UK Policing News

Knife violence casts a dark shadow over T in the Park Published Date: 14 July 2008 By LINDSAY McINTOSH AND CRAIG BROWN Scotsman A YOUNG reveller nearly died in a frenzied knife attack at Scotland's flagship music festival yesterday – in a weekend that saw no let-up in the current wave of knife crime. Police described the attack at T in the Park as "horrific" after the 22-year-old victim was stabbed repeatedly in the head and body. Meanwhile, two other men were stabbed to death in incidents south of the Border over the weekend, as Jacqui Smith, the Home Secretary, prepared to announce tough new legislation to tackle knife crime. The attacks come only days after K…

Pc samurai sword attacker jailed The officer was filmed while being treated by paramedics A man who attacked a police officer with a samurai sword has been given an indeterminate jail sentence, to protect the public. Richard Skeates was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court for wounding with intent to commit grievous bodily harm. The 45-year-old, of St Hilda's Way, Gravesend, was found guilty after video footage of the aftermath taken on a helmet camera was shown to a jury. Pc John Clarke was slashed across his forehead by Skeates on 20 October 2007. Skeates was told he would serve at least five and a half years before he could be considered for parole. My firs…

Couple Ordered To Repay £1.3 Million from proceeds of luxury car scam: Wed 9th July 2008: 15:00 Couple Ordered To Repay £1.3 Million And Victims Across Wales & England Are Compensated £580,000 John and Margaret Sheen, a husband and wife from Chichester, Sussex have been ordered to repay a total of £1,275,000 which has been obtained from crime; or they will face a further term of two years in prison. In December 2006, both John and Margaret Sheen pleaded guilty to offences of money laundering following the conviction of their sons, James and John Sheen, who had previously been convicted for organising the theft and sale of approximately £1.8 million worth of lu…

Tayside Police are trialling a new spray for dealing with criminals who are behaving aggressively. Trained officers are using pava, which contains a synthetic chemical which mimics the heat effect of chillies. They want to see if it is better when incapacitating offenders than the CS spray they use now. The force is the first in Scotland to trial pava, although British Transport Police use it because it is useful in enclosed spaces like trains. It is believed it creates less cross-contamination than CS spray, which can affect innocent people who are nearby. Officers aim for the suspect's eyes and it causes an intense burning. Insp Grant Edward, of Tayside Police, said: …

police officer who arrested two armed robbers despite being repeatedly stabbed and punched has been nominated for a national award. PC Paul Davies, a dog handler with Thames Valley Police, is due to attend the Police Bravery Awards ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London on 10 July. The Police Bravery Awards honour police officers across England and Wales for their actions in tackling criminals and keeping the public safe. PC Davies has been nominated for his actions during an incident on 24 January 2006: At around 3am on 24 January 2006, a CCTV operator called him to investigate suspicious activity at Adam’s clothing store in Hockmore Street, Cowley, Oxfo…

Some will be aware I recently had my credit card cloned and lots of money taken It's happening to many Gloucestershire locals + anyone travelling through - article here! http://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/Lates...y/item8682.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10...-courtroom.html

A Northumbria Police operation to clampdown on metal thefts has resulted in 22 arrests, property being seized and many other offences reported. Teams of officers from each of the force's six area commands were involved in a two day crackdown (July 7 - 8), as part of a nationwide initiative to tackle this growing problem. Superintendent Peter Farrell said: "Metal theft is a nationwide problem due to the increasing value of scrap metal in worldwide markets and this is just the start of an ongoing offensive against it. "Our recent intelligence enabled us to carry out co-ordinated operation to disrupt organised criminals who carry out these thefts, make arrests and recove…

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7503207.stm

http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Civili...ence.4278695.jp Civilians used to gather evidence in murder inquiry Published Date: 11 July 2008 CIVILIAN staff are being used to investigate murders and sex attacks under a government-funded scheme aimed at allowing police to concentrate on "core duties". The 12-month pilot scheme involves using civilians to investigate offences that would normally be scrutinised by fully fledged police officers. The investigative assistants, who are paid about £20,000 a year – roughly £9.60 an hour – were recruited to investigate less serious, "high-volume" crimes, such as housebreaking and vandalism, freeing police officers to car…

A man pulled from the River Thames in Oxford had not been incapacitated before his death, police have said. William O'Neill, 62, had been missing from his canal boat in St Thomas Street since 5 July. His body was found in the area by police on Thursday. A post-mortem examination has proved inconclusive. Officers are treating the death as unexplained. A 40-year-old man from the area is still in police custody in connection with the incident. Det Ch Insp George Bain, of Thames Valley Police, said: "We will continue to classify Mr O'Neill's death as unexplained and we now have to wait for the results of toxicology and other medical tests. "However, the post-mortem did sh…

I couldn't resist this one, I think they should throw the book at him! UK News British police arrest man in connection with Shakespeare theft Jul 11, 2008, 11:48 GMT http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/uk/...akespeare_theft London - British police have arrested a man in connection with the theft from a university library 10 years ago of a collection of works by William Shakespeare described as the 'most important book in the English language,' police said Friday. The 51-year-old man, who claimed to have acquired the 1623 first folio volume in Cuba, was arrested following a tip-off from library staff in Washington DC, where he had presented the material to sta…

EX-EastEnders star Brooke Kinsella saluted our “amazing†cops last night – in a tearful tribute at The Sun Police Bravery Awards. The sister of Ben Kinsella, 16 – knifed to death two weeks ago – said: “On behalf of me, my family and my Ben thank you for the work you do.†Telly actress Brooke, 24, applauded Britain’s brave bobbies for “the justice you bring about and the peace you bring to families.†Tragically killed ... Ben Kinsella She declared: “You are truly amazing.†For the first time the Sun Award for the bravest of the brave was awarded posthumously. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/ It appears some out there like Officers, i kn…

Central Scotland Police has defended its use of civilian staff after it was revealed they had helped investigate a murder and serious sexual assault. There are eight civilian investigative assistants working around Falkirk in a year long pilot scheme. The Scottish Police Federation said it was told they would only deal with low level crimes like vandalism and theft. The force insisted that they worked in a team of experienced officers and did not deal with serious crime suspects. The Priority Crime Unit, where the assistants are employed, started work at the end of March. They were expected to help deal with low level offences, giving qualified police officers more time…

A claim that a gun was put to a man's head as he made his way to work in north Belfast is being investigated by the police. The man was walking to the city council's Duncrue Street cleansing depot when he said another man emerged from trees and pointed a gun at him. He said his assailant shouted then pointed the gun at him. He said he heard a sound like two clicks.The council worker ran away from him. The incident happened last weekend. The alleged gunman was described as being of medium height and wearing a large green combat jacket and grey baseball cap. Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed it or has any information about it to contact them. www.bbc.co.uk/…