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Week In Numbers
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Ground-breaking ban for Black Country car cruisers
Car cruising will be banned across the Black Country after a ground-breaking injunction was secured by four local authorities.
Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall councils, working in partnership with West Midlands Police, secured the injunction from the High Court in Birmingham on Monday 1 December, 2014.
The injunction forbids people from participating in a “car cruise" anywhere within the Black Country - and therefore within the four boroughs of Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall - or from promoting, organising or publicising any car cruising event within the same area.
Car cruising - the act of drivers meeting on the public highway on either an organised or impromptu basis to race or show off in their cars - is noisy, dangerous and illegal.
Regular gatherings take place at a number of “hotspots" around the Black Country, where drivers and spectators turn local roads into a race track. They include the Black Country Route in Bilston, Birmingham New Road on the border of Wolverhampton and Dudley, Flood Street in Dudley, Bean Road Industrial Estate, Tipton, Hallens Drive in Wednesbury, Brickyard Road in Walsall and Moxley Industrial Estate.
Groups of car cruisers have also congregated on public and superstore car parks across the Black Country.
Primarily occurring on Sunday evenings, these gatherings have been known to attract up to 250 vehicles and hundreds of spectators, with councils and West Midlands Police receiving hundreds of complaints over the last few years.
These range from vehicles and spectators obstructing highways or residential or business properties, to dangerous driving, excessive noise from revving engines and stereo systems, littering, verbal abuse, swearing and intimidation. There have also been a number of collisions involving vehicles taking part in car cruises.
The injunction, granted by His Honour Judge Robert Owen QC - sitting as a High Court Judge - has been issued against “persons unknown" - meaning anyone breaching the injunction will be at risk of being in contempt of court, for which an adult can face up to two years in prison and a fine. In addition, police retain their powers in relation to traffic offences including driving without insurance, driving an unroadworthy vehicle and driving without due care and attention.
It prohibits a number of activities typically associated with car cruising, including speeding, racing and driving in convoy, performing stunts, sounding horns or playing music as to cause a significant public nuisance, using foul or abusive language and threatening, intimidating behaviour and causing an obstruction on a public highway, whether moving or stationary.
It also prohibits a number of consequences associated with car cruising, including excessive noise, danger or risk of injury to road users and pedestrians, damage or risk of damage to property and significant risk of harm, public nuisance and annoyance to the public.
The application was brought by the four Black Country councils and West Midlands Police, led by Wolverhampton City Council.
Speaking on behalf of the partners, Councillor Elias Mattu, Wolverhampton City Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure and Communities, said: “Car cruising has been a bone of contention for local residents and businesses for many years.
“The activities are not only wholly anti-social, but also illegal and dangerous, putting the safety of participants and spectators at risk; indeed, it’s only a matter of time until someone is seriously injured or even killed.
“The four Black Country councils and West Midlands Police have received hundreds of complaints about car cruising - from dangerous driving to noise, verbal abuse and intimidation.
“I am delighted that the High Court has issued this ground-breaking injunction prohibiting car cruising right across the Black Country, which will help prevent the issue from simply being shifted from part of the Black Country to the next.
“I’d like to acknowledge the dedication of Wolverhampton’s legal team and anti-social behaviour team, and the work of partner councils and West Midlands Police in securing this injunction, which I am confident will have a positive impact on the lives of law-abiding people across the Black Country."
Chief Inspector Kerry Blakeman, head of West Midlands Police’s Traffic unit, said: “I welcome this Black Country-wide injunction. It will form the backbone of our on-going measures to target people using the road as a racetrack while ensuring the safety of others.
“As well as the obvious dangers of driving at speed on urban roads, car cruising generates a lot of late-night noise nuisance for people living near key routes.
“Law abiding drivers can also feel intimidated when they inadvertently find themselves in the middle of a gathering."
Over the next few weeks there will be a sustained campaign to raise awareness of the injunction through traditional and social media. Signage will also be erected around car cruising hotspots.
Councillor Mattu added: “It should be stressed that we are not seeking to prevent legitimate car enthusiasts from enjoying their hobby. If they meet to lawfully admire and display their cars for others’ benefits and, in doing so, aren’t causing any of activities prohibited by the injunction - in short, if they are not causing a public nuisance - they are not car cruising and the injunction will not apply to them.
“What we want to do is put a stop to the menace of car cruising, which is making life a misery for so many people across the Black Country."
Follow this link to read a copy of the injunction and to see the areas covered by the ban.
For more information on the work of West Midlands Police’s Traffic Unit visit their blog http://trafficwmp.wordpress.com/ or follow @Trafficwmp on Twitter.
To report car cruising call police on 101.
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Police choir strikes chord with home security Auld Lang Syne remix!
West Midlands Police is urging residents to bid farewell to home security lapses and help beat burglars in 2015 − by releasing a crime prevention ditty to the tune of Auld Lang Syne!
Force choir Vivat − the ensemble formerly known as Thin Blue Chorus Line − hopes to strike a chord with homeowners through its version of the New Year anthem that stresses the importance of being security conscious and offering top tips.
Their remix opens with the lines “should open windows be forgot and never brought to mind? Should garden doors be left unlocked if we’re to beat house crime?"
Later verses encourage residents to consider anti-snap locks and alarm systems, not to leave homes in darkness at night, and to protect property boundaries by topping fence panels with prick strips.
And the classic Auld Lang Syne chorus is replaced with the lyrics Secured by Design − UK police’s flagship initiative promoting home security.
Vivat conductor Matt Lever, said: “It’s one of the more unusual songs we’ve been asked to perform…but the lyrics slotted nicely into the original tune so it didn’t take us long to rehearse it amongst our Christmas carols.
“I’m not sure if anyone actually knows the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne − most people sing the chorus and hum the rest − but hopefully these words will resonate with residents and help them become more security minded."
Vivat was formed in January 2010 and is made up of serving police officers and staff, retired employees, friends and family. Their ranks include including beat officers, detectives and Resource Allocation Dispatchers (RADs) who assign police crews to 999 calls for help.
