Latest news with #OperationSoteria
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
MSP proposes spraying solution to scooters and e-bike issues in Stirling
The politician is "imploring" Forth Valley police force to use the special tagging spray amid the widespread misuse of off-road bikes and motorcycles. Spraying offenders who misuse motorised bikes with a special liquid could be the answer to a growing issue in Stirling and across the Forth Valley says a local politician. Police need to use SelectaDNA tagging spray in the battle to clamp down on illegal use of off-road bikes, e-bikes, motorcycles and e-scooters says Conservative Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alexander Stewart. Mr Stewart, who lives in Bridge of Allan, is 'imploring' Forth Valley Police to use the sprays amid reports circulating that a number of Police Scotland divisions are successfully using them in the fight against antisocial behaviour. The handheld sprays are designed to be used by officers to target offenders involved in the antisocial and illegal use of motorcycles, and bicycles, including electric bikes. The spray is aimed by officers at bikes, clothing and skin of any riders and passengers with a uniquely-coded but invisible DNA that doesn't wash off and will provide forensic evidence to link them to a specific crime. SelectaDNA Defence Sprays have already been used by Police Scotland to tackle motorcycle crime in Edinburgh. They were deployed to officers as part of Operation Soteria which led to a reduction of 60 per cent in offences. Mr Stewart said: 'The spray's manufacturer, Selectamark Security Systems plc, has been at the forefront of providing world class property marking solutions since 1985. Since that time, Selectamark has helped homeowners, businesses, local authorities and schools protect their property, marking over 30 million valuable items. 'The use of this tagging spray is one more tool that officers will have at their disposal to help detect illegal and antisocial activity associated with motorcycle and bike crime. 'I know this burgeoning issue is one that is of great concern to our communities; I implore our Police Scotland division in Forth Valley to consider adopting this proven method to combat the horrific antisocial behaviour that many of us experience on a daily basis.' Supt Lynsey Kidd said Mr Stewart's correspondence was received on Wednesday and would be responded to directly 'as appropriate'. She added: 'Officers throughout Forth Valley Division work hard to combat antisocial behaviour. We understand such incidents can have negative effect on our local communities. Please be assured that officers carry out regular patrols and additional officers will be directed to wherever such incidents are taking place. 'We also urge parents, guardians and the local community to support us. If you see any type of disorder, or youths congregating and causing a disturbance, please report it to us at the time so we can investigate. If you have any concerns regarding antisocial behaviour, please speak to officers or contact us through 101.'
The Advertiser
15-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Central Coast teen charged over dozens of car thefts, break-ins
A Central Coast teenager has been charged with dozens of offences after police allegedly linked him to a string of break-ins and car thefts across the region. The boy was re-arrested at Umina Beach about 8am on Wednesday, May 14, and taken to Gosford Police Station, where he was charged with four counts of aggravated break and enter, five counts of car theft, seven additional vehicle-related offences, and several other charges. Police said they seized the boy's phone during an earlier arrest and later uncovered evidence allegedly connecting him to 21 more incidents of break-ins and vehicle thefts across the suburbs of Woy Woy, Pearl Beach, Macmasters Beach, Bensville, Copacabana, Terrigal and Kincumber between February and April. Several stolen vehicles were recovered in the Umina Beach area, police said. The boy was refused bail and appeared before a Children's Court the same day. Police said investigations under Operation Soteria were ongoing. A Central Coast teenager has been charged with dozens of offences after police allegedly linked him to a string of break-ins and car thefts across the region. The boy was re-arrested at Umina Beach about 8am on Wednesday, May 14, and taken to Gosford Police Station, where he was charged with four counts of aggravated break and enter, five counts of car theft, seven additional vehicle-related offences, and several other charges. Police said they seized the boy's phone during an earlier arrest and later uncovered evidence allegedly connecting him to 21 more incidents of break-ins and vehicle thefts across the suburbs of Woy Woy, Pearl Beach, Macmasters Beach, Bensville, Copacabana, Terrigal and Kincumber between February and April. Several stolen vehicles were recovered in the Umina Beach area, police said. The boy was refused bail and appeared before a Children's Court the same day. Police said investigations under Operation Soteria were ongoing. A Central Coast teenager has been charged with dozens of offences after police allegedly linked him to a string of break-ins and car