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  1. Wasn't sure we're to stick this feel free to move it mods. But cheered me up this morning. BE WARNED STRONG LANGUAGE just in case your in company http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=U3ORoCJgxJc&sns=em
  2. Police are deliberately not calling helicopters because they cost too much or take too long to arrive, potentially allowing criminals to escape, according to a damning new report. Full Story - Independent It's good that this problem is being reported by quite a lot of different news agencies, but it's sad that almost half of calls are cancelled because the helicopter would arrive too late. It's good that HMIC accepts that all NPAS delivers is cost saving and not a better service. Regarding coverage, about a year ago when base closures were announced there was an image going round on twitter that showed that lots of the country won't be in easy reach of a helicopter at all. Derbyshire police is considering pulling out of NPAS completely and I assume that there would be no replacement either (http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/derby-news/police-warn-cuts-threaten-helicopter-824655).
  3. https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/politics/4969204/theresa-may-slashes-413million-from-police-budget-after-vowing-to-protect-cops/ I have been staggered to read this and the budget overall. So not only is there no increase or mention of police within the budget it turns out another half a billion has been sneakily cut. This government is a disgrace and as I have said before this is ideological rather than necessary. I think we need to dig out the bonesaw now, we’ve well and truly started cutting in to the bone. This isn’t intended to be a brexit debate all over again but I find it so frustrating that 3 billion can be found to be set aside for Brexit over the next 2 years, something which is completely unnecessary in the first place and going to actually cause us more misery. Not to mention the actual settlement bill which will run in to billions. Its just so frustrating. Where is all the extra funding specifically for Mental Health services? Particularly with the changes to 136, where is the extra money desperately needed for social care? This government is a collection of jesters and fools.
  4. The Metropolitan police are to stop investigating many lower level crimes as a result of spending cuts, a senior police officer has said. Full Story - Guardian I know many commentators in the press and social media are lambasting this, however common sense says cutting spending will lead to less officers which will lead to more crimes not being investigated. Why are people surprised?
  5. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41677046 This is being reported across a lot of the papers and news programmes. Difficult reading again for chiefs and the government. Surely it is becoming harder and harder for them to keep their heads buried in the sand particularly when we are talking about rises in violent crime, knife crime and serious offences such as murders. This linked with the recent discussions on the unprecedented terrorism threat. There was a minister on the news at lunchtime regurgitating the same old lines about protecting police budgets, flat cash or slight increases in budgets etc etc. I also think they have used up the excuse now of crime rising due to better recording practices as this was used to explain rises last year. Will it make any difference though?
  6. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-40342031#
  7. Police Scotland has outlined plans to cut officer numbers by 400 as part of its 10-year policing plan. Chief Constable Phil Gormley said recruitment levels would remain unchanged in the current year, but would begin to slow between 2018-20. He said resources would be re-directed to frontline operations, amid big financial challenges. Last December, the spending watchdog said Scotland's police service was facing a £188m funding gap by 2020-21. Mr Gormley said officer numbers had been at historic highs but said some staff had been used for corporate, rather than community roles. As part of a new strategy, Policing 2026, he said police officers would be released from corporate and backroom roles, with priority given to frontline operations and a more visible community presence. Some corporate roles will also be cut. Mr Gormley said that changing technology meant that not everyone involved in fighting crime would be a serving police officer. And he added that the workforce would be given new training to fight cybercrime. Fighting cybercrime Andrew Flanagan, chairman of the Scottish Police Authority, said action must be taken but said police officer recruitment would only be cut if approved by the SPA. He told a press conference at the launch of the new strategy: "We are anticipating a small reduction in police officer numbers through to 2020. "It would be around 400, but that would come towards the end of the period, rather than early on. "We expect police officer numbers to remain at their current level through the coming year and only gradually reduce thereafter." He added: "I must stress - we will not reduce police officer numbers until we see these productivity gains coming through. "So, actually, we are