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North Wales Chronicle
5 days ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Restriction zones will ‘unduly influence' release of offenders, warns PCC
Ministers are seeking to introduce restriction zones that will limit where abusers can go, to allow survivors to go about their daily lives without fear of seeing their offender. Sexual and violent offenders could be restricted to certain locations and tracked with technology, and would face jail time for breaching the conditions under new proposals. Until now exclusion zones exist to stop perpetrators from going to where their victims live. The measure comes as the Government plans to overhaul the prison system to curb overcrowding, which could see violent and sexual offenders released from jail earlier, and for more criminals to serve sentences in the community. Tens of thousands of offenders would be tagged, prompting concerns from the victims' commissioner for England and Wales over the Probation Service's ability to cope with rising numbers. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said that the new restriction zones were 'welcome' but 'caution is needed'. Ms Jones added: 'I'm concerned they will unduly influence the Government's decision on which offenders to release under its Early Release Scheme. 'I would like clarification over the length of sentence violent offenders will receive if they're recalled to prison. 'The current 28 days put in place by the Government as an emergency measure to free up prison places is clearly not a deterrent.' The Ministry of Justice has been approached for comment. The mother of a woman who was killed by her estranged husband said she is praying he is given a restricted zone if he is released. Joanna Simpson, 46, was killed by her estranged husband Robert Brown in 2010 when he attacked her with a claw hammer in the family home. Brown was sentenced to 24 years in prison for manslaughter and a further two years for an offence of obstructing a coroner in the execution of his duty. Ms Simpson's mother, Diana Parkes, said she was 'delighted' about the new plans to restrict the movement of domestic abuse perpetrators. Discussing her daughter's killer, Ms Parkes told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'He's coming up for parole in January, I just heard yesterday. 'So hopefully when he comes out, we pray that he will be put in a restricted zone with a tag.' Ms Parkes, who was made a CBE for services to vulnerable children suffering from domestic abuse and domestic homicide, added: 'It's essential that victims of violent crimes should not live in fear when their perpetrators come out of prison on licence to serve the rest of their sentence, as it does at the present time. 'The perpetrator knows exactly where the victims are as they have exclusion zones, which are supposedly safe areas for the victims, but of course, the perpetrators know where they are and the minute they come out of their exclusion zone, the perpetrators could grab them or hurt them. 'Everyone has to worry all the time about where the perpetrator is when they live their normal life, because we're never told where they are at the moment.' Brown killed his millionaire wife one week before the finalisation of their divorce. He buried her body in a pre-dug grave in Windsor Great Park and confessed to police the following day. He was cleared of murder after a trial, but admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, with a psychiatric report saying he suffered from an 'adjustment disorder'. The Government has announced £700 million of funding until 2028/29 for the Probation Service to back up its reforms, as well as the recruitment of 1,300 new probation officers by March 2026. For the new restriction zones, probation officers will work with survivors to decide on banned locations for perpetrators, and will carry out detailed risk assessments. Justice minister Alex Davies-Jones announced the new measure at the charity Advance in London on Friday. The victims minister said perpetrators will be GPS-monitored to have real-time data about where they are going, and will be subject to 'virtual boundaries' which if breached could mean they go to prison. She said: 'We're putting really strong safeguards attached to these so that we can give victims and survivors the confidence to carry on with their everyday lives. 'We're going to be outlining more details on this as well, as we're bringing in the legislation in the autumn.'