thefts across the region. The boy was re-arrested at Umina Beach about 8am on Wednesday, May 14, and taken to Gosford Police Station, where he was charged with four counts of aggravated break and enter, five counts of car theft, seven additional vehicle-related offences, and several other charges. Police said they seized the boy's phone during an earlier arrest and later uncovered evidence allegedly connecting him to 21 more incidents of break-ins and vehicle thefts across the suburbs of Woy Woy, Pearl Beach, Macmasters Beach, Bensville, Copacabana, Terrigal and Kincumber between February and April. Several stolen vehicles were recovered in the Umina Beach area, police said. The boy was refused bail and appeared before a Children's Court the same day. Police said investigations under Operation Soteria were ongoing. A Central Coast teenager has been charged with dozens of offences after police allegedly linked him to a string of break-ins and car thefts across the region. The boy was re-arrested at Umina Beach about 8am on Wednesday, May 14, and taken to Gosford Police Station, where he was charged with four counts of aggravated break and enter, five counts of car theft, seven additional vehicle-related offences, and several other charges. Police said they seized the boy's phone during an earlier arrest and later uncovered evidence allegedly connecting him to 21 more incidents of break-ins and vehicle thefts across the suburbs of Woy Woy, Pearl Beach, Macmasters Beach, Bensville, Copacabana, Terrigal and Kincumber between February and April. Several stolen vehicles were recovered in the Umina Beach area, police said. The boy was refused bail and appeared before a Children's Court the same day. Police said investigations under Operation Soteria were ongoing.
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Thousands of rapes and sexual assaults reported in UK hospitals
Disturbing new figures show thousands of reports of rape and sexual assault being made from hospitals across England and Wales following an investigation by the Mirror Thousands of horrific sexual offences including rape are being reported in British hospitals, new figures obtained by the Mirror show. We sent Freedom of Information requests to 43 police forces in England and Wales asking for the number of reported incidents of sexual assaults and rape recorded at hospitals in their area, to which 28 provided a response. In total, 2,569 reports of sexual assault and 743 of rape were made to the police as having taken place on hospital grounds between January 2022 and January 2025. This is equivalent to more than 1,000 reports of sexual assaults and rape every year. Alarmingly, only 158 incidents resulted in a charge in either category. In five police areas, reports of rape or sexual assault ended up with not a single case of anyone being charged. Check your area You can check all the police areas for which we received data in the interactive table below - click the blue keywords to see the different types of crime: Many incidents are taking place on hospital wards While many forces did not hold information on the specific location where the offences were reported within the hospital, the figures also showed that 1,132 of these incidents were confirmed to have taken place on hospital wards. Northumbria Police had the highest number of reported incidents of sexual assault at 315, and 62 reports of rape. A total of 16 people were charged. The force told the Mirror: "When comparing figures nationally, it is important to recognise that there can be many factors which impact these, including the size of an area and population. "Comparing Forces which vary greatly in respect of these and other elements can present an incomplete picture. As a Force, we take all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously. "We are committed to ensuring victims are listened to and receive support, including from specialist officers. Our dedicated teams will also carry out a thorough and professional investigation to bring offenders to justice. "This includes working with the Crown Prosecution Service and other criminal justice partners to look at how we can bring cases to court. We are also part of the national Operation Soteria initiative, which aims to enhance outcomes for victims and bring meaningful change in how investigations are carried out. "We are further committed to working with our partners within communities to help prevent incidents from occurring. We would encourage anyone who has been subjected to any form of sexual offence to come forward – we want you to know we are here for you." Not all forces released figures The Metropolitan Police were among the 15 forces who did not provide a response to our requests under the Freedom of Information Act. Many cited either high costs involved in retrieving the information, or difficulty in searching police databases for incidents classed as taking place on hospital grounds. Some forces pointed out that some of the recorded offences may simply have taken in place hospital grounds or just outside, and may not have had anything to do with a patient or hospital staff member. Others stated that some incidents of rape could be 'double counted' under the sexual assault tally. But it is likely that there were at least hundreds more incidents taking place in hospitals in other parts of the country during this period that are not reflected in our figures, due to the number of forces who did not respond. 