anticipating the amount of operational policing will actually increase through the period through to 2020." As part of the new strategy, people across Scotland are being invited to give their views on how Police Scotland should be shaped over the next 10 years in a 10-week consultation. Police Scotland has pointed out that patterns of crime are changing - often enabled by new technologies. The population profile is also ageing and becoming more diverse and the duty to protect the vulnerable is becoming ever more complex. It said the police service must adapt and develop its capacity and capability to maximise public safety and remain operationally and financially sustainable. Add most value The force said the new strategy would create a workforce of police officers and staff who are focused on where they can add most value to protecting and serving the public. It suggested that technology and new ways of working would lead to greater productivity and more time tackling crime and addressing issues around vulnerability. The workforce mix would also evolve as new skills and capabilities were developed. The strategy would recognise that police are dealing increasingly with vulnerable people who need medical or social care rather than law enforcement officers. Key areas in the new strategy: Prevention - tackling crime, inequality and critical problems facing communities Protection - based on threat, risk and harm Communities - focused on localism, diversity and the virtual world Knowledge - informing the development of better services Innovation - becoming a dynamic, adaptable and sustainable service Mr Flanagan and Mr Gormley announced the consultation in Edinburgh. Mr Flanagan said: "The SPA and Police Scotland have spent many months assessing the changing nature of communities and their demands on policing as well as analysing the changing nature of crime. "From a position of strength, we need to ensure that Police Scotland adapts to these changes and has the range of skills and capacity to deal with growing demand and that we do so in a financially-sustainable way." 'Must transform' He added: "Policing is a vital public service and it is essential that we listen to those we wish to serve to ensure we meet their expectations. "Through this consultation we are asking for everyone to provide their views on the approach outlined today and I would urge as many people as possible to take part." Mr Gormley said: "Policing in Scotland has gone through significant transition; it is proudly one of the oldest public services in the world. "Now the service must transform to realise and release the full benefits of being a single organisation. "Local policing will remain at the heart of what we do, supported by a wide range of specialist capabilities. "In an ever-changing world, people will continue to turn to the police service for a myriad of reasons, which means it's never been more important to understand our demand, both current and future, in order to be able deliver a service which is relevant, has legitimacy and above all maintains the trust and confidence of the public." Officers on the beat Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said Police Scotland must "embrace new approaches" and said the Scottish government had provided an enhanced £61m reform budget for 2017-18 to support the changes. "While our Programme for Government is clear about the need to consider the right mix of skills and not just overall numbers, the public will always be interested in the number of police officers on the beat," he said. "We will pay particular attention to these issues before approval of the final strategy. In all circumstances, I would expect to see the number of police officers remaining significantly above the number we inherited in 2007. "Indeed, our enhanced funding gives police the platform to invest in the wider workforce, technology and other resources to keep communities safe." He added: " I urge all those with an interest to have their say on this next phase of policing in Scotland." Anyone who wants to contribute to the consultation should submit their comments by 8 May. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-39097972
  8. Police Scotland has outlined plans to cut officer numbers by 400 as part of its 10-year policing plan. Chief Constable Phil Gormley said recruitment levels would remain unchanged in the current year, but would begin to slow between 2018-20. He said resources would be re-directed to frontline operations, amid big financial challenges. Last December, the spending watchdog said Scotland's police service was facing a £188m funding gap by 2020-21. Mr Gormley said officer numbers had been at historic highs but said some staff had been used for corporate, rather than community roles. As part of a new strategy, Policing 2026, he said police officers would be released from corporate and backroom roles, with priority given to frontline operations and a more visible community presence. Some corporate roles will also be cut. Mr Gormley said that changing technology meant that not everyone involved in fighting crime would be a serving police officer. And he added that the workforce would be given new training to fight cybercrime. Fighting cybercrime Andrew Flanagan, chairman of the Scottish Police Authority, said action must be