The Criminal Justice Bill expands police powers against citizens in some worrying ways, according to Neil Parpworth of Leicester De Montfort Law School, in this week’s NLJ
Parpworth covers, in particular, clause 22 (seizing of bladed articles and suspected stolen goods) and clause 24 (warrantless entry and search). He explores whether the powers within the clauses could be misused and whether sufficient safeguards exist.
He writes: ‘The language the Bill uses in clauses 22 and 24 reflects familiar concepts and terminology in existing police powers. Nevertheless, what is being proposed amounts to a significant extension of such powers in the contexts of knife and acquisitive crime.’
The Bill is currently on its way through the House of Commons. Parpworth looks at the potential implications of these and some other clauses and at commentary thus far during parliamentary debates.
RELATED ARTICLES
