by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
I have been campaigning for changes to knife crime laws and so have welcomed changes to legislation which more tougher sentences for offenders.
In March this year - following a meeting with police community support officers in Harlow when he learnt that the town sees about 100 knife-related crimes a year - I took part in a parliamentary debate calling for tougher action.
I was a key supporter of the amendment.
I raised the issue of internet websites where young people can buy knives very cheaply, without proper restrictions and was a key signatory of a parliamentary amendment which has now resulted in changes to legislation regarding the sentencing powers available.
Legislation now means offenders aged 16 and 17 now face a minimum four months detention and training order, two months in custody or two months close supervision.
This is the minimum as a judge can increase the level of sentence by two month increments to a maximum of two years.
I welcome these changes which mean much tougher sentences can now be handed down to those responsible for knife crimes. This sends a clear signal of intent to potential offenders that knife crime at this level will not be tolerated.
Legislation alone will not solve the problem of knife crime and much work needs to be done in respect of early intervention programmes, education and more but this law provides a long overdue deterrent which should be seen as part of a solution.
I will be attending an anti-knife crime event at Harlow College in the near future and helping to raise awareness of the problem.
I have been campaigning for changes to knife crime laws and so have welcomed changes to legislation which more tougher sentences for offenders.
In March this year - following a meeting with police community support officers in Harlow when he learnt that the town sees about 100 knife-related crimes a year - I took part in a parliamentary debate calling for tougher action.
I was a key supporter of the amendment.
I raised the issue of internet websites where young people can buy knives very cheaply, without proper restrictions and was a key signatory of a parliamentary amendment which has now resulted in changes to legislation regarding the sentencing powers available.
Legislation now means offenders aged 16 and 17 now face a minimum four months detention and training order, two months in custody or two months close supervision.
This is the minimum as a judge can increase the level of sentence by two month increments to a maximum of two years.
I welcome these changes which mean much tougher sentences can now be handed down to those responsible for knife crimes. This sends a clear signal of intent to potential offenders that knife crime at this level will not be tolerated.
Legislation alone will not solve the problem of knife crime and much work needs to be done in respect of early intervention programmes, education and more but this law provides a long overdue deterrent which should be seen as part of a solution.
I will be attending an anti-knife crime event at Harlow College in the near future and helping to raise awareness of the problem.
No comments:
Post a Comment