big.bro

2006-08-17T21:46:00.000Z

Federal Judge Orders Halt to NSA Wiretapping

Dan Eggen of the Washington Post reports at 5.18 pm EST

U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor wrote in a strongly-worded 43-page opinion that the NSA wiretapping program violates privacy and free-speech rights and the constitutional separation of powers between the three branches of government. She also found that it violates a 1978 law set up to oversee clandestine surveillance.

"Obviously, of course I'm disappointed," Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said at a briefing for reporters. "I believe very strongly that the president does have the authority to authorize this kind of conduct, particularly in a time of war, conduct that's very consistent with what other presidents have done in a time of war. And we believe the authority comes from the authorization to use military force and from his constitutional authority as commander in chief."

Of course the little runt is unhappy, 43 pages of legal arguyment to upset his tawdry script that the President casn do any goddam thing he wants, because there is a "War on terror".

"Today's ruling is a landmark victory against the abuse of power that has become the hallmark of the Bush administration," said ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero. "Government spying on innocent Americans without any kind of warrant and without congressional approval runs counter to the very foundations of our democracy."

He called the ruling "yet another nail in the coffin of the Bush administration's strategy in the war on terror. . . . The judge very clearly points out that this, at its core, is about presidential powers."

Three cheers for Democracy and the separation of powers!!!!

NI 'must get after-school money'

2005-06-14T13:15:00.000Z

PlayBoard in Northern Ireland runs about 200 out-of-school clubs (there are 237 voluntary schemes at present) which are under threat of closure because of a lack of funding. European and lottery money has almost run out and the UK government has not earmarked any specific funding says a BBC report.

Playboard (with 24 full time staff) said NI's voluntary out-of-school sector was now "in real danger of being virtually wiped out".

"It is a cruel irony that Ruth Kelly is announcing expansion of such provision in England, while almost all voluntary out of school clubs here are struggling to survive," said chief executive Marguerite Hunter Blair.
"We urgently need some of that cash."

The government says ( for the 2nd time) it is putting £680m into encouraging more schools in England to set up breakfast and after-school clubs. Closure would mean "parents losing jobs, especially those on low incomes", says Mrs Hunter Blair Chief Executive of Playboard.
"Northern Ireland has the highest rate of child poverty in the UK. Our after school clubs are helping to tackle that problem - so why is the government forcing so many clubs in Northern Ireland to close"?

She also said in the 2004 Playboard Annual report …” I was delighted to attend a reception at 10 Downing Street in September to celebrate Childcare, at the Prime Minister and Cherie Blair’s invitation. This provided me with a wonderful opportunity to lobby at the highest level about the importance of Play and PlayCare in Northern Ireland. Very useful contacts were made with senior Policy Advisors from the Prime Minister’s Policy Unit in Downing Street, who have been very supportive.

SDLP education spokesman Dominic Bradley said the Treasury had plenty of resources to put into education in England while education in Northern Ireland was "being starved of resources".

Northern Ireland education minister, Angela Smith, who is already under intense pressure to find more money for cash-strapped schools - is expected to respond that her cupboard is bare says the Guradian today.

If you want to see the complete Government policy announced by Ruth Kelly (see BBC pic) it can be found here Extended schools prospectus .pdf (462KB)

These are the people who promised you "joined up" Government.

Stop calling them "Yobs" says Chairman of YJB

2005-06-13T17:40:00.000Z

The government's chief adviser on youth crime has called on politicians and the media to stop calling children 'yobs' and warned that Britain risks demonising a generation of young people.

Professor Rod Morgan is the chairman of the Youth Justice Board, he claims that the Government sends out contradictory messages about its attitude to children. On the one hand, children represented the country's aspirations for the future in sport and music, on the other, they were being condemned by the Prime Minister as thugs in hooded tops.

'We use the word "yob" without distinguishing between very young children - who haven't chosen their parents, their neighbourhoods or their circumstances and can't walk away from them - and young adults,' he said. 'I don't think the word "yob" should ever be used in relation to young children.'

He urged politicians to stop announcing 'quick fix' policies rather than getting to grips with the crisis of youth custody, which has seen a 90 per cent increase in recent years.

Morgan's comments come after seemingly endless Gubment announcements aimed at showing the public that it is 'cracking down' on bad behaviour.

The Youth Justice Board is an independent body ministerial advisory body on young people in the criminal justice system. Morgan, the former chief inspector of probation and an internationally respected expert on crime, is known to be angry that 75% of the £390 million budget is spent on providing custodial places rather than on community sentences or early intervention.

Frank Field thinking what I'm thinking

2005-06-13T17:23:00.000Z

Frank Field MP gave the Eleanor Rathbone Memorial Lecture at the University of Liverpool on 9 December 2004. He said that the rise of ‘yobbish behaviour’ was due to the failure of an increasing number of families to impart social skills to their children. He said that the government’s policy of driving mothers with young children out to work was one reason for increased levels of anti-social behaviour, and urged that attention be focussed on ‘the pivotal role of motherhood in producing the kind of citizens necessary for a peaceable kingdom’.

“The government sees work as the antidote to many of the social problems inflicted upon us. It does so without ever giving a hint that when and how we work might be a cause of some of the problems themselves.

“At the moment most mothers with young children have to work irrespective of what their emotions and instincts tell them.”

“Most children are best nurtured by one of their parents in the first two years of their lives. While some fathers have the skills to nurture, and while others might acquire such skills by great diligence, the truth is that the nurturing of their young is natural to most women…

“Children…need the active support of two parents and, where possible, grandparents. To state an obvious truth is not to attack those families who do not fit this pattern. It is rather to break into the cycle where our silence acts against what children have a right to expect and what both parents have a duty to meet.”

Words to ponder when listening to Ruth Kelly explaining how the State is nationalising our children. 8am-6pm then home and in in time for curfew at 9.00pm
Childhood ?

Get to know your local Police

2005-06-13T07:18:00.000Z

Visit the Gwent Police website to see how they inform the public, entertain them, recruit, re-enact the Confederate Army , meet the Paratroopers, and all manner of exciting events, displays and other attractions that they have planned to make the Gwent Police Open Day a fun day out for all the family.

It's over for this year - why don't we do this here ?

Deeply Vale Festival 2006

2005-06-13T06:41:00.000Z

Planning is well under way. Go to Website to buy tickets NOW

Conference on adolescent binge drinking

2005-06-12T21:57:00.000Z

The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) will host a web-based conference to discuss the significant and growing public health problem of adolescent binge drinking. Adolescents and Binge Drinking: A Clinical Approach, developed under a cooperative agreement with the Health Resources and Services Administration's Maternal and Child Health Bureau, will be held June 14, 2005, from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET at Medscape from WebMD.(In most place in the US you have to be 21 to drink alcohol in licensed premises - get killed in Iraq, defending Afghan warlords growing poppies - but don't touch the demon drink boyah!)

The conference will feature an overview of the epidemiology of binge drinking, including identifying use patterns and trends, and the risks associated with this type of substance use. The speakers will explain the biological substrates that make adolescents uniquely susceptible to alcohol and how underage binge drinking can occur independent of alcohol addiction.

Participants of this conference will learn how to ask adolescents about their alcohol use behavior and know what to ask, how to build trust with their adolescent patients, and the health consequences of adolescent binge drinking.
For details of conference For information on adolescent binge drinking ... if you want to frighten yourself

Ruth Kelly to re hash plans for extended school hours

2005-06-12T20:34:00.000Z

Ruth Kelly, who was educated at the very expensive Westminster School , ("Old Westminsters" include Tony Benn, Martha Lane - Fox, Matt Frei, Helena Bonham Carter etc. etc.,) will announce (again) plans on for an extended schools hours scheme on Monday, under plans which could see English state day schools staying open for pupils from 8am to 6pm.

The £680 million Government programme would enable all children under 14 to join in extra- curricular activities by 2010.

Primary and Secondary schools will be required to provide activities to pupils which may include sports, language tuition, music and art groups and breakfast clubs.

Teachers would not be required to supervise activities outside lesson time, with responsibility instead falling on volunteers or private companies.

The Education secretary will visit a London primary school (Not thought to be the Junior Westminster Scool) to announce these measures and has released a statement carried by the press on Sunday. "The best schools are delivering extended services already."

"They know that children will be better placed to achieve their full potential if they are in child care that allows them to complete their homework, keep fit and healthy and have fun."

This is of coure a re-run of the pre election claims of Ruth Kelly on April 27th when she told an election Press conference that providing "extended schools" would be a duty on local education authorities. At the time she mentioned the figure of £680m for the scheme in England. She told journalists (BBC report ) one block of £250m over the next 2 years would be spent, she said this was in the Budget last month on further questioning it appears that this money is “money direct to the school and the head teacher to spend on the school's priorities".

Helped by a spin doctor it was pointed out that the full Budget document had said this extra was specifically "to help schools meet the challenges that provision of extended services involves in the shorter-term".

Ruth Kelly (members of Opus Hey! — the support group for Government ministers with special needs) also told reporters there would be another £430m, between 2006 and 2008, if Labour were re-elected: "new money, that we are allocating now to extended school provision" and outlined the details to be announced again tomorrow.

Asked who would run extended schools, she said "we are not talking about teachers - this is not something extra that we are imposing upon them". It might be, for example, a French assistant taking a French group or a university teacher showing a science club how to make nuclear weapons.

It would be "an explicit duty on local authorities" to secure the necessary facilities.

"They will want to work with schools and it will be up to schools to volunteer for that," she said - perhaps working as a group locally to offer a range of clubs.

But if they chose not to, it would be up to the local authority to find other providers.

The pledge was that all children would have access to the activities - "no more latch-key kids" - rather than that all schools would offer them.

The Teaching Unions response will be interesting … especially to the concept of handing over teaching and care activities to volunteers and third party companies.

Steve Sinnott, the general secretary of the National Union of Teachers is already on record saying that insufficient funds are available.

Shadow education secretary David Cameron also welcomed the plans but expressed concern over how they would be funded.

“We’ve seen what happens before when they announce worthy initiatives without providing money to support them – resulting in a funding crisis and lots of broken promises.

Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Edward Davey said the Government had “finally woken up to the needs of pupils and parents”.

“These plans sound promising but Ruth Kelly will need to answer questions on funding"

For anyone interested, the fuelling requirements of Westminster School pupils are as follows ...
7.50 am Breakfast is served in College Hall (originally the dining room of the Abbot of Westminster c. 1600).
Lunch (organised by Houses).
During the lunch hour only pupils in the two final years are free to leave the precincts without permission. Otherwise there are various activities, orchestral and choir rehearsals, and an opportunity to meet with Housemasters, Tutors and other teachers.
4.15 pm Tea is available every day for boarders and day pupils in College Hall or Grant’s Dining Room. Between tea and supper time most of the Lower School Activities take place and meetings of Upper School Societies are arranged.
6.00 pm Supper.

Fees ? Well.... £18,000 a year for starters ...out of taxed income plus. plus, plus...

The Rise of the Yobbocracy - well hard Gubment at work

2005-06-12T19:34:00.000Z

Over 100 special zones are identified as part of a summer-time zero-tolerance crackdown against drug-taking, underage drinking and alcohol-related violence in cities throughout England. Curfews will be imposed, allowing police to clear groups of youths from the street after 9pm.

An Independent on Sunday investigation reveals that police are rushing to apply for special licences, which ban troublemakers from specific areas with the threat of fines of £2,500 or a prison sentence for anyone breaking the curfew.

A third of these zones will be in London with others in Manchester and Liverpool. Bristol will have 10 zones in place this summer and Liverpool more than 20.

The anti-yob action follows violent incidents involving teenage gangs including the so-called "happy slapping" craze.

Ministers unveiled their legislative blueprint to curb violent crime and disorder last week. This included banning drunken youths from pubs and bars for up to two years, closing down pubs and shops caught selling alcohol to children and new penalties on the use and sales of knives and guns.

It is understood ministers are also planning a major U-turn on teenage-friendly proposals to provide more leisure opportunities and outlets where they can socialise in the evenings. The Youth Green Paper, due for publication later this year, will be edited reflecting Government's claimed tough stance on yob-related behaviour and emphasises the need for "respect" among young people.

Reform groups warn that the new "anti-yobbery" measures, including dispersal orders, are unworkable and draconian and will lead to the jailing of increasing numbers of young people.

Rob Allen, a member of the Youth Justice Board, said that dispersal orders were not a solution. "All you end up doing is displacing the problem," said Mr Allen, director of International Centre for Prison Studies at King's College London."The danger is that all these measures end up as a fast track into custody."

International Centre for Prison Studies - Prison is never appropriate for children

Professor Andrew Coyle, the director of the International Centre for Prison Studies, 10th August 2004 said that prison "is never an appropriate location" for children.

He said: "There are more juveniles in prison custody in England and Wales than in any other country in Western Europe. The treatment of juveniles in detention in England and Wales has been criticised by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, which has expressed concern about the number of children who have sustained injuries as a result of restraints and measures of control applied in prison and about the placement of children in solitary confinement in prisons. Prison is never an appropriate location for children."

Nacro - We have an over-punitive approach to children in trouble

Paul Cavadino, chief executive of the crime reduction charity Nacro, also said (on the same day) that the death in custody of 14-year-old Adam Rickwood signalled that "some of the most vulnerable children in society are currently being held in state custody."

He added: "We call on the Government to set up an urgent review of the system for dealing with children who offend. We have an over-punitive approach to children in trouble and pay too little attention to the welfare needs of serious and persistent young offenders and the root causes of their problems. 27 children have died in state custody since 1990. The Government must act now if lessons are to be learnt and further deaths prevented."

Interfering old busybodies .....what do they know ? Of course we can just ignore them......

QUARANTEEN

2005-06-12T17:20:00.000Z

Thornton, Lancs, is a popular retirement area but yobs have made the centre a no go area for the elderly. Wyre Borough Council has issued a Dispersal Order / Curfew which will initially last for six months on all (approx 1,200) under 16’s – said to be first such order in the UK.

PC Ari Lewis, the community beat manager for the region, said: "We have tried to speak to the youngsters to tell them the problems they are causing but it doesn't seem to get through to them."
"We want to give the town back to the decent citizens and business owners of Thornton."

Anyone who is caught breaking the order twice within 24 hours will be arrested.

Councillor Lynne Bowen is reported by the Mirror saying "Local residents have become very stressed about this. If it works we shall look to extend it to other towns."

Summer is a cumin in ... what self respecting 15 year old wants to go out ? Especially when they could stay in.

Pub Watch scheme in Middleton

2005-06-11T09:20:00.000Z

With money from the Middleton Communit Disorder Partnership for radio equipment, a Pub Watch scheme has been introduced in 35 pubs in Middleton. This will help landlords and Police to enforce laws on behaviour and make it safer for the public.

The radio equipment provides direct contact to patrolling police vehicles to initiate a swift response to trouble.(Presumably mobile phones are not good enough ?)

Trouble makers can be referred to the Acceptable Behaviour Scheme. This is a joint committee of licensees, police and licensing officers who can recommend action ranging from written warnings to a 2 year local pub ban. Which is enforced by circulating photographs and names of offenders.

Glenys Paterson, Watch Scheme Advisor at glenys.paterson@gmp.police.uk or telephone 0161 856 9859 for more info.

Rochdale Community centres to lose £100K ... reports

2005-06-11T09:14:00.000Z

COMMUNITY Centres will open with reduced hours , services, classes if reports that Rochdale Council has slashed £100,000 from their budgets are true - or cannot be reversed. 8 centres are said to be affected.

Councillor Colin Lambert is reported in the Rochdale Observer saying: “Unfortunately, the council is going to have to make some very unpopular decisions in this term. We will have to wait until after Friday’s meetings to discuss what options are open to us in terms of where the cuts will take place.”

