Police powers to shut down disruptive protests
Police could soon be able to shut down protests before serious disruption could be caused under government plans. Downing Street claims the proposals would help officers clamp down on “a minority” who use tactics like blocking roads and slow marching. But it is being intertpreted as a means to block demos by protestors such Just […]
1,000 police now stationed in UK schools
Nearly 1,000 police officers are now based in schools, according to the Runnymede Trust (RT) equality charity. Half of those are in London and are more likely to be based in areas with a higher number of students eligible for free school meals. After a Freedom of Information request to moere than 40 forces in […]
Wiltshire Police appoints new chief constable
Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Panel has approved Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) Commander Catherine Roper as the new chief constable of Wiltshire Police, which is currently in special measures. The appointment was endorsed on 12 January after police and crime commissioner (PCC) Philip Wilkinson following her selection as the preferred candidate. The force is currently rated […]
Police want to quit over morale and pay – study
Around 20% of police officers are considering quitting the job because of low morale and rates of pay, according to a new study. The annual survey was conducted by the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), which represents 130,000 officers. The findings show that 19% say they cannot meet their bills. A PFEW chief […]
Police set for below-inflation funding in 2023
Police forces are in line for a below-inflation increase in funding next year. According to proposals set out by the Government, the Home Office said forces will receive an additional £287 million in 2023/24. This would take overall spending to £17.2 billion – a 3.6% boost per but far short of the current rate of […]
Police vetting is failing – official report
Vetting of police recruits is falling well below the standards required, a new survey has revealed. A report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has found it is too easy for the wrong people to get into the force. It was ordered by Priti Patel last autumn, the then […]
Female police officer numbers top 50,000
Female police officers now make up nearly 35% of the workforce in England and Wales, the highest number since records began. Home Office figures show that there are now 50,000 women employed across the forces. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) described it as “a really positive milestone”. A Home Office statement said: “The figure […]
Police Chief Ciaron Irvine in lead security role
Durham Police Deputy Chief Constable Ciaron Irvine has been appointed as the national lead for security systems.Irvine will oversee the National Police Chiefs’ Council Security Systems Group and associated Security Systems Policy, which monitors police strategies and technical developments and advises on police requirements in respect of security systems.Born in Liverpool, Irvine initially moved to […]
Police in favour of body-worn video cameras
Officers in a UK police force are in favour of wearing body-worn video (BWV) cameras when attending incidents, a new study has revealed.University of Stirling researchers were commissioned by Police Scotland to assess how BWV has been employed effectively elsewhere in Britain and globally.The report said the force should ensure that processes are in place […]
Police crime figures at all-time high, says ONS
More than six million crimes were recorded in the year to March 2022 – 4% higher than the previous all-time high of 6.1 million in 2019/20, according to official statistics. At 6.3m, it is also up 16% on 2020/21, when crime levels were affected by Covid-19 lockdown restrictions. The figures, which have been published by […]