UK Policing News

On-the-spot fines for offences including being drunk and disorderly have been stopped in parts of London. Under a pilot scheme running in Westminster, Lambeth and Southwark, officers will use court action or "words of advice" instead of fines. The change will also affect offences of retail theft, disorder and threatening and abusive behaviour. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "This doesn't mean we aren't dealing with these offences." He continued: "We are seeing if there is a more effective way to deal with them, such as through cautions, through the courts or, in minor cases, words of advice." The force also expressed misgivings about the deterrent effect of th…

Ton-up speed merchant blames dyslexia 103mph? Can't read the speedometer, officer A 40-year-old speed merchant clocked doing 103mph in a 60mph zone blamed dyslexia for his extravagant speed. A concerned driver called in cops after spotting Matthew Cook "weaving in and out of traffic as he sped along the A27 between Falmer and Hollingbury in East Sussex", Brighton's The Argus reports. Witnesses said terminally-ill Cook was "smoking a cigarette and gesticulating at other drivers while passing their vehicles". Cue a date with Hove Crown Court, where prosecutor John Marsden Lynch explained: “He told the police officer that he did not understand the speed dial because h…

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Special Constable saved woman who suffered stroke in carA SPECIAL Constable has been praised for saving the life of a woman who had a stroke while driving. Nicholas Hallam, 19, of the Langley Mill Safer Neighbourhood policing team, was on patrol when he noticed a car holding up traffic on a Kilburn road. He and his colleague, Nathan Spencer, approached the stationary car and saw a 49-year-old woman unconscious at the wheel. "A passer-by had a look at the woman and told me she wasn't breathing, " said Nicholas, who lives in Nottingham and works as a waiter during the day. "It was quite scary but at that moment my training kicked in." TIN.adverts.adWriteDC('article-deta…

I apologise in advance for posting this in NEWS - but despite the fact it's old news it doesn't seem to have been discussed at all on this forum, so this feels like the most suitable section. The following clip was recently raised on another forum which I am a member of: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/video/2009/jun/21/fit-watch-kingsnorth-arrests Now, I'm not a police officer nor am I a protestor, so perhaps I shouldn't comment - but in my opinion the actions of the officers seemed fairly measured and reasonable compared with those of the media, who seem to have disregarded the concept of objective reporting. It seemed to me that there was a second storyline …

Just ondered if anyone else has picked up on this story? Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-10897058

At last the Government is listening to the concerns and advice of social trends and concerns... Professor Stephen Glaister (Director of the RAC Foundation) has said: "At last the technology has caught up with the political will and the public mood." There is a plan in place that could lead to technology being readily available to (Traffic) Officers on the roadside that will test whether drivers are under the influence of drugs. It may take two years before any devices are seen but at least its a start in recognising that a larger proportion of incidents are caused by those under the influence of drugs than are currently identified. They have acknowledged that getting a su…

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1300810/Big-Brother-facial-recognition-cameras-rolled-NCP-car-parks.html?ito=feeds-newsxml#ixzz0vpK6FiT1 I think it's a good idea and will prevent most car crime in car parks. Anyone think it's too much?

Source: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1313211_hundreds_of_police_officers_holding_down_second_jobs Hundreds of police officers in Greater Manchester have second jobs, according to new information from the force. And the areas they are working in are as varied as worm-breeding and model railway building. Latest figures from GMP show 358 officers hold down part-time jobs or run businesses on top of their normal duties. Officers are working in a huge range of industries, with roles including safety consultants, fitness instructors, plasterers and electricians. The M.E.N revealed earlier this year that 54 policemen and women were registered as runnin…

My link The Metropolitan Police has reconsidered its plans to require Special Constables work 50% more hours in light the current "tough economic times". A spokeswoman for the MPS moved to clarify there had been "a very recent decision" made to not to increase the commitment for new recruits joining up from April 2011, from 200 to 300 hours. The Met said it had reviewed its decision and felt that flexibility is needed for Special Constables, who work full time as well as fulfilling their policing commitments.

I am surprised this hasn't been posted yet, I wish I could say I was surprised that the info on bbc news is only half the story but i'm not! Seems the station was badly damaged, thankfully no casualties! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-10853360

he police officer in charge of evacuating the area around Strand Road police station in Londonderry during Tuesday's bomb attack said he is lucky to be alive. Duty Sergeant Adrian Simpson alerted people who were standing in a fast food shop within a few feet of the car containing the device. "I think human instinct makes you do what you have to do," he said. He risked his own life by walking past the bomb to bring people to safety. "I'm sure it was frightening for people to have a police officer bursting in through the door at that time of the night and shouting very loudly that they needed to leave immediately." Mr S…

link http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz0vMRC9rYe my own opinion on this no way the man should have been drinking and driving for a start. and to risk that he might have killed some one and i hope the judge comes down hard on him and never be allowed to drive a bus again.