They rehearsed their four-bar harmony of the song − bringing together sopranos, altos, tenors and basses − at St Paul’s Church in the Jewellery Quarter.
West Midlands Police crime prevention expert, DC Darren Robbins, said: “Auld Lang Syne bids farewell to the old and welcomes in the new…hopefully the song see people bid farewell to security slip-ups like leaving doors and windows open, and to embrace common sense home security advice in 2015.
“People can make very effective home security improvements for very little cost − a decent burglar alarm should still be considered number one priority − but simply keeping doors and windows locks could prevent a quarter of all break-ins."
Here are the lyrics to Vivat’s home security Auld Lang Syne:
Should open windows be forgot and never brought to mind?
Should garden doors be left unlocked if we’re to beat house crime?
Secured by Design, my dear, Secured by Design
Let’s make our houses like Fort Knox, Secured by Design
And surely you’ll buy decent locks, choose three star you’ll be fine
Don’t offer burglars kindness yet, to thieves don’t be benign
Secured by Design, my dear, Secured by Design
Let’s make our houses like Fort Knox, Secured by Design
When you are not at home at night, dark rooms can be a sign
But make your home look occupied, timed switches are sublime
Secured by Design, my dear, Secured by Design
Let’s make our houses like Fort Knox, Secured by Design
Locked gates and fences trellis-topped, let motion sensors shine
Top panels with pointed prick strips, and thieves they will not climb
Secured by Design, my dear, Secured by Design
Let’s make our houses like Fort Knox, Secured by Design
Alarms remain a staple choice, crooks cannot stand them chime
With simple crime prevention steps, most burglars will resign
Secured by Design, my dear, Secured by Design
Let’s make our houses like Fort Knox, Secured by Design
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West Midlands Police helicopter year in review
The West Midlands area is served by two National Police Air Service helicopters that help officers on the ground to fight crime every day. During 2014 the helicopters were despatched to track down suspects, find missing people and monitor large scale events taking place in the region.
We’ve picked out three of the top videos from our helicopters from this year. Have a watch below:
Police beat robber at ‘hide and seek’
There’s no hiding from our helicopter as this teenage robber found out after our officers were called to reports of a crime in Selly Oak in September.
When we arrived two 15 year olds were detained but a third teen ran off and tried to escape.
However he didn’t realise he was being tracked by our eye in the sky which used heat seeking cameras to keep track of him.
Officers in the helicopter then directed PCs on the ground to his location – hiding behind cars on a nearby forecourt - and he was swiftly arrested.
All three were charged and pleaded guilty at court, they were handed referral orders to Youth Offending Teams.
Footpath motorcyclist fails to evade police chopper
Back in May we had a call from a concerned family who were almost hit by a motorbike carrying three people.
Officers and the NPAS helicopter were despatched to the Druids Heath area to locate the vehicle and quickly found it speeding through footpaths on the estate!
The motorbike was tracked from above by the helicopter enabling officers on the ground to catch up with it. The 13-year-old riding the bike then made a run for it and after initially evading one officer was arrested by a second moments later.
He was questioned about what happened and handed a police caution.
Smethwick factory blaze monitored from above
At the beginning of December the NPAS helicopter was tasked to provide updates for the fire service on a huge fire in Smethwick.
The blaze broke out at an industrial estate in Wattville Road. Dozens of fire fighters worked to keep the fire under control while police officers closed surrounding roads to keep people in the area safe.
To find out more about our police helicopters, visit: www.west-midlands.police.uk/keeping-you-safe/behind-the-badge/helicopter/index.aspx
Or follow the NPAS helicopters on Twitter @NPASBirmingham or @NPAS_HalfpennyG.
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Six New Year Resolutions For Crooks And Criminals
Take the stairs rather than the lift, learn to cook like Mary Berry, and spend less time on social media.
Just some of last year’s most popular New Year’s Resolutions forgotten just days into January by people seeking solace for a ‘bad bake’ whilst hitting the button for floor two.
As the UK’s second largest police force, West Midlands Police has seen its fair share of failing criminals and unruly louts.
The compilation features several hapless individuals who failed - in some cases spectacularly - to pull off their criminal intentions.
View the force’s New Year Resolutions here… these might just keep you out of a police cell! In these instances, they fought the law and the law most definitely won!
The video below features in the main article and shows the moment a car driver breaks sharply to 'intimidate' the driver of a 7.5 tonne lorry, narrowily avoiding a potentially deadly collision.
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In Focus : Response Units…the police cavalry!
Responding to emergency calls for help is the most fundamental and recognisable of all police services.
West Midlands Police has more than 1,000 officers working around the clock in Response Units ready to answer 999 alerts at a moment’s notice to all corners of the region to protect the public and catch criminals.
They are the police cavalry whose unmistakable blues-and-twos siren heralds a police response to a crisis call.
“No two response runs are the same," said Birmingham Police Response Inspector Gareth Morris. “Our crews have to be prepared for anything…it could be chasing down a fleeing burglar, tackling armed shop robbers, or safeguarding a domestic abuse victim."
Starting on Monday and all next week we’ll be throwing the spotlight on our Response Units, giving an insight into their work, our response time targets and some of the police systems officers rely on to provide potentially life-saving information.
And we start on Monday by spending a 12-hour shift on-board a response vehicle.
We’re jumping on board with Mike 5 − the call sign for Birmingham response duo Jim Hanchett and Mo Uddin − plus Sergeant Ben Dolan who oversees Sandwell Police’s ‘E’ Response division.
Twitter users can follow the action live via the @WMPolice feed and using the hashtag #ResponseWMP and at 6pm we’ll be opening up a web-chat to answer any questions about response policing.
Expect the unexpected…
Newtown response pairing Jim and Mo have been on the unit for six and five years, respectively, and cover the city centre, Aston, Winson Green, Kingstanding, Highgate, Small Heath, Lozells, Perry Barr and Great Barr.
Not long into his response career Jim was called to a bank raid in Soho Road and a foot-chase with a robber he thought was armed with a metal bar.
