Liberty - Protecting civil liberties, promoting human rights

The police will also be able to fine individuals and require them to do community service without a trial, effectively creating a two-tiered justice system in which people who can afford to pay fines may avoid criminal prosecution.

On Tuesday 20 June the House of Lords will seek to curb these measures found in the Police and Justice Bill. These summary justice powers are located in the schedules at the end of the 165-page report.

Director of Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti said:

"Turning the police into judge and jury undermines consent-based policing and puts an unfair burden on over-stretched officers.Law enforcement officers will be seen as lawless bullies if they are required to mete out punishment on the street."

Jen Corlew on 020 7378 3656 or 07973 831 128

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. Currently judges, not police, have a narrow remit to impose post-charge bail conditions if the offender poses a flight risk, might re-offend, or could intimidate witnesses.
2. Approximately 30,000 people will be affected by the new powers to punish people through the use of cautions.
3. The Police and Justice Bill contains other measures which threaten civil liberties including:• Unaccountable social landlords will be able to apply for parenting orders for their tenants.• The Government will be given new powers to intervene in local police authority matters. • The police will be able to screen and track advanced travel details on more than 40 million domestic travellers on flights and ferries which have nothing to do with traditional screening for border control or identifying terror suspects.
4. The Police and Justice Bill is the 60th criminal justice bill to be introduced since 1997.