Latest news with #SerenaKennedy
Belfast Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Speed of release of race and ethnicity of Liverpool suspect ‘unprecedented'
Merseyside Police confirmed they had a arrested a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area around two hours after the incident that left dozens of people, including four children, hurt. The force was criticised in the wake of the Southport murders last summer for not releasing more information after false rumours were started online that the killer was a Muslim asylum seeker. Former Metropolitan Police chief superintendent Dal Babu told BBC Radio 5 Live: 'What we do have, which is unprecedented, is the police very quickly giving the ethnicity and the race of the person who was driving the vehicle… and it was Merseyside Police who didn't give that information with the Southport horrific murders of those three girls, and the rumours were that it was an asylum seeker who arrived on a boat and it was a Muslim extremist, and that wasn't the case. 'So I think what the police have done very, very quickly, and I've never known a case like this before where they've given the ethnicity and the race of the individual who was involved in it, so I think that was to dampen down some of the speculation from the far-right that sort of continues on X even as we speak that this was a Muslim extremist and there's a conspiracy theory.' In March, Chief Constable Serena Kennedy told MPs she wanted to dispel disinformation in the immediate aftermath of the Southport murders by releasing information about attacker Axel Rudakubana's religion, because he came from a Christian family, but was told not to by local crown prosecutors. Police did disclose that the suspect was a 17-year-old male from Banks in Lancashire, who was born in Cardiff. Widespread rioting followed the murders, with some disorder targeting mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers. Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram backed the force's unusual decision to release the information about the Liverpool suspect so quickly. He told reporters: 'If you have a look at my timeline, there was somebody very quickly saying 'Why are you lying? There's been another incident in another part of the city', which obviously wasn't true, and then they were trying to stir it up who might be responsible for it. 'That's why I think the police acted… to dampen that sort of speculation, because it was designed to inflame. It was designed to divide.' Asked if he would like to see similar details released in the future in similar cases, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'That is a matter for the police and the investigation is ongoing so I think we need to leave that to them. 'I think today is a day really for thinking about all those impacted by this and being absolutely clear that we stand with them.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Speed of release of race and ethnicity of Liverpool suspect ‘unprecedented'
The speed at which police released the race and ethnicity of the suspect in the Liverpool car incident is 'unprecedented', a former chief superintendent has said. Merseyside Police confirmed they had a arrested a 53-year-old white British man from the Liverpool area around two hours after the incident that left dozens of people, including four children, hurt. The force was criticised in the wake of the Southport murders last summer for not releasing more information after false rumours were started online that the killer was a Muslim asylum seeker. Former Metropolitan Police chief superintendent Dal Babu told BBC Radio 5 Live: 'What we do have, which is unprecedented, is the police very quickly giving the ethnicity and the race of the person who was driving the vehicle… and it was Merseyside Police who didn't give that information with the Southport horrific murders of those three girls, and the rumours were that it was an asylum seeker who arrived on a boat and it was a Muslim extremist, and that wasn't the case. 'So I think what the police have done very, very quickly, and I've never known a case like this before where they've given the ethnicity and the race of the individual who was involved in it, so I think that was to dampen down some of the speculation from the far-right that sort of continues on X even as we speak that this was a Muslim extremist and there's a conspiracy theory.' In March, Chief Constable Serena Kennedy told MPs she wanted to dispel disinformation in the immediate aftermath of the Southport murders by releasing information about attacker Axel Rudakubana's religion, because he came from a Christian family, but was told not to by local crown prosecutors. Police did disclose that the suspect was a 17-year-old male from Banks in Lancashire, who was born in Cardiff. Widespread rioting followed the murders, with some disorder targeting mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers. Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram backed the force's unusual decision to release the information about the Liverpool suspect so quickly. He told reporters: 'If you have a look at my timeline, there was somebody very quickly saying 'Why are you lying? There's been another incident in another part of the city', which obviously wasn't true, and then they were trying to stir it up who might be responsible for it. 'That's why I think the police acted… to dampen that sort of speculation, because it was designed to inflame. It was designed to divide.' Asked if he would like to see similar details released in the future in similar cases, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'That is a matter for the police and the investigation is ongoing so I think we need to leave that to them. 'I think today is a day really for thinking about all those impacted by this and being absolutely clear that we stand with them.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
New Merseyside police chief constable confirmed
