SUMMER 2019
Live Facial Recognition trial
DRUG DRIVING: KNOW THE LAW
£7 million lost to HOLIDAY FRAUD
CONTENTS 4
Drug Driving & The Law
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Project Servator: deter, detect and disrupt
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Operation Makesafe
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ÂŁ7 million lost to holiday fraud
10 Over 10,000 knives seized in national knife crime crackdown 11 New unit to prevent criminals re-offending 12 Live Facial Recognition trials 14 Police Scotland New Call Handling Service 16 You Street Watch in West Bromwich 18 Summer Burglary Advice 20 New Approach To Tackling Youth Disorder 21 Project Pegasus PUBLISHERS ES MEDIA (UK) 27 Gloucester Street London, WC1N 3AX Phone: 0208 0030193 Email: info@police-news.co.uk DISCLAIMER: Whilst all material provided for this independent publication is supplied and sourced from the Police and various Law Enforcement Agencies, it must be understood that all advertising space is purchased directly from the publishers ES Media (UK) who would like to confirm that we are not part neither do we have any connection or affiliation with any Policing or Law Enforcement Agencies within the United Kingdom.
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Drugs & driving: the law It’s illegal to drive if either:
• you’re unfit to do so because you’re on legal or illegal drugs • you have certain levels of illegal drugs in your blood (even if they haven’t affected your driving) Legal drugs are prescription or over-the-counter medicines. If you’re taking them and not sure if you should drive, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional. The police can stop you and make you do a ‘field impairment assessment’ if they think you’re on drugs. This is a series of tests, eg asking you to walk in a straight line. They can also use a roadside drug kit to screen for cannabis and cocaine. If they think you’re unfit to drive because of taking drugs, you’ll be arrested and will have to take a blood or urine test at a police station. You could be charged with a crime if the test shows you’ve taken drugs. Prescription medicines It’s illegal in England and Wales to drive with legal drugs in your body if it impairs your driving.
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It’s an offence to drive if you have over the specified limits of certain drugs in your blood and you haven’t been prescribed them.
You could be prosecuted if you drive with certain levels of these drugs in your body and you haven’t been prescribed them.
Talk to your doctor about whether you should drive if you’ve been prescribed any of the following drugs:
The law doesn’t cover Northern Ireland and Scotland but you could still be arrested if you’re unfit to drive.
• amphetamine, eg dexamphetamine or selegiline • mclonazepam • diazepam • flunitrazepam • mlorazepam • methadone • mmorphine or opiate and opioid-based drugs, eg codeine, tramadol or fentanyl • oxazepam • mtemazepam
You can drive after taking these drugs if:
• you’ve been prescribed them and followed advice on how to take them by a healthcare professional • they aren’t causing you t be unfit to drive even if you’re above the specified limits
Penalties for drug driving If you’re convicted of drug driving you’ll get: • a minimum 1 year driving ban • an unlimited fine • up to 6 months in prison • a criminal record Your driving licence will also show you’ve been convicted for drug driving. This will last for 11 years.
The penalty for causing death by dangerous driving under the influence of drugs is a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
A conviction for drug driving also means:
• your car insurance costs will increase significantly • if you drive for work, your employer will see your conviction on your licence
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Project Servator aims to deter, detect and disrupt a range of criminal activity, including terrorism, while providing a reassuring presence for the public.
What you can expect to see
Project Servator on social media
Project Servator’s patrols are highly visible and can happen at any time and in any location. If you see Project Servator officers in your area, there’s nothing to be concerned about. It’s normal police activity and isn’t linked to any specific intelligence about a threat to the area.
Our officers also engage with the online community, sharing information about Project Servator and its successes.
Our officers are experienced and specially trained to spot the tell-tale signs that someone is planning or preparing to commit an act of crime.
You’ll see, as a minimum, uniform and plain clothes officers, but we might also include officers from other departments such as dog or horse units, the Marine Policing Unit or armed officers depending on our specific requirements. We might also work with British Transport Police at transport hubs or Aviation Police at airports.
