Women launch legal action to stop military courts trying UK rape cases – The Guardian

‘Three women serving in the armed forces have begun legal action aimed at preventing the military courts from trying UK rape cases, complaining that the conviction rate is five to six times lower than in civilian courts.’

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The Guardian, 3rd April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Arrested children may be given legal advice automatically – Legal Futures

‘The government is considering whether children in police stations should have to opt out of receiving legal advice, rather than opt in as now, it has emerged.’

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Legal Futures, 4th May 2020

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Coronavirus: More than 9,000 fines for lockdown breaches – BBC News

‘More than 9,000 fines have been issued in England and Wales for breaching coronavirus lockdown restrictions.’

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BBC News, 30th April 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Yousef Makki death: inquiry into Greater Manchester police dropped – The Guardian

‘A watchdog has dropped its misconduct investigation into Greater Manchester police’s handling of a case involving the death of a schoolboy in Cheshire.’

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The Guardian, 30th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Domestic abuse prosecutions fell by 24% at end of 2019 – The Guardian

‘The number of domestic abuse prosecutions fell by almost a quarter in the last three months of 2019, compared to the previous year, according to quarterly figures released by the Crown Prosecution Service. Rape prosecutions also fell 23% in the last three months of 2019 compared to a year prior, maintaining a historic low.’

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The Guardian, 30th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Charges and cautions for domestic violence rise by 24% in London – The Guardian

Posted April 27th, 2020 in charities, coronavirus, domestic violence, families, news, police, statistics by sally

‘Police have warned of a looming rise in reported domestic abuse cases with some victims currently suffering in silence fearing if their abuser is arrested and becomes unemployed, they and their children will be plunged into poverty.’

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The Guardian, 24th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Knife offences hit record high in 2019 in England and Wales – The Guardian

Posted April 24th, 2020 in news, offensive weapons, police, statistics, violence by sally

‘The number of offences involving knives recorded by police in England and Wales in 2019 was the highest on record, official statistics show, with big cities driving up the numbers.’

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The Guardian, 23rd April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Met police face legal action over death of PC Keith Palmer – The Guardian

Posted April 21st, 2020 in bereavement, codes of practice, families, inquests, negligence, news, police, terrorism by sally

‘The Metropolitan police are facing legal action over the death of PC Keith Palmer, murdered during a terrorist attack on parliament.’

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The Guardian, 20th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Lessons to be Learned from the Marie Dinou Case – Pump Court Chambers

Posted April 21st, 2020 in chambers articles, coronavirus, emergency powers, enforcement, news, police by sally

‘Marie Dinou, the woman from York convicted of a non-existent coronavirus offence after being found “loitering between platforms” at Newcastle railway station was lucky to be charged with something newsworthy. Had hers been a mundane motoring charge it is highly unlikely that anyone would have spotted that her treatment by the police and the justice system was stupid, incompetent and unlawful.’

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Pump Court Chambers, 7th April 2020

Source: www.pumpcourtchambers.com

Met to review role of school police officers after legal challenge – The Guardian

‘The Metropolitan police are to review the role of officers in schools after a legal challenge raised concerns that they could have a disproportionately negative effect on pupils from black and minority ethnic groups.’

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The Guardian, 20th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Coronavirus Restrictions: local authority enforcement powers – narrower than you might think – Francis Taylor Building

‘Those venturing to their local park over the weekend probably witnessed an increased presence of police constables, out to enforce the new restrictions on movement and public gatherings. Those restrictions, as well as rules forcing the closure of certain businesses and premises, were introduced on 26 March 2020 by the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020.’

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Francis Taylor Building, 9th April 2020

Source: www.ftbchambers.co.uk

Coronavirus: Hull man jailed for coughing in police officer’s face – BBC News

‘A man has been jailed for coughing in the face of a police officer and claiming he had coronavirus.’

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BBC News, 16th April 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Driving to take a walk is lawful during England lockdown, police told – The Guardian

‘Driving to the countryside and walking – where more time is spent doing the latter than the former – is among a list of reasonable excuses for Britons leaving their home during the coronavirus lockdown, according to advice issued to police.’

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The Guardian, 16th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

COVID-19: a protocol to assist solicitors who are working remotely and advising suspects in relation to police interviews – Garden Court Chambers

Posted April 16th, 2020 in chambers articles, coronavirus, legal services, news, police, solicitors by sally

‘This document is intended to draw your attention to the serious risk to life that solicitors and suspects, in police stations, are facing during the COVID-19 crisis and to suggest ways to reduce them. It is not intended to be a definitive statement of what needs to be done. You may have other ideas which are equally or more valid. What is certain is that action needs to be taken if lives are to be saved. The protocol below is intended to assist solicitors to give appropriate legal advice to suspects, at the interview stage, when working remotely.’

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Garden Court Chambers, 1st April 2020

Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk

Police Powers Under the 2020 Coronavirus Act by Stephen Wood QC – Broadway House Chambers

‘A woman is arrested for loitering at a railway station and ‘prosecuted’ under the Coronavirus Act 2020. The prosecution do not oppose her appeal against conviction to the Crown Court on the basis that she had been prosecuted for an offence not known in law.’

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Broadway House Chambers, 14th April 2020

Source: broadwayhouse.co.uk

Man wrongly convicted under coronavirus law, Met police admit – The Guardian

‘A 21-year-old man has been wrongly convicted under coronavirus laws, the Metropolitan police have admitted, as concerns grow over the use of emergency powers.’

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The Guardian, 14th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Coronavirus: Public reassured over lockdown policing rules – BBC News

‘Downing Street says people can buy whatever they want from shops that remain open amid concerns some police are overstepping lockdown powers.’

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BBC News, 10th April 2020

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Ex-detective who preyed on women given suspended sentence to care for son – The Guardian

‘A former detective constable who admitted inappropriate contact with women he met in the course of his duties has been given a suspended sentence after a judge heard that no one else could care for his one-year-old child during the coronavirus lockdown.’

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The Guardian, 6th April 2020

Source: www.theguardian.com

Criminal Powers in response to Covid-19 – stay indoors instructions – 5 SAH

‘On 23 March 2020, the Prime Minister instructed everyone to remain in their homes in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. The overwhelming majority of individuals and businesses have taken steps to comply with that instruction. However, concerns remained about the large number of people continuing to use London Underground, groups of people congregating in public places and a small number of people steadfastly refusing to comply. From the off, law enforcement officials were asking to be furnished with powers to enforce compliance.’

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5 SAH, 30th March 2020

Source: www.5sah.co.uk

Guidance to Appropriate Authorities: police misconduct hearings during the coronavirus restrictions – UK Police Law Blog

‘This note is intended to assist Appropriate Authorities (“AAs”), Professional Standards Departments (“PSDs”) and hearings units to progress misconduct proceedings[1] under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012 and 2020 (“PCR”), during the outbreak of COVID-19. We suggest that AAs should try to proceed with hearings by video and/or telephone where possible, and we explore the practical implications of doing so.’

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UK Police Law Blog, 30th March 2020

Source: ukpolicelawblog.com