The public is being reminded that another two weeks remain in which to give feedback on a draft Crime Bill.
The consultation period for the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill has been extended by Home Affairs Minister Adrian Earnshaw MHK and will now close on Wednesday 2nd December.
Some of the changes proposed by the bill relate to the more vulnerable members of the community, in particular elderly residents and children, with provisions relating to cold calling, drug offences, driving bans, sex offences involving children, reducing noise at night, drinking in public and increasing the police presence on the streets.
Mr Earnshaw comments, "Consulting with the public is very important to me and the Bill has been written, in draft form, to achieve that aim.
"No final decisions whatever have so far been taken and none will until my colleagues and I have read and considered the views we receive. This is an important piece of legislation which, if successful, will in my opinion significantly benefit us all and I want to receive as many views as possible.
"It modernises and responds to shortcomings in the law identified by members of the judiciary and will better equip the police to carry out their duties in safeguarding the public.
"In due course, once the consultation exercise has been completed, the intention is to place an updated version of the Bill before the Council of Ministers, prior to consideration by the House of Keys early in the New Year."
Media Criticism of Bill 'Misleading', says Earnshaw
The Minister has criticised recent comments on the Bill, reported by the media, as misleading, and has stressed that new provisions in the Bill will not enable the police to enter homes without a warrant, nor does it provide any powers of artistic censorship.
There are also no powers of entrapment although the Bill would permit testing of retailers to ensure they are complying with the law in relation to the sale of certain products to children.
The bill does aim to introduce a licensing regime for those supplying food between midnight and 5am to reduce disturbance to neighbouring residents during those hours.
Police constables will only have the power to stop someone drinking in a public place if they are causing a nuisance. These powers will be specifically controlled by a Code of Practice made by the Department. This will not stop anyone drinking responsibly in a public place.
A suggestion that the Department intends to ‘control’ the Facebook site is completely untrue. There are no such provisions in the Bill.
Mr Earnshaw adds, "It is important the public are well informed as I am confident the quality of Island life will improve if this draft Bill becomes law.
"With positive help from the public and political colleagues this is achievable and I intend to do my best to bring the Bill into law.’
Anyone who wishes to view the consultation can do so here.
Alternatively, printed copies can be obtained by contacting Tom Bateman, Legislation Manager, at the Department of Home Affairs, on (01624)694305.