taken but said police officer recruitment would only be cut if approved by the SPA. He told a press conference at the launch of the new strategy: "We are anticipating a small reduction in police officer numbers through to 2020. "It would be around 400, but that would come towards the end of the period, rather than early on. "We expect police officer numbers to remain at their current level through the coming year and only gradually reduce thereafter." He added: "I must stress - we will not reduce police officer numbers until we see these productivity gains coming through. "So, actually, we are anticipating the amount of operational policing will actually increase through the period through to 2020." As part of the new strategy, people across Scotland are being invited to give their views on how Police Scotland should be shaped over the next 10 years in a 10-week consultation. Police Scotland has pointed out that patterns of crime are changing - often enabled by new technologies. The population profile is also ageing and becoming more diverse and the duty to protect the vulnerable is becoming ever more complex. It said the police service must adapt and develop its capacity and capability to maximise public safety and remain operationally and financially sustainable. Add most value The force said the new strategy would create a workforce of police officers and staff who are focused on where they can add most value to protecting and serving the public. It suggested that technology and new ways of working would lead to greater productivity and more time tackling crime and addressing issues around vulnerability. The workforce mix would also evolve as new skills and capabilities were developed. The strategy would recognise that police are dealing increasingly with vulnerable people who need medical or social care rather than law enforcement officers. Key areas in the new strategy: Prevention - tackling crime, inequality and critical problems facing communities Protection - based on threat, risk and harm Communities - focused on localism, diversity and the virtual world Knowledge - informing the development of better services Innovation - becoming a dynamic, adaptable and sustainable service Mr Flanagan and Mr Gormley announced the consultation in Edinburgh. Mr Flanagan said: "The SPA and Police Scotland have spent many months assessing the changing nature of communities and their demands on policing as well as analysing the changing nature of crime. "From a position of strength, we need to ensure that Police Scotland adapts to these changes and has the range of skills and capacity to deal with growing demand and that we do so in a financially-sustainable way." 'Must transform' He added: "Policing is a vital public service and it is essential that we listen to those we wish to serve to ensure we meet their expectations. "Through this consultation we are asking for everyone to provide their views on the approach outlined today and I would urge as many people as possible to take part." Mr Gormley said: "Policing in Scotland has gone through significant transition; it is proudly one of the oldest public services in the world. "Now the service must transform to realise and release the full benefits of being a single organisation. "Local policing will remain at the heart of what we do, supported by a wide range of specialist capabilities. "In an ever-changing world, people will continue to turn to the police service for a myriad of reasons, which means it's never been more important to understand our demand, both current and future, in order to be able deliver a service which is relevant, has legitimacy and above all maintains the trust and confidence of the public." Officers on the beat Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said Police Scotland must "embrace new approaches" and said the Scottish government had provided an enhanced £61m reform budget for 2017-18 to support the changes. "While our Programme for Government is clear about the need to consider the right mix of skills and not just overall numbers, the public will always be interested in the number of police officers on the beat," he said. "We will pay particular attention to these issues before approval of the final strategy. In all circumstances, I would expect to see the number of police officers remaining significantly above the number we inherited in 2007. "Indeed, our enhanced funding gives police the platform to invest in the wider workforce, technology and other resources to keep communities safe." He added: " I urge all those with an interest to have their say on this next phase of policing in Scotland." Anyone who wants to contribute to the consultation should submit their comments by 8 May. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-39097972
