News
NUMBER OF REPEAT OFFENDERS DROPS IN NORTH WALES
09 March 2010
The number of criminals being monitored by North Wales Police has dropped by 37%, the Home Office has revealed.
There are now 156 prolific and priority offenders (PPOs) compared with 247 in 2005/6.
They are subject to “intense” supervision by the police in an effort to curb their offending.
The government estimates that 50% of all crimes are committed by 10% of criminals so has put in place a number of initiatives to deal specifically with that group.
They include support to help them tackle drug addictions, which is known to be one of the major factors that fuels reoffending.
Community Safety Partnerships, which are made up from police officers and other criminal justice organisation, decide locally who is to be classed as a persistent offender.
This is based on local crime patterns, police intelligence, the nature and volume of crimes an individual is committing, and the impact of the individual on their local community
Nationally the number of PPOs have fallen from 17,007 in 2005/6 to the current 15,126 in 2008/9.
MPS URGE UK GOVERNMENT TO BUILD NORTH WALES PRISON
03 March 2010
There is an "urgent need" for a prison in north Wales which needs to be prioritised by the UK government, a committee of Welsh MPs has said.
Alternative sites are being considered in Wales and England. The Prison Service said sites in north Wales, London, the north west and west Yorkshire were still being looked at.
In a report published on Wednesday, the Welsh Affairs Committee says all four prisons in Wales are in the south of the country, and there is a lack of space for young people and women.
The committee is calling on the Welsh Assembly Government to work with MPs and local authorities to identify suitable sites.
WALES PRISON POPULATION
Cardiff Prison - 773 inmates
Parc Prison, Bridgend - 1,123
Prescoed Prison, Usk - 158
Swansea Prison - 386
Committee chairman, Dr Hywel Francis MP, said: "No north Welsh prisoners are in a Welsh prison and there is a shortfall of around 800 places for prisoners in north Wales.
He added: "New facilities would not only bring positive economic benefits to local communities but would also bring relief to the family, friends, support workers and probation officers who require improved access to prisoners.
"We urge the government to prioritise its search for a suitable prison site in north Wales."
COURT FINE DODGERS TARGETED
22 February 2010
Offenders who failed to pay fines handed out by the courts in Gwynedd and Anglesey have been targeted as part of a crackdown.
Over recent days a joint operation between officers from Her Majesty’s Court Service (HMCS) and North Wales Police was conducted, tackling offenders who had not met payment on fines imposed by the courts.
A total of 31 warrants have been executed within the North Gwynedd area, with fines outstanding to the value of £25,402.37.
The fines were for a variety of offences including assault, theft, and motoring offences.
Inspector Mark Armstrong, the Western Division lead on the operation said: "This operation was a huge success, and I would like to thank our colleagues at HMCS for their participation and support during the operation.
“It is our intention to ensure that when offenders are dealt with at court and a fine imposed, that these fines are paid, and if they are not, then these defaulters are targeted and asked to explain themselves to Magistrates.
"Based on the success of this operation I anticipate that we will conduct further such events in conjunction with our colleagues at HMCS in the coming months.”
Lyn Harding, Head of Enforcement for HMCS in Wales said, “North Wales Police and the Courts Service have joined together in a series of operations to target offenders who don’t pay their fines. By doing this we raise the profile amongst people who try to dodge payment to emphasise that they can’t get away with it. We also want to raise the confidence of the public in North Wales in the Criminal Justice System – when people default on paying their fines they will be pursued.”
Information regarding the payment of fines can be found on the www.directgov.co.uk website.
CONFIDENCE UP IN NORTH WALES
1 February 2010
People in North Wales are confident that the North Wales Criminal Justice System is fair and effective.
Home Office statistics released in January show that North Wales is above average when it comes to public confidence in their criminal justice system.
The confidence targets showed a steady increase over the 12 months to September 2009. Fairness now stands at 60% (national average 59%) and effectiveness stands at 42% (national average 40%).
Business Manager of the North Wales Criminal Justice Board, Mike Mullis, said: “We are very pleased that public confidence continues to increase in North Wales.
“Improving confidence is a priority because we rely on public co-operation and involvement to function effectively.”
“The North Wales Criminal Justice Board is committed to improving
co-operation between criminal justice agencies to deliver a better criminal justice system for victims and the community. We are also committed to consulting openly with representatives from the wider community to embrace the concerns of local people when planning how to deliver criminal justice.”
CRIME RATES IN NORTH WALES
21 January 2010
People in North Wales are less likely to be the victims of burglary or injured as a result of violence.
Home Office statistics released today (Thursday, 21st January 2010) show that North Wales is below the England and Wales average on a number of crime rates.
The statistics also show that the chances of being the victim of a burglary in North Wales is low at 7 per 1,000 population. (The Welsh figure is 9, England and Wales is 11). North Wales, again at 7 per 1,000 population, is also below the national figure for violence resulting in injury. (The Welsh and the England and Wales figure is 8). Car crime stands at 6 per 1,000 in North Wales compared to 10 across both England and Wales.
CRIME AND JUSTICE IN YOUR AREA
24 November 2009
Use the poscode search facility on http://policingpledge.direct.gov.uk/index.php to find crime and justice contacts and information for your area.
WREXHAM YOUTH JUSTICE TECHIES
14 November 2009
The innovative use of technology is not something you'd automatically associate with Youth Justice but that's exactly what the Wrexham Youth Justice Team were rewarded for this week.
