CHESHIRE’S Police Crime Commissioner John Dwyer has welcomed the review of the use of police cautions launched by the Lord Chancellor which aims to stop serious and repeat offenders from escaping with a caution. 
He said: “So long as the review is measured and balanced against the needs of the victim, it will ensure that the people who commit serious crimes are brought to answer for their crimes appropriately.
“However, sometimes, it is the victim who does not wish to press charges and police officers must be victim focussed in their use of discretion. I am a firm believer in not letting offenders get away with serious crimes, and if a caution is the most appropriate outcome to prevent re-offending, it should only be used once.”
Working with the police and other criminal justice professionals, the review by the Ministry of Justice will scrutinise the way in which “simple” cautions are currently used and consider the need for any changes.
In Cheshire, the number of simple cautions fell by 17 per cent from 2,414 in 2011 to 1,999 last year.
Justice secretary Chris Grayling said: “While we should not remove police officer discretion, the public and victims have a right to expect that people who commit serious crimes should be brought before a court. This review is a significant step to ensuring that cautions are used correctly and in the interests of justice.”
Picture: John Dwyer at his desk
Cautions review welcomed by PCC
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
