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Leaflets to name local criminals
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent25 Feb 2009
OFFENDERS could be named and shamed on leaflets under plans being considered by ministers.
Home Office officials are said to be pushing the idea for the leaflets to be handed out in local communities but face resistance from their counterparts at the Justice Ministry.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw is said to support publishing details of punishments on court intranets, but the Home Office has yet to win the battle to include the plan in a justice Green Paper to be published next month.
Criminals fear publicity as much as jail or fines, according to government research.
The Ministry of Justice says the leaflets could fuel vigilantism but the Home Office thinks they would help to restore public faith in the justice system.
Reader views (5)
Think of the human rights violations, won't somebody protect them from the nasty police state? They didn't mean to burgle your house it was a fit of pique, it was an accident they were carrying a knife and stabbed someone and that time they threw fireworks through your letterbox was just high spirits.
- Bob, Cheam, 25/02/2009 16:01
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Leaflets? Whatever happened to e-government? Leaflets will cost lots to write, print and deliver - and will probably end up unread in a bin without being recycled. Use the web instead, if at all.
- Austen, London, 25/02/2009 14:33
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This is nonsense - 'research' that shows criminals don't like publicity! Has there been any research into whether or not this will reduce crime? If not it's just another potentially expensive headline grabber.
- Liberal And Proud, London, UK, 25/02/2009 13:41
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I disagree Roy to some extent, kids would be proud to be on list as they seem to be proud of ASBO's but adult criminals would hate this, I'm all for it 100%.
- Jd, London, 25/02/2009 13:14
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Named and shamed? How daft can you get! Many will treat the naming as an accolade and will probably strive to be on the list.
- Roy G, Solihull, ENGLAND, 25/02/2009 10:38
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