“It turned out to be a sawn-off shotgun!" said Jim. “I managed to drag him down and wrestle the weapon out of his grasp…but it was only later, in the drama of the situation, that I realised it was a firearm. Four people were later convicted so it was a good job.
“You never know what we’ll get called to. Obviously know in advance from call handlers the nature of the incident but when people are making 999 calls some are in an emotional or distressed state and the detail they provide isn’t always accurate.
“But we’re in regular contact with our Service Desk; they’re a policing encyclopaedia for intelligence on people we might encounter, addresses we’re called to, or vehicles we’ve stopped. The information they provide is crucial and helps us build a picture of what we’re facing.
“If there is a quieter period during a shift we’ll spend the time cruising round our patch running checks on suspicious vehicles and patrolling any crime hot-spot areas in line with the local police team’s priorities.
“You can never predict what you’ll come up against from one shift to the next…we have to expect the unexpected!
Live Blog Join us for a day with response
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A new era of policing starts today across the West Midlands
West Midlands Police has today unveiled a new ‘Blueprint’ outlining how it will take the force into a new era of policing.
Working with our partner Accenture, the vision was developed in consultation with colleagues, partners and the public.
Put simply, it sets out how the force will look, feel and operate by 2020.
Developing the Blueprint involved an extensive period of consultation including almost 5,000 responses from WMP staff during a series of internal roadshows and surveys; 11 events with partners across the seven local authority areas; 80 internal and external workshops and over 1,600 replies to a week-long public social media campaign.
The Blueprint centres on four main themes:
Designed to listen and reassure −adopting a new approach to working with the public, partners and each other
Geared to prevent harm − preventing crime and offending before people can be harmed
Prepared to respond at pace − adopting a more agile, mobile and effective response to problems in communities
Ready to learn and adapt - becoming a more active and innovative learning organisation
It comes at a time when the organisation is facing unprecedented financial challenges − with anticipated savings to be made in the region of £130m over the four next years, on top of savings of £125m already made.
Set against the financial backdrop, the Blueprint acknowledges the force will need to become smaller, faster and smarter in how it operates to make the force more effective. In practice, this means that as well as making a range of non-staff savings, the force will need to operate with a further reduction of some 2,500 officer and staff posts.
The Blueprint is a high level document that gives us a clear direction of what we want to achieve in the next few years but it does not, nor intends to, describe in detail the structure of the force or outline any possible future modelling.
The Blueprint reflects the growing use of technology and digital engagement used by the public, such as empowering victims and witnesses to self-serve by giving them the choice on how they report and track incidents.
It also signals a more proactive approach, with much more focus upon preventing crime. This will include an expansion of the force’s Integrated Offender Management approach to prolific offenders, which has attracted widespread national interest and support. The force will also look at integrating how it works with other agencies in the way that it has with the mental health triage scheme.
One of the critical elements of the Blueprint will be to protect the future of neighbourhood policing by changing how it is run in the face of continued financial pressures − with resources focused on areas of most need.
To achieve this and to ensure service delivery is not compromised, the force will look to develop a neighbourhood policing model which is not constrained by geographical boundaries.
Currently it works within a restrictive fixed 10 local policing unit model, working within the seven local authority areas. By 2020 the aim will be to move to “mission-led" teams who possess the best local intelligence on areas and can quickly access solutions to be able to help neighbourhoods.
“We are currently at a point where budgets for policing and partners are retracting at a level never seen before, technology is advancing and society is changing − so policing is at a critical point," said Chief Constable Chris Sims (right).
“We need to respond to and reflect those changes − becoming a smaller, faster, smarter service that is responsive to the needs of local communities.
“Neighbourhood policing is key to our relationships with communities. However, in the face of our financial challenges, we must now re-look at the various services delivered through the national policing model so we secure the elements that matter most to the public.
“We will also look to develop our online presence. We are not and never want to be a techno organisation − policing is about people - but we have to operate with data in a modern way and be accessible in a way people expect in the 21st century.
“Although this Blueprint has been accelerated by the austerity cuts, it is something that we would have done in any event because it’s the right thing to do. I believe it is the first step in moving to an entirely new era of policing and will be instrumental in shaping how forces across the country start to change their services."
Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson (left) said: “Despite the financial climate, it will allow WMP to continue to work within the heart of communities protecting the people of the West Midlands".
“We are doing all we can to ensure we can deliver what the public needs and desires."
“Over the next five years we will be working hard to introduce new technology that will enable officers to work more effectively in serving the public."
“This challenge to our current way of working is based on evolution, not revolution," continued Chris Sims.
“We are continuing to build on the foundations we have already put in place which have helped us become one of the most successful forces in the country.
“In addition to the achievements we have had in tackling crime, we also lead the country in a number of areas such as offender management, evidenced-based policing and integrity and crime recording. The Blueprint will see us continue to invest heavily in those areas.
“For me the most important element of the Blueprint is that we get the best for the communities we serve."
A complex and detailed programme of work will now be developed with a series of interconnected projects which will all contribute to realising the Blueprint’s vision for 2020.
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Top 10: Police pursuits
Traffic cops from West Midlands Police are highly trained in the art of pursuit. Every day they work hard to safely remove criminals from the roads and have to make snap-decisions as to whether a high-speed pursuit is justified and proportionate.
Watch each of these clips as officers work hard to successfully bring several high speed pursuits to a safe conclusion.
10. Scooter spill leads to swift arrest
Our first pursuit sees a man wanted on suspicion of robbery attempting a quick getaway using a motorised scooter.
The offender clearly thought he could outrun our ‘Eye in the Sky’... until he miscalculated his speed and flew over the handlebars of his vehicle.
What followed was a brief but intense footchase along the street, before the offender again falls over and awaits his imminent arrest.
9. Two failed escape attempts through the streets of Birmingham
This dash-cam footage shows a police pursuit through the streets of east Birmingham that reached speeds of 50mph.
After safely bringing the driver of the stolen vehicle to a stop, officers had to start again when the offender tried a second escape.
