SECURIZINE ISSUE 127 24th April 2008

Last Chance to Visit BAPCO 2008
Today saw possibly the busiest first day the BAPCO exhibition has ever had. The UK’s leading event for public safety and civil contingency communications is bristling with new technologies and applications, and product launches.
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Research Shows Interactive Whiteboards Improve Planning and Briefings
Research into Public Safety planning and briefings has shown that wherever SMART Board™ interactive whiteboards are used, significant improvements in communication effectiveness are being made.
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SunGard Public Sector Wins Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation 2008
SunGard Public Sector has announced that its SunGard DS2000 Integrated Communications Control System (ICCS) has been recognised in the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise: Innovation 2008. SunGard Public Sector won the award for its continuous development of public safety communication systems.
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Nurses Join Forces In Unique Pilot Scheme
A trail-blazing initiative, which will see highly trained nurses carrying out medical work in police stations, is being launched by Durham Constabulary next month. They will do a variety of tasks currently performed by the force medical examiners (FMEs), allowing the police doctors to concentrate on specialist work.
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GMP Uses Facebook to Crack Crime
Greater Manchester Police has become the first police force in the country to use the social networking website Facebook in a bid to fight crime. A special application has been developed by the Force's Web Unit to raise awareness of local incidents, operations and appeal for information.
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Surrey Responds to Government Capping Decision
Surrey Police Authority on Wednesday, 16th April submitted its appeal against the Department for Communities (DCLG) and Local Government’s threat to cap Surrey’s policing budget.
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Chief Constable Orde Receives Leadership Award
Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde is to receive the prestigious Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) 2008 Leadership Award on Thursday 24th April.  The award will be presented at PERF's annual meeting in Miami.
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Nick Croft appointed Assistant Chief Constable for South Wales Police 
Born and raised in Leamington, Chief Supt Croft aged 46, is currently serving as a Chief Superintendent with Warwickshire Police. He will shortly be taking over the position of Assistant Chief Constable for South Wales Police from Mr Giles York, who has been appointed Deputy Chief Constable for Sussex Police.
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New Appointment for Chief Constable
Tayside Police can confirm that Chief Constable John Vine is to take up a new appointment as Chief Inspector of the UK Border Agency from July this year. In his new post, Mr Vine will provide an independent external analysis of UK Border Agency systems focusing on their efficiency and effectiveness.
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Campus Cop for High Schools
A new uniform has joined pupils at Kirkland and Buckhaven High Schools as they welcome their first campus cop – PC Richard Cartwright. The dedicated Campus Police Officer will be based in both of the Levenmouth schools.
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Chief Constable Announces Retirement
The Chief Constable of Central Scotland Police, Andrew Cameron, has announced his intention to retire from the force in September this year. Mr Cameron has been in the police service since he was 15 and will complete 40 years police service before retiring.
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Gwent Appoints New Chief Constable
Gwent Police Authority is delighted to name Mick Giannasi as Gwent's next Chief Constable. He will take over from the current Chief Constable, Mike Tonge, who is due to retire from the Force in the autumn.
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All time High - Women in Lancashire Police Force
Lancashire Police is the first force in the Country to have had an annual intake of exactly 50% women and 50% men police recruits. Out of the 182 new recruits appointed this year – 91 are female and 91 are male.
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SIA Targets Illegal Activity in Glasgow
On Thursday 17th April, investigators from the Security industry Authority (SIA) were joined by officers from Strathclyde Police as they targeted unlicensed security activity in Glasgow.
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SIA Chief Executive's Walkabout in... Lancaster
On Friday 11th April, Michael Wilson, Chief Executive of the Security Industry Authority (SIA) continued a series of visits to security sites throughout the country - with a tour of the popular nightspots in Lancaster.
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High-Tech Alarms for Victims
Victims of domestic violence will be much safer thanks to a scheme by Northumbria's Blyth Valley Borough Council's safer neighbourhoods unit to purchase sets of new panic alarms.
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New Text Messaging Service Launched in Coventry
Police in Coventry have this week launched an innovative new text messaging service which allows members of the public to text them with information about people they suspect of committing crime.
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Thames Valley Police to Guard against Electoral Fraud  
Thames Valley Police has announced it will be working to ensure the forthcoming local council elections are free and fair. Officers will be doing everything possible to prevent electoral fraud in the Thames Valley.
