Latest news with #PoliceAndCrimeCommissioner
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
Police chief mocked for telling store owners to call 999 if they see a shoplifter - because 'officers don't show up'
A police boss was branded 'out of touch' for telling shopkeepers to report thieves – because officers often fail to show up. Jon Cummins, the Assistant Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police, advised store owners to dial 999 rather than tackle the offenders themselves. But officers regularly do not attend the scene and instead tell victims to file a report online. These are usually ignored, leaving shopkeepers defenceless to crime. Mr Cummins told the BBC: 'If they see someone shoplifting, my advice to them is they must call us. If they see it, they should immediately call us on 999 and not intervene.' His comments clashed with those of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex, who said that there is no real purpose behind arresting shoplifters as the courts just set them free. Katy Bourne told The Daily Telegraph: 'There is no point arresting shoplifters if there is no effective deterrent.' The lack of clarity from police over how to tackle shoplifting has left many shop owners in despair. Samantha Baker, 31, who owns the gift shop Refine & Design in Yeovil, Somerset, told The Mail on Sunday Mr Cummins 'does not know how bad it is'. She said: 'If you call the police, they are not turning up. It is shocking. I pay my taxes for the police to do their jobs, and they won't.' Grocer who REALLY shames thieves A grocery store boss is shaming suspected shoplifters by posting their CCTV mugshots in his shop window and on social media alongside scathing comments. Suki Athwal, co-owner of Shop Around The Clock in Tenterden, Kent, posted one image of a man who fled the shop after allegedly stealing two crates of Stella Artois, a pizza and a Pukka pie. Mr Athwal, 30, said he found the man at a bus stop but was threatened when he demanded payment. Alongside his Facebook post, he wrote: 'I should be upset about this but the realisation that I'm not needing to drink a lukewarm can of Stella at 8.45am while waiting for a bus made me realise life isn't so bad for me.' Mr Athwal has been asked to take down mugshots due to the 2018 Data Protection Act. But he told The Times he still displays them occasionally as 'a reminder that we're watching'. The row over shoplifting intensified last week when Labour's policing minister Dame Diana Johnson was accused of 'victim blaming' by asking shopkeepers to conceal high-value goods. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'The policing minister's comments were staggering. 'She is saying that law-abiding shopkeepers should have to cover for the explosion of shoplifting which she is presiding over.' Dame Diana's views contrasted with those of Matthew Barber, the Police and Commissioner for Thames Valley, who called on the public to step in when they see a crime. Last night, he said: 'It is disappointing the policing minister of all people does not see the importance of a strong community in preventing crime. 'We have a long tradition of policing by consent in this country. That means the police upholding the law and common values that spring from the community. 'The public should feel empowered to report crimes they see in front of them and be able to call out criminal behaviour knowing the police and courts are on their side.' He was joined by Tim Passmore, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk, who said: 'I cannot understand the ambivalent attitude that some forces seem to take, as it does nothing to improve confidence in policing.' A grocery store boss is shaming suspected shoplifters by posting their CCTV mugshots in his shop window and on social media alongside scathing comments. Suki Athwal, co-owner of Shop Around The Clock in Tenterden, Kent, posted one image of a man who fled the shop after allegedly stealing two crates of Stella Artois, a pizza and a Pukka pie. Mr Athwal, 30, said he found the man at a bus stop but was threatened when he demanded payment. Alongside his Facebook post, he wrote: 'I should be upset about this but the realisation that I'm not needing to drink a lukewarm can of Stella at 8.45am while waiting for a bus made me realise life isn't so bad for me.' Mr Athwal has been asked to take down mugshots due to the 2018 Data Protection Act. But he told The Times he still displays them occasionally as 'a reminder that we're watching'.
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Yahoo
Closed police station to reopen to the public next year
Another police station on the Isle of Wight is reopening to the public. Shanklin Police Station, on Landguard Road, is expected to welcome Islanders once again from next year. It is part of Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Donna Jones's drive to 'bring police closer to communities, improve visibility and deliver excellent local policing.' It will be the third police station to reopen to public on the Island in recent years. Read more: Isle of Wight town centre welcomes return of Cowes Police Station Ryde Police Station on the Isle of Wight reopens to the public Last January, Cowes welcomed a station back to the town after an absence of more than a decade. In October, the front desk at Ryde's police station also reopened to the public. PCC Donna Jones said she was now "delighted" to be reopening the Shanklin's station. She said: 'We've already seen the big difference these front desks have made to our communities, making people feel safer and offering reassurance that police officers are on hand to support victims and get criminals off our streets. 'These renovations go beyond just the new public areas. They will also ensure our officers and staff have better work environments to enable them to do their jobs properly and continue delivering great results for their communities.' It is one of three reopening across the region - others are opening in Bishop's Waltham and Alton.
