§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he intends to take in respect of electronically monitored curfew orders for 10 to 15-year-olds following the pilots in Greater Manchester and Norfolk. [139446]
§ Mr. StrawI am pleased to announce that, following successful trials, electronically monitored curfew orders for 10 to 15-year-olds will be available to the courts from 1 February 2001.
The curfew orders will be a means of keeping young offenders at home, off the streets and away from shopping centres and other places where they may get into trouble. By keeping young offenders out of harm"s way we believe the curfew order should be able to prevent young offenders from re-offending and help protect the public.
The roll-out of electronically monitored curfews for 10 to 15-year-olds should be seen within the context of the youth justice reforms as a whole. Tackling youth crime and reforming the youth justice system remains a key priority.
The evaluation report of the trials is being published today, and I am arranging for a copy to be placed in the Library.