The Public Bill Committee met yesterday (July 11) to discuss the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill 2013-14, which will deal with anti-social behaviour and will focus on the rights of victims.
Sponsored by Home Secretary Theresa May, amongst other things the Bill aims to make forced marriage a criminal office and to make it an offence for people to own dangerous dogs and illegal firearms.
One major change proposed is to amend Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000. Currently under Schedule 7 individuals can be stopped, strip searched and held for up to nine hours. During this time, they may be questioned and have biometric data taken, which can include taking DNA and fingerprints, regardless of the outcome of their detention.
In addition, there is no right to compensation or assistance in rearranging any flights missed or other transportation as a result of a Schedule 7 examination or detention.
The Government has proposed that the maximum period of detention should be reduced to six hours and that strip searches may only be conducted if the person detained is reasonably suspected of concealing an item.
However, the power to take DNA and fingerprint samples will remain, but more intimate biometric data, such as blood or semen would not be allowed to be taken if the Bill becomes law.
The Bill also proposes to replace existing orders, such as anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs), with a new injunction, which would be easier to obtain and have harsher penalties. In addition, under the proposals, social tenants and their families would face mandatory eviction for breaching a term of an injunction.
The Committee has been hearing evidence from interested parties since May and will report on its findings on July 16.