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Rise in drug trafficking in Derbyshire, report says
Drug trafficking in Derbyshire has increased by more than 60% compared to pre-Covid levels, according to new report by the county's police and crime commissioner says the number of trafficking "occurrences" in 2024 was 1,034, compared to 636 in also said drug deaths in the county had increased by 10% over the past two years, though it did not say how many people had Police said there were a number of factors contributing to the increases, including improved recording processes. As of January this year, police had mapped eight county lines drug shut down about 36 in 2024 and "significantly weakened" 179 others, with 34 children involved in county lines report noted that Derbyshire Police was "constantly closing and mapping new lines in conjunction with the current intelligence and risk picture". Meanwhile Derby North was highlighted as the area with the most drug possession offences in 2024 with a total of had the second highest at 190 and Derbyshire Dales had the lowest number with 66. The report estimated more than 5,000 people across Derbyshire currently use heroin and crack cocaine, although most of these are also receiving added in the past 12 months there had been 1,885 admissions to Derbyshire's hospitals related to heroin and other harmful drugs, with an average cost each time of £3,000. Derbyshire Police said improvements in how crimes are recorded, officers taking a "proactive approach" to targeting drug gangs, and additional training around stop-and-search procedures could have impacted the increase seen in drug trafficking. A spokesperson told the BBC: "If officers are on the front foot and making more arrests and catching criminals, then this will be reflected in the figures."We have a team of officers dedicated to tackling issues associated with drug trafficking, including exploitation and county lines gangs." Derbyshire Police said the use of synthetic opioids was contributing to an increase in drug-related deaths. Officers have been trained to administer Naloxone, a life-saving emergency antidote to opioid overdose, to combat the of June, it had been used to treat people 20 times since May 1,300 officers have been trained to administer the drug in Derbyshire while more than 900 officers in frontline roles have volunteered to carry say that one woman received naloxone on four separate occasions after officers suspected she had taken an overdose each time she was located. The Derbyshire Police spokesperson said while drug-related deaths were increasing nationally, "significant efforts" were being made in Derbyshire to bring the number down"This includes an increase in the availability of specialist treatment and recovery supports for people with drug (and, or alcohol) problems," they said."A multi-agency local drug information system has been established to monitor risks associated with drug use and take actions to reduce risks."Police and partner agencies also have a drug and alcohol-related death multi-agency review process, which seeks to review deaths, learn lessons and inform strategy to prevent further fatalities" The report also said alcohol misuse is also a significant issue in the county with almost 12,000 people dependent on alcohol and only 2,500 receiving and crime commissioner Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts said: "Every drug-related death is tragic and, in most cases, preventable."Partners have made progress and there has been a 9.6% increase of adults in treatment."No-one is under any illusions that there is anything other than more work to do. I will work with all the partners and agencies to ensure this delivers the progress we need to see."
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Lincoln's 'Ryvita building': Offer made on former police station
A potential buyer has been found for a former Lincoln police station dubbed the "Ryvita building".The building, which was built in 1973 to a design resembling the well-known cracker, closed in 2019 when Lincolnshire Police moved to a new centre in the several false starts, including a sale that fell through last year, the building is now "under offer", the website of commercial estate agent Lambert Smith Hampton asking price has not been made public. Lincolnshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones previously said he was keen to find a community use for the building, such as key worker said any funds from the sale would be reinvested in landmark structure stands on a 1.13 acre (0.46 ha) site on the corner of West Parade and Beaumont Fee and includes a car to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the online listing said the building "would suit a variety of alternative uses" including leisure, retail, housing and office space. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Click here to download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and here to download the BBC News app from Google Play for Android devices.
BBC News
30-06-2025
- BBC News
Lancashire grants for groups tackling violence against women
Grants of up to £5,000 are now available to support projects that address violence against women and Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw launched the initiative which focuses on prevention, survivor support and creating safer projects could include educational campaigns, early intervention efforts, support for survivors or programmes that work with perpetrators to change harmful community groups and parish and town councils have been encouraged to apply before the deadline on 21 July. The latest funding round follows a similar grant initiative launched in May, focused on tackling anti-social behaviour through diversionary activity and community rounds are set to follow, including support to reduce reoffending. Policing priority All projects are being funded by proceeds from crime, where cash seized from offenders is used to boost safety in Grunshaw said: "Preventing violence against women and girls is a Police and Crime Plan priority and I'm pleased to continue working with local organisations to help deliver achieve this."This fund is part of the broader strategy to reduce victimisation and increase positive outcomes."With a focus on key policing priorities throughout the year - starting with this initiative and building on work tackling anti-social behaviour - I'm trying to ensure that public funds deliver real impact where it's needed most." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