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Thames Valley Meets Policing Plan Targets
A report to a meeting of the Police Authority on Friday 25th April will show that Thames Valley Police has reached most of its policing plan targets. The Police Authority set 18 targets to be achieved during the last financial year (2007/08) and the following has been achieved.
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Another Record Breaking Year of Reducing Crime in Northumbria
Northumbria Chief Constable Mike Craik has announced that the force's unrivalled track record in reducing crime continued in 2007/08. Latest figures up to the end of March this year show that there were nearly 20,000 fewer victims of crime than in the previous year – that's an overall drop of more than 15% compared to 2006/07.
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Teenagers Interview Merseyside Chief
Merseyside Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe was interviewed by two local teenagers, Tom and Chelsea, for Radio 4's Broadcasting House programme on Sunday April 13th.
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Northampton Councillor Resigns From Police Authority
Councillor Richard Church has resigned from Northamptonshire Police Authority to take up a position with the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC).
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Launch of Autism Spectrum Disorder Support Card
A Support Card for use by people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder was launched in Merseyside on Thursday 3rd April. The launch, by Autism Initiatives UK, was supported by Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.
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SECURIZINE ISSUE 126 17th April 2008

'Low Copy' DNA Technique 'Fit for Purpose'
A controversial method of obtaining DNA profiles is ‘fit for purpose’ in court, an independent review has concluded. The government-commissioned study said low copy number DNA analysis, which can establish a profile from just a few cells, was ‘scientifically robust’.
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21st Century Justice Centre Gets the Go Ahead
The contract has been awarded to build the innovative new justice centre in Leamington Spa. This unique centre will be built on the existing site of the old Magistrates' Courts and Jephson House in Newbold Terrace. The new building will then link together with the existing police premises in Hamilton Terrace, providing over 16,500 square metres of space.
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Offences Fall by 6.5% in London
Crime in London has fallen 6.5%, according to the Metropolitan Police's (Met) annual statistics. But gun crime in Afro-Caribbean communities rose 8.8%. Gun crime in general was down (1.4%) and is the lowest since 2000 although a 5% reduction target was missed.
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Gwent Police Celebrates Three Year Success
Gwent Police has surpassed the 3-year crime reduction target set by the Government. The target, which was set to focus on crime reduction and improving the quality of life of local people, was originally set at 15%.
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Exceptional High Performance in Three Rivers
Three Rivers Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) has been highlighted as being one of the highest achieving partnerships after being assessed by the Home Office's joint interim performance assessment framework.
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Crime in Notts Falls to Lowest Level since 1989
Nottinghamshire Police has released its crime figures from 1st April 2007 to 31st March 2008, which show crime in Nottinghamshire at its lowest for almost 20 years.
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South Leics End of Year Performance Success
The Commander of Leicestershire's South area police has welcomed the end of year crime figures for 2007 /08 and praised officers for their outstanding efforts in reducing the numbers of crimes across South Leicestershire.
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Warks Chief Reports 'Outstanding' Year
Reporting on the force's performance for the first time to Warwickshire Police Authority, Chief Constable Keith Bristow has described last year's achievements as 'outstanding'.
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West Mids Crime Figures Fall Again - Lowest Since 1989
End of year crime figures show that crime in the West Midlands has fallen again - and is at its lowest for 18 years.
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Wigan Police Look Back on a Year Fighting Crime
Police in Wigan made some significant crime reductions during the last financial year. When the period 1st April 2007 to 31st March 2008 was compared against the same period in 2006-2007, there were 484 fewer victims of crime overall.
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Red Web is Deployed in Hertford
Criminals in East Herts are being warned by Police to watch out as a new aide in helping to identify lead and metal thieves has been deployed across the area.
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Unlicensed Supervisors Shown the Door by Police
Police in Stockport have called time on unlicensed door supervisors. Officers arrested three unlicensed door staff following visits to licensed premises in Stockport Town Centre and Reddish over the weekend.
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Chief Sets Out Need for Budget Rise
Leicestershire's Chief Constable, Matt Baggott has issued the following statement: 'I personally wanted to set out for you why we have asked for an extra 41p per week to spend on policing.  I know that any rise can be difficult but regrettably it is necessary.
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New Police Station Opens in Hertford
Months of detailed planning came to fruition this week as the new Hertford Police Station opened its doors to the public on April 14th.
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PC Haddock Update
Detectives investigating a collision in Bloxwich in which a police officer was seriously injured have arrested two people in connection with the incident.
