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New bill targets organised crime New bill targets organised crime
(about 1 hour later)
New powers restricting the activities of those suspected of money laundering, fraud, drugs and human trafficking are to be included in a Serious Crime Bill.New powers restricting the activities of those suspected of money laundering, fraud, drugs and human trafficking are to be included in a Serious Crime Bill.
But the government faces criticism that the civil orders may prove unworkable given the problems it has had imposing control orders on terrorist suspects.But the government faces criticism that the civil orders may prove unworkable given the problems it has had imposing control orders on terrorist suspects.
The bill is also expected to strengthen powers to seize assets such as cash, properties and cars from criminals.The bill is also expected to strengthen powers to seize assets such as cash, properties and cars from criminals.
Breaching the new order could lead to a five-year prison term.Breaching the new order could lead to a five-year prison term.
Home Secretary John Reid called for cross-party support for the new laws.Home Secretary John Reid called for cross-party support for the new laws.
"We are bringing in reforms to get the Mr Bigs of the organised crime world," he said."We are bringing in reforms to get the Mr Bigs of the organised crime world," he said.
"We hope this will have a huge impact, and we hope opposition parties will give the support necessary rather than what they have done every time we have tried to bring in strong powers to tackle crime and terrorism, which is vote against them and claim they aren't strong enough.""We hope this will have a huge impact, and we hope opposition parties will give the support necessary rather than what they have done every time we have tried to bring in strong powers to tackle crime and terrorism, which is vote against them and claim they aren't strong enough."
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said the measures would be a major weapon in combating "untouchable" criminals.Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said the measures would be a major weapon in combating "untouchable" criminals.
CRIMINALS' RESTRICTIONS Financial, property or business dealingsWorking arrangementsPeople who can be associated or communicated withAccess to premisesTravel in the UK or abroadCRIMINALS' RESTRICTIONS Financial, property or business dealingsWorking arrangementsPeople who can be associated or communicated withAccess to premisesTravel in the UK or abroad
He said: "There are people who try to stay remote from crime, who try to encourage crime but never get their hands dirty.He said: "There are people who try to stay remote from crime, who try to encourage crime but never get their hands dirty.
"We want to ensure that, while our methods are proportionate, we can get to them."We want to ensure that, while our methods are proportionate, we can get to them.
"People who believe they are beyond the law and untouchable will know that the government is on the side of the ordinary law-abiding majority.""People who believe they are beyond the law and untouchable will know that the government is on the side of the ordinary law-abiding majority."
'Lower standard of proof' But critics warned the measures would see individuals targeted without their guilt being proven.
BBC Home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw explained: "The proposal for serious crime prevention orders is another example of the government's determination to tackle crime by using the civil courts, which rely on a lower standard of proof. Jago Russell, policy officer for civil rights campaign group Liberty, said: "We used to believe in hard evidence and fair trials in this country - now we dispense rapid-fire justice as quickly as the Government can develop a catchy four-letter acronym for it.
"Under the plans, the High Court would be able to impose strict conditions on a suspects' activities and businesses, restricting where they go, who they meet, their access to bank accounts and the internet. This is sort of an Al Capone bill - you know, if we can't get you on one, we'll get you on another John StalkerEx-police chief
"The measures have been likened to the terrorist control orders, which have been dogged by problems since their introduction two years." "These new orders targeted at the 'Mr Bigs' of the criminal world will likely be as unfair and ineffective as Asbos and control orders before them."
He added that the three terrorist suspects already on the run - the third having absconded this month - "raised doubts about the wisdom of introducing a similar scheme for gangsters and fraudsters". And former deputy chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, John Stalker, told BBC Radio 4's World At One programme that the government was going down a dangerous route.
He added: "My view is that criminals should be dealt with under the criminal law and that Asbos, super-Asbos as these are being called, are not the answer to heavyweight criminals. They maybe OK for hoodies on the street but they are not for heavyweight criminals.
"This is sort of an Al Capone bill - you know, if we can't get you on one, we'll get you on another."
The serious crime prevention orders would be applied for by the Crown Prosecution Service, Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office or the Serious Fraud Office.The serious crime prevention orders would be applied for by the Crown Prosecution Service, Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office or the Serious Fraud Office.
An order could be imposed by the courts if they believed on the balance of probability that the suspect had acted in a way which helped or was likely to help a serious crime.An order could be imposed by the courts if they believed on the balance of probability that the suspect had acted in a way which helped or was likely to help a serious crime.
Orders would also be used if courts felt it was necessary and proportionate to prevent such criminal harm in the future.Orders would also be used if courts felt it was necessary and proportionate to prevent such criminal harm in the future.
It would be a High Court civil order that could be challenged in the Court of Appeal.It would be a High Court civil order that could be challenged in the Court of Appeal.
The Home Office suggested more than 1,000 people could be targeted by the proposed order.The Home Office suggested more than 1,000 people could be targeted by the proposed order.