Clampdown on bail jumpers
DEFENDANTS who skip bail in Suffolk were today promised a premium service through the justice system.A new crackdown has been launched that will see police officers visit their homes and take them to court to face instant justice.
DEFENDANTS who skip bail in Suffolk were today promised a premium service through the justice system.
A new crackdown has been launched that will see police officers visit their homes and take them to court to face instant justice.
If caught on a warrant, they could be tried straight away for failing to surrender to their bail. If not at home, a postcard will be left advising them to get in touch with police.
Currently there are around 900 people with warrants issued for their arrest for failing to answer their bail. It is statistics such as these that prompted the nation-wide launch of Operation Turn-up.
Detective chief inspector John Quinton, of Suffolk police, said: "In Suffolk we already actively pursue offenders who fail to answer bail.
"We welcome this national drive to reduce the number of outstanding fail to appear warrants, which will ensure that more offenders are brought to justice.
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"Back in March last year, we set ourselves a target of reducing the number of outstanding warrants by 25 per cent by 31 March 2005.
"We'll continue to execute warrants throughout this operation."
Chris Yule, Chair of Suffolk Criminal Justice Board and chief crown prosecutor for Suffolk, said:
"Suffolk criminal justice agencies take orders of the court very seriously. Operation Turn-up will remind both defendants and the law-abiding public that those who skip bail will not get away with it.
"I advise those with a guilty conscience in Suffolk to come forward now rather than wait for a knock on the door at a time not of their choosing."
Attorney General Lord Goldsmith said: "Nearly one in eight of those bailed fail to turn up in court.
"This disrupts the course of justice, causes delays in the court process and inconveniences victims and witnesses."