  9. Lancashire police helicopter base closure will be 'devastating' 31 August 2016 From the sectionLancashire Share Image captionFive police helicopter bases have closed and a further three will shut by 2017 The closure of a police helicopter base in Lancashire will be "devastating" for communities, the force's federation has said. Lancashire Police Federation's chairwoman Rachel Baines said the closure of the base at Warton presents "a real concern around public safety". It is one of eight National Police Air Service(NPAS) bases that will shut by April 2017 due to a 14% budget cut. NPAS said the 15 remaining 24-hour bases will "protect" communities. Sites in Barton, Greater Manchester, and Hawarden, Cheshire, will provide police air cover on the Fylde coast. 'Winding down' Ms Baines said helicopters will need to come "from much, much further afield", adding "we will not see anywhere near the same level of service." "I personally think it's going to be devastating to the communities from Blackpool and North Blackpool. "In terms of response times, pursuits, missing people, vulnerable people - the sort of thing the helicopter is really good at, we're just not going to have that resource available to us." Campaigners claim NPAS is "winding down" the Warton base and reducing it to a fuelling station in advance of the April closure. On Facebook, Save the Lancashire Police Helicopter Base has questioned how response times will be maintained, saying "the North of the country is struggling now". 'Extensive modelling' NPAS said it will continue to run its usual 12-hour service at the site with two full crews until April. Two officers have been redeployed to Barton. NPAS is "normally" able to reach 92% of the population of England and Wales within 20 minutes and this will not change with the reduction to 15 bases, a spokeswoman said. The figure for a 30-minute response time will drop from 98% to 97%, she said. Ch Supt Tyron Joyce said NPAS has used "extensive modelling", including factors such as demand and population density, to "determine the optimum sites" in order to "provide a truly borderless service". NPAS has already closed five bases - Rhuddlan, Halfpenny Green, Pembrey, Ripley and Sheffield. In addition to Warton, Durham Tees Valley and Wattisham will shut by April 2017. Bases at Husbands Bosworth and Lippitts Hill, which had been marked for closure, will now remain open. Four helicopters may be cut from the 23 in service but a new base in Doncaster is planned with four new aeroplanes. http://buff.ly/2ceuHwF http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-37230926?utm_content=bufferbf79b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer I particularly liked this rubbish "NPAS is "normally" able to reach 92% of the population of England and Wales within 20 minutes and this will not change with the reduction to 15 bases, a spokeswoman said.". You very lucky to see air support arrive within 20 minutes of a request in Merseyside. I suspect they start the clock from the time that NPAS decide to assign an aircraft not when officers request it. We were promised response times wouldn't increase, strange as often the response time was less than 8 minutes pre NPAS!
  10. Merseyside Police would have to call upon support from Manchester in the event of a major terrorist attack in Liverpool. That’s because the Merseyside force hasn’t received a penny of the extra £34m of counter-terrorism funding announced last year by the Home Office to recruit more firearms officers in major British cities outside London. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/call-boost-merseyside-police-firearms-11780198 I was going to stick this story in the local force, however I'm sure it's an issue across the country especially with forces surrounding the Met.
  11. The legacy leftby Theresa May from her years as Home Secretary could be summed up by a recent tweet from a despairing sergeant https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/08/22/theresa-may-has-left-britains-police-demoralised-and-angry-now-w/amp/?client=ms-android-orange-gb Worth a read in you have a few minutes, a story I'm sure the vast majority of us can relate to.
  12. Police too busy to arrest drunk driver in Somerset Dale Bond followed a driver who was swerving on a Somerset road and filmed her admitting she was drunk A man who followed a swerving driver to her home and filmed her admitting she was drunk, was told by police they were too busy to investigate. Dale Bond, from Castle Cary, called police who told him to stay with the woman and take her car keys off her. But after he had waited for two hours police called to say officers were too busy to attend and he should go home. Avon and Somerset Police have apologised and said they will carry out a review into their response. Full review Mr Bond said he was "furious" with the police. "They didn't turn up when they've got the easiest person...they could have possibly caught, and they didn't," he said. Ch Insp Mark Edgington said: "I'd like to thank the member of the public for reporting their concerns to us. "I'd like to assure him and the wider public that we'll be carrying out a full review into how we responded to the information given to us. "Initial enquiries show officers were not dispatched to the scene for operational reasons, but we fully accept our response falls below the standards the public should expect from us." He added that enquiries were being carried out into whether any driving offences had been committed. After Mr Bond had waited for two hours Avon and Somerset police called to say officers were too busy to attend. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-36313944 Video available on the full article. It's a shame that they had no units available, especially as the caller was dedicated enough to wait there for 2 hours.
