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28-day police bail limit proposed for England and Wales | 28-day police bail limit proposed for England and Wales |
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The time people can be put on pre-charge police bail could be limited to 28 days, the home secretary has said. | The time people can be put on pre-charge police bail could be limited to 28 days, the home secretary has said. |
Revealing the proposal, Theresa May said it "cannot be right that people can spend months or even years on pre-charge bail with no oversight". | Revealing the proposal, Theresa May said it "cannot be right that people can spend months or even years on pre-charge bail with no oversight". |
The limit could be extended in exceptional circumstances through a court application, she said. | The limit could be extended in exceptional circumstances through a court application, she said. |
It follows high-profile cases where suspects have been placed on bail for long periods but never charged. | It follows high-profile cases where suspects have been placed on bail for long periods but never charged. |
The proposal forms part of a consultation paper published by the Home Office setting out potential changes that would result in "the greatest reform of that legislation" in 30 years, Mrs May said. | The proposal forms part of a consultation paper published by the Home Office setting out potential changes that would result in "the greatest reform of that legislation" in 30 years, Mrs May said. |
'Statutory time limit' | 'Statutory time limit' |
Proposals include revising the Police and Criminal Evidence Act so suspects under investigation can be released without bail. | Proposals include revising the Police and Criminal Evidence Act so suspects under investigation can be released without bail. |
Mrs May also proposed measures to increase co-operation between the police and other public sector organisations so evidence can be obtained more quickly. | Mrs May also proposed measures to increase co-operation between the police and other public sector organisations so evidence can be obtained more quickly. |
She told MPs the government was "determined" to support police, but said the plans would reduce the number of people subjected to pre-charge police bail and the average time spent on bail. | She told MPs the government was "determined" to support police, but said the plans would reduce the number of people subjected to pre-charge police bail and the average time spent on bail. |
"That is why we launched a review to fundamentally re-examine the way pre-charge bail is used and authorised", Mrs May said. | "That is why we launched a review to fundamentally re-examine the way pre-charge bail is used and authorised", Mrs May said. |
"I encourage people to share their views and help shape these reforms." | "I encourage people to share their views and help shape these reforms." |
Figures published by BBC Radio 5live in October found that 71,526 people were on pre-charge bail at that time from 40 police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. | Figures published by BBC Radio 5live in October found that 71,526 people were on pre-charge bail at that time from 40 police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. |
That figure included 5,480 people who had been on bail for more than six months. One suspect had been on bail for three-and-a-half years from the Metropolitan Police. | That figure included 5,480 people who had been on bail for more than six months. One suspect had been on bail for three-and-a-half years from the Metropolitan Police. |
BBC broadcaster Paul Gambaccini was on bail for a year before the Crown Prosecution Service concluded he would not face action over alleged historical sex offences. | |
He said he had suffered "12 months of trauma". | He said he had suffered "12 months of trauma". |
The proposed changes follow a campaign backed by former Home Office minister Damian Green which warned people were "languishing in a form of legal limbo" in the current bail system. | The proposed changes follow a campaign backed by former Home Office minister Damian Green which warned people were "languishing in a form of legal limbo" in the current bail system. |
The consultation will be open until 8 February 2015. | The consultation will be open until 8 February 2015. |