Police chief warns of crime increase due to Labour’s justice reforms
Labour’s plans to reform the justice system will lead to a crimewave on Britain’s streets, a top police chief has warned, reports BritPanorama.
The head of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, Gavin Stephens, stated that forces across the country are preparing for a spike in crime if the Government’s Sentencing Bill progresses as planned.
The reforms will see fewer offenders receive prison time and an increase in community sentences instead. Mr. Stephens indicated that neighborhood officers will be required to enforce breaches of court orders, leading to potential disruptions in ongoing community policing efforts.
He noted that the NPCC estimates reoffending could rise by between four and six percent in the year following the Bill’s implementation. While the NPCC supports the Bill’s ambition, there are significant concerns regarding its impact, especially given the current resource constraints facing police forces.
According to Mr. Stephens, “We think that is £400 million worth of pressure on policing. There is no doubt in the short term that there will be an increase (in crime).” He elaborated on the operational consequences for officers, stating, “You might have a neighbourhood police officer who’s making good progress on a local problem-solving plan, and they’ve got to drop that to go deal with a recall or process somebody that’s just been arrested.”
Assistant Chief Constable Jason Devonport echoed these concerns, explaining that the logic is that offenders currently in prison will not serve their sentences under the new reforms, thereby increasing their likelihood of reoffending.
In response to the police chief’s warnings, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp stated, “This shocking disclosure by the police makes clear that Labour’s weak and reckless plans to release more prisoners early and abolish prison sentences under a year will lead to more criminals on our streets and more crime.” He added that these changes will make the public less safe and increase the risk of robberies, thefts, and assaults.
The police chief’s warning arrives amid recent errors in the justice system, including the mistaken release of two offenders from HMP Wandsworth last week. This incident occurred despite assurances from Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy regarding enhanced checks on jail releases.
One of the released individuals, Algerian national Brahim Kaddour-Cherif, had overstayed his visa and was recently convicted, but he remains at large following his accidental release. Another offender was released on the same day as his sentencing.
Kaddour-Cherif, who arrived legally in Britain in 2019, was sentenced to an 18-month community order for a previous conviction and is awaiting trial for handling stolen goods. Police have since released bodycam footage as they seek public assistance in locating him.
On Thursday, Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick expressed his outrage regarding the situation during an appearance on Good Morning Britain, where he criticized David Lammy over the matter. The exchange included an expletive-laden response from Jenrick, underscoring the political tension surrounding Labour’s justice proposals.
The fallout from Labour’s proposed reforms and systemic issues within the justice system has raised serious concerns about public safety and the operational efficiency of policing in the UK.
The series of missteps in handling offenders reflects broader systemic challenges that demand attention, particularly as legislative reforms reshape the landscape of justice and law enforcement in the country.
