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Thieves, robbers and robbers released from prison will be forced to use GPS tags to track their movements in a world-first plan aimed at cracking down on neighborhood criminals.
More than half of those convicted of burglary and robbery repeat offenders within a year, and nearly 80% of cases result in no suspect being identified.
The government says the tags will be a vital additional source of intelligence to help police catch persistent criminals.
“These people, as long as they are licensed for up to 12 months, will be monitored 24 hours a day,” said Kit Malthouse, Minister of Crime and Police.
“We will know exactly where they are at all times.
“By monitoring their movements, we can both reduce that urge to reoffend and, if they do, allow the police to catch up with them much faster, because they will know exactly if they were at the crime scene at the time.”
Toni Antoni was devastated when his deli in Didsbury, Manchester, was robbed four years ago.
The thieves used a crowbar to open the door before stealing iPads, wine bottles and cash from the register.
“The police said they were pretty sure they knew who the suspects were because there have been many repeated robberies in the area,” he said.
“But unfortunately they have to catch them in the act to load them, and that night they were not caught.”
Police told Toni Antoni that whoever robbed his deli was likely a repeat offender
Under the new rules, thieves, robbers and robbers who have served a prison sentence of one year or more will be automatically tagged upon release, allowing their whereabouts to be monitored by GPS satellites 24 hours a day. , for up to 12 months.
Deputy Police Chief Jon Stratford, chief of electronic surveillance for the National Police Chief’s Council, said: “It provides a strong deterrent and means officers will be able to quickly arrest and gather evidence against anyone suspected of being involved in a robbery, robbery or other theft. “
Police and HM Prison and Probation Service staff can investigate whether the people on the tags have been around recent robberies, burglaries, and robberies.
The plan is launched in six police forces (Avon and Somerset, Cheshire, Gloucestershire, Gwent, Humberside and West Midlands) on April 12 and an estimated 250 criminals will be tagged in the first six months.
It will then be rolled out to 13 other areas in September.
Criminal defense attorney Nick Freeman says it could be a waste of taxpayers’ money.
“Technology is not foolproof, thieves are very skilled at working with it,” he said.
“Also, the label is visible. It can be a badge of honor, or it can be a stigma. People may feel embarrassed to walk the streets with a label because it actually highlights that someone is a criminal.”
The government says it expects the system to reduce the estimated £ 4.8bn burden such crimes place on the taxpayer each year.