Council manager Ann Tipton said: “The council’s cabinet meeting on 31 May approved a proposal to reduce the overall grants to community centres across the borough by £100,000.

“Senior officers of the local authority will be meeting with representatives of community centres in receipt of grants to discuss how to achieve this.”

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen, is reported claiming that 8 centres got letters this week saying the cuts were proposed.

Sohail Ahmed manager of Deeplish Community Centre is reported stating the centre will £12,500 from their £45,000 fund.

Ken Farrar manager at Sparth Community Centre is reported to say they expect to lose £12,500 of his £53,000 fund, (already reduced from £56,000 in April.)

“Unpopular decisions “ Cllr Lambert ? … you bet. Insane? … yes. Community .. sense of …. Great thing for Councillors to talk about …. Let’s hold a sweepstake where the next CCTV cameras location will be …..

Dispersal Orders : Are they the answer ?

2005-06-10T23:15:00.000Z

Harold Hill & Havering Independent Working Class Association This is a very interesting website that covers a London suburb. Well worth viewing. Thye have report from last year abour the utility of Dispersal Orders :

Hornchurch MP John Cryer asked the Home Office for an assessment of the effectiveness of the Dispersal Order schemes at Elm Park, Hornchurch and Upminster Bridge stations. The indications are that the problems of anti-social behaviour on the eastern end of the District Line have been successfully tackled by what is effect a curfew. Minister Caroline Flint MP said: "Use of dispersal powers under section 30 of the Antisocial Behaviour Act 2003, together with other measures, have contributed to a visible fall in the number of groups of youths loitering in stations and causing disorder on the eastern end of the District Line. It has also resulted in a significant reduction in crime." John Cryer said: "I am pleased these new powers have proved so useful." No reasonable person would deny that these Dispersal Orders have in the short term allowed passengers to travel on the District Line and use the stations free from the fear caused by gangs of youths. After all, public transport is an asset for the whole community, not a hangout for disaffected teenagers who want to cause trouble.

However, while we hear a lot about applications for, the implementation and the short term effectiveness of Dispersal Orders, there appears to be little about long term solutions to the problems of disaffected youth. While no one should be rewarded for bad behaviour, there is a need to try and channel the energies of youth into more positive and constructive channels instead of pushing them from one part of the borough to another as is currently the case.

Misbehaving youths do need to be challenged about their behaviour and left in no doubt as to how the wider community feels about the impact their actions have.

They also need to be given an alternative and offered a chance to do something more positive. This involves sustained investment in youth facilities and services - something that is sadly lacking at the moment. If this doesn't happen, one the Dispersal Order has expired, there is every likelihood that the problem will return. This means that a further round of Dispersal Orders will be called for. The result will inevitably be increased tension between youths and the police, increasing the probability of confrontations and disorder. Is it asking too much to have some joined up thinking on this issue for once?

ASBO marks man's card in London

2005-06-10T22:27:00.000Z

Kevin Seabrook, 38, was jailed for two months at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court on May 31 for persistently advertising for prostitutes in telephone boxes – or “carding”.

He was also given an ASBO, so when he is released from prison he will be banned from carrying any material that advertises prostitution or from entering any telephone boxes in England and Wales, except to make emergency calls. If he breaches the order he could face jail for up to five years.
--------------
Note : It is estimated 13 million cards are deposited in Central London phone boxes each year, equating to 250,000 a week, or 35,600 cards a-day. The cards are placed in the boxes on behalf of the girls by people known as ‘carders’ who are frequently students or unemployed. It is a highly lucrative trade and the carders can earn an average of £30 for 100 or £200 per day for between 600 and 700 cards placed. The girls pay for the carders out of their own wages, and with thirteen million of them placed annually, these wages of sin are in the region of £4 million.

The Criminal Justice and Police Act was brought in on 1 September 2001 made displaying vice cards an arrestable and recordable offence. This gives Police authority to take direct action against carders, and those arrested can have their cards seized and destroyed and may face up to £5,000 fine or six months imprisonment.

Caroline Archers book ‘Tart Cards’ is published by Mark Batty Publisher, ISBN 0-9724240-40.
See Home Office Consulatation paper

BLITZ AS DEESIDE POLICE TAKE ON YOBS

2005-06-10T22:00:00.000Z

Extra police will patrol the streets on Deeside each weekend for the next four weeks and they warn anyone caught breaking the law will be dealt with.

Deeside Inspector Dave Jolly obtained temporary dispersal orders covering four communities blighted by anti-social behaviour earlier this year Connah’s Quay, Garden City, Sandycroft and Sealand Manor after complaints from locals.

This latest campaign is a response to public concerns that yobs are simply being moved from one area to another by the orders.

Insp Jolly said: “This is a zero tolerance campaign that has come about as a result of concerns raised by the residents of Deeside.

“We want to warn any young people that bad behaviour will not be tolerated. I’ve got extra officers on the streets at night, and additional special constables and community safety officers.

... response from residents ..no talk of cameras...they want police on the streets.

ASBO man can be Drunk but not Disorderly

2005-06-10T21:10:00.000Z

The Daily Mirror reports today a hopeless drunk served with an ASBO that lets him get Drunk but disallows him from being Disorderly.

Alcoholic Charlie R has 219 previous convictions - 147 for being Drunk and Disorderly - He will be locked up if he causes a public nuisance for the next 10 years.

Police considered banning R, 49, of Seaham, Co Durham, from every pub and off-licence in the country. PC Mick Hayton, of the county's Anti-Social Behaviour Order unit, said: "If we prevented him getting access to alcohol, we knew he would die.

Peterlee JPs heard that for at least 15 years Rush had shown no willingness to mend his ways.

Asbo chief rounds on “liberal” critics

2005-06-10T20:58:00.000Z

Ms Louise Casey, director of the Home Office Anti - Social Behaviour unit, in todays Guradian argues that critics including "youth workers, social workers and the liberal intelligentsia" should accept there is strong public support for the sanctions in addressing "a culture of intimidation". She says critics “are not living in the real world”.

Which is a curious thing to say as ASBO CONCERN (see posts previously) which is the focus of her concern and criticism is supported by over 40 organisation including the National Probation Officers Association, The Howard League for Penal Reform and Liberty.

Chris Stanley, of the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NACRO), said: "Young people don't pre-meditate their crimes and behaviour very often.

"They act on the spur of the moment and they don't think they will end up in custody, so it is not a deterrent. As a result the measure is ineffective."

A new MORI poll on the subject (ordered by BB2) has some fascinating findings which seem to support the results of the recent Rowntree Research Study (see previous posts – which showed 67% of people believe the government's emphasis should be on prevention rather than punishment in tackling antisocial behaviour). Almost half of those questioned by MORI believe the orders are ineffective in preventing people from causing antisocial behaviour. The Mori findings suggest that support for Asbos is strong in part "simply because it highlights that something is being done". While 82% back the orders (including 67% of Guardian readers questioned), only 39% feel they are effective.

But while one in five believes the orders, which apply to children as young as 10 and carry the threat of prison if breached, create more problems than they solve, 70% say they send out a clear message that action will be taken to combat antisocial behaviour.

Ms Casey said "Sometimes I wish people like Asbo Concern and some of the people who write letters to the Guardian could just see it from the point of view of the people in the communities."
Problems of crack houses on inner-city estates could not be addressed by "running enough youth clubs", she added, although it is difficult to find anyone who would suggest that was a plausible, rational or sensible policy.

The government made much of its fight against antisocial behaviour during the general election, boasting that the evidence of almost 4,000 Asbos and nearly 60,000 penalty notices for disorder showed communities could fight back.

Matt Foot, a criminal defence solicitor and coordinator of Asbo Concern, highlights the report by the European human rights commissioner criticising (see previous posts) the government for making Asbos too easy to obtain (only 3% of applications for orders are refused).

Matt Foot also highlighted a study by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation indicating that two-thirds of people believe the government's emphasis should be on prevention rather than punishment in tackling antisocial behaviour.

But Matt Foot is also reported (bC Online) ,saying: "We aren't saying that anti-social behaviour doesn't exist, but where people are committing criminal acts they should be dealt with by the criminal law."

He added: "If we are talking about children hanging around in the street, I don't think that should be criminalised, and there are people now in custody for that sort of behaviour."

Alcoholic - ASBO - ASBO breached - Prison ..... where next ?

2005-06-09T20:28:00.000Z

Jennifer F, 44, living in sheltered accommodation said to be suffering from mental health problems has been jailed for 4 weeks after breaching an Anti-Social Behaviour Order. She is believed to be the first person in Oxford to be imprisoned for breaching an order by drinking alcohol in the city centre. (Feb 2005)

Oxford City Council had applied for an interim ASBO after F was accused of intimidating behaviour towards elderly neighbours in her council accommodation on Whitehouse Road, shouting and screaming abusively and attempting at least one physical attack.

Dennis Kavanagh, prosecuting, accused her of twice flouting the city-wide drinking ban, Ford's defence lawyer Simon Graham-Harrison described her as "a hapless individual with mental health problems."

"In this case, an ASBO was simply not an appropriate way to deal with what is a serious issue. Whether Ms Ford has mental problems or not, she is clearly an alcoholic, whose problems need to be dealt with constructively to prevent the whole scenario occurring again." says Doug Jewell, Liberty Campaigns Co-ordinator.

Steve Kilsby from the Neighbourhood Renewal Business Unit at the City Council, said, "We're all very sympathetic to her case but she was causing extreme distress to other residents.

The cost of keeping this woman in prison ? The chances of re-offending?

Rochdale based wcctv

2005-06-09T17:33:00.000Z

wcctv are a Rochdale based supplier of wireles CCTV systems. A report on their systems with Rochdale MBC is available here

Violent Crime Reduction Bill hands out new summary powers to PC's

2005-06-09T05:30:00.000Z

Alvaro Gil-Robles, the Council of Europe's commissioner for human rights, said: "It is difficult to avoid the impression that the ASBO is being touted as a miracle cure for urban nuisance.

"It is to be hoped this burst of Asbo-mania will quieten down , and that it’s use will be limited to appropriate and serious cases, where no other means of intervention might succeed."

"Responsible guidelines and realistic rhetoric is required, however, for this to happen. It is also open to question whether children receiving ASBOSs should be named."(Please note that on this site no photographs of ASBO offenders have been used - although this is common practice in the National Press, including children as young as 10 - in future we will refrain from giving the full names of offenders)

He is quoted in today's Daily Telegraph saying this after details of the Violent Crime Reduction Bill (announced in the Queen's Speech) were published last night by Hazel Blears (see pic).

Police are to be given unprecedented powers to ban individuals from town centres and other locations for up to 48 hours in the latest Government attempt to get to grips with alcohol-fuelled violence and anti-social behaviour.

Under the proposed new law, Police Constables will be able to issue a written exclusion notice to anyone considered to represent a "risk of disorder", even if they are not drunk or have committed no offence.

Hazel Blears, the Home Office minister, conceded that disorder zones and banning orders were a last resort for dealing with a problem that police fear will worsen when flexible drinking hours - including the potential for 24-hour opening - are introduced in England and Wales in November.

She said the prohibition notices, which will carry a £2,500 fine, were intended to send out a "short, sharp" message to young people to behave better.

Those familiar with the history of attempts to control youth crime will be familiar with Borstals (the name of the village in Kent, site of the original establishment)introduced in 1908. In 1982 they were all closed down, and had been replaced by Youth Detention Centres, with fixed term sentences. These had a much tougher régime, called a "short, sharp, shock". However, re-offending rates from these places was just as high as from Borstals.

For comment on Gil Robles report and comments see Shami Chakrabarti Director Liberty in Guradian today

Collins Dictionary defines the new social order

2005-06-09T05:25:00.000Z

Any chav who misbehaves is likely to get an ``ASBO'' the acronym for the government's anti-social behavior order, which is defined in the new Edition of Collins Dictionary as , "a civil order made against a persistently anti-social individual which restricts his or her activities or movements, a breach of which results in criminal charges.''

Chav ? "a young working-class person who dresses in casual sports clothes". The word's origins may come "from Romany chavi a child.'' The dictionary also includes "chavette,'' the female equivalent, and the adjectives "chavish'' and "chavtastic'' suitable for or designed for chavs.

Liecester Partnership to engage with young people

2005-06-08T20:23:00.000Z

Police and local Safety groups have combined forces and funds, in a major new initiative to tackle anti-social behaviour in East Leicestershire.

The force and the four Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) have pooled their financial resources to fund an East Area Anti-Social Behaviour Team and have contributeda Government funded £50,000 each and Leicester Constabulary have added another £90,000. The 4 CSP's are The Rutland Community Safety Partnership; The Oadby & Wigston Crime and Disorder Partnership; Melton Safer Communities Partnership and the Harborough District Community Safety Partnership

This will fund a team of nine part-time and two full-time community support officers and a co-ordinator.

Most incidents of anti-social behaviour are highest in the evening, so the teams will work mainly after 4pm.

They will deal with problems of minor disorder and anti-social behaviour.

Leicestershire constabulary's partnership manager Frances Burgess said: "The ASB co-ordinator monitors the complaints of anti-social behaviour and keeps the teams updated with the latest information.

"The teams then patrol the areas where the problems are being reported and talk to and engage the young people concerned."

Matthew Baggott QPM BA, Chief Constable Leicestershire Police will be addressing the ACPO/HO RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE today at Stratford Moat House Hotel, Stratford-Upon-Avon on the subject "Professionalising the Business of Neighbourhood Policing". Click on Link above for details or go to here

Man 75 gets ASBO Boy 10

2005-06-08T20:11:00.000Z

BBC Tuesday, 7 June, 2005, 16:41 GMT 17:41 UK

Kenneth Addison 75 admitted threatening behaviour, common assault and indecent exposure at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court in Worcestershire.

He was jailed for 22 weeks for his crimes and will be subject to an indefinite Asbo on his release banning Addison from using the town's Brinton Park, as well as public drunkenness, swearing and spitting.

A 79-year-old woman who was given an order by magistrates in Blackwood, south Wales, last month is the oldest person to receive an ASBO. She was reported to have growled "like a dog" during a boundary dispute with neighbours.

BBC Wednesday, 8 June, 2005,

Calvin Hooper 10, and his brother Kyle, 12, from Newport, south Wales, have been placed under Asbos for five years by magistrates in nearby Caerphilly.

Both are banned from swearing, making rude gestures, damaging property, starting fires and throwing missiles.44 incidents were recorded in 14 months, including breaking windows and shooting at people with an air gun.

As part of the conditions of the Asbos, the boys are banned from mixing with certain individuals and also gives a night-time house curfew.

Local councillor Alan Morris said: "There are two issues here. The first is sadness that it has actually come to this - that two lads so young should be presented with such a serious ASBO.

"But secondly it sends the right message out to the community, that if enough people come forward and give evidence about the people who are making their lives a misery something can be done.

The Home Office said ASBOs could only be issued to people who have reached the age of 10, which is the age of criminal responsibility.

£50 fee to park at own home discussed by RMBC

2005-06-07T20:52:00.000Z

MOTORISTS in Rochdale could have to pay £50 a year just to be guaranteed a parking spot outside their own home.

Each household in a designated parking zone would only get one resident parking pass and one visitors’ pass, so drivers could be fined between £30 and £90 if they visit a friend and no pass is available.

At a meeting on Tuesday councillors gave the go-ahead for parking zones to be set up on the request of residents in the hope of cutting congestion in hot-spot areas. Spotland Stadium , Infirmary etc.,

So far it's is only an idea, and local consultation will be required. What "consultation" means is disputed - usually chatter at a cheese and whine party when someone bends the Councillors ear.

