New guidance issued today by the Ministry of Justice to the police sets out that criminals should not get more than one ‘simple’ caution in a two year period for the same, or similar offence, except in exceptional circumstance and if it is signed off by an Inspector.
Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said: “There are a small group of persistent offenders who commit the same offences time and time again, some of whom rack up a string of cautions. This does not deliver justice for victims.”
In 2012, almost 5,000 criminals received two or more cautions for committing the same, or similar, offences in a two year period. This would mean an offender who receives a simple caution for shoplifting should not get another simple caution for further theft-related offences within a two year period. The changes apply to adult offenders. Primary legislation will follow in the New Year.
This follows the recent review of ‘simple’ cautions. It found that simple cautions were largely administered appropriately but that there was some public concern about their use, that changes were needed to simplify the regime and that all out of court disposals should be reviewed.
The government has already decided to ban the use of simple cautions for the most serious offences (known as indictable only) including rape and robbery and a range of other ‘either way’ offences (crimes which can be tried either in the Magistrates’ or Crown Courts). These serious either way offences include possession of any offensive weapon, supplying Class A drugs and a range of sexual offences against children.
The simple cautions review also recommended that there should be greater transparency in the use of such cautions with local experts – potentially including the police, magistrates or victims’ groups – retrospectively scrutinising the use of cautions in each area. They would check that cautions have been used correctly and would report back to local police or the Police and Crime Commissioner who would take action if required.
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