Public access to Sentencing Records

Policing Minister Nick Herbert has indicated that details of sentences handed down to criminals could be published online in future, making public access to sentencing records much easier. 

He said he hoped to build on the success of the new crime-mapping website which shows how many offences have been committed in particular streets:  “This website is a strong example of this government’s commitment to greater transparency in public services, giving communities the information they need to hold their local police to account.”

He said the coalition planned to release more information through the website: “Six trail-blazing police forces are looking at how this can be done, including looking at how we can provide sentencing outcome information so the public would know not just that the crime was committed, but what happened afterwards in the criminal justice system,” he said.