Pursuing officers were constantly assessing the risk posed to other road users during this pursuit and it wasn’t long before the fleeing suspect was caught and arrested. He received a 7-month prison sentence for his efforts.
8. Teen biker caught speeding along public footpaths
This footage was captured by the police helicopter in 2014 and shows a motorcyclist speeding along the footpaths of a south Birmingham estate.
The bike was tracked from above, enabling officers on the ground to catch up with the teen driver. He was arrested and handed a police caution.
7. Stinger device ends 80mph pursuit through Birmingham
This dramatic pursuit reached speeds of 80mph as a number of police cars tracked a prolific car thief through Birmingham city centre.
The pursuit lasted almost 10 minutes and was finally brought to an end when officers used a stinger device to slow the stolen silver Vauxhall Vectra as it travelled along Curzon Circus.
Watch as an officer skilfully slings the stinger into the road – before removing it a split-second later to avoid piercing the wheels of the pursuing police cars.
The driver of the stolen vehicle was later sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison.
6. Truck driver deliberately rams police car in reverse
This shocking video shows the moment that a truck driver deliberately reversed his vehicle into a pursuing police car.
Thankfully, the officers weren’t harmed by this incredibly dangerous act, and the already banned driver received a 19 month jail sentence.
5. Motorway pursuit reaches 140mph
This pursuit reached speeds in excess of 140mph before the driver was eventually arrested following a successful stinger deployment.
The Wolverhamption gang member was targeted by officers after carrying out a series out smash and grab robberies on shops across the country.
Although the footage doesn’t show the conclusion of the pursuit, the offender’s vehicle was safely brought to a stop with a stinger device. The driver attempted to evade arrest but was quickly cuffed by officers in a nearby garden. He was jailed for 22 months.
4. High-speed pursuit through streets of south Birmingham
This incredible footage shows a police pursuit in Birmingham that reached speeds of 80mph earlier this year.
Traffic officers attempted to stop a silver BMW 1 Series that was believed to have been stolen on Weoley Castle Road.
The car pulled over and a passenger got out who attempted to obstruct the police car as the BMW drove off at high speed.
Officers pursued the car as the 29-year-old driver sped through red lights and drove on the wrong side of the road - narrowly missing oncoming traffic.
The BMW eventually came to a stop on Bristol Road as the driver drove onto the pavement and got the car wedged between a bollard and the front of a shop.
The end result? A 14-month jail sentence for the driver.
3. Brave officers instigate collision with wrong-way motorway driver
This incredible on-board footage shows the lengths that our officers will go to, to protect the public from harm.
Watch as they bravely prevent a serious collision on the M6 toll by risking a head-on collision with a car that was travelling the wrong way along the motoway.
The two force traffic officers deliberately positioned their police vehicle to block the path of the Honda Jazz as it ominously approached three lanes of oncoming traffic brought to a standstill by police just moments earlier.
The 77-year-old driver, who has dementia, was not injured during the ordeal and after being checked over by paramedics, was taken home to his family.
2. Thermal imaging assists in 144mph pursuit
This pursuit reached speeds of 144mph and features footage shot by both the police helicopter and pursuing vehicles.
Thermal imaging from the hi-tech helicopter cameras show just how hot the speeding vehicle became during the pursuit, with officers eventually arrested four men after they starburst from the vehicle in a residential area.
All four were jailed following their getaway attempt after being linked to a botched angle grinder attack on a cash machine.
1. Drugs hurled from car during high-speed motorway pursuit
This motorway footage shows officers pursuing two Birmingham men at speeds of more than 100mph. During the pursuit, the passenger was seen to fling more than £200,000 worth of heroin from the car.
Despite trying to stop the car numerous times, the driver did his best to evade officers while dodging traffic.
The driver was arrested and later sentenced to 15-months behind bars for heroin possession, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.
The passenger received a five-year sentence for possession with intent to supply heroin.
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Special Constable’s airport career far from terminal
The countdown to the summer holidays is well and truly on for many people. Holiday makers are eagerly anticipating the feel of sand between their toes and sun on their faces. And while most will be hoping to spend as little time as possible in the airport, one man is hoping to spend as much time as possible there.
But it won’t be a delayed flight or a wait for a suitcase to arrive on the luggage carousel that lies behind Clive Buckley’s time at Birmingham Airport - it is his lifelong passion for volunteering as a special constable.
Clive Buckley became a special constable back in 1970 at the tender age of 19. And his devotion for the job has not faltered in 42 years of service.
"In those days I was young, shy and slim, none of those adjectives apply now," joked Special Constable Buckley.
"I used to work as a ‘Saturday Boy’ at my local Halfords store. Two officers used to visit the store and I was fascinated by their role. When I found out they were Specials I was inspired to join myself."
But Clive is the first to admit that the start of his career wasn’t the smoothest, but this only inspired him to change the perception of the voluntary role.
"It was a very different world back in 1970, there wasn’t even any basic training. The role of specials wasn’t valued by regular officers and soon after I left for a short period of time. But undeterred I decided to return and make a difference, climbing the Special ranks at Solihull Police, added SC Buckley.
Clive receives his 10 years medal in 1982 from Chief Constable Knights
"My main aim was to integrate the Specials with colleagues so there was a better sense of belonging. The numbers rose with the morale and soon I was training the region’s new recruits."
In 1995 Clive transferred to Coventry Police and was part of a team responsible for policing the Sky Blues’ games at Highfield Road. It was an endorsement of the transformation of the Specials’ role. When he joined they were tasked to police events like donkey derbies and community fetes - now they were upholding the peace at Premiership games.
A decade later in 2005 Clive could regularly be spotted patrolling Birmingham city centre’s shopping and entertainment areas, a role which appeared to be his swansong as he reluctantly decided to retire after 33 years of service.
But Clive’s itching feet soon wanted to get back out on the beat and he returned to the role less than a year later. After three further years at Solihull he jumped at the opportunity to transfer to the force’s Airport Policing Unit in 2009.
