Schedule 4 - Police bail
Police and Justice Bill
5:45 pm
Hazel Blears (Minister of State (Policing, Security and Community Safety), Home Office; Salford, Labour)
I have said on several occasions that there will be proper supervision of the way in which the powers are exercised, in relation not only to the power to grant street bail but to the conditions attached, to ensure that they are necessary and proportionate. There will be checks and balances within the system to ensure that the powers are not exercised arbitrarily and, in particular, that they are not exercised in relation to specific stereotypes. The fear expressed by the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green that the powers would be used as a convenient way to deal with perceived rather than real problems will be monitored through the system.
The circular that I have mentioned, which has already been issued, suggests that street bail should be for as short a time as possible, and states that we should look to a maximum of four to six weeks.