Acceptable Behaviour Orders

Answer: The hon. Lady makes a reasonable point, but it is precisely the Government’s position that we expect people caught and charged with burglary to be put before the courts. That is what we expect. We do not expect behavioural interventions to happen for burglary, though it may be that, on conviction, a criminal sentence is given by the court, with an antisocial behaviour order applied as well as the criminal sentence. Intervention before, however, is not appropriate. As far as the Home Office is concerned, we believe that any burglar should be arrested, charged and put before the courts.

This is an answer to the Oral question asked on Monday, 11 June 2007 by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative).

Question: Will the Minister therefore account for the fact that there have been very credible newspaper reports that the Government are planning to introduce antisocial behaviour orders or acceptable behaviour contracts for first-time offenders of burglary? Will the Government now take this opportunity to restore the balance in favour of the victims of burglary, such as the mother of my hon. Friend the Member for Southend, West (Mr. Amess), because the law has moved too far in favour of the offender rather than the victim?

Secondary information

Type: Oral answer to question
Reference: 461 c509
Session: 2006-07
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Crime Burglary Punishment First offenders Acceptable behaviour contracts
Link: View this Oral answer to question on www.publications.parliament.uk