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| Amber Rudd signals sentencing crackdown on acid attacks | Amber Rudd signals sentencing crackdown on acid attacks |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The home secretary has indicated acid attack convictions could soon carry tougher sentences as the government unveiled a crackdown on corrosive substances. | The home secretary has indicated acid attack convictions could soon carry tougher sentences as the government unveiled a crackdown on corrosive substances. |
| Amber Rudd warned that an overhaul of current guidelines would ensure those who used noxious liquids as a weapon felt “the full force of the law”. | |
| “I am clear that life sentences must not be reserved for acid attack survivors,” she wrote in the Sunday Times. | “I am clear that life sentences must not be reserved for acid attack survivors,” she wrote in the Sunday Times. |
| Proposals to ensure acid and other corrosive substances can be classed as dangerous weapons are among the changes included in the shake-up. | Proposals to ensure acid and other corrosive substances can be classed as dangerous weapons are among the changes included in the shake-up. |
| The government would also aim to put in place measures to restrict the sale of such substances by retailers, Rudd said. | |
| The move is part of a strategy to crack down on acid attacks following a recent spate of high-profile incidents, including five linked assaults in London on Thursday. | |
| The Home Office said it would work with police and the Ministry of Justice to assess whether powers available to the courts, including sentencing, were sufficient. | The Home Office said it would work with police and the Ministry of Justice to assess whether powers available to the courts, including sentencing, were sufficient. |
| Rudd wrote: “Today I am announcing an action plan to tackle acid attacks. It will include a wide-ranging review of the law enforcement and criminal justice response, of existing legislation, of access to harmful products and of the support offered to victims.” | Rudd wrote: “Today I am announcing an action plan to tackle acid attacks. It will include a wide-ranging review of the law enforcement and criminal justice response, of existing legislation, of access to harmful products and of the support offered to victims.” |
| “We will also make sure that those who commit these terrible crimes feel the full force of the law,” she added. | “We will also make sure that those who commit these terrible crimes feel the full force of the law,” she added. |
| “We will seek to ensure that everyone working within the criminal justice system, from police officers to prosecutors, has the powers they need to punish severely those who commit these appalling crimes.” | “We will seek to ensure that everyone working within the criminal justice system, from police officers to prosecutors, has the powers they need to punish severely those who commit these appalling crimes.” |
| Possession of acid or other corrosive substances with the intention to do harm can already be treated as possession of an offensive weapon under the Prevention of Crime Act, and carries a four-year maximum penalty. | Possession of acid or other corrosive substances with the intention to do harm can already be treated as possession of an offensive weapon under the Prevention of Crime Act, and carries a four-year maximum penalty. |
| The Crown Prosecution Service’s guidance to prosecutors will now be reviewed to ensure it makes clear that acid and other corrosive substances can be classed as dangerous weapons, and what is required to prove intent. | |
| The Poisons Act 1972 will be assessed to consider if it should cover more harmful substances, while retailers will be asked to agree to measures to restrict sales of acids and other corrosive substances. | The Poisons Act 1972 will be assessed to consider if it should cover more harmful substances, while retailers will be asked to agree to measures to restrict sales of acids and other corrosive substances. |
| New guidance will also be issued to police officers on preventing attacks, searching potential attackers for harmful substances and responding to victims at the scene. | New guidance will also be issued to police officers on preventing attacks, searching potential attackers for harmful substances and responding to victims at the scene. |
| More than 400 acid or corrosive substance attacks were carried out in the six months up to April 2017, according to figures from 39 forces in England and Wales. | More than 400 acid or corrosive substance attacks were carried out in the six months up to April 2017, according to figures from 39 forces in England and Wales. |
| Bleach, ammonia and acid were the most commonly used substances, the Home Office said. | Bleach, ammonia and acid were the most commonly used substances, the Home Office said. |
| Sarah Newton, the minister for crime, safeguarding and vulnerability, will outline the government’s strategy on combating acid attacks in the Commons on Monday. | Sarah Newton, the minister for crime, safeguarding and vulnerability, will outline the government’s strategy on combating acid attacks in the Commons on Monday. |
| In an earlier statement, Rudd said: “Acid attacks are horrific crimes which have a devastating effect on victims, both physically and emotionally. | In an earlier statement, Rudd said: “Acid attacks are horrific crimes which have a devastating effect on victims, both physically and emotionally. |
| “It is vital that we do everything we can to prevent these sickening attacks happening in the first place. | “It is vital that we do everything we can to prevent these sickening attacks happening in the first place. |
| “We must also ensure that the police and other emergency services are able to respond as effectively as possible, that sentences reflect the seriousness of the offences and victims are given the immediate support they need.” | “We must also ensure that the police and other emergency services are able to respond as effectively as possible, that sentences reflect the seriousness of the offences and victims are given the immediate support they need.” |