"Returning to the job reinforced how far the role has progressed for me. During my very first arrest, after myself and a colleague had been attacked, back up arrived in a Mini 850 Panda! Now I am patrolling a site that links our community to over 100 venues across the globe," added SC Buckley.
In 2010 Clive was diagnosed with cancer. The condition forced him to take a break from his voluntary duties while he received treatment but this didn’t spell the end of his career. After receiving the ‘all clear’ from doctors he jumped at the opportunity to pull the uniform back on.
"I can honestly say that I still get a genuine buzz out of doing something that the public, well most of them, are grateful for. Being at the airport makes me immensely proud as I am an ambassador not just for West Midlands Police, but British Police in general, as I meet people from across the globe," beamed SC Buckley.
"While patrolling and keeping an eye out for suspicious behaviour or opportunist crime I am often asked for directions, can be called to help calm stressful situations and believe it or not I regularly get asked to appear in photos with visitors keen to capture a memory of the police. I even try to practise my French language skills but they certainly need some improvement!"
After retiring from a civilian role predominantly working for HM Revenue and Customs back in 2009, Clive is adamant that he wants to delay hanging up his police boots for as long as possible.
"I plan to stay until such time as I have to admit that age has caught up with me. I think my family has a certain admiration for all that I have achieved, and considering the journey I have taken from the shy individual I was in my younger days, I’m probably a bit proud of myself too," concluded SC Buckley.
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Episode two…new PCs in training
Police have released more exclusive footage of new recruits gearing up for life as constables.
Handcuffing and riot control to first aid training are the topics covered in episode two as the three recruits look back on their 18 week PC training offering an honest account of their new career.
Providing a fascinating insight, the three recruits − Laura, Alex and Andrew − were filmed throughout police training school.
Tested to the limit, the recruits learned the theory of what it takes to be a police officer through lessons in law, powers and procedures before coming face to face with people in simulated policing situations.
The second of four episodes released weekly, provide fascinating insights into training challenges from personal safety and stop and search to interview skills and baton control.
Alex, 35, who is one of the force’s first Polish recruit’s taught history before joining up. Laura, 22, worked in a legal clinic and Andrew, 27 in a gym before becoming officers.
The three new recruits along with another 79 officers have now joined operational teams across the force to deal with real issues 24 hours a day while being coached by officers and continually assessed to ensure they meet the high standards communities expect.
Another 80 recruits have joined the 18 week training programme with further intakes expected in July and November this year and spring/autumn next year to deliver 450 new PCs to the force.
New recruits undertake a two year probationary period made up of 20 weeks training, 14 week coached period followed by a 14 month independent posting.
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Final showdown for five West Midlands Police officers
Guzan or Given? N’Zogbia or Gabby? These are just a couple of the quandaries that Tim Sherwood faces ahead of Villa’s FA Cup Final. But there are no such worries for West Midlands Police as the final line up heading to Wembley has been confirmed.
PC Stewart Bladen will lead out a team of five officers heading to the capital along with 25,000 fans hoping to have the bragging rights over Arsenal as the final whistle sounds on Saturday 30 May.
And the Football Unit officer is the first to admit that he is surprised that a trip to Wembley will bring the curtain down on Villa’s unpredictable season.
"I think if you spoke to even the most die-hard Villa fan a few months back then they would have feared that the final home game against Burnley was set to be a six-point relegation battle for both teams. But the season has been extended by a week and winning the trophy would be the perfect tonic to a season of mixed emotions," said PC Bladen.
The 42-year-old officer has assembled a West Midlands Police ‘five-a-side team’ that will join forces with the Met to ensure the safety of fans travelling down the M6 and is joined by PCs David Hulson, David Fenton, Terry Kenning and Adam Harrison.
"During my four years of working with Aston Villa, and despite the fact that off-duty I’m a Wolves fan, I’ve met some amazing supporters who are great ambassadors for the club. And I can promise travelling fans that my team’s professional allegiances are claret and blue," added PC Bladen.
"But at the end of the day we are there to help the Met police officers ensure the safety of all fans. We will be on the lookout for trouble makers, and those intent on behaving in an illegal or anti-social manner will risk being arrested and could even be banned from future games."
It has been an action packed 12 months for the Football Unit officer who was picked as part of the UK Football Policing Unit’s (UKFPU) delegation to support Brazilian authorities and offer his expert insight into Three Lions’ fans abroad at last summer’s World Cup.
During his eight years working within the Football Unit he has also seen the nation team fail on the European stage, as well as some rather unforgettable performances by Villa on the domestic stage.
"I was beginning to fear that I may be a bad luck charm! But after the semi-final win over Liverpool it was nice to shake off this unenviable tag," joked PC Bladen.
"I’d like to wish the players, the fans and everyone associated with Aston Villa the best of luck for Wembley and hope, like the West Midlands Police team heading down south, you return safe and sound with a lifetime of memories."
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WMPeople: Khizra Dhindsa - ‘Positive Action’ on police diversity
West Midlands Police oversees one of the most diverse regions in the country - and reflecting a broad ethnic mix in its officer ranks is crucial for community relations, to engage ‘hard-to-reach’ people, and enhance cultural understanding.
Black and minority ethnic (BME) officers make-up around nine per cent of the force’s total strength - but more than one in six of the 82 new PC recruits that hit the streets last month are from minority groups.
That’s testament to the efforts of Khizra Dhindsa and her Inspector Farooq Sheikh in the ‘Positive Action’ team - a specialist recruitment unit aiming to ensure a healthy flow of applications from budding PCs across all communities.
In this latest WMPeople interview Khizra outlines how the force is bolstering its BME officer numbers…and how she’s created a counter terrorism network of mums across the UK!
What does the Positive Action Team do to encourage officer applications from under-represented groups?
We’ve organised ‘Discovery Days’ at universities, schools, mosques, temples and Caribbean events to encourage applications. They are an opportunity to speak with members of minority groups, address any recruitment concerns they may have, explain the process, and outline how they can enjoy fulfilling police careers.