South Wales Guardian
5 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Restriction zones will ‘unduly influence' release of offenders, warns PCC
Ministers are seeking to introduce restriction zones that will limit where abusers can go, to allow survivors to go about their daily lives without fear of seeing their offender. Sexual and violent offenders could be restricted to certain locations and tracked with technology, and would face jail time for breaching the conditions under new proposals. Until now exclusion zones exist to stop perpetrators from going to where their victims live. The measure comes as the Government plans to overhaul the prison system to curb overcrowding, which could see violent and sexual offenders released from jail earlier, and for more criminals to serve sentences in the community. Tens of thousands of offenders would be tagged, prompting concerns from the victims' commissioner for England and Wales over the Probation Service's ability to cope with rising numbers. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said that the new restriction zones were 'welcome' but 'caution is needed'. Ms Jones added: 'I'm concerned they will unduly influence the Government's decision on which offenders to release under its Early Release Scheme. 'I would like clarification over the length of sentence violent offenders will receive if they're recalled to prison. 'The current 28 days put in place by the Government as an emergency measure to free up prison places is clearly not a deterrent.' The Ministry of Justice has been approached for comment. The mother of a woman who was killed by her estranged husband said she is praying he is given a restricted zone if he is released. Joanna Simpson, 46, was killed by her estranged husband Robert Brown in 2010 when he attacked her with a claw hammer in the family home. Brown was sentenced to 24 years in prison for manslaughter and a further two years for an offence of obstructing a coroner in the execution of his duty. Ms Simpson's mother, Diana Parkes, said she was 'delighted' about the new plans to restrict the movement of domestic abuse perpetrators. Discussing her daughter's killer, Ms Parkes told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'He's coming up for parole in January, I just heard yesterday. 'So hopefully when he comes out, we pray that he will be put in a restricted zone with a tag.' Ms Parkes, who was made a CBE for services to vulnerable children suffering from domestic abuse and domestic homicide, added: 'It's essential that victims of violent crimes should not live in fear when their perpetrators come out of prison on licence to serve the rest of their sentence, as it does at the present time. 'The perpetrator knows exactly where the victims are as they have exclusion zones, which are supposedly safe areas for the victims, but of course, the perpetrators know where they are and the minute they come out of their exclusion zone, the perpetrators could grab them or hurt them. 'Everyone has to worry all the time about where the perpetrator is when they live their normal life, because we're never told where they are at the moment.' Brown killed his millionaire wife one week before the finalisation of their divorce. He buried her body in a pre-dug grave in Windsor Great Park and confessed to police the following day. He was cleared of murder after a trial, but admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, with a psychiatric report saying he suffered from an 'adjustment disorder'. The Government has announced £700 million of funding until 2028/29 for the Probation Service to back up its reforms, as well as the recruitment of 1,300 new probation officers by March 2026. For the new restriction zones, probation officers will work with survivors to decide on banned locations for perpetrators, and will carry out detailed risk assessments. Justice minister Alex Davies-Jones announced the new measure at the charity Advance in London on Friday. The victims minister said perpetrators will be GPS-monitored to have real-time data about where they are going, and will be subject to 'virtual boundaries' which if breached could mean they go to prison. She said: 'We're putting really strong safeguards attached to these so that we can give victims and survivors the confidence to carry on with their everyday lives. 'We're going to be outlining more details on this as well, as we're bringing in the legislation in the autumn.'
