In a bid to crackdown on neighbourhood criminals Burglars, thieves and robbers released from prison will be made to wear GPS tags to track their movements as part of a world-first scheme.
Currently more than half of those convicted for offences involving theft and burglary re-offend within a year and the majority of cases of theft result in no suspect ever being identified.
Under the new rules, burglars, robbers and thieves that have served a prison sentence of a year or more will be automatically fitted with GPS tags on release, allowing their whereabouts to be monitored by GPS satellites 24 hours a day for up to 12 months.
The idea is the GPS tags will act as a deterrent, protecting the public from further burglaries and thefts and forcing these career criminals to choose a more honest way of making a living.
Police will work alongside probation service staff to investigate whether those on tags have been in the vicinity of any recent burglaries, thefts and robberies.
Police officers will be able to submit any burglaries, thefts or robberies they are investigating to a dedicated unit overseen by HM Prison and Probation Service.
Trained staff will then be able to check the location history of those on tags against the details of the crime, allowing police to either rule out or investigate suspects further.
The scheme will initially launch this April in six police force areas (Avon and Somerset, Cheshire, Gloucestershire, Gwent, Humberside and the West Midlands). It will then be extended to a further 13 areas in September.
Minister for Crime and Policing, Kit Malthouse MP said: “Being burgled or robbed is devastating and I understand how frustrating it is when the perpetrators can’t be caught, both for the public and the police.
“Tagging these prolific offenders so we know where they are 24 hours a day should be powerful persuasion to change their ways and will help police find and charge them if they don’t. It’s another tool helping probation staff to cut crime and keep the public safe.”
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