§ Mr. Robert McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many men have been(a) convicted of, and (b) cautioned for, public indecency offences over the last three years in Northern Ireland and the equivalent figures for England and Wales; and what are the present guidelines under which the RUC proceeds in relation to cautioning for such offences and the equivalent Home Office guidelines in England and Wales. [35321]
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§ Sir John WheelerStatistics and guidelines relating to England and Wales are a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary.
Males convicted of indecency offences in Northern Ireland 1993 1994 1995 Gross indecency offences 13 10 19 Indecent assault on females 69 86 85 Indecent assault on males 15 12 18 Indecent exposure offences 23 16 17 Indecent behaviour 223 300 279 The computerised recording of cautions commenced only in 1995. From 1 January 1995 to 4 July 1996, 66 persons were cautioned for the offences of gross indecency, indecent exposure with intent to insult a female, indecent exposure or indecent behaviour.
Adult and juvenile caution schemes are operated by the Royal Ulster Constabulary based on the precept that criminal offenders should not necessarily be prosecuted for their offences. The purpose of the formal caution is:
- (a) to deal quickly and simply with less serious offenders;
- (b) to divert offenders from unnecessary appearance in the criminal courts; and
- (c) to reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
Consideration is given as to whether a caution is in the public interest. Factors taken into account are the nature of the offence; the likely penalty if the offender was convicted by a court; the offender's age and state of health; the offender's previous criminal history; the offender's attitude towards the offence.
The views of the aggrieved party as regards the decision not to prosecute are considered; however the victim's consent to police administering a caution, although desirable, is not essential.