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Drug Dealer Pays Back £1 Million
A drug dealer has been ordered to pay back almost £1 million in the biggest ever confiscation order secured by Northumbria Police.
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Metropolitan Police Service Officer Charged
A Metropolitan Police Service officer has been charged with misconduct in public office. It follows the ongoing Independent Police Complaints Commission's managed investigation into alleged misuse of corporate credit cards.
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Former Officer Gets Seven Years in Prison
Zak Owen, aged 37 years, a former Kent Police officer, from Highgrove Road, Chatham has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment at Maidstone Crown Court.
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Fife Police Unveils 2008-9 Policing Plan
Fife Constabulary has unveiled its plan of action for 2008-2009 following consultation with the public and politicians, and a review of the outcomes from last year.
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Forces Share Firearms Range Facilities in Efficiency Drive
North Yorkshire Police has teamed up with a neighbouring force to share firearms training facilities in a bid to increase efficiency and reduce costs across both forces.
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Residents in Ware make History
Residents on the George the fifth estate in Ware made History on Tuesday evening by attending the area's first ever street briefing.
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Police Dog Zak Gives Blood
Police dog Zak gave blood and saved the life of an eight-year-old cocker spaniel. Dog Section Sergeant Cameron Shanks said: 'This is the first time that any of our dogs have been requested to supply a blood donation.
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SECURIZINE ISSUE 125 10th April 2008

£17 Million Cash-back to Fight Crime
Police forces across England and Wales and other front-line agencies will receive £17 million to go into front line policing and asset recovery. Under the asset recovery incentive scheme the Home Office pays back 50% of all assets recovered from criminals to front-line agencies including the police.
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Olympic Security Story is Wrong Says Met
'Following a report in yesterday's Evening Standard we wish to make it clear that MPS Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has neither recommended nor approved a plan to hand over any part of London's Olympic security to other countries.
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Launch of Britain's New Unified Border Agency
Border, immigration, customs and visa checks are united from April 3rd in the country's new UK Border Agency, the Home Office has announced. The new UK Border Agency, established as a shadow agency of the Home Office, will protect our borders, control migration for the benefit of the country, prevent border tax fraud, smuggling and immigration crime and implement quick and fair decisions.
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Police Federation Reaction to New Border Control Force
Responding to the government’s implementation of the border force on 3rd April, Alan Gordon vice Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales said: 'Whilst the Police Federation recognises the need to effectively police our borders it is a complete nonsense to us that a new Border Control Force does not involve the police.
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IIPCC Takes on First UK Border Agency Case
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is managing an investigation into how a UK Border Agency (UKBA) operation, during which a man broke both his legs, was carried out.
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Closing the Net on Sex Offenders
Displaying reporting links to agencies including the police, NSPCC and the Samaritans on social networking websites is one of a range of recommendations for industry and users in new guidance launched on 4th April by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, alongside new proposals to make it harder for child sex offenders to meet children online.
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ACPO Supports Closing the Net on Sex Offenders
Jim Gamble, chief executive of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection centre (CEOP) and ACPO lead on child protection said: 'This has the real potential to accelerate online child protection and if adopted and applied should provide the vital reassurance that we all need.'
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New Investigators Working Alongside Police to Tackle Crime
An innovative new unit of civilian investigators, uniformed police officers and detectives is beginning operations in the Falkirk Area Command. The Priority Crime Unit started carrying out inquiries last week.
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ACPO Response to Government Announcement on Council Tax Rises
Dr Tim Brain, CC of Gloucestershire and ACPO lead on Finance and Resources said: 'We welcome the commitment given today by the Local Government Minister John Healey to give local authorities which have been ‘designated’ - the opportunity to discuss their individual cases with him before final decisions on actions such as capping are taken.
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Police Federation Response to Capping Announcement
Responding to last weeks capping announcement Jan Berry, Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, says: 'The government are sending out a confusing message. On the one hand they encourage local communities to lead with policing issues, yet when local authorities start to make policing and financial decisions they are penalised for doing so.
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Tackling Drugs and Fighting Crime through Partnership
Partnership is vital in reducing the misery caused by drugs, said Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker in a speech in Nottinghamshire on 7th April which hailed recent successes in the county.
