http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2006/01/06/1381542-sun.html
Cary Castagna
"A former inmate is upset that EBay has shut down the sale of his personal prison documents online. Adrian Lee Quist, 32, said he got hold of more than a dozen Correctional Service Canada files related to him after filing a request under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. The ex-con then posted the documents on EBay. Quist, who served nearly 10 years at several federal prisons for property-related offences, claims the documents spell out the mistreatment he endured at the hands of corrections officials during his time behind bars. "
Saturday, January 07, 2006
'Save me from my yob son' / icCroydon, 6 Jan 2006
http://digbig.com/4fwph
Katie Archer
"The troubled teenager has caused so many problems for neighbours with his aggressive and intimidating behaviour that Angela, Raymond and their other son Shaun, 10, have been warned they will be evicted if they allow Richard back in their home.
But he has so far escaped serious punishment, despite repeatedly being in trouble with the police - to his mother's despair."
Katie Archer
"The troubled teenager has caused so many problems for neighbours with his aggressive and intimidating behaviour that Angela, Raymond and their other son Shaun, 10, have been warned they will be evicted if they allow Richard back in their home.
But he has so far escaped serious punishment, despite repeatedly being in trouble with the police - to his mother's despair."
[USA] That Divisive Anti-Immigrant Fence / Washington Post, 6 Jan 2006
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/06/AR2006010600544.html
Marcela Sanchez
"When the House of Representatives passed the Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act last month, it bowed to the narrowest possible thinking on immigration. The bill, one of the harshest in decades, would fund the building of nearly 700 miles of new high-tech fences along the U.S.-Mexico border and make illegal immigration a felony. Any U.S. citizen found driving an immigrant anywhere -- even to a hospital or school -- could be arrested as an 'alien smuggler' if the immigrant were determined to be here illegally."
Marcela Sanchez
"When the House of Representatives passed the Border Protection, Anti-Terrorism, and Illegal Immigration Control Act last month, it bowed to the narrowest possible thinking on immigration. The bill, one of the harshest in decades, would fund the building of nearly 700 miles of new high-tech fences along the U.S.-Mexico border and make illegal immigration a felony. Any U.S. citizen found driving an immigrant anywhere -- even to a hospital or school -- could be arrested as an 'alien smuggler' if the immigrant were determined to be here illegally."
German Immigration Gets Tough with Islamists by Daniel Pipes / F4ront Page Magazine, 3 Jan 2006
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=20748
Daniel Pipes
"In Baden-Wurtenberg, Heribert Rech (of the ruling Christian Democratic Union party) has overseen the administering of a 30-topic loyalty test for applicants to become naturalized citizens. Following an intensive and sophisticated study by the Baden-Wurtenberg government of Muslim life, it developed a manual for the naturalization authorities explaining that applicants for citizenship must concur with the “free, democratic, constitutional structure” of Germany.
The second initiative originates in Lower Saxony, where the interior minister, Uwe Schunemann (also a CDU member), has stated he would consider making radical Islamists wear electronic foot tags. Doing so, he says, would allow the authorities 'to monitor the approximately 3,000 violence-prone Islamists in Germany, the hate preachers [i.e., Islamist imams], and the fighters trained in foreign terrorist camps.' Electronic tags, he suggested, are practical #for violence-prone Islamists who can't be expelled to their home countries because of the threat of torture' there."
Daniel Pipes
"In Baden-Wurtenberg, Heribert Rech (of the ruling Christian Democratic Union party) has overseen the administering of a 30-topic loyalty test for applicants to become naturalized citizens. Following an intensive and sophisticated study by the Baden-Wurtenberg government of Muslim life, it developed a manual for the naturalization authorities explaining that applicants for citizenship must concur with the “free, democratic, constitutional structure” of Germany.
The second initiative originates in Lower Saxony, where the interior minister, Uwe Schunemann (also a CDU member), has stated he would consider making radical Islamists wear electronic foot tags. Doing so, he says, would allow the authorities 'to monitor the approximately 3,000 violence-prone Islamists in Germany, the hate preachers [i.e., Islamist imams], and the fighters trained in foreign terrorist camps.' Electronic tags, he suggested, are practical #for violence-prone Islamists who can't be expelled to their home countries because of the threat of torture' there."
Young People's Alcohol Drinking Influenced By How Much Advertising They View / Medical News Today, 4 Jan 2006
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=35650
"Young people who view more alcohol advertisements tend to drink more alcohol, according to a new study in the January issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. Young people are beginning to drink at an earlier age than ever before and their actions can have consequences ranging from poor grades to alcoholism and car accidents"
"Young people who view more alcohol advertisements tend to drink more alcohol, according to a new study in the January issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. Young people are beginning to drink at an earlier age than ever before and their actions can have consequences ranging from poor grades to alcoholism and car accidents"
spiked-essays | Essay | Pretending that youth apathy doesn't exist
http://www.spiked-online.com/articles/0000000CAEFA.htm
Wendy Earle
"The authorities' attempts to reinvent and 'remix' citizenship ignore the real problem. 'The nature of citizenship is changing and young people are the first to recognise it. Far from being disengaged from democracy, young people are in the process of re-inventing it.' (1a) So claims Stephen Coleman, an influential thinker on e-democracy, in a 2005 report for the UK Carnegie Trust Young People's Initiative. But is it true?"
Wendy Earle
"The authorities' attempts to reinvent and 'remix' citizenship ignore the real problem. 'The nature of citizenship is changing and young people are the first to recognise it. Far from being disengaged from democracy, young people are in the process of re-inventing it.' (1a) So claims Stephen Coleman, an influential thinker on e-democracy, in a 2005 report for the UK Carnegie Trust Young People's Initiative. But is it true?"
Charles Clarke's bad trip / Spiked, 6 Jan 2006
http://www.spiked-online.com/articles/0000000CAEFD.htm
Jamioe Douglass
"UK home secretary Charles Clarke is - yet again - making noises about cannabis. Clearly unhappy with the declassification legacy left him by Mr Blunkett, he is apparently 'very worried' about the confusion caused by the drug's legal status as a Class C narcotic, and now he is considering a u-turn on the downgrading. Well he might be concerned about the confusion caused by the new cannabis law, because it seems to be confusing him more than most."
Jamioe Douglass
"UK home secretary Charles Clarke is - yet again - making noises about cannabis. Clearly unhappy with the declassification legacy left him by Mr Blunkett, he is apparently 'very worried' about the confusion caused by the drug's legal status as a Class C narcotic, and now he is considering a u-turn on the downgrading. Well he might be concerned about the confusion caused by the new cannabis law, because it seems to be confusing him more than most."
Drug Action Team newsletter / Home Office, 6 Jan 2006
http://www.drugs.gov.uk/news-events/newsletter/drugaction/274598
"The January 2006 issue is available. It includes articles on ketamine classification, the Alcohol Needs Assessment Research Project and the new national drug treatment study, and more."
"The January 2006 issue is available. It includes articles on ketamine classification, the Alcohol Needs Assessment Research Project and the new national drug treatment study, and more."
"Properties from hell" will be "shut and sealed" / Number 10, 6 Jan 2005
http://www.number10.gov.uk/output/Page8885.asp
"'Properties from hell' will be 'shut and sealed' under proposed powers to be unveiled next week by the Prime Minister as part of the Government's ongoing drive against anti social behaviour. The new measure is a central plank of the Respect Action plan to be published by the Home Office's Respect Taskforce."
