Tagging not taken seriously by offenders

12.00.00am GMT Tue 8th Jul 2008

Commenting on Government figures showing a huge rise in the number of tagged suspects breaching their curfews, Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Huhne said:

"This enormous rise in breaches shows that electronic tags are not taken seriously by a large number of the people who wear them.

"If the Government is serious about using tags as a viable alternative to remand, then it must examine how durable and effective they are.

"Electronic tagging can be effective in dealing with low-level offenders but only if the system is well-organised and well-policed."

Commenting on the further revelation that more than 5,000 prisoners freed early had previously been assessed as too much of a risk to be released wearing electronic tags, Chris Huhne said:

"These figures expose the massive flaws in both the Government's tagging and early release policies.

"When criminals deemed too dangerous to be released with tags on their ankles are then considered fit to be freed early, it makes a mockery of the whole criminal justice system."