Nottingham pioneers teen pregnancy scheme

2005-06-07T20:37:00.000Z

BBC Thursday, 5 May, 2005, 11:31 GMT 12:31 UK

Nottingham has the third highest rate of teenage conception in the country. Teenagers could be paired up with toddlers in nurseries in a scheme to reduce the number of teenagers falling pregnant.

Nottingham health chiefs are now set to look at a scheme piloted in London that gives young people time with toddlers combined with a programme of education on a range of issues related to safe sex.

The city's genito-urinary medicine clinic currently deals with up to 35,000 cases every year.
Nottingham has one of the highest rates of infection in the country. Rochdale recently had a baby born with syphilis.

* In 2000, 38,690 under 18 year olds in England became pregnant
* 44.8% of these ended in legal abortion
* 7,617 of these conceptions were to under 16s
* 54.5% of conceptions to under 16s ended in legal abortion

Source: Office for National Statistics 2000 as reported in Teenage Pregnancy and Parenthood: A review of reviews - Briefing summary Health Development Agency February 2003

The infant mortality rate for babies born to teenage mothers is more than 50% higher then the average, accounting for almost 400 deaths in 2000 (12% of all infant deaths). The infant mortality rate for babies born to mothers under the age of 18 is more than double the average, and there is also an increased risk of maternal mortality for this group. Source: DoH press release June 2002

England has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies in Europe - twice as high as Germany, three times as high as France and six times as high as the Netherlands.
Source: Teenage Pregnancy : a Social Exclusion Unit Report June 1999

..the good news is that rates are falling very slowly.

CCTV just got smarter

2005-06-07T20:09:00.000Z

Intellivid Corporation of Cambridge MA has introduced Video Investigator™

As video capture has changed from analogue to digital VI offers a novel and impressive software product that transforms an in store CCTV system into a powerful-theft prevention system.

Computer-aided tracking (CAT) enables the monitor to follow suspects even when you're unfamiliar with the store / street layout. (it says on their website)

Point and click on the suspect to track, and CAT guides you to the camera where they will most likely appear next - Rapidly create complete videos of a suspect's path and behavior for the entire they are in your store... sounds a breeze.

Monitor high value assets or restricted areas automatically with Video Article Surveillance™ (VAS) Provides information about what assets are stolen and when, by attaching a virtual asset tag to high-value assets using video.

Theft incidents are found in seconds they claim : None of the time and limitations of time-based or pixel-change searches

Manage and communicate investigation results fast: Integrated management enables you to capture, combine and communicate video evidence and case notes quickly and easily. (Spot the face ? Winona Ryder celeb heavy duty shoplifter)

Northern Ireland ASBO law challenged

2005-06-07T19:55:00.000Z

ASBOs were introduced in Northern Ireland last August to bring the province into line with England and Wales.

Before the ASBOs became law the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People challenged the move in the High Court but a judge refused leave to apply for a judicial review.

Meanwhile, the legality of anti-social behaviour orders in Ulster is to be challenged in the High Court next week.

Peter Neill 37, of Hazelbank Road in Coleraine, has been issued with an Order but is seeking a judicial review of the legality of the legislation.

Just remember - this is the United Kingdom

Second police chief warns against heavy use of AASBOs

2005-06-07T19:23:00.000Z

Oct 28 2004 Kirsty Buchanan, Western Mail

Barbara Wilding, Chief Constable of South Wales Police, told Welsh MPs (in the presence of Peter Hain MP) the best measure of success for ASBOs was not how many had been issued - but how few.

In the 12 months to the end of September 2004 in Wales, 112 ASBOs have been issued. In the first four years just 19 were issued in Wales and of those 58% were breached.

She said ASBOs should only be viewed as a weapon of last resort as she detailed South Wales' model five-stage approach to tackling bad behaviour.

Stage 1 : troublemakers are written to and asked to stop offending behaviour - with 3,049 being sent out between January 2003 and September 2004.
Stage 2 : Continued bad behaviour would result in a further letter and a visit by the police.
Stage 3 : A conference of police and other agencies, such as housing officers or youth workers, which could lead to..
Stage 4: An Acceptable Behaviour Contract.

Stage 5 : Only if that is breached, would a person then receive an ASBO.

Dyfed Powys Chief Chief Constable Terry Grange, recently told the Welsh Affairs Committee, that excessive use of Asbos risked unfairly targeting youngsters for acting like children.

CC Grange has won the backing of his South Wales counterpart who also warned of the danger of "demonising" the young in the anti-social crackdown.

Abusive patients may get ASBOs

2005-06-07T19:14:00.000Z

18:54pm 7th June 2005 Each year there are about 40 violent attacks against staff at the Prince Charles Hospital, in Merthyr Tydfil, south Wales. But every weekend Accident and Emergency staff have to deal with at least one or two abusive patients. Abusers will have their medical record marked and may be given an ASBO under a new scheme. The "Your Card is Marked" scheme the results in a patient will receive a letter telling them of the action being taken after each incident. Once a patient has received three marks the case will be taken on by the local ASBO team and could end up in court.

Security Advisor for the Trust, Russell Hoare, said the scheme was designed to tackle anti-social behaviour which is not serious enough to involve the police.

No patient would be banned from the hospital under the terms of an ASBO and would always receive emergency treatment.
Daily Mail more >>

Dorset's First Dispersal order.

2005-06-07T17:44:00.000Z

Dorset Police issued their 1st Dispersal Order after an outbreak of anti-social behaviour in Bearwood , abuse and criminal damage, and under age drinking.

The Dispersal Order is centred on the Somerfield store and King John playing fields, and Runnymede Avenue, King John Avenue, Knights Road and some adjoining alleyways.

Population of Administrative County 394,600 in 2002, ( plus 163,444 in Bournemouth and 138,288 in Poole ) total 692,712. Lowest birthrate of any county – 4.6% and highest proportion of pensioners - 26.8% and house prices are the highest outside London.53% of the County is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty(Pic. Lulworth Cove).Unemployment low- 1.0% , 31st. out of 34 Counties. 98.8% of the population are indigenous, i.e UK origin and birth.

Most of Dorset's coastline was designated a World Heritage Site in2001.

Get your Parking tickets here

2005-06-07T17:31:00.000Z

Isn't it good to see how people enjoy the summer sunshine? Rochdale today. Difficult not to notice the empty shops for Sale / Rent in the Walk.

Nothing to say

2005-06-06T23:13:00.000Z

Frank C@i@h@lm, 23, was arrested on March 13 in Hastings, accused of raping a 16-year-old girl, while wearing a balaclava, as she walked in the Hollington Old Lane area between 10pm and midnight on March 6.

He was refused bail as Judge Richard Brown said he was a danger to the public.

But last Thursday, after ten weeks in jail, one day before his plea and directions hearing, new DNA evidence proved Frank's innocence and he was released.

During his plea and directions hearing at Lewes Crown Court last Friday 3rd June , Judge Brown entered a not guilty verdict and said to Frank: "Nothing about this case reflects upon you in any adverse way at all."

Another battle won in the war on children

2005-06-06T23:03:00.000Z

Until now, Britain's youngest ASBO owner was Stefan Gilmore, of Hastings. He was given an ASBO at the age of 11 in August last year. He is now joined by Siobhan Blake , also from Hastings, at 11 she has become the youngest child to be given an Anti-Social Behaviour Order. 4ft 3in tall, she boasts of vandalising her school and terrorising neighbours in her seaside hometown. Her mother Mrs Blake, has been given a Parenting Order making her responsible for the child's behaviour.

Inspector Mark Bright, of Hastings Police, said that Siobhan's anti-social behaviour had "very real detrimental impact on the lives of many residents over many months." He added: "The support of the community was essential to ensure that this case was successful at court."

ASBO for tearway girl of 11 - Mirror
How could her parents let her become an Asbo girl? Daily Mail
Girls’s ASBO just 11 – The Sun

Don't put your daughter on the stage Mrs Worthington...

2005-06-06T22:39:00.000Z

Manchester Evening News 6/6/05 ( and so, curiously did the Financial Times today) reports the results of a poll of over 1000 girls for www.thelab.tv. A provider of mobile services.

63% of girls asked claimed they would rather be glamour models than nurses, doctors or teachers. Jordan and Abi Titmuss were seen as role models by more 15 to 19-year-old girls than Harry Potter author JK Rowling and Germaine Greer.

The Lab spokesman Fraser Lewry said: "Teenagers are witnessing the likes of Abi Titmuss and Jodie Marsh gracing the covers of their favourite magazines every day, so it is hardly surprising that they want to follow in their footsteps.

"Taking your clothes off is now more lucrative than ever and teenagers see it as a great way of making money and becoming famous."

A quarter of the girls polled are said to have thought being a lap dancer would be a good profession but just 3% wanted to be teachers.

53% of those polled saw Abi Titmuss as a role model, compared to 33% for Jordan, 7% for Anita Roddick, 9% for JK Rowling and just 4% for Germaine Greer.
Emma of Salford on the MEN website says…” I have friends who are training to be nurses via college and university, when they leave they will have approx £10,000 debt to pay back. This kind of money can be made in a few hours by another friend of mine who is a glamour model….. I think if girls have the body confidence and the knowledge to avoid the wrong kind of work, then go for it.

Abi an ex nurse .."One newspaper recently called me the most pointless celebrity around. I'd have to agree with them on that," she told the documentary cameras, with a rather fetching self-awareness. In a recent TV documentary about her fame, it was revealed that her income last year exceeded £1Mn. She appeared on the front page of national newspapers (not the FT) 68 times, sold more calendars than anyone other than Kylie Minogue, and can pocket up to £5,000 for turning up at a provincial nightclub, doing little more than wiggling at a bunch of giggling adolescents catching her fleeting minutes of fame on a cellphone.( Pic Andy warhol who promised us all 15 minutes of fame)

Signs of the Times

2005-06-06T21:40:00.000Z

Edenfield Road, Norden. Recently installed and now replete with the legally required sign. The remote control, wireless CCTV camera with near 360 degree view.

It says prevent and detect, hey! If it prevents what is it detecting?

Reduces the fear of crime ? You mean to say that there is no chance it actually increases the fear of crime - otherwise why do we need one ? No crime - no camera. QED. Signs of a society out of control.

Cutgate Precinct, Edenfield Road. The Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 allows Local Authorities to declare "Alcohol Control Zones" - Bexley Heath, Kent wrote to 3,500 households on their Voters register to consult them about declaring their Zone. As a result, they amended it and extended it and further consulted 350 properties again.

Consultation by RMBC on declaring this Zone? Watch this space. First residents on Amy Street (opposite) new about it was, when this sign went up.
To make an Order the Local Authority must be satisfied that public nuisance, annoyance or disorder has been associated with anti-social behaviour. Statistics related to arrests and incidents will identify such areas.

Section 13 of the Act only allows the Council to designate a public place when it is satisfied that nuisance or annoyance to the public or disorder is directly associated with public drinking. Although no formal survey is required, the Council must still ensure that powers are not being used disproportionately. In general there should be evidence of an existing problem with an assessment of the likelihood that the problem will continue unless the powers are adopted. (Pic right Bexley Heath sign - neat clear - highly visible, click link for more information on this Beacon status Authority - superb website)

I wonder if anyone has computed the effect on house prices of all these signs and the way it reflects upon the area ?

Sticky deposits problem licked – spit don’t swallow

2005-06-05T20:05:00.000Z

By Andrea Thompson News & Star 03/06/2005

2 West Cumbrian men have announced a worldwide patent protection for an invention to tackle the sticky problem of chewing gum.

Kenny Muncaster and David Relph, from Red Lonning in Whitehaven, have invented the answer to sidewalk spits and spots.
“We saw the problems of chewing gum on the streets, but instead of costly removal technology, we thought let’s catch the gum before it even hits the streets and becomes a problem.”

They have designed a small plastic pod, one half dispenses fresh gum, while the other side hides a disposal flip opening, to take used gum.

Kenny fantasises about world domination “This simple idea could have a global impact.Take Singapore for example – they even reached the stage of banning all chewing gum, and cities in the UK can now hand £75 on-the-spot fines for dropping gum.”

Dispersal Order needed with this lot !

2005-06-04T21:57:00.000Z

Dishonesty at Work: Sound Policy better than CCTV

2005-06-04T11:47:00.000Z

Michael Mosbacher Director Social Affairs Unit

Why the right recruitment - and exit – policies are far more effective than any CCTV camera in minimising dishonesty by staff, is the finding of a new study.

Dishonesty and deceit are increasing in the workplace. Employee theft, it is estimated, is responsible for 30% to 40% of all business failures. In the retail sector, theft by staff accounts for an estimated 50.8% of all "shrinkages".

Dishonesty at Work, (John Taylor & Adrian Furnham, 2005 ISBN 1 904863 03 5 £9.95) published today by the Social Affairs Unit, offers employers a practical guide to minimising employee dishonesty. John Taylor worked for many years in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Adrian Furnham is Professor of Psychology at University College, London and has been acknowledged as the world's most productive psychologist for the last twenty years.

See also RESEARCH REPORT 36
VIOLENCE, DISORDER AND INCIVILITY IN BRITISH HOSPITALS
THE CASE FOR ZERO TOLERANCE ISBN 0 907631 97 5

THEODORE DALRYMPLE MD

84,273 incidents of violence or abusive behaviour by patients within the NHS were reported during the year 2000/2001. The number of such incidents reported in 1998-9 was pproximately 65,000.

“It is scarcely surprising if a young man, who has never met his father, and whom his mother has kicked out of her home because her current boyfriend, only a few years older than he, does not want him around, concludes that the only thing that should govern behaviour is first what you want and second what you can get away with.”

“The disorder in hospitals, as elsewhere, is the natural consequence of this kind of 'family' life; and anything that promotes this life also promotes disorder.”

“Disorder in hospitals - still a relatively minor, if growing, problem - is nevertheless a microcosm of many of our social problems.”

BBC News Report - " Thousands of doctors and nurses have been attacked over the past few years. One study found that one in 10 NHS staff had been assaulted over the past 12 months; for the general public the figure was one in 310."

Another grisly chapter in the War on Children

2005-06-03T23:44:00.000Z

Mother hid dead babies in the freezer
BY SIMON FREEMAN, TIMES ONLINE June 03, 2005

Graz, 120 miles south of Vienna, birthplace of “Arnie”Schwartzenegger is realing from the sordid tale of the discovery of four dead, newborn babies.

Their mother, a woman aged 32, is woman is believed to have given birth to them over the course of the past three years. She is said to have confessed to the killings saying that she wanted to hide her pregnancies from her boyfriend. "I hope God can forgive me," she told investigators.

The woman's long-term partner, a carpenter aged 38 who has three children from another marriage, told Police that he had never noticed that she was pregnant.

Graz is the regional capital of the province of Styria which has had a program in place since 2001 allowing women who don't want to keep their babies to give birth anonymously. In June 2001, a baby hatch was installed at the LKH-Regional & University Hospital, Graz at the initiative of the Government of Styria, the charity Caritas (Roman Catholic Diocese of Graz-Seckau) and the Styrian Hospitals Authority.

This allows mothers who can see no alternative to give up their baby anonymously and without being observed (at a Babyklappe - see photo) at a place where it will be safe and properly cared for.Legislators use only one supporting argument: avoiding the risk of infanticide.

France, Luxembourg and Germany (through use of the Babyklappe)allowing such anonymous births. 42 US States have enacted "save haven" laws which permit a person -- usually a parent -- to abandon a newborn baby, at a specified location (texas 1st state to do so in 1999). Sweden has the "Allmänna barnhuset" which follows a royal decree in 1771 to prevent mothers of unwanted illegitimate children being sentenced to death. Despite objections that it steals the Right of the Child the knowledge of their parenthood there are more demands for the process - a major topic of debate in the Czech republic for the last 7 years.

