Vera Baird DBE KC

Chair Criminal Cases Review Commission. Member Women’s Justice Bd.
Ex Victims’ Commissioner, Solicitor Gen & PCC. Fellow St Hilda’s Oxford. Writer. Labour Party

Tag: Chris Grayling

  • PRESS RELEASE: Commissioner demands Government takes urgent action.

    Commissioner demands Government takes urgent action

    New Government powers to tackle anti-social behaviour must be supported with extra funding, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird has said.

    The Government has introduced five new powers which have come in to effect today, which the Government believe will enable the police, local authorities and others to respond quickly and effectively to anti-social behaviour (ASB) as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB), Crime and Policing Act 2014.

    Northumbria Police has worked closely with partners to ensure the smooth implementation of the powers and the Commissioner’s office has consulted on the community remedy list with the public in Northumbria who clearly favour the following two options:

    Educational or rehabilitative activities                                           20% of respondents

    Unpaid work within the community                                                  21% of respondents

    For these options to be effective, they need funding. The Government cannot rely on the police and Local Authorities to pick up this cost.

    Since 2010, the Northumbria Police budget has been cut by nearly £70m and local authorities have faced similar pressures. Local authority ASB leads have said they are concerned about the cost implications brought by Community Remedy with no additional funding provided for the options to provide structured activities or activities which put something back into the community.

    The Commissioner Vera Baird said: \”Like everything this Government does, changes are rushed through and no extra funding provided to ensure the transition is successful.

    \”Most of the remedies need resources to ensure their success and the Government should be funding this initiative as it’s important local residents and police officers have confidence in the system they’re working with.\”

    The Commissioner has called on the Justice Secretary to convene an urgent meeting with colleagues in Parliament to secure the extra funding needed to pay for this initiative.

    \”Northumbria Police continue to tackle ASB head-on – but if the Government wants this new scheme to work, they need to fund it,\” Mrs Baird added.

  • New ASB powers need funding from Government.

    Correspondence sent by Commissioner Baird to Chris Grayling MP in relation to the new Anti-Social Behaviour Powers

    20th October 2014

     

    Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP

    Secretary of State

    Ministry of Justice

    102 Petty France

    London

    SW1H 9AJ

    20th October 2014

     

    Dear Secretary of State,

    Anti-Social Behaviour Powers

    As today sees the launch of the Anti-Social Behaviour Orders, I am taking this opportunity to raise concerns that I have in relation to this matter.

    The Government has introduced five new powers which have come in to effect today, which the Government believe will enable the police, local authorities and others to respond quickly and effectively to ASB.

    Northumbria Police has worked closely with partners to ensure the smooth implementation of the powers and my office has consulted on the community remedy list with the public in Northumbria clearly favouring the following two options:

    Educational or rehabilitative activities                                            20%

    Unpaid work within the community                                                   21%

    Local authorities across Northumbria welcome any initiative to tackle anti-social behaviour, but they do have concerns about how the public’s two most popular remedies will be delivered as no extra funding has been made available from Government.

    The Government must take ownership of this problem as the public are being invited to take part in this programme, but funding is not available to support these initiatives.

    The Police and local government budgets are stretched to capacity, as you will be aware central Government has taken nearly £70 million from the Northumbria Police budget alone and there is literally no extra funding available.

    If the government want this programme to be a success, you must ensure that there is funding to support the work of local authorities and the police.

    I call upon you to hold urgent meetings with your colleagues to resolve this matter and we can then move forward and deliver a programme that all partners are able to do with confidence and which results in public satisfaction and a reduction in ASB.

    I look forward to hearing from you soon.

    Best wishes.

    Vera Baird QC

    Police & Crime Commissioner – Northumbria.

  • Is this Government Serious about protecting victims?

    Is this Government serious about protecting victims? – Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird

    This week Justice Secretary Chris Grayling MP provided the House of Commons with further information about the Government\’s document \’Our Commitment to Victims\’.

    In a Written Ministerial Statement Mr Grayling believes the proposed laws will see victims kept informed about their case and courts will allow most to provide a personal impact statement. 

