Blog
Kingsley Napley’s Medical Negligence Team ‘walks together’ with the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity
Sharon Burkill
11 February 2016
Tackling knife crime – A new police initiative and tougher sentencing announced
According to recent press, between 2014 and 2015 the Office of National Statistics recorded that possession of knife offences increased by 10%, sexual assaults with knives by 28%, and knife assaults by 13%. These figures spurred the Metropolitan Police to launch Operation Sceptre, a campaign to combat knife crime through tactics ranging from outreach programmes and knife amnesties to increased patrols and weapon sweeps. There is no official definition of ‘knife crime’ but the term broadly encompasses any offence involving a knife regardless of whether it was used to inflict harm. This week saw a series of initiatives against such crime as part of the ongoing campaign of Operation Sceptre, including the use of the hashtag, #StopKnifeCrime.
28 January 2016
Crime and Security Act 2010: Under Scrutiny
Five years on from the Crime and Security Act of 2010, the Home Office submitted, at the end of last year, a preliminary assessment of the operation of Act. Amongst other things, the Act covers: stop and search; domestic violence; retention, use, destruction of biometric data; gang-related violence; ASBOs; private security; and prison security. In a memorandum to the Home Affairs Select Committee, the Home Office set out the overriding objectives of the Act:
9 December 2015
Controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship – preparing for the new offence
In preparation for introduction of the offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in intimate or family relationship, the Home Office has produced statutory guidance for the police and criminal justice agencies. With the provisions coming into force on 29 December 2015 John Harding discusses the new offence and examines the challenges surrounding the policing and prosecution of this.
9 November 2015
Extradition and police powers: Home Office seeks views
The Home Office published two draft Codes of Practice for the police relating to the extradition process on 2nd of November. A new code in relation to transit cases is presented alongside revised codes that governs the exercise of police powers in extradition cases. The Home Office seeks views on whether the draft codes are correct and applicable for operational demands, while protecting the rights of individuals sought for extradition.
22 October 2015
Sir Keir Starmer’s Victims of Crime Bill introduced to Parliament
Sir Keir Starmer, QC, MP, introduced his Victims of Crime Etc. (Rights, Entitlements and Related Matters) Bill into the Commons on Tuesday 20 October 2015. The Bill, which has yet to be published, would make provision for various matters.