The website now includes incidents of crime and antisocial behaviour recorded at all train stations and railway networks. Soon incidents occurring at or near significant local sites like shopping areas, nightclubs, parks, airports, universities, car parks and hospitals will be added too.

In addition, the website now has more specific detail on the precise location of incidents – while still protecting anonymity.

From May this year police.uk will show the action taken by the police or the justice outcome after a crime.

Dr Lee commented: “Police.uk gives everyone in Bracknell constituency information on just what crime and anti-social behaviour is happening right on their street. In the year since its launch the website has received an astonishing 453 million hits and this upgrade will make even more detail available. I’m pleased the Home Office is listening to the public’s demand for even more information on crime in their neighbourhood ahead of the election this November of our Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley Police.’

The Government is introducing a ‘two strikes’ policy so that a mandatory life sentence will be given to anyone convicted of a second very serious sexual or violent crime. Any adult convicted of using a knife to threaten and endanger will go to jail and we propose that any 16 or 17 year old will face a custodial sentence for the same offence. Also the Government is ending the practice of releasing dangerous sexual and violent offenders halfway through their sentence. Those who have been convicted of the most serious crimes in this category will not be released before the end of their sentence without Parole Board approval.

Dr Lee commented: “I welcome the Government’s decision on life sentences for serious offenders. People across Bracknell will feel safer knowing knives are being taken off our streets and serious and dangerous offenders are in prison for life. Under Labour almost 80 per cent of convicted knife criminals avoided jail. Criminals were let out of prison early and all too often went on to reoffend, committing further violent offences, including rape and murder. It’s time to restore common sense to the sentencing of criminals.”

The new rules will see unemployed criminals forced to work a minimum of 28 hours over four days, with the fifth day spent looking for full-time employment.

These proposals are part of the Government’s plans to reform sentencing and tackle the root causes of offending. As well as giving something back to communities affected by crime, they will help bring structure to offenders’ lives. This will encourage them back into the routine of hard and meaningful work.

Dr Lee commented:

“People want to see offenders punished for their crimes as well as giving back to the community. They should be made to work the full five-day week that decent, law-abiding citizens do, rather than idly waste their lives on street corners.”

“The introduction of a regular, meaningful working week will help break the cycle of crime and tackle the appalling rate of reoffending we inherited from Labour. We will then see fewer criminals, fewer victims of crime and big savings for the taxpayer – a thoroughly positive result for society and the local community here in Bracknell.”

In the Emergency Debate on Thursday the 11th of August, during an exchange between Dr Phillip Lee, MP for Bracknell, and Sir Gerald Kaufman, MP for Manchester, he spoke about the fact that poverty is no excuse to poor and violent behaviour.

Dr Lee commented: “I happened to be watching events the other night with my 87-year-old grandfather, who was born into abject poverty—seven living in a two-bedroom terrace cottage with an outside loo that was a hole in the garden. I turned to him and said, “Did you ever think of rioting? Did you ever think of stealing the latest gadget?” and he said, “No.” Why is it that in the 1930s poverty was not an excuse for poor behaviour, but apparently in the 21st century it is?”

See full debate from Hansard here

In the Emergency Debate at the House of Commons on the Inner City Looting on Thursday the 11th of August, Dr Phillip Lee, MP for Bracknell, paid tribute to the Thames Valley Police on the support that they provided in London in recent days.

During the Prime Minister’s statement, Dr Lee enquired whether the Prime Minister would agree that relative poverty is no excuse for having no values.

During the statement, the Prime Minister concurred with his question and stated that there is no excuse for the sort of law breaking, looting and violence that we saw. It is necessary to restore equality in Britain, allow opportunities to be spread more equally and make our schools the engines of social mobility.

Dr Lee commented: “We will provide support to those that need help and were the victims of these appalling crimes. We will have to work hard to help turn offenders away from a life of crime.”

See full debate from Hansard here

Dr Phillip Lee, MP for Bracknell, has welcomed Government proposals for tougher community sentences that will see offenders forced to spend longer in their homes, keeping the streets safer.

Extending the maximum daily curfew time from 12 to 16 hours, and the period for which they can be imposed from six to 12 months, will better protect communities and ensure offenders face meaningful punishments that help stop them reoffending.  Curfews not only restrict liberty but they can bring order to chaotic lives.

These new proposals are part of the Government’s plans to reform sentencing and tackle the root causes of offending.

Dr Phillip Lee said:

“These tougher curfew conditions will keep offenders in Bracknell off the street for longer, stop them socialising in the evenings and keep them away from situations that could land them in trouble again. This is part of the Government’s proposals to reform the Criminal Justice System and will help to keep communities safe whilst important work is done with offenders to turn them away from a life of crime.”

Dr. Phillip Lee, MP for Bracknell, announces that the Government will do everything necessary to restore order to Britain’s streets and to make them safe for law abiding citizens.

Police officers have shown incredible bravery confronting the gangs. Dr Phillip Lee urges to place more police on the streets and ensure more robust police action. Leave within the Metropolitan Police has been cancelled and the Met have indicated that many more police will be on the streets of London in the coming hours than previously. Already several hundred people have been arrested and the Government is making sure that court procedures and processes are speeded up.

Dr Phillip Lee commented:

“Those who are responsible for this wrongdoing and criminality should be clear; they will feel the full force of the law. If they are old enough to commit these crimes, they are old enough to face the punishment. I am glad that Parliament will be recalled for a day on Thursday and I will be returning to Parliament myself. The Prime Minister will make a statement and a debate will be held so that the House can come together in condemnation of these crimes and stand together in determination to rebuild these communities.”

