Crime crackdown is target of new laws.

Byline: By BEN GRIFFIN [e-mail]

THE Queen's Speech, setting out the government's agenda, contained a raft of crime-related proposals.

Police will target motorists using mobile phones and will be able to hand out more flexible speeding fines under the proposed Road Safety Bill.

It has been designed to help the government achieve its target for reducing deaths and serious injuries on the roads.

There will be tougher penalties for people driving while using hand-held mobile phones, and also for careless and inconsiderate driving and using a vehicle in a dangerous condition. Drink drivers will also be targeted.

The British equivalent of the American FBI was also confirmed.

The 5,000 officer elite squad, called the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, will attempt to crack down on drug gangs, people traffickers, major fraudsters and internet paedophiles.

The bill will also create a new offence of incitement to religious hatred to protect faith groups from hate attacks.

A Drugs Bill was also promised, which would introduce powers to test suspects on arrest rather than when charged.

Main proposals

THE QUEEN'S speech promised one of the heaviest Parliamentary agendas of recent years, including:

making it an offence to discriminate on the grounds of race, sex, disability or religion when supplying goods or services

a referendum on the European Constitution

stream-lining school inspections and providing safe school transport

continued reform of the NHS with more information, power and choice for patients

laws to safeguard the welfare of children in parental separation and inter-country adoption

improving animal welfare, increasing penalties for abuse

integrating the Inland Revenue with HM Customs and Excise 

streamline the national rail network