SECURIZINE ISSUE 123 27th March 2008

Judges Attacked Over Gun Crime
Judges have undermined the fight against gun crime by failing to impose the toughest sentences on criminals caught with handguns, a senior policeman said. Bernard Hogan-Howe, chief constable of Merseyside Police, said some judges ignored the mandatory five-year jail term for possession of a firearm.
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ACPO Comment on Sentences for Possession of Firearms
Assistant Commissioner Tim Godwin of the MPS and ACPO lead on Criminal Justice said: 'Gun crime has devastating consequences and is a high priority for the police service and our partners to tackle. Good progress has been made over the last 12 months but more remains to be done.
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Jan Berry Supports Chief Constable’s Comments on Gun Crime
The Police Federation has released a statement following Chief Constable Hogan-Howe’s comments about judges failing to impose mandatory five year sentences in gun crime cases.
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Gordon Brown in New Neighbourhood Police Team Plan
Beat bobbies will be brought back to tackle the growing problem of boozed-up thugs terrorising our streets. Gordon Brown is to flood every neighbourhood with officers dedicated to stamping out yob crime.
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IPCC Raises Concerns Over 'Queue-busting' Policy in Custody Suites
The Independent Police Complaints Commission has raised concerns with the risks presented by a 'queue busting' policy used at some custody suites following a managed investigation into the death of man in Grimsby.
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IPCC: West Midlands Implementing 'Improved Working Practices'
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has concluded its managed investigation into the arrest and treatment of a vulnerable person by West Midlands Police officers.
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Police Authority Transforms Services by Joining Southwest One Joint Venture
Avon and Somerset Police Authority has announced that it has joined Southwest One a joint venture to transform the services provided to the Constabulary and the communities it serves.
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First Gwent Probationers Pass New In-House Training
Eleven Gwent probationers will next week be the first officers to complete a new training programme and receive a professional qualification, following the biggest shake-up of police probationer training in 60 years.
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Bedfordshire Staff Assist Jersey Investigation
Two of Bedfordshire Police’s scenes of crime experts and a detective have been called to help Jersey Police investigate the former children’s home as part of the child abuse inquiry.
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The Changing Face of Policing Produces Big Fall in Crime
Recorded crime is tumbling across County Durham and Darlington with forecasters predicting a reduction of nearly 11 per cent by the end of the fiscal year.
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Thames Valley Issues Safety Packs to Taxi Drivers
Taxi drivers across Chiltern Local Police Area (LPA) have been issued with special driver safety packs by police and Chiltern District Council to build a closer relationship between the police and taxi drivers.
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Neighbourhood Policing Teams for Scotland's Railways
British Transport Police now regards railway stations as an integral part of the neighbourhood.
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West Suffolk Safer Neighbourhood Teams Celebrate
Suffolk Constabulary and its partners have celebrated a year of success for Safer Neighbourhood Teams in West Suffolk, with a reception at the Athenaeum in Bury St Edmunds.
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Police Warn of Danger of New Craze in Guildford
Police are warning of the dangers of a craze that is currently sweeping Guildford town centre. A number of areas within the town centre have recently been identified as ideal locations for 'parkour', or free running.
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West Mercia Constabulary reviews Gender Equality Scheme
West Mercia Constabulary is reviewing its Gender Equality Scheme to ensure that it is successfully addressing inequalities in the workplace.
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Students 'Barred' from Pursuing a Life of Crime
Students from a North Somerset school will experience life behind bars next month in a bid to discourage them from taking up a life of crime.
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New Recruit Puts Best Paw Forward on Gloucestershire Beat
Gloucestershire Constabulary has recruited a dog with a family heritage in German dog sport Schutzhund (literally meaning ‘protection dog’) to their Dog Section.
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SECURIZINE ISSUE 122 20th March 2008

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.
[More on this Story]

IPCC to Independently Investigate Death of Cleveland Man
The Independent Police Complaints Commission is conducting an investigation following the death of a man who became ill while in the custody of Cleveland Police.
