Restrictions on serious sexual and violent criminals forcing them stay in specific areas are being planned by the government.
Offenders would be limited to a geographical zone, policed by tougher monitoring and enhanced tagging, under legislation being drawn up.
While exclusion zones are already used in licence restrictions as somewhere an offender cannot go, the new system would instead specify the confined area where they are allowed to go. Ministers say this would give victims greater peace of mind.
But there are concerns that the plans would place more pressure on the probation service – something the government says it hopes to alleviate with more staff and a greater use of technology.
Presently, serious sexual and violent offenders can be ordered upon release not to enter the area where their victim lives – but outside of these exclusions, there is a risk the two could encounter one another.
Under the government’s plans, the onus would shift to confining the offender to specific areas tailored to them and developed in consultation with the victim, with the possibility of time in prison for those who breach restrictions.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) says this would allow victims to travel free of worry about meeting their attacker.
Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones said the fresh approach would “give them the peace of mind they deserve and rebuild their lives without fear”.