At the 2009 Annual Youth Justice Convention, attended by 1000 delegates, the Wrexham Youth Justice team collected a highly commended award for the "Best use of Wiring Up Youth Justice to improve practice through technology-enabled business change".
This relates to Wrexham's innovative use of technology within the courts. The award was given to a Crime and Disorder partnership; so this award went wider than solely Youth Justice Services.
Kathy Weigh, the Head of Service for Wrexham Youth Justice Service, said: "Many thanks to our colleagues in the courts who have worked with us to improve services within Wrexham Youth court.
All staff in the Youth Justice Service are delighted that we have been selected as an area of outstanding practice. Makes all the hard work feel worthwhile to have national recognition. "
PROJECTS NOMINATED BY THE PUBLIC SECURE CRIMINALS’ CASH
15 October 2009
Six publicly nominated projects in North Wales are celebrating their success as one of 269 projects nationally that have secured funding allocated from the ill gotten gains of criminals.
The funding was made available through the Government’s recently launched Community Cashback scheme, where ‘cashback’ from criminals’ seized assets, such as confiscated cash or property, has been earmarked to fund worthwhile community projects.
In North Wales 53 projects were nominated and 737 responses were received from members of the public on which projects they would like to see funded.
The successful projects are:
Flintshire Neighbourhood Watch Association received £12,000 for an innovative Online Watch Link communication system that will send out crime alerts and community safety messages that raise awareness, increase street led intelligence and help in reducing and preventing crime and disorder.
Conwy Valley Outdoor Activities received £1,500 for a series of day challenges and stimulating activities for young people from a variety of backgrounds.
Bethesda Cemetery in Manod, Blaenau Ffestiniog received £15,000 to repair damaged graves and improve security to tackle the antisocial behaviour in the grounds.
Connahs Key Initative has received £7,000 for a CCTV system to combat criminal damage, drunken behaviour, youth nuisance and suspected drug activity.
North Wales Awareness of Substance and Alcohol Misuse received £28,748 for an awareness project that will educate and inform local communities across North Wales with issues related to Substance and / or Alcohol Misuse.
Re-inclusion Project at Plas Madoc, Wrexham received £5,000 for their Homework Club which will aim is to encourage re-inclusion into schools.
The £4 million Community Cashback fund was announced back in May and the Local Criminal Justice Board in North Wales was able to submit project proposals for funding. more information
GREEN PAPER OFFERS ‘LOUDER VOICE FOR COMMUNITIES’ IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPROVEMENTS
21 May 2009
A series of new measures to give communities more say in the way justice is done in their area has been announced by ministers. The plans include creating 30 pioneer areas across England and Wales where the new justice initiatives will be tested.
The new initiatives form part of the Engaging Communities in Criminal Justice Green Paper, published this morning, which proposes a range of measures to ensure a more effective criminal justice service.
The Government encourages and welcomes comments on the proposals in the Green Paper and seek the views of the public and the very many dedicated professionals and volunteers who work in and with criminal justice organisations.
For more details visit http://consultations.cjsonline.gov.uk/. The consultation will run until Friday 31 July 2009.
Arrest will lead to drugs testing
2 April 2009
A new programme to identify and help drug users is being put in place at some of Wales' major police stations.
Suspects arrested for some offences will now be automatically screened for heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine use. The Tough Choices drugs intervention programme is being introduced in Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and Wrexham.
Those testing positive for drug use will face possible bail restrictions and compulsory referrals for assessment and treatment. Custody suite officer have been trained to use drug-testing equipment, and those under scrutiny will face mouth swabs for analysis. The intervention scheme is part of the assembly government and UK Home Office strategy for tackling drug misuse, and was implemented in England in 2006.
FRAUD MAN IS ORDERED TO REPAY £1M
30 March 2009
A court has ordered a man to pay nearly £1m under a proceeds of crime confiscation order.
James Andrew Barnes, 26, from Towyn, Abergele, Conwy, had previously pleaded guilty to six counts of mortgage fraud and money laundering.
Last week at Mold Crown Court, a Confiscation Order was made under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The court found that James Andrew Barnes of Towyn Way West, Towyn, Abergele had assets totalling £46,347.89p and a Confiscation Order in this amount was made against him. The Court found that Barnes had benefited from his crimes to a total of £973,425.19p.
In October 2008, 26-year-old Barnes was sentenced to 9 months imprisonment at Mold Crown Court, after he pleaded guilty to six counts of mortgage fraud and money laundering.
In May 2007 North Wales Police stopped and searched Barnes, who was driving his Chrysler 300 motorcar. Barnes was arrested following the discovery of £4,500 in cash. Both the cash and the car were seized from him.
A POCA investigation by North Wales Police, involving extensive financial enquiries into his finances, revealed that Barnes had benefited by almost £1million by fraudulently obtaining mortgages and then using the cash raised from this to fund further property purchases in Rhyl, Kinmel Bay and Widnes, Cheshire.
HHJ Philip Hughes made the confiscation order on Thursday 26 March and it was accepted by the courts that given the current financial climate Barnes may need time to sell his properties in order to pay. Barnes was given six months to pay the sum of £46,347.89p or face a further 16 months in prison if he fails to do so.
MURDERED MUM’S CHILDREN HAVE THEIR SAY
16 February 2009
A brother and sister from North Wales whose mother was brutally murdered by their stepfather have helped pioneer a groundbreaking national project to give the victims of crime a voice.
Their mother’s killer has been in prison for the last 11 years but is now eligible for parole. read more