NEWS:     INTERNATIONAL GRAFFITI GANG FROM AUSTRALIA IS SENTENCED

NEWS:     BIRTHDAY HONOURS BRING HAT TRICK OF AWARDS

International graffiti gang from Australia is sentenced

An international gang of six Australian graffiti vandals, who caused £70,000 worth of damage in the UK, has been sentenced to a total of six years in prison, following an investigation by British Transport Police (BTP) detectives.

The gang, known as the ‘AMF crew’, was caught in the act in the early hours of Boxing Day last year by BTP officers out on patrols in Ilford, north-east London.

The subsequent investigation into AMF by BTP detectives uncovered substantial evidence that the vandals were involved in a conspiracy to commit criminal damage to trains and railway infrastructure across the world, including Australia, Japan and the UK.

The Area’s intelligence bureau and scenes of crime officers were in close contact with New South Wales Police throughout the investigation.

BTP Chief Supt Mark Newton said that detectives uncovered a plethora of photographic evidence that linked the gang to acts of criminal damage in several different countries, particularly in the UK, Australia and Japan.

Photographs of graffiti from Italy, Spain and Germany, were also seized from the gang.

Jake Shumack, 24, Adrian Hing, 22, Alex Wisman, 24, Marcus Wisman, 22, Scott Mulhearn, 22, and Luke Vassel, 23, all of Sydney, Australia, pleaded guilty at Southwark Crown Court to conspiracy to commit criminal damage at an earlier hearing.

They have been remanded in custody since their arrest and were sentenced on Wednesday 17 June to a total of six years in prison.

Marcus Wisman was jailed for 16 months, Scott Mulhearn was jailed for 14 months, Jake Shumack and Adrian Hing were each jailed for 12 months, Luke Vassel was jailed for 10 months and Alex Wisman was jailed for 8 months.

“This group came to the UK last year with the intention of vandalising trains and railway property in the name of art,” said Chief Superintendent Newton.

“Perhaps what they didn't bargain for was that this intention would ultimately lead to their arrest, the confiscation of their passports and several months inside prison.

“I hope that this case sends out a strong message that the British Transport Police and the courts do not look kindly upon those who enter this country to vandalise private property in this way.”

Chief Supt Newton added: “I would also like to praise the hard work and dedication to the Area’s officers and staff who tirelessly worked on the investigation.”

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Birthday honours bring hat trick of awards

The Chief Constable Ian Johnston has been knighted and two BTP officers have received MBEs in the 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Ian Johnston becomes the first BTP Chief Constable to be knighted, after eight years at the helm.

Honoured alongside him are DC Graham Naughton from the North Eastern Area and Force Intelligence Bureau, and PC Steve Wareing from Leeds, who both receive MBEs.

CC Johnston said: “I am absolutely delighted to be given this award.  I believe that it is very much a direct consequence of what all the women and men in British Transport Police have achieved over the last eight years.

“They have done a fantastic job in helping the passengers, staff and all who use the railways, not only to be safe, but also to feel safer whilst on the system, and I know they will continue to improve this service in the years ahead.”

Newly promoted Secretary of State for Transport, Lord Adonis sent a message to Sir Ian following the announcement:  “It is richly deserved and a tribute not only to your superb leadership of BTP but also to the dedication of the Force as a whole which is doing such a magnificent job,” he said.

Sir Ian’s successor, Deputy Chief Constable Andy Trotter, said that he was ‘personally overjoyed’ by the news:  “I have worked with Ian in three police forces and he is an excellent police officer who inspires his colleagues and truly listens to the communities he serves.”

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Update: flu pandemic

The Area is currently preparing a flu pandemic plan in line with FHQ directives.

At present, the pandemic is of no immediate threat and London North is operating as normal.

Officers will be informed immediately if the response level were to increase.

Please note that officers are reminded to follow basic hygiene rules to help prevent the spread of any infections within the workplace.

In case of a flu outbreak, OICs have been asked to obtain the following information from their officers:

• Nearest BTP station to your home address
• Officers to check self service and NSPIS to ensure their contact numbers are correct
• Home email address, incase information has to be send out urgently to all officers before their next tour of duty.

Please can this information be gathered as soon as possible and forwarded to PS Becky Jackson via email.

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CID career pathway opportunities

London North is inviting expressions of interest from Police Constables who have completed their probation period and wish to commence the CID career pathway.

Interested officers must have a proven track record of crime arrests, quality investigations of crime and submission of intelligence.

