Policing and Crime Bill

Debate on whether Clause 33 should stand part of the Bill. My Lords, before the dinner break we raised a large number of concerns about all the clauses grouped with Clause 33. We on these Benches remain unconvinced that these provisions on gang-related violence should be in the Bill at all. We would like the Minister to list the powers that the police already have to deal with these situations. They have very wide-ranging powers to deal with public disorder, intimidation or anti-social behaviour. The Minister has not explained why special measures are needed to deal with this issue—indeed, not just special measures but ones which take us down a completely different line in terms of restricting the liberty of people who have not done anything wrong. The Minister clearly stated that sometimes it will not be a case of someone having done something wrong, and that the measure will be imposed for their own protection. That precedent was ably expanded on by my noble friend Lady Walmsley. We have not yet heard from the Government a sufficient explanation of why such an extraordinary measure is needed. Between now and Report, we will look again at everything that has been said in these debates and at some of the very constructive suggestions, including the one from the noble Lord, Lord Skelmersdale, because at least tightening up the definition of when these measures must be applied is the absolute minimum that we should be looking for. There is a great deal to question here. I shall not repeat all of our questions, because they are already on the record, but we are not convinced by and not happy with these provisions as they appear in the Bill. We are unconvinced of the need for these clauses.