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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Kerb crawling soon to be outlawed | Kerb crawling soon to be outlawed |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Kerb crawling is to be outlawed in Northern Ireland. | Kerb crawling is to be outlawed in Northern Ireland. |
| Policing Minister Paul Goggins has told the Commons Northern Ireland Grand Committee he plans to introduce legislation to this effect next year. | Policing Minister Paul Goggins has told the Commons Northern Ireland Grand Committee he plans to introduce legislation to this effect next year. |
| "We are going to change the law to introduce this as a specific offence," said Mr Goggins. | "We are going to change the law to introduce this as a specific offence," said Mr Goggins. |
| There have been repeated calls for NI to be brought into line with England and Wales, where it is an offence to cruise streets looking for sex. | There have been repeated calls for NI to be brought into line with England and Wales, where it is an offence to cruise streets looking for sex. |
| Mr Goggins was also asked about the controversial 50% remission sentencing policy. | Mr Goggins was also asked about the controversial 50% remission sentencing policy. |
| "It has taken some time to draft legislation but it was important that it was done properly so the law works in practice," he said. | "It has taken some time to draft legislation but it was important that it was done properly so the law works in practice," he said. |
| "Certainly I intend to end 50% remission at the earliest opportunity for violent perpetrators, including sex offenders." | "Certainly I intend to end 50% remission at the earliest opportunity for violent perpetrators, including sex offenders." |
| Prison | Prison |
| However, Mr Goggins admitted that any change in the law would not apply to offenders already in prison. | However, Mr Goggins admitted that any change in the law would not apply to offenders already in prison. |
| Former lord mayor of Belfast Councillor Pat McCarthy welcomed the announcement. | Former lord mayor of Belfast Councillor Pat McCarthy welcomed the announcement. |
| "I have been campaigning for such a law for several years, and two years ago I organised public meetings on the issue," he said. | "I have been campaigning for such a law for several years, and two years ago I organised public meetings on the issue," he said. |
| "I also used my time as lord mayor of Belfast to highlight the problems associated with drivers cruising looking for prostitutes, particularly in the part of the Markets area adjoining the city centre. | "I also used my time as lord mayor of Belfast to highlight the problems associated with drivers cruising looking for prostitutes, particularly in the part of the Markets area adjoining the city centre. |
| "Life is very difficult for people in this area, including families with children. Their frustration was all the greater because despite all the best efforts of the police, their hands were tied by the lack of suitable legislation. | "Life is very difficult for people in this area, including families with children. Their frustration was all the greater because despite all the best efforts of the police, their hands were tied by the lack of suitable legislation. |