Showing posts with label UK and Policing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UK and Policing. Show all posts
09 January 2015
Centre for Crime and Justice Studies: Conference notice: Police corruption, spying, racism - 06-07Feb2015 in London, England
Source: mass emailing
Dear,
I am writing to let you know about a unique conference being held by the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies and The Monitoring Group, in partnership with Imran Khan partners and Tottenham Rights. The purpose is to seek common ground between families, community workers, journalists, academics, lawyers and affected communities in understanding and challenging the problem of police corruption, spying and racism.
The conference – Police corruption, spying, racism and accountability. UK policing in the 21st century – is taking place on 6 and 7 February at Conway Hall in central London. It takes as its starting point that there is a profound crisis in policing across the UK that requires us to share information and experiences, develop ideas and create new partnerships that will spur action for genuine police accountability.
We will be joined by an impressive line-up of speakers, including Dame Doreen Lawrence, Imran Khan, Professor Ben Bowling, Lee Jasper, Mark Thomas, John McDonnell MP, Sukdev Reel, Janet Alder, Suresh Grover and Helen Steele. The full programme is available on the registration page.
You can register via the link below for one or both days of the conference. If you are registering as a waged individual it will cost £15 for a single day or £30 for both (unwaged is £5 for each day). There are additional fees for organisations sending attendees.
I hope you are able to join us for the event, and ask that you might consider helping to publicise the conference through your contacts and networks through sharing this invitation and this link to the conference website:
http://www.crimeandjustice.org.uk/police-corruption-spying-racism
Yours with best wishes
Will McMahon
Deputy Director
Centre for Crime and Justice Studies
Centre for Crime and Justice Studies2 Langley Lane
London, SW8 1GB
United Kingdom
via Facebook Metropolitan Black Police Association: Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust present a criminal justice lecture 17/02/15 entitled 'The Relationship Between Citizens & the Police' - 17 February 2015
Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust present a criminal justice lecture 17/02/15 entitled 'The Relationship Between Citizens & the Police'
http://cjl2015.eventbrite.co.uk/
http://cjl2015.eventbrite.co.uk/
08 December 2014
05 December 2014
03 December 2014
UK Parliament: Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill 2014-15
Source: http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2014-15/counterterrorismandsecurity.html
Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill 2014-15
- Type of Bill:
- Government Bill
- Sponsor:
- Mrs Theresa May
Home Office
Progress of the Bill
Bill started in theHouse of Commons
Last events
2nd reading: House of Commons 2 December, 2014 | 02.12.2014- Programme motion: House of Commons 2 December, 2014 | 02.12.2014
- Money resolution: House of Commons 2 December, 2014 | 02.12.2014
Next event
Committee stage: House of Commons | 09.12.2014
Latest Bill
| House | Bill | Date |
|---|---|---|
 | Bill 127 2014-2015, as introduced | PDF version | 26.11.2014 |
Latest news on the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill 2014-15
The Bill passed second reading on 2 December 2014.
The Bill will now be considered by a Committee of the whole House. The first sitting will be on 9 December, followed by further sittings on 15 and 16 December 2014.
This Government Bill was presented to Parliament on 26 November 2014.
Summary of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill 2014-15
A Bill To make provision in relation to terrorism; to make provision about retention of communications data, about information, authority to carry and security in relation to air, sea and rail transport and about reviews by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission against refusals to issue certificates of naturalisation; and for connected purposes.Stay up to date
Keep up to date with the progress of Bills going through Parliament. Sign up for email alerts or use our RSS feeds.
Related information
Guide to the passage of a Bill
Find out what happens at each stage of a Public Bill’s journey through Parliament with the Passage of a Bill guide.
When does a Bill become law?
Explanation of what happens after Bills have been passed, and when laws may change.
Human rights
Do you have expertise or a special interest in human rights? The Joint Committee on Human Rights scrutinises the human rights implications of Government Bills.
24 November 2014
Metropolitan Police: Major counter terrorism awareness operation launches in London
The highlights are mine, and not a part of the original article.
Source: http://content.met.police.uk/News/Major-counter-terrorism-awareness-operation-launches-in-London/1400027993456/1257246745756
Source: http://content.met.police.uk/News/Major-counter-terrorism-awareness-operation-launches-in-London/1400027993456/1257246745756
Major counter terrorism awareness operation launches in London
24 November 2014
The Metropolitan Police Service joins officers from across the country to take part in national Counter Terrorism Awareness Week, launching in the capital on Monday, 24 November.
