Changes to the pre-charge bail system which should prevent people being held under investigation for long periods and also cut red tape for police officers have been welcomed by the chair of Staffordshire Police Federation.
Phil Jones was responding to the publication of the Home Office response to a consultation on the reform of pre-charge bail.
“In 2017, pre-charge bail was capped at 28 days, a move the Federation argued would lead to more suspects being released under investigation and a reduction in the use of pre-charge bail, both of which would fail victims of crime,” says Phil.
“The Federation was proved right with figures showing that the number of suspects, including violent and sexual offenders, released under investigation has soared in the last few years.
“Under the latest reform, however, the initial pre-charge bail will increase from 28 to 90 days with further extensions then having to be signed off by an inspector or a senior officer.. We welcome this change.”
In 2017, former prime minister Theresa May, while Home Secretary, introduced the 28-day cap on pre-charge bail as part of the Policing and Crime Act.
As the Federation predicted, figures released under Freedom of Information laws showed the number of suspected offenders released while still under investigation rose from 6,464 in 2016 to 97,473 in 2019.
The full package of reforms will be named ‘Kay’s Law’ in memory of Kay Richardson, who was murdered by her ex-partner following his release under investigation for domestic abuse.
The Police Federation’s National Custody Forum took part in the consultation exercise with John Apter, national Federation chair, commenting today: “These reforms are welcomed and it is refreshing to have a Government which listened to police officers during the consultation period and acted to give colleagues better support as they carry out investigations.”
