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• Wed May 28 2025

Senior police raise concern over early prisoner release plans

1 hour ago Share Save Harry Farley BBC News Share Save

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Senior police and security leaders have raised concerns about the government's proposals to release some prisoners early. In a letter to the Ministry of Justice, first reported by the Times, that was sent before the announcement on sentencing changes last week, they said that based on their understanding the plans "could be of net detriment to public safety". The government argued many of their concerns had been addressed. A source close to one of the signatories told the BBC it was sent not to oppose the government's sentencing reforms or raise dissent. They insisted the letter was aimed at offering advice to support and shape the policy.

The signatories included Sir Mark Rowley, the head of the Metropolitan Police; the deputy director-general of MI5; Graeme Biggar, the director-general of the National Crime Agency; Gavin Stephens, the chairman of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC); Vicki Evans, the national lead on counter-terror policing and Sacha Hatchett, the national lead on criminal justice at the NPCC. However the letter raises several concerns, including about the costs of electronic tagging and about repeat offenders avoiding jail if there is a move away from short sentences. "Even where that does not change their long-term behaviour, it provides the community with a sense of justice and temporary respite, stopping their offending during their prison term ? a point often ignored in the current narrative on recidivism rates and short sentences," they said.