Mason Jones (Reporter)A RADICAL change in Gibraltar’s criminal legislation has come into place which will modernise laws and tackle anti-social behaviour.
The new legislation, which will give more power to the Royal Gibraltar Police and other law enforcement agencies, is said to be bringing in ‘the most important reforms in the area of criminal law for decades’.
The Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act 2011 allows officers to search a person or vehicle before making an arrest, as well as imposing obligations on the police for the way official records and interview tapes are kept.
A second reform, the Crimes Act 2011, modernises the Rock’s criminal laws by introducing Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) and Criminal Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (CRASBOs).
The Act will also create a sex offenders’ register and give greater sentencing power to the Magistrates Court.
In addition, it covers crimes relating to illegal drugs and offensive weapons, restricting the sale of knives only to people over 18.
“The two Acts bring about a major change in the criminal justice legislation.
“New procedures and rights for suspects are introduced as well as new criminal offences.
“The Acts strengthen the ability of our law enforcement agencies to combat crime,” said Justice Minister Gilbert Licudi.
