Nottingham City News
New powers are to be given to Nottingham Police Community Support Officers
4th July 2012
Seven additional powers for the officers were approved at a meeting of the county's police authority.
Under the new guidelines, PCSOs will be able to:
* Photograph people away from a police station.
* Issue fixed-penalty notices for excluded pupils found in a public place.
*Issue fixed-penalty notices in respect of offences under dog control orders.
* Issue penalty notices for consumption of alcohol by a person under 18 or for allowing such consumption.
* Issue penalty notices for buying or attempting to buy alcohol by a person under the age of 18.
* Issue penalty notices for selling or attempting to sell alcohol to a person who is drunk.
* Issue penalty notices for possession of a controlled Class B drug – cannabis.
The review of PCSO powers was commissioned by Assistant Chief Constable Paul Scarrott and carried out in consultation with neighbourhood sergeants and inspectors.
Mr Scarrott's report said: "These additional powers give the PCSOs more tools to solve problems for the community."
Former police authority chairman John Clarke said the additional powers raised questions about the future of the force.
"I am concerned about the loss of proper police officers," he said. "The force is moving more and more towards PCSOs."
Mr Clarke said that he was particularly concerned about PCSOs being able to gather intelligence, by taking photographs which could be used as evidence.
He added: "Collating evidence is a job which requires a lot of training, so if PCSOs are going to be given that responsibility, it is vital that they undergo the relevant training."
The review of PCSOs also looked at their contract of employment, job description and specification, shift pattern and recruitment.
A change in shift pattern was suggested because PCSOs not working in line with the officers had "caused some difficulty in team-working, briefing, de-briefing, development and general management".
They will now work the same shifts as beat officers, with different finish times to late and afternoon shifts.
Lloyds TSB raided by armed robbers
4th July 2012
Two robbers threatened a cashier at a Nottingham bank before escaping on a motorbike with a quantity of cash.
Police said the Lloyds TSB on Wollaton Road, Wollaton, was raided at about 15:00 BST on Monday.
The men were reported to have used a hammer and a handgun to threaten the bank worker before leaving on a red motorbike.
Both robbers were said to have been wearing parka coats and one was carrying a black sports bag.
Police have appealed for witnesses.
I walked to the QMC this morning, for me INR level blood tests - then caught the bus into the city, where I took these shots of the corner of Milton Street/Upper Parliament Street.
Note the lack of people around? This was at about 1200hrs.
Nottingham Policing Plan
The 'Cut Crime and keep you safe', may have to take a back-seat for a while, during the Olympics when 280 officers will be taken away from Nottingham to police the London Olympics - just in time for the annual Nottingham summer youth riots too!
The Queen's Visit to Nottingham
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| Wot I took Wednesday 13th June 2012 |
With editors comments added in red letters!
Details of when and where people can see the Queen during her visit to Nottingham on Wednesday have been revealed.
The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will start at Nottingham train station before going to the Council House and Vernon Park, in Basford.
The Queen pictured in Leicester at the start of jubilee tour in March.
It is hoped that hundreds of people will line the route to greet the royal party as they travel through the city.
This could happen, as Wednesday's in Nottingham sees many hundreds of people signing on at the benefit and Jobcentre plus offices.
There will be a number of road closures and travel restrictions.
The Queen and Prince Philip are due to arrive at the station at 10.05am. They will be met by Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton and will all travel by car to the Council House.
Oh I am glad for them.
People are encouraged to line the streets to get a glimpse of the royal convoy as it travels along Middle Pavement, Albert Street and Wheeler Gate and into the Old Market Square, near the fountains.
Should be a bit of interest to the Big Issue sellers!
The royals are expected to arrive in the square at 10.10am and will spend time meeting the crowds, before going into the Council House to meet the Lord Lieutenants of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and guests.
A spokesman for the Lord Lieutenant of Notts, Sir Andrew Buchanan, said: "The Lord Lieutenant is delighted and is very much looking forward to greeting the royal party.
"He is hoping that the people of Nottingham will give them a really wonderful welcome. It is a fantastic opportunity because the Queen hasn't been here since the Golden Jubilee, so we are hoping that everybody is going to come out in force."
Out in force? Muggers, beggars, rioters, unemployed, drug gangs, and shoplifters might attend I suppose!
The royals will appear on the Council House balcony and the National Anthem will be played. The royal party will leave by car at about 10.55am. Spectators can see them on Queen Street and Upper Parliament Street, before they travel to Vernon Park, in Basford, along Vernon Avenue.
The park has been granted Queen Elizabeth II Field Status, which preserves parks as recreational spaces.
Well that's good news for the unemployed, redundant, crime victims, sick on the NHS waiting list, immigrants, muggers, and gun-crime criminals of Nottingham I'm sure!
The royal party is expected to arrive at Vernon Park at around 11am and the Queen will unveil a plaque to mark the park's new status. They will enjoy sporting and musical performances by children from schools and groups from Notts and Derbyshire.
Members of the public will be able to arrive at the park from 8.30am and enjoy the activities from 10am to 2pm.
The Duke of Edinburgh is recovering from a bladder infection in London, and a spokesman for Buckingham Palace told the Post yesterday that there was no update on his condition.
But it is hoped that he will be able to accompany the Queen on Wednesday for her two-day visit to Nottingham and then Corby as part of her tour of the UK.
The spokesman for Sir Andrew added: "We hope that he will be well enough to come but his health is paramount. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be with Her Majesty, which is very exciting."
Yes poor chap, I'd go myself, but it's my INR Warfarin blood tests appointment.
Nottingham City Council leader Councillor Jon Collins said: "As the capital of the East Midlands, it's great Nottingham's playing host to this royal visit.
"I'm sure that people will give the royal party a warm welcome and will be excited about getting the chance to also see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations."
They say it costs over £500 to serve HRM with each breakfast she has served to her - five times what get a week in pension - so please do not feel bad about my lack of interest?
Can you help find 'despicable' robbers?
‘Despicable’ robbers who pinned an elderly woman to the ground in her own home and stole her necklace are being hunted by police.
The two men, both white, pushed their way into the 80-year-old woman’s bungalow in Bestwood Road, Hucknall, at around 10.30pm on Monday (11 June).
They told her to turn her taps on, but she refused.
She was forced to the floor while one of the offenders searched her bedroom. A necklace she was wearing at the time was snatched from her neck and they fled through the back door.
Both robbers are thought to be in their early 20s. One was just over 5ft tall while the other was taller and wore a hooded top with a scarf around his face.
The victim was not injured during the incident.
Detectives are appealing to any witnesses who may have seen two men behaving suspiciously in the Hucknall area. They are also appealing to anyone who may know where the victim’s necklace is.
It was made up of two gold chains linked together and had a gold oval pendant attached, which has a swirl pattern on it.
Detective Inspector Hayley Williams, from Sutton CID, said: “This was a callous and despicable attack on an elderly woman in her own home.
“She must have been terrified at the sight of two complete strangers barging their way into her home - a place that should be a safe sanctuary for her.
“They snatched the necklace she was wearing from around her neck. This is of significant sentimental value to her and the pendant contains photographs of her husband and son.
“We are determined to find the heartless offenders who did this and I urge anyone who has information to come forward to help us hold them to account for what they did.”
Although incidents of this nature are relatively rare, high visibility patrols have been increased in the area as a precaution.
Anyone with information should contact Hucknall CID at 101 extension 804 4733 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