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Police Officer Injured
West Midlands Police are investigating a serious incident in the early hours of Tuesday morning, during which a police officer was seriously injured. The incident occured in Sneyd Lane at the junction with Sandbank and Broad lane in Bloxwich at 03.40 hours.
[More on this Story]

Bus Banners Drive 'Know Your Local Police' Campaign
Meet Ed Brown – Safer Neighbourhood sergeant and the face of a new county-wide advertising campaign to draw Norfolk's local policing teams closer to their communities.
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Covert Capture Car Strikes In N Devon
A 40yr old man from Barnstaple appeared before Magistrates on Monday 10th March charged with damage and theft offences. John Hamm had carried out the offences late on Saturday evening (8th March) in Barnstaple. He chose to attack a covert capture car deployed by the police.
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Officers get Better Known on their Beat
PCs Andy Raybould and Steve Murphy will now be seen by twice as many people on their beat - by having cardboard cut-outs of themselves in Leicestershire supermarkets.
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Partnership Working Pays Dividends in Ashby de la Zouch
The police in Ashby de la Zouch have arrested and dealt with two people causing criminal damage in the town in the early hours of the morning by working in partnership with the town's CCTV operators.
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New Initiative Tackling Shop Thefts In Northampton
Young people who insist on shoplifting could pick up more than they bargained for thanks to a new initiative by the Northampton Retail Crime Initiative (NRCI).
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New Contact Management Centre Opens in Shropshire
A new ‘state of the art’ communications centre for West Mercia Constabulary opens this week, meaning an even better service for the public. The Contact Management Centre North staff based in Shrewsbury will prioritise incoming calls from Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin and is home to about 90 staff.
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Police Officer Praised for Swift Actions
A quick-thinking police officer has been praised for his swift actions which helped save the life of an elderly man suffering a heart attack in Newcastle city centre.
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Police Certificates
A pilot project run by the ACPO Criminal Records Office (ACRO) in conjunction with authorities in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand is cutting the time taken for visa applicants to obtain a police certificate from up to 40 days to two working days.
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Operation V79
On Tuesday 18th March, police officers around the UK took part in Operation V79, aimed at tackling road safety and associated criminality.
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South Yorks Officer Pleads Guilty to Driving Offence
A South Yorkshire Police officer has been disqualified from driving for six months and fined £800 after pleading guilty to driving without due care and attention.
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Allegations against Cheshire Officers Unsubstantiated
Allegations that Cheshire Constabulary officers used excessive force when dealing with a Nantwich man have not been substantiated following an investigation managed by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
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ACPO Response to Figures on Use of Taser
Derek Talbot, ACPO spokesperson on Taser and Assistant Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police said: 'ACPO welcomes the commitment to publish these figures quarterly.'
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Essex Mounted Unit Makes First Arrests
The reinstated mounted unit of Essex Police has demonstrated just how effective it is by making its first two arrests in Tilbury.
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Police Sergeant to Train Police Officers in Rwanda
A police sergeant with Warwickshire Police is to share his knowledge and training expertise with international colleagues in Rwanda this month.
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Sepura to Supply Pakistan Police
Sepura is to supply 10,000 digital TETRA radios to the Pakistan police force, in the first phase of their migration to TETRA.
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Six Month Operation to Protect Stunning Beauty Spots
A six-month operation aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour at some of Scotland’s most stunning beauty spots is being launched on Friday March 21st. Operation Ironworks will cover Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
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National Lead Force on Fraud
Collectively, fraud, in its many forms, constitutes a significant proportion of criminal activity in the UK.  Reported fraud has been estimated to cost our economy at least £20 billion a year.
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Gloucestershire Dog Section
Four new members of Gloucestershire Constabulary are preparing to put their best paws forward and help collar criminals in Gloucestershire. The mutt-ley crew are the latest recruits to the Constabulary’s Dog Section and, after a rigorous selection process, are now ready to help serve the county’s communities.
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Gwent Neighbourhood Policing
Police Community Support Officer Joseph Little and the rest of Pontypool's Neighbourhood Policing Team celebrate one year of neighbourhood policing across the whole of Gwent.
