PRITI Patel today declares there will be no more soft sentences for terrorists as ministers unleash a sweeping crackdown after the London Bridge attack.
The Home Secretary reveals sweeping new protections for the public will be rushed through Parliament to stop another convicted extremist like Usman Khan striking again.
Ms Patel has declared it: ‘the largest overhaul of our response to terrorism in nearly two decades’
Priti Patel has unveiled a crackdown to end soft sentences for terrorists to stop another convicted extremist like Usman Khan striking again
Under the tough new blueprint promised by the Tories during the general election campaign:
- The most serious terror offenders who receive extended determinate sentences will get no early release at all.
- Non-lethal offences such as preparing acts of terrorism will now get a mandatory minimum of 14, up from as little as three years now.
- Lie detectors will be used on terror convicts in jail for the first time to see whether they have reformed.
Writing for HOAR today, the senior Cabinet minister declares it the largest overhaul of our response to terrorism in nearly two decades.
Ms Patel adds: Have no doubt: if you seek to attack our people, destroy our families and tear our communities apart then your punishment will be severe.
There will be no more soft sentences and no more roaming the streets unrestricted. Khan killed two in a frenzied knife attack on November 29 after being released from Belmarsh early on license, before being shot dead by cops.
The crackdown enforced jointly by Justice Secretary Robert Buckland will also see a major overhaul of the terrorist licensing regime, and the number of specialist counter terror probation officers will be doubled.
The sentencing changes will come in a new Counter-Terrorism Bill, to be put in front of MPs within 100 days.
An independent review is also being launched into the way the array of different bodies investigate and monitor terror offenders, including MI5 and the police.
And an extra 90m will be poured into the polices counter terrorism budget, raising it to 906m a year.
Justice Secretary Mr Buckland added: Terrorists pose a great risk to our society and our way of life, which is why we must bring them to justice and keep the public safe.
Coupled with our strong measures to manage terrorists behind bars, this Counter-Terrorism Bill toughens restrictions on offenders communications, increases the number of specialist staff managing them and will ensure they are monitored effectively.
Labour dubbed the moves an admission of failure, after ten years in government.
Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott MP added: Major terrorist outrages have occurred all too frequently, including attacks by perpetrators who were known to the security services.