  13. CRIME scenes may now be guarded by a private firm after Wiltshire Police signed a contract with Securitas. http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/14279920.Police_sign_crime_scene_guarding_contract_with_Securitas/?ref=mr&lp=4 I believe Dorset and Gloucestershire have also contracted out, so I will assume Avon and Somerset will shortly follow suit as they are part of the major crime unit with Gloucester and Wiltshire already. How long before we see a merger to become Wessex Police?
  14. Metropolitan Commissioner took delivery of £65,000 Range Rover, complete with a £1,000 back seat entertainment system, just days before warning cut backs could put the public in danger Link
  15. Some good news for us. There seems to be a lot of talk about scrapping PCC's and reducing the number of police forces across the UK.
  16. Image copyrightPA Prime Minister David Cameron and senior ministers are to get their own plane for official trips. An RAF Voyager A330 air-to-air refuelling aircraft will be refitted at a cost of about £10m. The government says the move will save about £775,000 a year as the plane will be cheaper than chartering flights. The SNP's Stewart Hosie said there needed to be "absolute transparency" to ensure the "best deal is made on behalf of the tax-payer". "This announcement comes just a week before the spending review when we can expect to hear of more cuts from the Tories, which are already hitting people hard," he added. Royal family Most government departments are facing budget cuts of at least 25% over the next four years. A source said the PM's flights, using either Royal Squadron planes or long haul charter, cost on average £6,700 per flying hour and the RAF aircraft would cost £2,000. It would be available for refuelling when it wasn't in use. The flight would also be available to the Royal family. When he was prime minister, Gordon Brown cancelled plans drawn up by his predecessor Tony Blair to buy two private jets, which had been nicknamed "Blair Force One" in reference to the aircraft used to fly the US president, Air Force One. The details of the new arrangements are expected to come at the strategic defence and security review on Monday. There is no definite timing for the plane to come into service but it could be as early as next year. A government spokesperson said; "As part of the government's defence review, we have been looking at ways to make better use of the RAF fleet to transport senior ministers and consequently deliver savings for taxpayers. "We have decided to adapt one of our existing Voyager aircraft so that, in addition to its primary air tanking role, it can transport Ministers and it will also be available for the Royal family to use." BBC: Full story We're all in this together.... Wonder if it'll be known as 'Air Farce One'?
  17. May battles it out with Osborne over police funds: Home Secretary under pressure to stand up to the Chancellor over proposed budget cuts By Daniel Martin Chief Political Correspondent For The Daily Mail 02:01 18 Nov 2015, updated 09:24 18 Nov 2015 Theresa May is holding firm against frontline policing cuts amid pressure Treasury has asked her department to create plans for cuts of up to 40% Chancellor will meet with Home Secretary today to thrash out the details May is under pressure to win better deal for police after the Paris attacks Theresa May is holding firm against cuts to frontline policing as she comes under pressure to stand up to George Osborne. The Treasury asked the Home Office, like most government departments, to draw up plans for spending cuts of up to 40 per cent for next week’s review. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3323111/May-battles-Osborne-police-funds-Home-Secretary-pressure-stand-Chancellor-proposed-budget-cuts.html
  18. Police forces in England and Wales could save £1bn a year by outsourcing backroom services to private companies, private security firm G4S has said. The firm signed a £200m contract with Lincolnshire Police in 2012, with G4S staff now employed in backroom roles. John Shaw, from G4S, said it has saved the force £6m a year - and other forces could "easily" make similar savings. The Police Federation of England and Wales said any changes should "not compromise public safety". Its chairman Steve White also said any savings would have to be reinvested into policing. G4S, which faced heavy criticism when soldiers had to be deployed at the London Olympics after the firm admitted it could not fulfil its security contract, signed a 10-year deal with Lincolnshire Police in 2012. Its staff are employed in police control rooms, custody suites, in areas of firearms licensing, as well as in financial, HR and technology roles. Mr Shaw, the firm's managing director for public services, said the model in Lincolnshire could be replicated elsewhere, potentially saving £1bn a year across all 43 forces. Even if John Shaw is only half right the savings police could make from running their back and middle offices more efficiently would still amount to £500m - a colossal sum. So why haven't more forces explored the approach he suggests? Partly it's because some constabularies have an institutional distrust of the private sector, made more acute