We believe that ‘Together, we’ve got it covered’, so we work with partners, including other police forces, businesses and the public, to continue to protect London and everyone who lives, works or visits here and to make it a difficult place for criminals and terrorists to operate. Project Servator has been successful in gathering intelligence that has assisted Counter Terrorism Units across the UK in investigating and preventing acts of terror. Our work has resulted in many arrests for a multitude of offences and is responsible for removing firearms, knives and drugs from London’s streets.
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Officers will talk to the public, local businesses and private security staff to let them know what they’re doing and remind them to be vigilant, trust their instincts and report any suspicious or unusual behaviour. You may also see posters on display boards and officers handing out leaflets explaining more about Project Servator. Working with the community is a vital part of making Project Servator a success, so if you have any questions, please feel free to talk to our officers.
On Twitter, follow
#ProjectServator. You have an important role to play in helping to keep London safe by reporting anything that doesn’t feel right, for example, an unattended item or someone acting suspiciously. If you see something suspicious, please tell a police officer, use our online form or call the confidential Anti Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321, or if it’s an emergency, call 999.
Operation Makesafe Operation Makesafe has been developed in partnership with London’s boroughs to raise awareness of child sexual exploitation in the business community, such as hotel groups, taxi companies and licensed premises. Following the success of the pilot run in the borough of Waltham Forest, Operation Makesafe has now been rolled out across all London boroughs.
Our aims
The purpose of the campaign is to help business owners and their employees identify potential victims of child sexual exploitation and, where necessary, alert police officers to intervene prior to any young person coming to harm.
What’s involved
Businesses such as hotels, licensed premises and taxi companies are being provided with awareness training to help them recognise the signs of child sexual exploitation. They are directed to call 101, quoting ‘Operation Makesafe’, should they suspect suspicious behaviour or activity on their premises or in their vehicles. These businesses are also being provided with campaign posters and training sheets (see below) to raise awareness amongst their customers and staff. Met call handlers have received specialist training to identify calls relating to child sexual exploitation and provide the appropriate advice and police response.
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£7 million lost to holiday fraud • Over 5,000 people reported to Action Fraud total losses of just over £7 million to holiday and travel-related fraud • Victims have also reported the significant emotional impact caused by this crime • Wherever possible, people are advised to pay by credit card Fraudsters stole more than £7 million from unsuspecting holidaymakers and other travellers in 2018. ABTA – The Travel Association, Action Fraud and Get Safe Online are joining forces to warn the public about the dangers posed by holiday fraud and give advice on how to spot and avoid travel related fraud. The report, compiled by Action Fraud, the national fraud and cyber crime reporting centre, details the most commonly targeted areas of travel and the methods used by unscrupulous criminals to defraud the travelling public.
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Over 5,000 people reported to Action Fraud that they had lost a total of just over £7 million to holiday and travel related fraud, an increase on last year, when 4,382 victims reported losing £6.7 million. The average amount lost was £1,380 per person but, as in previous years, in addition to the financial cost, victims have also reported the significant emotional impact caused by this crime. The three campaign partners also believe that the actual total figures relating to travel fraud may be even higher, with many victims feeling too embarrassed to report.
Over half, 53%, of the crimes reported were related to the sale of airline tickets. These reports were made consistently throughout the year, however the largest individual loss, of over £425,000, was made in August 2018. The next most common fraud at 25%, related to the sale of accommodation, with a peak in reported losses in October. This indicates that many victims report their loss after the end of the summer holidays the busiest time of the year for travel and a popular target for fraudsters.
Top tips to avoid becoming a travel fraud victim • Stay safe online: Check the web address is legitimate and has not been altered by slight changes to a domain name. • Do your research: Don’t just rely on one review - do a thorough online search to check the company’s credentials. If a company is defrauding people there is a good chance that consumers will post details of their experiences, and warnings about the company. • Look for the logo: Check whether the company is a member of a recognised trade body such as ABTA. If you have any doubts, you can verify membership of ABTA online.
