Pet abduction is to be made a new criminal offence in England after a “worrying” rise in reported thefts during COVID lockdowns.
Although stolen animals are currently treated as a loss of property, this won’t be the case under an upcoming legislation change which is to take into account and recognise the emotional distress that comes from the loss of a pet.
According to the government, the new offence of pet abduction will also prioritise the missing animal’s welfare and will help police to track incidents and offenders.
Sentencing guidelines have not yet been finalised, but previous reports have suggested that the offence could carry a prison sentence of up to five years.
Chris Sherwood – Chief Executive at the RSPCA – said the new pet abduction offence would recognise the “seriousness” of the crime, adding: “We hope this will encourage courts to hand out much tougher sentences to pet thieves.”
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The proposal for the introduction of the criminal offence is one of a string of recommendations in a report by the Pet Theft Taskforce – which was set up in May 2021 to tackle an increase in incidents during lockdown, and is comprised of government officials, police, prosecutors, and local authorities.
The new offence of pet abduction would also prioritise the missing animal’s welfare and will help police to track incidents and offenders / Credit: Flickr
After receiving evidence from animal welfare groups, campaigners, academics and other experts, the taskforce found that around 2,000 dogs were reported stolen last year.
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Its report also found that seven in 10 pet thefts recorded by police involved dogs.
Quoting data from animal charity Dogs Trust, the taskforce’s report said that the price for five of the UK’s most desirable dog breeds grew “significantly” during the first nationwide lockdown – with some rising as high as 89%.
The taskforce suggested this potentially made dog theft more appealing to criminals seeking to profit from the spike in demand for pets.
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Addressing the findings of the taskforce and responding to the report, Environment Secretary George Eustice said the pandemic has seen “the price of pets increase sharply” which has “created a stronger incentive for these criminal gangs”, adding that: “Pets are much loved members of the family in households up and down the country, and reports of a rise in pet theft have been worrying.
“Pet owners shouldn’t have to live in fear, and I am pleased this report acknowledges the unique distress caused by this crime.
“Its recommendations will reassure pet owners, help the police to tackle pet theft, and deliver justice for victims.”
The taskforce’s report said that the price for five of the UK’s most desirable dog breeds grew “significantly” / Credit: Unsplash (Graham Holtshausen)
The taskforce’s recommendations in the report also included:
Requiring additional information when registering a microchip, especially when transferring ownership.
More straightforward access to the different microchip databases available to make it easier to track lost or stolen dogs.
Improving collection and recording of data on pet thefts.
Further initiatives by police and others to raise awareness about prevention tips.
Officials hope the proposals by the taskforce will make it more difficult for thieves to abduct and sell on pets, make it easier for police to apprehend offenders, and that sentences and penalties handed to offenders will reflect the impact on the animal.
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The UK government will now look into implementing the report’s findings and introducing the pet abduction offence.
Featured Image – Pixabay
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The Premier League is keeping its crucial cap on away game ticket prices – for now
Danny Jones
The Premier League has announced it is extending its crucial price cap for away games, as the general cost of match tickets continues to creep up all over the country.
Most season card holders, be they here in Greater Manchester or elsewhere, are likely looking at their annual spending going up simply, so steps like these are key in keeping first division football as affordable as possible.
And that’s just the ongoing cost of living, let alone the clubs that are continuing the trend of charging more each year and, unfortunately, even pricing some supporters out entirely.
With that in mind, the news of England’s top-flight sides voting unanimously to keep the £30 cap intact for at least another two years comes as relief to those who spend most of the year putting their hard-earned cash towards following their team home and away.
BREAKING: The Premier League extend £30 cap on away tickets for another two seasons 🚨 pic.twitter.com/L336aZwmn3
Now confirmed to remain in place until the end of the 2027/28 campaign, travelling fans obviously still spend plenty of money on transport and so on every year, but at least they don’t have to worry about rising general admissions.
At least not for the time being…
Writing in a statement, the Premier League said: “Away fans help create the incredible atmosphere Premier League matches are renowned for. Since the cap’s implementation in 2016, it has contributed to attendance at away games increasing from 82% to 91%.”
They also acknowledged the significant and regular funds that supporters still spend on these trips, with plenty of people online also praising the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), which helped spearhead the campaign over a decade ago.
With so many other obstacles still getting in the way of fans making it to games either at their usual stadium or on an away day – not least of all the constant and increasingly frustrating rescheduling of fixtures – it’s good to see this isn’t an area the Prem are trying to target.
As always, the multi-billion-pound business can always seek out other, newer money spinners, and we’re absolutley certain they will. For instance, there’s at least one happening over in Spain that we’d happily see carried over here.
Following the news, this now means that fans will ultimately have enjoyed 12 back-to-back seasons of the benefit, and long may it continue.
Nevertheless, the biggest barrier for people to watch the beautiful game at its highest level in the UK remains the cost of standard tickets.
The likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Leeds and more have already let matchgoers know that their season ticket prices will be going up, and the likes of Man City have already seen backlash for increasing rates amid the expansion of the Etihad Campus.
Greater Manchester’s fire service officially rated ‘outstanding’ following inspection
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester’s fire service has officially been rated ‘outstanding’.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has awarded published its latest inspection report, and has awarded Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) two ‘Outstanding’ ratings for the first time in the service’s history.
One ‘outstanding’ rating was given for the preventing of fire and emergencies, and one for values and culture.
Some of the areas of strength noted in the report include outstanding prevention work, acknowledging the service’s innovative partnership activity and targeted risk reduction programmes, and a ‘strong, positive, and inclusive’ culture, with strong communication and a clear focus on values, staff voice, and transparent decision making.
The service was also commended for having high levels of operational preparedness, and ‘effective’ governance and scrutiny, with ‘clear’ performance reporting and strategic direction.
In addition to the two ‘Outstanding’ ratings, inspectors also rated GMFRS as ‘Good’ in seven of the eight other inspection categories – including responding to fires and other emergencies, training and developing the right people with the right skills, and ensuring fairness and diversity across the workplace.
Inspectors also acknowledged the ‘significant capacity pressures’ on fire safety regulation across the UK, and the unique challenges posed by Greater Manchester’s complex and fast-changing urban environment.
“Greater Manchester has a fire and rescue service we can be proud of,” commented Mayor Andy Burnham, as the inspection report was published this week.
Greater Manchester’s fire service has officially been rated ‘outstanding’ following its latest inspection / Credit: GMFRS
“I’ve often said that GMFRS is one of the best services not just in this country, but anywhere. The inspectors’ findings reinforce this belief. I’m pleased that this strong inspection report recognises its outstanding prevention work as part of Greater Manchester’s Live Well approach, its outstanding culture and values, and consistently good performance across almost every other area.”
Chief Fire Officer, Dave Russell, added: “I am really pleased that the inspectors have recognised our progress towards this goal, by awarding us ‘Outstanding’ ratings for the first time in our service’s history.
“I am particularly pleased to have been awarded these for our nation-leading work on prevention, helping us to use our resources in the most effective way, and in our service’s culture, which I made my number one priority when joining the service.”
Emily Sergeant -
3rd September 2021 
