Security experts are worried public safety is at risk following official guidance for police to make fewer arrests. The news follows recent government policies to allow early release of criminals from prison.
Letter From the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Contains Guidelines
The letter says: “Consideration is to be given to pausing non-priority arrests and any planned operations where large numbers of arrests may take place to ease the pressure within the criminal justice system.”
Lack of Space in Prisons
The problem is a lack of space to keep prisoners in the prison system, despite the Ministry of Justice approving the early release of hundreds of inmates nationwide.
News Comes on Back of ‘Early Release’ Reports
Experts are worried that public safety could be at risk. Domestic abuse commissioner for England and Wales Nicole Jacobs said, “The government needs a safe and planned approach. Instead, they are letting potentially dangerous perpetrators out earlier and with little oversight or evaluation of the scheme.”
Police Urged to Not Go Ahead With Planned Operations
The suggestion in the letter asking for a pause of operations that could cause high prisoner numbers is of real concern. These tend to be against organised crime gangs and terrorist organisations, casting doubt on officer’s ability to police effectively.
Pause of Non-Priority Arrests
A potential argument must be made in cases of arrests against non-dangerous criminals. It’s ultimately a judgement call, though, and while there are no guidelines, it will be down to the individual officers.
Government Saying One Thing, Doing Another
The Conservatives have long been the party that wants to be known as tough on crime and criminals. However, releasing prisoners early and encouraging officers to limit arrests flies in the face of this promise.
Prisoner Numbers Increased by Over 5000 Last Year
Part of the issue is that there are now more prisoners than before. At last count, the prisoner population stood at 87,505, up from 84,772 last year. There has been an increase in capacity of around 3,000, but that’s not enough.
Measures Are Temporary
The letter from the National Police Chiefs’ Council says that the measures are “not a sustainable long-term option for policing” and that taking them further “risks public safety”, so all attention will be on future moves.
NPCC Trying to Reassure Public
Chair of the NPCC, Gavin Stephens, said: “We are working closely with criminal justice system partners to manage demand in the system and ensure that the public are safe.”
Promises Made on Arrests Regarding Safety
He continued: “Policing will always arrest anyone that they need to in order to keep the public safe, including policing protests and events and ensuring that people are arrested as expected.”
Available Space Down to 1000 Across the Country
Current prisoner numbers are 87,505, and the total cell capacity is 88,895. Nearly 300 newly arrested prisoners are often retained in cells, putting daily pressure on capacity.
Labour Not Happy With Plans
Shadow justice secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “It beggars belief that police are being told to sit on their hands and ignore crime because the Conservatives have mismanaged the criminal justice system so badly.”
Symptoms of Longer Term Problem
Mahmood continued: “Rishi Sunak’s rap sheet now reads: the rushed early release of domestic abusers onto our streets, deliberate delays to trials and victims waiting years for justice. The public will be absolutely dumbfounded. This cannot go on.”
Promise of Changes in the System
Mahmood concluded by saying: “Labour is the party of law and order. We will build the new prisons needed and make Britain’s streets safe.”
Government Defending Actions
A government spokesperson stressed that “Public safety will always be its first priority”. That is why we have backed our police with the officers and resources they need to keep our streets safe and are introducing new laws to lock up the most dangerous offenders for longer while delivering the biggest prison expansion programme in 100 years.”
Pandemic and Barristers Strikes Being Blamed
They continued: “We continue to see pressure on our jails following the impact of the pandemic and barristers’ strike and have initiated a previously used operational measure to securely transfer prisoners between courts and custody.”
Something Needs to Change if Tories Stand Any Chance
While there has been much talk about prison reform, we have yet to see any evidence of it. With prisoners being released early, many crimes going unpunished, and police forces being stretched, it’ll take a lot to convince voters that the Tories are to be trusted on crime.
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