The Government has announced the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, a wave of new legislation to help them deliver on their pledge to restore confidence in the criminal justice system.
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will look to give the police the tools they need to protect themselves and the public, whilst overhauling sentencing laws to keep violent and serious sexual offenders locked up for longer.
Greater emphasis will also be placed on rehabilitation help offenders turn their lives around and prevent further crimes.
Under the new measures, laws that prevent adults in positions of trust from engaging in sexual relationships with people under the age of 18 will be expanded to cover sports coaches and religious leaders alongside other occupations such as teachers and doctors.
New court orders will boost efforts to crack down on knife crime, as well as make it easier to stop and search those suspected of carrying a blade. Police will also be given better powers to manage protests where they threaten public order or stop people from getting on with their daily lives.
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will also double the maximum penalties from 12 months to 2 years for those who assault police or other emergency workers, such as prison officers, fire personnel or frontline health workers.
Whilst other sentencing reforms will also be brought into legislation to ensure punishments fit the severity of crimes. These include Whole Life Orders (WLOs) for child killers, Life sentences for killer drivers and it ends the automatic halfway release for serious violent and sexual offenders.
Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary, Robert Buckland QC said: “This government has pledged to crack down on crime and build safer communities.
“We are giving the police and courts the powers they need to keep our streets safe while providing greater opportunities for offenders to turn their lives around and better contribute to society.
“At the same time, we are investing hundreds of millions to deliver speedier justice and boost support for victims.”
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