Priti: It's Time For Tougher Justice!

Home Secretary warns Lords NOT to block her Crime Bill for victims’ sakes

- David Maddox

THE House of Lords must not water down new police powers, because the country owes it to victims’ families to tackle the scourge of knife crime, Priti Patel warned.

Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Express, the Home Secretary said the moves were vital “to prevent further tragedies”.

Her words came after a 13-year-old was arrested on suspicion of stabbing a man to death in a west London street.

Ms Patel insisted the powers contained in the new Police, Crime and Sentencing Bill, including enhanced stop and search, would save lives and prevent “a vicious cycle of reoffending”. A record number of teenagers were killed on Britain’s streets last year, with 30 teenagers and young men losing their lives in London alone.

Last week Polish national Dariusz Wolosz, 46, was attacked and killed by a group of men near his home in West Drayton.

He had been returning home after going to the shop to buy cigarettes when he was attacked. A 13-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail and a 27-year-old was also held.

Peers were warned that any attempt to delay the Bill, which comes before the Lords this week, could cost lives.

Ms Patel has announced it will include measures to create Serious Violence Reduction Orders (SVROs) that will give the police the power to stop and search adults who have previously been cautioned or convicted for knife or other offensive weapon crimes.

But the revelation comes as Labour plans to join the Lib Dems and some crossbench peers to seriously amend the Bill.