Hartlepool lie detector test could prevent crimes
A Hartlepool lie detector test could prevent crimes after new figures show nearly a third of criminals repeat offend.
Ministry of Justice
Figures from the Ministry of Justice show that 774 adults were released from prison, cautioned or handed a non-custodial conviction at court between July 2019 and June 2020 – with 255 (32.9%) of them committing at least one further crime inside 12 months.
Between them, they racked up 1,022 new offences – an average of four each.
At 56.4%, reoffending rates in the area were highest for theft offences.
The stats
A year previously, 38.9% of 981 convicted criminals reoffended.
Nationally 25.8% of criminals re-offended within a year – down from 27.4% the year before – and one in five fraud offenders re-offended within a year of their release or conviction.
In Hartlepool, four out of 18 fraud offenders broke the law again.
Cifas, a not-for-profit fraud prevention organisation, said fraud can have a “devastating impact on victims”.
Victims of fraud
Amber Burridge, head of fraud intelligence for Cifas, said: “Often people feel ashamed and embarrassed about being a victim to fraud and may be susceptible to further scams that claim to help you get your money back..
“This is not something you have to struggle with on your own.”
A Government spokeswoman said: “Reducing reoffending is one of our top priorities which is why an extra £550m will be invested over the next three years to rehabilitate offenders and protect the public.
“We’re also spending £400m to tackle economic crime and developing a new strategy to support victims.”
How a lie detector test could have helped
Lie detectors are used as part of release terms for sex offenders. Police using lie detectors for offenders of all crimeswould result in a plument of numbers for repeat offenders. It also means communities feel much safer knowing criminals are subject to a regular review.
If someone you know might be a victim of a crime then book a lie detector test online today. You can also call us on our free helpline on 07572 748364.
We provide confidential office appointments and home tests throughout the North East.
