THE THAMES Valley Police and Crime Commissioner has urged a rethink on blocked bill which would bolster police powers over premises.
PCC Matthew Barber has written to the Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire, Sarah Jones MP, to request a consultation on changes to closure notices.
A closure notice is a legal instrument issued by the police or local authorities prohibiting access to premises for up to 48 hours to cease nuisance or illegal activity.
It mandates immediate closure, the breaching of which is a criminal offence.
The PCC’s campaign seeks to extend the time limit attached to closure notices to 7 days and give the courts the power to shut businesses participating in criminal activity indefinitely.
It also sought indefinite closures, which would grant courts the power to close premises indefinitely.
The amendment comes as part of an ongoing campaign to extend police powers in the area, drafted by Mr Barber, as part of updates to the Crime and Policing bill, which passed through the Commons earlier this month.
The amendment was, however, blocked, with government ministers agreeing to increase the maximum to 72 hours by police notice, and doubling the court closure order maximum from six months to a year.
Ministers also stopped short of implementing changes immediately, instead opting for a more targeted consultation
Mr Barber said in a letter to the minister: “I have long been working on a change in the law to increase police powers to issue closure notices.
“Closure notices are an important tool in disrupting criminal activity on our high streets, but current powers do not go far enough.
“With the support of the Shadow Policing Minister and Members of the House of Lords, I drafted an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill which would have strengthened the powers of the Police, local councils and the courts to shut down criminal businesses.
“Disappointingly, this amendment was blocked by the Government despite cross-party support, so I have written to the Policing Minister today to urge swift action to put more power in the hands of the police to tackle illegal activity and stand up for law-abiding businesses.”
“I urge the Minister to consult on these changes as soon as is practically possible.
“This is about delivering more than temporary disruption. By increasing police powers, we can more effectively tackle criminality; clearing up our high streets and ensuring local communities are protected.”
The PCC’s letter to the Minister for Policing and Crime is available to read in full via: thamesvalley-pcc.gov.uk