During the latest recruitment drive we’ve arranged 20 of these events. Some have been at job centres in the most ethnically-diverse wards in the region, one was at Coventry’s largest Sikh gurdwara, and another at a mosque in Balsall Heath. We’ve also attended a black community event in Lozells, Chinese New Year celebrations and an eastern European ball!
These are in addition to getting our messages out through BME media and groups like the Coventry West Indian Centre and Muslim Women’s Network UK.
Why do people from minority communities seem less reluctant to apply for police jobs - what holds them back or deters them?
People who look or feel different do have concerns about how they will fit in. They may be Hijabi women, turbaned men, or young Middle Eastern women who are unsure of their fitness as their culture has never encouraged it.
There are deep-seated issues within BME communities which act as real or perceived barriers to their becoming officers…and these issues are as varied as the communities themselves.
At our Discovery Days we’re able to reassure potential candidates and debunk myths. Recently I spoke to a Sikh man who believed he wouldn’t be able to apply because his turban would breach uniform standards, while a Muslim man hadn’t previously applied as he mistakenly believed he’d be required to shave off his beard.
How successful has Positive Action been in encouraging more BME applicants?
The number of applications from BME groups has notably increased. Last year we saw 941 applications from members of BME communities from a total of 4,186 but this year we’ve seen more (977) from fewer applications overall (3,202).
That means the percentage of BME applications has increased from 22 per cent to more than 30 per cent - and more of those applicants are progressing through to the latter stages of the recruitment process.
Last year it became apparent that, for a variety of reasons, many of our BME applicants were falling down at early stages of the recruitment process, elements like evidencing skills in the application form and phone interview.
So part of our work is also supporting BME applicants and explaining what will be expected of them through the six-stage recruitment process. I’ve set up a dedicated Facebook page where applicants can ask questions or seek advice.
In the first batch of new PCs that joined police teams last month we had 56 men and 26 women - ageing from 19 to 37-years-old - of which eight are Asian, one is black, five are mixed heritage and one is from eastern Europe.
There is no doubt we need to keep the focus on attracting the very best candidates from our under-represented groups to be more reflective of our communities.
Why is it important that a police force’s diversity should be on a par with communities it serves?
Diversity within policing creates representation, legitimacy and credibility.
The public are more likely to trust an organisation which they feel ‘resembles’ the community it serves. Police officers from a variety of backgrounds will approach problems differently, creating innovative responses. People who have language skills and cultural awareness will help bring us closer to hard-to-reach communities.
It makes good financial sense too, as when diverse communities feel represented by us and can trust us, we expect better communication and more community intelligence to emerge. This in turn will help us to more effectively target our increasingly limited resources. Diversity works for everyone, not just for BME people.
I think the success of our Positive Action work will shape how WMP looks in 10 or 20 years’ time. I am so grateful and proud to have the opportunity to influence our organisational future in this way.
What would you say to people who consider it "positive discrimination"?
We are not using positive discrimination; we expect BME candidates to reach the same standards as white British candidates in order to succeed at each stage of recruitment.
However, embracing diversity is not about treating people the same but treating them according to their individual needs. The needs of ethnic minorities are different from those of the ethnic majority. They have fewer officer role models and mentors available to them; they often have to defy their families and communities to chase their dream of joining the police.
Many young BME people do not even realise this is a career choice which is open to them. So we are using positive action to encourage applications from BME candidates, reassure their communities, support them and de-mystify the process…and we are very proud of this fact!
I think this cartoon illustrates the point better than any words.
What has the feedback been like at the Positive Action events?
Feedback has been incredible. Even from those we inevitably lose along the way, candidates are so grateful for the additional support and clarity they receive through the positive action programme.
It must be a rewarding role?
This is the most rewarding role I have ever done. It allows me to build relationships with communities and with candidates and support them in their journey to appointment. I get to meet so many fantastic new people every day, and be part of their WMP experience.
What other police roles have you been involved with?
Between 2010 and 2013 I worked at ACPO (TAM) - the association of Chief Police Officers (Terrorism & Allied Matters) in Westminster and in Europe. The police love an acronym! My remit was working against female radicalisation and I created Project Shanaz which is a national female counter terrorism network.
It’s part of the government’s Prevent strategy - designed to steer people away from extremism and extremist ideology. The Shanaz Network is formed of 50 women from diverse backgrounds, races and religions, the idea being that women are at the heart of homes and communities and are best placed to notice behavioural changes in their children - and puts them in a position to safeguard those who are vulnerable to terrorism.
I heard from women who said there was no platform locally or nationally for them to express their views for inclusion in Prevent policy. They felt the agenda was male-dominated and exclusionary, which against a backdrop of increasing female radicalisation (and increased attempts from terror groups to recruit women) was a dangerous position to be in.
That’s what drove my idea for the Shanaz Network.
How did you go about setting it up?
I visited all 43 police force areas of England and Wales, as well as Scotland, to research and speak to the most influential women in diverse communities. The mission was named Project Shanaz after my late mother, Shanaz Bano. She was a first-generation immigrant from Pakistan and a dynamic force for good in her British community, so she symbolised what the project was trying to achieve.
I then created a national guidance document showcasing ideas and projects which had worked in different corners of the country. It was shared with all police forces - and they in turn had to report back regularly on what they were doing to involve women with Prevent work.
Fifty of the women I’d been introduced to were selected to form the Shanaz Network…the first national all-female counter-terrorism network in the world. This was a video message (only a few minutes long) which the Home Secretary sent for our launch:
How successful has the Network been?
The women have represented the Network in Westminster and abroad to deliver our message. Intelligence submissions from communities went up and the women have helped devise solutions to community issues.
The new initiatives are helping young people across the country. For example, one young woman who was in danger of being inspired by an Al-Qaeda supporter in Wales was taken under the protective wing of a local Shanaz representative. They educated her over the Islamic principles the man had been using to try to manipulate her allegiances - and explained how the man was trying to use her for his own twisted terror motives.
Without that intervention, she might have become another Roshanara Choudhry.
