Correspondence

Crime and policing news update: May 2015

Published 2 June 2015

1. New Psychoactive Substances Bill introduced

The Psychoactive Substances Bill introduced in Parliament on 29 May will ban the production, distribution, sale and supply of new psychoactive substances (NPS) in the UK.

Under the Bill it will be an offence to produce, supply, offer to supply, possess with intent to supply, import or export psychoactive substances. The maximum sentence will be 7 years’ imprisonment.

The Bill will cover psychoactive substances intended for human consumption that are capable of producing a psychoactive effect. However, it will exclude tobacco, caffeine, food and medical products. Controlled drugs will continue to be regulated by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

All of the UK will be affected by the blanket ban and law enforcement powers would be extended to all NPS supply from UK websites, so they can be shut down. There will be powers to seize and destroy NPS and powers to search persons, premises and vehicles, as well as to enter and search premises by warrant if necessary. Similar to the legislation introduced in Ireland, it will also capture psychoactive substances that, although not new, have been used as intoxicants for many years and are not harm free. There will also be provision for civil sanctions – prohibition notices and prohibition orders – to enable the police and local authorities to adopt a proportionate response to the supply of NPS in appropriate cases.

2. New Counter Extremism Bill discussed

The Prime Minister chaired the first meeting of the new National Security Council on 13 May where a new Counter Extremism Bill was discussed. The new legislation will put British values at the heart of the new government’s approach to tackling extremism. The new legislation is expected to include:

• introducing banning orders for extremist organisations who seek to undermine democracy or use hate speech in public places, but fall short of proscription
• new extremism disruption orders to restrict people who seek to radicalise young people
• powers to close premises where extremists seek to influence others
• strengthening the powers of the Charity Commission to root out charities who misappropriate funds towards extremism and terrorism
• further immigration restrictions on extremists
• a strengthened role for Ofcom to take action against channels which broadcast extremist content

3. Now that you know, say no to FGM

SafeHands for Mothers, the charity founded by Nancy Durrell McKenna, has produced 3 short films looking at the issue of female genital mutilation (FGM). These films were funded by the Home Office and the British Humane Association.

The 3 films offer a unique insight into reactions to the subject of FGM. Films 1 and 2 see young men and young women watching a clip from the SafeHands for Mothers documentary, The Cutting Tradition, where a young girl undergoes FGM*. Their reaction to what they see and hear says it all. The final film features a group of distinguished professionals who each convey the importance of eliminating this harmful and illegal practice in the UK.

The films are available, free of charge, to download from the SafeHands website and are intended to be used by professionals who work within at risk communities to raise debate, highlight, inform and educate on FGM.

*The film is a reconstruction and no child was harmed during the making of the film.

4. Home Office minister visits Missing People charity ahead of International Missing Children’s Day

The 25 May marked International Children’s Day which was created to help raise awareness of the children that go missing in the UK every year. To mark this event, the Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation, Karen Bradley visited the charity Missing People and learnt how its helpline provides support for missing people and their families, as well as the support they give to the police through case publicity.

The minister also saw a demonstration of the child rescue alert system, which is designed to alert the public of an abduction or other high risk child disappearance. The police can activate the alert when:

• the child is believed to be under 18 years old
• there is a perception that the child is in imminent danger of serious harm or death
• there is sufficient information available to enable the public to assist police in locating the child

You can sign up to receive child rescue alerts. The Missing People helpline is 116 000.

5. Review of the surveillance camera code of practice

Tony Porter, the Surveillance Camera Commissioner, is reviewing the surveillance camera code of practice. An online survey has been launched to gauge people’s understanding of the Commissioner’s role and code, how the code operates and where it may need to be altered. The survey is open until 30 June.

6. Speeches

Home Secretary’s speech to the Police Federation Conference, 20 May

Prime Minister’s speech on immigration, 21 May