Bail tagging for 17 year olds

Young people aged 17 charged with an offence can be tagged while
they are on bail, under powers which came into force across England
and Wales yesterday.

If a 17-year-old is bailed with the condition that they must
stay at home during certain hours, they can be electronically
monitored via equipment in the home.

Bail tagging is already available to courts for children age
from 12 to 16. Home Office minister Paul Goggins said:
“Tagging is an effective extra option to control
offenders’ behaviour and reduce repeat offending.”

A Home Office spokesperson said the measure will increase the
range of non-custodial measures available to the courts, and
“will ensure that the use of custodial remands is used as a
last resort and reserved for the most serious and persistent
offenders”.