Federation reaction to DPPs call for curb on cautions

11 November 2009

 

Simon Reed, Vice-Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, says:

“ Keir Starmer QC, the Director of Public Prosecutions, is right to call for an end to excessive use of police cautions, but fails to make clear that the decision for more serious offences rests with the Crown Prosecution Service and not the police. To date the Police Federation of England and Wales has been a lone voice calling for most offences to go before the courts. The current system of focusing on cautions, fixed penalty notices and penalty notices for disorder not only dumbs-down the criminal justice system but fails to deliver real justice for the victims of crime. Whilst this strategy may be a political solution to tackle prison over-crowding it is hugely frustrating for police officers who continually see the same offenders. The time is long overdue for a complete review of the system and let’s hope we get some political courage and will-power to deal with these offenders properly.”

 

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