“I am sure that the people of Bracknell share my disgust of these appalling events. The roots of this behaviour go back many many years. The failures of our education system, the dependency by our welfare state, the breakdown of our families and spiritual life and the tendency over the years for politicians to provide excuses of poor behaviour. The solutions to these obvious problems will not be easy. However, I intend to play my part in bringing about a safer and more responsible society in Britain.”

In his written response the Prime Minister joined Dr Lee in praising and thanking the fire and police services. He said that at its height there were in excess of 150 fire fighters from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service with support from surrounding Fire and Rescue Services fighting the fire. He explained that there had been deployment of Government funded national assets such as high volume water pumps and that the Government had provided Royal Berkshire with assistance from the Armed Forces.

Furthermore, he outlined that in terms of financial support, the Department of Communities and Local Government is operating a scheme of Emergency Financial Assistance for local authorities to help with its immediate costs following an emergency or disaster in its area.

Finally, the Prime Minister explained that the Minister responsible for Fire, Bob Neill, was ready to provide Dr Lee with further information, and so Dr Lee has followed up this issue further with Mr Neill.

See Dr Lee’s question from PMQs on 4th May 2011 here:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110504/debtext/110504-0001.htm#11050491001757

One can’t help thinking, with legislation of this nature, that the point at which it becomes politically possible for it to be enacted, is precisely the point when it becomes unnecessary.

– Rowan Atkinson (Letter to The Times, Nov 7th)

Today, I have been driven from my self-imposed rest from blogging by yesterday’s announcement within the Queen’s Speech that the government intends to pass further legislation to “protect” homosexuals, and possibly also the disabled and trans-sexuals, by outlawing incitement of hatred against them. This law (yet another from this law-crazy government) is to be part of a new Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill to be introduced by the Justice Minister, Jack Straw MP.

In response to this proposed Act Rowan Atkinson has penned a thoughtful letter to The Times. On first appearances, any legislation that seeks to protect minority groups might appear admirable. The problem with this type of law is, however, in what constitutes threatening language. How does one assess the degree of incitement to hatred a particular statement (or novel, stageplay, etc.) constitutes? I am reminded of a scene from the first series of Blackadder when Baldrick walks in to find Percy and Blackadder apparently engaged in a homosexual act. Was that scene (watch from 5 mins) constructed to get a laugh from the audience because of its homosexual content, and if so, did it constitute an attempt to incite the contempt and ridicule of homosexuals? I remember laughing heartily at the scene and, yet, I do not recall then having developed a prejudice against gay men. My fear is that poorly drafted legislation could in effect outlaw this type of scene from a future situation comedy. Would support for equality for gay people then be strengthened? Answer: No. Prejudice against homosexuals is not acceptable in British society, however, jokes that are deemed offensive to some should not necessarily be criminal acts. Poorly-drafted legislation such as that propsed by this government will not help eradicate gay prejudice. Sadly, it will more likely exacerbate the problem. Ignorant Acts can often lead to more ignorance.

On Tuesday afternoon I spoke in the Conference Hall about how Conservatives would care for drug addicts and thereby reduce crime. I said the following:

GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

ONE OF THE MANY REASONS I JOINED THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY IN 1992 WAS BECAUSE I BELIEVED THAT GOOD GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE ABOUT HELPING INDIVIDUALS WHO SEEK TO HELP THEMSELVES. SHORTLY AFTER DAVID CAMERON BECAME OUR LEADER, HE ANNOUNCED HIS INTENTION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PLACES FOR DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT. HE WAS RIGHT TO DO SO. ADDICTION AFFECTS MANY FAMILIES, BE IT ADDICTIONS TO DRINK, DRUGS OR GAMBLING.

I AM A DOCTOR WORKING WITH DRUG ADDICTS AND HENCE HAVE SEEN FIRST-HAND THE TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES OF DRUG ADDICTION. IT WAS WHILST CARING FOR THESE SOCIALLY-DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE THAT I CAME ACROSS THIS DOCUMENT. THIS IS A LIST OF “TEST ON ARREST” OFFENCES, FROM THEFT AND BURGLARY THROUGH TO FRAUD. IF SOMEONE COMMITS ONE OF THESE CRIMES HE/SHE IS AUTOMATICALLY GIVEN A DRUGS TEST. MORE IMPORTANTLY FOR THE OFFENDER, HOWEVER, IT LEADS TO ADDICTION TREATMENT WITHIN 48 HOURS. IF, HOWEVER, A DRUG ADDICT HONESTLY AND INDEPENDENTLY SEEKS TREATMENT FOR THEIR PROBLEM, THEY HAVE TO WAIT 2 WEEKS. SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK HAPPENS? CRIMES ARE COMMITTED TO QUALIFY FOR IMMEDIATE TREATMENT.

WHEN THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY GETS INTO POWER NEXT MONTH, IT SHOULD REMOVE THIS INCENTIVE TO COMMIT CRIME AND PROMISE TO PROVIDE MORE DRUG TREATMENT PLACES. BY DOING SO, IT WOULD REDUCE CRIME AND IMPROVE THE LOT OF SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR SOCIETY. IN SHORT, IT WOULD BE A POLICY THAT IS TOUGH ON CRIME AND COMPASSIONATE ABOUT THOSE WHO ARE TRAPPED IN THE VICIOUS SPIRAL OF DRUG ADDICTION. IT WOULD BE AN EXAMPLE OF PROPER SOCIAL JUSTICE IN ACTION.