MORE stop and searches and extra time in jail for rapists and murderers can stop young people getting trapped in the “conveyor belt to crime”, Boris Johnson said today.
The PM promised to stop Brits getting locked in the criminal justice system with more opportunities, hope and encouragement.
He hosted a roundtable this morning of top police officers and justice representatives where he vowed a fresh crackdown on Britain’s violent crime epidemic.
Boris told officials including Met Police chief Cressida Dick: “Number one – you’ve got to stop young people becoming criminals.
“Stop them getting on what used to be called the conveyor belt to crime, turn their lives around earlier, give them opportunities, hope and encouragement that they need.”
He promised to back the police all the way to give them whatever powers they needed to tackle crime, and sick thugs who try and stop them doing their jobs.
Just yesterday an officer in Birmingham was run over by his own car in a sickening attack – and now faces life-changing injuries.
Boris said police faced huge threats and risks in order to keep us safe – and that they “need our backing… I passionately believe that”.
He promised a review of sentencing as “too many series sexual and violent offenders are coming out too early”.
The news comes after a huge public outcry when serial sex offender John Worboys was almost released from prison much sooner than expected.
Last year The Sun successfully campaigned for him to be behind bars after the Parole Board concluded he was still a danger to the public.
Boris has also promised 10,000 extra prison places at a cost of £2.5billion, and 20,000 more officers are on the way at a cost of £1.1billion.
An extension of stop and search powers has also been unveiled as part of a drive to tackle knife crime blighting Britain.
Boris said last night: “Dangerous criminals must be kept off our streets, serving the sentences they deserve – victims want to see it, the public want to see it and I want to see it.
“To ensure confidence in the system, the punishment must truly fit the crime.
“We have all seen examples of rapists and murderers let out too soon or people offending again as soon as they’re released.
“This ends now. We want them caught, locked up, punished and properly rehabilitated.”
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