"A Common Thread" is a French Film (shown London from 20th May) that won the Critics' Week Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004 explores the topic through headstrong Claire who learns that she is five months pregnant at the age of 17, she decides to give birth anonymously.

The Legislative Decree on the Protection of Births was enacted by the collaborationist Vichy government in 1941 and has been said to be a result of the consequences of collaborators seeking to conceal the parentage of children by the occupying forces. Today the today the procedure for anonymous childbirth is set out in Social Action and Families Code (Art. 222-6) It is said 2 children a day are born under these "X" provisions but recently moves have been made to reduce the practice.

In spite of the passing of a law in 2002 creating a National Council for the Access to Personal Origins, the traditional line of ‘respect for life’ arguments for the maintenance of accouchement sous X has prevailed in France. Surprisingly, this line is supported by the feminist ‘pro-choice’ movement, and converges with a line of arguments that criticizes the supposed ‘biogenetization’ of society, and advocates a definition of the parent–child relation as a ‘purely social construction’.

Once identity erasure became institutionalized, it became normalized giving the new government the same benefits that it gave the Vichy government: The X laws maintained bourgeois standards of family honor, paternity and sexuality. The X laws obscured criminal and abusive sexual relationships. The X Laws relegated and continue to relegate the victims and their offspring, not to mention just plain inconvenient children, as official state secrets.

The European Court of Human Rights in 2003 upheld the French law, ruling that denying children given up at birth the right to discover their biological parents' identity did not violate the European Convention on Human Rights, and that such children were not victims of undue discrimination.

"I'm deeply, deeply upset," said Pascale Odievre, who was given up for adoption at birth in 1965. She brought the case after trying for more than 13 years to discover her mother's name through the French courts.

High Noon time for High Hedges - get the Low down

2005-06-03T22:09:00.000Z

High Hedges Complaints:Prevention and Cure

Part 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, which gives District and Unitary authorities, the City of London and London Boroughs powers to deal with complaints about high hedges, came in to operation in England on 1 June 2005.

This 74 Page (Yes folks that’s 74 pages of wit and wisdom) Guide sets out the Government’s policy advice on administering complaints about high hedges in England. It outlines the law and suggests ways in which local authorities can run the system in line with good administrative practice. In addition, it offers advice on the steps people can take to avoid more hedge problems in the future and, where they do arise, how they might settle the matter amicably.

Any questions about the Guide should be addressed to the Trees and Hedges Team, Zone
[3/C5], Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DU or emailed to hedges@odpm.gov.uk.

PS The legislation does not cover roots… pretty important parts of a tree and they can cause enormous damage… who says our legislators are far sighted ? ...ooooh almost forgot.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) have published two free explanatory leaflets for the public: 'Over the garden hedge' offers advice on how people can settle these disputes themselves. Negotiation is a necessary precursor to submitting a formal complaint to a local authority. Authorities can reject a complaint if they consider the complainant has not done everything they reasonably could to settle the matter themselves. The second leaflet 'High hedges: complaining to the Council' explains what complaints local authorities can consider and how they will deal with them.

Copies of the leaflets can be obtained from ODPM direct or they can be downloaded from their website.

For REAL Hedge Freaks>>>>>>
Ivor has his own Webpage about HIS hedge >>>>>

No. NO Madam this is not a spoof.

Rowntree Trust say ASBOs not the only answer

2005-06-03T17:24:00.000Z

BY PAUL JEEVES Yorkshire Evening Post 3/6/05

A Yorkshire think-tank has called on the Government to focus on the causes of anti-social behaviour rather than just dishing out Asbos.

Research for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation reveals that 66 % of adults believe preventative action offers the most effective way to tackle intimidation, vandalism and other anti-social behaviour.

Just 20 % of people interviewed in a specially-commisioned national survey see tough action in the form of an anti-social behaviour order as the best way forward. Another 11 per cent called for a combination of prevention and enforcement.

The study, carried out by King's College, London, suggests that even in neighbourhoods experiencing serious anti-social behaviour, residents offer conflicting explanations for the problems. Focus groups in some worst-affected areas found that while older residents tended to view anti-social behaviour as a symptom of declining moral standards, others blamed it on social deprivation and the disengagement of a growing minority of young people and families.

A third group took a "kids will be kids" attitude, seeing anti-social behaviour as a consequence of young people's tendency to rebel, get into trouble and antagonise their elders.

Study co-author Professor Mike Hough said: "The Government's campaign against anti-social behaviour appeals to the 'law-abiding majority' to take a stand, portraying a struggle between ordinary, decent people and a tide of loutishness.

"The reality suggested by our research ... suggests that the public want policy makers to balance tough enforcement through Asbos with strong action to prevent problems and offer young people constructive alternatives."

The research combined a survey of adults in key areas across the country in major cities such as Leeds alongside in-depth interviews with community representatives and bodies such as the police, anti-social behaviour co-ordinators and housing officers.

Prof Hough added: "In areas most beset by anti-social behaviour, ways must be found of countering the sense of powerlessness and entrenched pessimism among residents ."

paul.jeeves@ypn.co.uk
03 June 2005

Excluded Telford 14yr old boy gets 2 yr ASBO

2005-06-03T17:10:00.000Z

Shopshire Star for full story.

A teenage Shropshire tearaway has been banned from the communities which he plagued with violence and intimidation.

Bobby Arnold, 14 of Brookside, Telford, excluded from Lord Silkin School last year, was made subject of a two-year ASBO at Telford Magistrates yesterday.

The application was brought to court by the Police, in partnership with Telford and Wrekin Council, following a string of complaints.

On one occasion he was in possession of a replica gun. The court heard how the teenager had been a nuisance to shopkeepers, and claims he had been racially abusive on one occasion.

Here's an interesting bit of CCTV fillum

2005-06-03T16:34:00.000Z

Go >

Leeds Dispersal Order Initiative to end on Saturday

2005-06-03T15:20:00.000Z

Leeds South homes (LSh) is an Arms Length Management Organisation formed from part of the local Council's Neighbourhoods and Housing Department. In February 2003 LSh took over management responsibility for the Manor Farm estate in South Leeds which had, for a number of years, been suffering from an increasing number of acts of anti-social behaviour perpetrated by local youths.

LSh and the Council's Anti Social Behaviour Unit (ASBU) then agreed a new course of action. They gathered together all previous evidence used to obtain orders against individuals and presented this, alongside new evidence, to West Yorkshire Police in the form of an application for a Dispersal Order. On the basis of that evidence the police agreed to grant an order covering the Manor Farm estate and its neighbouring areas of the Newhall estate and Middleton Park Circus.

The Dispersal Order gave the Police and Police Community Support Officers the standard Dispersal and Curfew powers... but also....

West Yorkshire Police have undertaken to carry out high profile patrolling of the designated area and to monitor progress in liaison with the main partners in the initiative, LSh and the Council's ASBU. Specialist units such as the CID and Drugs Team also play an active role in this new approach.

The Dispersal Order applies from the 6th December, 2004 to the 4th June, 2005.

.... watch this space for news of the results....

608 ASBOs issued in Greater Manchester since introduction

2005-06-03T15:05:00.000Z

Since being introduced in 2000, up to end September 2004, a total of 3,826 ASBOs were issued in England & Wales. 608, of them were issued in Greater Manchester. (CLICK logo for more info)

NOISY NEIGHBOUR AND VISITORS HIT WITH ASBO

2005-06-03T14:38:00.000Z

icWestLothian 3/6/05 Debbie Spalding (pic Janis Joplin)

A COURT has been issued to a Whitburn woman who has been terrorising neighbours with shouting, swearing and stamping her feet. Angela Muir (35), of Jubilee Road in Whitburn, has been issued an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) which bars her from unruly behaviour at her home for a year.

The ASBO prohibits her from playing EXCESSIVELY LOUD music , shouting, swearing and screaming, stamping her feet and banging doors.

It also bars visitors to her house from behaving in the same way.

…This last (if correct) must be a novel ( and m'learned friends amongst you, must wonder about it’s legality and enforceability) use of the ASBO legislation.

PARTY NITE, TONITE -- EVRY NITE - A MODEST PROPOSAL

2005-06-03T14:23:00.000Z

NORDEN SCHOOL
BIG OUTDOOR PARTY EVERY NIGHT
UNDERAGE DRINKING – AL FRESCO SEXY FUN
BOOZE EASILY AVAILABLE IN VILLAGE
NO INTERFERING POLICE PATROLS
NO WASHING UP, SMASH YER BOTTLES, (CLEANED UP NEXT DAY)
MAKE AS MUCH NOISE AS YOU WANT, SCREECH, YELL, SHOUT, YELL, MOAN, WHINE, BELLOW, CAUSE DAMAGE, SMASH THE PLACE UP…..
COME AND SEE THE MESS LEFT BY THE SCHOOL, WANDER ACROSS THE UNCUT, UNKEMPT GRASS (NON SMOKEABLE) , LOOK AT THE UNTIDY HEDGES……..
TAKE THE CHANCE NOW SKOOL IS SHUT AND THE DISPERSAL ORDER / CURFEW KEEPS YOU OUT OF THE VILLAGE ……
GUARANTEED GOOD TIME HAD BY ALL –
EXCEPT BY RESIDENTS, NEIGHBOURS, etc., etc.,

CROYDON issues 9th Dispersal Order this year

2005-06-03T14:12:00.000Z

3/6/05 ic Croydon

The 9th Dispersal Order this year has been issued in Croydon covering Warminster Road, Warminster Gardens, Avenue Road, Avenue Gardens, Pitville Gardens, Lancaster Road, Lakeside Close, Coleman Close and South Norwood Lakes, it ends on November 22nd.Others are already in place in New Addington, Thornton Heath and Selhurst.

PC Amanda Parrack, of the Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "The behaviour of these groups of youths has been making the lives of the local residents unbearable in some cases and affected their quality of life. These orders will allow us to continue to tackle antisocial behaviour, which has affected this local community."

A police questionnaire was sent out to 150 residents - and more than half said they were scared by the groups and supported bringing in a curfew.(No exact figures provided, but a novel approach , consulting the public directly.)

Cabinet Member for Crime and Public Protection, Cllr Paul Smith said: "We continue to support the police in their efforts to deal with antisocial behaviour through the use of dispersal order powers.”

Dispersal Orders failed to work ...so try them again.

2005-06-03T14:02:00.000Z

3/6/05 Sunderland Evening Gazette

Gangs of yobs who terrorise residents on two Teesside estates are being targeted in a police crackdown today. Two 6 month Dispersal Orders, commencing today endingl December 3 cover one area bordered by West Dyke Road, Greystoke Road and Woodside and another area bordered by West Dyke Road, Low Farm Drive, Mersey Road and Troutbeck Road.

Inspector Dave Mead, of Redcar police, said: "The community police team has worked tirelessly with residents' groups and elected members to improve the quality of life for those suffering the misery caused by gangs of unruly youths " ...... "The orders are an important weapon in our armoury, but will not solve the long-term problems alone."

"To this end, further policing initiatives including Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and the execution of search warrants will be used in conjunction with the dispersal order."

Chris Abbott, ward councillor for the Newcomen ward and Essex Close resident which will be covered the order, said: "Residents have long pressed for this “ …”We have had a lot of problems since we had a dispersal order a while ago. There is a particular gang of youngsters who have caused considerable damage through arson and anti-social behaviour."

Youths rampage with chainsaw

2005-06-02T20:59:00.000Z

Herts Comet 2/6/05 YOUTHS with a chainsaw and axes damaged a fence and two 20 foot fir trees, felling one, near a quiet residential street in Stevenage. At around 8pm residents saw a group of youths hitting trees and the fence with axes. When Police arrived the youths run off.

2 hours later another call was logged to say that a fight between youths and residents had broken out. Two of the teenagers were taken to Lister Hospital suffering from cuts to the back of the head and arms.

"The residents had intervened before we got there. We have arrested three residents as a result of a confrontation with the youths. We have recovered the chainsaw." Said the Police.

The incident happened a stone's throw (who is throwing stones in a Dispersal area ?) away from the boundary of one of the Police's Section 30 Dispersal Orders. Now the police have extended the boundaries of the order to include the grassy area. In future if youths congregate there, they can be moved on by police officers.

This story reads more like Vigilantes attack youths.

Clitheroe hi-tech computer linked CCTV catches crooks

2005-06-02T17:49:00.000Z

Clitheroe News PC Diane Kavanagh, of Clitheroe police, today explained (2/6/05) the new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology linked round the clock, to Clitheroe and Whalley's existing CCTV cameras, scanning number plates of every car entering the borough.

Since the "intelligence" operation has been up and running, a huge number ( not stated) of notable offenders have been stopped and dealt with.

Numerous drink drivers have been caught due to the ANPR system .The technology helped aid detection of a burglary in the area, where the suspect's vehicle registration involved was inputted and an image of the vehicle and driver were captured.

After identification of the driver, he was arrested and charged with the offence.

The technology, which checks over 10,000 vehicles per day, has helped in the recovery of stolen vehicles and has also reduced the chance (?) of people having their cars stolen or becoming the victims of crime.

Insp. Bob Ford, officer in charge said "The ANPR alerted police when a vehicle carrying known shoplifters from another area drove into the town.

"The information was passed to CCTV and the occupants were subsequently arrested after attempting to steal from one of our stores."

Insp. Ford added potential crimes had been prevented after a vehicle carrying 2 known burglars was stopped after an alert from the ANPR. The offenders were spoken to and made aware of the CCTV system, they left town.

In addition to the powerful technology, Insp. Ford revealed Clitheroe has a mobile ANPR set, which is used in a stationary vehicle that can be parked anywhere police think it would help prevent or detect crime.

"We are currently liaising with West Mercia Police into the on-going investigation of a large high value vehicle fraud after a vehicle from the Birmingham area passed through Clitheroe," commented Insp. Ford. "As a direct result of the ANPR alert, vital information regarding the whereabouts and current owner of the vehicle is now being investigated."

As the scheme had proved successful in Clitheroe and Whalley, Insp. Ford said officers were looking into expanding ANPR to cover the busy A59, however, the system costs a great deal of money and in order to keep it up to speed, it has to be up-dated regularly.

ANPR was introduced in conjunction with the Ribble Valley's Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP). If a vehicle is stolen or has been used in the commission of crime it can be stopped.

If the system picks up a match or "hit", that is then notified to an operator as an alarm. Officers at Clitheroe police then make a relevant decision based on the information supplied.

For those interested, a similiar system, installed by Sanderson Computing has operated for several years at the Trafford Centre, Manchester, to identify known shoplifters, late payers of fines, stolen cars.

CCTV nets £3m Parking Fines in one London street

2005-06-02T17:27:00.000Z

By Ross Lydall Evening Standard 2 June 2005
The Evening Standard used Freedom of Information legislation to obtain details of the London streets that have the most Parking fines issued.
In the year to April, motorists in Atlantic Road, Brixton had 31,124 tickets issued – worth £3,112,400 (without penalties for delay in paying fines) - the most targeted street in London.

The 2 number plate reading cameras in the Brixton street were only introduced in September - they each issue about £43,000 worth of tickets a week. A London Assembly investigation this week found the number of tickets issued in the capital had trebled in a decade to six million a year, making the boroughs a £113 million annual profit.

Paul Watters, head of roads and transport at the AA, said: "I have always been worried that CCTV parking enforcement will generate this kind of 'honey pot' for councils."

25,693 of the tickets were issued after number plates of illegally parked vehicles were recorded by CCTV. The remaining 5,431 ( more than 100 a week) were issued by Wardens.

To date, Lambeth has received £649,190 of the fines issued in Atlantic Road, though this is expected to increase.

