The Labour Government has been criticised for their "rushed job" plan to release prisoners early by a former Scotland Yard Detective, as it has been revealed that some had been let go without being tagged.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer authorised the release of almost 2,000 convicts across the UK, a move deemed to help tackle overcrowding in prisons.
However, The Ministry of Justice has confirmed there have been "delays" with fitting tagging devices ahead of the early release scheme, meaning some of those who were released did not have their tag device fitted.
Speaking to GB News, former Scotland Yard detective Peter Bleksley said it is "not surprising" that the sudden release of prisoners ahead of their scheduled time would impact the already backlogged tagging system.
Peter Bleksley hit out at Labour after it was revealed that prisoners were released early 'without tags'
GB News / PA
In criticism of Labour leader Keir Starmer, Bleksley said: "This was a rushed Government policy to open the prison doors and let thousands of potentially dangerous criminals back out onto the streets.
"It comes as no surprise whatsoever that the company that supplies and monitors these tags were ill-prepared for this sudden rush of prisoners."
Noting how the victims and survivors of these criminals are being treated by the prison system, Bleksley said it is "appalling" that some are notified at the last minute about their perpetrator's release.
Bleksley fumed: "The way the victims of crime are treated in this country is utterly appalling, and is a huge stain on the tattered reputation of this nation.
Over 1,000 prisoners were released in the controversial move by Labour to free up spaces
PA"Picture the scene - you had the courage to finally come forward after perhaps years of domestic abuse at the hands of an absolute monster, you gave evidence and saw that person sent to jail, only for them to be released early, possibly without a tag, and free potentially to offend again. It is absolutely shameful."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
When asked if the UK Government are efficient in handling the justice and prison systems, Bleksley disagreed, claiming: "The UK is absolutely failing in its duty to protect its citizens.
"A Government's primary responsibility is to protect its citizens, and yet again, we see in our failing criminal justice system, whether that be the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, the courts, the prisons or the probation service manifestly failing in their duty to protect us all."
Turning the discussion to crime rates in Britain, Bleksley stressed that crime is "out of control" across the country, and called for more action to be taken by Labour.
Peter Bleksley said crime rates in the UK are 'out of control'
GB News
Bleksley said: "Look at the most recent statistics from the Crime Survey of England and Wales - huge increases in virtually every type of crime.
"Speak to people who have the misfortune to be robbed, assaulted or otherwise become victims of crime in our great cities where the streets were surrendered some years ago by the police because they no longer patrol them. Where villains act with impunity, where there is a plague of shoplifting, and quite frankly, crime is out of control.
"The streets are nowhere near as safe as they should be. The nation is sliding towards lawlessness, and we have rushed, ridiculous policies coming out of the Government, and this is the result."