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SECURIZINE ISSUE 41 28th June 2006
Major
Shake-Up Announced for Home Office
The Home Secretary has outlined plans for a major shake-up of the Home
Office. Home Secretary, Dr John Reid told MPs the Home Office was 'not
fit for purpose'. This week he went one step further by announcing an
independent task force to overhaul the Home Office.
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on this Story]
Home
Secretary's Public Support for Regional Forces Welcomed
Staffordshire,
Warwickshire and West Midlands Police have welcomed the Home Secretary's
public support for regional forces. Speaking in the House of Commons
last week, Dr John Reid said he was committed to creating strategic
forces, but was extending the consultation period to allow time to consider
formal objections.
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on this Story]
Shelving
of Merger Plans 'Simply a Recognition of the Inevitable..’
The statement by Home Secretary John Reid that he is shelving plans
to seek Parliamentary approval for the enforced mergers of police forces
- including the creation of a single North East force - has been described
by the Chair of Cleveland Police Authority as 'simply a recognition
of the inevitable...'
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on this Story]
IPCC
Looking for New Chief Executive
The Independent Police Complaints Commission is looking for a Chief
Executive who is 'steady under pressure' to succeed Dr Susan Atkins,
who has moved back to the Home Office.
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on this Story]
Stolen
Moped Injures PCSO in Oxford
A Police Community Support Officer sustained head and leg injuries after
trying to stop a youth who drove at her on a stolen moped in Oxford
last week.
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on this Story]
Northants
Police Authority Welcomes Merger Deadline Extension
The
chair of the Northamptonshire Police Authority, Dr Marie Dickie, has
welcomed the Home Secretary's announcement of a delay in the plans to
force through police force mergers, saying that their efforts to keep
the issue of merger on the political agenda had paid off.
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on this Story]
95.04%
of Text Votes are Against East Midlands Merger
More than 1,400 people have responded to Derbyshire and neighbouring forces'
call for text messages regarding the Government's proposed merger. It
is planned to merge the five East Midlands police forces into one, single
strategic force.
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on this Story]
Gloucestershire
Discusses its Options with Home Office Police Minister
The
Chairman of Gloucestershire Police Authority Brigadier, Michael Browne,
and the Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Constabulary, Dr Timothy Brain,
have met with the Home Office Police Minister Tony McNulty to discuss
the future options for Gloucestershire Constabulary.
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on this Story]
CIPD
Police Forum
Over
130 human resources professionals from 35 police forces gathered to share
best practice at the sixth annual conference of the Chartered Institute
of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Police Forum this month.
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on this Story]
Devon
and Cornwall Accelerates Rollout of PCSOs
Devon and Cornwall Constabulary is accelerating the rollout of police
community support officers across the Force. The force is taking advantage
of quicker recruitment, putting many PCSOs into communities earlier than
expected, thanks to additional Government funding.
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on this Story]
Norfolk’s
Alleygating Scheme Up for ALARM Award
Norfolk
Constabulary's Alleygating scheme has been selected as a finalist in the
Operational Risk section of the ALARM Awards 2006.
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on this Story]
UK
Human Trafficking Centre in Place by End of Year
The
United Kingdom is to have a dedicated, police-led unit to deal with human
trafficking by the end of the year, the Home Office has announced.
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on this Story]
Northants
Casualty Reduction Officers at Beacon Status Conference
Representatives
from Northamptonshire's Casualty Reduction Partnership have shared their
best practice in reducing road casualties with Police and local authority
colleagues nationwide.
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on this Story]
Polish
Officers Visit Northumbria
Six
officers from Poland are visiting Northumbria Police to learn more about
the specialist communications department and marine unit.
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on this Story]
Bedfordshire
Police Devises New 'Community Risk Register'
A
new 'Community Risk Register' has been devised by Bedfordshire Police
to help the emergency services respond to a disaster.
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on this Story]
SECURIZINE ISSUE 40 21st June 2006
Flags
Fly at Half Mast Following Death of PC Tony Heaton
Flags
flew at half mast at Cheshire Constabulary headquarters following the
death of PC Tony Heaton ten days ago in a road traffic collision at
Chester Road, Davenham.
The 38-year-old from Winsford joined the force in 1992 having
served as a lance corporal in the Royal Engineers.
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on this Story]
Home
Secretary Agrees to Merger Delay
The
Home Secretary has agreed to delay forced police mergers saying there
needs to be greater consultation. John Reid told the Commons this week:
'I do not propose to lay any orders for enforced police force mergers
before the summer recess.
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on this Story]
Andy
Moon Named Special of the Year
Section Officer Andy Moon of West Midlands Police has been named Special
of the year, the highest acolade for the volunteer officers. Andy received
the Ferrers Trophy for his work tackling crime hot-spots in Wolverhampton
and was described as a driving force among specials on his force
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on this Story]
HMIC
to Streamline Operations
Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary has announced plans to reduce
the inspection burden on forces and concentrate on those that need support
following national consultation. HMIC will streamline and focus activity
where it is likely to add most value as well as reduce overall costs.