A selection panel will consider all applications based on attendance records, suitability and career development needs. Previous applicants of the CID career pathway may also re-apply.

Interested individuals should apply on the standard police officer application form, stating the reasons for their application. The forms are available from your line manager and supporting comments from your OIC are also required.

You will also need to obtain copies of your latest PDRs and sickness records and attach them to your application.

Applications should be submitted to Helen Graham, LN Recruitment Advisor.

Closing date: 12pm Wednesday 1 July 2009.

For further information, contact DI Terry Pearce on 07795 688791.

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London North hosts cycle awareness days across the Area

London North has recently been conducting cycle awareness days to offer information and practical advice on cycle safety and to reassure rail passengers that BTP are proactively clamping down on cycle crime.

On Tuesday 16 June officers from Paddington conducted a cycle awareness day at Aylesbury Station.

The joint operation, working alongside industry colleagues from Chiltern Railways, took place from 3pm to 7pm.

BTP was represented by PCSOs Marc Davll, Donna Reid and Angie Holland and were helped out by Chiltern Railway’s Debbie Osborne, Customer Service Manager at Aylesbury Station.

The team gave out leaflets on cycle safety, personal safety and information on the NPT. In addition, they handed out Trovan identity tags – where cycle owners can register their bikes to a national database. This assists the police to return stolen bikes to their rightful owners.

The Area hosted another cycle awareness day, led by officers from the BTP First Capital Connect Team, in partnership with Rock&Road Bikes, St Albans Safer Neighbourhood Team and FCC Managers.

The Cycle Crime Prevention road-show, at St Albans City Station, on Tuesday 16 June, was part of National Cycle Week and was planned to target the evening commuters.

St Albans station has suffered a large amount of cycle thefts recently and in response to the thefts – through FCC and BTP crime prevention and security meetings – it was decided to work in partnership with National Cycle Week to communicate the importance of ensuring that cycles left at the station were secured and property marked. 

The team was on-hand to give advice on cycle security and answer passengers’ queries about how BTP and FCC were tackling this issue. 

In addition, 75 bicycles were property marked and data tagged by officers.

Further cycle events by the BTP First Capital Connect Team are being planned and are expected to take place at Harpenden, Bedford and Leagrave.

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Update: Fatality Management

Please can all officers ensure that as much detail as possible is obtained when recording information about persons reconnoitring on railway property or reported as being suicidal with intent to use railway property.

DCI Hugh Borgeat said: “All the information that is gathered must be subject of a FIS report so that AIB can successfully implement the PIER plan.

“The more information you give, will help the Area to continue to achieve the high professional approach in fatality intervention and prevention.”

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BTP helps police delays caused by tube strike

BTP worked with key industry stakeholders at Euston Station – Network Rail, Virgin Trains, London Midland and London Overground – to help police the overcrowding on the railways due to the strike actions and the football game at Wembley stadium.

On the evening of Wednesday 10 June, 70,000 fans were expected to travel to Wembley and the London Overground service from Euston to Wembley Central was one of the few functioning lines in the whole of the capital.

In addition, twice as many people were trying to use London Overground line as its workers were not striking with RMT Union.

Added to that, BTP were going to be out in force to police the football crowds conducting special movements and closing down platforms 16 to 18 at Euston Station to operate searches on behalf of the Queen’s travelling arrangements. 

To tackle these issues, BTP, led by Chief Inspector Jim Nattrass, operated a full multi-agency approach in order to solve the expected problems.

The weight of numbers nearly overwhelmed rail staff and BTP stepped in to manage issues and avoid conflict, giving travel advice and keeping tempers in check by utilising communication skills.

BTP also assisted rail staff on the second day of the RMT strike and arranged for all aspects of travel, including the re-platforming of trains, to ease congestion.

Chief Insp Nattrass said: “BTP’s presence made sure that, despite the delays, the train operators that were running could do so with the least amount of trouble.

“We ensured that everyone got to their correct destination, no rail staffs was assaulted and as a result, all parties have a new refreshed respect for police support when it comes to policing crowd flows.”

“This was a well-run exercise and has helped us to feed into our revised strike plans.

“I would also like to praise all my officers who really stepped up to the plate, as well as the support from our industry partners,” added Chief Insp Nattrass.

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London North has a new display stand

The Area is the proud owner of a new pop up display stand

Standing at 2.5 metres, with the storage/carry case converting into a small table, the stand has the Force logo on one panel and two other panels of Velcro that can be used for display items.

