Police attackers could be forced to pay charities
Justice, News.. — By TFNadmin on 19/04/2012 11:57 pmCRIMINALS who assault police officers could soon be forced to pay cash to good causes through a “restitution order.”
Under a new plan unveiled by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill anyone convicted of such an assault could be forced to pay money to charities such as the Police Benevolent Fund and The Police Treatment Centres charity.
The proposal will be part of the forthcoming Scottish Government’s Victims and Witnesses Bill.
The order would, however, not replace existing arrangements for compensation paid directly to victims.
The Scottish Government said it would also consult on proposals for a victims’ surcharge to create a fund to help the victims of crime.
MacAskill said: “We expect courts to deal firmly with those who assault our officers. Criminals should be made to pay for their crimes and it’s only right that victims should benefit.
“We are already considering plans to create a victims’ surcharge so that those who suffer from crimes can get the help they need to recover.”
He added: “The Police Treatment Centres put right the damage done by criminal assaults largely with money raised by donations from the victims.
“Instead it is right to expect criminals who assault police to contribute to payment for this treatment.”
Tags: charities, CRIMINALS, donations, Scottish Government, TFN 681 - 20 April 2012
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1 Comment
This government Bill stands to be of great benefit to The Police Treatment Centres and to the officers we serve. The PTC is a charity that provides intensive physiotherapy, recuperation and treatment to injured police officers. It costs nearly £4m per annum to run the charity and the vast majority of that funding has to come directly from the officers themselves. It is only right that a portion of that funding should come from those convicted of assault on an officer through the governments proposed restitution order.