Riot Burglars Face Tougher Sentences

According to new guidelines for judges published on Thursday in London, burglars who break into homes or shops during a repeat of the London riots that occurred this summer, will face tougher sentences.

The Sentencing Council said burglaries aggravated by disorder should see sentences which commence at the higher level and increase further up the range compared to those undertaken in normal circumstances.

The guidelines, for crown and magistrates courts, will take effect from the middle of January and will be applicable to cases which involve the use of a weapon in addition to non-domestic and domestic burglary.

The council came to its decision after a consultation with victims that took over three months. Even though the consultation started before the August riots, the council assured that it had taken the recent disorder into consideration.

According to the terms, offenders convicted of aggravated burglary in possession of a firearm during a riot would face up to nine years in jail, compared to up to four years in normal circumstances.

Those found guilty of domestic burglaries would see themselves sentenced up to two years during a riot, compared to 26 weeks in jail at other times. The highest jail sentence for non-domestic burglary would rise from 18 to 51 weeks.

Nowadays, with an increase in disorder on the streets it is vital that people think of the ways in which they can better protect themselves from being targeted. While it is hoped that a repeat of the London riots won’t happen again, it is more than likely to take place somewhere else in the world.

As a result of this, people should think about how they can defend themselves should the need it. One way that many people are doing this is through the assistance of pepper spray. Non-lethal and completely safe to employ there is no risk involved on those it is targeted. Not only that, but this self defense canister is the ideal solution to have when it comes to tackling a large group of people at one time.

While no one wants to be the victim of an assault, simply knowing that they have a form of defense on hand will mean that they are better protected and one step ahead of those who may decide to target them as a potential victim.