The new chief constable for Merseyside Police has been confirmed as Rob Carden. Chief Constable Carden, who is from Liverpool and is the current chief constable of Cumbria, will replace Serena Kennedy when she retires at the end of August. Merseyside police and crime commissioner (PCC) Emily Spurrell announced two weeks ago that Mr Carden, who has more than 30 years of policing experience, was her preferred choice to take over the role. Mr Carden said it was "a genuine honour and privilege" to return to the organisation he first joined in 1992. The appointment has been approved by the region's Police and Crime Panel. Mr Carden, who is married with three sons, said he was "thrilled" to take on the role. "My father served Merseyside Police for over 33 years and I was extremely proud to follow in his footsteps when I joined the organisation in 1992," he said. "To now be returning to the organisation as chief constable and to lead the organisation which has been such a big part of my family is a genuine honour and privilege. "Merseyside Police is already an outstanding organisation which is rightly recognised as one of the best police services in the country. "I am committed to building on Serena's legacy and ensuring I lead a workforce which takes pride in delivering an excellent service to our communities, protecting those who are vulnerable, keeping our streets safe and ensuring offenders face justice." Ms Spurrell said Mr Carden had "exceptional experience", having served for 20 years with Merseyside Police before becoming deputy chief constable, and subsequently chief constable, for Cumbria Police. "Mr Carden fully understands the unique challenge of policing our region," she said. "He has the leadership experience and clear strategic thinking needed to maintain the exceptional reputation and standards of Merseyside Police." Chief Constable Serena Kennedy KPM said she was "delighted". She said Mr Carden was a "respected leader" who, as assistant chief constable, had managed the police response to the Covid pandemic. Ms Kennedy added that he had been gold commander for "numerous events and incidents, including the terrorist incident at Liverpool Women's Hospital" in 2021. "I know he is passionate about the force and providing the people of Merseyside with a first-class police service and I wish him every success for the future," she said. Mr Carden will be appointed chief constable for a period of five years. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. Merseyside Police top job draws just one applicant Cumbria chief 'preferred choice' for Merseyside Merseyside police chief announces retirement Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Merseyside Police
BBC News
13-05-2025
- BBC News
New Merseyside police chief constable confirmed
The new chief constable for Merseyside Police has been confirmed as Rob Constable Carden, who is from Liverpool and is the current chief constable of Cumbria, will replace Serena Kennedy when she retires at the end of police and crime commissioner (PCC) Emily Spurrell announced two weeks ago that Mr Carden, who has more than 30 years of policing experience, was her preferred choice to take over the role. Mr Carden said it was "a genuine honour and privilege" to return to the organisation he first joined in 1992. The appointment has been approved by the region's Police and Crime Panel. Mr Carden, who is married with three sons, said he was "thrilled" to take on the role."My father served Merseyside Police for over 33 years and I was extremely proud to follow in his footsteps when I joined the organisation in 1992," he said."To now be returning to the organisation as chief constable and to lead the organisation which has been such a big part of my family is a genuine honour and privilege."Merseyside Police is already an outstanding organisation which is rightly recognised as one of the best police services in the country."I am committed to building on Serena's legacy and ensuring I lead a workforce which takes pride in delivering an excellent service to our communities, protecting those who are vulnerable, keeping our streets safe and ensuring offenders face justice." Commenting on the panel's endorsement, Ms Spurrell said Mr Carden "fully understands the unique challenges of policing our region and has the leadership experience and clear strategic thinking needed to maintain the exceptional reputation and standards of Merseyside Police and to drive the organisation forward".She said he had "exceptional experience, is very well respected in the policing community and has shown his ability to lead in some very challenging situations".Chief Constable Serena Kennedy KPM said she was "delighted" at the said Mr Carden was a "respected leader" who, as assistant chief constable, had managed the response to the Covid Kennedy added that he had been gold commander for "numerous events and incidents, including the terrorist incident at Liverpool Women's Hospital" in 2021."I know he is passionate about the force and providing the people of Merseyside with a first-class police service and I wish him every success for the future," she Carden will be appointed chief constable for a period of five years. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- BBC News
Merseyside Police Chief Constable job draws just one applicant
Merseyside Police top job draws just one applicant Emily Spurrell said she was "absolutely confident" in Rob Carden's abilities Merseyside Police only received one application for the top job of chief constable, the region's police and crime commissioner has said. Emily Spurrell has backed Cumbria's Chief Constable Rob Carden as her preferred candidate to replace Serena Kennedy, who is set to retire in August. She said it was not unusual to have a low number of applicants for the role as the pool of those qualified is small, but she said she was "absolutely confident" in Mr Carden's abilities. His appointment is set to be decided by a panel at a confirmation hearing next week.
