Hughes: tougher ID laws

The government has announced plans to crackdown on criminals who operate under a false identity.

Announcing proposals for a new offence of ID fraud, the Home Office said the move was essential to target those involved in organised crime and terrorism.

Criminals carrying fake or stolen documents will face up to two years in jail under the new law. In future the simple possession of a false form of identity, such as a passport or a driving licence, will become a criminal offence.

Identity fraud amounts to £1.3 billion a year, according to the government.

Home Office minister Beverley Hughes said the new offence will enable the police to "crack down hard" on criminals involved in identity fraud.

"False identities are commonly used by those engaged in organised crime and terrorism. The new offence would provide the police with the means to disrupt the activities of organised criminals and terrorists in the early stages of their crimes," she said.

"Our legislation must keep pace with increasingly sophisticated criminals and complex crimes. The police must have the powers they need to do their job and protect the public."

Under current legislation police usually have to rely on other linked crimes to get a conviction.

The police must wait until they have enough evidence to prove conspiracy or the main criminal offence itself before they can act.

During this period, however, ministers warn that many criminals are either successful in committing fraud or simply escape arrest.

"The new offence will make it much easier and swifter for police to arrest criminals for identity theft as they will be able to arrest the criminals for just possessing fake or stolen documents," Hughes told a conference on ID fraud.

While the new law will target potential terrorists and big time criminals, those who use false or stolen documents to gain credit will also face tougher action

"Ordinary people's lives can be shattered by identity theft," Hughes said.

"Even if people do not lose out financially, the process of getting their records put right is still time consuming and stressful."

The government estimates that it takes the average victim of identity theft 300 hours to put their records straight.

"ID fraud is a growing problem which costs the country more than £1.3 billion every year and new legislation will both help protect the public by helping the police bring more criminals to justice and the two year prison sentence will act as a deterrent," Hughes added.