Menu
27/09/2007
Straw Pledges Review On Self-Defence Laws
Justice Minister Jack Straw has pledged to review laws protecting 'have-a-go heroes' who tackle criminals in England and Wales.
Mr Straw, who has been a 'have-a-go hero' himself four times, told the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth that those who sought to protect themselves, their families, their homes and other citizens should know that the law is on their side.
The Justice Minister said that he knew from personal experience that you had "all of a milisecond" to make the judgement of whether or not to intervene in a crime.
Mr Straw has intervened in four crimes. The first happened in 1980, when he overheard a burglar breaking into a members club in his Blackburn constituency. He chased them down the street and detained them until the police arrived.
In the mid-Eighties, Mr Straw detained an offender who had just robbed an 11-year-old boy at Oval Tube station in south London. He also chased a man who attacked a woman in the same station in the early 1990s, but failed to catch him. In 1996, he chased a man who had robbed a member of the public and detained him until the police arrived.
Mr Straw said that he wanted people to be reassured that they can use reasonable force to stop and detain offenders.
Commenting on Mr Straw's comments, Shadow Secretary for Justice, Nick Herbert, said: "Jack Straw, the government and Labour MPs have fought us for years when we repeatedly urged a change in the law to allow people to protect their homes against burglars, and the last time the government cynically signalled a change on this they reneged just months later.
"People will rightly question the motive and substance of this latest review and whether the author of Labour's Human Rights Act really believes in a long overdue rebalancing of the law in favour of the victims of crime."
(KMcA)
Mr Straw, who has been a 'have-a-go hero' himself four times, told the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth that those who sought to protect themselves, their families, their homes and other citizens should know that the law is on their side.
The Justice Minister said that he knew from personal experience that you had "all of a milisecond" to make the judgement of whether or not to intervene in a crime.
Mr Straw has intervened in four crimes. The first happened in 1980, when he overheard a burglar breaking into a members club in his Blackburn constituency. He chased them down the street and detained them until the police arrived.
In the mid-Eighties, Mr Straw detained an offender who had just robbed an 11-year-old boy at Oval Tube station in south London. He also chased a man who attacked a woman in the same station in the early 1990s, but failed to catch him. In 1996, he chased a man who had robbed a member of the public and detained him until the police arrived.
Mr Straw said that he wanted people to be reassured that they can use reasonable force to stop and detain offenders.
Commenting on Mr Straw's comments, Shadow Secretary for Justice, Nick Herbert, said: "Jack Straw, the government and Labour MPs have fought us for years when we repeatedly urged a change in the law to allow people to protect their homes against burglars, and the last time the government cynically signalled a change on this they reneged just months later.
"People will rightly question the motive and substance of this latest review and whether the author of Labour's Human Rights Act really believes in a long overdue rebalancing of the law in favour of the victims of crime."
(KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
30 March 2010
First Victims' Commissioner Appointed
Louise Casey has been appointed as the UK's first independent Victims' Commissioner, Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced today. Today's announcement comes as part of a package of reforms designed to improve the support and services available to victims and witnesses.
First Victims' Commissioner Appointed
Louise Casey has been appointed as the UK's first independent Victims' Commissioner, Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced today. Today's announcement comes as part of a package of reforms designed to improve the support and services available to victims and witnesses.
11 January 2005
Four remaining Guantanamo Britons to be repatriated
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has confirmed that the last four Britons remaining in Guantanamo Bay will be returned to the UK within the "next few weeks".
Four remaining Guantanamo Britons to be repatriated
Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has confirmed that the last four Britons remaining in Guantanamo Bay will be returned to the UK within the "next few weeks".
10 August 2005
Judges warn licensing changes could increase violence
The government’s controversial new licensing laws could lead to an increase in rapes, domestic violence and serious assaults. Judges have warned. A report by the Council of Her Majesty’s Circuit Judges warned that alcohol-fuelled crime could rise once the new licensing laws, which allow 24-hour drinking, come into effect on November 24.
Judges warn licensing changes could increase violence
The government’s controversial new licensing laws could lead to an increase in rapes, domestic violence and serious assaults. Judges have warned. A report by the Council of Her Majesty’s Circuit Judges warned that alcohol-fuelled crime could rise once the new licensing laws, which allow 24-hour drinking, come into effect on November 24.
11 February 2010
Justice Clamp Down On Facebook
Thirty Facebook accounts used by convicted criminals to taunt their victims were today shut down. Justice Secretary Jack Straw welcomed the move, but said social networking sites must do more to curb "deeply offensive" material. Mr Straw met with victims' groups to discuss how inmates illegally using web-phones can be better policed.
Justice Clamp Down On Facebook
Thirty Facebook accounts used by convicted criminals to taunt their victims were today shut down. Justice Secretary Jack Straw welcomed the move, but said social networking sites must do more to curb "deeply offensive" material. Mr Straw met with victims' groups to discuss how inmates illegally using web-phones can be better policed.
30 September 2003
10 held under anti-terror laws
It has been reported that 10 people have been arrested under anti-terrorism legislation this morning. The men, all thought to be of Algerian descent, were detained following police swoops on addresses in London and Manchester. Six were arrested in the capital while the remaining four were detained in Manchester.
10 held under anti-terror laws
It has been reported that 10 people have been arrested under anti-terrorism legislation this morning. The men, all thought to be of Algerian descent, were detained following police swoops on addresses in London and Manchester. Six were arrested in the capital while the remaining four were detained in Manchester.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