SUN uses CCTV footage as Entertainment

2005-06-02T16:52:00.000Z

Jeshma captured on CCTV
SEE last recorded moments of murdered teen captured on CCTV

...that's the teaser headline that takes you on SUN Online to

An article By CHRIS JOHNSTON and ANTHONY FRANCE June 2nd 2005

"THESE are the last recorded moments of murdered teenager Jeshma Raithatha, captured on CCTV cameras.

The footage shows her shopping in a Primark store on Wembley High Road, West London, on the day she was killed.

Later that afternoon the 17-year-old was raped and stabbed in the heart three times in a random attack as she walked along a secluded path.

Police are trying to trace her final movements before she was forced into a den on May 16. Jeshma is seen dressed in jeans, T-shirt and cardigan as she queues to buy a top at about 2.20pm."

...... How does this help ? How do the SUN invade everyone's privacy on this CCTV clip with impunity ? Who owns the Copyright on the images ? Do they pay anyone for this footage ? Does it help find her killer (s) ?

ASBO breach by shoplifter gets 8 months.

2005-06-02T16:39:00.000Z

Whitehaven News 2/6/05

William Glaister, 24, of Mirehouse, Whitehaven was given an ASBO in February 2003 for 3 years which banned him from entering any shops in Whitehaven town centre, except for two hours in the early morning.

After being caught shoplifting on April 23, Glaister was sent to prison for 8 months after admitting breaching his ASBO.

Hooded youth, 16, admits killing Good Samaritan

2005-06-02T16:28:00.000Z

By Jenny Booth, Times Online June 02, 2005

Gary Prescott, 16, broke a two-year ASBO given 10 days before he killed a Good Samaritan . He wore a blue Adidas hooded top at the brief hearing at Newcastle Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Thomas Noble on April 24.

The 52-year-old victim was a hard-working father of five, who stepped in to stop a fight between teenage gangs, near his home in Moreland Street, Roker, Sunderland. Prescott hit him on the side of the head and he fell to the ground, striking his head on the pavement. He died from his injuries two days later at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Chief Superintendent Jim Campbell of Sunderland Police said: "This ASBO has been breached in heartbreaking circumstances, but this does not mean it is an ineffective piece of legislation.”

"By prosecuting those who breach ASBOs it deters others either already subject to an ASBO or engaged in anti-social behaviour, by highlighting the potential consequences of their actions."

He said when teenagers get in trouble, the police"s first response was to write a letter to their parents, followed by a home visit if bad behaviour escalated.

DANGER Birdbrains at work

2005-06-02T16:13:00.000Z

Evening Telegraph 2/6/05

Bird woman agrees deal to avoid ASBO action

The "Bird woman of Burntisland" has negotiated a compromise with Fife Council. And Kirkcaldy Sheriff Paul Artherson agreed to suspend the local authority’s application for an ASBO against retired teacher Jean Smith.

The council had alleged Mrs Smith’s bird feeding disturbed neighbours and caused fear and alarm by encouraging birds, particularly seagulls, to swoop on locals.

Had the ASBO been granted, Mrs Smith (60) would not have been able to feed any bird anywhere in Fife.

Police still considering Dispersal Order effects

2005-06-02T16:02:00.000Z

By Tess McDermott Epping Forest Guardian 2/6/05
A Dispersal Order covering Waltham Abbey town centre was put in place last October and renewed in January. It expired on April 30th.

Police are hesitant about granting an immediate renewal.

Inspector Sean O'Callaghan said rough estimates showed a reduction of 30% calls to the area during the 6 months, but added it was important to study the figures closely before jumping to conclusions.

He said: "We haven't run up the flag and said it was a major success. Was the reduction in the right area? There's no point saying it worked if the reduction was related to a totally different area of crime and anti-social behaviour problems remained the same.

"So we have to ask: did it work ? If it did, why was it working? It was never meant to be a permanent ban.”

He added, “ … we want to look at the root cause of the problems and attack it positively rather than negatively if we can. "

Can Norden learn from their experience ...?

Top cop's Dispersal notice admission

2005-06-02T15:47:00.000Z

Tottenham Wood Green, & Edmonton Journal 24 02 June 2005
Haringay residents saypolice officers do not fully understand the powers of the Dispersal Order imposed on the area around Effingham Road.

Haringey Community and Police Consultative Group met members of the Ladder Community Safety Partnership who questioned what police were doing to enforce the order. They also raised the problem of lengthy and non-existent police response times.

Borough Commander Chief Superintendent Stephen Bloomfield said: "I'm not going to dispute what you say that some officers do not know the full powers of dispersal notices." ….“dispersal orders are not a quick fix and often took time to have the desired effect.”

Chief Superintendent Bloomfield said he was aware of calls coming in which police have not responded to and said due to call prioritisation there were simply not enough officers.

The dispersal zone - which covers Effingham, Fairfax and Falkland Roads - was enforced earlier this year to clamp down on young tearaways who, according to residents, make life in the area a nightmare.

Chief Superintendent Bloomfield did not explain why the Orders were made if he had insufficient staff to enforce them.

Bristol sets national example in Comunity Safety says Government

2005-06-01T20:01:00.000Z

Anti-Social Behaviour Work Blazes a Trail Through Bristol
Vandalism, graffiti, criminal damage, loutish behaviour, intimidation – these were all random acts of anti-social behaviour which blighted many communities around Bristol. Starts a report from a2Media Group – click on the heading for the whole of a very interesting review of what is happening in Bristol.

..... following 18 months of work by the Safer Bristol Partnership - Avon and Somerset Constabulary, Bristol City Council, Housing and other agencies - many estates and areas are transformed and Bristol has been highlighted by the Government as a national example of best practice.

Community Safety Inspector Phil Davis, Bristol District, said the success of the last 18 months was a result of solid groundwork by the Safer Bristol team and excellent links with the communities.

He said, “The 24 hour ASB action line number - 0845 605 2222 – has received over 350 reports of anti-social behaviour since it was launched in February 2005.

….. so what is this Action Line ? …………………..

It is run by Together Action Line, which is a third party subcontractor to the Home Office , to whom approx 20 Local Authority areas have subscribed – including (locally) Salford and Oldham. Currently it is run by a pleasant lady based somewhere in London called Annie.

Members of the public are routed as priority to their local Police to report Anti Social Behaviour – but only if their post code AREA IS subscribed. Obviously this allows incident reports to collected on a national basis.... well England and Wales.

I suggest as a matter of URGENCY that RMBC sign up for this service and publicise the number. This could very easily be incorporated in any Dispersal Area signs (but currently absent) and the required (but absent) signage for CCTV cameras.

Yet again this exemplifies the cavalier, inadequate and ill considered way this scheme for Dispersal orders, CCTV cameras in Norden has been proposed by RMBC and approved by elected representatives.

Another reason why this matter should be the subject of a Public Meeting. ASAP – that means AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Dispersal Order disperses drinkers

2005-06-01T16:50:00.000Z

SHEFFIELD STAR reports the city centre could be turned into an alcohol-free zone this summer to stop people boozing in public.

Earlier this year police officers used Dispersal Order legislation to split up groups of drinkers regularly found near Castle Market ," said Insp Morley. - but instead -
"It was effective in that it temporarily removed the problem - but we found that the street drinkers simply moved up the road to Fargate.”

Well …… that’s something nobody could have anticipated ..... ain't life a bitch ?

Wakefield Dispersal Orders target "travellers"

2005-06-01T14:50:00.000Z

By Tony Gardner / York Evening Post
Wakefield Council is (surprisingly) the first to use anti-social behaviour legislation to create no-go areas for travellers.(pic - travellers camp cleanup in Castleford YEP photo)

The council has authorised West Yorkshire Police to designate five Dispersal Areas under Section 30 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, ( groups causing significant and persistent anti-social behaviour ) which gives police powers to immediately remove travellers or arrest them if they enter the areas.

The 5 – including school playing fields which are constantly under invasion – have suffered major damage and disturbance.

The legal orders are for June to October 2005 – the peak time for illegal encampment invasions in the Wakefield area.

The areas, which have been subject to "significant and persistent invasions", were designated following a consultation process between elected members, council officers and the police.

Other sites across the district are to be looked at under the same legislation.
A police spokesman said: "We will continue to work with the council and travelling community to resolve any problems which arise from such activities." The no-go areas are: Spring Mills Playing Fields, Ossett; Gawthorpe Recreation Ground, Childswell Lane, Gawthorpe; Kettlethorpe High School Playing Fields, Kettlethorpe; Normanton Cricket Club, Church Lane, Normanton; Land behind Sandal Magna School, Agbrigg Road, Agbrigg.

On the same day a group of travellers who left behind £10,000 of damage at Sandal Rugby Club invaded the grounds Featherstone Lions' junior rugby league teams.

Mr Fowler added: "I am concerned that other land owners might not have the same protection we now have. The law of aggravated trespass has existed for many years now and has never been enforced. This could have been used to protect Sandal Rugby Club last week but it wasn't."

Leeds City Councillors said they would be keen to get similar bans imposed on areas in the city blighted by illegal camps.

Leeds City Coun. Les Carter, with responsibility for travellers, said: "This is excellent news and we would be keen to look closely at how the orders have been achieved."

Contact for more info : tony.gardner@ypn.co.uk
More info in Guradian Article 3/6/05

01 June 2005 ..... sounds like a good idea ... why did it take so long ?

Dispersal Orders - Home Office Official Guidelines about use

2005-06-01T14:38:00.000Z

Home Office Circular Number 004 / 2004

Re: Home Office Guidelines on Dispersal Orders ... this provides a suitable guide for the provisions of the act and people who may need to use the provisions of Section 4 covering Dispersal Orders. provision of such handy guides for new legilsation is standard.

.....Publicity for the authorisation

9. Once agreement on an authorisation has been obtained, an authorisation notice must be produced and publicised. The authorisation notice must specify the relevant locality to which it applies, the grounds on which the authorisation has been given and the period when the power to disperse is exercisable. Before the authorisation comes into force, the authorisation notice must be published in a newspaper which is circulated in the relevant locality and/or posted in a conspicuous place or places within the relevant locality.

There are now, nor ever have been, – as far as I can ascertain – such notices posted in Norden. There was a talking lamp post near the War Memorial, which is now (thankfully) silent. It appears that failure to post notices as required could negate the effect of the orders if challenged by someone arrested by the Police, for breach of the Order.

I have consulted the Home Office on this matter.

To some people this reflects the cavalier attitude by RMBC to undertake measures of social control without taking care to meet all the requirements of the appropriate legislation. You can express any vies you may have by e-mail to RMBC via lee.durrant@rochdale.gov.uk

It would establish good practice that such notices are produced in a weather proof form and posted at the extremities of the Dispersal area with an appropriate map. Eg Notice posted by RMBC announcing closure of Woodbine Lane at Turners Asbestos graveyard in Spotland. It is not a new (or expensive) policy to produce such lamp post attached notices by the Planning Department. Certainly at less cost and immeasurably less aggravation than talking lamposts.

Does motherhood drive you mad?

2005-05-31T21:30:00.000Z

March 14, 2004
Speech by Brid Hehir, Institute of Ideas
Former health visitor and co-author of Alternative Medicine: should we swallow it?

“The notion of medicalising or pathologising childbirth and motherhood is now quite common.”

“The private life of families is therefore no longer considered to be their business but ours too. Because of the insistence that the welfare of children must come first, its fertile ground for the involvement of and intervention by health professionals. We
have lower expectations of parents. They might drink too much, take drugs, given their children inappropriate food, not parent well enough, abuse them ……The notion that they can sort out their problems for themselves now seems anathema. We use our mental checklists to assess whether or not they’re doing all right.

I think additionally that many of us (health professionals) have lost our ability and confidence to make common sense judgements. We seldom have the confidence to say ‘all’s well’ or its ‘good enough’ and to leave well alone. Instead we cover our backs by constantly referring on to eg. GPs, who then refer on to consultants….”

“There have been numerous social, political, policy and service changes since the 1980s however and the role of health professionals has changed. This was starkly reflected in the consultation document ‘Every Child Matters’ and is also portrayed in the new Children’s Bill. Ostensibly the bill is about achieving reforms to bring about better outcomes for children. In reality however it assumes that a large number of families cannot bring up children without the involvement of myriad agencies who need constantly to exchange information about the children. It seems that the government and society now fundamentally mistrusts parents to bring up their children and thinks it can do better. Health professionals are influenced by this
viewpoint also.”

“Motherhood once seen as an ideal, is now promoted as an ordeal, mothers, we are told, are hyper - vulnerable. “

ASBO - serious potential for criminalising children

2005-05-31T21:07:00.000Z

Children start rejecting Authority at an early age, no carrots, plenty of stick.

ASBOs 6 years on and Probation Officers demand a Review

2005-05-31T20:31:00.000Z

ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR ORDERS:
ANALYSIS OF THE FIRST SIX YEARS
briefing by the National Association of Probation Officers – 7 April 2005

CONCLUSION

The number of anti social behaviour orders has increased markedly since November 2003. There is ample evidence of the issuing of ASBOs by the courts being inconsistent and almost a geographical lottery. There is great concern that people are being jailed following the breach of an ASBO where the original offence was itself non-imprisonable, and that ASBOs are being used where people have mental health problems where treatment would be more appropriate. There is also evidence that conditions on ASBOs are unreasonable and the behaviour would constitute criminal offences in any event.

It is of concern that the lower level of proof needed to obtain a conviction circumvents criminal proceedings. Certain local authorities are using ASBOs to clear sink estates of problematic families and individuals. This appears to avoid dealing with wider environmental problems on those estates and also avoids putting in place wider social policies that would deal with the underlying problems of anti social behaviour. In Napo’s view the time is right for a fundamental review of the use and appropriateness of Anti Social Behaviour Orders by the Home Offce.

Harry Fletcher - 7 April 2005
The Full report as a PDF file is available here

Call for full Government Review of ASBOs

2005-05-31T20:15:00.000Z

Asbo Concern is a campaigning alliance of organisations and individuals who are concerned about the use of anti social behaviour orders in our communities. They work to bring together all those concerned about the way ASBOs are used - charities, professionals, trade unions, community groups, parents, young people and others - in a joint campaign.

Asbo Concern wants a full public government review of ASBOs and the way they are used.

We want to highlight the problems with ASBOs and the need for alternative ways of tackling anti-social behaviour. We also aim to counteract the scapegoating and stigmatising of children, young people and other vulnerable groups, and to campaign for properly funded youth services and support for those who need it.

See the website for a full statement of beliefs and aims, news on ASBOs.

Speakers at the Inaugural Meeting on April 7th at the Friends Meeting House, London included
Shami Chakrabarti - Director, Liberty
Frances Crook - Director, Howard League for Penal Reform
Harry Fletcher - assistant General Secretary NAPO
Deborah Coles - Inquest
Niki Adams - Legal Action for Women,
Jenny Jones - Green Party GLA member
Oli Rahman - Respect councillor

Group fights for review of Asbos Guardian 08.04.2005

A triumph of hearsay and hysteria Guardian 05.05.2005

Institutionalised spite Chris Quayle, Red Pepper 05.2005

Chris Quayle argues that ASBOs don’t work, have no regard for the niceties of normal legal process, and are an excuse for ignoring the causes of antisocial behaviour. ASBOs are targeting the vulnerable so the government can win votes

ASBO - serious potential for criminalising children

2005-05-31T19:37:00.000Z

We tend to believe we live in the United Kingdom and that we are a homogenous society - the response by the Authorities to ASBOs is not uniform....In June 2004 The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland published a response to the Anti-Social Behaviour (Northern Ireland) Order 2004 in June 2004. (They don't always put cameras on lamp post in NI)

8. Conclusion

8.1 The potential criminalisation of children and young people in societies and communities that traditionally have not resourced support and care for those children can be construed as a double-punishment for the child or young person. In an age where governments are to be commended for taking a social cohesion or community cohesion approach to eradicating community conflict and tension, the use of ASBOs may be seen to contradict the social justice model.
8.2 The Equality Commission recognises that often, community conflict arises where inequalities have not been adequately addressed and therefore welcomes targeted action and resources to address disadvantage at community level, which in many circumstances can alleviate anti-social behaviour. The Commission believes that this is a more humane and effective means of addressing the issue.
8.4 The Commission does not consider that ASBOs reflect the particular political, social, economic and community context and structures in Northern Ireland and their marked difference to those in GB. The Commission does not consider ASBOs to be appropriate for Northern Ireland and believes that there is serious potential for criminalising those children, young people and families who already experience disadvantage and are therefore a draconian approach to a community cohesion problem.

