SECURIZINE ISSUE 140 24th July 2008

Overall Police Personnel Numbers up 1.6%
Commenting on the release of police service strength statistics for England and Wales, ACPO President Chief Constable Ken Jones said: 'The snapshot on overall service numbers published today shows police personnel increased by 1.6% over the 12 months to 31st March 2008'.
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High Tech Crime Prevention for Stevenage Schools
A high tech crime prevention tool - enigmaTag - is being placed in all schools across Stevenage ahead of the summer holidays. RedWeb's enigmaTag uses encrypted micro particles to 'mark' home owners' assets so they can be easily identified.
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Staff Side Disappointment at Failure to Agree Pay Settlement
Paul McKeever, Chairman of the Staff Side of the Police Negotiating Board, says: 'We are bitterly disappointed that a failure to agree has been registered at the Police Negotiating Board today.'
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No Agreement on Scottish Police Pay for 2008
Following the dispute in 2007 when the UK Government overturned an independently arbitrated pay award, pay talks for 2008 have again broken down.
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Universal CCTV Player
Trying to decode and display the myriad of CCTV players now in circulation is a time consuming problem and an unwanted drain on resources for the police and courts. However, salvation is at hand in the form of ‘UniVue,’ a Universal CCTV player, developed by ClearView Communications.
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First National Policing Plan for Wales Launched
Police Forces in Wales are leading the way in England and Wales with collaborative working as the first ever National Policing Plan for Wales is launched.
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Portishead HQ Becomes Focal Point for World's Police
Portishead police headquarters became the focal point for world policing for three days. Officers drawn from forces from across the globe took part in the fact-finding trip to the nerve centre of Avon and Somerset police.
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Public Confidence High in IPCC - Annual Report Published
'Public confidence in the Independent Police Complaints Commission is high, demand is at record levels and performance is improving. Last year the IPCC completed a record number of independent investigations, significantly cut the backlog of appeals and handled over 11,000 direct complaints.'
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IPCC: Number of Fatal Police-Related Road Traffic Incidents Halved
The number of fatal police-related road traffic incidents has halved in the last year according to figures published by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) on Monday 21st July.
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IPCC Concludes Baby Taylor Investigation
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has concluded its managed investigation into complaints against police officers from Wiltshire Police who commenced a criminal investigation prior to the death of 15-month-old Joshua Taylor.
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IPCC Publishes Rachel Whitear Final Report
The Independent Police Complaints Commission haspublished the final Wiltshire Police investigation report into the death of 21-year-old Rachel Whitear in May 2000 in Exmouth, Devon, on its website.
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IPCC Welcomes Strengthened Forum for Preventing Deaths in Custody
The Independent Police Complaints Commission welcomes the Ministry of Justice's decision to strengthen the Forum for Preventing Deaths in Custody.
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Nio Security Forms Strategic Alliance with Lenco Software
Nio® Security Inc. - the provider of intelligent video security camera and DVR solutions for civilian security applications - has signed a strategic agreement and alliance with Lenco Software AS.
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PIPS ANPR Cameras for London's Low Emission Zone
PIPS Technology Ltd has supplied Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to Siemens Traffic Controls, as part of a contract awarded by Transport for London to provide an enforcement structure for London's Low Emission Zone (LEZ).
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ACPO Comment on Criminal Records Ruling
Commenting on the criminal records ruling by the Information Tribunal on 21st July, Ian Readhead, Deputy Chief Constable of Hampshire and ACPO lead on data Protection and Freedom of Information made the following statement:
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ACPO Comment on Report of the DNA Ethics Group
On 21st July the first Annual Report of the DNA Ethics Group, chaired by Professor Peter Hutton was published.
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Operation Crassus Leads to the Recovery of Goods and Vehicles
Between 26th April and 11th May 2008 the National Roads Policing Intelligence Forum (NRPIF) together with the ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (AVCIS) and Ports Police around the UK took part in Operation Crassus to try to identify the amount of stolen plant being moved on the strategic road network.
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Federation Response to Green Paper
The Police Federation of England and Wales is pleased that the government appears to have listened to many of the problems of bureaucracy and targets we have highlighted in our reports on 24/7 and CID policing over the years.
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Pilot to Help People With Mental Health Needs
How to better support people with mental health and complex needs who find themselves repeatedly going through the criminal justice system was the focus of an event held at Watford Football Club on Wednesday, July 16th.