Policing activity involving over 3,000 officers includes briefing thousands of businesses - shopping centres, cinemas, sports stadiums - to help them step up their security and train their staff at venues across London.
"“Please tell us if you know or suspect something; your information could save lives."
High visibility patrols around crowded places, operations in transport hubs and visits to faith centres is just some of the activity taking place as part of the campaign.
Through the week, police are focusing on five key areas where action by the police, businesses and the public can prevent terrorism: vigilance in crowded places and transport hubs, preventing violent extremism, cutting off terrorist financing and preventing access to tools that terrorists need to operate.
Police will be speaking to students in schools and universities about the Prevent strategy, which provides practical help to stop people from being drawn into terrorism. Police forces will also be using social media to engage people in the conversation.
Police dogs will be detecting large amounts of money at ports, airports and railway stations to prevent cash leaving the UK for terrorist purposes.
Countering terrorism has for too long been thought of as the preserve of the police, security agencies and government, says National Policing Lead for Counter-Terrorism, Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley.
AC Mark Rowley called for people and businesses to be prepared to play their part in keeping the country safe. He said: “The danger posed by violent extremists has evolved. They are no longer a problem solely stemming from countries like Iraq and Afghanistan, far away in the minds of the public. Now, they are home grown, in our communities; radicalised by images and messages they read on social media and prepared to kill for their cause. The tragic murder of Lee Rigby last year was a stark warning to us all about how real and local the threat is.
“Police officers and our partners are continuing to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to protect the UK from a terrorist attack. So far this year, we have disrupted several attack plots and made 271 arrests following counter-terrorism investigations but the eyes and ears of law enforcement and other agencies alone cannot combat the threat.”
“Police officers and our partners are continuing to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week to protect the UK from a terrorist attack. So far this year, we have disrupted several attack plots and made 271 arrests following counter-terrorism investigations but the eyes and ears of law enforcement and other agencies alone cannot combat the threat.”
The UK’s counter-terrorism strategy CONTEST, focuses on four key areas; pursue, prevent, protect and prepare. Most of the publicity around terrorism is based on ‘pursue’ and ‘prevent’, as these involve arrests, the disrupting of actual attack plots and turning people away from extremism.
AC Rowley is keen to stress that we can all be doing more to ‘protect’ and ‘prepare’ – ensuring security in crowded places, monitoring our borders and being ready to respond to a terrorist attack.
He said: “We don’t want to scare people but we do want them to understand the threat and be vigilant to things that are out of place or suspicious and report it to the police. We need businesses to check that their security measures are effective and train their staff to detect potential threats and, if necessary, respond to an attack.
“Experience shows us that terrorists target busy, well-populated places to ensure that attacks have a maximum impact. Businesses, particularly those in crowded places, have an invaluable role to play in our fight against terrorists, violent extremists and other criminals. Their staff are often the first people to spot signs that something is wrong.”
“Experience shows us that terrorists target busy, well-populated places to ensure that attacks have a maximum impact. Businesses, particularly those in crowded places, have an invaluable role to play in our fight against terrorists, violent extremists and other criminals. Their staff are often the first people to spot signs that something is wrong.”
The police regularly hold security events with businesses; and the Metropolitan Police Service alone gave 29 presentations during 2013 and 2014.
Since the terror threat level increased on August 29 reports of suspicious behaviour have nearly doubled. This is a direct result of reporting by members of the public, and every report is investigated.
However, AC Rowley calls for more people to have the confidence to report: “Please tell us if you know or suspect something; your information could save lives. We will deal with information passed to us carefully and respond sensitively and proportionately.”
The Anti-Terrorist Hotline number is 0800 789 321.
08 October 2014
Metropolitan Police Service: MPS raises awareness of child abuse linked to faith or belief
Source: http://content.met.police.uk/News/MPS-raises-awareness-of-child-abuse-linked-to-faith-or-belief/1400026951200/1257246745756
In the past year the MPS has received 27 allegations, which is an increase on previous years. The investigations relate to ritual child abuse, ranging from child neglect, common assault, ABH, administrating noxious substances to sexual assault offences.
Out of the 27 investigations, one case has resulted in an arrest for rape and one in a charge for rape.
Examples of the referrals include:
A child forced to drink unknown substances to rid them of evil spirits
Dunking children in a bath to wash away evil spirits
A pastor swung a child around banging their head to drive out the devil
Parents removing children from school and taking them out of the country to attend an exorcism ceremony to remove the evil spirits.