"'Properties from hell' will be 'shut and sealed' under proposed powers to be unveiled next week by the Prime Minister as part of the Government's ongoing drive against anti social behaviour. The new measure is a central plank of the Respect Action plan to be published by the Home Office's Respect Taskforce."
Friday, January 06, 2006
Harmless habit or dangerous drug? [Khat] / The Spirit Elf, 5 Jan 2006
http://www.spiritelf.com/?article=302
"The UK Home Office is expected to announce within days whether it will ban khat, a narcotic shrub which men in the Somali and Yemeni communities have traditionally chewed. Khat is illegal in the United States but is entirely uncontrolled in UK. But is it really any more dangerous than tobacco or alcohol?The stimulant khat, or qat, is currently legal in the UK although it is banned in the United States, Canada and several European countries. "
"The UK Home Office is expected to announce within days whether it will ban khat, a narcotic shrub which men in the Somali and Yemeni communities have traditionally chewed. Khat is illegal in the United States but is entirely uncontrolled in UK. But is it really any more dangerous than tobacco or alcohol?The stimulant khat, or qat, is currently legal in the UK although it is banned in the United States, Canada and several European countries. "
Bloggers have killed Official Secrets Act, claims Murray/ The Register, 5 Jan 2006
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/01/05/murray_claims_official_secrets_kill/
John Lettice
"Ordinarily we'd avoid mentioning the Government's unaccountable failure to gaol Craig Murray, in case we inadvertently reminded its members of something they missed from yesterday's 'To Do' list. But, as the man himself so plainly wants to draw attention to his continuing liberty, we might as well just go ahead. Bloggers, says Murray, have killed off the Official Secrets Act.
We wouldn't put it that strongly ourselves, but the Act certainly doesn't look well. Last week, Murray, a former UK ambassador to Uzbekistan*, responded to Foreign Office attempts to suppress two confidential documents by publishing them on his website and encouraging blogs the world over to republish them. Murray now claims these appeared in more than 4,000 blogs within 72 hours. We've no idea whether or not the total hit 4,000, but whatever, it's loads and loads - far beyond any number that the UK Government could ever manage to deal with."
John Lettice
"Ordinarily we'd avoid mentioning the Government's unaccountable failure to gaol Craig Murray, in case we inadvertently reminded its members of something they missed from yesterday's 'To Do' list. But, as the man himself so plainly wants to draw attention to his continuing liberty, we might as well just go ahead. Bloggers, says Murray, have killed off the Official Secrets Act.
We wouldn't put it that strongly ourselves, but the Act certainly doesn't look well. Last week, Murray, a former UK ambassador to Uzbekistan*, responded to Foreign Office attempts to suppress two confidential documents by publishing them on his website and encouraging blogs the world over to republish them. Murray now claims these appeared in more than 4,000 blogs within 72 hours. We've no idea whether or not the total hit 4,000, but whatever, it's loads and loads - far beyond any number that the UK Government could ever manage to deal with."
Flaws revealed in on-the-spot coke test / New Scientist, 20 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4fwkh
Rowan Hooper
"SUSPICIONS that the internationally recognised field test for cocaine is unreliable have been confirmed by a lab investigation. Not only does the test fail to detect the drug in some samples, it can also wrongly give positive results when no cocaine is present."
Rowan Hooper
"SUSPICIONS that the internationally recognised field test for cocaine is unreliable have been confirmed by a lab investigation. Not only does the test fail to detect the drug in some samples, it can also wrongly give positive results when no cocaine is present."
Taking on the drugged and drunk drivers - Technology / New Scientist, no. 2528, 3 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4fwkg
Paul Marks
"Forget breathalysers and walking the line: tomorrow's drunk or drugged drivers could be rumbled by police officers wielding just such a gadget. And if the software says someone's psychomotor skills are as impaired as their driving suggests, a sliver of silicon will then be produced to indicate from a saliva sample just what they have been imbibing, injecting, smoking or snorting. " [Sub Required]
Paul Marks
"Forget breathalysers and walking the line: tomorrow's drunk or drugged drivers could be rumbled by police officers wielding just such a gadget. And if the software says someone's psychomotor skills are as impaired as their driving suggests, a sliver of silicon will then be produced to indicate from a saliva sample just what they have been imbibing, injecting, smoking or snorting. " [Sub Required]
Fake fingers no match for scanner's electronic nose / New Scientist, 7 Jan 2006
http://digbig.com/4fwkf
"FINGERPRINT scanners, increasingly used for everything from improving security at airports to preventing cellphone theft, can be fooled by fake fingers made of silicone, gelatine and even Play-Doh. Biometrics experts are working on ways to beat the fraudsters, and one of the latest takes a sensuous approach: an 'electronic nose' that can distinguish the unique aroma of human skin. " [Sub Required]
"FINGERPRINT scanners, increasingly used for everything from improving security at airports to preventing cellphone theft, can be fooled by fake fingers made of silicone, gelatine and even Play-Doh. Biometrics experts are working on ways to beat the fraudsters, and one of the latest takes a sensuous approach: an 'electronic nose' that can distinguish the unique aroma of human skin. " [Sub Required]
Early warning system set to revolutionise child protection Scotsman, 6 Jan 2006
http://news.scotsman.com/health.cfm?id=24592006
Linda Summerhayes
"A COMPUTER system designed to warn doctors, teachers, social workers and police when a child is at risk is set to be launched in the Lothians. The introduction of the 'e-care' children's information system - the first of its kind in Scotland - follows a series of high profile cases in which authorities were heavily criticised for failing youngsters who were in their care. "
Linda Summerhayes
"A COMPUTER system designed to warn doctors, teachers, social workers and police when a child is at risk is set to be launched in the Lothians. The introduction of the 'e-care' children's information system - the first of its kind in Scotland - follows a series of high profile cases in which authorities were heavily criticised for failing youngsters who were in their care. "
Pornographers Turn to Click-Fraud / E-Commerce News, 5 Jan 2006
http://digbig.com/4fwke
John P. Mello Jr.
"According to a statement by Kessler International (KI), a cybercrime investigations firm based in New York City, pornographers are turning to click-fraud to supplement income generated by their vice sites."
John P. Mello Jr.
"According to a statement by Kessler International (KI), a cybercrime investigations firm based in New York City, pornographers are turning to click-fraud to supplement income generated by their vice sites."
'Right to know' fails to open the Government's vaults of secrets / Independent, 31 Dec 2005
Independent Online Edition > Legal:
Robert Verkaik
"Labour's much-trumpeted freedom of information laws have failed to open up Whitehall to public scrutiny, judging by the evidence of the first 12 months of the new order. A year after we were first granted the 'right to know', new figures show nine out of 17 government departments have failed to provide adequate answers to half of the requests they received. " [Sub Required]
Robert Verkaik
"Labour's much-trumpeted freedom of information laws have failed to open up Whitehall to public scrutiny, judging by the evidence of the first 12 months of the new order. A year after we were first granted the 'right to know', new figures show nine out of 17 government departments have failed to provide adequate answers to half of the requests they received. " [Sub Required]
[USA] Jail escape raises questions on tracking of bedding supplies / MiamiHerald, 27 Dec 2005
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/13491824.htm
David Ovalle
"A plan to improve the tracking of bed linen at a county jail emerged this weekend, days after a rape suspect escaped from jail using bedsheets."
David Ovalle
"A plan to improve the tracking of bed linen at a county jail emerged this weekend, days after a rape suspect escaped from jail using bedsheets."
