Policing News

Recorded crime figures show fall

Police-recorded crime in England and Wales fell 9% in the 12 months to March, latest figures suggest. The first reliable figures for knife crime showed there were 22,000 offences last year. The statistics also show that while the risk of being a victim is at its lowest ever level, people still think that the rate is going up. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said she was "extremely pleased" with the overall reduction. The annual crime report for 2007-2008 reveals the longest recorded period of falling crime - down 48% from 1995. It shows there were five million recorded crimes. All the main categories were down, including violent crime and sex offences, but drug offences were up 18%, gun crime was up 2% and murder was up 3%. Scotland compiles its statistics separately and its annual crime report is due to be published in September. The Police Service of Northern Ireland published its 2007-2008 crime report in May. It showed a 10.5% drop from the previous year, making it the lowest level of crime recorded since 1998.

Canoe husband 'cheated on wife'

The wife of back-from-the-dead canoeist John Darwin has told a jury she forgave her husband after he cheated on her. Giving evidence in her defence at Teesside Crown Court, Anne Darwin said she considered leaving him but "didn't know how she would cope" without him. She is accused of taking part in a "complicated plot" to fraudulently claim £250,000 in pension and insurance funds and start a new life. The 56-year-old denies deception and money-laundering charges. Mr Darwin has admitted deception and will be sentenced later. Speaking on the fourth day of her trial, Mrs Darwin said she had no sexual relations with anyone before they were married and none with anyone else since.

Police 'to be freed from targets'

Police are to be given greater freedom from red tape and targets under a government "new deal" launched by Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. All but one of the national targets imposed on forces will be scrapped under the Green Paper reforms, allowing officers more time to tackle crime. Ms Smith said removing "top down" targets was "a significant mark" of her trust in senior police chiefs. The Tories said the government's proposals were mainly "rehashed". The launch of the Green Paper came as new figures showed police-recorded crime fell 9% in the 12 months to March in England and Wales.

Pair arrested after girl, 2, dies

A two-year-old girl has died after being found with head injuries at a house in Salford. Demi Lee Mahon was taken to hospital by ambulance after reports that a child had been injured at a house in Liverpool Road on Tuesday. She died in the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital in Pendlebury on Thursday afternoon, police said. A 53-year-old man and a 15-year-old boy have been arrested on suspicion of assault and are being questioned. "Prior to her death it is believed Demi may have been taken to the park on Nelson Street in Eccles," a Greater Manchester Police spokesman said. "At this stage officers are trying to establish how the child came to suffer her injuries and are keen to hear from anyone who may have been in the park between 1430 BST and 1630 BST on Tuesday." A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out.

Reported crime rates drop in Kent

Crime recorded by the police has fallen by 10.4% over the last year in Kent, according to the latest report. The Home Office's annual Crime in England and Wales document shows there were 80 crimes for every 1,000 people in Kent, compared to an average of 91. Statistics show there were 15,133 fewer crimes reported between April 2007 and March 2008 than the previous year. Crimes against the person dropped by 9% across Kent, but the results varied between parts of the county. Sevenoaks had the biggest drop in reported attacks in south east England with a 25% reduction on the previous year's figures. However, in Thanet there was a 7% increase in crimes against the person - 23 for every 1,000 of the local population, compared with just six in Sevenoaks and the county's overall figure of 15.

Smith offers police job to critic

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has offered a job to the police officer who called for her resignation in a pay dispute. Former head of the Police Federation of England and Wales, Jan Berry, has been asked to be "bureaucracy champion" for the police, BBC News has learned. A drive to cut red tape will feature in a Green Paper on policing. The document will also contain measures to increase police accountability, reduce central targets and alter the way police forces are controlled. Last year, Ms Berry said the home secretary had lost the confidence and trust of officers over the government's refusal to backdate their pay rise. Ms Berry, who retired in May, said the home secretary had "betrayed" the police service.

Samurai sword 'swung at officer'

A man swung a samurai sword, bought on internet auction site eBay, at a police officer's head during disturbances in Larne, the High Court has heard. The officer had to draw his gun to get Richard Hartin to drop the weapon during trouble in Larne last February. Mr Hartin, from St John's Place in the County Antrim town, is charged with attempted grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. The 33-year-old, who denies the charges, was released on bail. The court heard how police arrived at the scene following an early morning 999 call from the accused complaining about noisy youths in the street. A Crown lawyer said Hartin burst out wielding the samurai sword after the officer went to his front door. He told a bail application: "He then swung the sword at the constable's head and shoulders. "My instructions are the officer had to get out of the way to avoid being struck with it. The constable then had to draw his gun to challenge the applicant to put the sword down."

Police target youth problem areas

Extra police patrols are being sent to an area of Fife following a rise in complaints about youth disturbance. Oakley, Valleyfield, Inverkeithing, Rosyth and Aberdour have all seen an increase in the number of officers patrolling the area. Calls about anti-social behaviour had been made to Fife Constabulary with problems centred around schools, housing estates, parks and beaches. During the past two weekends, 31 litres of alcohol were seized by officers. Sgt Chris Stones said: "We listened to the views of people in our various communities. They were concerned about the behaviour of youths across south west Fife, who were congregating now that the schools are on holiday. "This irresponsible minority were the cause of acts of vandalism and disorder. One youth has been arrested for a disorder offence and will be reported, while ten others have been spoken to by officers about their behaviour.

Force fights disclosure ruling

Northern Constabulary has launched an appeal against an order to reveal the names of officers based in Wick at the time a local man was found dead. Kevin McLeod's body was found in the town harbour in February 1997. Police said his death was accidental but his family believe he was murdered and have consistently criticised the force over its investigation. Northern said in a statement it was appealing a decision of the Scottish Information Commissioner. The force said that, under freedom of information laws, it has been asked to disclose the names of serving police officers in the town in 1997.