UK Policing News

Police end routine patrols of M4 South Wales Police had warned of cutbacks due to funding concerns South Wales Police traffic officers will no longer routinely patrol or clear debris along the M4 except when there is a high risk to public safety. Supt Joe Ruddy, head of roads policing, said the move from 1 May was in line with forces in England and Scotland. He said it would enable traffic officers to "focus on the core business of tackling crime on our roads". Chief Constable Barbara Wilding had warned of cutbacks because the force faced a funding shortfall. Supt Ruddy said: "We can confirm that from Friday, 1 May, traffic officers employed by the force will…

A Scotland Yard detective is facing the sack after chanting obscene football songs on a packed commuter train. James Coleman, 27, was among a group of rowdy Bristol City fans who yelled out offensive songs, which left other passengers intimidated and distressed. Unfortunately for Coleman, one of the passengers in the same carriage was City of London Police Commissioner Mike Bowron, who was also on his way to the evening match in South-East London. Mr Bowron produced his police identification, and politely urged them to tone down their foul language, but was subjected to a torrent of further abuse. James Coleman (left) was among a rowdy mob of football fans who were c…

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8041320.stm If they are going down that path they should consider banning violent video games and movies too?

A man has been shot dead by armed police in West Sussex. Sussex Police were called to a house in Fernhurst, near Midhurst, at about 1130 BST following reports that a man was in possession of a gun. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said the man, who has not yet been formally identified, was shot dead by officers. Sussex Police said it referred the incident to the IPCC at about 1500 BST on Friday. An IPCC spokeswoman said: "The IPCC is to independently investigate the fatal shooting of a man in Fernhurst [near Midhurst] in West Sussex this afternoon. "At approximately 3pm Sussex Police referred the incident to the IPCC. IPCC investigators have b…

Policeman refuses to pose on bike A Lancashire police officer refused to pose on a bike at a charity photo shoot because he had not passed his cycling proficiency test. The officer, Pc Tony Cobban, told photographers that he would not be able to climb on the mountain bike in Preston. Charity, Prime Focus, had raised money to buy bikes from Halfords for police community support officers (PCSOs). A force spokeswoman said Pc Cobban was following "force guidelines". 'Appropriately trained' Nigel Morrall, manager of Halfords, said: "The photo shoot had been arranged to publicise the fact the the charity had managed to raise the cash to provide more bikes for PCSOs…

A POLICEMAN has been left with a serious head injury after being hit with a Samurai sword when trouble flared on a South Tyne-side street. The officer was rushed to hospital with a wound to his head after the alleged attack in Simonside at 3am today. Eyewitnesses described a man wielding a Samurai sword and going "crazy" in Henderson Road, smashing up cars in the street, before walking into a nearby property. A terrified resident called police, and when officers turned up, the man reportedly reappeared from the property with a Samurai sword in one hand and a machete in the other. One resident told the Gazette: "I was in bed when I heard loud shouting, and when I look…

I read this in yesterday's paper and was shocked that a Drugs Charity is viewing substance misuse as a means of tax revenue. Where is the incentive for users to get clean if we provide them with drugs, no questions asked, not to mention more people having access to drugs.

source: Sky News What an awful incident. Thoughts and prayers go to her family, friends and colleagues

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Politics/...Him_Entering_UK I have no idea how offensive this man is, but he seems to have a point. Glad to see the Home Secretary has standards she applies to other people. Hazel Blears should not leave the country, just in case they don't let her back in!

I know it's not a 'rule' as such, but it would be a good idea to put a news story in quote tags so that the people below don't quote the whole bleedin' thing (I know they can delete the majority of the text, but for some reason they don't!). I have no power to make this a rule or enforce it, but it would be good if people did it voluntarily.

Marcus Anthony Nichols, 24, has been sentenced to a total of 30 years in jail for possession of a loaded MAC 10 machine gun with silencer and possession with intent to supply in an operation which has removed £20m worth of drugs from London's streets. Nichols, 24, unemployed of Angle Green, Dagenham, was arrested as part of a proactive intelligence led operation, codenamed Filsham, by officers from the Met's Central Task Force on 22 May 2008. Detective Inspector Colin Stephenson, from the Met's Central Task Force, said: "Since January 2008 Operation Filsham has systematically dismantled a number of criminal networks in East London in possession of guns and selling cla…

http://cms.met.police.uk/news/convictions/...rder_of_officer Two men have been jailed after one attempted to shoot a police officer who was chasing him. "Michael Mitchell, 32, of Babington Road, Streatham was, Thursday 7 May, sentenced to 25 years in prison for attempting to murder a police officer, possession of a firearm and possession of drugs with intent to supply. His accomplice, Turhan Mah-Wing, 21, of Lansdowne Way, Clapham was sentenced to 6 years and 9 months in prison for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and dangerous driving." 25 years sounds good to me, the other, dangerous driving, that should be 25 years easy. To those who put out thi…

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8035002.stm Manchester will this autumn become the first city where people can sign up for an ID card, Jacqui Smith says. So a voluntary basis, will you be taking up this offer? I will not, my fear being, is, i maybe the only one, and the info will be left on an underground train.

See here for story Does anyone out there know this individual? If they do, kindly tell him from me that he is a prat.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8037349.stm Two police forces are to set up a joint firearms support unit saving about £437,000 from their individual budgets. Found a new way of taking money out of the Police purse, or a real attempt to strengthen the Police in the area.