Action Fraud, ABTA and Get Safe Online have published advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of holiday booking fraud – and on how victims should go about reporting it. This advice includes the following top tip:
• Use your instincts: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. • Check paperwork: You should study receipts, invoices as well as terms and conditions. Be very wary of any companies that don’t provide any at all. When booking through a Holiday Club or Timeshare, get the contract thoroughly vetted by a solicitor before signing up. • Look for the logo: Check whether the company is a member of a recognised trade body such as ABTA. If you have any doubts, you can verify membership of ABTA online.
• Pay safe: Wherever possible, pay by credit card and be wary about paying directly into a private individual’s bank account. • Report it: Victims should contact Action Fraud • Get free expert advice: For further advice on how to stay safe when booking or researching travel online, go to Get Safe Online
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More than 10,000 knives seized in a WEEK in national knife crime crackdown All 43 police forces in England and Wales took part, and 1,372 people were arrested More than 10,000 knives were seized and 1,372 suspects arrested during a weeklong national knife crime crackdown. All police forces in England and Wales joined Operation Sceptre for seven days of activity including weapons sweeps, knife amnesties and targeted stop-and-search between March 11 and 17. Officers carried out 3,771 weapons searches, during which 342 knives were found. Another 10,215 were handed in as part of amnesties. During the week 1,926 stop and searches were carried out, leading to 136 knife-related arrests. Of the total 1,372 suspects detained, 516 were for knife crimes. Test purchases were also carried out at 689 shops, with 130 (19%) failing and selling a knife to someone under-18. All 43 police forces in England and Wales as well as British Transport Police took part in the crackdown. National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Knife Crime, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Duncan Ball, said: “Operation Sceptre brought together all 44 police
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forces in England and Wales in a co-ordinated effort to take knives off our streets and bring those intent on using them for violence to justice.
“Police officers will work with other agencies to consider what support those arrested need to prevent them picking up a knife again.
“The increase in knife crime in recent months and years is very concerning and as a society we have a responsibility to act.
“Police cannot tackle violence alone and this week of intensification involved work with schools, charities, the health service, Trading Standards and communities to eradicate knife crime and keep people safe.”
“Police officers work incredibly hard all year round to make our communities safer but this operation sends a clear message that there are consequences for carrying a knife or selling one illegally to a child.
The number of knife crime offences recorded by police is at its highest since 2011, and rose by 6% last year. Victoria Atkins, Minister for Crime, Safeguarding and Vulnerability, said £220million is being invested in projects to steer young people away from crime.
new unit to prevent
previously convicted criminals
from re-offending
The City of London Police have announced the launch of their new Lifetime Offender Management unit (LOM). The unit has been developed to deliver on the force’s commitment to increasing disruption of Serious and Organised Crime (SOC).
These orders are not issued to every person who is released from jail. Instead, they are focused towards those who are most likely to reoffend (high-risk) or those whose crimes could cause serious harm if they did reoffend (highharm).
The LOM unit is designed to make it as difficult as possible for offenders to return to a life of crime when they are released from prison. It ensures the safety of our communities but also helps with the rehabilitation of previously convicted criminals.
The unit is also responsible for monitoring those with prevention orders served against them and ensuring the individual’s compliance. Detective Constable Lee Drury, from the City of London Police’s Lifetime Offender Management Unit, said:
One of the roles of the unit is to issue prevention orders to individuals who have recently been released from prison. These orders can restrict their communications, travel, and business dealings, amongst other things, when justified in disrupting their ability to return to crime.
“The police service as a whole is very focused on pursuing criminals, but once charged, there can be a tendency to leave the management of these offenders to the courts, prison, and probation service while we move on to the next investigation.
“Our new unit will maintain the management of offenders through the judicial cycle and beyond. It will identify and enforce tactical opportunities to deter future criminality from occurring, which in turn protects members of the public and also prevents previous offenders from continuing to benefit from a life of crime.” Serious Crime Prevention Orders (SCPOs) form part of the Serious Crime Act 2015 and have been available to courts since March 2016. SCPOs can last for up to 5 years once they come into effect. The SCPOs issued by the City of London Police will be accessible to the public via our website.
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Live Facial Recognition trial What is Live Facial Recognition? Live Facial Recognition (LFR), is technology that can identify a person from a digital image. The technology is being used to assist in the prevention and detection of crime by identifying wanted criminals. The LFR cameras are focused on an area, when people pass through the area their images are streamed directly to the Live Facial Recognition system database. This database contains the ‘watch list’: a list of offenders wanted by the police and courts for various offences.
