Make killers and stalkers live in restricted zone

Terrified victims spur government reform

- BY HEATHER MAIN

CONVICTED killers and stalkers could be forced to live in “restriction zones” when they get out of prison - with tags to alert police if they leave.

The government is carrying out a major justice system review, and campaigners are demanding change, saying the current system favours offenders.

At the moment former inmates can be banned from going near the homes or workplaces of victims and their families during their licence period.

But exclusion zones can cover just a few streets and victims often live in fear. The zones also mean jailbirds get information about a victim's whereabouts, but victims often have no idea about the offender.

And controls can be difficult to enforce by overstretched probation officers.

Lord Chancellor Shabana Mahmood said in May that she wanted to “lock offenders down to specific locations so victims know they are safe wherever they go”.