Hackers Rebel Against Spy Cams / Wired, [no date]
http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,69942-0.html?tw=wn_tophead_1
Ann Harrison
"When the Austrian government passed a law this year allowing police to install closed-circuit surveillance cameras in public spaces without a court order, the Austrian civil liberties group Quintessenz vowed to watch the watchers. Members of the organization worked out a way to intercept the camera images with an inexpensive, 1-GHz satellite receiver. The signal could then be descrambled using hardware designed to enhance copy-protected video as it's transferred from DVD to VHS tape."
Ann Harrison
"When the Austrian government passed a law this year allowing police to install closed-circuit surveillance cameras in public spaces without a court order, the Austrian civil liberties group Quintessenz vowed to watch the watchers. Members of the organization worked out a way to intercept the camera images with an inexpensive, 1-GHz satellite receiver. The signal could then be descrambled using hardware designed to enhance copy-protected video as it's transferred from DVD to VHS tape."
[USA] City buys system to pinpoint gunfire source / The Sun News, 30 Dec 2005
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/myrtlebeachonline/news/nation/13513801.htm
"High-tech gadgets that can trace gunfire to its source are being installed around the city with the hope of getting police officers to crime scenes more quickly. The ShotSpotter Location System will use acoustic sound sensors mounted on sides and rooftops of buildings to feed data to a computer if a shot is fired. The computer will then pinpoint the location of the gunfire by measuring the distance of the shot from each sensor. Rochester will join a handful of cities already using the technology developed by Mountain View, Calif.-based ShotSpotter Inc., including Charleston, where officers have said it has helped them determine the location of shootings in neighborhoods where people have been unwilling to get involved."
"High-tech gadgets that can trace gunfire to its source are being installed around the city with the hope of getting police officers to crime scenes more quickly. The ShotSpotter Location System will use acoustic sound sensors mounted on sides and rooftops of buildings to feed data to a computer if a shot is fired. The computer will then pinpoint the location of the gunfire by measuring the distance of the shot from each sensor. Rochester will join a handful of cities already using the technology developed by Mountain View, Calif.-based ShotSpotter Inc., including Charleston, where officers have said it has helped them determine the location of shootings in neighborhoods where people have been unwilling to get involved."
It's All in Your Head from/ Law Enforcement Technology at Officer.com, Nov 2005
http://www.officer.com/publication/article.jsp?pubId=1&id=27030
Kathy Steck-Flynn
"Hair is in all likelihood one of the most common types of trace evidence. In some cases it may rule out certain populations or help identify an unknown victim. Transfer of hair from a victim to a suspect, or vice versa, may substantially raise the probability the victim and perpetrator were in contact."
Kathy Steck-Flynn
"Hair is in all likelihood one of the most common types of trace evidence. In some cases it may rule out certain populations or help identify an unknown victim. Transfer of hair from a victim to a suspect, or vice versa, may substantially raise the probability the victim and perpetrator were in contact."
Children traumatised by asylum raids, says watchdog / Times Online, 5 Jan 2006
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,173-1970427,00.html
Alexandra Frean
"THE Government has been severely criticised by its own watchdog for allowing children to be 'snatched' from their homes by immigration officials. Al Aynsley-Green, England's first Children's Commissioner, said that it was outrageous in a civilised society that the children of asylum-seekers were being rounded up for deportation with no warning and no attempt to explain to them what was happening. "
Alexandra Frean
"THE Government has been severely criticised by its own watchdog for allowing children to be 'snatched' from their homes by immigration officials. Al Aynsley-Green, England's first Children's Commissioner, said that it was outrageous in a civilised society that the children of asylum-seekers were being rounded up for deportation with no warning and no attempt to explain to them what was happening. "
[Belgium] Record number of refugees gain right to stay / Expatica, 5 Jan 2005
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=24&story_id=26562
"Belgium gave residence status to a record 3,059 political refugees last year, a one-third increase compared with 2004.
The Commisionership-General for Refugees and Stateless said especially Chechens, Rwandans and Congolese nationals were recognised as political refugees. The number of requests for asylum lodged with Belgium authorities fell to a record low in 2004, with just 15,357 refugees entering the country. In 2000, some 42,000 asylum seekers entered the country"
"Belgium gave residence status to a record 3,059 political refugees last year, a one-third increase compared with 2004.
The Commisionership-General for Refugees and Stateless said especially Chechens, Rwandans and Congolese nationals were recognised as political refugees. The number of requests for asylum lodged with Belgium authorities fell to a record low in 2004, with just 15,357 refugees entering the country. In 2000, some 42,000 asylum seekers entered the country"
German Muslim groups angry over 'racist' citizenship test / Expatica, 5 Jan 2005
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=26&story_id=26588
"Blunt questions posed to Muslims seeking German citizenship in a Christian Democratic-ruled federal state are fuelling anger and the threat of discrimination lawsuits from Islamic groups. The state's interior ministry has defended the new system by saying a segment of Muslim society in Germany does not view its faith as something which can conform to the nation's constitution. Officials insist that not all applicants will be asked all of the questions. "
"Blunt questions posed to Muslims seeking German citizenship in a Christian Democratic-ruled federal state are fuelling anger and the threat of discrimination lawsuits from Islamic groups. The state's interior ministry has defended the new system by saying a segment of Muslim society in Germany does not view its faith as something which can conform to the nation's constitution. Officials insist that not all applicants will be asked all of the questions. "
ying in wait for airborne criminals / CNN.com, 5 Jan 2006
http://edition.cnn.com/2006/TRAVEL/01/05/lie.detectors/ "Controversial device analyzes passengers' voices. A new walk-through airport lie detector developed by Israeli scientists could throw up yet another layer of security to ensure potential hijackers or contraband smugglers do not gain access to international flights."
[Liberia] Passport Fraud Exposed: Fake Documents Issues to Foreigners / Liberian Observer, 5 Jan 2006
http://digbig.com/4fwjy
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia is expected to take steps to streamline its passport section in the wake of reports of lack of control over the issuance of passports.
A new report from the United Nations Panel of Experts on Liberia said the Foreign Ministry provided documentation concerning the issuance of fake Liberian passports, allegedly made in Italy with a printing press formerly used to print genuine Liberian passports."
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia is expected to take steps to streamline its passport section in the wake of reports of lack of control over the issuance of passports.
A new report from the United Nations Panel of Experts on Liberia said the Foreign Ministry provided documentation concerning the issuance of fake Liberian passports, allegedly made in Italy with a printing press formerly used to print genuine Liberian passports."
icBirmingham - Shocking school attack figures revealed
http://digbig.com/4fwjw
Tony Collins
"A review conducted by members of Birmingham City's Education Scrutiny Committee after concerns from parents and teaching unions about the level of violence in schools investigated the types of antisocial behaviour prevalent in schools today, the safety of young people and the link between bullying and truancy."
Tony Collins
"A review conducted by members of Birmingham City's Education Scrutiny Committee after concerns from parents and teaching unions about the level of violence in schools investigated the types of antisocial behaviour prevalent in schools today, the safety of young people and the link between bullying and truancy."
