Sentence guidance for acid attack cases set to be reviewed
THE sentencing of those found guilty of acid attacks will be assessed as part of a Government strategy aimed at reducing the number of incidents.
The Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) guidance to prosecutors will be reviewed as part of the plan to ensure it makes clear that acid and other corrosive substances can be classed as dangerous weapons, the Home Office has announced.
The Poisons Act 1972 will be reviewed to assess whether it should cover more acids and harmful substances, and the Home Office will work with police and the Ministry of Justice to assess whether the powers available to the courts, including sentencing, are sufficient.
These measures will form part of a review of the law enforcement and criminal justice response, existing legislation, access to harmful products and the support offered to victims.
Labour MP Stephen Timms, who will lead an adjournment debate on acid attacks in the Commons tomorrow, has already called for tougher sentences for those found guilty, while acid attack survivor Katie Piper said victims face a “life sentence” as she also called on tougher sentencing to act as a deterrent.
The TV presenter, author and charity campaigner has undergone more than 250 operations after an ex-boyfriend arranged the assault nearly a decade ago.
In an open letter published in the Scars, Burns & Healing medical journal on Thursday, she revealed: “I couldn’t recognise myself when I woke up from a coma and I wanted to commit suicide.”
She added: “I will continue to need operations and therapy for life. For acid attack survivors, the aftermath is a life sentence.”
The Home Office said new guidance will be provided to police officers on preventing attacks, searching potential perpetrators for harmful substances and responding to victims at the scene.
Work will also take place with retailers to agree measures to restrict sales of acids and other corrosive substances.
Another measure in the plan includes ensuring that victim impact statements are completed in every case by the police so courts are made aware of the full impact of the attack.
The police will also be encouraged to prepare community impact statements to show how such attacks have affected communities.
Figures from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) suggest that more than 400 acid or corrosive substance attacks were carried out in the six months up to April 2017, based on returns from 39 forces in England and Wales.
The returns also indicated that bleach, ammonia and acid were the most commonly used substances.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: “Acid attacks are horrific crimes which have a devastating effect on victims, both physically and emotionally.
“It is vital that we do everything we can to prevent these sickening attacks happening in the first place.
“We must also ensure that the police and other emergency services are able to respond as effectively as possible, that sentences reflect the seriousness of the offences and victims are given the immediate support they need.”
NPCC lead for corrosive attacks, Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Kearton said: “Police have dealt with a number of high-profile cases in recent months and we continue to collect data from police forces across England and Wales to understand the scale and extent of these attacks and develop our ability to support and protect victims.
“While it is virtually impossible to ban the sale of all corrosive substances, we are working closely with the Home Office and retailers to determine how we can keep these products from people who intend to cause harm.
“I would urge anyone who is a victim of this type of attack to report it so that we can deal with the matter positively and sensitively.”
Sarah Newton, minister for crime, safeguarding and vulnerability, will outline the plan during the debate in the Commons tomorrow.
The plan was developed with the help of the police, health professionals and retailers and follows an event on July 4 which was hosted by the Home Office and the NPCC.