Waveney MP Peter Aldous has welcomed a range of new crime and justice measures announced by the Government this week. The tough and intelligent reforms will see offenders face tougher punishments and victims’ rights put first.

Proposals outlined by Prime Minister David Cameron, Home Secretary Theresa May and Justice Secretary Chris Grayling include:

• Tougher community sentences which will see all offenders take part in meaningful punishments,


• A new offence, carrying a life sentence, for the middlemen who supply firearms,


• New powers for local communities to restrict the sale of alcohol in the early hours,


• Rolling out the use of the payment by results model across the prison service to tackle reoffending.

Commenting Mr Aldous said:

‘Crime and antisocial behaviour causes misery in local communities. We need a criminal justice system which is tough, but intelligent. For too long community sentences have been seen as a soft option and victims have been let down. Victims should come first and offenders face meaningful a punishment.

The changes which the government have set out will see punishment return to community sentences, a new offence for people who supply guns, new powers to tackle alcohol-fuelled antisocial behaviour and a new focus on tackling reoffending.’