Views that are perhaps not restricted to the special circumstances of Northern Ireland.

Hi-Five fashion statements.iPod, I want.

2005-05-31T19:22:00.000Z

Chicago Tribune today ....

"Parents are told by psychologists that they should pick their battles with their kids. But should they pick the iPod battle, the cell phone battle or the R-rated movie battle?"

-- Susan Linn, a psychologist at Harvard Medical School and Judge Baker Children's Center, counts Apple's iPod among the expensive hi-tech fashion accessories straining relations between kids and parents.

ASBO cafe - offends Police

2005-05-31T12:13:00.000Z

BBC Online Friday, 20 May, 2005,

A Bristol man with an ASBO has been criticised by police for opening a burger van called the 'ASBO snack bar'.

Leroy Trought, 43, was given a two-year Asbo in March for putting up a sign in the car park of his Bristol pub, saying "porking yard".

City magistrates ordered him to change the wording to "parking yard" at the pub in St Judes, when it was revealed the premises are next to a mosque.

The order was sought by Avon and Somerset Police and Bristol City Council after they received complaints from residents in the St Judes area who said the sign was racially and sexually. He was ordered not to display any abusive or insylting signs.

Speaking about the van, Mr Trought said the name was not meant to be offensive. "It's proved very successful so far," he said.

He added that naming the business the Asbo Snack Bar was meant as a joke and as a snub.

Inspector Phil Davis of Avon and Somerset Police said: "Mr Trought is obviously not taking the issue seriously, but causing intimidation or insulting members of the community is a serious issue.

"If he does breach the terms of the Asbo he potentially faces a prison sentence."

....... HELP. The Police fight Crime .......

Youth crime starts early ........

2005-05-30T17:22:00.000Z

MORI Youth Survey 2004
Summary of findings

The findings from the MORI Youth Survey 2004 (commissioned by the Youth Justice Board) show that:

# 26% of young people in mainstream education have committed a crime
# 60% excluded young people have offended
# Overall, however, offending levels have remained stable since 2001.
A higher proportion of boys have offended than girls, as have a higher proportion of young people who are black, compared with young people who are white or Asian.

# In mainstream schools; 31% of boys have committed a crime, compared with 20%
of girls; 37% of young people who are black have offended, compared with 26% of
young people who are white and 20% Asian.

# In excluded projects, 65% of boys admit to committing a crime, compared with
48% of girls.

This year, the peak age for offending is 14 – slightly younger than in previous years.

The Youth Survey findings suggest that, if a young person has not committed an offence
by the age of 14, they are unlikely to do so.

However, the most common age for first time offending is between the ages of 11 and 12 among mainstream offenders, and between 10 and 11 among excluded offenders.

This is a lengthy and detailed report but these are the most significant findings. As Fagin and the Jesuits know .... catch 'em young. They are young AND they are excluded ... are you thinking what I am thinking ?

Problem youths – Parents want public meeting

2005-05-30T17:15:00.000Z

11th March 2005 BY JACK HUNTER Weston Mercury

Police are to launch a crackdown on youths causing havoc on a Locking Castle estate.

A large number of young people gathered and caused trouble in the Maltlands area at the weekend. "A number of youths were arrested and taken to the police station. They were released pending a decision on further action.

"We will give the area extra attention with high profile policing, particularly at weekends. " said a police spokesman. "If the issue doesn't die down in the coming weeks we will consider using a dispersal order, in consultation with North Somerset Council.

North Somerset councillor Andy Wright said: "Parents have been asking whether a public meeting could be organised to talk about the issue. There's obviously quite a bit of concern about it."

Corby Town Centre Dispersal Order Hailed A Success

2005-05-30T17:00:00.000Z

04/02/2005 Northampton Police Website

A DISPERSAL Order to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in Corby town centre has been hailed a success by officers on the Northern Police Area.

The Dispersal Order came into force November 1st 2004. A total of 25 people have been dispersed from the town centre and 192 people were banned from the area for 24 hours.
Of those 192, six people were arrested for breaching the Order. The number of violent offences recorded in the town centre area fell from 64 to 39 compared with the previous 3 months and criminal damage fell from 29 to 13 for the same period.

Community Action Sergeant Tim Britton, who is based at Corby Police Station, said: “The Dispersal Order has proved a success with both crime and anti-social behaviour decreasing over the three-month period.

The Dispersal Order officially ended on February 1.

Officers carried out high-visibility patrols of the town centre area along with Special Constables and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to enforce the order and reassure the public.

31/01/2005 Northampton Police Website

The first Dispersal Order on the central policing sector has been signed, authorising a clampdown on anti-social behaviour in and around the Colwyn Road and Shakespeare Road area of the Mounts.

Cllr Liz Tavener, cabinet member responsible for community safety, said, "It is disappointing that we have to use another Youth Dispersal Order. The powers are effective in tackling the problem in the short term to improve the quality of residents' lives. However the council and its partners have a duty to find longer term solutions."

Man murded in Hailsham, Sussex , youths arrested.

2005-05-30T16:38:00.000Z

Police are treating the death of a man in the High Street area of Hailsham Sussex as murder.(AP, Guradian, BBC)
Detectives investigating the death of a 40-year-old man, who was attacked by a group of youths after a row outside his home, have made "a number of arrests".

Police believe the victim and his attackers knew each other. The assault took place at 9.30 on Sunday and he was later pronounced dead at Eastbourne District general Hospital. The unnamed victim, was "beaten all over", according to police.

DCI Tony O’Donnel is reported saying , “We believe this was not a random attack," …."We have identified around six youths who we believe to be involved.

"Although we are still trying to establish a motive, one possibility is that this was the result of an altercation over a relationship."

Local shoppers said gangs of youths often hung around the town centre in the evening. "There is always vandalism taking place," teaching assistant Martin Hillman, 55 is reported saying. “There are so many gangs of lads around of an evening and there is always vandalism taking place. It is a no-go area and people keep out of town." He added that the police presence was not high enough to deter rowdy gangs of youths from congregating in the town centre.

Retired resident Ricky Hay, 61, said: "They run amok here of an evening. "If you walk through the town centre you're taking a chance and there are no police about to help you."

He added that the police presence was not high enough to deter rowdy gangs of youths from congregating in the town centre.

What is a Dispersal Order ?

2005-05-30T07:03:00.000Z

Dispersal Orders were introduced under Part 4 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003.
The Act gives any "relevant officer" - that is a police officer of or above the rank of Superintendent the power to issue (but also requires the approval of the Local Authority) a notice establishing a dispersal regime for a specified area for a period not exceeding 6 months where he has reasonable grounds to believe:

(a) that any members of the public have been intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed as a result of the presence or behaviour of groups of two or more persons in public places, and

(b) that anti-social behaviour is a significant and persistent problem in the relevant locality.

Once the notice has been issued, the powers of both police officers and police community support officers (PCSO’s) are extended. If they have reasonable grounds for believing that the presence or behaviour of a group of two or more persons in any public place in the relevant locality has resulted, or is likely to result, in any members of the public being intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed they may give one or more of the following directions:

(a) a direction requiring the persons in the group to disperse (either immediately or by such time as he may specify and in such way as he may specify),

(b) a direction requiring any of those persons whose place of residence is not within the relevant locality to leave the relevant locality or any part of the relevant locality (either immediately or by such time as he may specify and in such way as he may specify), and

(c) a direction prohibiting any of those persons whose place of residence is not within the relevant locality from returning to the relevant locality or any part of the relevant locality for such period (not exceeding 24 hours) from the giving of the direction as he may specify;

Those who remain in or return to the relevant locality having been asked to leave may face 6 months imprisonment and/or fines of up to £5,000.

For those whom the police reasonably believe to be under the age of 16, after 9pm, the regime is tougher - if unaccompanied by an adult, they may be removed to their place of residence, or they are likely to suffer significant harm there, to a place of safety.

To date more than 400 dispersal areas have been set up in England and Wales

Liberty challenge Dispersal Orders under Human Rights Act

A 15-year-old boy from Richmond-upon-Thames, south-west London, told the high court (Guradian Friday May 27th 2005)that the creation of two "dispersal areas" in his neigh bourhood infringed his human rights, preventing him from going to band practice, walking the dog and running errands for his mother. ( R (on the application of W) V the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis and the London Borough of Richmond on Thames.)

The teenager whose complaint led Liberty, the human rights group, to bring its application for a judicial review of the curfew and dispersal orders, lives in a dispersal zone in Richmond.

Liberty is arguing that the curfews infringe four articles of the Human Rights Act: the right to liberty, respect for private life, the freedom of assembly and freedom from discrimination.

Alex Gask, Liberty's legal officer, said: "There is a real danger of sweeping 'anti-yob powers' demonising an entire generation of mostly decent kids."

Commenting on the case James Welch, Legal Director of Liberty said:

"The Prime Minister has prioritised creating a culture of respect in Britain. He should remember that respect is a two-way street. These powers fail to distinguish between the innocent and the guilty. No one objects to reasonable sanctions for bad behaviour. He should attack that behaviour and not all children."

Simon Jenkins Times 29/5/05 ..."it is not traditional values that are declining but traditional means of enforcing them." commenting on the case.

New Youth Justice System is Proving Successful

2005-05-29T22:48:00.000Z

Young offenders going through the new youth justice system are less likely to be reconvicted according to a report from the Audit Commission (published 21/1/04) .

Reconviction rates of young people given reprimands has fallen by 10% since the reforms were introduced and young offenders are much less likely to offend whilst on bail, with the rate falling from one in three in 1996 to one in five now.

Whilst the adult prison population has continued to soar (with the huge costs this entails), the introduction of new sentences for juveniles and the fall in the numbers reconvicted have meant the juvenile prison population has not.

The Audit Commission's study, Youth Justice 2004, reviews the changes that have taken place since its ground-breaking report of 1996, Misspent Youth which led to significant organisational changes.

The findings show that:

· Young offenders New Youth Justice System is Proving Successful they are now dealt with much more quickly - they are sentenced in half the time that it took 7 years ago.

· By 2003 the authorities took constructive steps to engage with 90% of young offenders who were caught by police, more than double the figure two years earlier.

· More than one in three young offenders now receive the new Referral Orders or Reparation Orders.

Audit Commission Chairman James Strachan said:

"These are encouraging findings. Public concerns about the level of crime dominate the media. Here we have some good news: a new way of dealing with young offenders that is working; young offenders on the new programmes are now less likely to be reconvicted than before."

The Report also says ..."Many young offenders who end up in custody have a history of professionals failing to listen, assessments not being followed by action and nobody being in charge. If effective early intervention had been provided for just one-in-ten of these young people, annual savings in excess of £100m could have been made."

Generally this is encouraging news ... why does it not get reported? Why is there a general perception of unruly kids .... why do the media continue to demonise the young ..... why do people demand more penalties ...... more surveillance ? Why is the debate about youth crime so ill informed ? Why don't we listen to the young ?

Let's remember it's we who are failing ... not the kids.

Crime Prevention is The Word on The Street in Bradford

2005-05-29T15:50:00.000Z

West Yorkshire Police's massive 'Steer Clear' campaign which is being run by the Target intiative started W/C Feb 16th 2005 using several new measures. Keeping crime free is the word on the streets of Bradford as ‘talking signs’ strike a chord with shoppers. (says their Press Release)

A 1st for Bradford, Police have introduced the signs at strategic points throughout the city centre. They relay messages such as: “Do not leave valuables in your car.” They can be used to give out appeals for witnesses to specific crimes.

Det Chief Insp Roger Gasson said: “The signs are an excellent way of getting crime prevention messages across at the right time. If you’ve just parked up your car, the signs give a timely reminder to make sure you haven’t left any property on view.

“The signs are changeable, so if there is a specific type of crime occurring in a particular area, such as mobile phone theft, we can re-record the message to cover that. We will also be using them to appeal for information about specific incidents.”

The signs are covered by CCTV and are fitted with specialist ‘tamper’ alarms.

Talking signs and increased patrols to curb car thieves

2005-05-29T14:58:00.000Z

BBC Thursday, 19 May, 2005

Talking warning signs are being placed at beauty spots in Quorn,(pic Quorn Hall) Leicestershire. The motion-sensitive devices in the Quorn area will warn people not to leave valuables on display in vehicles. More than 140 thefts from vehicles recorded at beauty spots in the area over the past year.

Leicestershire Police will also carry out increased covert patrols in a bid to catch thieves in the country parks.

Police said there was a 23% reduction on 2004, officers are determined to see even fewer victims this year.

Insp Yallop said: "In addition to the signs, we will be increasing patrols in key areas and will be carrying out targeted covert operations in hotspot areas.

.......Talking signs backed up by increased patrols........

Less bureaucracy does not mean more bobbies on the beat - OFFICIAL

2005-05-29T14:46:00.000Z

Press Release Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Ref 25/05 March 9, 2005
CHIEF POLICE OFFICERS WELCOME ENDORSEMENT OF NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING
ACPO lead on neighbourhood policing and Chief Constable of Leicestershire Constabulary, Matt Baggot, said (inter alia) :

“Freeing up police officers from unnecessary paperwork and administration is something we are all working towards, but we must be careful not to equate the reduction in bureaucracy with deployment back on the front-line. More effective than having simply greater numbers on the streets is having the right people and the right numbers deployed in the right places, where the public want it and where they need it.”

The ASBO no-one refuses

2005-05-29T13:34:00.000Z

PRIVATE EYE has this wonderful story in "Funny Old World " this week (No 1133 Page 7)

"My client admits that he was drunk when he created a disturbance at Weymouth Bay Caravan Park," defending solicitor Roger Maxwell told Weymouth Magistrates Court. "He admits that he used threatening words and behaviour, he admits to shouting and banging on caravan doors, and he admits to swearing at the police when they handcuffed him. It is also true that he is already the subject of a two-year Anti-Social Behaviour Order. But in mitigation, I should point out that, due to administrative error, the wording on the ASBO specifically states that he is 'prohibited from not being drunk in a public place'"

After consultation with his fellow magistrates, Chairman of the bench Colin Weston passed judgement on thirty-eight-year-old Stephen Winstone. "It is fortunate for you that the ASBO has been badly written, because otherwise we would have been looking to sentence you to prison for up to a couple of years. However, you were technically fulfilling the terms of your ASBO by being drunk in public, so the court will show leniency to you. You are fined £100." (Dorset Echo, 17/03/05. Spotter: Sue Webb)

...a small and disorderly queue formed outside Weymouth Magistrates Court later all requesting being issued with an ASBO...

Tayside issue 55 on the spot fines for Anti Social Behaviour per week.

2005-05-29T00:16:00.000Z

Tayside Police launched a year long pilot scheme in the force area, on April 1, of fixed penalty notices for Anti-Social Behaviour for people over 16. The fining powers are contained in the Anti-Social Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004.

The Tayside pilot is being paid for with £130,000 from the Scottish Executive.
By May 9th , In Tayside, police officers had issued 277 fixed-penalty notices for anti-social behaviour, of which 104 had been paid.

Once issued, the recipient must either pay the fine or request a court hearing within 28 days. Payment of the notice involves no admission of guilt and does not result in a criminal record.