Other examples in previous years include chilli peppers being rubbed into the child eyes to remove the evil spirit.
Officers believe this form of abuse is rarely reported, with all agencies believing this is a hidden crime kept within families and faith communities.
The launch event will feature speakers from a range of agencies addressing their peers about the work being carried out in the area of ritual child abuse and witchcraft and the role expected of professionals.
Speakers include Detective Superintendent Terry Sharpe, head of Project Violet, the Met’s response to concerns of faith-based ritual abuse of children; Bob Pull, Communities Consultant at CCPAS; Mor Dioum, Director at the Victoria Climbié Foundation and Kevani Kanda, a survivor of ritual abuse and presenter of the BBC Three documentary, ‘Branded a Witch’.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Detective Superintendent Terry Sharpe, from the Met’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: “Abuse linked to belief is a horrific crime which is condemned by people of all cultures, communities and faiths. A number of high-profile investigations brought the issue of ritual abuse and witchcraft into the headlines but it is important that professionals are clear about the signs to look for.
“Families or carers genuinely believe that the victim has been completely taken over by the devil or an evil spirit, which is often supported by someone who within the community has portrayed themselves as an authority on faith and belief. Often in the perpetrators minds, any abuse is not going to affect the victim because he or she believes the child is effectively not there any more and the abuse is directed at whatever has possessed the child. The victim is often convinced that this is the truth and that the abuse is ‘normal’ behaviour.
“Regardless of the beliefs of the abusers, child abuse is child abuse. Our role is to safeguard children, not challenge beliefs. We investigate crimes against children, but our main aim is to prevent abuse in the first place. This is a hidden crime and we can only prevent it by working in partnership with the community. Project Violet aims to build trust with communities and emphasise that child protection is everyone’s responsibility.”
Simon Bass, CEO of CCPAS, said:
“CCPAS continues to work with churches to address all aspects of safeguarding, including abuse linked to faith or belief. We are therefore not remotely surprised that the MPS alone has already received 27 referrals of this type this year – or three a month.
“We are pleased that the MPS has undertaken such great work in this area, but we are convinced that this form of abuse is hidden, and that the statutory agencies across the UK are facing similar situations - which is why we are so pleased that this new DVD is set to be a major new weapon in the ongoing fight to eradicate this type of abuse. This is because it will not only educate both front line practitioners and churches better but it will also emphasise that the only effective way to tackle it is by working together, as per the National Action Plan”
Kevani Kanda, a survivor of ritual abuse and presenter of the BBC Three documentary, ‘Branded a Witch’, said:
“As a survivor of ritual abuse I have witnessed at first hand the harm which belief-related abuse can result in. Globalisation means that paranoia over witchcraft and spirit possession is no longer confined to developing nations. Mass migration has made this a pervasive problem worldwide. It is not confined to cities or areas where there are large migrant communities. Belief-related abuse can result in significant physical, emotional harm, neglect, sexual abuse and even death.”
Mor Dioum, Director at the Victoria Climbié Foundation, and Chair of the National Working Group on child abuse linked to faith and belief is keen to see implementation of a National Action Plan across the country. “It is important that we do not shift the focus from this type of abuse, and essential that we implement the plan, to enable us to put the necessary measures in place to prevent children from death or serious injury as a result of abuse linked to faith or belief.”
“We urge professionals to adopt a more holistic approach with children, young people and families when dealing with abuse that does not fit the norm, as we continue to raise awareness within the community with a view to increase the reporting of harmful practices.”
MPS raises awareness of child abuse linked to faith or belief
08 October 2014
The Metropolitan Police Service and CCPAS, the Churches’ Child
Protection Advisory Service, will be hosting a multi-agency event at
City Hall today, Wednesday 8 October, to raise awareness of child abuse
linked to faith or belief.
A training film aimed at all front-line professionals who work with children will be launched at the event. The DVD, commissioned by the Metropolitan Police’s Project Violet team in conjunction with CCPAS, advises how to recognise the signs that a child may be suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm from abuse linked to witchcraft and spirit possession.
