Justice system ‘will break down’ and criminals go unpunished unless next government spends hundreds of millions, union warns – The Independent

‘The justice system “will break down” and allow crimes to go unpunished if the next government does not provide hundreds of millions of pounds in investment, it has been warned.’

Full Story

The Independent, 11th November 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Police officers illicitly access police computers including checks on a partner’s criminal record – Daily Telegraph

‘Hundreds of police officers and staff have illicitly accessed police databases for their own ends including checking the criminal records of partners. Freedom of Information requests show 237 officers and staff have been disciplined for accessing the highly-sensitive police national computer or other IT systems in the past two years.’

Full Story

Daily Telegraph, 7th November 2019

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Police officer charged with murder of Dalian Atkinson – The Guardian

Posted November 8th, 2019 in death in custody, murder, news, police, prosecutions by sally

‘A police constable has been charged with murdering Dalian Atkinson in a clash during which a stun gun and other force was used on the former footballer.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 7th November 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Account ForfeitureOrder Notices – The Administrative Method – Drystone Chambers

‘The idea behind Account Forfeiture Order Notices is that it makes it easier for law enforcement to forfeit recoverable property, or property that is to be used in unlawful conduct, without going to court. The powers should only be used where there is no likelihood that the forfeiture will be objected to. Although these seem simple provisions there are a lot of possible issues, such as the length of notice, who and how it is served, if it is reasonable to serve one in the first place, and if forfeiture occurs, if it can be set aside by an aggrieved party at a later date.’

Full Story

Drystone Chambers, October 2019

Source: drystone.com

Government consults on new police powers to criminalise unauthorised encampments – Home Office

‘The government will launch a consultation on proposals to give police new powers to arrest and seize the property and vehicles of trespassers who set up unauthorised caravan sites.’

Full press release

Home Office, 3rd November 2019

Source: www.gov.uk/home-office

Paedophile hunters responsible for more than half of grooming prosecutions – Daily Telegraph

‘Police chiefs have accused vigilante paedophile hunters of exceeding the law, despite using their evidence to prosecute suspects in more than half of all cases.’

Full Story

Daily Telegraph, 6th November 2019

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Public inquiry launched into abuse at Brook House immigration detention centre – The Independent

Posted November 7th, 2019 in detention, immigration, inquiries, news, ombudsmen, police, professional conduct, standards by sally

‘A public inquiry has been launched into allegations of abuse at the Brook House immigration detention centre.’

Full Story

The Independent, 6th November 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Bail changes to be reviewed after suspected rapists, murders and paedophiles released without restrictions – The Independent

‘Bail changes made by the Conservative government are being reviewed after the release of thousands of suspected violent criminals, paedophiles and rapists.’

Full Story

The Independent, 6th November 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Travellers: Home Office ‘Criminalising Families With Nowhere To Go’ – Charities – Rights Info

Posted November 6th, 2019 in news, police, public order, travellers, trespass by sally

‘Travellers’ and Gypsies’ ancient way of life is under threat from “inhumane” proposals to criminalise unauthorised encampments, charities have warned.’

Full Story

Rights Info, 5th November 2019

Source: rightsinfo.org

Police ban on Extinction Rebellion protests ruled illegal by high court – The Guardian

Posted November 6th, 2019 in climate change, demonstrations, false imprisonment, news, police, public order by sally

‘Hundreds of Extinction Rebellion protesters may now sue the Metropolitan police for unlawful arrest after the high court quashed an order banning the group’s protests in London last month.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 6th November 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Man who partially blinded police officer with ammonia jailed for 14 years – The Independent

Posted November 1st, 2019 in chemical weapons, news, police, sentencing, wounding by sally

‘A man who partially blinded a police officer when he sprayed ammonia in his face, has been jailed for 14-and-a-half years.’

Full Story

The Independent, 1st November 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk

First arrest and prosecution for praying in public case collapses after bungled police investigation – Daily Telegraph

‘The country’s first arrest and prosecution for praying in public has collapsed following a bungling police investigation.’

Full Story

Daily Telegraph, 31st October 2019

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Police may have used ‘dangerous’ facial recognition unlawfully in UK, watchdog says – The Independent

‘Facial recognition technology may have been used unlawfully by police, a watchdog has warned while calling for urgent government regulation.’

Full Story

The Independent, 1st November 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk

When “maybe” isn’t good enough: orders for production of journalistic material – Panopticon

Posted October 30th, 2019 in disclosure, evidence, investigatory powers, media, news, police by sally

‘The efforts of the Beeb in the Divisional Court have clarified the conditions to be satisfied before a Court can require journalistic material be produced in criminal cases.’

Full Story

Panopticon, 29th October 2019

Source: panopticonblog.com

Prosecutors criticised over ‘serious failings’ as father and son accused of racially abusing Premier League footballer walk free after case collapses – Daily Telegraph

Posted October 30th, 2019 in Crown Prosecution Service, hate crime, news, police, racism, sport, video recordings by sally

‘”Serious failings” led to the collapse of a prosecution over allegations that racist slurs were hurled at Brighton defender Gaetan Bong during a Premier League match.’

Full Story

Daily Telegraph, 29th October 2019

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Douglas Oak inquest: Coroner calls for improved police and ambulance training on handling persons suffering from Acute Behavioural Disturbance – Garden Court Chambers

Posted October 29th, 2019 in emergency services, inquests, mental health, news, police by sally

‘The inquest into the death of Douglas Oak concluded at Bournemouth Coroners Court yesterday with Senior Coroner for Dorset Rachel Griffin stating that she would be issuing a wide ranging preventing Future Deaths report because of her concerns that further lives will be lost unless action is taken at a national level to improve training and the handling of persons suffering from acute behavioural disturbance (ABD).’

Full Story

Garden Court Chambers, 23rd October 2019

Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk

Police watchdog inquiry launched over Carl Beech report – The Guardian

‘An inquiry has been launched into the police watchdog after its report on the investigation into false claims of a VIP Westminster paedophile ring was branded “a whitewash”.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 28th October 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com

Met PC cleared of beating ‘yellow vest’ protester during clashes – BBC News

Posted October 29th, 2019 in assault, demonstrations, news, police by sally

‘A Metropolitan Police officer has been found not guilty of beating a protester at a pro-Brexit “yellow vest” march.’

Full Story

BBC News, 28th October 2019

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Rape victims face ‘culture of disbelief’ despite #MeToo movement, says commissioner – The Independent

‘People who are raped face a “culture of disbelief” when trying to obtain justice, the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales has said. Dame Vera Baird QC said a combination of myths surrounding rape and a drop in the number of prosecutions, despite record volumes of cases being reported to police, meant many victims feel like they were unsupported by the criminal justice system.’

Full Story

The Independent, 27th October 2019

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Police disciplinary hearings dropped over Thomas Orchard death – The Guardian

‘The family of a church caretaker with mental health problems who died after being restrained at a police station have expressed anger after disciplinary proceedings against two detention officers were dropped.’

Full Story

The Guardian, 24th October 2019

Source: www.theguardian.com