Giving our police the powers they need
I was elected on a manifesto to restore confidence in the criminal justice system and the Police Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill (PCSC Bill) delivers that pledge.
None of us can fulfil our potential if we live in fear, none of us can rise up if we’re held down by those who would do us harm. If we as a society, as a country, are to truly flourish then we have to start by beating crime – and I’m proud that this Government has the plan to do just that. The Prime Minister
The PCSC Bill is a significant piece of legislation which is currently making its way through Parliament. This huge Bill, which is over 300 pages long, will make our streets safer, bring in tougher sentences for a number of serious offences, improve access to the criminal justice system, and give the police the powers they need to do their job. Despite the wide-ranging and important issues covered by the Bill, a lot of focus has been on the aspects of the Bill that relate to protests and civil disobedience. I have taken the opportunity to address this in the above video, and explain why we must give the police the necessary powers to prevent disruption and allow people to get on with their lives.
In recent years, some protesters have used excessive noise not as a method of legitimately expressing themselves, but to antagonise and disrupt others from the enjoyment of their own liberties and rights. It must, therefore, be right that the police have the power to intervene in exceptional cases.
Peaceful protest is a vital part of a democratic society, and there have always been rules to ensure both the safety of those taking part and to limit the ability of protests to cause intolerable disruption.
The PCSC Bill updates these rules to take account of advances in technology and amplification, and of the new tactics used in high-profile recent protests which have caused disruption to the everyday lives of people far beyond anything that should be reasonably tolerated.
Recent cases have shown that we need to do more to keep our streets safe and ensure that those found guilty of serious crimes are properly punished.
The PCSC Bill will end halfway early release for serious crimes including rape, manslaughter, and grievous bodily harm - meaning offenders will spend longer in prison. Additionally, Serious Violence Reduction Orders will give police officers additional powers to target repeat knife crime offenders. The Bill therefore builds on the work of the Government's, "Beating Crime Plan" and "Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy".
I will continue to support the Government in its determination to improve access to justice, strengthen sentences for serious offenders, and give our police the powers they need to keep people and communities safe.
