Change to international terrorism threat level

The International terrorism threat level was lowered from severe to substantial on Tuesday 20 July. The decision was taken following an assessment of the latest intelligence by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre.

While the threat to the UK remains high, the alteration recognises that the risk has been reduced from highly likely to a strong possibility.  

Despite the change, there is no intention to alter policing procedures and practices. Operation Pegasus, which replaces Operation Alert, and the counter terrorism work undertaken by all London South Area staff remains vital in tackling the ongoing threat of a terrorist attack against the rail network.

It has also been stressed that the move to downgrade is under constant review, and as the UK continues to face a range of threats to its security, the decision is subject to change at any point.

The current Section 44 authority remains in place until 11.59pm on 26 August 2009 but its use is to be restricted to the coverage area detailed below:

·        In the Metropolitan Police District

·        In the City of London

·        In the Counties of Essex, Kent, Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Sussex, Hampshire and Bedfordshire.

S44 searches must be conducted within the guidelines issued earlier in the year (click here for further information). Officers should be clear as to which strand of our policy is being used and the majority of searches under this power should be conducted as part of pre-planned operations.

Any enquiries regarding this change should be directed to the Counter Terrorism Support Unit at Force Headquarters.

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Transmitting conviction history using Airwave

Following a PNC steering group meeting held at Force Headquarters on Tuesday 21 July, it was decided that the full previous conviction history of an offender can be transmitted by Airwave radio.

However, to ensure that the risk of unauthorised disclosure of information is minimised, officers must take the following precautions.

• The request for the previous conviction history should only be requested over the airwave system when an officer wishes to see if the offender is suitable for an instant disposal, PND or Drug Warning

• The officer requesting the information MUST be wearing an earpiece

• Any officer who is listening to the same radio channel and is not wearing an earpiece MUST turn down the volume of their radio to ensure that the transmission is not overheard by a third party

These instructions must be briefed out to officers by supervisors at regular intervals to ensure that the protocol is being followed.

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Youths jailed after kicking man unconscious

Three men involved in a fracas on a train in south west London that saw a passenger kicked unconscious have been jailed for a combined total of 39 months.

A fourth member of the group was handed a suspended prison sentence.

Samuel Goody (21) of Kingfisher Close, Walton-on-Thames, Craig McLeod (22) of Leigh Road, Cobham, Thomas Currie (21) of Howard Road, Effingham and Billy O’Neill (20) of Northfield Road, Cobham, were sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday, 16 July.

Goody, McLeod and Currie were jailed for a combined total of 39 months after they were convicted of affray.

Thomas Currie pleaded guilty to the charge and was jailed for 10 months while Samuel Goody and Craig McLeod were found guilty by a jury and were each sentenced to 15 months’ and 14 months’ imprisonment respectively.

Billy O’Neill pleaded guilty to affray and was given a 35 week jail sentence suspended for two years. He must also carry out 150 hours’ unpaid work and has been handed a three month curfew order to remain at home on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between 8pm and 7am.

Detective Constable Vanessa Cottington, the investigating officer, said the incident occurred on the 10.39pm Waterloo to Guildford service on Sunday 15 March, 2008.

"When the train arrived at Wimbledon and the carriage doors opened, Goody, McLeod, Currie and O’Neill were on the platform and became abusive to passengers on the train. They had also just moments earlier been abusive to gateline staff at the station.

"Food, drink and a traffic cone were thrown into the carriage, resulting in a woman suffering a bump to the head.

"A fellow passenger came to the injured woman’s aid and approached the group to speak with them but he was assaulted and kicked unconscious, suffering a broken collar bone, two broken teeth and broken ribs."

CCTV showed Goody, McLeod, Currie and O’Neill leaving the station after the assault, and heading towards Wimbledon Centre Court.

London South detectives subsequently released a series of CCTV stills to the public, appealing for help in identifying the group, which led to their identification and subsequent arrest.

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Pair jailed after vicious Reigate assault

Two men who broke a man’s jaw at Reigate station have been jailed.

Cameron Nesbeth (19) of Moys Close, Croydon and Nathan Burnett (19) of Ongar Hill, Addlestone, were each jailed for 12 months at Guildford Crown Court on Friday, 3 July.

The men were convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm, with Nesbeth pleading guilty and Burnett being found guilty by a jury.

DC Sarah Garden, based in the Public Protection Unit at Holmes House, said: “The two men travelled to Reigate station on 5 October 2007, where they saw a man with whom Nesbeth had an altercation a few weeks earlier.