Leader Live
5 days ago
- Politics
- Leader Live
Restriction zones will ‘unduly influence' release of offenders, warns PCC
Ministers are seeking to introduce restriction zones that will limit where abusers can go, to allow survivors to go about their daily lives without fear of seeing their offender. Sexual and violent offenders could be restricted to certain locations and tracked with technology, and would face jail time for breaching the conditions under new proposals. Until now exclusion zones exist to stop perpetrators from going to where their victims live. The measure comes as the Government plans to overhaul the prison system to curb overcrowding, which could see violent and sexual offenders released from jail earlier, and for more criminals to serve sentences in the community. Tens of thousands of offenders would be tagged, prompting concerns from the victims' commissioner for England and Wales over the Probation Service's ability to cope with rising numbers. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said that the new restriction zones were 'welcome' but 'caution is needed'. Ms Jones added: 'I'm concerned they will unduly influence the Government's decision on which offenders to release under its Early Release Scheme. 'I would like clarification over the length of sentence violent offenders will receive if they're recalled to prison. 'The current 28 days put in place by the Government as an emergency measure to free up prison places is clearly not a deterrent.' The Ministry of Justice has been approached for comment. The mother of a woman who was killed by her estranged husband said she is praying he is given a restricted zone if he is released. Joanna Simpson, 46, was killed by her estranged husband Robert Brown in 2010 when he attacked her with a claw hammer in the family home. Brown was sentenced to 24 years in prison for manslaughter and a further two years for an offence of obstructing a coroner in the execution of his duty. Ms Simpson's mother, Diana Parkes, said she was 'delighted' about the new plans to restrict the movement of domestic abuse perpetrators. Discussing her daughter's killer, Ms Parkes told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'He's coming up for parole in January, I just heard yesterday. 'So hopefully when he comes out, we pray that he will be put in a restricted zone with a tag.' Ms Parkes, who was made a CBE for services to vulnerable children suffering from domestic abuse and domestic homicide, added: 'It's essential that victims of violent crimes should not live in fear when their perpetrators come out of prison on licence to serve the rest of their sentence, as it does at the present time. 'The perpetrator knows exactly where the victims are as they have exclusion zones, which are supposedly safe areas for the victims, but of course, the perpetrators know where they are and the minute they come out of their exclusion zone, the perpetrators could grab them or hurt them. 'Everyone has to worry all the time about where the perpetrator is when they live their normal life, because we're never told where they are at the moment.' Brown killed his millionaire wife one week before the finalisation of their divorce. He buried her body in a pre-dug grave in Windsor Great Park and confessed to police the following day. He was cleared of murder after a trial, but admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, with a psychiatric report saying he suffered from an 'adjustment disorder'. The Government has announced £700 million of funding until 2028/29 for the Probation Service to back up its reforms, as well as the recruitment of 1,300 new probation officers by March 2026. For the new restriction zones, probation officers will work with survivors to decide on banned locations for perpetrators, and will carry out detailed risk assessments. Justice minister Alex Davies-Jones announced the new measure at the charity Advance in London on Friday. The victims minister said perpetrators will be GPS-monitored to have real-time data about where they are going, and will be subject to 'virtual boundaries' which if breached could mean they go to prison. She said: 'We're putting really strong safeguards attached to these so that we can give victims and survivors the confidence to carry on with their everyday lives. 'We're going to be outlining more details on this as well, as we're bringing in the legislation in the autumn.'
Rhyl Journal
5 days ago
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Restriction zones will ‘unduly influence' release of offenders, warns PCC
Ministers are seeking to introduce restriction zones that will limit where abusers can go, to allow survivors to go about their daily lives without fear of seeing their offender. Sexual and violent offenders could be restricted to certain locations and tracked with technology, and would face jail time for breaching the conditions under new proposals. Until now exclusion zones exist to stop perpetrators from going to where their victims live. The measure comes as the Government plans to overhaul the prison system to curb overcrowding, which could see violent and sexual offenders released from jail earlier, and for more criminals to serve sentences in the community. Tens of thousands of offenders would be tagged, prompting concerns from the victims' commissioner for England and Wales over the Probation Service's ability to cope with rising numbers. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said that the new restriction zones were 'welcome' but 'caution is needed'. Ms Jones added: 'I'm concerned they will unduly influence the Government's decision on which offenders to release under its Early Release Scheme. 'I would like clarification over the length of sentence violent offenders will receive if they're recalled to prison. 