Scottish Police Sports and Recreation Discount Scheme

The Scottish area has signed up as a member of the Scottish Sports and Recreation Scheme. Log on to www.spsrdiscounts.co.uk and access the site for discounts on a wide range of goods and services exclusive to Scottish police officers and their families. Discounts include hotel accommodation, gym membership and many others.

You should sign in using the username: police and password: force.

Every member of staff will receive a handy credit card sized card advertsing the scheme with this week’s payslip.

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PRIDE Scotia 2009

Pride Scotia is almost upon us - and it's time for organising and deciding what we’re doing for Pride on Saturday 27th June, Edinburgh.

At the most basic level, just turn up from 12 noon outside the City Chambers in the High Street - the march moves off after speeches at 1pm sharp and will make its way down the High Street, past the Scottish Parliament and Holyrood Palace (where we understand that HM Queen will be in residence), up to the Regent, above London Road Gardens, past Planet, CC's and Habana, finishing off at the Omni Centre. You don't need our permission - just bring yourselves and anything you feel like carrying.

On arrival, there will be the usual Health and Community Fair in Mood at the Omni Centre whilst all the LGBT businesses in the area will be busy, busy, busy all day with revellers.

Remember Membership for LINK is open to everyone who works for BTP, in whatever capacity both police officers and support staff.

To contact your LINK Liaison officer Constable Linda Shields telephone: 07919528952 or e-mail [email protected] – Confidentiality is assured.

To find out more about LINK visit the welfare drop down bar on the Scottish briefing system.

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Sheriffs’ Award

For the fourth year, nominations are being sought from the public, security and emergency services and from armed forces across the United Kingdom for those who have displayed selfless determination, bravery, courage and initiative in protecting people, property or liberty.
 
A cheque for £2,000 will be awarded and the name of the recipient of Sheriffs' Award 2009 will be inscribed on a special scroll which will be inserted in a Book of Honour on permanent display within the Central Criminal Court, at The Old Bailey.

For the first time a second Award to recognise Community projects has also been established. There may well be some excellent NPT examples where local initiatives have had a significant impact on the local communities.

The closing date for nominations is 1^st August and if you know of any people or organisations worthy of receiving this unique bravery award, you forward nominations Chief Inspector Nick Barker, staff officer to Chief Officers, Force Headquarters, before 27^th July. Email: [email protected]

Please highlight any that may be sub judice so they can be handled appropriately.

Please see the attached pdf for more information.

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Using CCTV for Appeals

The rail industry is a CCTV rich environment – and that can give BTP a big advantage in investigating crime. 

‘If there is CCTV that can help your enquiries, you should be thinking very early on of the best way of exploiting that,’ says the Deputy Chief Constable Andy Trotter.

‘It is a powerful investigative tool – but the more you delay, the more you lose.  If you think you might want to put out a witness appeal, do it sooner rather than later, unless there are good reasons not to.

‘Putting out appeals with CCTV that are more than a few days old can make us look slow and unprofessional.  News is exactly that, something that is new, and the media rarely carries stories that are more than a few days old.  You not only risk losing an investigative opportunity, but also inviting questions about BTP’s competence.’

Although not such an issue in Scotland, witness appeals should be put out through Area Media and Marketing Managers, or though the national Pressdesk (020 7918 3354 or 0678 43354).  CCTV images should not be released without the requisite level of authority.

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Anthony Nolan Trust FHQ Clinic

The Anthony Nolan Trust and British Transport Police are launching an appeal to encourage all employees to register as potential bone marrow donors in a bid to help save the life of one of the thousands of patients currently looking for a match.

Every 21 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with a potentially life threatening disorder, like Leukaemia or aplastic anaemia where often the only chance of a full cure is to have a bone marrow transplant. Fewer than 30% of these patients will find a family member with compatible blood stem cells to donate. For the rest, an unrelated donor is the only chance.

There are currently 16,000 patients worldwide that are desperately searching for a suitable donor.  As yet a perfect match has not been found from the search of over 12 millions donors that are registered worldwide.  We need to increase the number of donors to help give all these patients a chance of life.

The Anthony Nolan Trust is working with BTP to raise awareness surrounding the need for more bone marrow donors and has set up this special event.

If you wish to register as a potential lifesaver & find out more about The Anthony Nolan Trust please come along to:

Force headquarters on Friday 19^th June between 12-3pm

Lynsey Dickson from the Anthony Nolan Trust said: "There are currently 16,000 patients seeking a suitable bone marrow donor, we are urging all BTP employees aged 18-40 years and in good health to register, as one of them could be the lifesaving match that a patient is looking for.  The Anthony Nolan Register can never be big enough if we are to fulfil our mission and provide a transplant for any patient in the world in need of bone marrow.  We are hoping that many employees ‘Give the gift of life’ and provide hope to many patients throughout the world. We are looking forward to working together with BTP on this campaign and are extremely grateful for their help and support in our life saving work”

In order to get an idea of those interested beforehand please contact:

Derek Reale RN / OHN

Welfare Officer

07921943853

email:- [email protected]

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