Follow this link for more WMPeople profiles.
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Episode three…PC recruits in training
Vehicle checks and stop and search are the topics covered in episode three as recruits look back on their 18 weeks in training offering an honest account of their new career.
Providing a fascinating insight, the three recruits - Laura, Alex and Andrew - were filmed throughout police training school.
Tested to the limit, the recruits learned the theory of what it takes to be a police officer through lessons in law, powers and procedures before coming face to face with people in simulated policing situations.
The third of four episodes released weekly, provide fascinating insights into training challenges from personal safety and stop and search to interview skills and baton control.
Alex, 35, who is one of the force’s first Polish recruit’s taught history before joining up. Laura, 22, worked in a legal clinic and Andrew, 27 in a gym before becoming officers.
The three new recruits along with another 79 officers have joined operational teams across the force to deal with real issues 24 hours a day while being coached by officers and continually assessed to ensure they meet the high standards communities expect.
Another 80 recruits have joined the 18 week training programme with further intakes expected in July and November this year and spring/autumn next year to deliver 450 new PCs to the force.
New recruits undertake a two year probationary period made up of 20 weeks training, 14 week coached period followed by a 14 month independent posting.
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FOMO’s found flouting phone law during police clampdown
A university graduate checking emails on a dual carriageway and a mum running late for a nursery pick-up were just two of the drivers caught during a police purge on phone use at the wheel.
In total, West Midlands Police officers found 117 motorists making calls, texting or accessing the internet from mobiles while driving during the week-long operation (23-29 May).
Other offenders included FOMO’s – an acronym for people with a Fear of Missing Out – who were updating social media accounts on the move, plus others using navigation aids on hand-held devices.
Many were handed three points and a £100 fine with others offered the chance to avoid the licence endorsement by attending a drive improvement course.
Chief Inspector Kerry Blakeman heads up West Midlands Police Force Traffic. He said: “One woman was caught calling her nursery to say she’d be late in the hope of avoiding a nominal additional charge…but she ended up with a £100 fine.
“One man admitted making a call despite hearing about the campaign on TV hours earlier, a graduate was spotted on Duncan Edwards Way in Dudley reading emails, and another mum was chastised by her own eight-year-old daughter after being caught. As officers were dealing with the woman they heard the girl telling her ‘I said you shouldn’t use your phone’!
“In the majority of cases we’re finding people know it’s wrong, that it’s against the law, but for some reason can’t resist the urge to call, text or go online while at the wheel.
“Some seem to think driving is dead time that could be spent more productively on the phone – but they may well end up dead by being distracted.”
Marked and unmarked units from Force Traffic and CMPG – the Central Motorway Police Group – patrolled the region’s motorways and A-roads during the clampdown.
They were supported by traffic ‘spotters’ in plain clothes stationed at major road junctions to identify offenders, while a police HGV unit gave officers a lofty view to catch any truckers flouting the law.
Sergeant Sion Hathaway from CMPG added: “Studies have found driver reaction times when using a phone are double what they would be normally and that the risk of a collision increases four-fold. Driving ability generally is reduced to something similar to that observed for drivers at the legal alcohol limit.
““It’s about time the message started to get through and it’s a simple one − don’t reach for your phone while driving. If that phone call or text message can’t wait then pull over and do it safely.”
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Introducing West Midlands Police’s Summer Album
“PCs… say cheese!” Welcome to West Midlands Police’s Summer Album as we focus attention on some of the force’s unsung heroes.
With a nod to classic summer album Sergeant Pepper, we’ve created a pictorial montage of police officers, staff, specialist units and members of the public who go the extra mile to help keep our streets safe.
Every day throughout August we’ll peel back a new page in our #WMPAlbum to reveal a new face.
First in the frame is super-fit cop PC Martin Williams – a man who’s represented Team GB and has a marathon personal best a shade over 2hrs 10mins – with Police Officer of the Year Marj Levy taking the last stand on August 31.
In between we introduce a top forensic scientist, a female firearms officers, a dangerous dogs expert who’s influencing national policy, and our weightlifting strongman aka “The Beef of Short Heath”!
And there’s also an appearance from Sylvester the Cat… all will be revealed so stay tuned.
West Midlands Police is sharing a new feature every day throughout August as part of the ‘summer album’.
Find out more here.
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Summer Album #1 - PC Martin Williams
Crooks hoping to show police a clean pair of heels had better pray PC Martin Williams isn’t on their tail… he’s among the fittest cops in the UK having competed in the Commonwealth Games and for Team GB!
Martin – who works in the Violent Crime Team at Wednesfield Police Station – ran alongside Mo Farah for Team GB in the 2010 European Championships in Barcelona and finished 14th in the Delhi Commonwealth Games in the same year.
The 37-year-old has worked with West Midlands Police for 12 years in a range of roles including response, neighbourhood, offender management and crime investigation.
“My fitness has definitely helped me catch offenders in foot chases,” said Martin, who won the Edinburgh Marathon in 2009 in a time of 2hrs 18mins, just outside his personal best, “but it brings added pressure because if I ever lost one I’d never live it down!
“I remember once being called to Featherstone Prison to arrest a man who was kicking off after a day release: he wasn’t keen on going back behind bars and his fellow inmates encouraged him to ‘run for it’.
“So he went for it… and I followed over fields adjacent to the prison before he eventually collapsed through exhaustion. It was some hours later before he’d recovered enough to be interviewed.
“During the pursuit I realised why I never took up steeplechase, or hurdles, as I attempted to jump one fence, clipped the top, and landed flat on my face. In my head the chase was like something from Bourne Supremacy but in reality it was closer to Benny Hill!
“I run to and from work, covering distances from six miles to 15 miles depending on the route. Looking back, I’m surprised I managed to run 140 miles a week, work full time and still cram in studying to pass my Sergeant’s exams!”
PC Williams runs for West Midlands Police’s Athletics Club – representing Police Sport UK (PSUK) in competitions across Europe – and is a member of the Wolves & Bilston Athletics Club.
