We will seize wealthy drug users’ passports as a deterrent, says PM
BORIS JOHNSON is reportedly set to unveil a package of measures to tackle drug use in Britain, including seizing passports as part of a travel-ban punishment.
The Prime Minister wants to clamp down on dealers, addicts and casual users who he says are fuelling burglaries and violent robberies, he told The
Sun on Sunday. One of the punishments being considered is giving courts the power to stop well-off Class A drug users from being able to go abroad by seizing their passport for a period of time, rather than dishing out a fine which they can easily pay.
Mr Johnson will announce the measures as part of a 10-year plan to be launched this week, the paper reports.
“We are going to look at new ways of penalising them. Things that will actually interfere with their lives so we will look at taking away passports and driving licences,” he said. The announcement comes as the Government is to increase the amount paid by convicted criminals towards the cost of maintaining support services for their victims.
Under proposals being put forward by ministers, the Victim Surcharge is to rise to a minimum of £100, on top of an overall increase of 20 per cent promised in the Conservative’s manifesto.
The rise will mean that even those convicted of minor offences which receive a conditional discharge will pay the £100 minimum. Currently the surcharge is as low as £22 for a conditional discharge, or £34 for someone given a fine and £95 for someone handed a community sentence.
A Ministry of Justice source said: “We want to ensure criminals take greater responsibility for the cost of supporting victims to recover from what they have suffered.”
The Victim Surcharge helps fund vital services such as rape support centres and the National Homicide Service, which ministers say have been under increased demand as a result of the pandemic.
The measures will be included in a consultation on a new Victims’ Bill to be published on Thursday.
“Under our consultation proposals, we will increase the victim surcharge, so criminals pay millions of pounds more towards crucial victim services,” said the source.
The Government will also set out other plans to clamp down on drugrelated crime. Measures in the drugs strategy White Paper will include pursuing the criminal gangs responsible for bringing drugs into the country.
It is understood that under a new Bill victims will also enjoy greater protection, including giving rape victims the right to pre-record their evidence and a stronger complaints system.
Dominic Raab, the Justice Secretary, says that the proposals will also put victims of wider antisocial behaviour on a par with victims of a specific crime.