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Gwent First force in Wales to Get Health Stamp from Assembly
Gwent police is leading the way when it comes to promoting a healthy workforce. It's the first police force in Wales to be awarded the 'Corporate Health Standard' by the Welsh Assembly Government, and it's been given the award at GOLD level.
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Humberside Police Sets upon Workforce Reform
Humberside Police is taking part in a national initiative which aims to get the most out of the force’s biggest asset – its employees.   The force has been working on a project, for the past 12 months aimed at improving the level of service to the people of Humberside. 
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SECURIZINE ISSUE 121 13th March 2008

A Tribute to Former Essex Officer Mike Todd
Officers and police staff across Essex Police have been left stunned by the sudden, tragic death of Mike Todd. The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Chief Constable began his police career in 1976. He had been a cadet prior to starting his first role as a police constable in Billericay.
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ACPO Tribute to Mike Todd
ACPO President Ken Jones said yesterday: 'Mike Todd has made an enormous contribution to policing in Manchester and nationally throughout his distinguished career. He has been vice-President of the Association and actively involved in the national effort against terror.
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IPCC Publishes Report on Near Misses in Police Custody
'Adherence to custody policies and procedures saves lives,' according to Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) Chair Nick Hardwick.Mr Hardwick was speaking as the IPCC published research (on Wednesday 12 March) that estimates there are around a thousand near misses in police custody in England and Wales every year. Of these 400 were likely to lead to death without prompt intervention by custody and medical staff.
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Officer Assaulted in Derbyshire
Police are appealing for information following an assault on a police officer who attended a report of a burglary at the Co-op on Maple Avenue, Ripley, Derbyshire.
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Shot Officer Returns to Work
Katie Johnson the police officer who was shot in the leg on New Years Eve in Bamber Bridge, Lancashire has returned to work. The 29 year old PC has also been reunited with her dog Chaos who was thrilled to see her.
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Stun Gun Found On Streets Could Kill
A potentially lethal stun gun disguised as a mobile phone has been recovered from a city's streets. The illegal weapon, similar in appearance to a Sony Ericsson W700, is claimed to deliver a 900,000-volt electric shock when its small metal prongs are placed on a target.
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First Airport to Launch Project Griffin
Gatwick Airport is due to launch Project Griffin on 27th March, 2008, the first airport to go live with the project. The project will be launched with an awareness day focusing on crime and counter terrorism issues, which specifically relate to the day-to-day running of the airport.
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Reliance Spreads its Web
Since it's first contract for Prisoner Escorting and Court Custody in 1994, Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd has grown substantially. Now employing over 2,600 people Reliance Secure Task Management is responsible in one way or another for the care and safe custody of over 644,000 detainees per year.
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National Identity Scheme Delivery Plan Published
The delivery of the national identity scheme has gathered momentum as plans were laid out by the Home Secretary beginning with the introduction of identity cards for foreign nationals in 2008 and British citizens in 2009.
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Jail Let-off for Thieving Addicts
Thieves who steal to feed drug or alcohol addiction may be spared jail under new guidelines proposed this week. They could instead get community service if their crimes were motivated by 'desperation or need', says the Sentencing Guidelines Council.
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Hertfordshire's Biggest Ever Confiscation Order
A man from St Albans has been ordered to pay 1.5 million pounds under the Proceeds of Crime Act. This is the biggest ever confiscation order made in Hertfordshire.
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Bedfordshire Police and Police Authority Announce New ACC Post
Bedfordshire Police Authority has approved the appointment of a second Assistant Chief Constable.
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International Officers Learning from West Yorkshire Police
Senior members of the security sector from developing countries are getting a taste of what it's like to police Bradford this week. The twelve visitors are spending a week with West Yorkshire Police.
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Herts Collaborates with DC on Anti-Social Behaviour
Hertfordshire Constabulary and North Herts District Council (NHDC) will be working even closer together in the future to further reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour.
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Border Policing Strengthened
New measures to ensure closer working at the border between the police and the UK Border Agency (UKBA) have been announced by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.
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Single Border Force to Protect South Coast
Organised criminals trying to cheat their way through security at south coast ports are about to come up against a single border force. The work of immigration and customs is being brought together, in April, to strengthen border controls across the region.