'I thought I would die that night' Our revelations come after a woman who was horrifically raped in a hospital toilet last Christmas said she thought she would "die that night." Lee James Mullen, 38, from Flint, North Wales, admitted sexual assault by penetration and inflicting grievous bodily harm after the shocking incident at the NHS Glan Clwyd hospital in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, on December 10 2024. Convicted rapist Mullen held his hand over the victim's mouth and told her he would kill her if she reported him. He was previously sentenced to 11 years after gagging and raping a woman in 2015. In February, Mullen was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of seven years. He was given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a Restraining Order, and was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. In a brave impact statement read out in court, his victim said: "On the night of the attack, even when I lay on the floor trapped, having taken a deep breath and played dead, you still punched me twice and assaulted me by penetration…I believed I was going to die that night in the toilets of a hospital, a place that's meant to be for health, love, safety and trust… "My greatest wish is that you never, ever do this to anyone again putting them through the trauma of what I went through that night, and I continue to go through to this day. I promise you now, I will rise like a phoenix from the ashes." The force that arrested him, North Wales Police, recorded 53 reports of sexual assault during the three-year period, including rape. Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust meanwhile spent an extra £250,000 on boosting hospital security last year after an elderly woman was subjected to a sickening sexual assault while being treated at the city's Royal Infirmary. Peter Dzudza, 28, a drug user with schizophrenia, burst into the 'vulnerable' 71-year-old woman's private cubicle, kissed her on the mouth and put his hand down her dressing gown as she lay in bed awaiting an X-ray, Bradford Crown Court heard. He fled the cubicle when she started screaming. CCTV footage from the hospital later captured Dzudza sat in a corridor watching porn on his mobile phone and performing a sex act. Dzudza, who had been "staying" in Bradford Royal Infirmary because he was "homeless and cold", was jailed for 27 months in September. And last February, former hospital worker Sidharth Nair, 28, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for rape and four counts of sexual assault on a woman at NHS Whiston Hospital in Prescot, Merseyside. Nair, who had been responsible for the woman's care after she was admitted to hospital, began by sniffing the woman's underwear and massaging her feet, later groping her breasts while telling her he was doing a "body map." He then sexually assaulted his victim while taking her to the toilet, and ignored her pleas to stop. The same evening, he followed her into the toilet, attempted to "clean" her, and forced her to touch him before raping her in her bed. After the attack, he told her: "I won't see you again". Nair had been employed as a healthcare assistant for only around two weeks before carrying out the attack. Calls for tougher safeguarding measures and better training Ciara Bergman, CEO of charity Rape Crisis, described the figures obtained by the Mirror as "deeply concerning" and called for tougher safeguarding measures in hospitals. She said: "We know that sexual violence as a crime is vastly underreported, so these statistics are unlikely to be representative of the real figure. That so few reported rapes and sexual assaults in hospitals resulted in a charge is unacceptable. "What this speaks to is the need for rigorous safeguarding measures in place, and for hospital staff to have access to specialist sexual violence and abuse training. It is crucial that all reports of rape and sexual assault are taken seriously, and that survivors are treated with the empathy and care they deserve. "Criminal justice can be vitally important for victims and survivors, but so too is access to specialist support. All survivors, whether they choose to report or not, deserve help to understand the profound impacts of trauma, and re-establish a life after sexual violence and abuse. "The demand for specialist support has reached unprecedented levels in recent years: that is why we're calling for long-term and sustainable funding for sexual violence support services, like those provided by Rape Crisis centres." A government spokesperson told the Mirror: 'These figures are shocking. NHS organisations have a responsibility to protect both patients and staff, to ensure robust measures are in place to stop sexual assaults happening in NHS services and premises, and to take action to fully investigate any cases that are reported. 'Last year, NHS England set out a National People Policy Framework on Sexual Misconduct – setting out the standards of behaviour, roles and responsibilities, and support structures for tackling sexual misconduct.'
