News and views from People for Proper Policing North Wales (PPP)
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NWPF continue with Operation Focus
This story current on NWPF website 26/02/10
At the request of Chief Constable Mark Polin, a review of Operation Focus and associated tactics was undertaken. That review concluded that Operation Focus has been a great success and has contributed greatly to the tremendous reductions seen in the number of motorcyclists killed or seriously injured. Despite the success of the 2009 operation more needs to be done to protect the interests of the law abiding responsible rider in line with the ACPO Motorcycle Enforcement Strategy.
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Parking and traffic enforcement
A MANIFESTO ON THE REFORM OF PARKING AND TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT
this manifesto deals with another aspect of the war against the motorist. We support the principle because of our core belief in SENSE and REASON. We have all been victims of the abusive system described here and these people are campaigning on our behalf. The war is against the majority who attempt to conduct their business in our towns and cities throughout the UK. Even today the opposition claims that they will support businesses in town centres ....
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Updated motorcycle test videos on YouTube
The Driving Standards Agency has updated two of its modular motorcycle test videos on YouTube.
If you run your own website and link to these videos, you'll need to update your site to make sure your customers can see them.
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Motorway speed cameras by stealth
This story courtesy of the driver’s alliance
With the election looming the Government is rolling out its ‘Controlled Motorways’ agenda as rapidly as possible. The visible signs of this are the miles and miles of road works while overhead gantries are erected which will eventually regulate the speed we can travel when traffic builds up. The Government claims that slower speeds will smooth out traffic flows and improve journey times. The Gantries will display the current speed limit and will also use speed cameras to enforce
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David Hanson MP talks about the benefits of officers on the beat.
In an article for the Guardian in response to an item by Martin Kettle, David Hanson MP, Minister for crime, policing and counter-terrorism talks about the benefits of officers on the beat. Read the guardian article AND the varied but informative comments. Martin Kettle's article (It's time to shout down the bobbies-on-the-beat mantra, 11 February) does not recognise the significant contribution of the increased numbers of police officers since 1997 on the overall reduction of crime and the increase in public confidence ..
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A story from the magistrates blog
A man in his sixties is before the court. He has pleaded not guilty a few times but has finally decided to listen to his solicitor and accept that he doesn't have a ghost of a defence to the allegation of driving without insurance. The offence is technical, but the insurance laws are very rigid. His representative is not, to be frank, very good. We have to prompt him in the right direction and he finally puts forward the arguments that we have already taken on board. We decided on an Absolute Discharge and no costs ....
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NWPA meeting dates 2010
These meetings are all open to the public.
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Simplification of speed limit rules
Proposals to simplify motorway speed limits for buses, coaches and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) were published today by the Department for Transport. The changes are needed because of differences that have arisen between new vehicles, which are fitted with speed limiters, and older vehicles which are not. This means that while newer HGVs are limited to 56mph older vehicles are able to drive at up to 70 mph on the motorway. Similarly, new passenger vehicles with over eight seats are limited to 62.5 mph on the motorway ....
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Weather chaos on North Wales' roads
Daily Post 2nd Feb.2010
HEAVY snow and black ice caused road chaos across North Wales yesterday.
The elements combined with a period of low sunshine to affect traffic conditions notably in Wrexham and Flintshire.Met Office spokesman John Hammond said accidents early in the day in adverse weather conditions are common, adding: “This snow blindness can be a problem at this time of year when people are driving to work and the sun is bright but low in the sky. Temperatures dropped to -1.7C and led to three serious crashes ...
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UK’s A ROADS ARE TOO DANGEROUS
Two-thirds of Britain's single-carriageway main roads fall below acceptable safety standards, according to a report attributed to the Road Safety Foundation but paid for by the Highways Agency. The report, part of the European Road Assessment Programme (EuroRAP) rates the majority of the UK's A-road network with two stars out of a possible four. www.eurorap.org/campaigns "Single carriageways lack most of the safety features that would protect road users and almost two-thirds (62 per cent) get an overall rating of two stars.
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Big Brother moves ever closer
Big Brother moves ever closer in the name of sustainable development and justified by the climate change SCAM.
This story courtesy of Pistonheads website but go to the link in their article
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How realistic is New Realism
New Realism is the name given to a movement of academic transport theorists who, led by Professor Phil Goodwin, advocates a different direction in transport policy. Their core belief was that congestion could not be relieved by road building but instead demand for road space should be managed through adding cost or difficulty. The successful 'Predict and provide; policy was out and the new buzz word in Government was ‘sustainability'.This White paper eventually became the Governments (Prescott)£180bn 10 year transport plan.
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POLICE UNIFORM
Tell them what you think
This survey is currently on the NWPF website
In recent years our uniform has developed to provide operational staff with a uniform that is both practical and comfortable. We're hoping to find out what effect the uniform has on your perception of the police and will be carrying out both online and street surveys over the coming weeks. If you have a minute or two to spare, please let us know what you think by completing the online survey below.
The current NWPF hierarchy will probably listen
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Nominate a Neighbour
POLICE have introduced the 'nominate a neighbour' scheme in Slough in a bid to beat distraction burglars.The scheme encourages residents, particularly those who are elderly or vulnerable, to seek the help of a neighbour, friend or relative when an unexpected caller appears at the door. Residents are encouraged to show a 'nominated neighbour' card to unexpected callers, rather than enter into conversation. The card directs the caller to a nominated neighbour who will verify the person's identity or check the visitor by phone.