Why we’re trialling LFR We’re trialling LFR to find out if it’s a useful policing tactic to deter and prevent crime and bring to justice wanted criminals. The trial has been set up to find out if the technology and how we use it can work in a range of locations, and scenarios with the engagement of the public. We feel it’s important to run the trial in real life conditions to get accurate data and learn as much as possible from it.
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How the system works
How we’re using facial recognition
Live Facial Recognition uses NEC’s NeoFace technology to analyse images of the faces of people on the watch list. It measures the structure of each face, including distance between eyes, nose, mouth and jaw to create facial data. The system detects a face, creates a digital version of it and searches it against the watch list; where it makes a match it sends an alert to an officer on the scene.
The Met is trialling Live Facial Recognition technology. We’re testing it in a range of environments including public events and crowded public spaces. Wherever we’ve used it, we’ve done so openly. That means:
The officer compares the camera image and the watch list image and decides whether to stop and speak to the person. We always explain why we’ve stopped someone; we also give them a leaflet that explains how they can contact us to ask any questions afterwards.
• officers engaging with members of the public to explain the process
The system will only keep faces matching the watch list, these are kept for 30 days, all others are deleted immediately. We delete all other data on the watch list and the footage we record. Anyone can refuse to be scanned; it’s not an offence or considered ‘obstruction’ to actively avoid being scanned.
• information leaflets handed out to the public • posters placed in and around the area to make people aware the technology is being used
Future deployments under consideration are: football sporting events, music festivals and transport hubs. The Met will assess and analyse the results, which will be accredited by independent authorities. We’ll also hold a public consultation to discuss the use of facial recognition and to canvass public concerns about it. An Advisory Consultation Group (ACG) of key stakeholders has been set up to discuss the use of Live Facial Recognition.
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Police Scotland is introducing a new way of assessing calls to its 101 and 999 service to improve the way we respond to contact from the public. Frontline staff and police officers in our service centre and police offices are undergoing specialist training to make an enhanced assessment of threat, risk, harm and vulnerability for everyone who contacts the service. The information provided through this enhanced assessment will be used to determine the most appropriate and proportionate police response when we are contacted by a member of the public. These proposals follow extensive engagement with the Scottish Police Authority (SPA), elected members and other key stakeholders. Oversight and scrutiny of the implementation of CAM will be provided by the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) Governance and Assurance Group.
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Assistant Chief Constable John Hawkins, who has strategic responsibility for Contact, Command and Control said: “Every caller is different and our response should be too. The new approach will ensure we can provide better service to the public by taking more information from the caller so that we can make a more robust assessment of risk, threat and harm and vulnerability.
Police Scotland puts THE needs of public at heart of
call handling “The new model will also increase our ability to despatch police officers to urgent incidents, which means we can get to the people who need us most, when they need us most. “Our current response to calls to the 101 and 999 service is based on pre-determined policies, procedures and system grading. Effectively it is a ‘computer says go’ approach to how we respond to calls. However, this does not mean it is the right response for every individual, and in some cases we have to send officers when the caller does not want us to do this. “Rather than having a ‘one size fits all’ approach to certain types of calls, under the new approach, service advisers will take into account the needs and circumstances of everyone who contacts us. “This means that we might deal with the same type of call differently depending on the needs of the caller, after assessing their vulnerability and the risk posed to them.
“For example, we might send officers if an elderly person calls to report that their garden shed has been broken into, but someone who is in a less vulnerable situation may actually request that we set up an appointment at their convenience or that an officer calls them back. “When you contact Police Scotland, the first thing we will do is make sure you are safe. Our focus is, and always will be, to protect the public and the most vulnerable in our communities. That won’t change.” This new approach will be introduced in phases, starting with Lanarkshire, and Dumfries and Galloway in summer 2019, prior to a proposed roll out across Scotland. Scottish Police Authority Board member Mary Pitcaithly said: “A key part of the Authority’s responsibility is to ensure that there is the right investment and support for change in the way policing responds to the public when they need support and assistance.