Today’s event brings together a raft of professionals involved in
child safeguarding. Representatives from education, children's social
care, healthcare, faith organisations and non-governmental organisations
will have the opportunity to network, debate and seek solutions to this
harmful practice. Community engagement, education and training is
integral to the government’s prevention strategy on tackling child abuse
linked to faith or belief, which affects all faiths, cultures and
communities.A training film aimed at all front-line professionals who work with children will be launched at the event. The DVD, commissioned by the Metropolitan Police’s Project Violet team in conjunction with CCPAS, advises how to recognise the signs that a child may be suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm from abuse linked to witchcraft and spirit possession.
In the past year the MPS has received 27 allegations, which is an increase on previous years. The investigations relate to ritual child abuse, ranging from child neglect, common assault, ABH, administrating noxious substances to sexual assault offences.
Out of the 27 investigations, one case has resulted in an arrest for rape and one in a charge for rape.
Examples of the referrals include:
A child forced to drink unknown substances to rid them of evil spirits
Dunking children in a bath to wash away evil spirits
A pastor swung a child around banging their head to drive out the devil
Parents removing children from school and taking them out of the country to attend an exorcism ceremony to remove the evil spirits.
Other examples in previous years include chilli peppers being rubbed into the child eyes to remove the evil spirit.
Officers believe this form of abuse is rarely reported, with all agencies believing this is a hidden crime kept within families and faith communities.
The launch event will feature speakers from a range of agencies addressing their peers about the work being carried out in the area of ritual child abuse and witchcraft and the role expected of professionals.
Speakers include Detective Superintendent Terry Sharpe, head of Project Violet, the Met’s response to concerns of faith-based ritual abuse of children; Bob Pull, Communities Consultant at CCPAS; Mor Dioum, Director at the Victoria Climbié Foundation and Kevani Kanda, a survivor of ritual abuse and presenter of the BBC Three documentary, ‘Branded a Witch’.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Detective Superintendent Terry Sharpe, from the Met’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: “Abuse linked to belief is a horrific crime which is condemned by people of all cultures, communities and faiths. A number of high-profile investigations brought the issue of ritual abuse and witchcraft into the headlines but it is important that professionals are clear about the signs to look for.
“Families or carers genuinely believe that the victim has been completely taken over by the devil or an evil spirit, which is often supported by someone who within the community has portrayed themselves as an authority on faith and belief. Often in the perpetrators minds, any abuse is not going to affect the victim because he or she believes the child is effectively not there any more and the abuse is directed at whatever has possessed the child. The victim is often convinced that this is the truth and that the abuse is ‘normal’ behaviour.
“Regardless of the beliefs of the abusers, child abuse is child abuse. Our role is to safeguard children, not challenge beliefs. We investigate crimes against children, but our main aim is to prevent abuse in the first place. This is a hidden crime and we can only prevent it by working in partnership with the community. Project Violet aims to build trust with communities and emphasise that child protection is everyone’s responsibility.”
Simon Bass, CEO of CCPAS, said:
“CCPAS continues to work with churches to address all aspects of safeguarding, including abuse linked to faith or belief. We are therefore not remotely surprised that the MPS alone has already received 27 referrals of this type this year – or three a month.
“We are pleased that the MPS has undertaken such great work in this area, but we are convinced that this form of abuse is hidden, and that the statutory agencies across the UK are facing similar situations - which is why we are so pleased that this new DVD is set to be a major new weapon in the ongoing fight to eradicate this type of abuse. This is because it will not only educate both front line practitioners and churches better but it will also emphasise that the only effective way to tackle it is by working together, as per the National Action Plan”
Kevani Kanda, a survivor of ritual abuse and presenter of the BBC Three documentary, ‘Branded a Witch’, said:
“As a survivor of ritual abuse I have witnessed at first hand the harm which belief-related abuse can result in. Globalisation means that paranoia over witchcraft and spirit possession is no longer confined to developing nations. Mass migration has made this a pervasive problem worldwide. It is not confined to cities or areas where there are large migrant communities. Belief-related abuse can result in significant physical, emotional harm, neglect, sexual abuse and even death.”
Mor Dioum, Director at the Victoria Climbié Foundation, and Chair of the National Working Group on child abuse linked to faith and belief is keen to see implementation of a National Action Plan across the country. “It is important that we do not shift the focus from this type of abuse, and essential that we implement the plan, to enable us to put the necessary measures in place to prevent children from death or serious injury as a result of abuse linked to faith or belief.”
“We urge professionals to adopt a more holistic approach with children, young people and families when dealing with abuse that does not fit the norm, as we continue to raise awareness within the community with a view to increase the reporting of harmful practices.”
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