The Independent
11-03-2025
- The Independent
Stacey Dooley says she wouldn't go to police if she was raped
Stacey Dooley has said she had the 'bleak' realisation that 'if somebody raped me, I don't think I would go to the police.' The TV presenter, 38, is the face of a new BBC programme called Rape On Trial. The show investigates the significant delays to UK rape court cases and long waiting times for victims of alleged rape and sexual assault. Speaking about the programme, Dooley said after speaking to countless women about their experiences of the system, she didn't think she would report an attack to the police. She told The Radio Times: 'If somebody raped me, I don't think I would go to the police, which is so bleak and such a disappointing realisation … But in terms of what I've witnessed, I wouldn't feel confident.' She also said that women have been inspired by France's Gisele Pelicot, who was drugged by her husband Dominique Pelicot, and raped by him and dozens of other men, between 2011 and 2020. Dooley called her a 'powerhouse' and said she wonders 'if even she really understands the magnitude of what she's done for other women', following Ms Pelicot waiving her right to anonymity by speaking at the trial, after police told her of her husband's crimes. The TV presenter said 'the bravery it takes' to report rape and sexual assault 'is unbelievable' as 'it's one of the few crimes where your credibility is immediately brought into question'. There is a record-high crown court backlog in England and Wales, which has almost doubled in five years to 73,105 at the end of September last year. The Victims' Commissioner Baroness Newlove published a report earlier this month which found many victims of serious offences including rape, murder and robbery, are facing years-long waits for justice. The report also said that victims are struggling to cope, with many unable to work or turning to drugs, alcohol and self-harm as they face the uncertainty. Dooley also spoke about another one of her upcoming documentary shows, Meet The Shoplifters, where she meets people who steal and staff members dealing with the issue. She admitted that she took items from shops when she was young, saying she 'perhaps tried to justify it in some way' when she was a young teenager, but now does not understand how she could have behaved that way. There was nearly half a million cases of shoplifting recorded by police in England and Wales in the year up to September 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The figure of a total of 492,914 shoplifting offences logged by forces in the year to September 2024 is the highest since current records began in the year to March 2003. Chief Constable Sarah Crew, of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), said the 'effective investigation and prosecution of rape' is 'one of the most important challenges facing the criminal justice system'. She explained: 'We are working hard in policing to improve our response to rape and sexual offences. 'All 43 police forces in England and Wales have signed up to Operation Soteria, a transformational approach to rape and sexual offences investigation. 'This has seen policing open its doors to scrutiny from independent academics to look at the way police investigate rape. We are facing this directly, transparently and uncompromisingly. This process is not easy, but it is vital. 'Delivering rape investigations differently is helping us to rebuild trust and confidence, and we are seeing a steep increase in arrests and charges. 'According to the crime survey of England and Wales, fewer than one in six victims of rape and assault by penetration report the crime to the police. 'We believe the work we are doing under Operation Soteria is starting to close this gap, enabling more victims to pursue justice and allowing policing to bring more offenders to justice. 'However, policing cannot do this alone, so we are working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service and across the criminal justice system to ensure that every agency plays their part in tackling this horrific crime.' She urged victims of rape or sexual assault to report their incidents to the police saying they would be 'treated sensitively' and with 'respect and empathy'. Ms Crew added: 'We work closely with sexual assault referral centres (Sarcs) and independent sexual violence advisers (ISVAs) and we would urge anyone who is not comfortable with going to the police to use these independent specialist services instead.' Dooley has presented the Panorama episode Stacey Meets The IS Brides and the documentaries Stacey Dooley: Locked Up With The Lifers, and Stacey Dooley: Stalkers. The Luton-born presenter made her acting stage debut in 2:22 A Ghost Story last year, and won Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 with her partner Kevin Clifton, who she went on to have one child with. Another upcoming show from her, Growing Up Gypsy, will see Dooley exploring young women's lives in the traveller community.