by G4S's security failings during the Olympics. It's also perhaps due to the risk-averse nature of some forces: radical change is not in their DNA. And it's down to this stark truth: changing the way police support services are managed means changing the managers. And, as one wise old policing hand put it, turkeys don't vote for Christmas. Mr Shaw said: "We save about 22% per year here in Lincolnshire and on an individual force basis we think that similar levels of savings are easily achievable. "But actually if you combine together you can then make greater savings." He said there was no "one size fits all" solution, but added that there were "a range of things" you could do with other forces to make savings. It comes as three police forces in the East Midlands - Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire - have asked G4S to carry out a feasibility study about the outsourcing of their control rooms. 'Drag and drop' Sara Thornton, the National Police Chiefs' Council chairman, said police budget cuts meant forces were having to make "fundamental changes". Some forces are already using private sector support while others "are considering it", she added. But she said decisions about how to meet those targets would be taken "at local level" by chief constables and police and crime commissioners. Police Federation chairman Mr White said: "Privatisation may be working well in some force areas but there is not a one size fits all solution. "There is much to consider, not least varying force structures and accountability, but there needs to be a balance when considering private sector involvement. "We are not averse to exploring greater efficiencies, as long as it does not compromise public safety and if any savings made are retained by the service to invest back into policing." Former chief constable Peter Neyroud said you could not just "drag and drop" such a model on all police forces. The former head of the National Policing Improvement Agency said he was cautious about "extrapolating too much from Lincolnshire example". Original article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34864781
  19. Police cuts: David Cameron tried to save constituency stations By Nick HopkinsInvestigations correspondent, BBC Newsnight 13 November 2015 From the sectionUK Politics Image copyrightAP David Cameron privately lobbied to stop the closure of police stations in his constituency as the force tried to find £60m of savings, the BBC has learnt. The disclosure has prompted Labour to accuse him of "jaw-dropping hypocrisy". Number 10 said Mr Cameron had acted in his capacity as a local MP who believed Thames Valley Police could make savings without affecting front-line services. This week it emerged Mr Cameron, MP for Witney in Oxfordshire, is involved in a row over cuts with the county council. The PM had written to Oxfordshire council leader Ian Hudspeth saying he was "disappointed" at proposed cuts to elderly day centres, libraries and museums. The Tory-run council said it had little choice because its grant had fallen sharply - from £194m a year in 2009/10 to £122m this year. 'Out of touch' Downing Street has now confirmed to BBC Newsnight that Mr Cameron also lobbied Thames Valley Police to try to prevent the closure, or partial closure, of police stations in the region. In the last parliament, Thames Valley had to find £57m worth of savings. Despite being praised by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary for being an efficient and well-run force, it still closed seven police stations, and reduced opening hours at others. One police source told Newsnight the force had done the best it could but could not afford to keep open stations that "hardly anyone ever uses". Shadow cabinet minister Jon Ashworth said the prime minister was "completely unaware" of the effects of budget cuts in local communities. "I think it's jaw-droppingly hypocritical from the prime minister because the reason these services are being cut in his constituency is because he is cutting them," he said. "He is the first lord of the treasury, he is the man who is signing off George Osborne's cuts plan, so I'm surprised that the prime minister is so out of touch with what the impact of these cuts would mean that he is now lobbying organisations in his own constituency against the very cuts he is implementing." 'Sensible savings' Steve White, chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said Mr Cameron's lobbying of local police chiefs showed a disconnect between politicians in government and those implementing cuts. "It's a bit disingenuous to have some politicians say they want to protect their own local police station but actually they know full well that it will be at the cost of other police stations around the country or indeed in the force," he said. Downing Street denied that Mr Cameron was being hypocritical. A spokesman said Mr Cameron had spoken up as a local MP during conversations with local police chiefs. "He wants to see local authorities and the police making sensible savings through back office efficiencies and joint working," he said. No 10 said the prime minister believed it was possible reduce costs without affecting front-line, high-quality public services.
