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<p> </p><p> </p><p>I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Ministry of Justice</p><p>
</p><p>Simple cautions (previously police cautions) are a non-statutory disposal available
to the police to dispose of any offence committed by an adult designed for dealing
with low level, mainly first time offending. The Ministry of Justice issues guidance
on the process to be followed by the police and the CPS when they are administering
simple cautions for adult offenders</p><p> </p><p>The Government is clear that serious
offences should always be brought to court, and to ensure that there is increased
public confidence in the justice system, last year announced changes to stop the use
of cautions for indictable only offences and certain serious either way offences unless
there are exceptional circumstances and a senior police officer, as well as the CPS
for certain cases, has agreed that a caution should be administered.</p><p>The MOJ
guidance on Adult Simple Cautions was amended in November last year to reflect these
changes, and we are legislating in the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill to place statutory
restrictions around their use.</p><p> </p><p>Information on cautions is not held by
parliamentary constituency. This information may be on the police record, which can
only be obtained at disproportionate cost</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
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