What’s in the crime bill and why it’s sparked a row after Everard death
by 0 The government has introduced its flagship crime legislation in parliament.
The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will have its second reading this week, as the legislation continues its journey towards becoming law.
But the death of Sarah Everard – and the Metropolitan Police’s handling of a vigil for her at the weekend – has sparked a renewed focus on the bill.
Critics fear it could be used to curtail the rights of people to protest, while ministers say the “tough” legislation will help keep people safe and contains vital reforms.
Sky News takes a look at what is in the legislation and why some are calling for it to be amended in the wake of Ms Everard’s killing.
What are the key measures?
• The maximum sentence for assaulting an emergency worker will be doubled to two years, while a Police Covenant will be enshrined in law to protect serving and retired officers and their families.
• Whole Life Orders for the premeditated murder of a child, which will also allow judges to give the maximum sentence to 18 to 20-year-olds in exceptional cases, such as for acts of terrorism leading to mass loss of life.
• The ability to stop the automatic early release of offenders who pose a danger to the public and scrapping the automatic release halfway through a sentence of serious and violent sexual offenders.
• Life sentences for killer drivers
• Widening position of trust laws to make it illegal for sports coaches and religious leaders to engage in sexual activity with 16 and 17-year-olds in their care.
• Increasing the maximum penalty for criminal damage to a memorial, from three months to 10 years.
• Reversing bail reforms which have seen suspects accused of serious and violent crimes being released without restrictions and instead imposing conditions if they could pose a risk to victims, witnesses or the public.
• Police could be allowed to obtain search warrants to help find human remains where a prosecution is not possible, such as where a suspect has died, is unfit to plead or has already been convicted in absence of a body.
Why is there renewed scrutiny of the bill?
It will significantly beef up police powers to crack down on protests.
One of the provisions of the legislation is giving police forces more powers to tackle “non-violent” protests which are significantly disruptive to the public or on access to parliament.
Officers could also be given more powers for tackling unauthorised encampments which interfere with the ability to use the land.
Stop and search powers could also be expanded, if plans for serious violence reduction orders get the go ahead.
This would mean it would be easier for police to carry out checks on individuals who have been convicted of carrying a knife before.
What are critics saying?
Labour has said it will vote against the bill at its second reading.
Although they support several measures in the bill, Labour argue it will impose disproportionate controls on free expression and the right to protest.
The party’s shadow justice secretary, David Lammy, said at the weekend that the suspected murder of Ms Everard had “instigated a national demand for action to tackle violence against women” and so it was “no time to be rushing through poorly thought-out measures to impose disproportionate controls on free expression”.
He said the legislation was a “mess” which could lead to tougher penalties for damaging a statue than attacking a woman.
Party leader Sir Keir Starmer said on Monday: “It says lots of things about statues and almost nothing about protecting women and girls, and particularly dealing with violence against women and girls.
“This is a crime, police, sentencing and court bill, it should be the vehicle for addressing it. And there is nothing meaningful in it.”
Sir Keir added there was a “gaping hole” in the legislation and said it “doesn’t address the fact that sentencing for rape and stalking is too low”.
The party wants the government to drop the bill and work on a cross-party basis to tackle violence against women.
What has been the government’s response?
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the bill includes new measures to toughen sentences for rapists, to stop the early release of serious sexual and violent offenders, and to toughen the law on domestic violence.
Amanda Milling, co-chairwoman of the Conservative Party, said Labour’s move was “shocking”, accusing the opposition of “trying to block tough new laws to keep people safe, including many vital measures to protect women from violent criminals”.
“By voting against this bill, Labour are voting against tougher sentences for child murderers and sex offenders, killer drivers and measures that protect the vulnerable,” she said.
“This Conservative government is working to keep people safe by reforming our justice system to keep our communities safe so that everyone can live their lives free from the fear of crime.”
