Bail Bandits – a campaign to change the law

Background

Crime in Avon and Somerset rose to a record height in 1990. Statistics showed police were solving twice as many crimes in 1990 compared to 1980, yet the overall detection rate had dropped.

A detailed study by the constabulary was undertaken to find out why.

It revealed a rising tide of offences – particularly burglary and theft of and from vehicles – committed by people who had been arrested and were free on bail pending a court hearing.

Objectives

1. To raise public awareness of the problem through media activity.

2. Enlist the support of influential parties.

3. To persuade the government to amend the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) to give police powers to detain offenders whom officers suspect will reoffend if granted bail.

4. To press the government to provide a disincentive by introducing a new offence of offending on bail.

The publics

Six distinct groups emerged:

• the public;

• opinion leaders in the criminal justice system;

• MPs, Home Office officials;

• other chief constables;

• Police Authority;

• the media.

The strategy

The required clarification/amendments to PACE centred on the interpretation of a clause relating to bail. It was obvious from the start that a clear identity was needed for the campaign and objectives simplified to excite public interest.

The main thrust of the campaign would be to call for a change in the law which would make offending on bail an offence in its right.

A catchword to describe ‘reoffenders on bail’ was needed and the term ‘bail bandits’ emerged which was immediately adopted by the media and even the Home Secretary.

A key element was to establish the chief constable of Avon and Somerset as the spokesperson, and maintain a campaign style which reflected his personality and commitment.