Merseyside leads the way in 'total policing' / icLiverpool, 5 Jan 2006
http://digbig.com/4fwjr
"Merseyside led the way with neighbourhood policing in the UK, but five years on and it's time to improve the model. "
[5 pages - see link to printable version at bottom of page]
"Merseyside led the way with neighbourhood policing in the UK, but five years on and it's time to improve the model. "
[5 pages - see link to printable version at bottom of page]
National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) WITS
http://www.tkb.org/NCTC/Home.jsp
"The National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) is the primary center for US government analysis of terrorism. NCTC is making its database of terrorists incidents available via the MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base to improve information sharing and to further understanding of terrorism. Offering multiple options to analyze NCTC’s Worldwide Incidents Tracking System dataset, the new NCTC portal allows users to create custom color charts or to plot terrorist incidents in relation to dozens of geographic, political, and infrastructural characteristics. "
"The National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) is the primary center for US government analysis of terrorism. NCTC is making its database of terrorists incidents available via the MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base to improve information sharing and to further understanding of terrorism. Offering multiple options to analyze NCTC’s Worldwide Incidents Tracking System dataset, the new NCTC portal allows users to create custom color charts or to plot terrorist incidents in relation to dozens of geographic, political, and infrastructural characteristics. "
Birth Statistics / ONS, Jan 2006
PDF - http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/FM1_33/FM1_33.pdf
"Review of the Register General on births and patterns of family building in England and Wales, 2004"
"Review of the Register General on births and patterns of family building in England and Wales, 2004"
The lie detector you'll never know is there /New Scientist, 5 Jan 2005
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg18925335.800
Paul Marks
"THE US Department of Defense has revealed plans to develop a lie detector that can be used without the subject knowing they are being assessed. The Remote Personnel Assessment (RPA) device will also be used to pinpoint fighters hiding in a combat zone, or even to spot signs of stress that might mark someone out as a terrorist or suicide bomber."
Paul Marks
"THE US Department of Defense has revealed plans to develop a lie detector that can be used without the subject knowing they are being assessed. The Remote Personnel Assessment (RPA) device will also be used to pinpoint fighters hiding in a combat zone, or even to spot signs of stress that might mark someone out as a terrorist or suicide bomber."
DNA pixie dust fails to solve all UK crime, shock horror / The Register, 5 Jan 2005
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/01/05/dna_database_oversold/
John Lettice
Luckless inner city inhabitants among the Reg readership will possibly have the impression that if they're burgled or their car window gets smashed, they're a lot likelier to get offers of counselling than an actual crime investigation; historically, it frequently hasn't been cost effective for the police to try to find solvable crimes in among the huge pile of unsolvable low ticket ones, hence the low clear-up rates for them. But, as the Home Office figures show, DNA matching produces dramatic boosts in clear-up rates, so it now makes sense for police to get round to the scene of the crime and collect the samples, right?
John Lettice
Luckless inner city inhabitants among the Reg readership will possibly have the impression that if they're burgled or their car window gets smashed, they're a lot likelier to get offers of counselling than an actual crime investigation; historically, it frequently hasn't been cost effective for the police to try to find solvable crimes in among the huge pile of unsolvable low ticket ones, hence the low clear-up rates for them. But, as the Home Office figures show, DNA matching produces dramatic boosts in clear-up rates, so it now makes sense for police to get round to the scene of the crime and collect the samples, right?
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Tiny crystals promise big benefits for solar technologies / PhysOrg, 5 Jan 2006
http://www.physorg.com/news9583.html
"Los Alamos National Laboratory scientists have discovered that a phenomenon called carrier multiplication, in which semiconductor nanocrystals respond to photons by producing multiple electrons, is applicable to a broader array of materials that previously thought. The discovery increases the potential for the use of nanoscrystals as solar cell materials to produce higher electrical outputs than current solar cells. "
"Los Alamos National Laboratory scientists have discovered that a phenomenon called carrier multiplication, in which semiconductor nanocrystals respond to photons by producing multiple electrons, is applicable to a broader array of materials that previously thought. The discovery increases the potential for the use of nanoscrystals as solar cell materials to produce higher electrical outputs than current solar cells. "
Returning Iraqi Fighters a Serious Threat, Germany Says| / Deutsche Welle. 4 Jan .2006
http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,1846008,00.html
"German intelligence officials warn that European Islamic extremists returning home from fighting with insurgents in Iraq are a danger. Last year's London bombings, they say, are proof of the homegrown terrorist threat. In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF, Heinz Fromm, the president of Germany's domestic intelligence service said that the highly unstable situation in Iraq poses a threat to European countries, including Germany.
Fromm warned that the hundreds of European Muslims who have gone to Iraq to support Iraqi insurgents, and who then return to Europe, are a great concern to European security agencies. "
"German intelligence officials warn that European Islamic extremists returning home from fighting with insurgents in Iraq are a danger. Last year's London bombings, they say, are proof of the homegrown terrorist threat. In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF, Heinz Fromm, the president of Germany's domestic intelligence service said that the highly unstable situation in Iraq poses a threat to European countries, including Germany.
Fromm warned that the hundreds of European Muslims who have gone to Iraq to support Iraqi insurgents, and who then return to Europe, are a great concern to European security agencies. "
Tackling Human Trafficking: Consultation on proposals for a UK action plan / Home Office, 5 Jan 12005
PDF - http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/TacklingTrafficking.pdf?view=Binary
"Tackling human trafficking is a key priority for the UK Government's organised crime strategy. The Government is committed to drawing up a national action plan aimed at combating and preventing human trafficking. This consultation seek views on the proposed areas for action and specific initiatives that are proposed, as well as an opportunity to suggest other areas where a UK strategy should focus."
Deadline for response: 05/04/06
"Tackling human trafficking is a key priority for the UK Government's organised crime strategy. The Government is committed to drawing up a national action plan aimed at combating and preventing human trafficking. This consultation seek views on the proposed areas for action and specific initiatives that are proposed, as well as an opportunity to suggest other areas where a UK strategy should focus."
Deadline for response: 05/04/06
Domestic Policy news : Plans to tackle human trafficking unveiled
http://www.politics.co.uk/domestic-policy/plans-tackle-human-trafficking-unveiled-$15126202.htm
"Victims of human trafficking could be granted leave to remain in the UK to help police investigate their case, under new proposals. The Home Office has published a consultation paper detailing new measures to clamp down on the practice of bringing people, often young women, into Britain for the purposes of sexual exploitation or forced labour.
Included in the document are plans to grant victims the right to stay in Britain for a limited period of time to give them time to decide whether they want to cooperate with police, or even grant them residency in return for testifying in court.
In addition, the plans would tighten up visa requirements for minors travelling to Britain to prevent young people being brought to the country against their will. "
"Victims of human trafficking could be granted leave to remain in the UK to help police investigate their case, under new proposals. The Home Office has published a consultation paper detailing new measures to clamp down on the practice of bringing people, often young women, into Britain for the purposes of sexual exploitation or forced labour.
Included in the document are plans to grant victims the right to stay in Britain for a limited period of time to give them time to decide whether they want to cooperate with police, or even grant them residency in return for testifying in court.
