UK Policing News

http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Gang-chanted-8216-Lee-Rigby-8217-kicked-soldier/story-19601547-detail/story.html

ALMOST 100 of the most experienced officers in Bedfordshire Police will be forced out of their jobs after a High Court judge ruled that the force’s compulsory retirement policy was not unlawful. The judgment comes in the same week that Police and Crime Commissioner, Olly Martins, announced he wants to double the number of special constables - volunteers who have the same powers as ordinary serving officers but who are not paid - in order to try and balance the force’s budget. The Superintendents Association representing four officers had taken the chief constable to Manchester High Court over the policy claiming that it was discriminated on grounds of age but on Thursda…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23510899

A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after two women and a teenager were stabbed in south London, one fatally, Scotland Yard said. Police were called to Redlands Way, Brixton, south-west London, at 18:41 BST on Monday where a 46-year-old woman was found with a number of injuries. Later, police found a 29-year-old woman dead and a 17-year-old with stab wounds at Tilson Gardens, Brixton. The man is in custody in south London. Police said they believed all three victims were known to him. He was arrested on a bus in Leigham Court Road, Streatham, at 00:42. The 46-year-old woman is in a critical condition. The teenager is serious but stable, accor…

Kathleen McLelland and Michael Curry had their caravan stolen in 2011 They were delighted when it was found by police 18 months later But officers are unable to move a traveller family now living there A letter sent to the couple says the police have 'no lawful powers' Furious: Police are unable to retrieve Kathleen McLelland and Michael Curry's stolen £30,000 caravan because officers have no legal powers to remove a traveller family now living in it A couple whose £30,000 dream caravan was stolen have been told that police have no powers to remove a gypsy family now living in it because it would 'breach their human rights'. Kathleen McLelland and her partner Michael…

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2377175/I-want-export-gay-marriage-world-says-Cameron-speaks-personal-pride-party-celebrate-new-legislation.html Cameron also said, ''I would like to thank the Queen for allowing the assent of this Bill through Parliament'', as if she had any choice. .

FOUR police officers have received awards for their bravery after detaining a man who attacked police with a petrol bomb - leaving one cop with serious burns. The four officers, based at Birminghams main central police station, were confronted by a man wielding a lit petrol bomb as they arrived at a family home in Handsworth, on 8 August 2012, to a reported dispute between neighbours. The response team believed they were going to deal with damage that had been caused to a door, but on arrival a lady informed officers that her son was unwell and had caused damage. In an attempt to prevent further harm to the property or its occupants, four officers stormed into the hous…

I'm all for cutting down the bureaucracy, but this just feels like a bad idea. Source: Dunmow Broadcast

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/pc-chris-findley-death-teen-5319940 Pc Chris Findley A teenager who knocked out and killed an off-duty police officer with a single blow has been ordered to be detained in a young offenders’ institution for three and a half years. Dale Dixon was told he had taken the life of a innocent man in the unprovoked attack on Pc Chris Findley, who died in hospital from a brain injury 10 days after suffering a skull fracture. The 19-year-old remained impassive in the dock at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Thursday (July 25) as graphic CCTV footage was played during the Crown’s opening of the facts against him. The brief recordings…

Officers told to justify painful 'mandibular angle' technique using pressure point behind ear Police have been called on to justify using a painful tactic known as the "mandibular angle" technique to break up a protest in the West Sussex village of Balcombe against the possible use of fracking. Keith Taylor, the Green Party's MEP for the South East, has written to Sussex Police to complain about the use of "excessive force" against the protestors - especially the mandibular technique, which involves pressing against the pressure point behind the ear. Police use the technique to forcibly remove people because it can cause considerable pain but no injury. Mr Taylor witne…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23495121

Words fail me as to how sentencing guidelines and the judge could have given Dixon such a short sentence http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-23450760 I understand that there was a guilty plea and that the judge accepted that Dixon didn't intend to kill PC Findley, but a sentence like this will do nothing to act as a preventative to stop other people doing the same thing. Dixon might have got a longer sentence if he had been charged with GBH!

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2367775/Police-ex-lover-said-make-life-hell-says-harassed-graduate-Katie-Bowman.html Radio 2 and Radio 5 live also ran a story on the issue.

And about time too !!

‘Heroic’ PC praised after Arbroath blaze tragedy A fire investigation was launched following a fatal house blaze in Tayside. Arbroath pensioner Isabella Martin died after a fire broke out in her home in Arbroath. The 81-year-old tragically passed away, despite the efforts of fire crews and a dramatic rescue attempt by police. A Police Scotland Tayside Division spokesman confirmed that a joint investigation with the fire service had concluded there were no suspicious circumstances behind the fire. Emergency services raced to the scene in Warddykes Avenue at around 8.15pm on Saturday. Fire appliances from Arbroath, Montrose and Carnoustie attended the incident. Crews wear…