His PB’s include 3min 49secs for 1500m; 14min 27sec for 5000m; and 29min 26sec for 10,000m.
“I’ve steadily upped the distance having started out as primarily an 800m and 1500m track runner to now being primarily a marathon runner,” added Martin. “One of my athletics highlights has to be training with Mo Farah and Team GB in the Pyrenees ahead of the Barcelona championships.”
West Midlands Police is sharing a new feature every day throughout August as part of the ‘summer album’.
Find out more here.
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Summer Album #2 - New recruit PC Kiran Patel
Police officers are never truly ‘off-duty’ – and rookie officer Kiran Patel showed why just weeks into his new public service career when he leapt to the aid of a child knocked down on a busy dual-carriageway.
PC Patel was on a rest day having dropped his mum at work when traffic ground to a halt in New John Street West, Hockley, and the screams of fellow motorists alerted him to a schoolboy lying in the road.
The 10-year-old had run into the carriageway to retrieve a football when he was struck by a car and left with fractures to his arm and shoulder.
PC Patel showed a cool head and experience beyond his years as he managed the scene, diverted traffic, and comforted the boy’s hysterical parents while an off-duty doctor administered first aid.
He said: “We’re here to protect and serve the public…it doesn’t matter that I was off-duty at the time, a young lad was hurt, people were panicking and I had to help out.
“I was able to assist with traffic management before on-duty officers arrived at the scene…I updated the sergeant and continued helping until the road had cleared. The boy recovered and I was pleased to have played my part.
Kiran hit the streets in April as one of 82 new West Midlands Police recruits but previously worked in south Birmingham as a volunteer Special Constable during which time he sat on the National Hindu Students' Forum.
And his work promoting student unity, plus the impressive start to his PC career, saw him named Police Officer of the Year 2015 at the Black and Asian Police Association (BAPA) awards in July!
The 24-year-old is cutting his teeth in the force’s response unit, answering emergency calls for help in east Birmingham, and as with all new officers he spent the first few under the guidance of a seasoned officer.
Eighty more recruits have just graduated from police training school, with another batch of trainee PCs due to become operational later this year. New officers will continue to join the force throughout 2016 to deliver the Police & Crime Commissioner’s intention to strengthen West Midlands Police’s ranks by 450.
West Midlands Police is sharing a new feature every day throughout August as part of the ‘summer album’.
Find out more here.
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On this day…Diana opened Wolverhampton police station
On this day 23 years ago, one of the most famous women in the world came to open Wolverhampton police station - Her Royal Highness, Diana, Princess of Wales.
The day is remembered by many of the officers who were fortunate enough to meet her, including serving officer PC Lisa Hughes.
The Princess of Wales was invited to formally open Wolverhampton’s Bilston Street building on 31 July 1992. During her visit she was interested to see the special medical suite and talk to domestic abuse and child protection officers.
Forming part of a line of officers and traffic wardens invited to greet the Princess was 22-year-old PC Lisa Hughes (pictured).
Lisa remembers Diana as ‘a very lovely lady’ and recalls: “She said hello and had a general chat to a few of us. I was quite nervous so I can’t remember exactly what she said, but it was along the lines of asking people how long they had worked for the force.”
Now working as a neighbourhood officer on Dudley’s Gornal and Sedgley team, Lisa has proudly kept a 23-year-old photograph of their meeting. “It was the one and only time I met Diana,” Lisa said.
Recently we have found old footage of the meeting which can be viewed below:
Back in 1992 no one knew that Diana was to end her life abruptly just over five years later. Following her death in a Paris car crash, staff left flowers at Wolverhampton police station under her portrait and the visitors’ book she signed at the opening.
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Summer Album #3 - Dangerous Dogs Expert PC Keith Evans
Keith Evans is West Midlands Police’s guru on dangerous dogs who is helping shape new government legislation to tackle issues like banned breeds, dog attacks, and so called ‘status dogs’ used to intimidate.
He joined the force’s dog unit in 2001 and, after studying canine psychology, now advises on national police policy for dealing with fatal or serious dog attacks, plus works closely with groups like the RSPCA and the British Horse Society.
It’s an increasingly important, and legally complex, area of business for police forces and West Midlands Police is one of few to have its own dedicated Dangerous Dogs Unit.
The number of dog seizures has more than doubled in the last few years from 287 in 2011-12 to 604 between April 2014 and March 2015.
Last year’s figure includes 189 seized on suspicion of being prohibited breeds under the Dangerous Dogs Act and 268 that were dangerously out of control.
PC Evans, said: “There has been a sizeable increase in the number of dogs seized for being dangerously out of control since new laws were introduced in summer 2014 making it an offence in private property and not just in public. In the first five months of 2014 there were 50 such seizures, but that more than doubled over the same period this year to 133.
“In most cases the fault lies not with the animal’s temperament but with its owner: they may be mistreating it, allowing or even encouraging it to behave aggressively, or are simply naïve about how to best look after their dog and how it interacts with other animals and people.
“We appreciate the impact irresponsible dog ownership has on our communities…we have excellent equipment and trained officers to deal with dog-related incidents. All reports of dog-related incidents are taken seriously and I would encourage anyone to report concerns to us on the 101 number."
And he offered this advice to dog owners.
“My overriding message to dog owners is one of socialisation,” said Keith. “The vaccination of puppies has reduced the effect of certain diseases to extremely low levels – but one knock-on effect is that people are not adequately socialising their puppies in the first few weeks and months of their lives.
“From the age of about 8-14 weeks it’s extremely important for pups to develop a good association with everyday objects, people and other dogs: it will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
“We hear tragic stories all too often of children being bitten by dogs so, when introducing a dog to children (especially babies), do so in a structured and controlled manner. Speak to a reputable charity, or seek advice from a qualified behaviourist. Never leave children alone with any dog.
“And take advantage of free micro-chipping being offered by the charitable sector before it becomes a legal requirement in 2016.”
West Midlands Police is sharing a new feature every day throughout August as part of the ‘summer album’.
Find out more here.
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