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Comment on the Sentencing Council draft guideline on burglary offences (12 May 2011)

Commenting on the proposed new sentencing guideline for burglary offences published today by the Sentencing Council, Gemma Lousley, Policy and Campaigns Officer at the Criminal Justice Alliance, a coalition of more than fifty criminal justice organisations, said:

"The Sentencing Council plays an integral role in promoting consistency in sentencing. Clear guidance like this helps to guard against a postcode lottery in sentencing, so that offenders receive sentences that accurately reflect the seriousness of their offence."

"The draft guideline is right to highlight the impact of burglary on victims, and to take into account the psychological impact of the offence, as well as the loss of property of both economic and personal value.

"However, it is disappointing that the Sentencing Council has not taken this opportunity to reverse the drift towards substantially longer sentences for burglary by reducing sentence lengths for some burglary offences. As the draft guideline acknowledges, many offenders convicted of acquisitive crimes are motivated by an addiction. Community sentences are more effective than short prison sentences in addressing these problems and helping individuals to turn away from crime, and we would urge that this is more clearly reflected in the guideline."