Chris Davies MEP

Tameside’s Lib Dem Euro-MP is backing a call for changes to the European Arrest Warrant.

A report from the European Commission urges EU countries to stop using the warrant for petty crimes such as bicycle theft.  The result has been a huge increase in the number of arrest warrants issued – currently 1,000 a month across the EU.

Supporters say that since its introduction in 2004 the warrants have been used to smash paedophile rings and to extradite terrorists from other EU countries back to Britain to face the courts.

But local Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Davies says that they should only be used for serious crimes.  He wants provision made for a national court to be able to refuse extradition to a second country if there is a real danger of them not getting fair treatment.

He said, “The days of the Costa del Crime are gone thanks to the EU and the European Arrest Warrant is an extremely useful tool to fight terrorism.

“If police forces are using it to chase down bike thieves who have crossed a border though then that is clearly ridiculous.

“The EU needs to be honest about the fact that the quality of the legal system is better in some countries than others and take action to bring the worst legal systems up to the standard of the best.

“In the meantime, there needs to be a judicial safety valve in place to stop people being extradited to face uncertain justice.”