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on this Story]
IPCC
Clears Cumbria Constabulary of Police Misconduct
An
Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) managed investigation
into the death of Whitehaven-man Norman Sinton has found no evidence
of police misconduct and even commended the bravery of officers involved
in the incident.
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on this Story]
Big
Brother Contestants Do More Time than Some Criminals
The
Police Federation has waded into the row over lenient sentences by saying
Big Brother contestants can expect to be denied their freedom longer
than some convicted criminals.
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on this Story]
Brian
Paddick to Speak at Northants Police Spectrum Network Meeting
One of the country's most high profile senior officers is speaking at
this year's annual meeting of Northamptonshire Police Spectrum Network.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Brian Paddick from the Met police will talk
about his career and personal experiences as a gay officer within the
police service.
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on this Story]
PSNI
Recruits New Part-Time Officers
PSNI
is recruiting 150 new part time police officers to join its neighbourhood
policing teams. The part-time officers will be asked to work between 4-
8 hours a week and the shift pattern will vary according to operation
requirements.
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on this Story]
Record
£96m Seized from Criminals Last Financial Year
The
Metropolitan Police Service has received nearly £8 million for its
part in stripping criminals of their assets. Lancashire, Greater Manchester
Police and South Wales police all received nearly £1 million, the
Home Office has revealed. In total, police, customs officers and public
agencies seized a record £96 million from criminals last financial
year, bringing the total to £234 million.
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on this Story]
West
Merica Police Authority Presents ‘Worst Case Scenario’ Over
Funding
Three chief constables have accused West Merica Police Authority of producing
a worst case scenario over the lack of funding for a regional police force.
The Chiefs of Staffordshire, Warwickshire and West Midlands Police were
responding to a press release issued by West Mercia Police Authority which
warned of a 'massive shortfall' in funding that could cost 2,000 police
officers' jobs.
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on this Story]
Jobcentreplus
Recognises Hampshire Constabulary
Hampshire
Constabulary has announced that its commitment to supporting current and
prospective disabled staff has been recognised by Jobcentreplus.
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on this Story]
Crystal
Meth to be Reclassified as Class A Drug
Crystal
Meth is to be reclassified as a Class A Drug, the Home Office has announced.
Minister Vernon Coaker said the decision to reclassify methylamphetamine,
or 'crystal meth' was based on international experience.
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on this Story]
SECURIZINE ISSUE 39 14th June 2006
IPCC
Defends Itself Against Leak Accusations
The
Independent Police Complaints Commission has hit back at accusations
that its report into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes was leaked
to a Sunday newspaper.
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on this Story]
Durham
Patrol Cars fitted with ANPR Cameras
Durham has fitted six traffic patrol cars with automatic number plate
recognition cameras and enhanced computer links. Three BMWs are based
in each of the two command areas with the south vehicles stationed at
Darlington, Newton Aycliffe and Bishop Auckland. In the north, one car
works from Seaham with the other two located in Stanley.
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on this Story]
Stop
and Search Powers used by the City of London Police 'are Proportionate'
The
Stop and Search powers used by the City of London Police are proportionate
in relation to ethnicity, despite the Force having the highest rate
of stops in the country, research conducted by the London Metropolitan
University has concluded.
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on this Story]
Staffs,
Warwicks and West Midlands Restructuring Meeting
The Police Authority Chairs and Chief Constables
of Staffordshire, Warwickshire and West Midlands Police have met with
Home Office Minster Tony McNulty to discuss force restructuring. At
the meeting last week the minister was told of the strong desire of
all those present to see a strategic police force established in the
West Midlands region.
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on this Story]
Investigation
of Protected Electronic Data
The
Government has issued Consultation on the Draft Statutory Code of Practice
on the Investigation of Protected Electronic Data. Parliament has already
approved laws that require suspected terrorists, paedophiles and organised
criminals to either
• remove encryption so that the data or material is intelligible
again
• or provide the police with the 'key' to decipher any encrypted
data
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on this Story]
Durham
Recruits Extra Communications Staff
Durham
is recruiting extra communications staff to ease peak-time pressure.
The measures will make 32 additional staff available for the two communications
centres in Aykley Heads and Bishop Auckland - adding £800,000
to the force's annual wage bill.
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on this Story]
Derbyshire
Roads are Becoming Safer
Derbyshire
Constabulary is making Derbyshire roads a safer place for the public,
according to a review on the activation of speed cameras by police cars
undertaken by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).
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on this Story]
Essex
Remains Top UK Fully-Qualified Life-Savers Force
Ten
years after the organisation began training officers in specialist emergency
medical skills, Essex Police remains the only UK force to have such fully-qualified
life-savers.