The new scheme is part of a Government crackdown on Anti-Social Behaviour. The approach is similar to “conditional offers” for some motoring offences and has the aims of speeding up justice, reducing bureaucracy, freeing up police and court time and reducing minor Anti-Social Behaviour through the immediacy of its impact. It will also increase the amount of time officers spend on the street dealing with more serious crime and free the courts to deal with more serious offending.

Fixed-penalty orders can be issued: Riotous behaviour. Refusing to leave licensed premises. Urinating or defecating in circumstances that cause annoyance to others. Being drunk and incapable in a public place. Being drunk in a public place in charge of a child. Refusing, to the annoyance of others, to stop playing a musical instrument, singing and playing radios on being required to stop.

ASBO - No "hoodie" or cap for 5 years for Manchester boy

2005-05-29T00:00:00.000Z

Friday May 27 2005 BBC Newsround A 16-year-old boy from Manchester has been given an ASBO that bans him from wearing a hooded top for five years.

Dale Carroll from Cheetham was part of a gang that caused lots of problems for people living in Collyhurst Village, a court heard.

In one incident Carroll, also known as Elms, tried to cut down a CCTV camera with a chainsaw.

The ASBO also bans him from wearing a cap and from meeting more than two people at once, apart from his family.

ASBO on 'suicide' woman upheld

2005-05-28T23:46:00.000Z

BBC Friday, 29 April, 2005,

A judge has refused to lift an ASBO on a young woman made repeated suicide attempts.
Kim Sutton from Bath jumped into rivers, dangled from a bridge and threatened to leap from multi-storey car parks.

The 23-year-old is not mentally ill, but does have a personality disorder and her barrister said she needed help not legal sanctions.

However, the judge said the ASBO was necessary to protect rescuers and members of the public and remarked that since it had been imposed she had not made further suicide attempts.
Criticising the decision, "Marjorie Wallace of mental health charity SANE said: "I think it's very sad. It looks as though everybody has given up on her.

"Although it was said that she didn't have a mental illness we are coming across more and more people who are getting these ASBOs instead of getting the mental health services they need." Yes...that's right it says "safe , just and tolerant society"

CCTV nuclear leak missed for 3 months

2005-05-28T22:56:00.000Z

NW Evening Mail Published on 28/05/2005

A leak which closed Sellafield’s Thorp plant has found nuclear fuel was seeping from a fractured pipe for three months before it was detected. (leak = 90,000 litres, or half an Olympic swimming pool)

British Nuclear Group has ordered improved testing and maintenance of instruments which should have warned that the mixture of spent uranium and plutonium fuel dissolved in acid was going missing.

Mr Snelson said he was disappointed that the leak, discovered by a CCTV camera on April 19, had not been seen sooner.

....... which shows that CCTV is as good as the folks watching .. or not as the case may be.

1st offender caught by new CCTV cameras

2005-05-28T22:31:00.000Z

Rochdale Observer : 29th April 2005

First offender caught by new CCTV cameras

A TEENAGER who was prosecuted for vandalising a phone box is the first to be caught by new CCTV cameras in Smallbridge.....

Ward Councillor Jean Ashworth says there is a big fear of crime in the area, with nearly all the shops having to install electronic shutters.

She said: “I have always supported the CCTV, we only had one complaint about it, which was from a woman saying it was looking into her bedroom, but you’ll always have those complaints.”

.............…but of course we simply ignore them –

Family row on CCTV featured on Granadaland TV

2005-05-27T22:27:00.000Z

At approximately 10.50 on 27th May 2005 ITV news from Manchester(section of National News) showed several detailed colour stills from CCTV footage from Rochdale Centre CCTV as part of a news item.

The newsreader explained that what was an apparent abduction of a young Asian woman was part of a family argument and no complaints had been made, nor charges made.

This bizarre news item begs many questions.

Why were these images broadcast ? The participants were known to the Police and evidently had provided an explanation for this incident which had been accepted. There was no suggestion that witness identification was wanted nor was it needed. There was apparently no crime committed, therefore none to solve. No request for public assistance was made, no contact details provided.

Was this merely shown as entertainment ? Why were these images supplied to ITV ? Who made the decision to provide them and for what stated reason ? Did ITV pay for the use of the images, if so how much and to whom ? Why did ITV show them on the news ?

This raises serious questions about the use of CCTV, privacy, ownership of images obtained, their use and publication, which must be asked…and must be answered. big.bro will be asking Chief Superintendent Sweeney to answer the questions raised above. We will also raise the issue with RMBC and local Councillors.

Elswehere today, the case of 4 men in Liverpool charged with “ voyeurism and misconduct in public office", noted in an earlier posting, continued today. The 4 council workers who were in court, didn’t enter pleas but solicitors for the men maintained they were innocent of the charges. The case was adjourned for a preliminary hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on 14 June.

Open Letter to RMBC CE Ellis Chf Sptd Sweeney Rochdale Police

2005-05-27T13:05:00.000Z

big.bro
www.big-bro.blogspot.com

6 Albury Drive
Rochdale
OL12 7SX

Tel : 861552 e-mail zizania@gmail.com
Dld by Hand 27th May 2005
Chief Superintendent Terry Sweeney
Chief Executive RMBC Roger Ellis

CCTV in Norden

I note from the Rochdale Observer 25th May 2005 that you have launched a Rochdale Safer Communities Strategy which I have not yet been able to read, as there is no copy available in the Library yet.

I note inter alia that Roger Ellis (CE RMBC) is quoted as saying “he believes that one of the most effective crime prevention measures is the extra cash (quoted as £300,000) being “poured” in to CCTV surveillance over the next 3 years. “

“We will use the information from the public to find out where most crime is committed and move the cameras from place to place”

You may be aware that I contacted 2 weeks ago , my Councillors, Hobhouse, van Reden, Jane Gartside and James Gartside about the recent installation of a “mobile” ( I think this really means moveable) camera and associated “talking lamppost” immediately adjacent to the war Memorial Garden in Norden.

Despite repeated requests I have failed to be provided with information about who made the decision to install this camera, on what information and why it was installed without any reference to the Information Commissioners Code of Practice. I might point out that it took 9 days to eventually contact Lee Durrant (due to the lack of knowledge of the Cllrs and the absence of the required public sign) who has some (very unclear) responsibility. Both he and James Gartside spoke of a “Youth” group, details of whose function, status, composition, dates of meetings, decisions I still await.

As my house backs onto Shawfield School I have been I have been visited by the activities of unruly youth for over 18 years, the intensity of which varies from year to year, and to a large extent upon the weather and season. The last time, some years ago, I reported vandalism to the Police, I saw 3 youths cause (it subsequently became apparent, £4,000 of damage), watched their exit from the school and told the Control Room that if a car arrived quickly I could accompany them and identify the culprits. 8 hours later a WPC arrived who was advised I had made a “complaint”. This is a typical experience, not only of myself but many other people – as a consequence of this lack of response I and many others long ago ceased reporting problems ranging from high spirits to excessive criminal damage. As a consequence any crime / incident reporting figures are inaccurate and distorted.

Repeatedly in conversation with these troublesome people, they repeat the mantra that they are bored, they have nothing to do, nowhere to go.

As a consequence I think that before massive sums of money are committed, before CCTV cameras and talking signs are disposed, before Dispersal Orders are scattered far and wide I have suggested to the Councillors that a Public Meeting (or a succession of them) be called to debate this issue. To date they have failed to respond to this request. I have obtained Legal Opinion to a Council which inter alia says , “There are no formal guidelines on Local Authorities and Police consulting in relation to a Dispersal area….However with partnership working…where the Police have identified problems you should draw up an alternative strategy for dealing with the issues. This could be through developing evidence on specific individuals and targeting their actions. involving support agencies such as youth workers to look at prevention methods or developing relationships with the community to identify alternative means of tackling the issue.”

Having made private enquiries and as a result of setting up very recently a website to air and discuss the associated issues I am aware that there is a very wide and broad agreement by Norden residents of all ages, for such an open, transparent and democratic forum. It is evident that current structures and procedures are inadequate to provide that representation.

I am reluctant to leap frog the role of the democratically elected local Councillors, but if they fail to represent public opinion – principally by ignoring it, then aggrieved residents and tax payers will take unilateral action which will lead to unnecessary division and friction.

I would therefore welcome your prompt response and suggestions to the following timetable for action :

1 ) Removal of the currently installed camera and talking lamp post.
2 ) Initiation of a properly prepared case for the same, under the CCTV Code of Practice which includes a public meeting to discuss the issue (before any action is taken) – to form a model for other areas in the Borough.
3 ) Move forward with any plans, agreed ideas from such a meeting to cover public concerns / anxieties / desires.

Failing a reasonable response, I and other residents intend to convene such a meeting and invite the appropriate RMBC staff / Police / Fire / Social Services . YOT and other interested agencies to consider the current problems of youthful damage / nuisance / alcohol misuse etc., and also to prepare a proposal for the use of the shortly to be redundant Library building on Edenfield Road to be utilised as a centre for local Youth.

Finally I would welcome the receipt of the evidence to support the reported claim of the CE MBC that –“ he believes that one of the most effective crime prevention measures .. is CCTV etc .,“

I have personally designed the software for monitoring the activities of users of a CCTV system in a large secure establishment and have when I was in business involved in designing and operating Wireless networks. I have also researched this matter and am now actively catching up on current knowledge and experience. I am unaware of any publicly available information that would support this claim – I would therefore welcome the sight of any such evidence or be advised where I might find it. CCTV certainly has a role in certain distinct and discreet areas of crime detection and evidence gathering, but I do not think (although in the absence of details of the scheme’s objectives which are required to be made public under the Code of Practice it is impossible to be certain) the current Norden scheme falls under that category.

As the CE RMBC is prepared to make such confident public statements, which evidently form the basis of the expenditure of considerable and continuing sums of public funds, I can reasonably assume that the appropriate evidence is readily available, and that such evidence is readily available for inspection and discusson..

I believe public policy is best moved forward on the basis of co-operation and agreement, rather than in an adversarial and contested fashion. I look forward therefore to an early and helpful response as I know that there is a large reservoir of public feeling and opinion that supports the above suggestions, currently not marshalled or organised, and to some extent silent, but which can rapidly be gathered to express their current concerns.

I look forward to hearing your prompt, detailed, and helpful response. I can be readily contacted at the above address. We need to concentrate our energies as the holiday season looms when youth seeks to express it’s energy – let’s make sure it is funnelled into useful and non disruptive activity.

The ball, as they say is in your court.

Edward Teague

PS A copy of the Rochdale Safer Communities Strategy would be welcome.

CC by e-mail to Cllrs Hobhouse, van Reden, James / Jane Gartside.
Lee Durrant RMBC
Copy posted on the big.bro website

Sussex Police spend £380,000 on schemes for the young.

2005-05-26T11:27:00.000Z

Sussex Police Authority leads the way in helping young people, it sets aside more than £380,000 each year for grants to address community safety and fear of crime issues. More than 30 projects were funded in the last year, mostly involving young people and vulnerable people.

GO 4 IT

"Go 4 it" provides practical skills in all aspects of the motor trade to over 200 young people across Crawley, Mid Sussex and Horsham. The project provides youngsters with safe driving skills and will help them to develop opportunities to find successful employment and divert young people at risk of offending from getting involved in crime. The scheme is managed by Crawley College, supported by West Sussex, Crawley, Horsham and Mid Sussex councils and youth services in the area. (Tayside Police (follow link for details of many other schemes) have a BANGERSTOX scheme aimed primarily at combating car crime. Young people are referred to a 12-week course, which includes car maintenance and the chance to race a buggy style vehicle or larger stock car at relevant venues. Young people are also encouraged to develop their skills, and move onto relevant further education at Perth College. Some young people have been funnelled into employment through the project. see Alastair McClinmont 01738 444244)

Herstmonceux Skateboard Park

The Authority is helping to launch this project to build a BMX and skateboard course for young people in the area so they don’t use unsuitable areas to skate on.

SNAP Dance Events - Say No And Phone (SNAP) is a Crimestoppers initiative to discourage young people from using drugs. Dance nights have taken place across Sussex including Eastbourne, Worthing and Haywards Heath. These events attract hundreds of young people with the emphasis on you don't need drugs to get high and they have been very successful.
If you would like information about the Authority's grants and an application form, please contact:
Emma Welfare / Member Support Officer
East Sussex BN7 1SW
Telephone: 01273 482634

Police Community Support Officers get thumbs down in Camden

2005-05-25T19:18:00.000Z

Camden Gazette 25th May 2005

A MORI poll was undertaken recently in Camden, London this showed ;

1. More than half the respondents say they have seen a police officer in their area in the last week.

2. 64 % of respondents said they were "a lot" reassured by police foot patrols.

Camden Town District Management Committee vice-chairman Paul Tomlinson, said: "PCSOs are cheaper policemen. Only being able to detain someone for 30 minutes is not really effective policing. If they're going to invest in officers it should be full police officers not PCSOs."

Mr Tomlinson added: "I've seen two police on the beat this morning, walking along the pavement. There's more activity, which is good. That's what we want and that's what we're paying for.

Silla Carron, chairwoman of the Clarence Way Tenants' Association, in Camden Town, said:
"The police are doing their job”, she added: "PCSOs are wannabes.” , she added ,” You'd be better off with a copper who's got the power of arrest.”

Inspector Taylor Wilson, of Camden police, said: "I don't know why the public feels that way about PCSOs”
----------------------
Perhaps Inspector Taylor should get out on the streets of Camden and ask a hoodie what a "wannabe" is.

Westminster Council listens in to Soho crowds.

2005-05-25T18:53:00.000Z

Big Brother is listening... as well as watching ...see pic.
Iain Thomson, VNU net 04 May 2005

Westminster Council is piloting a scheme to install microphones on lampposts to augment CCTV coverage with audio snooping.
7 microphones are now in place in and around the Soho area of London. Stage 2 of the project will see microphones put up in "noise hotspots" Lissom Grove and Churchill Gardens housing estates.

"Currently if a resident complains about noise the offenders could have stopped by the time an official can get to the scene," said a council spokesman.

"The microphones only activate if noise levels reach above a certain threshold. There isn't someone listening in to everyone 24 hours a day."

Both the cameras and microphones can be moved and focused on any problems. The microphones will use the existing Wi-Fi network that links the cameras to Westminster's central monitoring station.

The council insists that there are no plans to introduce blanket coverage across Westminster.

One of the problems the microphone designers faced was how to deal with London's pigeons. The spokesman confirmed that the cameras had been designed "with London's avian population in mind".
------------
Pity it wasn't designed with London's human population in mind - don't under any circumstances use any rude words, tell a dirty joke.....

CCTV thief nicks himself

2005-05-25T18:40:00.000Z

ic Renfrewshire report

Alan Hill filmed himself as he nicked the security camera from a complex for the elderly in the West End of Paisley.

Hill, 31, of Waverley Road, Foxbar, Paisley, pleaded guilty at Paisley Sheriff Court to stealing the security camera from the Renfrewshire Council-run complex - Gallagher House in March 2004.

The court was told the CCTV unit had been in position and working when the warden carried out her checks and ended her shift. Next morning she returned to find it had been removed but film footage viewed showed a male wearing a distinctive Republic of Ireland top and with a tattoo on his elbow, had been captured taking it.

Police were called and, on seeing the evidence against him, quizzed Hill, who, despite the footage, denied involvement.

Sheriff Kavanagh asked: "Was he looking into the camera while he stole it?"

He was told that was what had taken place.

A defence agent stressed her client had been under the influence of drugs at the time.

Sheriff Kavanagh deferred sentence for 6 months and called for a supplementary social enquiry report, ordering the accused to be of good behaviour.