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Operation Velopy Aims to Make Caravaning Safer
Police will be helping to make the Midlands‚ road network safer in an operation aimed at reducing the number of caravan-related accidents on the motorway this Friday (25th July 2008).
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Hundreds of New Cops Get Ready To Hit The Streets
Scotland’s largest police force is placing over a hundred new cops on the streets as part of an unprecedented recruitment drive to bolster existing resources. Strathclyde Police will see 112 new police officers being sworn in to mark the beginning of their service as police officers.
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Metropolitan Police Authority - July Meeting
A meeting of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) was held on Thursday 24th July 2008 at 10.00 a.m. Members discussed the MPA's Stockwell scrutiny report which was conducted by a panel of four Authority members.
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ACPO Response to Release of PCSO Review
Commenting on the release of the Review of PCSOs, published today, Chief Constable Leicestershire and ACPO lead for Neighbourhood Policing, Matt Baggott, made the following statement:
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Metal theft Initiative a Success
An initiative to combat metal theft in the Mendip West policing area has been so successful that other Police Forces are looking to adopt the scheme.
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Beating the Fuel Thieves
With the price of fuel on the increase Fife Police has been running the initiative 'Forecourt Watch' in the bid to help business beat the fuel thieves.
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Amnesty Attracts Big Guns
Over fifty imitation firearms have been surrendered by members of the public in Avon and Somerset during the guns amnesty in June.
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Cleveland Police Welcomes British Crime Survey Results
The latest set of figures released by the British Crime Survey show that Cleveland has one of the lowest crime figures in relation to personal crime in the UK.
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New Chief Welcomes Major Fall in Crime
People living in the Dyfed-Powys area are feeling safer, more secure and more confident in their local police figures released on 18th July reveal.
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From the Neighbourhood to the National
Cumbria Constabulary Chief Constable Craig Mackey said: 'The Government has published its Green Paper on Policing. We now need to study the green paper carefully and go through the finer detail.
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SECURIZINE ISSUE 139 17th July 2008

Police 'To be Freed from Targets'
Police are to be given greater freedom from red tape and targets under a government 'new deal' launched by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. All but one of the national targets imposed on forces will be scrapped under the Green Paper reforms, allowing officers more time to tackle crime.
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ACPO Response on Publication of Policing Green Paper
Commenting on the release of the Government’s Green Paper on Police Reform, ACPO President Chief Constable Ken Jones said: 'Today’s green paper marks a potential watershed in its recognition that effective and responsive policing is best achieved through relocating policing back where it belongs, at the service of local people.'
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Recorded Crime Figures Show Fall
Police-recorded crime in England and Wales fell 9% in the 12 months to March, latest figures suggest. The first reliable figures for knife crime showed there were 22,000 offences last year. The statistics also show that while the risk of being a victim is at its lowest ever level, people still think that the rate is going up.
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Dramatic Crime Reductions in London
Crime recorded by the police in London has fallen by six per cent over the last year according to new national crime statistics published today. The annual publication 'Crime in England and Wales 2007/08' includes results from the British Crime Survey (BCS) and crimes recorded by the police for the 12 months up to March 2008.
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Police Bravery Award Winners
In these troubled times it is an incredibly inspiring picture – a line-up of Britain’s bravest bobbies. They gathered on 10th July to hear that their courageous colleague PC Richard Gray, who gave his life so fellow officers could escape with theirs, had been given the highest gong at The Sun-backed Police Bravery Awards. Earlier the officers met at 10 Downing Street for this photograph before attending the glittering awards ceremony at London’s Dorchester Hotel.
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Crackdown on Illegitimate Security Firms
Merseyside Police executed warrants at four addresses on Merseyside on Thursday, July 10th and arrested 3 men and a woman, from the Southport, Aigburth, Mossley Hill, as part of an operation designed to crackdown on security firms which are not being run legitimately. 
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Hereford Police Choir Sing their Way into the Final 15    
The Hereford Police Choir is through to the final 15 choirs in BBC One’s latest Saturday night entertainment show Last Choir Standing. Thousands of choirs applied to take part in the show, with just 60 being selected to go to London to perform in front of the three Last Choir Standing judges.
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Police and Other Agencies Launch School Watch
Police and other agencies have joined forces to keep an eye on school premises over the school holidays.School Watch is an initiative launched across the Western Area of Hertfordshire.
