Crime and Policing Bill - New offences to criminalise the possession, importing, making, adaptation, supply, and offering to supply of articles for use in serious crime: RPC Opinion (green-rated)
Regulatory Policy Committee opinion on the Home Office's options assessment for the elements of the Crime and Policing Bill that have a business impact
Documents
Details
The proposal introduces four measures:(1) powers to suspend internet addresses used for serious crime; (2) criminalisation of the supply or possession of SIM farms used in fraud; (3) reforming the ‘Identification Doctrine’ to improve corporate criminal liability; and (4) new offences for the possession, making, import and supply of electronic devices used in vehicle theft.
As originally submitted, the assessment was not fit for purpose. The RPC required more evidence of the scale of the problem, consultations undertaken and exploration of non-regulatory options. The assessment now demonstrates a reasonable case for intervention, supported by evidence of the scale of the problems. The department has now assessed appropriate options for each measure, including non-regulatory alternatives. The analysis of costs is better, with more monetisation and appropriate qualitative assessment. Evidence should be strengthened on costs to legitimate businesses, and monitoring & evaluation.
The assessment is now fit for purpose; green-rated.