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Police swamped as 9000 are reported missing in one year HUNT: Cases of missing persons range from runaway teenagers to the on-going search for Mary Ferns, with divers searching the River Almond for clues. Picture: JAYNE EMSLEY Published Date: 04 July 2008 By ALAN McEWEN Scotsman POLICE are facing a deluge of missing person cases in Lothian and Borders, with more than 9000 incidents reported last year. The cases ranged from teenagers running away from home to the ongoing search for 88-year-old Mary Ferns, who vanished from her Livingston home more than two weeks ago. The vast majority of people are traced or turn up of their own accord within 48 hours, with just a …

Man says he was beaten by police A man has complained to police alleging he was attacked by two officers who mistook him for a car thief outside his home in Warwickshire. David Markham, whose two brothers are police officers, suffered bruising to his head, ribs and back and currently has only 40% vision in his left eye. He said he was attacked when he went outside to help after hearing a car crash and police sirens. Warwickshire Police said an officer had been taken off public duty. A further decision will be taken pending the outcome of its investigation. A spokesman for the force said it took "any complaint very seriously" and confirmed the Independent Poli…

Hundreds arrested in knife crackdown related videosCrackdown on knife crime 2min11 null More than 1,200 people have been arrested in a crackdown on knife crime in London. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said 528 knives were seized as 26,777 searches, many in high streets and at transport hubs, were carried out. The blitz was launched by Sir Ian in response to a wave of killings, particularly among teenagers, in the capital. Meanwhile, official figures have been released showing the number of school-age youngsters admitted to hospital with knife wounds has almost doubled in just five years. The latest figures compiled by the Hospital Episodes Statist…

Foiled Bank Robber Jailed Indefinitely Picture of James Reilly A bank robber who was caught red-handed by an off-duty police officer and her partner was jailed indefinitely yesterday (Tuesday July 1st). James Reilly, 45, from Wandsworth, entered the Royal Bank of Scotland in Castle Square, Brighton on Tuesday 4th March, told staff that he was armed and ordered them to hand over £3000. He made off on foot with the money but within moments the dye mechanism which had been slipped in between the bank notes by the cashier activated releasing the red dye. Local PC Andrea Leahy, who was in North Street on her day off with her partner Elizabeth Lovekin, spotted Reilly who h…

SOURCE: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/50568/...-target-drivers POLICE chiefs escalated the war on motorists yesterday by setting officers ticket targets. One force told its traffic squads to issue extra tickets to motorists for speeding, using mobile phones or not wearing seat-belts. Another ordered its officers to catch five speeding drivers a month. They were also told to arrest 24 people a year for motoring offences to meet new quotas. Critics said the moves would strip traffic police of the right to use their discretion to give motorists a ticking-off instead of a ticket. They also warned that the quota-based approach would further damage relations with t…

A bank robber who was caught red-handed by an off-duty police officer and her partner was jailed indefinitely yesterday (Tuesday July 1st). James Reilly, 45, from Wandsworth, entered the Royal Bank of Scotland in Castle Square, Brighton on Tuesday 4th March, told staff that he was armed and ordered them to hand over £3000. He made off on foot with the money but within moments the dye mechanism which had been slipped in between the bank notes by the cashier activated releasing the red dye. Local PC Andrea Leahy, who was in North Street on her day off with her partner Elizabeth Lovekin, spotted Reilly who had dye leaking out of his pocket about to board a bus. Suspecting…

Special constable beaten by gang A special constable is in hospital after he was punched and kicked by a gang of youths. The constable and a colleague stopped the group on Peel Street in Radcliffe, Bury, on Friday night. One officer was assaulted and suffered head injuries. He was taken to hospital where he was treated for concussion and kept in overnight for observation. Three boys, two aged 17 and one aged 14, were arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer. They are being questioned by Greater Manchester Police. Supt Bryan Lawton said: "Special constables give up their own time to support the police and the communities we serve. "This particula…

Hundreds of drivers in Hull are to receive a refund after being wrongly issued with parking tickets. Police officers relinquished the power to issue parking tickets when the work of ticketing errant motorists was transferred to council wardens in 2006. Just over 700 parking offenders will now get their cash back. Alan Lever, an Assistant Chief Constable of Humberside Police, said the force had made a mistake and was going to refund the motorists' cash. Mr Lever said: "Clearly we've made a mistake and we will certainly reimburse people for the cost of their tickets. "If people have suffered any further financial hardship as a consequence then we will look upon each c…

The Queen's Police Medal has been awarded to Robert Ballantyne of Grampian Police. Biographies Robert Ballantyne, 61, joined Grampian Police as a Special Constable in 1981. He worked as a Radiation Safety Officer within the RAF before his retirement and currently runs his own small business. Widely known and respected in the community, his commitment to making it a safer place is outstanding. Mr Ballantyne takes part in a number of activities, including presentations on crime reduction to local community groups, mentoring new special constables in the area, proposing new cost effective recruitment methods and regularly providing leadership to young officers on the ben…

Police 'shortage' for 2012 Games Source:BBC News A lack of security staff for London's Olympics means veteran police officers must be brought out of retirement, a senior police figure has said. More than 1,500 officers will also have to be brought to London from other parts of the UK to guard the Games. And cuts to police dogs and horses will now have to be reversed to provide the level of protection required, Assistant Met Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur said. Organisers and ministers will receive a full report on security on Thursday. Officials and senior police officers have been meeting to discuss arrangements for the Olympics, when a huge security operation will…

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Criminals are engaged in human trafficking creating misery and degradation for victims throughout Scotland, police have warned. Scottish officers have been involved in what is said to be the largest ever crackdown by UK police on the "trade". Operation Pentameter 2 saw 59 people in Scotland dealt with as victims of human trafficking. It is believed that 15 women from south east Asia were victims of sexual exploitation. Scottish police visited more than 50 premises throughout the country. These included 43 houses and 11 massage parlours. During the six-month operation, 35 suspects were arrested in Scotland and cash seizures amounting to £17,455 were carried out. Polic…

Tayside's new police chief has said he will focus on improving performance at the force. Kevin Mathieson, who will take up his new role on Monday, joined Tayside Police last February year as assistant chief constable. During his time with the force, the 48-year-old has embarked on a drive to boost efficiency and high standards. Outgoing chief constable, John Vine, has taken up the post of Chief Inspector of the UK Border Agency. Mr Mathieson, who became a Pc with Grampian Police in 1978, said: "I am looking forward with great anticipation to leading the force in the years to come. "My focus will be upon improving the performance of Tayside Police and, just as importan…

Crime falls, high satisfaction and number one for public confidence Total crime in Dorset has fallen to a five-year low with reductions in violent crime, car crime and criminal damage – as Dorset Police enjoys the highest public confidence levels of any force in England and Wales. Year-on-year comparisons shows that total crime has fallen by seven per cent, violent crime is down for the second year in a row and that burglary – together with car crime – are both at a ten-year low. The crime statistics covering April 2007 to March 2008 are contained in the latest performance report being presented to the Dorset Police Authority at Dorset Police’s Winfrith headqua…