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Thames Valley Police Firearms Range for Occasional Hire by Police Forces
Contains:
• 8 lane, drive-on 50m live fire range
• a 180 ° Live fire range
• Range control room
• Weapons cleaning room
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Sir Ian Magee Publishes The Reveiw of Criminality Information
On 16th July Sir Ian Magee published his Review of Criminality Information which looks at the way in which criminality information is shared between agencies both here and abroad. The Review focuses on the problems in information sharing and what needs to be done to better protect the public from harm.
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Positive Start for Durrington Dispersal Order
A dispersal order introduced in Durrington two months ago has had a positive impact on the local crime figures and improved takings at a local business.
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Training Commitment to Reducing Knife Crime
Wiltshire Police and the Swindon Youth Offending Team have launched a drive to challenge young offenders with the consequences of carrying a knife or firearm.
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Police Authorities are Vital to Coordinate Action against Forced Marriages
How police authorities can help tackle so-called ‘honour-based’ violence was the theme of a speech delivered on 16th July by Metropolitan Police Authority member Aneeta Prem.
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Government Plan to Reinforce Young Offenders' Sentences 
Parents of child offenders who fail to complete their sentence will in future face fines, compulsory parenting orders and possibly even prison under proposals outlined by the government on July 15th.
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Police Students Make the Grade  
136 of West Yorkshire Police’s student officers graduated from the University of Huddersfield on Monday 14th July. They’ve completed a 2 year Police Studies Foundation Degree studying practical and class-based work that has secured their success through the probationary period with the Police.
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Top Cop Makes Arrest On Way to Work  
West Yorkshire Police's Acting Divisional Commander of Bradford South division - Dickie Whitehead has proved that the police are never off duty. On his way to work on Monday, 14th July, he arrested a 16 year old on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon.
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Joint Operation Targets Metal Thieves         
Warwickshire Police is one of 38 forces across England and Wales who have taken part in a two day operation on 7th and 8th July to crack down on metal theft. Sergeant Colin Matthews said 'We have been working closely with neighbouring forces including British Transport Police, Staffordshire Police and West Midlands Police to target offenders and to visit scrap metal dealers throughout the Midlands area.'
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Co-op Teams Up With Police to Protect Stores
The East of England Co-operative Society has teamed up with Suffolk Constabulary in an initiative to prevent raids on its stores in the county. Raid-control™ aims to deter robbers from targeting stores, as well as generating evidence to convict the criminals if there is a raid, by ensuring that various security and surveillance methods are in place.
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Headcams Go Countywide
Police officers wearing headcams whilst on patrol will become aregular sight across Suffolk, following a successful pilot in the west of the county.
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Police Sporting Gift Leads to Snooker Success
Two young snooker players are well down the road to sporting glory following a gift from Northumbria Police. Back in 2003, Wallsend officers looking for a good home for a snooker table when the police club closed offered the full-sized table to a local family with snooker mad sons.
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SECURIZINE ISSUE 138 10th July 2008

Controversial Police Merger Plan is Revived
In the run up to the increasingly controversial Home Office Green Paper it has been reported that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith wants take another look at the proposal to combine many of the 43 constabularies in England and Wales.
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Government and Police Make New Pledge for Consistent Approach to Rape
A pledge to increase the conviction rate for rape by ensuring a consistent police response was made this week by Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker and the Association of Chief Police Officers' John Yates at a conference attended by forces from across the country.
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BT Body Worn Video Scoops Major Security Industry Award
BT technology - of a type Prime Minister Gordon Brown has endorsed in the fight to reduce crime - has won a prestigious prize at this year's IFSEC Security Awards 2008. The technology - BT Body Worn Video (BWV) - has been chosen as CCTV Product of the Year.
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ACPO Statement on Use of Police Dogs
Peter Vaughan, Deputy Chief Constable of South Wales police and ACPO lead on police dogs said: 'Contrary to media reports, ACPO guidelines currently being drawn up on the use of police dogs do not require or request police forces to use boots when police dogs are being used within Muslim buildings.
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The Price of Freedom
Thousands of pounds are being spent as Avon and Somerset Constabulary fulfills its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act. The total actual staffing costs of complying with the legislation is currently running at more than £60,000 per year.
