Trevor Ivory has called on the Government to tighten the bail laws and ensure public safety is put first.  

New research has revealed that when criminal suspects breach bail, they face weak penalties or none at all.  The latest figures show that almost half of all those who breach bail are let off with a fine, the average amount being just £60 – less than a typical town hall fine for a householder who puts out their rubbish on the wrong day.

Mr Ivory is demanding tighter bail laws from the Government, saying, “Labour promised to be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime and they have failed on both counts. We need bail laws that are going to be taken seriously – a fine of £60 for breaching bail conditions is simply ridiculous.

Mr Ivory also welcomed the Conservative promise to tighten up bail laws if they win the next General Election. The Conservative proposals include:

·         making public safety will an explicit consideration in all bail decisions;

·         denying bail to those previously convicted of the most serious offences;

·         creating a new offence of breach of bail, punishable with imprisonment; and

·         introducing a presumption against granting bail for persistent offenders and those who have previously breached bail.

In addition, there is growing public disquiet over the Government’s use of bail hostels to accommodate early release prisoners and criminal suspects.  Hundreds of private bail hostels for criminals and suspects are being imposed on residential areas without consultation. They house offenders released before the end of their sentences and people on bail awaiting trial who would otherwise be remanded in custody.  The private contractor ClearSprings has already opened around 160 hostels this year.

Local authorities and local people are being given little or no say in where the hostels are located and the Conservatives are demanding that the Government suspends the ClearSprings scheme.

Mr Ivory said, “The current system is not working. Bail is too easily granted, frequently breached and weakly enforced.  Public confidence is undermined when bail conditions are routinely breached and offenders now hold the criminal justice system in contempt. New victims of crime are created unnecessarily. Only Conservatives will take effective action to protect the public.”