In addition, the plans would tighten up visa requirements for minors travelling to Britain to prevent young people being brought to the country against their will. "
Best Practice Guidance on Disclosure Logs / DCA Dec 2005
PDF - http://www.foi.gov.uk/guidance/disclosure_logs.pdf
"Many public authorities maintain what they call "disclosure logs" listing and providing access to previously made FOI requests, as the year progresses more will start to appear. They may be often part of the publication scheme. They are not mandated under the Act at present. "
Home Office Released Information - http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/freedom-of-information/released-information/
Disclosure Logs Index / UK Freedom of Information Act Blog
http://foia.blogspot.com/log.htm
"Many public authorities maintain what they call "disclosure logs" listing and providing access to previously made FOI requests, as the year progresses more will start to appear. They may be often part of the publication scheme. They are not mandated under the Act at present. "
Home Office Released Information - http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/freedom-of-information/released-information/
Disclosure Logs Index / UK Freedom of Information Act Blog
http://foia.blogspot.com/log.htm
Secure the US against bloodless terrorist warfare / Christian Science Monitor, 4 Jan 2006
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0104/p09s01-coop.html
Mansoor Ijaz and James Abrahamson
"EMP attacks are the result of a nuclear explosion's fission chain reaction interacting with the earth's magnetic field and ionosphere to electromagnetically shock any system conducting electrons. Even a small, unsophisticated nuclear weapon set off in space could destroy any system dependent on electricity or the flow of electrons, transforming conducting wires into large antennas that magnify the pulse's electromagnetic shock before destroying the hard wire's ability to conduct."
Mansoor Ijaz and James Abrahamson
"EMP attacks are the result of a nuclear explosion's fission chain reaction interacting with the earth's magnetic field and ionosphere to electromagnetically shock any system conducting electrons. Even a small, unsophisticated nuclear weapon set off in space could destroy any system dependent on electricity or the flow of electrons, transforming conducting wires into large antennas that magnify the pulse's electromagnetic shock before destroying the hard wire's ability to conduct."
Massachusetts Lt. Gov Unveils Ignition Locks for Repeat Drunk Drivers Gov Tech, 5 Jan 2006
http://www.govtech.net/news/news.php?id=97768
"Regulations mandated by law in Massachusetts went into effect that require any repeat offender seeking a hardship license or full license reinstatement privileges to install an ignition interlock device into each vehicle he or she operates.
'The passage of Melanie's Law ensures that repeat drunk driving offenders face harsher consequences for their reckless behavior,' said Healey. 'If a repeat drunk driver has alcohol on their breath, ignition interlocks won't allow drivers to start their engines.'
Healey added, 'This is another important step to keep drunk drivers who have a history of breaking the law from getting behind the wheel and endangering our roadways.' The interlock devices measure Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) and prevent the car from starting if the driver has a BAC greater than .02." [Snippet]
"Regulations mandated by law in Massachusetts went into effect that require any repeat offender seeking a hardship license or full license reinstatement privileges to install an ignition interlock device into each vehicle he or she operates.
'The passage of Melanie's Law ensures that repeat drunk driving offenders face harsher consequences for their reckless behavior,' said Healey. 'If a repeat drunk driver has alcohol on their breath, ignition interlocks won't allow drivers to start their engines.'
Healey added, 'This is another important step to keep drunk drivers who have a history of breaking the law from getting behind the wheel and endangering our roadways.' The interlock devices measure Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) and prevent the car from starting if the driver has a BAC greater than .02." [Snippet]
Teenager may face appeal over email attacks / ZDNet UK News, 5 Jan 2005
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/0,39020330,39245718,00.htm
Tom Espiner
"Late last year the CPS asked Wimbledon Magistrate's Court to submit a draft case outlining how it reached its decision. It received this in December, and is currently studying it.
'We have asked Wimbledon Magistrate's Court to state its case, and we are considering the case as stated. We may go to the High Court to ask its opinion on the case,' said a spokesperson for the CPS."
Tom Espiner
"Late last year the CPS asked Wimbledon Magistrate's Court to submit a draft case outlining how it reached its decision. It received this in December, and is currently studying it.
'We have asked Wimbledon Magistrate's Court to state its case, and we are considering the case as stated. We may go to the High Court to ask its opinion on the case,' said a spokesperson for the CPS."
The global burden of non-conflict related firearm mortality -- Richmond et al. 11 (6): 348 -- Injury Prevention
http://ip.bmjjournals.com/cgi/reprint/11/6/348
T S Richmond, R Cheney and C W Schwab
"Understanding global firearm mortality is hindered by data availability, quality, and comparability. This study assesses the adequacy of publicly available data, examines populations for whom firearm mortality data are not publicly available, and estimates the global burden of non-conflict related firearm mortality. " [Sub required]
T S Richmond, R Cheney and C W Schwab
"Understanding global firearm mortality is hindered by data availability, quality, and comparability. This study assesses the adequacy of publicly available data, examines populations for whom firearm mortality data are not publicly available, and estimates the global burden of non-conflict related firearm mortality. " [Sub required]
Join the war to stop the yobs icLiverpool, 5 Jan 2006
http://digbig.com/4fwgr
Michelle Fiddler, Liverpool Echo
"MERSEYSIDERS are being urged to stand up and be counted in the fight against thugs. The Home Office, in partnership with Crime Concern and the Co-op, has launched the Taking a Stand Awards 2006 to recognise courage in tackling yob behaviour. Winners will be invited to an awards ceremony and be given £1,000 in prize money to spend on improvements to their local area" [Snippet]
Michelle Fiddler, Liverpool Echo
"MERSEYSIDERS are being urged to stand up and be counted in the fight against thugs. The Home Office, in partnership with Crime Concern and the Co-op, has launched the Taking a Stand Awards 2006 to recognise courage in tackling yob behaviour. Winners will be invited to an awards ceremony and be given £1,000 in prize money to spend on improvements to their local area" [Snippet]
Ambassadors helping to cut city crime / Yorkshire Post, 5 Jan 2006
http://digbig.com/4fwgq
Alexandra Wood
"THERE'S only half a dozen of them - but between them they've made huge inroads into city centre crime. According to figures out yesterday, shoplifters, beggars and drinkers have all felt the impact of the Ambassadors, a six-strong team who patrol the streets of the city centre, helping businesses tackle everything from vandalism to anti-social behaviour and litter louts. Humberside Police says the Ambassadors have been responsible for a 31 per cent reduction in crime last November and December, the city centre's busiest time of the year, with the Retail Crime Partnership putting it slightly higher at 34 per cent.
City centre manager Ken Baldwin was delighted. He said: 'They have done really well. We are all over the moon.
'I think having them there is important particularly for small retailers who don't have any back-up. They already have a list of known shoplifters, and they helped cut back on begging, illegal drinking and all the things that have been problems of late.' Insp Steve Page said officers were delighted with the dramatic reduction. 'We welcome any initiative that drives down crime and contributes towards the 8.5 per cent overall drop in crime in Humberside we have seen so far this financial year.' The six, in their distinctive black and royal blue uniforms, are being funded until the end of March as part of a £77,000 pilot project. Supporters will use the statistics to back a bid to at least double their number. " [Snippet]
Alexandra Wood
"THERE'S only half a dozen of them - but between them they've made huge inroads into city centre crime. According to figures out yesterday, shoplifters, beggars and drinkers have all felt the impact of the Ambassadors, a six-strong team who patrol the streets of the city centre, helping businesses tackle everything from vandalism to anti-social behaviour and litter louts. Humberside Police says the Ambassadors have been responsible for a 31 per cent reduction in crime last November and December, the city centre's busiest time of the year, with the Retail Crime Partnership putting it slightly higher at 34 per cent.
City centre manager Ken Baldwin was delighted. He said: 'They have done really well. We are all over the moon.