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ACPO Position on Proposed Changes to Counter-Terrorism Legislation
ACPO President Chief Constable Ken Jones said: 'The correct time for measured consideration of our response to the evolving threats posed by counter-terrorism is now, not in the immediate aftermath of an atrocity. Recognising this, ACPO chief officers have welcomed proposals brought forward by the Home Secretary and the balance they strike between security and judicial safeguards.
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Automatic Number Plate Recognition Success in Hertsmere
Following a two month long proactive operation using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) across Hertsmere, 82 people were arrested. The operation led by the Central Area Roads Tactical Team, ran between the beginning of February till the end of March.
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Inner City Boxing Proves to be a Great Success
A new scheme to tackle anti social behaviour among teenagers in Birmingham through a boxing training programme has been hailed a great success. In February police in Aston and Witton paired up with former boxer and Super-Middleweight World Champion, Richie Woodhall, to form 'Inner City Boxing'.
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IPCC Investigation Into Allegations of Homophobic Behaviour by Police Officers
Devon & Cornwall Constabulary welcomes the publication of the report by the IPCC concerning allegations raised against some officers in 2005. The report made 9 recommendations and action has been taken to address all of these issues. The Constabulary is encouraged that none of the complaints about homophobic behaviour by officers were substantiated.
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Westminster Community and Police Groups Meet Together for First Time
Police engagement with local communities and the impact on crime and safety of safer neighbourhoods teams were among the items for discussion at the very first Westminster-wide meeting of the borough's three community/police consultative groups last night.
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Statement by Aneeta Prem, MPA Lead Member, Honour Killings and Forced Marriages
Responding to the IPCC report into the circumstances surrounding the so-called honour killing of Banaz Mahmod, Aneeta Prem, Metropolitan Police Authority lead member, honour killings and forced marriages, made the following statement:
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Government Minister Praises Notts Police
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker has congratulated Nottinghamshire Police for the hard work and success of its dedicated neighbourhood policing teams. From March 31st every community has a visible, contactable, and accountable policing team to keep their neighbourhood safe.
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SECURIZINE ISSUE 124 3rd April 2008

PM and Home Secretary Hail New Era of Policing
The Prime Minister and Home Secretary have hailed a new era of policing and launched a new 'policing pledge' that will agree a set of minimum standards for policing and give people a greater say and influence over how their streets are policed.
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Merger of SOCA and ARA Strengthens Drive to Capture Criminal Assets
On 1st April 2008 the operational element of the work of the Assets Recovery Agency (ARA) merged into the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA). The merger, which was agreed by Parliament last year, means SOCA now has both criminal and civil powers to reduce harm caused to individuals and communities in the UK by organised crime.
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New Look Constabulary Opens for Business!
It's a new financial year and a new look for Norfolk Constabulary. From Tuesday 1st April, Norfolk's three existing policing areas are replaced with one territorial policing area known as the County Delivery Unit.
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Public Confidence High in Police Complaints System
The vast majority of people (88%) who know of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) believe they would be treated fairly if they personally complained. More broadly, the majority of people (67%) who know of the IPCC are confident that it handles complaints against police in an impartial way.
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Humberside Statement on IPCC Report Following Death of Michael Forward
In its statement following an investigation into the death of a man in Grimsby, the Independent Police Complaints Commission has raised its concerns about a national police policy it calls ‘queue busting’ in custody suites.
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Capping Announcement Does Not Do Justice to Local Communities
Commenting on a Communities and Local Government announcement on 27/3/08 that seven police authorities may be capped, Association of Police Authorities (APA) Chairman, Bob Jones, said:
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Warks Chief Responds to Ministerial Funding Announcement
Last week Warwickshire Police Authority was notified by the Government that its budget could be capped. The Police Authority increased its share of the Council Tax bill by 12.87%, above the Government's guideline increase of 5%.
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Norfolk 'Extremely Disappointed' at Potential Capping
The Chairman of Norfolk Police Authority has expressed 'extreme disappointment' at the announcement made on March 27th that the budget for the Authority was under threat of capping.
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Surrey Unable to Approve Local Policing Plan
Members of Surrey Police and Surrey Police Authority will not formally approve the Local Policing Plan and numerical targets for 2008/09, due to the uncertain budgetary position in the wake of the Government’s threat of capping announced on Thursday (March 27th).
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Lincolnshire Response to DCLG Announcement
Mrs Angela Crowe, Chairman of the Lincolnshire Police Authority has issued the following statement. 'As the Minister emphasised, the announcement today is the start of the process, not its conclusion. 
