Daily News Summary
Friday, 27 June 2008
Main Stories
Cracking down on five year olds
The Home Secretary has called for an expansion of state intervention in the lives of families who are seen to be failing in their ability to care for their children. A study by KPMG has found that voluntary codes of practice aren't working so Jacqui Smith has called for new contracts which parents will be asked to sign, committing themselves to `controlling' their children. She said `it is part of the role of government not to wait till crime has been committed but, for the good of the wider community and the families themselves, to step in earlier when it is obvious to all agencies that this is the type of situation that can end in tragedy'. Times21
Prisons and probation ombudsman resigns
Stephen Shaw has resigned citing interference by the Prison Service into an inquiry of the case of a teenager who repeatedly tried to take her life while in custody. The inquiry involved a girl who was placed in a segregation unit after she repeatedly injured herself and attempted to take her life. Her injuries were so serious that she was taken to hospital for blood transfusions. Prisons Minister Maria Eagle said she regretted Shaw's decision and the distress it would cause the girl and her family. Gdn13
`Regulators are failing to crack down on financial crimes, HBOS chairman says'
The chairman of HBOS has criticised financial regulators for failing to tackle insider trading. Times53.
Meanwhile, it is reported that the prices of super expensive houses in London, inhabited by City types have been hit due to job losses in the City. Estate agents voice their disappointment. Times54. 'UK is weak on tackling white collar crime and short sellers, says HBOS chairman'. Gdn28
`Straw's emergency bill to shield witnesses'
Jack Straw `will introduce an emergency bill in the Commons next week to try to stop hundreds of serious criminal cases collapsing because of concerns about anonymous witnesses' and is expected to be through all the Commons stages by July 7. Gdn5
Other Stories
Met sued for discrimination
Tarique Gaffur, assistant commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police is to sue the force for racial discrimination and victimisation. Gdn4. The DT6 reports that Sir Ian Blair has warned that Gaffur may face disciplinary action of claims of racism.
`Wife-beat thugs "let out of jail"'
Probation Union, NAPO says 19 men detained for domestic violence offences have been released early from prison. Sun2
Drop in road deaths
It is reported that last year road deaths fell below 3,000 for the first time since records began in 1926. The AA says this is partly linked to speed cameras and increasing awareness that speed can kill. An illustration shows comparisons between different `killers' in 2006 - 153,491 deaths from cancer; 33,198 from heart attacks; 3,419 from c-dificile; 3,331 from suicide; 3,226 from falls; 3,172 from road deaths; 765 from murder. Times26-27, Gdn12
`Cold blooded "honour" killers shot man who married for love'
The Times18 runs a double page spread on the murder trial of a man and three `contract killers' who are accused of killing the man's brother in-law. DT7
'29,000 prisoners paid more than £2m for early release'
Reports the DT10, referring to the £88.32 received in addition to the standard grant of £47 received by people after they are released from prison.
Let businesses run state schools for profit
The Times3 reports that the head of the Local Government Association, Sir Simon Milton, has said that private companies should be allowed to run state schools for profit, bringing condemnation from teachers' unions. `My view, and the LGA's view, is that councils are not meant to run schools anymore', he said.
Letters, Editorial, Comment
`We are enslaving heroin addicts in a state run chemical gulag'
David Raynes, former custom's officer and a member of the International Strategic Drug Taskforce is critical of methadone maintenance programmes which he says are more about trying to reduce crime figures than meeting addicts' needs and subsequently results in leaving only about 3% of addicts drug free. Gdn27
`This child protection hysteria deflects attention from a real, and growing, danger'
Says Dominic Lawson in the Ind39.
`Driving down deaths'
`New figures on road casualties are a cause for celebration, and behind them lie safer cars and important changes in public attitudes to driving', says the Times editorial2.
`British liberty is about living without fear'
Says Jill Saward who will be standing against David Davis in the by-election. Ind41
`Judges won't be intimidated into denying the right to a fair trial'
Says David Pannick QC. He argues that it is impossible to marry up witness anonymity with the rights of defendants and includes alternatives to intimidation. Times34
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These newspaper summaries are drawn up by staff at the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies. They are not intended to be comprehensive, or wholly uniform in their approach. Instead, they reflect our individual and collective perspectives on the day's coverage, including our judgements in terms of relevance to the Centre's concerns. On occasion, they also reflect the inevitable time constraints within which we work.
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