King’s Speech addresses rising crime rate and youth vaping crackdown

King Charles has committed to bringing forward tougher sentences for serious offenders and introducing a tobacco ban during his speech today.

The Sentencing Bill, one of 21 announced, outlines the government’s commitment to enforcing tougher sentences for the most serious offenders, while also introducing suspended sentences for anyone charged with 12 months in prison or less.

The ACS has called on the government to clarify how measures in this Bill will support retailers dealing with unprecedented levels of shop theft.

Chief executive James Lowman said: “The Sentencing Bill provides nothing new at this stage for retailers looking for a commitment from the government on shop theft, but we are pleased that more Police and Crime Commissioners are making theft a priority. It is right that the government is not leaning on short custodial sentences as the only answer for crimes like theft and abuse, but we need to see more use of the measures introduced in the Retail Crime Action Plan to identify repeat offenders and use the right sentences and other interventions to stop the cycle of reoffending.”

The Criminal Justice Bill also committed to introducing legislation to empower police forces and the criminal justice system in order to reduce crime, including anti-social behaviour that ‘blights communities’.

Another headline piece of legislation announced was the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. Measures proposed will primarily tackle smoking, but also look to clamp down on youth vaping and strengthen enforcement activity.

This includes:

• Raising the age of sale by one year each year for those currently aged 14 years
• Looking at new regulations to reduce the appeal and availability of vapes to children, while ensuring that vapes remain available for adult smokers to quit
• Strengthening enforcement activity with new powers to fine, on the spot, rogue retailers who sell tobacco products or vapes to people underage

In reducing youth vaping, consultations have so far discussed regulation of point of sale displays. The government has also pledged a crackdown on illegal online sales by enhancing online age verification.

The government said its new smoking and vaping measures could be introduced as soon as December.

Lowman said: “The convenience sector will need support from the government to implement a totally new policy on tobacco age restriction. The government must consider all of the possible long term challenges for colleagues and retailers at the front line of implementing a generational ban on the sale of tobacco.

“In both the tobacco and vaping markets, current and future regulations must be enforced far better. It is unacceptable that responsible retailers are being undermined by others selling products that are already illegal, often to children. We need to see further funding for Trading Standards to carry out more local enforcement activity against rogue vape sellers.” 

The King also shared the government’s target to bring down inflation, to “ease the cost of living for families and help businesses fund new jobs and investment”.

Echoing similar sentiments to last year’s Queen’s speech, the King also placed importance on the government’s commitment to levelling up.

“We will deliver on our promise to level up – with greater investment in local areas, to boost growth, create jobs, build a million more homes in places communities want them, and breathe new life into our high streets and town centres,” he said.