    Vera Baird said: \”What the Justice Secretary has announced is a few add ons to the Victims\’ Code – but nothing of real substance.

    \”A lot of what is mentioned in the Written Ministerial Statement is already happening, an example being that victim impact statements will become law, however they have already proved their worth without legislation. We saw the benefits of impact statements in the Rolf Harris case. These statements allow the courts to know how victims have been affected by a crime and for the perpetrator to hear how their actions can ruin lives.\”

    Mrs Baird added: \”Let’s be absolutely clear, Chris Grayling is the Secretary of State who has cut compensation to victims to the bone and scrapped legal aid for victims of sexual and domestic abuse.

    \”It\’s a shocking indictment of this Government’s policies for victims that two-thirds of domestic violence victims have been left with no legal aid to safeguard families against violent partners.  This is a Government that tells us they take seriously the need to address domestic violence – then they remove the very support that is needed.\”

    The Government has published updates and provided further information, but they have avoided the question about why they implemented cuts to the Criminal Justice Compensation Board.

    \”Let us be under no illusion, as Shadow Justice Secretary Sadiq Khan recently said, the Government has let victims down by cutting compensation for innocent victims of violent crime and leaving the position of Victims’ Commissioner vacant for almost a year, before making the role part time,\” the Commissioner said. 

    \”Downing Street does not speak up for victims of crime. David Cameron wanted to reduce prison sentences by half if criminals entered a guilty plea, they have closed refuges and cut resources for Victim Support. 

    \”The Labour Party continues to work with organisations that support victims to ensure the right support, at the right time, is in place. The next Labour Government will implement a strategy that keeps victims at the heart of all decisions which is the right way forward – not add ons and bolt ons to existing legislation as the current Government is doing.\”

    Putting victims first is a commitment Vera Baird has given in her Police and Crime Plan for residents of Northumbria and from April 2015 responsibility for some victims\’ services will fall to Police and Crime Commissioners.

    Vera Baird has consulted on an outline strategy and is mapping the need for services. Through working with local authorities and other responsible partners she will devise a final joint strategy ensuring local services for victims are the best that can be jointly provided.

    \”Victims will always be at the centre of the criminal justice system in our region,\” she said.

  • Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling MP: His actions don’t follow his words


    Today, Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling MP, has announced a package of measures about the  treatment of victims and witnesses in the criminal justice system.  Yet his own Victims Commissioner has doubts and Police & Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, Vera Baird remains skeptical about his commitment to deliver.

    Under Grayling’s proposals, he states victims will be kept informed about their case, courts will allow personal impact statements to be read out.  Other measures announced include setting up a victims information service from March 2015 and allowing more child witnesses to film their evidence before a trial starts.

    However, the Government’s Victims Commissioner, Baroness Newlove has questioned how his proposals would differ in practice from the existing victims’ code.

    Baroness Newlove believes a new law cannot be used as a quick fix

    Northumbria’s Police & Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird QC, said “Let’s be absolutely clear, Chris Grayling is the Secretary of State who has cut compensation to victims to the bone, he has scrapped legal aid for victims of sexual and domestic abuse.  It was Chris Grayling and his government who tried to stop part of the funding support that currently goes to the families of murder victims.  So I am doubtful whether he means what he says, as victims have never been at the heart of this government.” 

    Putting victims first is a commitment Vera Baird has given in her Police & Crime Plan for residents of Northumbria. From April 2015, responsibility for some victims services falls to Police & Crime Commissioners. Vera Baird has consulted on an outline strategy, is mapping the need for services and, working with local authorities and other responsible authorities, will devise a final joint strategy that will ensure that local services for victims are the best that can be jointly provided. Victims will always be at the centre of the criminal justice system in our region. 

    Mrs Baird commented on the fact that victim impact statements will become law, saying that they have proved their worth without legislation Mrs Baird said “We saw the benefits of impact statements in the Rolf Harris case.  These statements allow the courts to know how victims have been affected by a crime, and for the perpetrator to hear how their actions can ruin lives”.