UK Policing News

CPS charging system 'inefficient' Increasing numbers of suspects are being released on police bail because of delays in making charging decisions, a report has warned. The study comes after responsibility for charging in the most serious cases was transferred from the police to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). It says new procedures in England and Wales have delivered some benefits but are also "complex and inefficient". Long bail terms are said to increase the risk of re-offending. The report reviews the new charging procedures for more serious and contested cases in England and Wales, which were phased in from 2004. It has been carried out by the Inspectorate …

http://www.tiscali.co.uk/money/guardian/ne...r-pensions.html http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/art...ions/article.do

Two trainee police officers have been arrested in connection with alleged drugs offences. The two women are based at the Metropolitan Police training centre at Hendon in north London. What were they thinking?

A former police officer, his son and two journalists have been cleared of charges in connection with the alleged leaking of confidential information. Det Sgt Mark Kearney, who was involved in the unrelated bugging of an MP's prison visit earlier this year, was cleared of misconduct in public office. His son, Harry, and journalists Sally Murrer and Derek Webb were cleared of aiding and abetting misconduct. The judge said the journalists' right to protect sources had been infringed. Prosecutor Sir Alan Green QC said the Crown has decided against seeking leave to appeal. Mr Kearney, who has since retired from Thames Valley police, had faced eight charges of misconduct in p…

Good result for their sentences and they were all found gulity!! Been quite a big op for my force Armed guard as biker gang jailed About 100 members of The Outlaws were outside court Armed police guarded Birmingham Crown Court as about 100 bikers supported gang members who were being jailed for murdering a rival Hells Angel. Seven members of The Outlaws gang took part in the "ruthlessly planned ambush" of Gerry Tobin, 35, who was shot on the M40 last August. He was travelling home to London from the Bulldog Bash biker festival in Warwickshire when he was murdered. His killers will serve minimum terms of between 25 and 30 years. As Outlaws members wearing the …

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/nov/28/c...isibility-vests I think they worry more about the embarrassment factor. Poor dears will be seen by everyone. :clapping:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/poli...icle5204516.ece

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7739758.stm

Click here! - from the South Wales Echo I'd like to say congratulations to the specials involved.</H1>

Marshmallows and beer shuts m-way Part of the M42 has reopened after a six-vehicle crash sent marshmallows and beer spilling out onto the carriageway. The northbound stretch was closed at junction 10 near Tamworth Services in Staffordshire after six HGVs collided between junctions 12 and 13 on the A42. Leicestershire Police said one person was hurt in the collision at about 0414 GMT, which involved some lorries that were parked in a lay-by. The carriageway was closed for up 10 hours while the debris was removed. The damaged lorries also had to be lifted off the road. Police confirmed cans of beer fell onto the carriageway and one person was taken to hospital…

Policewoman 'flouted bike rules' A crack down on cyclists riding without lights has resulted in a search for a policewoman spotted flouting the rules within days of the campaign launch. Cambridgeshire Police said they had received a complaint about a policewoman riding with no lights while also talking into her radio. "Police officers should be setting an example at all times," Ch Supt Rob Needle said. "If we can identify the offender, disciplinary action will follow." The force said 170 Cambridge cyclists were stopped and penalised for riding without lights within five days of the campaign being launched. "Cyclists who ride without lights after dark not only…

A man has been arrested after rushing towards the Queen's car during a royal visit to Oxfordshire. The man, thought to be in his 30s, ran up to the car gesturing and swearing as the Queen was being driven to the Leonard Cheshire Care Home in Banbury. One eye witness said: "All of a sudden this man came running by and went charging for the car and three officers went after him." He was arrested on a public order offence, cautioned and released. Thousands lined the streets of Banbury to welcome the Queen and Prince Philip as they arrived for a visit. The Duke of Edinburgh was given a tour of Prodrive, Banbury, where he was shown the company's latest racing car…

Sir Ian Blair quit in October, saying he did not have the support of Boris Johnson, who was elected mayor in May. Speaking in his final interview, Sir Ian warned against politicians trying to hire and fire police chiefs. London's mayor has no power over the commissioner, but Mr Johnson had become chairman of the Met's police authority. The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), which oversees the force and approves its strategies and spending, has been chaired by the mayor since the law was changed earlier this year. The mayor leads public scrutiny of the force and Sir Ian said that without Mr Johnson's support for his position, business would have become impossible…

http://news.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/hi/technolo...000/7750010.stm Came across this and was just amazed so thought i would post i note that it is not directly UK related.... yet

Civilians take on police probes Civilian investigators are to be recruited to Devon and Cornwall Constabulary to free up uniformed police officers for frontline duties. They will undergo specialist training, which would train them to investigate minor crimes and prepare files for court cases. About 50 civilian staff are likely to be recruited initially. The Police Federation said the move was "just another nail in the coffin of the modern British police service". The force said the plan would eventually allow 200 police officers to return to frontline work. Chief Constable Stephen Otter said: "In order for us to get these extra officers on to the frontline we are ci…