Nigel Huddleston MP welcomes the Criminal Justice Bill, which aims to bolster public safety, strengthen law enforcement capabilities, and reinforce a zero-tolerance approach to crime.
The bill—which was introduced in the House of Commons on 14 November—is set to give police greater powers to combat knife crime, antisocial behaviour, theft, and drug-related offences. Under the bill, police are empowered to retrieve stolen goods without a warrant and signal jammers used for car theft are banned.
A key aspect of the bill is its strong emphasis on protecting victims, ensuring that their voices are heard, and that offenders are held accountable. Measures of note include the power to seize, retain, and destroy knives found on private property, the creation of a new offence of possessing a knife with the intent to use it violently, and the provision of additional authority for judges to compel offenders to attend court when their sentences are handed out.
The bill also commits to better protecting women and girls. The government will create a package of offences tackling intimate images without consent—such as ‘downblousing’—and will ensure that the police and prosecutors are empowered to tackle this behaviour.
Nigel Huddleston MP said:
“The recently announced Criminal Justice Bill reflects the government’s commitment to a zero-tolerance approach to crime. I know this is an issue that many of my constituents care deeply about.
“I welcome the measures it introduces to protect the public from criminals and to empower our police to cut crime and keep our neighbourhoods safe.”
James Cleverly MP, Home Secretary, said:
“The British people deserve to feel safe and secure going about their daily business knowing the government is here to protect them - this bill will reassure the public by giving the police more powers to do just that.
“It rightly puts neighbourhoods and communities first by tackling the scourge of knife crime, drugs, theft and anti-social behaviour - making sure the worst, most dangerous criminals are locked up for longer.
“My first job as Home Secretary is to protect the British public and taking a zero-tolerance approach to crime on every level is just one way I will be doing this.”
Alex Chalk KC MP, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, said:
“Victims are not spectators in the criminal justice system; they must be core participants. The new Criminal Justice Bill will ensure offenders have to face up to the harm they have caused victims, and hear society’s condemnation through the judge’s sentencing remarks.
“The legislation continues our mission to keep more women and girls safe from violence and intimidation, building on our landmark Domestic Abuse and Online Safety Acts.”
