welcomed figures revealing Scotland’s communities have benefitted from around 7 million hours of unpaid work by people serving Community Payback Orders since their introduction in 2011.

Criminal Justice Social Work 2017-18 statistics show 17,800 Community Payback Orders (CPOs) were commenced in 2017-18 and 75% had an unpaid work or other activity requirement.

In addition, just over 1,000 fiscal work orders commenced in 2017-18 including unpaid work and 86% were successfully completed.

Responding to the figures, the Justice Secretary also confirmed plans to lay the order to extend the presumption against short prison sentences from 3 months to 12 after Easter. Subject to parliamentary approval, it is anticipated the extension will come into force in the summer.

Mr Yousaf said: “From refurbishing and redecorating local facilities to gritting roads in cold weather, unpaid work projects make a real difference to communities. With the total number of hours around 7 million, and evidence showing that those released from a short prison sentence are reconvicted almost twice as often as those given CPOs, the value of community sentences is clear.

“We are working closely with councils, third sector partners and Community Justice Scotland to strengthen the provision of alternatives to custody and support our hard-working prison officers by ensuring prison is focused on those people convicted of the most serious crimes and who pose the highest risk to public safety.

“As we plan for the extension of the presumption against short prison sentences, which is supported by empirical evidence and was backed by the vast majority of consultation respondents, we have protected and strengthened funding for Scotland’s criminal justice social work services so that it now stands at just over £100 million. We also provide over £11.6 million to third sector organisations working to help reduce reoffending – keeping crime down and communities safe.”

Criminal Justice Social Work Statistics in Scotland: 2017-18

6,887,119 of hours of unpaid work have been recorded as part of CPO unpaid work or other activity requirements successfully completed between 1 April 2011 and 31 March 2018. It doesn’t include unpaid work under legacy orders, fiscal work orders or CPOs unpaid work requirements that were not successfully completed.

The use of custodial sentences under 3 months has fallen over the last decade, while the proportion of people given a community sentence has risen, from 14% in 2008-09 to 20% for the last two years.

85% of the responses to the Scottish Government’s 2015 Consultation on Proposals to Strengthen the Presumption against Short Periods of Imprisonment supported an extension of the presumption and 84% supported an extension to 12 months.

National Statistics show that those released from a short prison sentence are reconvicted almost twice as often in 12 months than those given community payback orders (CPOs).

Justice Social Work plays a vital role in ensuring community sentences and other interventions are effective in addressing offending and its causes, paying back to communities and preventing re-offending. This work has helped achieve a 19 year low in reconviction rates.

Completion rates for community sentences have increased, 70% in 2017-18 compared to 64% in 2006-07.  Updated Practice Guidance on Community Payback Orders was published on 25 January to further support effective practice and improvement, including a fresh focus on breach and compliance.

While volumes of criminal justice social work reports and orders fell by over 5% in the last year, ring-fenced funding for Criminal Justice Social Work of just over £100 million is being protected in the 2019-20 Budget to deliver community sentences, support rehabilitation and reduce re-offending.

The Scottish Government continues to invest in third sector services that support criminal justice social work and community justice partners working together, to reduce reoffending. In 2018-19 this investment totalled over £11.6 million including support for mentoring, Apex, SACRO, the 218 Centre for women, Venture Trust, Turning Point Scotland, Families Outside and Prison Visitor Centres.

 

Justice Committee questions use of remand in Scotland

Holyrood’s Justice Committee has found that the proportion of remand prisoners in Scotland is high. This is particularly true amongst female prisoners, where remand prisoners account for almost a quarter of the total female prison population. Continue reading Justice Committee questions use of remand in Scotland

At last, the truth: Independent review of policing during Miners’ Strike announced

‘To investigate and report on the impact of policing on affected communities in Scotland during the period of the miners’ strike from March 1984 – March 1985’.

Scotland will lead the way in the UK in ensuring the experiences of those affected by the Miners’ Strike in the 1980s are properly understood, the Justice Secretary said yesterday. Michael Matheson has ordered an independent review into the impact of policing on communities during the Miners’ Strike, from March 1984 to March 1985. Continue reading At last, the truth: Independent review of policing during Miners’ Strike announced

Home Secretary to launch Serious Violence Strategy

“I am clear that we must do whatever it takes to tackle this so that no parent has to bury their child” – Home Secretary Amber Rudd.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd will today set out a multi-million pound commitment to steering young people away from crime and tackling violent drug-dealing gangs through the government’s first Serious Violence Strategy. The announcement comes following an upsurge in violent crime in London. Continue reading Home Secretary to launch Serious Violence Strategy

Rangers seek urgent talks following Cup Final report

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Rangers are seeking an urgent meeting with the Scottish Football Association following the publication of the report in trouble at May’s Scottish Cup Final. The Ibrox club believes the report is flawed, and contains ‘factual inaccuracies and contradictions’. 

Continue reading Rangers seek urgent talks following Cup Final report