  20. Home› Most Read› Live Feeds› News› Man City› Man Utd› Sport› What's On› Business› In Your Area› Apps› Dating› Buy, Sell & Tell› Jobs› Puzzles› Play Casino› Email Newsletters› Fantasy Football› Home› Most Read› Live Feeds› News› Man City› Man Utd› Sport› What's On› Business› In Your Area› Apps› Dating› Buy, Sell & Tell› Jobs› Puzzles› Play Casino› Email Newsletters› Fantasy Football› NEWSGREATER MANCHESTER NEWSWIGAN Gunman threatens to shoot two police community support officers after fight in Wigan 16:32, 18 NOV 2015 UPDATED 16:34, 18 NOV 2015 BY PAUL BRITTON Major police investigation launched and detectives are appealing for key witnesses to come forward 11SHARES 2COMMENTS Google Street View Gidlow Lane, Wigan Two police community support officers were threatened by a man armed with a handgun as they ran to split up a fight. Detectives in Wigan have launched a major investigation and are now appealing for a number of key witnesses to come forward. The PCSOs were talking to two members of the public on Gidlow Lane in Wigan when they saw a man being assaulted further up the road by another man. The ran towards the fight shouting to the attacker to stop, but he pointed the gun at them and threatened to shoot them, ordering them not to come any closer. The victim of the attack got up from the floor and ran off. The gunman got into the rear passenger seat of a silver BMW which was driven away. The incident took place at around 10pm on November 12. A 28 year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and has been bailed pending further enquiries.
  21. Forces may need to share specialist teams to avoid duplication amid tightening budgets, says Home Secretary Police forces could be stripped of their own firearms and cyber crime teams, and forced to share them with neighbouring forces, the Home Secretary has signalled. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/11986491/Police-forces-may-lose-dedicated-firearms-teams-says-Theresa-May.html
  22. The home secretary has warned the police and immigration services that there “is no escaping” the fact that the next round of Home Office spending cuts will mean “fewer people, fewer buildings and less room for error”. http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/10/theresa-may-police-cuts-fewer-people-fewer-buildings And just to cheer everyone up more good news! Nice to see the Home Secretary fighting our corner in the next round of cuts.
  23. Six police and crime commissioners have threatened the Home Office with legal action over changes to the way police forces in England and Wales are funded. The group, which also includes London's deputy mayor for policing, have written to the government arguing proposals are "deeply flawed", the Independent said. The signatories, five of whom are Tories, say they will seek a judicial review unless the changes are halted. The government has said the old funding formula was "not fit for purpose". New proposals, which the Home Office is currently consulting on, set out changes to the way central government allocates funding to the 43 forces in England and Wales. Image copyrightPA Under the proposals, funding would take into account five features of local areas, including population and the number of council tax band D or equivalent properties in the area, because of the contributions to police from council tax. Other factors would include the number of households with no working adult and dependent children, a "hard-pressed" population indicator - which covers a wide range of types of households, and the number of bars per hectare. While some forces could see their budgets increase under the new system, analysts suggest 11 forces could lose out on funding. The letter to Policing Minister Mike Penning, warning that the proposals are "unfair, unjustified and deeply flawed", has reportedly been signed by police commissioners representing: Cumbria Lancashire Devon and Cornwall Merseyside North Yorkshire Thames Valley London's Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime It says Lancashire Police's annual budget will be cut by £25m - nearly 14% - and Cumbria Police's "viability" will be brought into question if its funding is reduced by £9m under the reforms. Police services in Britain face a "milestone moment", and the government's decision could shape policing "for a generation", it says. The group said they were "taking legal advice with a view to initiating a judicial review" should their concerns "not be addressed". Image copyrightGetty Images Image captionJustice Minister Mike Penning has said police funding needed to change Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, Clive Grunshaw, said the move had not been properly handled. "It's not been an open process. It's not been transparent. There's been no proper understanding or scrutiny that's been available to challenge the process because we just haven't understood what it's actually meant." 