16/12/2013

Police Scotland To Target Housebreakers Over Festive Period

A new prosecution policy is to be introduced over the festive period in Scotland that could see housebreakers face up to five years in jail.

The news comes as Police Scotland announced a 4% increase in burglaries since April.

Alongside increased jail terms, new police teams are to be established in Edinburgh and Aberdeen, described as problem areas.

Specialist police teams have previously been established to target violent crimes and sexual and domestic abuse, Police Scotland have said.

Under the new prosecution policy, housebreaking, which is usually prosecuted on summary complaint in front of a sheriff and carries a maximum sentence of one year imprisonment, will instead be tried on indicted before a sheriff and jury with a possible sentence of up to five years.

Previously only the most serious cases of housebreaking were prosecuted on indictment.

(MH/IT)

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