SUSPECTED violent criminals being investigated by cops are being released without bail conditions – reportedly leaving attackers free to turn up at their victims’ homes.
The use of police bail – which imposes strict conditions on suspects such as them not being allowed to approach their victims or travel abroad – is said to have fallen by 70 per cent in sexual and domestic abuse cases.
Domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid slammed the stats and revealed domestic abusers had returned to their victims’ homes after being arrested and interviewed – because they weren’t banned from doing so while the investigation continued.
High-risk suspects are simply being “released under investigation” without any conditions, according to a report in the Times.
The paper claimed figures obtained from the National Police Chiefs Council showed the use of police bail fell from 70 per cent to just 7.3 per cent in serious sexual and domestic abuse cases.
The findings come after reforms were introduced designed to end the lengthy amount of time suspects who haven’t been charged with a crime can be bound by strict conditions.
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But one senior cop slammed the new bail rules.
Martyn Underhill, the elected police and crime commissioner for Dorset, accused the government of rushingthrough “poor legislation without thought of the consequences”.
A Home Office spokesman defended the system last night, pointing out cops still have the ability to add bail conditions when necessary.
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