Speaking after meeting staff and magistrates at Horseferry Road Magistrates’ Court in London, Djanogly – the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice – said: “I congratulate the courts, prisons, probation, youth and emergency services for the difficult work they are doing. Today I met court staff and Judges who had worked 30 hours straight. I am very grateful for all of their hard work and impressed at the cohesion and spirit between the teams who are working so closely together to deliver speedy results.”
The minister added: “We will continue to provide all necessary support to the police to ensure anyone involved in this kind of criminal activity is brought to justice as swiftly as possible.”
Djanogly asserted that plans are in place to ensure court time is available to deal with all cases as required. A number of prisons and courts are being kept open around the clock to deal with people arrested and charged over the disturbances.
Virtual courts in action
Virtual courts, which allow people to give evidence via a videolink, are also being used at two court sites in London and the South East.
Djanogly said: “Virtual courts offer flexibility so that the courts can take cases from many different police sites. This allows us to deal with offenders more quickly as they give evidence or their plea from a police station, meaning those who are guilty can be sentenced within hours of being charged.”
In a statement to the House of Commons last week, the Prime Minister David Cameron said some courts had been sitting through the night – and would do so “for as long as necessary”.
The Prime Minister stated: “Magistrates’ courts have proven effective in ensuring swift justice. The Crown courts are now starting to deal with the most serious cases. We are keeping under constant review whether the courts have the sentencing powers they need, and we’ll act if necessary.”
Djanogly attended the recalled House of Commons to hear the Prime Minister’s statement on the recent riots around the country. He fully supports and agrees with the Prime Minister that this is “not about politics or process – this is about theft” and that what we have witnessed has been “criminality: pure and simple”.
Violence, thuggery and vicious criminality
“The House of Commons came together and, as one, made it totally clear that we do not accept this violence, thuggery and vicious criminality under any circumstances,” explained Djanogly, the MP for Huntingdonshire.
“This is completely unacceptable behaviour, and we must do whatever it takes to restore public order and public confidence in our justice system.”
He continued: “There will be many lessons to be learned, and there will also be a need to review some of the deep societal problems in our country. Not least the problems associated with a society which is too ready to look at rights and too slow to look at responsibilities Governing our lives and communities.”
That said, Djanogly insisted that nothing can detract from the immediate and overriding issue that responsibility for these crimes must remain with the criminals concerned.
“It is important at this time that we give our full support to the police. Furthermore, as a justice minister, I am co-ordinating court action and a number of our courts have been working 24 hours a day to bring these criminals to justice. I congratulate our court workers on avoiding delays. Convictions are already coming through, and the majority of defendants who are yet to be judged are being remanded in custody.”
Offenders clean up after riots
Offenders carrying out Community Payback are helping to clear up the rubbish created by the riots in Manchester.
Three teams supervised by staff from the Greater Manchester Probation Trust are working in the Northern Quarter, Great Ancoats and near Piccadilly station.
Community Payback is a punishment for breaking the law, and a way for offenders to make up to the community for the harm they have done.
Steve O’Neill, community payback development manager, said that probation had a long-standing relationship with Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Police, and was delighted to help in the clear-up operation.
He added: “Each team of eight offenders are currently removing broken glass and rubbish, and helping restore the city to its former state. Community Payback makes sure offenders pay for what they have done, and this job is a visible demonstration of that. We are working closely with the police and the council to protect the public.”
London Business Advisory Council emergency meeting
Business leaders in London have called for urgent action to be taken to address reputational damage caused by rioting.
In a meeting with London mayor Boris Johnson, influential campaign group London First pressed for additional funding to be provided to enable London and Partners to counter negative images broadcast across the world in recent days, and ensure that confidence is restored in London as a place to visit and do business.
The group also pressed for a fresh review of police powers and tactics, for proposed Government cuts to policing to be scrapped and for the full costs of policing the riots to be met by the Home Office.
In an official press statement, Baroness Jo Valentine – London First’s CEO – said: “We cannot let these incidents overshadow the great world city that London is. Boris must take the lead in restoring not only Londoners’ confidence, but also the confidence of both businesses and visitors around the world.”
The Baroness concluded: “The Met must also have the financial ability to deploy the police resources it needs in order to maintain public order. Looking at spending cuts now surely sends the wrong message.”
Curfews extended in tougher community sentences
Offenders will be forced to spend longer in their homes as daily curfews are extended from 12 to 16 hours as part of tougher community sentences.
The period for which curfews can be imposed will also be extended from six to 12 months to protect communities and ensure offenders face meaningful punishments that help stop them reoffending. Curfews not only restrict liberty but they can help bring order to chaotic lives.
These new proposals are part of the Government’s plans to reform sentencing and tackle the root causes of offending.
Prisons and probation minister Crispin Blunt said: “These tougher curfew conditions will keep offenders off the streets for longer, stop them socialising in the evenings and keep them away from situations that could land them in trouble again.”
He added: “This is part of our proposals to reform the Criminal Justice System and will help to keep communities safe while important work is done with offenders to turn them away from a life of crime.”
The proposals will also allow courts to vary curfew hours from day to day, for example during the week and at weekends.
24,000 individuals monitored at any one time
About 24,000 individuals are being electronically monitored at any one time. If an offender breaches the terms of their curfew, he or she can be sent back to court for further punishment.
Offender Stephen Sheenan, 24, said having to keep to a curfew actually helped him. “The curfew has actually meant that I’ve been able to change my life around,” urged Sheenan. “It was easy to keep to as I was always able to get home for 7.00 pm and this allowed me to sort my life out.”
Sheenan added: “It gives you the opportunity to see what you have done, and as you are restricted to what you can do, it allows you to understand that you are being punished.”
