In Today's Papers

By Maria Ahmed, Amy Taylor and Derren Hayes

Thugs who say ‘sorry’ re-offend

Making criminals say sorry to their victims does nothing to cut crime, according to a Home Office report. 

A study of 37,000 cases of ‘restorative justice’ found there was ‘insufficient’ evidence that it was more effective than traditional cautioning.

Source:- The Daily Mail Tuesday 4 January 2005 page 6

Anti-bullying alliance ‘bullies members’

A high-profile government drive to tackle bullying has come under fire amid claims by a leading anti-bullying charity that it has been told to sign a gagging clause to be part of the scheme. Critics, including MPs, have accused the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA), an umbrella group of more than 50 voluntary, private and professional organisations backed by £570,000 government funding, of using bullying tactics itself in trying to suppress criticism. The ABA rejected the claims.

Source:- The Guardian Tuesday 4 January 2005 page 6

Girl’s death ‘may be drug-related’

A teenage girl’s sudden death after a New Year’s Eve party may have been drug-related, police said yesterday.

Lisa Marie Gardner was taken ill soon after midnight at a friend’s house after a night out in Plymouth town centre.

Police said they were not ruling out the possibility that the 17-year-old took illegal drugs, possibly ecstasy.

Source:- The Guardian Tuesday 4 January 2005 page 7

Man held on Amy killing freed

Police hunting the killer of a 14-year-old pregnant schoolgirl found murdered in a Shropshire churchyard on December 27 have released a man from custody after questioning.

Amy Williams was last seen on Boxing Day after leaving a family party. Results of tests to determine whether she was sexually assaulted are due this week.

Source:- The Guardian Tuesday 4 January 2005 page 7

Asylum seekers unite to fight racial abuse

Women involved in support project in Manchester tell stories of harassment and how they cope while awaiting visa applications decisions.

Source:- The Guardian Tuesday 4 January 2005 page 12

Doctors fear alcohol epidemic

An epidemic of alcohol-related problems is afflicting Britain, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The college gave warning yesterday that excessive drinking is the cause of major problems relating to violence and illness.

Source:- The Times Tuesday 4 January 2005 page 14

Clampdown on fine defaulters

Offenders who fail to pay fines will face the prospect of having their cars clamped and their wages docked or being put on a credit blacklist, under a new range of sanctions announced yesterday. Magistrates’ courts will also be given access to the police national computer to help them track down fine defaulters with criminal records.


Source:- The Financial Times Tuesday 4 January 2005 page 2

Scottish newspapers

Making criminals apologise fails to cut re-offending

Restorative justice, when criminals meet their victims to apologise, has failed to cut reoffending rates, a Home Office study has revealed.

The programme, which was pioneered by Thames Valley Police, has been championed by the Scottish executive.

Source:- The Scotsman Tuesday 4 January

Ministers warned over cost of charity law change

Some of Scotland’s charities and national arts bodies are campaigning to change a new bill that would end their charitable status and cost them millions of pounds.

They say vital development projects will have to be scrapped because private donors will not give to them unless they retain
their charity.

Source:- The Herald Tuesday 4 January.

Satellites to track pervs

A satellite device is being used to track paedophiles in tests by the government.

The system is designed to alert authorities when an offender enters a high-risk area, such as one containing a school. If successful, the pilot scheme could be extended from the 12 test subjects to all of the UK's 25,000 registered sex offenders.

Source:- The Daily Record Tuesday 4 January.

Welsh newspapers

Teachers criticise drug testing in school

Teaching unions in Wales have criticised the introduction of random drug testing in a state school in Kent.

Pupils at the Abbey School in Faversham, Kent, will be faced with the testing when they return from their Christmas holiday.

Anti-drugs campaigners in Wales also condemned the plans.

Source:-Western Mail Tuesday 4 January