'I think having them there is important particularly for small retailers who don't have any back-up. They already have a list of known shoplifters, and they helped cut back on begging, illegal drinking and all the things that have been problems of late.' Insp Steve Page said officers were delighted with the dramatic reduction. 'We welcome any initiative that drives down crime and contributes towards the 8.5 per cent overall drop in crime in Humberside we have seen so far this financial year.' The six, in their distinctive black and royal blue uniforms, are being funded until the end of March as part of a £77,000 pilot project. Supporters will use the statistics to back a bid to at least double their number. " [Snippet]
Expanding police DNA database sparks anger / Yorkshire Post Today, 5 Jan 2005
http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?sectionid=55&articleid=1303264
Kate O'Hara
"THE DNA of one in 14 people in Britain is expected to be on a crime-fighting database by April 2008 - including thousands of samples taken from innocent victims, the Government admitted. Other people whose profiles are now logged onto the vast crime file include more than 15,000 volunteers who believed they were helping solve crimes by giving their samples in response to police appeals to trace rapists or murderers. The news sparked outrage from opposition MPs last night, who called the huge numbers 'an intolerable infringement of liberty and personal privacy.'"
Kate O'Hara
"THE DNA of one in 14 people in Britain is expected to be on a crime-fighting database by April 2008 - including thousands of samples taken from innocent victims, the Government admitted. Other people whose profiles are now logged onto the vast crime file include more than 15,000 volunteers who believed they were helping solve crimes by giving their samples in response to police appeals to trace rapists or murderers. The news sparked outrage from opposition MPs last night, who called the huge numbers 'an intolerable infringement of liberty and personal privacy.'"
Guardian Unlimited Politics | Special Reports | Warn public of cannabis risks, mental health charity urges
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,11026,1677796,00.html
David Batty and agencies
"It warned the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, that further changes to the drug's legal classification would only confuse users with mental health problems and "lead to thousands of vulnerable people being dragged through the courts rather than supported through health and social care".
David Batty and agencies
"It warned the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, that further changes to the drug's legal classification would only confuse users with mental health problems and "lead to thousands of vulnerable people being dragged through the courts rather than supported through health and social care".
Oldham Advertiser - Solicitor claims ASBO rulings are too much
http://digbig.com/4fwfy
Helen Clifton
"'It is unfortunately becoming apparent that chance meetings are making people into criminals. 'My experience is that ASBOs have gone too far. Too many have been imposed unnecessarily. They are used too regularly and they are too stringent.'"
Helen Clifton
"'It is unfortunately becoming apparent that chance meetings are making people into criminals. 'My experience is that ASBOs have gone too far. Too many have been imposed unnecessarily. They are used too regularly and they are too stringent.'"
Foreigners account for one in five births in England / telegraph, 5 Jan 2005
http://digbig.com/4fwfr
Philip Johnston
"A Home Office spokesman said: 'The Government has no intention of stopping or hindering arranged marriages between a person living here and someone from abroad and does not intend to introduce any measures that will prevent arranged marriages or make it more difficult to comply with immigration rules."
Philip Johnston
"A Home Office spokesman said: 'The Government has no intention of stopping or hindering arranged marriages between a person living here and someone from abroad and does not intend to introduce any measures that will prevent arranged marriages or make it more difficult to comply with immigration rules."
Europeans Remain Tolerant About Immigrants, Survey Shows /Reader's Digest, 5 Jan 2006
http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=161289
"An exclusive poll for Reader's Digest shows that Europeans have clung to their tolerance of other cultures even in the aftermath of the Madrid and London bombings. Seventy-three per cent of respondents polled in eight countries said that their everyday experience of immigrants was positive. "
"An exclusive poll for Reader's Digest shows that Europeans have clung to their tolerance of other cultures even in the aftermath of the Madrid and London bombings. Seventy-three per cent of respondents polled in eight countries said that their everyday experience of immigrants was positive. "
Plans to help trafficking victims / BBC, 5 Jan 2006
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4580746.stm
"Some victims of human traffickers could be given an automatic right to stay in the UK under plans to tackle the trade. New support schemes are among the other options being considered in the public consultation by the Home Office and Scottish Executive."
"Some victims of human traffickers could be given an automatic right to stay in the UK under plans to tackle the trade. New support schemes are among the other options being considered in the public consultation by the Home Office and Scottish Executive."
[Czech Republic] Government to pay more attention to integration of foreigners / Czech News Agency, 4 Jan 2006
http://www.ctk.cz/english/services/english/index_view.php?id=165795
"The government today approved the plan of integration of foreigners with Czech society which was submitted by Interior Minister Frantisek Bublan and which envisages extending help to foreigners in search of jobs, teaching of Czech language and ensuring accommodation. "
"The government today approved the plan of integration of foreigners with Czech society which was submitted by Interior Minister Frantisek Bublan and which envisages extending help to foreigners in search of jobs, teaching of Czech language and ensuring accommodation. "
End this bad parent stigma / Guardian, 5 Jan 2005
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,9115,1678198,00.html
Marian FitzGerald - a visiting professor of criminology at the University of Kent
"Crude stereotypes don't help to tackle unruly children, and discourage those who need help ."
Marian FitzGerald - a visiting professor of criminology at the University of Kent
"Crude stereotypes don't help to tackle unruly children, and discourage those who need help ."
Clarke considers reclassifying cannabis Guardian, 5 Jan 2005
http://society.guardian.co.uk/drugsandalcohol/story/0,8150,1678530,00.html
Matthew Tempest,
"The Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, promised a major public education programme about the health and legality of cannabis, as a decision loomed on whether to reverse a downgrading in the drug's classification."
Matthew Tempest,
"The Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, promised a major public education programme about the health and legality of cannabis, as a decision loomed on whether to reverse a downgrading in the drug's classification."
Secret pay per view plans for Freedom Act files / Times Online4 Jan 2006
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,172-1969439,00.html
Sam Coates and Helen Nugent
"An about-turn on the newly implemented Freedom of Information Act has been prompted by a series of embarrassing revelations about the inner workings of government. The cost of responding to requests has also proved so expensive for civil servants to administer that a charge for information is being seen as the only alternative. "
Sam Coates and Helen Nugent
"An about-turn on the newly implemented Freedom of Information Act has been prompted by a series of embarrassing revelations about the inner workings of government. The cost of responding to requests has also proved so expensive for civil servants to administer that a charge for information is being seen as the only alternative. "
Prison Overcrowding and the Constitutional Right to Adequate Accommodation in South Africa - Jonny Steinberg
/ Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, 2005
http://www.csvr.org.za/papers/papjonn2.htm
Jonny Steinberg
"There is a direct relationship between prison volumes and the capacity of the prison administration to carry out one of its primary statutory duties - to manage programmes aimed at the resocialisation of prisoners."
http://www.csvr.org.za/papers/papjonn2.htm
Jonny Steinberg
"There is a direct relationship between prison volumes and the capacity of the prison administration to carry out one of its primary statutory duties - to manage programmes aimed at the resocialisation of prisoners."
Africa's number one jailer / Cape Argus, 4 Jan 2006
http://www.capeargus.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=137&fArticleId=3053412
Wendell Roelf
"South Africa, an economic and political leader in Africa, is also the continent's number one jailer. If prisons are a reflection of society, what conclusions are to be drawn from this reality, particularly in a nation rightfully proud of its nascent democracy? In global terms, South Africa is not alone in registering a sharp increase in its prison population. Today more than nine million men, women and children are held in penal institutions worldwide."