The Independent
11-03-2025
- The Independent
Stacey Dooley: I had bleak realisation I don't think I would report if raped
Stacey Dooley said: 'If somebody raped me, I don't think I would go to the police,' after hearing stories of women's experiences with the courts and investigators. The TV presenter, 38, is bringing out the new BBC programme Rape On Trial, which covers the delays to court cases and waiting times for victims of alleged rape and sexual assault. Dooley told The Radio Times: 'If somebody raped me, I don't think I would go to the police, which is so bleak and such a disappointing realisation … But in terms of what I've witnessed, I wouldn't feel confident.' She also said that women have been inspired by France's Gisele Pelicot, who was drugged by her husband Dominique Pelicot, and raped by him and dozens of other men, between 2011 and 2020. Dooley called her a 'powerhouse' and said she wonders 'if even she really understands the magnitude of what she's done for other women', following Ms Pelicot waiving her right to anonymity by speaking at the trial, after police told her of her husband's crimes. The TV presenter said 'the bravery it takes' to report rape and sexual assault 'is unbelievable' as 'it's one of the few crimes where your credibility is immediately brought into question'. There is a record-high crown court backlog in England and Wales, which has almost doubled in five years to 73,105 at the end of September last year. The Victims' Commissioner Baroness Newlove published a report earlier this month which found many victims of serious offences including rape, murder and robbery, are facing years-long waits for justice. The report also said that victims are struggling to cope, with many unable to work or turning to drugs, alcohol and self-harm as they face the uncertainty. Dooley also spoke about another one of her upcoming documentary shows, Meet The Shoplifters, where she meets people who steal and staff members dealing with the issue. She admitted that she took items from shops when she was young, saying she 'perhaps tried to justify it in some way' when she was a young teenager, but now does not understand how she could have behaved that way. There was nearly half a million cases of shoplifting recorded by police in England and Wales in the year up to September 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The figure of a total of 492,914 shoplifting offences logged by forces in the year to September 2024 is the highest since current records began in the year to March 2003. Chief Constable Sarah Crew, of the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), said the 'effective investigation and prosecution of rape' is 'one of the most important challenges facing the criminal justice system'. She explained: 'We are working hard in policing to improve our response to rape and sexual offences. 'All 43 police forces in England and Wales have signed up to Operation Soteria, a transformational approach to rape and sexual offences investigation. 'This has seen policing open its doors to scrutiny from independent academics to look at the way police investigate rape. We are facing this directly, transparently and uncompromisingly. This process is not easy, but it is vital. 'Delivering rape investigations differently is helping us to rebuild trust and confidence, and we are seeing a steep increase in arrests and charges. 'According to the crime survey of England and Wales, fewer than one in six victims of rape and assault by penetration report the crime to the police. 'We believe the work we are doing under Operation Soteria is starting to close this gap, enabling more victims to pursue justice and allowing policing to bring more offenders to justice. 'However, policing cannot do this alone, so we are working closely with the Crown Prosecution Service and across the criminal justice system to ensure that every agency plays their part in tackling this horrific crime.' She urged victims of rape or sexual assault to report their incidents to the police saying they would be 'treated sensitively' and with 'respect and empathy'. Ms Crew added: 'We work closely with sexual assault referral centres (Sarcs) and independent sexual violence advisers (ISVAs) and we would urge anyone who is not comfortable with going to the police to use these independent specialist services instead.' Dooley has presented the Panorama episode Stacey Meets The IS Brides and the documentaries Stacey Dooley: Locked Up With The Lifers, and Stacey Dooley: Stalkers. The Luton-born presenter made her acting stage debut in 2:22 A Ghost Story last year, and won Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 with her partner Kevin Clifton, who she went on to have one child with. Another upcoming show from her, Growing Up Gypsy, will see Dooley exploring young women's lives in the traveller community.