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Additional Officers for Frontline Policing in Manchester
An additional 200 officers will be working on the frontline to police Greater Manchester following the precept agreement and a policing review.
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New Standards to Improve Essex Protective Services
A protective services improvement plan is being published to bring Essex Police into line with new national standards.
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IndigoVision’s IP Video Powers Mobile CCTV Vehicle
IndigoVision’s integrated IP Video solution is being used to provide the CCTV surveillance system for a Community Safety Vehicle operated by the London Borough of Waltham Forest. The vehicle is a joint initiative between the Borough, the Metropolitan Police and NCP, the council’s parking enforcement contractor.
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Force Rings the Changes with New Non-Emergency Number
Northumbria Police is ringing the changes with a new forcewide non-emergency number. The new telephone line, which is cheaper to call, is now in operation.
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Choices and Consequences Programme for Hitchin Man
Thirty-five-year-old Shaun Camps from Hitchin was given a six month deferred sentence and accepted on to the Choices and Consequences (C2) programme at St Albans Crown Court on Monday 31st March 2008.
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PC Haddock - West Midlands Reappeal
Detectives investigating a collision in Bloxwich in which a police officer was seriously injured have appealed for information regarding a van involved in the incident.
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IPCC to Investigate Bethnal Green Road RTI
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is managing an investigation into the police action prior to a fatal collision on Bethnal Green Road, London on Sunday 30th March.
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IPCC Concludes Banaz Mahmod Investigation
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has concluded its investigation into how the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and West Midlands Police handled complaints from Banaz Mahmod prior to her murder.
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Planned Changes For North East Air Support Unit
Durham Police Authority has given notice that it is backing plans to reduce the North East Air Support Unit to one helicopter.
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Easter Operation Stops Club and Bar Shootings
The Met police has once again successfully tackled shootings in and around the capital's licensed premises, with the second rollout of a special anti-gun initiative, named Operation Argon.
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Over 1000 Officers Target Criminal Network
More than 1000 officers took part in an operation to execute warrants at 56 addresses in London and other towns and cities on 27th March targeting those involved in a wide range of criminality.
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A Newcomer's Guide To Policing And The Law In Hertfordshire
A new booklet is being distributed across Hertfordshire aimed at providing some of the county's emerging communities with essential information and advice about the law in the United Kingdom.
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Adults Face Court if Found Carrying Bladed Weapon in Coventry
From Tuesday 1st April all adults found in possession of a knife or bladed weapon in Coventry will go to court as part of a new 'get tough' initiative being launched across the city aimed at improving confidence in the criminal justice system.
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Young Driver Scheme Launched by HRH Prince Michael of Kent
A ground-breaking education scheme for drivers under 25 caught committing moving road traffic offences was launched on 1st April by His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent GCVO.
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Young People and the Commissioner - Face to Face at the MPA
Young people from all over London gathered to put their questions to the Commissioner at a meeting held by the MPA on 27th March 2008, and to share their experiences of policing in the capital.
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Youth with BB Gun Sparks Armed Police Response
British Transport Police has issued a public warning on Friday 28th March about the dangers of carrying firearms and imitation weapons, such as toys, in public following an armed response incident at a busy Sussex railway station yesterday.
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Police Target Commercial Robbery for Grand National
A clampdown to prevent bookmakers being targeted over Grand National weekend is to be launched across Salford.
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ACPO Positioning on National DNA Database
The ACPO position on the National DNA Database remains that it is an invaluable tool which assists the Police Service in identifying and eliminating suspects in crime investigations, and contributes evidence which continue to leads to the detection of thousands of crimes.
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Sepura Leads the Way in China
Sepura has become the first major TETRA terminal supplier to manufacture in China through its partner, Tianjin 712 Communication and Broadcasting (TCB).
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Thames Valley Women's Network is Officially Launched
A group set up to support women throughout Thames Valley Police was officially launched by its Chief Constable on Wednesday 12th March. The Thames Valley Women's Network open day was sponsored by Reliance Secure Task Management.
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Handling of Stray Dogs Passes from Police to Local Authorities
Due to a change in Government legislation, from 6th April Police will no longer receive stray dogs from members of the public.
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Met Anti-corruption Team Probes Caymans Police
The head of the Cayman Islands police and two senior colleagues have been suspended following a covert operation by top Metropolitan Police investigators.
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