“With demands on the service changing rapidly, especially in addressing vulnerability, it is vital that policing adapts its approaches and forges new partnerships to improve the outcomes for people in need. “Of course, major changes also need to be well prepared for, well-managed, and well communicated and the approach being put in place for this initiative is designed to ensure we build on experience and strengthen both implementation and oversight.” The new method of assessing calls is the next step in the development of call handling services and was a recommendation made by HMICS in their 2015 Independent Assurance Review into Police Scotland call handling in which it recommended that Police Scotland adopt a more formalised risk and vulnerability assessment model for service advisors.
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Youth Street Watch launched in West Bromwich A brand new scheme thought to be the first of its kind in the country is helping cops connect with young people. The programme, called Youth Street Watch, was launched in April 2019 and has recruited five students aged between 18 and 20 from Sandwell College. The young volunteers give up their spare time to patrol West Bromwich centre with town ambassadors or local police community support officers. And when they are out and about they will identify any issues or concerns like antisocial behaviour, graffiti, drug litter, homelessness and will speak to people visiting the town centre. However, the scheme isn’t designed to fight crime, it’s a community led project that helps build relationships between teenagers and the police.
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Sergeant Mike Bradley, from the local neighbourhood policing team, led the idea for the scheme. He said: “The initial aim was to build relationships with the local college. West Bromwich as a town is transitioning from a market town into a college town and as it does so we have a lot more young people visiting the area. “I wanted to do something that would make a difference to how young people see the police. “At a local youth summit we asked the young people what their impression of the police was and they said that they saw us as there to ‘hassle’ them. This couldn’t be further from the truth so I set about doing something that would help change their perceptions and the street watch idea was formed.
“I think that young people identify with young people. They don’t want to speak to the police but having the Youth Street Watch with us means they see a familiar face and there have been times when they are happier talking to the team and that’s great to see.” Lisa Hill, the Operations Manager for West Bromwich Business Improvement District, is the coordinator of the trial scheme and works in partnership with WMP. She said: “The Youth Street Watch members have been recruited from the public service course at Sandwell College. “They are people who are thinking about a career in the police and the volunteering role has helped them experience what it’s like to go out and about with officers,
has built their confidence and volunteering I feel will help them in the future with any prospective employers.” Chloe Kaur is a recent recruit. The 20-year-old is a student at Sandwell College, she works part-time and still finds time to volunteer. She said: “My ultimate aim is to become a police officer, by volunteering I get to experience first-hand what it’s like to be on patrol. I don’t think any amount of research can replace experience. “What I love about Street Watch is that it’s flexible. They have been able to accommodate me around my shifts and studies. It’s great to feel like I have really made a difference and helped people.”
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Summer Months
Burglary Advice
Burglaries often increase during the sunny weather, when burglars take advantage of doors and windows being left open. However, crime prevention doesn’t have to cost a lot of money - taking simple measures such as locking your doors and windows, not leaving valuables on display and using your alarm can significantly reduce your chances of being a victim.
Here’s some simple steps to improve their home security : • Always lock your doors and windows even when you’re at home • Always take the key out of the lock and keep it in a safe place - do not leave keys in reach of the letterbox, a cat flap, or on view through a window. • Make sure items such as car keys, laptops, tablets, phones and cash cannot be seen through a window. • Do not leave power cables or charger units for laptops and tablets plugged in and on show. • If you are out, try to make your home look occupied by using a timer switch to control lights. • Make sure Euro cylinder locks have achieved - TS 007 (3 star rating) or Sold Secure Diamond Standard for lock cylinders (SS312).
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• If you have a burglar alarm always remember to switch it on when you leave the house or when you go to bed. • Why not start a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in your area?