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CPS and ACPO Sign Protocol on Handling of Rape Cases
A model protocol designed to improve the investigation and prosecution of rape cases throughout England and Wales, was signed on 7th March by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).
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Force's Website Boost
Northamptonshire Police Force's website has been boosted by two new state-of-the art developments. People who log on to Northamptonshire Police’s website can now catch up on all the news about the Force in nine separate languages. And residents all over the county can use the new Google maps feature to find out which Safer Community Team covers their area.
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MPA to Promote Awareness to Tackle Forced Marriages
Responding to the report 'Forced marriage, family cohesion and community engagement: national learning through a case study of Luton' by Dr Nazia Khanum OBE, Aneeta Prem, Metropolitan Police Authority lead member on dishonour based violence, said:
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Islamabad Superintendent visits Warks Police
Superintendent Ashfaq Ahmad Khan highlighted the differences and similarities between policing in Islamabad, Pakistan and Warwickshire, on a recent visit to Warwickshire Police.
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Herts Joins Nationwide PCSO Scheme
As part of a nationwide campaign, Hertfordshire Constabulary will be helping you to get to know your neighbourhood police officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).
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Safer Neighbourhood Teams Get Cycle Savvy
Safer Neighbourhood Team Police Officers, Special Constables and Community Support Officers from across Suffolk are going back to the classroom and onto the roads in March and April, to get cycle savvy so they can pass their knowledge on to local youngsters.
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Horses On Leisure Zone Patrol in Northampton Town Centre
Police on horseback will be patrolling the streets of Northampton town centre during the next three weekends as part of an Easter crackdown on alcohol related violence and disorder.
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Police Dogs in Action on Royal Mail Stamps
Four-legged hounds trained at South Wales Police Dog Training School sprang into action for their latest mission - helping launch Royal Mail’s latest set of stamps featuring canine heroes.
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Warwickshire Police Welcomes New Recruit, Rio
Warwickshire Police has welcomed a new four legged recruit to its ranks this week. Rio, an 18 month old black Labrador, has just completed his training and is now operational as a reactive drugs dog.
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SECURIZINE ISSUE 120 6th March 2008

Police Federation Launches Poll on whether Police Officers Want Industrial Rights
The Police Federation has launched a poll of its 140,000 members in light of the Home Secretary's decision not to implement in full the decision of the independent Police Arbitration Tribunal on police officer pay. Police officers will be asked whether they wish the Federation to begin to lobby for full industrial rights for them.
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Government Commitment on Police Numbers
Following an exchange in the House of Commons between the Home Secretary and David Ruffley, Shadow Minister for Police Reform, Mr Ruffley has issued the following press release;
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MPA Agreement Reached on Policing Heathrow Airport
A groundbreaking agreement has been reached on policing Heathrow airport under the requirements of the Civil Aviation Act 2006. The Metropolitan Police Authority, Metropolitan Police and British Airports Authority have approved a police service agreement (PSA), which will secure the future arrangements for how the airport is policed.
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ACPO Response to Review of Licensing Act
Chris Allison, the ACPO lead on licensing and Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police said: 'ACPO was broadly supportive of the Licensing Act but did express concerns over extending the hours during which people could purchase alcohol given the culture of excessive drinking that already pervaded our society.'
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24 Hour Licensing 'not an Overnight Success'
Responding to the findings of the review of 24 hour licensing in the news on 4th March, Jan Berry, Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, says: 'I don't understand how 24 hour licensing can be deemed an overnight success by the Prime Minister'
[More on this Story]

East Midlands Present Evidence to Select Committee
Evidence from the five East Midlands police forces and authorities was presented to the Home Affairs Select Committee when it met in Nottinghamshire on 25th February at Kelham Hall, near Newark.
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Surrender your Imitation Firearms
Dorset Police is urging the public to hand in realistic imitation guns at police stations around the county during a ‘surrender scheme’. The ‘surrender’ is taking place between Saturday 1st March and Tuesday 1st April 2008 and, during this period, the public will be able to hand in imitation weapons at any police station in Dorset.