'The current 28 days put in place by the Government as an emergency measure to free up prison places is clearly not a deterrent.' The Ministry of Justice has been approached for comment. The mother of a woman who was killed by her estranged husband said she is praying he is given a restricted zone if he is released. Joanna Simpson, 46, was killed by her estranged husband Robert Brown in 2010 when he attacked her with a claw hammer in the family home. Brown was sentenced to 24 years in prison for manslaughter and a further two years for an offence of obstructing a coroner in the execution of his duty. Ms Simpson's mother, Diana Parkes, said she was 'delighted' about the new plans to restrict the movement of domestic abuse perpetrators. Discussing her daughter's killer, Ms Parkes told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'He's coming up for parole in January, I just heard yesterday. 'So hopefully when he comes out, we pray that he will be put in a restricted zone with a tag.' Ms Parkes, who was made a CBE for services to vulnerable children suffering from domestic abuse and domestic homicide, added: 'It's essential that victims of violent crimes should not live in fear when their perpetrators come out of prison on licence to serve the rest of their sentence, as it does at the present time. 'The perpetrator knows exactly where the victims are as they have exclusion zones, which are supposedly safe areas for the victims, but of course, the perpetrators know where they are and the minute they come out of their exclusion zone, the perpetrators could grab them or hurt them. 'Everyone has to worry all the time about where the perpetrator is when they live their normal life, because we're never told where they are at the moment.' Brown killed his millionaire wife one week before the finalisation of their divorce. He buried her body in a pre-dug grave in Windsor Great Park and confessed to police the following day. He was cleared of murder after a trial, but admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, with a psychiatric report saying he suffered from an 'adjustment disorder'. The Government has announced £700 million of funding until 2028/29 for the Probation Service to back up its reforms, as well as the recruitment of 1,300 new probation officers by March 2026. For the new restriction zones, probation officers will work with survivors to decide on banned locations for perpetrators, and will carry out detailed risk assessments. Justice minister Alex Davies-Jones announced the new measure at the charity Advance in London on Friday. The victims minister said perpetrators will be GPS-monitored to have real-time data about where they are going, and will be subject to 'virtual boundaries' which if breached could mean they go to prison. She said: 'We're putting really strong safeguards attached to these so that we can give victims and survivors the confidence to carry on with their everyday lives. 'We're going to be outlining more details on this as well, as we're bringing in the legislation in the autumn.'
North Wales Chronicle
6 days ago
- North Wales Chronicle
North Wales Police & Crime Commissioner launches surgery
An online public surgery, hosted by North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin, will take place on September 10 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm via Microsoft Teams. The event invites residents to discuss policing concerns in rural communities and forms part of Rural Crime Action Week, taking place September 8-10. Mr Dunbobbin said: "I am delighted to be hosting an online surgery for the people of North Wales focused specifically on rural and wildlife crime, which is an area I am hugely focused on in my job and which forms a key part of my Police and Crime Plan to reduce offending in North Wales. "I always aim to listen closely to what residents are telling me, and the online surgery is a great way for residents of North Wales to voice their concerns. "Please get in touch now to book and discuss any issues that you want to raise with me." Rural and wildlife crime is a central priority in Mr Dunbobbin's Police and Crime Plan for North Wales. The surgery will give residents the opportunity to speak directly with the commissioner and representatives from North Wales Police, including staff from the commissioner's office. Each attendee will be allocated a confidential 20-minute slot to discuss personal concerns or broader issues affecting their communities. Topics for discussion may include the six priorities identified in the Wales Rural Crime Strategy, launched in July. The strategy is a collaboration between Welsh police forces and the Welsh Government, building on the progress of the first joint strategy. The new action plan focuses on bird crime, farm crime, habitats, heritage crime, mammals and European protected species, and networking rural support services. The last priority specifically addresses mental health vulnerabilities in rural areas. The surgeries are by appointment only to ensure discussions are relevant to policing, crime, or community safety, and to allow the commissioner to be fully briefed in advance. Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the surgery, and attendees may be directed to other agencies if their concerns fall outside the commissioner's remit. The Police and Crime Commissioner cannot address complaints against individual police officers, staff, PCSOs, or special constables, as these must be handled through established complaints channels. To book a 20-minute slot, residents are asked to contact the commissioner's office by email at opcc@ by phone on 01492 805486, or by post at the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner North Wales, Police Headquarters, Glan y Don, Colwyn Bay, LL29 8AW. Slots are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. If the session is fully booked, alternative dates will be offered.