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New approach to tackling youth disorder A new initiative aimed at tackling youth disorder in North Tyneside has taken place as part of continuing efforts to reassure residents. Following a small number of incidents in the north west of the borough, a small group of young people took part in a special educational workshop to help them understand the impact this kind of behaviour can have on communities and their families. The event, held by North Tyneside Council and supported by Northumbria Police and local secondary schools the North Gosforth Academy, George Stephenson High and Longbenton High, included a visit from prison officers and an ex offender as part of the Prison Me! No Way! project. A mock prison cell was also brought along to give the youngsters an understanding of prison life and the former offender told them how hard it can be to find work after spending time in prison and how it has affected his family. There were also workshops to highlight the sports and arts activities already available, the council’s youth offending team were on hand to give out advice and the group were taught how the community and public spaces protection team and police work together to tackle issues in the community. Cllr Carole Burdis, Cabinet member for community safety, said: “We know that the vast majority of young people in North Tyneside are very well behaved but when there is an issue it is important that we take steps to address it.
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“The workshop was a real success and was a new, holistic, approach to fit alongside the vast amount of work we already do as part of our brilliant partnership working to educate young people around crime prevention. “This was an opportunity to educate our young people about what will happen if they go down the wrong path – we’re not trying to stop them having fun and enjoying our public open spaces but giving them informed decisions about the consequences their actions can have. “By sharing information between ourselves and the agencies we work with, and vice versa, the small minority of those engaged in youth disorder will know there is nowhere to hide and it’s important that residents are aware of this and feel reassured by what we’re doing. “We are working hard to address their concerns and keep North Tyneside, which is already one of the safest places to live in the country, a great place to live, work and visit.”
From left are Sgt James Brady, Cllr Carole Burdis, Cllr Peter Earley, Richie Mitchell, Community and Public Spaces Protection Manager, North Tyneside Council, and PC Mick Wilson.
Neighbourhood Inspector Mark Storey, from Northumbria Police, said: “We are always trying new and innovative ways to reach out to the various people within our communities and these types of workshops are just a part of that ongoing work. “Together with partners we aim to educate young people about crime and continue to keep communities a safe place to live and work for everyone.”
Other recent work carried out by the council’s community protection team alongside local officers from Northumbria Police includes regular patrols from a CCTV van to provide community reassurance. Letters have also been sent to parents calling on them to make sure they know where their children are and what they are doing in the evenings.
Project
Pegasus Border crime causes immense harm to the UK, whether it is the smuggling of people, drugs or firearms, or terrorism related. There are tens of thousands of light aircraft, helicopters and microlights in the UK, flying in and out of small airfields across the country every day. Because not every plane and airstrip can be monitored 24 hours a day, the aviation industry, communities who live and work around airports and enthusiasts can play a vital role in preventing crime and maintaining a safe community. Project Pegasus is an initiative set up to get people who work in aviation or live near airports to join the fight against organised crime and terrorism.
What to look out for.
• someone who seems to be testing, studying or researching security around an airfield • buying equipment, chemicals, uniforms or identification like badges or patches • suspicious deliveries • an odd pattern of hiring an aircraft or deviating from an agreed flight plan • aircraft which has been modified, carrying extra fuel, suffering from minor damage, landed short of its destination, has been to remote destinations or isolated airfields or is muddy when only tarmac strips are on the flight plans • the pilot seems nervous, is evasive about passengers, flights or routes, takes unnecessary risks, disregards weather conditions, seems to be flying beyond their abilities or ignores regulations, files misleading or false General Aviation Reports or flight plans • does it look as if there might be hidden cargo, packages dropped from low-flying aircraft, items being handled suspiciously?
What you can do?
If you see anything that makes you suspicious, tell us, either online, or by calling 101. If you suspect possible terrorist activity then you can report that to us online, on the Anti-Terrorist Hotline 0800 789 321, or if you suspect an immediate danger, please move away and call 999 now. If you’d rather report anonymously, then call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote ‘Pegasus’. Please remember: don’t put yourself in a dangerous situation or take any risks; don’t approach anyone you suspect. Report it to us as soon as you can.
Run, hide, tell.
Information which will be useful to us (but don’t put yourself in harm’s way to get it): • what happened, when, why was it unusual • any details about the aircraft; description, markings or modifications, who owns it • if any other vehicles were involved, registration numbers and a description (colour, make and so on) • flight details, such as type of flight, flight plans and timings • any information about the pilot or crew, including what they look like, any identifying features
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