Wendell Roelf
"South Africa, an economic and political leader in Africa, is also the continent's number one jailer. If prisons are a reflection of society, what conclusions are to be drawn from this reality, particularly in a nation rightfully proud of its nascent democracy? In global terms, South Africa is not alone in registering a sharp increase in its prison population. Today more than nine million men, women and children are held in penal institutions worldwide."
HPD crime lab probe details more lapses / Houston & Texas Chronicle, 5 Jan 2006
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3566513.html
STEVE MCVICKER and ROMA KHANNA
"Analysts in two divisions of the Houston crime lab failed to report evidence that might have helped criminal suspects, and they made errors in almost one-third of the cases reviewed in a test sample, an independent investigator reported "
Fourth Report of the Independent Investigator for the Houston Police Department Crime Laboratory and Property Room. - PDF - http://www.hpdlabinvestigation.org/reports/060104report.pdf
For earlier reports see - http://www.hpdlabinvestigation.org/reports.htm
STEVE MCVICKER and ROMA KHANNA
"Analysts in two divisions of the Houston crime lab failed to report evidence that might have helped criminal suspects, and they made errors in almost one-third of the cases reviewed in a test sample, an independent investigator reported "
Fourth Report of the Independent Investigator for the Houston Police Department Crime Laboratory and Property Room. - PDF - http://www.hpdlabinvestigation.org/reports/060104report.pdf
For earlier reports see - http://www.hpdlabinvestigation.org/reports.htm
DNA Expansion Programme 2000-05: Reporting achievement / Home Office, Jan 2006
PDF - http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/news-and-publications/publication/operational-policing/DNAExpansion.pdf?view=Binary
"This report charts the impact of the DNA expansion programme in building up DNA suspect profiles and crime scene profiles on the national DNA database and the enhanced capability of the expanded database to provide DNA intelligence to detect crime."
"This report charts the impact of the DNA expansion programme in building up DNA suspect profiles and crime scene profiles on the national DNA database and the enhanced capability of the expanded database to provide DNA intelligence to detect crime."
Smoothing the path from prison to home - Technical Report / Vera Publications, Dec 2005
PDF - http://www.vera.org/publication_pdf/326_600.pdf?update=55&token=1262
Brenner Brown ; Robin Campbell [eds.]
"Prison reentry is an important and extraordinarily complex national issue. This supplementary document provides context and analysis of research findings about Project Greenlight, an ambitious prison-based reentry demonstration project. Drawing upon research literature and demonstrated best practices, Greenlight sought to reduce recidivism among soon-to-be-released men by working with corrections and
parole staff to address a spectrum of reentry issues during the last 60 days in prison."
Brenner Brown ; Robin Campbell [eds.]
"Prison reentry is an important and extraordinarily complex national issue. This supplementary document provides context and analysis of research findings about Project Greenlight, an ambitious prison-based reentry demonstration project. Drawing upon research literature and demonstrated best practices, Greenlight sought to reduce recidivism among soon-to-be-released men by working with corrections and
parole staff to address a spectrum of reentry issues during the last 60 days in prison."
Smoothing the Path from Prison to Home / Vera Publications, Dec 2005
PDF - http://www.vera.org/publication_pdf/319_590.pdf?bulletin=55&token=1262
James A. Wilson, Yury Cheryachukin, Robert C. Davis, Jean Dauphinee, Robert Hope, Kajal Gehi, and Timothy Ross
"The Greenlight study is an important first step in understanding the dynamics of prisoner reentry. It points out the difficulty of separating the many variables that affect outcomes and the need to work more intensively in pursuit of effective reentry strategies."
James A. Wilson, Yury Cheryachukin, Robert C. Davis, Jean Dauphinee, Robert Hope, Kajal Gehi, and Timothy Ross
"The Greenlight study is an important first step in understanding the dynamics of prisoner reentry. It points out the difficulty of separating the many variables that affect outcomes and the need to work more intensively in pursuit of effective reentry strategies."
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
James Reed / Yorkshire Post4 Jan 2006
http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?sectionid=1084&articleid=1301544
James Reed"STORIES like Liam's have led to Leeds Mentoring becoming one of the first services of its kind in the country to be approved by the Home Office and Department for Education and Skills.
The programme is organised by Education Leeds, the company which runs schools in the city, and involves working with 75 businesses, charities, colleges and universities."
James Reed"STORIES like Liam's have led to Leeds Mentoring becoming one of the first services of its kind in the country to be approved by the Home Office and Department for Education and Skills.
The programme is organised by Education Leeds, the company which runs schools in the city, and involves working with 75 businesses, charities, colleges and universities."
Alarming rise in use of weapons / Yorkshire Post Today, 3 Jan 2006
http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?sectionid=55&articleid=1300690
Dave Mark
"VIOLENT crime is continuing to rise across the United Kingdom and the use of guns and weaponry is becoming almost 'commonplace', according to new Home Office figures.
Politicians said last night that the figures were symb-olic of a battle police officers cannot win in the present climate � encumbered by paperwork and poor resources.
And they warned that the picture would be even worse when the impact of relaxing the late-night drinking laws was taken into account this year. "
Dave Mark
"VIOLENT crime is continuing to rise across the United Kingdom and the use of guns and weaponry is becoming almost 'commonplace', according to new Home Office figures.
Politicians said last night that the figures were symb-olic of a battle police officers cannot win in the present climate � encumbered by paperwork and poor resources.
And they warned that the picture would be even worse when the impact of relaxing the late-night drinking laws was taken into account this year. "
Political correctness 'denying the truth' / icLiverpool, 3 Jan 2005
http://digbig.com/4fwbr
David Barrett
"A BOOK published by right-wing social policy think-tank Civitas blamed politically correct attitudes for creating 'Muslim ghettoes' which produced 'young men who commit mass murder against their fellow citizens'.
Author Anthony Browne said political correctness had become a form of 'soft totalitarianism' which had led to 'moral cowardice' and 'intellectual dishonesty'. "
David Barrett
"A BOOK published by right-wing social policy think-tank Civitas blamed politically correct attitudes for creating 'Muslim ghettoes' which produced 'young men who commit mass murder against their fellow citizens'.
Author Anthony Browne said political correctness had become a form of 'soft totalitarianism' which had led to 'moral cowardice' and 'intellectual dishonesty'. "
MPs' anger at 'violent' new Bully video game / icLiverpool, 4 Jan 2006
http://digbig.com/4fwbw
Ian Hernon
"MERSEYSIDE MPs are backing a crackdown on ultra-violent video games. Education secretary Ruth Kelly is demanding further classification curbs as part of a wider package to tackle bullying. Firms who specifically target their video nasties on young teens may face prosecution."
Ian Hernon
"MERSEYSIDE MPs are backing a crackdown on ultra-violent video games. Education secretary Ruth Kelly is demanding further classification curbs as part of a wider package to tackle bullying. Firms who specifically target their video nasties on young teens may face prosecution."
World's biggest DNA database gets larger / Silicon.com, 4 Jan 2006
http://www.silicon.com/publicsector/0,3800010403,39155335,00.htm
"The number of records on the UK government's DNA database has passed the three million mark, and the number of crimes solved using the profiles continues to rise.
Just over five per cent of the UK population is on the database, compared with one per cent in Austria - the second biggest user of the technology - and half a per cent in the US."
"The number of records on the UK government's DNA database has passed the three million mark, and the number of crimes solved using the profiles continues to rise.
Just over five per cent of the UK population is on the database, compared with one per cent in Austria - the second biggest user of the technology - and half a per cent in the US."
