Serious offenders to be kept in restricted zones under plans

The government is considering keeping serious offenders in restricted zones to prevent encounters with victims. Offenders may be confined to specific areas with enhanced monitoring and tagging to ensure compliance. The plans aim to provide victims with peace of mind while alleviating pressure on the probation service through increased staff and technology use. The proposed legislation, set to be introduced next month, could also reduce the minimum sentence served by less serious offenders to address prison overcrowding.