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National Days of Action Target Metal Thieves
Police forces across the United Kingdom have combined in a two-day crack down on metal theft, a growing form of crime with an estimated annual cost to business and the public of £360 million.
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Blunt 2 Taskforce to Combat Knife Crime
At the public Co-ordination and Policing committee on 4th July 2008, Deputy Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson told Police Authority members about additional measures to combat knife crime in London.
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Police Federation Demands ACPO Implements HMIC Recommendations
An HMIC review into frontline policing has recommended national standards for police sergeants. The Police Federation of England and Wales are heartened and encouraged by the results of HMIC’s review into frontline policing.
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Police Stop and Search Figures Up
Police stop and searches increased by 9% to nearly a million in 2006-7, with black people seven times as likely to be stopped as white people. Asian people are also more likely to be stopped, and most searches were made for suspected drugs or stolen property.  
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Cost of Crime '£275 Per Person'
Funding the police to tackle recorded crime costs £275 per person a year, according to a lobby group report. The Taxpayers' Alliance put the cost at £15bn annually for forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
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Public Consultation on Development of the Metropolitan Police Estate
The findings of a three-month programme of public consultation on future development of the Metropolitan Police Estate in London has been discussed by members of the Metropolitan Police Authority.
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Operation Rize: Update
Operation Rize used powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to ensure that crime does not pay and that there should be no place for criminals to hide their ill-gotten gains.
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Belfast Police Open New High-Tech Control Room
A new state of the art Police control room for Belfast and Greater Belfast area was officially opened last week by the Northern Ireland Policing Board Chairman Professor Sir Desmond Rea.
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West Midlands Police Authority Annual Dinner
At last night's Police Authority Annual Dinner, Cllr Diana Holl-Allen thanked the Authority's partnership agencies for all they had done over the past year to reduce crime in the West Midlands. She then asked them to continue to assist police in addressing issues around young people.
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IPCC Consults on Performance Framework for Police Complaints System
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) began a six-week consultation on a framework to assess the performance of the police complaints system on Monday 7th July.
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Crime Falls in Dorset
Total crime in Dorset has fallen to a five-year low with reductions in violent crime, car crime and criminal damage – as Dorset Police enjoys the highest public confidence levels of any force in England and Wales.
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Gloucestershire Officers At Heart Of Anti-Human Trafficking Campaign
Gloucestershire Constabulary has received wide recognition for the role its officers played in the success of Pentameter 2, the second national co-ordinated campaign of policing activity against people trafficking for sexual exploitation.
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Human Trafficking Results
A national campaign to target human trafficking for the sex trade has seen Cambridgeshire arrest 41 people in the last ten months.
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Junior Cadet Scheme in Watford is Praised
A cadet scheme which has been set up in Watford through partnership working between the police and local schools has been praised by the Area Commander Chief Superintendent Jeremy Alford.
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SIA and Derby Police Join Forces for 'Operation Relentless'
Investigators from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) and officers from Derbyshire Police checked door staff compliance in Derby's city centre pubs and clubs last weekend.
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Northamptonshire Officer to Face Dangerous Driving Charge
A Northamptonshire Police constable has been summonsed to face a charge of dangerous driving following an Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) independent investigation.
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Lancashire Staff Member Dismissed after IPCC Investigation
A Lancashire Constabulary speed camera technician has been sacked at the end of an Independent Police Complaints Commission managed investigation into allegations that he had failed to carry out his work correctly.
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IPCC to Investigate Leicestershire Police Response to 999 Call
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is managing an investigation into the actions of Leicestershire Police in response to a 999 call from a 24-year-old woman.
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SECURIZINE ISSUE 137 3rd July 2008

Chief Makes Keynote Address On Future Of Policing
West Yorkshire’s Chief Constable delivered two key note addresses on national policing issues at the Association of Chief Police Officers’ Summer Conference last week.
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Speech by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to ACPO Conference
'Today I'd like to give you a clear sense of the principles which inform the Green Paper, and a broad steer on the issues it will cover - without, I hope, giving the game away on each and every issue.
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ACPO Position on Discrimination
Commenting on media reports surrounding alleged discrimination in the Metropolitan Police Service, ACPO President Ken Jones said: 'The MPS, and other forces across the UK, continue to work hard to make sure that all forms of discrimination are tackled head on. In this area the Commissioner has an outstanding record.
