Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Police Bail Curfew Conditions

Monday 26 February 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • James Wild questioned the assessment of compliance with post-charge police bail curfew conditions.
  • James Wild highlighted a case where an offender on police bail with curfew conditions was involved in a fatal incident.
  • Jim Shannon thanked the Minister and expressed interest in collaborating on policy suggestions for Northern Ireland.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 James Wild Con North West Norfolk
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP raised concerns about compliance levels for individuals on police bail curfews, citing a tragic incident in his constituency where three family members were killed by an offender who was under such curfew conditions.

Question

What assessment has been made with Cabinet colleagues of levels of compliance with post-charge police bail curfew conditions? Three members of my constituent's family were killed in an appalling dangerous driving case. The offender was on police bail at the time, with curfew conditions, for a separate offence. Given that legislation does not allow for tagging in such cases to enforce those curfew conditions, will my right hon. Friend consider bringing forward changes to the law so that electronic monitoring can be used for offenders released on post-charge police bail?

Answer from Chris Philp

My hon. Friend raises a very important point, informed by a tragic case in his own constituency. He is right that, as it stands, the legislation does not allow for tagging of people who are simply on police bail—that is to say, before their first appearance in court. There are some considerations to do with whether tagging constitutes a form of punishment and whether that is appropriate prior to a court hearing. However, my hon. Friend raises a reasonable point informed by a constituency case, and I am happy to take it away and look at it with him.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to legislative changes but stated willingness to consider the issue further

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Q2 James Wild Con North West Norfolk
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP raised concerns about compliance levels for individuals on police bail curfews, citing a tragic incident in his constituency where three family members were killed by an offender who was under such curfew conditions.

Question

Three members of my constituent's family were killed in an appalling dangerous driving case. The offender was on police bail at the time, with curfew conditions, for a separate offence. Given that legislation does not allow for tagging in such cases to enforce those curfew conditions, will my right hon. Friend consider bringing forward changes to the law so that electronic monitoring can be used for offenders released on post-charge police bail?

Answer from Chris Philp

My hon. Friend raises a very important point, informed by a tragic case in his own constituency. He is right that, as it stands, the legislation does not allow for tagging of people who are simply on police bail—that is to say, before their first appearance in court. There are some considerations to do with whether tagging constitutes a form of punishment and whether that is appropriate prior to a court hearing. However, my hon. Friend raises a reasonable point informed by a constituency case, and I am happy to take it away and look at it with him.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to legislative changes but stated willingness to consider the issue further

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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Policing & Resources Northern Ireland
Context

The MP thanked the Minister for his response and expressed a desire to collaborate on policies that have been suggested, emphasizing the importance of working alongside the Northern Ireland Executive.

Question

I thank the Minister very much for that response. Obviously, with a renewed and reinvigorated Northern Ireland Assembly and a Minister in place, we in Northern Ireland are very keen to work alongside the Minister on some of the suggestions he has referred to. Will he contact the policing and justice Minister in the Northern Ireland Executive to ensure that what is going to happen here can happen to us in Northern Ireland, and that we can all gain the advantage?

Answer from Chris Philp

I thank the hon. Member for his question. It is, of course, very good news that the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive have been restored. Policing is devolved, so the Assembly and Executive can set their own policy. However, if they would like any information about the policies we are pursuing in the England and Wales jurisdiction, I would be very happy to share that information and work constructively and collaboratively with all the devolved Administrations, including in Northern Ireland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to contacting the Northern Ireland Executive but offered to share information about policies

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