2013-05-24T08:13:48-04:00 Damian Green http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/index.php?author=damian-green Copyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Damian Green Good old fashioned elbow grease. tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3012666 2013-04-04T05:43:22-04:00 2013-04-04T12:56:45-04:00

Damian Green http://www.huffingtonpost.com/damian-green/
Cautions have a role to play in this. They allow the police to deal quickly and proportionately with low-level, often first-time offending which does not merit prosecution at court, freeing the police to spend more time on tackling serious crime. They can also provide reparation and a prompt resolution for victims.

But the government has concerns about some cases where cautions have been given to criminals who have committed multiple or serious crimes. Serious and repeat criminals should not expect to escape with a caution and the public and victims have a right to expect such people who have committed a crime to be brought before a court.

This is why we are launching a review into cautions, which will scrutinise the way in which 'simple' cautions are used.

The proportion of offenders given a caution for carrying a knife or an offensive weapon has reduced in the past two years but it is still the case that one in five offenders get a caution for carrying a knife or an offensive weapon. The proportion of offenders given a caution for sexual offences has fallen from 27.8% in 2007, to 20.4% in 2011. But this is still too high.

We want the public to have faith and confidence in the justice system, which is why we will be working closely with the police and other criminal justice professionals to look at any changes which might be needed to guidance or legislation.

The review will look at reasons why multiple cautions are given to some criminals, and whether there are some offence types where simple cautions are unacceptable. It will look at the difference in the use of cautions by different police forces and whether increased scrutiny is needed to ensure they are used consistently

Cautions always need to be used appropriately. If they are seen as simply a soft option, they are not doing their job. The government will not accept that situation, so if the review suggests action, we will take it as soon as possible.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.1016526 2011-10-17T19:00:00-04:00 2011-12-17T05:12:01-05:00

Damian Green http://www.huffingtonpost.com/damian-green/
We have signed up to international conventions against trafficking, and published our own national strategy in July. This will build on previous work helping victims by improving Britain's capacity to stop trafficking in the first place. It will provide more tools for those who are out there on the front line, tirelessly working to fight the traffickers. As Anti-Slavery Day approaches we can demonstrate that anger many British people feel about trafficking is reflected in Government policy.

Our work is focused on understanding the modus operandi of traffickers and identifying the threats. We are doing this at the same time as tightening up our immigration controls. Through better intelligence and joint working with law enforcement agencies around the world, we are raising the stakes for traffickers. The creation of the National Crime Agency will further improve our capacity by establishing a command which brings together general law enforcement and border policing to share intelligence and to mount joint operations. This will provide better protection for those trafficked into sex slavery or illegal working.

We want to stop vulnerable people from being duped into a life of exploitation and prevent them from becoming victims in the first place. So we are working with source countries like China, India, Slovakia and Albania, where we are educating and advising vulnerable people what to look out for. We have started a new programme in West Africa providing authorities with training to improve trafficking investigations and help with successful prosecutions.
Should victims be found in the UK, our National Referral Mechanism helps us identify their needs quickly and offer specialist care and support through the Salvation Army. We have protected £2 million per year to fund this victim care for adult trafficking victims.

This week, the Home Office and Department of Education will publish guidance for local authorities and the police on, for example, how to report potential victims and how to recognise the key indicators of trafficking.

Charity and voluntary organisations are often best placed to provide us with information from the ground and help us prevent this crime. So we have reached out to these groups to harness their expertise.

There is also a role for the private sector to play. Today - on Anti-Slavery Day itself - we are launching a new initiative with Virgin Atlantic who are providing cabin crew with training to help them spot potential traffickers and victims. I would urge other airlines to follow Virgin Atlantic's lead.

Trafficking has no place in a modern society. Anti-Slavery Day is a chance to reflect on the plight of those who fall victim to this terrible crime and remind ourselves of the role we can all play in stopping it. ]]>