Paperwork gives bail-jumpers a head start

The death of Luke Batty has prompted a review of Victoria Police’s procedures for executing warrants, after revelations that his killer should have been arrested for skipping bail. Under the existing system, only the police officer handling the case would be advised if there was a “bench warrant” issued due to the accused’s failure to attend court, and it would not be entered into the police computer for up to two weeks. A temporary change in procedure will cut the delay to four days, while a long-term IT solution is developed.