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PM and Home Secretary Herald the Start of Neighbourhood Policing
New plans to give people a real say and influence over how their streets are policed were this week outlined by the Prime Minister and Home Secretary. By April, every community in England and Wales will have a neighbourhood policing team of police officers and Police Community Support Officers in place.
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New West Yorks Neighbourhood Policing Teams Unveiled
On 3rd March West Yorkshire Police unveiled the extension to its Neighbourhood Policing Teams. An extra 300 officers have been deployed to work in 47 new Neighbourhood Policing Teams.
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Road Policing Unit Targets Occupational Driving Deaths
Officers from the East Sussex Road Policing Unit are carrying out checks on light goods vehicles across Sussex this week in order to emphasise the dangers involved in occupational driving.
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Specialist Police Teams Featured on Sky One    
On March 3rd the Thames Valley Roads Policing Proactive Unit and Dog Section were featured once again on Road Wars, a documentary now in its sixth series on Sky One.
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Have Your Say on Cutting Crime in Sheffield
Hundreds of community activists in Sheffield assembled recently to share their ideas on tackling crime in the city, as the Government called for ordinary members of the public to have their say in a major review of crime and communities.
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Hampshire Arson Task Force Secures New Funding
A joint police and fire service initiative aimed at preventing and convicting deliberate fire setters, has secured further funding after a successful pilot year. Nearly twelve months after the Hampshire Arson Task Force was established, the unit is having a dramatic impact on the conviction and arrest rate for arson offences.
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Joint Operation Hailed as a Success in Bishop's Stortford
A joint multi-agency operation carried out on February 21st has been hailed a success. Operation Agrarian was held to tackle cross border criminality and was a joint operation by police officers from Hertfordshire and Essex.
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Operation Serene Returns to Cut Crime in March
Police on Monday 3rd March launched a dedicated month-long operation to combat a traditional seasonal rise in crime. Operation Serene II follows on from the success of Operation Serene run last October and November, which cut all types of crime by 18 per cent.
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Introducing A Taste Of Things To Come
Lincolnshire Police this week introduced thirty-four new members of staff who are set to become part of the frontline face of the county’s policing.This number is made up of nineteen police officers transferred into the county from other forces, as well as fifteen newly recruited Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).
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London's Social Landlords and Police Pioneer New Approach
Landlords are being urged to follow a successful new approach taken in four London boroughs to tackle anti-social behaviour that blights estates across the region.
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Police Committed to Tackling Mortgage Fraud
Police forces are being handed new guidance on how to identify and investigate organised mortgage fraud with the delivery today of an ACPO intelligence report into the issue.
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If you Suspect It - Report It
Londoners are being urged to help stop terrorists in their tracks by reporting suspicious behaviour, in a new counter terrorism advertising campaign launched today. The Metropolitan Police Service is asking people to trust their instincts and pass on information about any unusual activity or behaviour to the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline.
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ACPO Response to Media Coverage on PREVENT Strategy
Responding to media interest in the ACPO PREVENT strategy, which sets out the police response to the prevention of terrorism and violent extremism, the ACPO lead on Prevent and Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police Norman Bettison said the following on 28th February:
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Criminals 'Get the Message There is No Escape'
Officers in Cheshire Police Eastern Area say criminals are getting the message that crimes committed years ago can come back to haunt them. The officers say investigations into crimes which have remained unsolved for some time are proving increasingly successful.
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Energy Efficiency Programme
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is working with the Greater London Authority (GLA) and the Clinton Foundation in an energy efficiency programme to cut carbon emissions in London's buildings.
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One Man and his Dog send out Clear Message to Criminals in Gloucester
One man and his dog have been proving to criminals they are a force to be reckoned with in Gloucester.PC Richard Brooks and his trusty dog Jed, of the Constabulary’s Dog’s Unit, have been responsible for seven arrests in just two days further proving the importance of police dogs in today’s policing.
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UK to Lead EU Police Mission to Albania
Britain's fight against serious organised crime and illegal migration has been given a boost by the UK's success in its bid to lead the EU Police Mission to Albania (PAMECA) in partnership with the Albanian government.
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