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The stand is lightweight and is suitable for indoor use only. It is fairly easy to erect but some guidance would be provided to those who want to use the stand.

If a unit or police post wishes to borrow the stand, please contact Tim Ramskill, Crime Reduction Unit, via email.

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Persistent thief has been sentenced for theft of cable

A man from Canvey Island has been sentenced to 28 months for attempting to steal cable from the railways lines on 9 October 2008.

Michael Tremarco, 19, was charged with endangering the safety of persons on the railway, criminal damage to railway property, criminal damage to Ford Dagenham’s property and the attempt of cable theft.

The value of the copper core earthing was estimated to be more than £1,100 and the cost of replacing the cable was more than £6,000.

While Tremarco was on police bail for this incident, he was also involved in another robbery offence, pleading guilty to several offences at Basildon Crown Court.

Detective Constable Mike Ganly, CID CTRL sector, investigating officer, and Crown Prosecution Service believes this is the first time that an offender has been successfully convicted of endangering safety on the railway in relation to a cable theft incident

In August of last year, security officers at Ford Dagenham detected intruders on the CTRL line of route, which passes through the motor works site. The security team conducted a search of the area and located two people hiding in the undergrowth.

Information was passed to the Ford’s CCTV operators and the actions of the pair were observed and recorded.  Tremarco was arrested by Metropolitan Police officers in the local area, while the other suspect managed to escape.

Operation Drum team continued the investigation, which showed the copper core return cable was cut and had been removed from its wall-side mounting but was not successfully taken away. The cable has since been recovered.

DC Ganly said: “Cable theft is a problem that BTP and the industry will continue to confront way into the future.

“Cable theft is a serious crime and we will continue to pursue the harshest sentences through the courts.”

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Safety day at Helpston crossing

BTP Peterborough was out in force at the Helpston level crossing on Tuesday 16 June as part of a determined crackdown on rogue drivers putting lives at risk.

Recently, Helpston crossing has been the subject of abuse by drivers who were ignoring safety warnings. In particular, taxi driver Joama Permos was jailed for six months and banned from driving after ignoring the sirens and speeding over the crossing with children in his vehicle.

The safety operation at Helpston was the sixth to be held there in the last four months.

Marked police cars were stationed on either side of the busy junction to catch motorists jumping red lights to sneak under closing safety barriers.

Pc Sean White said: "The day was a great success and we managed to make six arrests in just over three hours. Five had failed to conform to the level crossing and one was targeted for another motoring offence.

“A new camera has also been fitted at the Everton Crossing, just outside Huntingdon. The camera, which is fitted on the unmanned crossing, recorded five more offences today.”

“It is imperative that pedestrians and drivers do not take risks at rail crossings such as this and we will continue to do operations like these to drive the message home,” added PC White.

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Euston team gives lecture to local students

PCSO Mel Canty, alongside PC Chris Mead, of the Metropolitan Police, who is based at Maria Fidelis Convent School, Camden – organised a group of 14-year-old students to visit Euston Station, for a crime prevention day.

Boots, the retail store at Euston Station, has recently been the victim of thefts by students from the school. In response to the thefts the students were given visual demonstrations of what the BTP does to combat criminal activities at the station.

On Wednesday 17 June, the students were treated to a demonstration by passive drugs dog Blue, handled by PC Karen Warren, with the pupils’ teacher acting as the stooge. The teacher was searched, arrested and processed through the custody bus, including fingerprinting and DNA sampling, to demonstrate what happens if someone is found to be in possession of drugs.

The pupils were also introduced to a GP dog, used for public situations including football, named Zac. PC Warren demonstrated the tactics and commands used by LN dog handlers when confronted with a suspect.

PCSO Canty said: “I was very pleased with the presentation and the positive response from the students.

“Working in partnership with the school, has caused the number of thefts from Boots to fall dramatically. Hopefully this introduction to the prisoner processing procedure will further re-enforce our message and act as a deterrent to future criminal activity.”

“I would also like to thank the BTP dog handlers and their dogs for their contributions on the day. Also, PS Linda Chamberlain and PC Neil Stannard were a great help, arranging for the custody bus to be available and answering any questions,” added PCSO Canty.

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Update – escorting prisoners to police custody

In addition to the story that ran last week on escorting prisoners to police custody – please note that URN numbers do not refer to JAS URN numbers.

Alan Jackson, ASU Manager, has confirmed, in accordance with last week’s article, that officers are reminded that if they are taking prisoners to Home Office police custody facilities they must obtain an A.S number from the BTP CRC.

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