GG SIGNS OFF ON GOVERNMENT'S SIX ANTI-CRIME BILLS:

JULY 22, 2010

 GG SIGNS OFF ON GOVERNMENT'S  SIX ANTI-CRIME BILLS:

As the Government moves to put in place more  effective measures to fight crime, Prime Minister Bruce Golding has announced that the six anti-crime bills today  received the   Governor General's  assent and are  to be gazetted and brought into effect tomorrow ( July 23) .

In a broadcast to the nation last night, Prime Minister Golding   said that   a number of measures would be fast-tracked to complement the crime fighting plans of the security forces, when the State of Emergency expired today. He had announced that the 6-anti-crime bills would be among the measures expected to come into effect soon.

The bills include   -- an act to amend the Bail Act; and an act to make interim provision extending the powers of arrest and detention under Sections 50B and 50F of the Constabulary Force Act; an act to further amend the Firearms Act; an act to amend the Offences Against the Person Act; an act to amend the Parole Act; and an act to make interim provision in relation to the grant of bail in specified circumstances.

Mr. Golding said work is being done as a matter of utmost priority on the Organized Crime Act which will include specific powers to deal with organized criminal gangs.  He said much greater use is now being made of the Proceeds of Crime Act including the provisions for civil forfeiture to help in disabling the activities of crime bosses. Additional equipment for

the security forces is being procured and the government is working with the private sector to secure additional vehicles within the shortest possible time, Mr. Golding said  in his national broadcast last night.