Issue 110  5th October 2019

'Violent and sexual offenders to spend longer behind bars'

The most serious violent and sexual offenders will face longer behind bars under plans to better protect the public and restore confidence in the justice system, Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland QC MP has announced.

The move will abolish the current automatic half-way release for those serious offenders who currently receive standard fixed-term sentences, including those found guilty of rape, manslaughter and GBH. Instead they will be required to serve two-thirds of their sentence in prison and subject to strict licence conditions on release.

Since 2005 the majority of these criminals serve what is known as ‘standard determinate sentences’ and are released automatically at the half-way point, serving the second half of their sentence in the community. The government will change the release point to two-thirds to ensure the most serious offenders serve longer in prison – providing greater assurance to victims and the public that sentences will reflect the severity of their crime. Offenders will then be subject to close supervision on their return to the community.

New Sentencing Guidelines Come into Force

The new General guideline for sentencing offences that do not have a specific sentencing guideline, published by the Sentencing Council, comes into force today (1 October 2019) in all courts across England and Wales.

New sentencing guidelines for offenders guilty of arson and criminal damage offences across England and Wales come into force today (1 October 2019).

'UK and US sign landmark Data Access Agreement'

The world-first UK-US Bilateral Data Access Agreement will dramatically speed up investigations and prosecutions by enabling law enforcement, with appropriate authorisation, to go directly to the tech companies to access data, rather than through governments, which can take years.

The current process, which see requests for communications data from law enforcement agencies submitted and approved by central governments via Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA), can often take anywhere from six months to two years. Once in place, the Agreement will see the process reduced to a matter of weeks or even days. The Agreement will each year accelerate dozens of complex investigations into suspected terrorists and paedophiles, such as Matthew Falder who was sentenced in 2018 of 137 offences after an eight-year campaign of online child sexual abuse, blackmail, forced labour and sharing of indecent images.

Operation Midland Review Published

Scotland Yard’s botched investigation into a fake Westminster paedophile ring was driven by an “unwarranted and disproportionate belief” in fantasist Carl Beech, a review has found. Former High Court judge Sir Richard Henriques said the failed £4.5m Operation Midland probe resulted in search warrants for innocent suspects being “obtained unlawfully” after a judge was misled using Beech’s lies.

Parts of a 400-page review were published for the first time on Friday, detailing how officers failed to take account of inconsistencies in Beech’s “highly implausible” statements or lack of corroborating evidence.

The review can be read here.

New Measures to Tackle County Lines

The Home Secretary Priti Patel has announced a surge of activity to crack down on county lines drugs gangs. The package of measures - underpinned by £20 million of Home Office investment - will intensify law enforcement efforts to disrupt the county lines model.

The new package of announcements includes:

• Expanding the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre
• Increased disruption on rail networks
• Investment in technology to disrupt county lines operations
• Working with money service bureaus to tackle illicit finance
• Increasing support services for county lines victims

£25m to Prevent Burglary and Theft in Crime Hotspots

A new £25 million fund to tackle burglary, theft and other offences in crime hotspots has been announced by the Home Office today.

Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) across England and Wales will be able to bid for Safer Streets Fund investment for measures aimed at preventing acquisitive crime in disproportionately affected areas. Initiatives could target vehicle theft, robbery or burglary, among other crimes, and could include interventions to improve home security, such as installing better locks and gating alleyways, and make streets better lit at night.