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Borders Under Threat Say Tories
The government is failing to protect Britain's borders, according to a report commissioned by Conservative leader David Cameron. The review by former Metropolitan police chief Lord Stevens said ministers lacked a clear strategy.
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ACPO Comment on Lord Stevens Report on Border Protection
Commenting on proposals for a Border Protection Service for the UK, produced by a group chaired by Lord Stevens, ACPO President Ken Jones said: 'Lord Stevens has produced a comprehensive report and a radical set of proposals which deserve careful consideration'.
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Inquest in Respect of the Death of Sergeant Richard Fuller
The following statement is issued by Superintendent Matt Pullen following the conclusion of the above inquest. 'HM Coroner for Swindon and Wiltshire has just concluded that Richard Fuller killed himself.'
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Lincolnshire's Frustration at Budget Decision
The Department for Communities and Local Government has announced that the Lincolnshire Police Authority budget should be designated at £100,638,000, equivalent to a 26% increase in council tax. 
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New X-ray Search Technology for London Underground and National Railway
After screening trials and in response to the continuing terrorist threat to the rail network, British Transport Police (BTP) is introducing enhancements to its current screening capability. This includes x-ray equipment and explosive detection dogs capable of screening moving passengers.
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RCPO Landmark Case
Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) secured three Serious Crime Prevention Orders (SCPO) on 27th June following an investigation by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).
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Response to Panorama programme 'Young Guns'
Assistant Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Patricia Gallan said, in response to the recent Panorama programme set on Merseyside: 'Gun crime is the top priority for Merseyside Police and the force continues to do a great deal to address it.
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Single Border Force to Protect the East of England
Organised criminals trying to cheat their way through the East of England's gateway port at Harwich are now coming up against a single Border Force.
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Police Agree an Extra 600 Officers for Essex
Essex Police Authority has pledged its support to plans to bring an additional 600 officers to the streets of Essex.
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Green Light for New North Tyneside Police Headquarters
Northumbria Police has been given the green light for plans for a new area command headquarters for North Tyneside.
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Wiltshire Police Recruitment Continues
In recent days there have been several articles in the National Press relating to high fuel costs. Some police forces have indicated that they will be reducing recruitment in order to reduce costs to find the extra funding for fuel.
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Operation Herald
Wiltshire Police has launched OPERATION HERALD in response to the growing number of metal thefts that have occurred in the county recently.
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Business Crime Booklet Published
Businesses across Nottinghamshire can get expert security tips and advice thanks to a new crime reduction booklet.
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Swann Security® and Crimestoppers Create Anti-Crime Alliance
Swann Security®, the global specialist in ‘Plug & Play’ security monitoring solutions, has announced the company’s continued commitment to crime prevention by teaming up with the UK crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers.
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Major Police Probe into Trafficking Leads to 528 Arrests
The largest ever police crackdown on human trafficking resulted in police recovering 167 victims and arresting 528 criminals associated with one of the worst crimes threatening our society.
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Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month
The Sussex Police Authority has sponsored two special Sussex film screenings as part of Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month.
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Natural Born Leaders Course Breaks New Ground in Nuneaton
Women in a Warwickshire town will be unlocking their full potential when they take part in a course run by police officers and staff. Over the next three weeks 20 Muslim women from Nuneaton will be engaging in 'Natural Born Leaders'.
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Police Box Restored
An old police box that used to stand in Nottingham’s Old Market Square has been saved from ruin and restored. The box is thought to be one of only two left in the country – the other is in the police national museum.
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Police Camera Action!
Wiltshire Police needs members of the public to assist with the training of new recruits by taking part in role play and providing feedback to the student officers.
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Wiltshire Search and Rescue Receives Donation
Wiltshire Search and Rescue received a donation of £500 from Mercedes-Benz dealership, Rygor, last week. The money was raised during a Golf Day that Rygor held for customers and will be used by the Search and Rescue team to help fund their operational activity.
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Police show launched on Crescent Radio
Police in Rochdale are joining forces with Crescent Radio to launch a new show.
It will be broadcast on the first Thursday of each month from 3pm, and officers from the Rochdale North and Rochdale South Neighbourhood Policing Teams will visit the station to discuss a range of issues.
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Police Dogs Help Snap Up Arrests
The South Wales Police’s dog section has had a very successful springtime in the Vale of Glamorgan, assisting officers in a number of significant arrests between March and May.
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