“The three men began arguing before Nesbeth and Burnett both punched the 18-year-old victim in the face, breaking his jaw and leaving him needing surgery.”

Nesbeth and Burnett were arrested after the victim came forward and identified them.

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BTP Rugby Club set for charity match

The BTP Rugby Club is inviting officers and staff are to attend their next match, which will see them raising money for a children’s charity.

The team are set to play a side from the Child Victims of Crime charity on Wednesday 2 September, with the BTP team presenting a gift to the charity after the game.

For further information about the match or to confirm attendance, please contact PCs Nick Loader and Julian Gardiner via email.

Date: 2 September 2009

Venue: East London Rugby Club

Kick off: 2pm TBC

Nearest Tube/rail station: West Ham

For further information about the Child Victims of Crime charity, click here.

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Rich picture briefings

London South officers who have not yet attended a Rich Picture briefing, designed to raise awareness of counter-terrorism issues, are asked to attend one of the below dates.

The briefings will be held on:

• Tuesday 18 August - Ivason House training room - 1pm

• Wednesday 19 August - Holmes House briefing room – 2pm

• Wednesday 26 August - Ivason House training room – 1pm

• Thursday 27 August - Holmes House briefing room – 10.15am

• Friday 28 August - Holmes House briefing room – 10.15am

Subject to line manager approval, officers are asked to contact A/Inspector Geoff Saunders via email to confirm which date they would like to attend.

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Incoming phone calls to PDAs

Officers are warned that some PDAs have been receiving unwanted phone calls from a telephone number ending 757066.

Should you receive a call from a number ending with these digits, do not answer it but instead press the red phone button to cancel the call. Please do not engage in conversation with any callers.

The Mobile Data Team is working with BTP’s service provider to resolve the issue.

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Complementary health treatments for BTP staff for £1 a week

The Transport Benevolent Fund (TBF) provides financial reimbursement for complementary health treatments to its members for £1 a week.

Anyone who works for BTP is eligible to join the TBF, which is not a health insurance service but a charity set up during World War One to help transport workers through financial hardship.

It costs £1 per week to join which then allows you to claim back amounts you spend on complementary therapies such as osteopathy, chiropractic treatment, physiotherapy, acupuncture, homeopathy, reflexology, Chinese medicine, aromatherapy and chiropody. In most cases there is no fixed limit on the amount you can claim.

It also provides financial help for things such as loan of medical equipment, legal advice, hardship grants and prescription season tickets.

The TBF does not cover anything that is standard in regular health insurance, it is for complementary treatments only.

The £1 a week covers the member, their husband, wife or partner, any dependent children and can be deducted directly from your payroll. To find out more and request a brochure, go to www.tbf.org.uk.

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LS vacancy – Intelligence Researcher

Please note the following vacancy, which is currently available on London South Area:

Position: Intelligence Researcher – Area Intelligence Bureau

Closing Date: Friday 14 August 2009

Please see the attached document for more details.

To apply for this post, please complete and return the attached application form to the London South Area Human Resources Office at Area Headquarters.

Prior to the closing date, candidates will need to submit their application through their appropriate line manager for comment.

The application should also be accompanied by an up to date copy of the candidate’s PDR and sickness report.

Applications should be sent to Parminder Mann  - C/o – Area Human Resources,  8A Ivason House, London Bridge Street – SE1 9SG.

For further information concerning this vacancy please contact DS Cooper on 020 7904 3543.

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LS vacancy – PC/DC (Crime Action Team)

Please note the following vacancy, which is currently available on London South Area:

Position: PC/DC (Crime Action Team)

Closing Date: Friday 21 August 2009

Please see the attached advert for more details.

To apply for this post, please complete and return the attached application form to the London South Area Human Resources Office at Area Headquarters.

Prior to the closing date, candidates will need to submit their application through their appropriate line manager for comment.

The application should also be accompanied by an up to date copy of the candidate’s PDR and sickness report.

Applications should be sent to Parminder Mann  - C/o – Area Human Resources,  8A Ivason House, London Bridge Street – SE1 9SG.

For further information concerning this vacancy please contact Detective Inspector Paul Langley on 020 7921 5752.

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Mobile phone scam warning

Officers and staff are advised to be aware of a mobile phone scam that allows a fraudulent company to make calls at the phone user’s expense.

The scam involves a user receiving a call from a person saying they are a company engineer, or telling the user that they are checking the mobile line.

The caller then asks the user to press #90 or #09 or any other number. Pressing a number gives the caller access to the phone’s SIM card and allows them to make phone calls at the user’s expense.

Officers and staff are advised to end any such calls immediately, without pressing any numbers.

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