The Know Daily - Tuesday 1 August 2023

_{Read in 5m 10s ∙ Listening to Hozier}

India and Bhutan have reported significant increases in their wild tiger populations, indicating that decades-long efforts to combat rampant poaching and habitat loss are beginning to pay off. India recorded an annual increase of 6%, while Bhutan counted 131 wild tigers - up 27% from the last count in 2015. Rawsome news, eh! 🐅

️👮 A crackdown on crime

Several crimes - including shoplifting, burglary and theft - are set to be targeted with mandatory jail sentences for repeat offences under a new Crime and Justice Bill.

What’s the story?
According to a report in The Times this morning, ministers are planning to crack down on low-level offences by handing jail sentences to those caught committing the same crime repeatedly.

A government source told the paper that if someone was caught shoplifting “probably” between 10-20 times, they would likely receive a custodial sentence. This is similar to the government’s “two-strikes” policy for knife crime introduced in 2015, under which adults convicted more than once of being in possession of a blade face a jail sentence of six months to four years.

What’s the thinking behind this?
Currently, offences such as shoplifting “do not necessarily result in a jail sentence”, said the paper. This is in spite of the fact that shoplifting is on the rise; just last week, Co-op revealed that it had recorded its highest-ever levels of retail crime, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour this year, with the store’s boss warning that shop crime is out of control.

Figures from the Ministry of Justice published in The Telegraph last month showed that “prolific thieves are being caught and convicted of stealing up to 50 times before they are jailed by the courts”.

Is there any opposition to the plan?
According to The Times, legal experts have warned that introducing mandatory sentences for repeat offenders “would exacerbate record court backlogs and overcrowded jails”.

When might this become a reality?
The Crime and Justice Bill is scheduled for inclusion in the King’s Speech on 7 November, although its development is believed to be in its early stages.

🏕️ Dartmoor decision

Wild camping is once again allowed on Dartmoor, the stunning and historical moorland in Devon, after the park authority won its appeal case. But why is the right to roam so controversial?

What’s the story?
The right to wild camp on Dartmoor was lost in January this year, following a legal challenge from wealthy local landowner Alexander Darwall. The high court ruling outlawing the practice prompted an outcry from nature enthusiasts and advocates of the right to roam, who then appealed the decision.

Why has the practice been reinstated?
“The case hinged on whether wild camping counted as open-air recreation, leading to a long debate in the court of appeal,” explained The Guardian.

Lawyers acting for Darwall argued that wild camping is not a form of open-air recreation, but the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) and Open Spaces Society said that gazing at the stars certainly was - and a court of appeal panel ultimately ruled in their favour.

Why is this such a big deal?
Dartmoor is the last place in England where people are allowed to camp without the landowner’s permission - and Darwall’s decision to challenge the practice reignited an ongoing debate over the right to roam in Britain.

Tell me more.
It has been estimated that the British public only has access to 8% of land - and this is usually just for the most narrow of recreational purposes, such as walking or bird watching.

“The argument [is] that landowners have served as custodians of the countryside for generations, and that wider access and recreation could bring litter and environmental damage,” explained law lecturer Ben Mayfield in The Conversation.

But campaigners argue that the right to roam (and wild camp) is crucial not only for people’s wellbeing but also for fostering a stronger sense of connection between individuals and the natural world - and thus a willingness to protect the planet.

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🍞 Food price inflation is easing: Research showing that prices for staples - including oils, fats and fish - have fallen represents “cause for optimism”, said the British Retail Consortium. Food price inflation has slowed to its lowest level since December 2022, although the rate still remains high.

🧑‍🏫 Teachers’ strike called off: Every major teaching union has voted to end strikes and accept the government’s offer of a 6.5% pay rise. An electronic ballot saw 86% of teachers vote to accept the offer - with a turnout of 60%.

💌 You’ve got mail: Orkney, the archipelago off the coast of Scotland, has made history by becoming the first location in the UK to distribute letters and parcels by drone. The service - which is being trialled for three months - is expected to improve delivery times.

❌ doesn’t mark the spot: A giant flashing X sign at Twitter’s San Francisco HQ has been removed just days after it was installed, following complaints from locals who raised concerns over its structural safety and illumination.

📧 Email etiquette: A new study by Axios HQ - which involved analysing 8.7m emails - has identified the best time to send an internal email. The researchers found that this time sees an average open rate that is more than 10% higher than during the rest of the week.

Trivia answer: A) Subway superfans could win a lifetime supply of “Deli Hero” subs by legally changing their first name to “Subway”. Is there any food chain you’d do that for?!

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