'Fair and robust' Mr Penning has previously said the reforms, which would take effect in the next financial year, would put police funding "on a long-term, sustainable footing". The current Police Allocation Formula, which has been used for nearly 10 years, is "complex, opaque and out-of-date", while the new system would be "fair, robust and transparent", he has argued. Image copyrightLancashire PCC Image captionLancashire police commissioner Clive Grunshaw has criticised the proposed funding changes The Commons Home Affairs Committee is due to hear evidence about the proposals on Tuesday, with a Home Office consultation, which began in July, due to end on Friday. Last month London Mayor Boris Johnson said the changes would "severely disadvantage" the capital. He told the London Assembly its impact "has not been properly thought through at all". Chancellor George Osborne is due to announce the latest departmental spending review in November, which will set out the details of the Home Office budget beyond 2015-16. The Met believes it will face cuts of up to £1bn, prompting Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe to say it would lead to a reduction in the number of front-line officers. But the Home Office said forces would still have the resources to do their work. BBC: Full story Parliament TV: HASC Reform of the Police Funding Formula starts at 14:45
  24. The number of UK officers investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has been cut from 29 to four, the Metropolitan Police says. The Met said the "vast majority" of the work in its inquiry into Madeleine's disappearance had been completed. It said no conclusion had been reached but it was now following a "small number of focused lines of inquiry" which was why the team had been cut. Madeleine's parents said they "fully understand" the decision. They said they remained "hopeful" their daughter would be found. Madeleine, from Rothley in Leicestershire, was three years old when she went missing from her family's holiday apartment at the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz on 3 May 2007. 'Exceptional case' Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, from the Met, said: "The Met was asked to take on this exceptional case as one of national interest. "We were happy to bring our expertise to bear only on the basis that it would not detract from the policing of London; and the Home Office have additionally funded the investigation above normal grants to the Met. "That will continue at the reduced level." Thursday 3 May 2007: Timeline 20:30 Kate and Gerry McCann leave their apartment to have dinner at a Tapas bar 21:05 Gerry McCann checks on Madeleine and her siblings 22:00 A man is seen carrying a child wearing pyjamas heading towards the ocean 22:00 Kate McCann raises the alarm that Madeleine has gone missing Clickable map and timeline Mr and Mrs McCann said: "We are reassured that the investigation to find Madeleine has been significantly progressed and the Met has a much clearer picture of the events in Praia da Luz leading up to Madeleine's abduction in 2007. "Given that the review phase of the investigation is essentially completed, we fully understand the reasons why the team is being reduced. "We would also like to thank the Home Office for continuing to support the investigation. "Whilst we do not know what happened to Madeleine, we remain hopeful that she may still be found given the ongoing lines of inquiry." 'Potential sightings' Officers have now finished bringing together and investigating the information held by Portuguese police, the UK investigation and the private investigators working on behalf of the McCann family, the Met said. The force said the inquiry had taken 1,338 statements and collected 1,027 exhibits but had not reached a conclusion yet. Officers investigated more than 60 persons of interest, the Met said, adding that a total of 650 sex offenders had also been considered as well as reports of 8,685 potential sightings of Madeleine around the world. Having reviewed all of the documents, "7,154 actions were raised and 560 lines of inquiry identified", the Met said. It said more than 30 requests had been made to "countries across the world asking for work to be undertaken on behalf of the Met". Detectives have been working through material and following lines of inquiry since the Home Office requested a review of the case in May 2011. Operation Grange, which is supporting the Portuguese police, became a full investigation in July 2012. Madeleine McCann case: Police team cut to four - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34661256 Without wishing to sound to callous about bl**dy time, there are more pressing needs facing the met facing the met right now.
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