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on this Story]
Dutch
Lessons for Dog Handlers
Avon and Somerset Police dog handlers have learned foreign phrases to
teach dogs imported from Holland how to track down criminals in the UK.
The force has taken on three dogs as part of a drive to recruit quality
dogs for the force.
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on this Story]
Policeman
Loses Taser Gun
A
policeman lost his Taser stun gun - after leaving it on his police car
roof and driving off. The officer only noticed the weapon, which gives
a 50,000 volt shock, was gone when he got to his destination. He retraced
his route between Lewes and Eastbourne, East Sussex, but there was no
sign of the pistol.
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on this Story]
Strathclyde
Murder Rates at 15 Year Low
Figures
show that murder rates in Strathclyde are at their lowest level for almost
15 years, although police chiefs have urged caution, stressing that levels
of violence are still far too high in the west of Scotland.
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on this Story]
SECURIZINE ISSUE 38 7th June 2006
Over
90% Oppose East Midlands Merger
Ninety per cent of people responding to a survey have opposed plans
to merge five East Midland forces into a single superforce. Over 600
people have responded to Northamptonshire and neighbouring Police
Authorities call for text messages regarding the Government's proposals
to merge the five East Midlands force into one, single strategic force.
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on this Story]
Surrey
Police Backs Outsourcing CCTV Viewing to PAR
Surrey
police has backed outsourcing its CCTV viewing to allow officers to
concentrate on the investigation. In his presentation at this year's
ACPO-APA 2006 Exhibition, Peter Kirkham, Director of Outsourced Services
at PAR revealed the company is delivering what is probably the first
outsourced operational services contract in UK policing.
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on this Story]
Grampian
to Launch Police Cadet Scheme
Grampian
Police is set to launch a new Police Cadet scheme for young people
later this year. The force wants to recruit young people who will
be paid between £6,579 - £7,767 per annum during the course
of their cadetship.
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on this Story]
HMIC
Says Tayside Police has Made Significant Progress
A review inspection of Tayside Police has found that the force has
made significant progress in its work according to a report published
by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC). The review focuses
on the current activities undertaken by the force, including action
taken in response to the recommendations made in HMICs primary inspection
in 2002 and a subsequent review in 2004.
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on this Story]
UK
Disruptive Passenger Initiative Launched
The
national launch of the UK Disruptive Passenger Initiative by Greater
Manchester Police Chief Constable Michael Todd took place at Manchester
Airport this week. Police commanders at airports across the UK have
joined with the Crown Prosecution Service, UK airlines and airport
authorities to operate a 'zero tolerance' approach to violent passengers
in the run up to the World Cup that starts this week.
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on this Story]
Costs
of Northern Constabulary’s Chief’s Vehicles Made Public
Northern
Constabulary has released details of the costs of the chief and deputy
chief constable's vehicles following a request under the Freedom of
Information Act. The total cost of the senior officers' Range Rovers
is £54,905 which the force says represents excellent value for
money.
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on this Story]
North
East Forces ‘Need to Up Their Game to Improve Protective Services’
North East forces need to raise their game if they are to improve protective
services as a single strategic force for the area, according to Northumbria's
Deputy Chief Constable.
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on this Story]
Police
Reform Act Increases Complaints by 44%
Complaints against the police have increased as a result of the Police
Reform Act, according to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
Figures released by the IPCC show a 44 per cent increase in 2004/05
on the previous year.
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on this Story]
Scotland's
Emergency Plans Under Review
A
review of Scotland's ability to deal with simultaneous major emergencies
is now under way, the Scottish Executive has announced. It will be conducted
by a team of Justice Department officials, along with HM Chief Inspector
of Fire Services.
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on this Story]
Humberside
Turns Around Call Answering Times
Humberside police says it has turned around its call answering times
following criticism that it was taking far too long to respond. Average
waiting times to answer a 999 call have been reduced from 11 seconds
to just under 4 seconds from July 2005 to January 2006.
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on this Story]
Serco
Cleared of Breaking Race Discrimination Act
Serco
did not break the Race Discrimination Act when it dismissed a British
National Party (BNP) Councillor, the Court of Appeal has ruled.
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on this Story]
Summer
Drink and Drug Driving Campaign Begins
A
summer Drink and Drug Driving campaign has begun in all 43 police forces
across England and Wales to combat rising numbers of deaths.
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on this Story]
IPCC
says Forest Gate Shooting Investigation is 'Progressing Well'
The
Independent Police Complaints Commission says the investigation into
the shooting in Forest Gate is 'progressing well' and with full co-operation
of the Metropolitan Police Service.
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on this Story]
Poor
Communication During 7/7 Bomb Attacks 'No Surprise'
Poor
communication during the 7/7 bomb attacks are 'no surprise', according
to the Police Federation.
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on this Story]