He warned sternly: "I want to see if the progress you are making can continue but if you offend during this period, I will jail you."

A friend of the accused said: "He realises now how stupid he was. You just don't go out and film yourself nicking a camera. He's a bit of a laughing stock."

Here is a good idea... er....

2005-05-25T18:22:00.000Z

Mobile CCTV to keep eye on park BBC report

Rangers at a newly Middlesbrough's re - furbished Albert Park spark are using CCTV in their van to cut the "threat of anti-social behaviour."

The equipment in the £12,000 scheme will be used for areas not covered by static cameras.

The aim is to "reassure park users" and tackle problems such as underage drinkers, assaults and thefts.

Park manager Stuart Johnson: "We thought it would be a good idea to put a mobile CCTV camera in the van to cover the blind spots.

"It is also a back-up and deterrent to help the staff who work every day in the park from early in the morning to late hours at night."
-------------
Now forgive me if I'm wrong, but it needs a person looking at the screen, sat in the van that has the camera attached. Now could that person be walking about checking on the park ? So we spend £12,000 so this guy can sit down and watch a monitor all day instead of patrolling ? That doesn't seem like a good use of time ...or money to me.

Stuart Johnson thinks it is a good idea - I think it's a time and money wasting idea.

Liverpool City staff use CCTV system for "voyeurism"

2005-05-25T18:11:00.000Z

CCTV workers on voyeurism charge BBC May 25th 2005

Four council workers from Merseyside who allegedly used CCTV cameras as a "peeping tom" tool have been charged with voyeurism.

It is claimed the men, who worked for Sefton Council, pointed a street safety camera into a woman's flat.

All four were also charged on Thursday with misconduct in a public office.

They are: Kevin Judge, 42, of Waterloo, Vincent David Broderick, 52, of Sefton, David Welsh, 40, of Anfield, and Mark Summerton, 37, of Kirkdale.( so it's not youths causing the trouble here then !)

At the time of the alleged incident, in November last year, the men were employed in the council's CCTV operation centre in Bootle.

Mr Summerton, of Humber Close, and Mr Broderick, of Waterside, also face a further charge of attempted voyeurism on a separate occasion.

A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said the men would appear before South Sefton Magistrates on 27 May.

Sefton Council has 70 cameras in Bootle, Waterloo, Crosby, Litherland, Netherton, Aintree and Southport. The exact location of the cameras in question has not been disclosed.
-------------------------

S0 these guys have been misusing the CCTV system - 7 months ago - yes 7 months ago - and they won't tell us where ? Surely the Code of Practice was designed to stop this sort of activity ?

Mobile camera puts yobs in frame - BBC today

2005-05-25T18:03:00.000Z

BBC Online 25th May 2005
A new mobile CCTV camera is to target troublemakers in Plymouth city centre.

Police will be able to deploy the £15,000 battery-powered machine at problem areas and monitor it from a viewer hidden in a briefcase.

It will also be linked to the CCTV centre which monitors 250 cameras in the city centre.

Town centre manager David Draffan, said: "It's like James Bond. Officers will be able to sit in a cafe round the corner and watch what's going on."

The machine, paid for by the city council and Home Office, will be deployed from Wednesday.(today)

-----------------
Well I suppose it beats having someone on ...the ...er well...beat ? But then he wouldn't feel like 007 then would he? Now is this discouraging crime ?

This is the sort of infantile thinking that pervades the idea of crime prevention in our towns and cities.

Here is an interesting use of Street CCTV ...

2005-05-24T20:56:00.000Z

BREAKING NEWS: Strip traffic camera zooms in on bar-goers
State trooper spokesman says investigation ongoing

By Jon Gargis 15 September 2003
News Director Tuscaloosa Alabama

The traffic camera featured on Comcast Cable's Channel 45 was showing more than just traffic early Friday -- it was following people on the Strip.

The Crimson White learned at about 1:45 a.m. Friday that the traffic camera at the intersection of University Boulevard and Reed Street, which usually remains stationary, was panning, tilting and zooming in on people and objects along the Strip.

The Strip camera operator(s) manipulated the camera to zoom in on several college-aged women's breasts and buttocks as they walked down the street. The operator(s) also captured a group of young men who had spotted the camera's movement and were making various gestures and movements.

The manipulated camera was controlled by someone from the Alabama State Troopers Office.

"We don't condone that at the city, and we should think that neither would the State Troopers Office," Robinson said.

While Channel 45 usually shows an Alabama weather map for a few seconds and switches to various traffic cameras across the county for a few seconds at a time, the channel only showed the view of the University Boulevard and Reed Street intersection's camera. The instrumental music that usually plays on the channel was also absent during the broadcast of the Strip-focused camera.

..."We can tell where [the commands] came from, but right now we don't believe this act was an intentional override to put [the camera's view] on the channel," Howell said.

Howell and Robinson said they were made aware of the problem by the Tuscaloosa Police Department at 3:30 a.m. They said they were told the camera movement began after 3 a.m. and lasted until 4 or 4:30 a.m. They added they were unaware Friday afternoon of any camera manipulation before 3 a.m.

Robinson said actions could be taken against agencies that allow misuse of the cameras to happen.

"We're concerned that this does not happen again," he said.

and only last month

SF cop who reportedly ogled women is suspended for 9 months

Bay City News (San Francisco) Thursday, April 21, 2005

A police officer has been suspended from the SFPD for nine months for reportedly using surveillance cameras to ogle women at San Francisco International Airport, according to a spokesman with the San Francisco Police Commission.

Officer William Rossi received the maximum penalty, short of termination, Sgt. Joe Reilly said today.

Rossi was supposed to be patrolling airport roads and parking lots during his Feb. 29, 2004 shift, when he reportedly used the airport's closed-circuit television system to focus on women's breasts and buttocks, police Chief Heather Fong said in charging documents.

Rossi allegedly spent a total of 3 hours manipulating and monopolizing 6 of the cameras, charging documents say.
------------
That's why we have a Code of Practice in the UK. But of course if people don't follow it .....don't use it......

big bro Press release No 1

2005-05-24T20:13:00.000Z

big.bro press
6 Albury Drive, Rochdale OL12 7SX 01706 861552 e – zizania@gmail.com

Wednesday 24th May 2005

big.bro is a newly formed group calling for a re-examination of the installation of a CCTV remotely controlled CCTV camera on Edenfield Road, Norden.
The procedures mandated by the Information Commissioner in the CCTV “Code of Practice” published by her under powers Section 51(3) b Data Protection Act 1998) have not been followed.

It appears that the intention of installing the camera was in response to problems and residents and traders complaints about youthful vandalism in the locality.
We therefore call for removal of the camera and associated talking lamp post and a full consultation with residents, traders and interested parties by the Councillors calling for a public meeting at Shawfield School and for them to ask for attendance by all the appropriate and interested Council / Government parties, Police / Fire / Social Services.

If the Councillors, who represent everyone in the area, do not do so, we will convene a meeting to allow full, fair, frank, open discussion of the problem that youths cause in the area. We also want to consider how we can utilise for the benefit of youth in the area the use of the soon to be redundant library building in Norden.
We feel that the installation of the cameras, was hasty, ill conceived, maladroit, failed to conform to the legally required procedures and was not based upon adequate local consultation, on the problems the system is supposed to address.

We have taken this matter up with Councillor Hobhouse, Wera van Reden, Jane Gartside and James Gartside and have not received to date any substantive response.

ENDS

More @ www.big-bro.blogspot.com

Why big bro ?

2005-05-24T20:07:00.000Z

HI ! I'm Edward Teague 62, trained as a botanist, founded and ran, for 25 years, Software Systems Europe Ltd., designing software systems for manufacturing industry.
Norden resident for 19 years. Not a member of any political party. Hon. Treasurer of Norden Village Pigeon racing Club. Has been involved in local campaigns involving the rejection of a mobile radio mast near Shawfield School, and the Scoutmoor Wind Farm . For nearly 3 years in the 70’s taught evening classes at Buckley Hall Detention Centre.

I have very strong feelings about the reflexive response of society and authority to using legal, punitive measures to deal with children. Believes this stems from an undeclared war on our children.

Chemical contraception, abortion, selfish adult divorce ( do you ever hear of children divorcing their parents ?) have all taught people, alienation of the child from the womb to the classroom.

The war on adolescents, is increasingly waged by adults with legal and technological fixes, Dispersal Orders, ASBO’s, school exclusion, the medicalization of problems (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) remember Dennis the Menace, Billy Whizz and the Bash Street Kids ? ) and their resultant treatment with chemicals…Ritalin, Risperidone, the use of SSRIs (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors), including Prozac and Seroxat. The prurient demonisation of adolescent sexuality and sexual experimentation.

This of course always happens elsewhere – in the next town – in shopping malls says the Prime Minister – filling station says the deputy Prime Minister. You can identify the baddies by their hoodies ? Oh yeah ?

Now we have become more aware of a problem in Norden, that has been in our midst since I have lived here.

Reflexively we reach for the legal fix – Dispersal Orders – resulting in ASBO’s. To police this we demand CCTV cameras, talking lamp posts – we don’t want to catch them after the event – surely we should try harder to stop them before they start on that short, sharp, steep, slope to really criminal behaviour ?

Let’s just stop and have a good think about the problem before we proceed any further down the primrose path of even more state control. Some folks of course would prefer more street patrols of uniformed Police.

I was lucky I had a Big Brother. He looked after me, looked out for me, taught me the rules, showed me the kicks, pointed out the pricks. It was a big bad world out there. It is a big bad world out there.

That’s why we need a big bro

Agree ? Disagree ? get in touch 01706 861 552 or e-mail zizania@gmail.com

On the spit fines

2005-05-24T18:20:00.000Z

Chewing gum is a spot on the pavement (US = sidewalk) a stain on the stone, that won’t budge – it costs local authorities a lot of money to remove.

Well, now the forces of Laura Norder are going to stop the spot, eradicate the stain.

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 anyone can be fined on the spot up to £50 for littering – not something that absorbs PC Plod’s time or effort. Well the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003 made littering illegal and the Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005 defines gum and smoking materials (not just butts) as litter. Local Authorities can now fine you for spitting gum – that means the new breed of ersatz plods, Street Wardens, “Community” Wardens and maybe even Traffic Wardens can fine the gum spitter (but not the swallower) up to £50 – er…on the spot.

The Chewing Gum Action Group, (honestly) sponsored by Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), includes chewing gum industry representatives, the Keep Britain Tidy Group, the DfES, the Local Government Association and the street-cleaning industry has launched a publicity drive which includes both "awareness-raising" advertising and publicity to reinforce strict enforcement measures. This includes posters in busy shopping areas and on telephone boxes and beer mats.

They want to stop gum- gobbing and save money for local authorities faced with big clean-up bills for scraping used gum off the streets.
A special trial began today in Preston and will be extended next month to Manchester and Maidstone.

Specially-designed disposal pouches will be handed out in pedestrian shopping areas. Local councils will also employ trained wardens to issue fines to those who drop gum.

Ben Bradshaw, the oleaginous Exeter MP who lives in Tony Blair’s trousers and is the Environment Minister (also singlehandedly has helped to effect the destruction of the North Sea Cod) said in Ministry Press Release:
"The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act passed by Parliament before the election included a range of measures to improve the appearance of the local environment. One of them was making it clear that chewing gum is litter and that people who get caught dropping it are liable to be fined.

Reaction to the campaign will be assessed ( let me guess, ...... let’s roll it out nationwide) and the information used to develop a national campaign later this year.

So yet again this Gubment of obsessed micro-managers are flooding our streets, overlooked universally by CCTV cameras, with swarming uniformed Wardens with powers for on the spit fines.

“Man proud man dressed in a little brief authority”.
Measure for Measure (Isabella Act II,Sc. ii)

Want my reaction to the campaign ? I fucking despair.

Treating Kids Like Dogs

2005-05-17T17:36:00.000Z

Edited from a piece in the Albuquerque Tribune May 16, 2005, by M J Wilde

So I'm at the mall the other day to buy a book….

She wasn't taking her kid for a walk. No. This mall kid was in a harness on a leash. Mom was 10 steps behind the little nose-miner, who was straining so hard against the harness he looked like a bulldog muscling through his territory.

This, my friends, is what we've come to. We've created such a messed up society that children are unsafe and parents are scared to death to walk in any crowd.

This is how it's passed on, I thought. The idea that freedom can be controlled by fear. And nine times out of 10, fear seems to win.

I see them everywhere now. Soon that harness and leash won't just be for mall crawling or crowded airports or parks. We'll be putting kids on an umbilical leash as soon as they can walk. They'll create kid walking parks and McDonald's will sell happy-leash meals.

All I'm saying is I think some kids on leashes might grow up to be adults willing to be led around on choke chains held by the greedy hands of some omnipresent corporation like Disney or Wal-Mart or Burger King that will lobby to tattoo bar codes on their foreheads.

As good an idea as the harness and leash seems to be now, it has the potential to become like the straitjacket being tightened on our democracy. The leash and harness can only lead to more of the same for future generations.

There'll be more interest in such lame distractions like dumb-bunny runaway brides, Brad and Angelina, Jane Fonda's kinky sex stories and who was eliminated on "Survivor." Meanwhile, the government will continue to silently rip up the Constitution and pass bills that require us to submit to daily retinal scans and weekly Homeland Security colonoscopies.

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Home Office advice on issuing ASBO's

2005-05-15T06:48:00.000Z

5.2 The two most relevant statutory provisions are section 115 of the Crime and Disorder Act and the Data Protection Act 1998:

• Section 115 provides that any person (whether a private individual or member of a public body) can lawfully disclose information, where necessary or expedient, for the purposes of any provision of the Act, to a relevant authority or a person acting on behalf of such an authority, even if he or she would not otherwise have this power. Under the Act "relevant authority" means: the chief officer of police, the police authority, the local authority, the probation committee or the health authority.

• The Data Protection Act exempts from its normal restrictions the disclosure of personal information, the provision of such data for the purposes of the prevention or detection of crime, or the apprehension or prosecution of offenders, and where failure to disclose would be likely to prejudice those objectives in a particular case.

More Law, Less Order

2005-05-15T06:28:00.000Z

The government has plans, post - election, to do more about, what the Prime Minister calls, yobbish behaviour and "disrespect".

Home Office minister Ms. Hazel Blears (single and childless) told the Sunday Observer that young offenders could be made to wear uniforms while carrying out community service punishments. "People feel very strongly that they don't often see justice being done." Ms. Blears also said she wanted parents to enforce sensible bedtimes for children and restore "structure" to family life, such as eating meals together.

In a rare spirit of generosity Ms, Blears said she did not want people " breaking rocks" in chain gangs, as in some parts of the USA …. but visibly doing something useful.

In typical style the “floating” of this nonsensical idea of “uniforms” is…according to a Home Office spokesman “an idea,” not a firm policy proposal.

Chris Stanley Head of Policy for the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (Nacro), dismissed the idea, which he said could cause vigilante action.

Mr Stanley added: "There's no evidence from anywhere that this type of thing has any deterrent effect."

The government feels it is empowered after the election to do more about “yobbish” behaviour and "disrespect".

This week the Queen will read a speech that is “rumoured” to include several measures to crackdown on violent crime. New measures will deal with binge drinking, give schools the "right" to search pupils for weapons, and propose giving community groups and parish councils the power to apply for Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs).

Pics show Maricopa County chain female inmates on chain gang duty in Phoenix, Arizona October 21, 2003. Padlocked together by the ankle and marched military style the women are marched to a van to be transported to their work site. Women volunteer for chain gang duty to get out of lockdown, where 4 prisoners are shut in a cell 8' x 12' , 23 hours day. 30 days on the chain gang , picking up trash, weeding or burying bodies, they can get out of the punishment cell.