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Launch of a new exclusion scheme for persistent troublemakers. L to R) Steve Hunt, Barbara Winston and Richard Grundy. w309a237
PERSISTENT troublemakers causing a drain on the city’s economy are being barred from businesses.
An exclusion notice scheme has been launched to stamp out theft, violence towards staff and anti-social behaviour.
Wakefield Area Businesses Against Crime (WABAC) has teamed up with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to launch the scheme to make the city a safer place to work.
Eleven persistent offenders have already been banned for two years and their mugshots circulated to WABAC member businesses, which include the Ridings and Trinity Walk.
WABAC’s Steven Hunt said: “Individuals who either commit a single offence requiring an immediate response, or where there is a series of incidents that suggest an exclusion order is appropriate will receive a notice banning them from the area.
“Normally this behaviour will involve theft, violence towards staff or anti-social behaviour.
“We want to ensure that staff are protected, fear of crime is reduced and that Wakefield becomes a safer place to work in and invest in.”
The exclusion notices can also be used in court to impose longer sentences on people who offend again after being banned.
Yvette Levy, CPS community team prosecutor, said: “If an individual offends whilst subject to an exclusion notice, our prosecutors will inform the magistrates court of the existence of the exclusion notice where it is likely to be viewed as an aggravating feature of the case which could attract a higher penalty.
“It could also be used to support an application for an asbo.”
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Saturday 25 May 2013
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