The Metropolitan Police is refusing to comply with new advice to make fewer arrests in response to the overcrowded prisons crisis. This directive, issued by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) last week, has sparked a significant dispute among senior police officers. Former Met Police detective Peter Bleksley criticized the directive as a 'huge dereliction of duty.' Despite the overcrowding issue, Met Police leaders, including Dame Lynne Owens, have stated they will continue to prioritize public safety and necessary arrests. Chief Constables have been asked to stop operations that might lead to large-scale arrests due to full prisons, with around 12% of prisoners being foreigners. The situation has also drawn comments from London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who blamed the government's mismanagement of the prison system for the crisis. Meanwhile, the Bar Council has urged the government to address the long-term demands placed on the criminal justice system.
Britain’s prisons are crowded, violent and failing in their goal of rehabilitation. The government could take one simple step that would make them better: https://t.co/rpl2dTK57O 👇
In the face of an ongoing prison capacity crisis, chair of the justice committee @neill_bob calls for "a cross-party prioritisation of prisons and sentencing policy" ⬇️ https://t.co/kUNJZGFlln
Fifty-eight people and 19 firms are suspected of crimes in connection with a fire that ravaged #London’s Grenfell Tower in 2017, killing 72 people and prompting national soul-searching over building standards and treatment of low-income communities. https://t.co/tkidIIBzfS
👮 Met Police won’t stop arresting criminals during the prison crisis https://t.co/myAq3ySL1S
Grenfell Investigation Update One of the most complex investigations ever launched, we are committed to following the evidence wherever it takes us. It must be thorough and diligent - we owe that to those who lost their lives and all those affected. 📰 https://t.co/NNX3CxoO49 https://t.co/fmfHq7IeZF
Stop blaming barristers' strike for prison population crisis, says Bar Chair Sam Townend KC, adding: "The true cause is a long-term hike in demands the Government has placed on the criminal justice system while starving it of resources needed." Read on⬇️ https://t.co/GbYgJZ0ubZ
We are working with the Government and others to ease pressure on our prisons. The Met will always put protecting the public first. This means we do not agree to pausing any necessary arrests. 📰 | You can read more here: https://t.co/XpHVfSDaBv
Important statement from Met leaders today. The Government’s woeful mismanagement of our prisons system won’t mean the Met Police stop making necessary arrests in London. They’ll always put protecting the public first. https://t.co/aYs6NB6xFE
I understand and share the deep frustration of the bereaved, survivors, the local community and all those affected seeking justice following the appalling Grenfell Tower fire tragedy. The Met have today set out their ongoing work to hold those responsible to account and will…
Huge row erupts as police refuse order to arrest fewer people because prisons are full https://t.co/O0wCUtPXtt
⚠️ DOZENS OF PEOPLE AND GROUPS ARE SUSPECTS IN 2017 LONDON HOUSING BLAZE Full Story → https://t.co/qCZwJYZiRp Fifty-eight people and 19 firms and organisations are suspected of crimes in connection with a fire that ravaged London's Grenfell Tower in 2017, killing 72 people…
Broken Britain. Chief Constables have been asked to stop operations that might lead to large scale arrests, because prisons are full. Around 12% of prisoners in jail are foreigners. Immigration strikes again. Our useless @ukhomeoffice needs to go. https://t.co/DgJBVtR20H
Lock them up: Met hits back at edict for police to detain fewer suspects https://t.co/LRNCIbGtGO
NEW: The Metropolitan Police is refusing to follow new advice to make fewer arrests in response to the prisons overcrowding crisis. A major row has broken out among Britain's most senior police officers following the new advice, issued by the NPCC last week. Dame Lynne… https://t.co/mLVOsjpnJj
Former Met Police detective Peter Bleksley says instructions for police to arrest fewer people due to overcrowded prisons are “utterly pathetic”. “Issuing a directive like this… is a huge dereliction of duty.” @ThatAlexWoman https://t.co/bnFU4t9taF