Met Police to scale back tag breach response

The Metropolitan Police is to reduce its enforcement of electronic tag breaches as part of a new pilot scheme. The force stated that pressures within the criminal justice system "cannot always fall on policing" without prioritisation. Under the new measures, officers will not attend curfew or tag battery breaches lasting less than an hour unless the individual is considered a public risk.

The scheme, which began recently and will run until spring, applies exclusively to individuals on court bail. The Met receives more than 100 reports of tagging breaches daily. Many of these are described as low-level incidents that result in no consequences within the court system.

Prioritising public safety

While the police will still review cases of breached conditions, arrests will only be considered if there are identified risks or safeguarding concerns, according to Sky News. The force confirmed that high-risk offenders, including domestic abusers, will be prioritised for response. A spokesperson for the Met explained that incidents such as offenders briefly stepping out for a cigarette, or being late returning home by 15 minutes, do not warrant tying up officers for hours, as it is not the most effective use of resources.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley previously stated that over 95% of offenders arrested for tagging breaches are bailed back into the community under the same conditions, resulting in no sanction. The Met and its partners are examining alternative penalties or consequences to ensure police time is better allocated. The force reiterated that where there is a risk to the public, particularly if conditions are designed to protect a victim, officers will respond.