"No excuse for allowing violent offenders to avoid criminal justice system" (Fylde Liberal Democrats)

Fylde Liberal Democrats <info@fyldelibdems.org.uk>

"No excuse for allowing violent offenders to avoid criminal justice system"

November 10, 2009 5:24 AM

Commenting on Jack Straw's announcement of a review of cautions and fixed-penalty notices, following concerns raised by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, and the president of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), Sir Hugh Orde, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"The huge number of cautions and on-the-spot fines shows the extent of the Government's march towards instant justice.

"There is no excuse for allowing violent offenders to avoid the criminal justice system. Cautions and fines must only be used for low-level offences and must not be regarded as justice on the cheap.

"When the Director of Public Prosecutions and the president of ACPO are forced to go public to make their concerns heard it is clear that the situation has gone too far."