13th May 2003
This week’s briefing covers stories from 9 police areas in England and Wales across the following BTP regions:
London North (2): Bedfordshire, Essex;
London South (1): Dorset;
North East (2): North Yorkshire, Northumbria;
North West (2) : Cumbria, Lancashire;
Wales & Western (2): North Wales, West Mercia.
Main stories this week
The PCC for Thames Valley, Anthony Stansfeld, has been dragged into an expenses row after he was accused of setting up a second office to increase his mileage claims. [The Times]
- Stansfeld told the [Oxford Times] he was not ‘fiddling’ his expenses.
Local stories
Wales and Western
West Mercia’s Bill Longmore is to set aside up to £15,000 to create six taxpayer-funded posts to help “improve” police relations with communities across the region. [Shropshire Star]
North East
Northumbria‘s police commissioner has backed plans to investigate how the force’s 101 number makes a private sector profit. [The Chronicle]
Julia Mulligan, PCC for North Yorkshire, has launched her new community fund which will offer residents the chance to apply for grants of up to £20,000. [The Scarborough News]
London South
Dorset Police have signed up to a national police air service – replacing the current force-owned service. [This is Dorset]
North West
Cumbria‘s crime commissioner says it’s “unacceptable” the county has no centre where sex attack victims can go to be examined. [Times and Star]
Recruitment
There were developments in the search by two PCCs for a deputy:
- Nick Alston, Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, announced Lindsay Whitehouse as his candidate. [press release]
- North Wales PCC Winston Roddick has launched his search. [Rhyl Journal]
Essex’s Nick Alston has also welcomed the new chief constable of his force. [Dunmow Broadcast]
Bedfordshire PCC Olly Martins has welcomed “an incredibly strong line-up” of candidates for the post of Chief Constable. [The Advertiser]
Meanwhile, more than 1,100 people have applied for about 60 potential police officer jobs with North Yorkshire Police. [The Press]
National stories
Police have raised concerns about new powers announced in last week’s Queen’s speech which will force officers to investigate any incident of anti-social behaviour which is reported to them by at least three households. [Daily Telegraph]
- The measures were welcomed by Lancashire‘s PCC. [press release]
- Crime figures are being kept artificially low because of pressure from chief constables, the Police Federation’s head will warn this week. [Daily Telegraph]
The Home Office has announced an independent review into the Riot Damages Act 1886 to examine the criteria determining compensation for victims. [Police Professional]
Scotland Yard is experiencing a “white backlash” from its own officers who are furious at the time “wasted” on diversity issues, a “shocking” internal Met Police report has found. [Daily Express]
Water cannon could be available to riot police in England this summer amid fears of public disorder over austerity and welfare cuts. [The Times]
The [Daily Mail] has hailed the apparent success of its campaign to require police forces to name suspects who have been formally charged.