Applications for violent offender orders

Amendment made: No. 212, in clause 85, page 59, line 13, at end insert—

‘(3A) Before making an application under this section in respect of a person who will be under 18 at the time of the application, the applicant must consult any member of a team established under section 39 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (c. 37) (youth offending teams).’.—[Mr. Coaker.]

Question proposed, That the clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

The Justices’ Clerks Society has made a point about violent offender order applications and the police being the office holders who make the complaint to the magistrates court. I asked whether it would be more appropriate for the Crown Prosecution Service, which is independent of the investigation, to make the complaint, and that is my question to the Minister.

We have used the procedures and processes for antisocial behaviour orders because we feel that they are appropriate for the violent offender orders. The chief police officer is the best person to make the judgment, because their liaison with all the statutory agencies will be greater than that of the Crown Prosecution Service. In that sense, the chief of police will be the most appropriate individual.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 85, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.