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NWPA Chief Executive, To £90,000 pa
North Wales Police Authority
The bridge between community and force Will have a vacancy for a … Chief Executive, To £90,000 pa.
We work closely in partnership with North Wales Police to make sure that the people who live here are policed in the way they expect - and the way they deserve.
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Learning the Lessons Committee
POLICE ORACLE 13-Jan-2010 ref BULLETIN 8
The Learning the Lessons Committee is a multi-agency committee established to disseminate and promote learning across the police service. Its members are: ACPO, APA, Home Office, IPCC, HMIC and the NPIA. The Committee produces bulletins with articles containing lessons from investigations. A major theme running through several of the cases, however, is the importance of effective liaison, not only with other agencies but between Forces and within Forces.
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North Wales Police Authority
Dates of Meetings for 2010
The following meetings are open to the public:-
It is your priviledge to attend and witness how the business of managing North Wales Police is carried out by the Authority. This costs you over £500k/annum from Policing funds. We need the public to get involved
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Distraction and Inattention is the problem
Our supporter in Australia, Engineer and road safety expert John Lambert, confirms, with this dramatic presentation why so many road traffic incidents and casualties arise from driver distraction. Causation data is fom Avon & Somerset Police via safespeed. Obviously distraction at the wrong time is the critical factor, not travel speed. In fact a 2 second distraction means the pedestrian will be impacted at the initial travel speed. About 50% of all crashes are due to driver lack of care and attention,...
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Police Powerless To Prevent Crime Spree
This Story courtesy of the Police Oracle 05-Jan-10
An 11-year-old serial crook stole his mum's car, crashed it, then stole a second vehicle - on the same day The Sun newspaper exposed his life of crime. The thug has been arrested more than 50 times in two years and is among the top ten burglars in his town. Cops caught up with the tearaway twice during his latest crime spree on New Year's Day. But on both occasions they were forced to free him. Under juvenile crime rules, police are unable to lock him up until he is 12 ..
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The lessons of New York's falling murder rate.
James Forsyth. the Spectator 28th December 2009
New York’s ever falling murder rate is one of the wonders of modern urban policy. It is proof that decisive political leadership can arrest and then reverse decline that many had considered inevitable.
This year, as The New York Times reports, New York is scheduled to record the lowest number of murders since records began in 1962. In 1990 there were 2,245 murders, in 2009 to date, there have only been 461 despite the NYPD reducing its number of officers by 6000.
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The Yobs at the base
The yobs who commit one offence every second.
By James Slack Daily Mail, 4th February 2009
Police recorded 3.9million acts of anti-social behaviour - such as criminal damage and graffiti - in England and Wales. But Government researchers say only 11 per cent of such offences are actually reported to officers - pushing the true total to 35million.
The Tories, who uncovered the figures, said they showed Home Secretary Jacqui Smith's many anti-yob initiatives were not working.
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Drunkenness, violence and vandalism blight most of Britain
Mail Online by Steve Doughty on 29th December 2009
Officials running Labour's campaign against anti-social behaviour believe that most of the country has a major problem. A Home Office survey found that 73% said drunkenness and rowdiness is a 'significant problem' in their area. More than four out of five believe that teenagers hanging around the streets are also a concern. Seven out of ten cite vandalism and graffiti as a scourge of their district or town. The figures came more than a decade of Labour mismanagement.
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98mph cop denies speeding on A55 in Colwyn Bay
MCN By Steve Farrell 22 December 2009
A North Wales police officer caught doing nearly the twice the speed limit tried to get off on the grounds 50mph signs were unlit. Sgt Craig Jones was driving at 98mph when he was stopped but denied speeding, claiming the limit was unenforceable. Jones was caught on the A55 dual carriageway at Colwyn Bay late on April 1 as he took a prisoner to Caernarfon.The organised crime officer was convicted by magistrates but is now to appeal his 90-day driving ban & £500 fine with £1000 costs.
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Youths and elderly unite on Anglesey
This story verbatim from the NWPF website. Jan 4th 2010.
A project on Anglesey that’s aimed at helping to break down the barriers between the younger and older generations in the community has been hailed a success. Over the last few weeks youngsters from Benllech, Moelfre and Pentraeth Youth Clubs have been meeting up with the older residents by visiting care homes and community groups in the area. PCSO Iona Beckmann said: “Intergenerational projects help to reduce the fear of crime amongst the older generation.
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Rhyl thief jailed over Christmas for his 321st offence.
Dec 28 2009 by Dan Beavan, Daily Post
A THIEF was behind bars again on Christmas Day – the 14th time in the last 15 years he had been in jail for the festive period. Prolific shoplifter David Archer, 54, of Princess Road, Rhyl admitted stealing two bottles of whisky worth £25 from a store at Abergele on December 23. David Mainstone, prosecuting, told magistrates at Llandudno Archer had 320 previous offences. Archer was also ordered to pay £85 costs. The court heard he had also been given an ASBO for stealing charity boxes.
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