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Home Office in the media

https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2019/07/16/home-office-in-the-media-blog-tuesday-16-july/

Home Office in the media blog: Tuesday 16 July

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Home Office in the media

Today's leading stories include coverage of the launch of the Domestic Abuse Bill in Parliament today and car thefts in Greater Manchester.

Domestic Abuse Bill

In print coverage, the Mirror, Telegraph, Sun, Mail, and Times all report on Theresa May’s pledge today to tackle domestic abuse in one of her last major acts before leaving Downing Street.

The Telegraph reports that domestic abuse offenders are to face a lie detector test when they are released from prison. The three-year pilot will use 600 “high-risk” offenders to establish if polygraphs can reveal whether they are breaching the terms of their licenses, which bar them from contacting their partners or families after their release from jail.

The Times states that the Bill includes powers to make perpetrators given domestic abuse protection orders attend rehabilitation programmes when substance abuse is a factor. It will also give victims automatic eligibility for special measures in criminal courts such as giving evidence behind scenes.

The Sun reports that the Domestic Abuse Bill will see the giving of 'ASBOs' while high-risk offenders risk being sent back to jail, as well as including a legal definition including controlling access to cash. The Prime Minister has vowed to make all councils give victims safe housing.

Minister for Crime, Safeguarding and Vulnerability Victoria Atkins, also featured across broadcast this morning including the Today programme and BBC Breakfast to discuss the launch of the Domestic Abuse Bill in Parliament today.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said:

Domestic abuse destroys lives and tears families apart, but all too often it is hidden behind closed doors.

This landmark Bill is an opportunity to help those who suffer this deeply harmful crime and support those who bring the perpetrators to justice.

Car thefts in Greater Manchester

The Mail reports that nine out of ten car thefts go unsolved in Greater Manchester fuelling fears that criminals have no fear of being caught. The article notes that 92 per cent of 7,755 car thefts in Greater Manchester last year did not result in court action, either because no suspect was identified or there was insufficient evidence for charges to be brought.

According to the piece, police forces blame tight resources and cuts in officer numbers which have forced them to prioritise other types of crime. It carries comments by Superintendent Mark Dexter, of Greater Manchester Police, saying: ''We will always prioritise serious crimes and those that have the greatest threat, harm and risk to the public.”

A Home Office spokesperson said:

We are determined to take swift and decisive action against vehicle theft. Earlier this year, the Policing Minister chaired the first meeting of the Vehicle Theft Taskforce, which brought together members of industry and the police to significantly strengthen our response to this crime.

In addition to improving vehicle security standards, the Taskforce is working together to ensure that robust measures are in place to prevent criminals exploiting the salvage process, and to stop access to devices that may be used to commit this theft.

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