Prison suicides fall 18% / Politics, 4 Jan 2005
http://www.politics.co.uk/domestic-policy/prison-suicides-fall-18-$15124990.htm
"There was an 18 per cent drop in the number of prison suicides in 2005, the Howard League for Penal Reform.
This saw the number of prisoners killing themselves fall to a four-year low. There was a sharp reduction in the number of women taking their own lives, to four, following an easing of the pressure on women's prisons during the course of the year - this was a key factor in the drop in the total number of prison suicides, the Howard League points out. "
"There was an 18 per cent drop in the number of prison suicides in 2005, the Howard League for Penal Reform.
This saw the number of prisoners killing themselves fall to a four-year low. There was a sharp reduction in the number of women taking their own lives, to four, following an easing of the pressure on women's prisons during the course of the year - this was a key factor in the drop in the total number of prison suicides, the Howard League points out. "
England to launch its own Fresh Talent Scheme / WorkPermit, 12 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4fwab
"An immigration policy that gives Scotland a competitive advantage in attracting immigrants is to be undermined by a similar scheme introduced across the UK.
A version of the Fresh Talent Initiative, which allows foreign graduates to live and work in Scotland for two years, will be launhced in England. The move was announced last week by Chancellor Gordon Brown and follows complaints by universities in England that the Scotland-only programme is discriminatory. "
"An immigration policy that gives Scotland a competitive advantage in attracting immigrants is to be undermined by a similar scheme introduced across the UK.
A version of the Fresh Talent Initiative, which allows foreign graduates to live and work in Scotland for two years, will be launhced in England. The move was announced last week by Chancellor Gordon Brown and follows complaints by universities in England that the Scotland-only programme is discriminatory. "
High Crime / Adam Smith Institute Blog, 1Jan 2006
http://www.adamsmith.org/blog/index.php/blog/category/select/Society/
Dr Eamonn Butler
"In one of the dark recesses of the British Crime Survey, I discover that drug use is actually going down. The proportion of 16- to 24-year-olds admitting to the use of hallucinogens at some point in their lives has more than halved since 1996, for example - down from 16.1% to 7.9%. Meanwhile, amphetamine use has nearly halved (18.8% to 11.4%), as has the illicit use of tranquilizers (2.9% to 2.2%) and glue-sniffing (5.9% to 3.7%).
Cannabis use is very marginally higher (from 39.6% to 40.9%), and cocaine use has doubled (4.3% to 8.7%) as the drug has become more fashionable. But overall, the numbers who have used Class A drugs fell from 19.4% in 1996 to 15.8% in 2004-05, and the numbers admitting to have used any drug fell from 48.6% to 45.8%.
The explanation of these trends is anybody's guess. It could be that a decade of economic growth has cut unemployment and with it the demand for escapism through drug use. Better drug education might have had an effect. Or could it just be that with longer opening hours, young people are spending more time in the pub? " [Snippet]
Dr Eamonn Butler
"In one of the dark recesses of the British Crime Survey, I discover that drug use is actually going down. The proportion of 16- to 24-year-olds admitting to the use of hallucinogens at some point in their lives has more than halved since 1996, for example - down from 16.1% to 7.9%. Meanwhile, amphetamine use has nearly halved (18.8% to 11.4%), as has the illicit use of tranquilizers (2.9% to 2.2%) and glue-sniffing (5.9% to 3.7%).
Cannabis use is very marginally higher (from 39.6% to 40.9%), and cocaine use has doubled (4.3% to 8.7%) as the drug has become more fashionable. But overall, the numbers who have used Class A drugs fell from 19.4% in 1996 to 15.8% in 2004-05, and the numbers admitting to have used any drug fell from 48.6% to 45.8%.
The explanation of these trends is anybody's guess. It could be that a decade of economic growth has cut unemployment and with it the demand for escapism through drug use. Better drug education might have had an effect. Or could it just be that with longer opening hours, young people are spending more time in the pub? " [Snippet]
The Economics of Terrorism / Bized, 3 Jan 2006
http://www.bized.ac.uk/cgi-bin/chron/chron.pl?id=2506
"Since the attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York in 2001, billions have been spent on tracing potential terrorist networks around the globe. More is now known of the financing of such terrorist activities and it was thought that freezing the assets of suspected terrorist groups and monitoring the financial transactions of individual suspects might help the authorities prevent such attacks reoccurring.
However, a BBC World Service investigation (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4576346.stm )suggests that this might not be the catch-all that investigating teams might have hoped for. The investigation suggests that the cost of staging the attacks on the United States in 2001 was around $500,000. Theoretically, such sums of money should provide investigators with some leads, despite the web of complex transactions that can be used to disguise what is really going on. "
"Since the attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York in 2001, billions have been spent on tracing potential terrorist networks around the globe. More is now known of the financing of such terrorist activities and it was thought that freezing the assets of suspected terrorist groups and monitoring the financial transactions of individual suspects might help the authorities prevent such attacks reoccurring.
However, a BBC World Service investigation (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4576346.stm )suggests that this might not be the catch-all that investigating teams might have hoped for. The investigation suggests that the cost of staging the attacks on the United States in 2001 was around $500,000. Theoretically, such sums of money should provide investigators with some leads, despite the web of complex transactions that can be used to disguise what is really going on. "
Virtual Jihad -- The Internet as the ideal terrorism recruiting tool / Scientific American, 26 Dec 2005
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1550505/posts
Luis Miguel Ariza,
"According to Gabriel Weimann, a professor of communications at the University of Haifa in Israel, the number of all terrorist Web sites--those advocating or inciting terrorism or political violence--has grown from a dozen in 1997 to almost 4,700 today, a nearly 400-fold increase. (By comparison, the total number of Web sites has risen about 50- to 100-fold.) The enumeration includes various Marxist, Nazi and racist groups, but by far the dominant type, according to Weimann, is the Islamist-jihadist variety, which accounts for about 70 percent. "
Luis Miguel Ariza,
"According to Gabriel Weimann, a professor of communications at the University of Haifa in Israel, the number of all terrorist Web sites--those advocating or inciting terrorism or political violence--has grown from a dozen in 1997 to almost 4,700 today, a nearly 400-fold increase. (By comparison, the total number of Web sites has risen about 50- to 100-fold.) The enumeration includes various Marxist, Nazi and racist groups, but by far the dominant type, according to Weimann, is the Islamist-jihadist variety, which accounts for about 70 percent. "
[Belgium] Banks demand guideline over terror funds / Expatica, 4 Jan 2005
http://digbig.com/4ftyt
"Belgian banks are urging the government to draw up clearer guidelines over the reporting of financial transactions in the war against terror. In the past few years, banks have reported some 1,000 suspicious transactions to authorities on an annual basis. Investigations by police and the intelligence services have indicated that several of these transactions were linked to terrorism. Financial sector branch association Febelfin is now urging the federal government to draw up clearer guidelines on which transactions need to be reported.
Currently, banks must freeze the accounts of suspicious people or groups included on the UN and EU terror list. The banks must also report any suspect transactions.
However, a spokeswoman for the banking association, Marina De Moerlooze, said banks are bound by privacy laws and it is difficult to determine what transactions should be considered as being suspicious." [Snippet]
"Belgian banks are urging the government to draw up clearer guidelines over the reporting of financial transactions in the war against terror. In the past few years, banks have reported some 1,000 suspicious transactions to authorities on an annual basis. Investigations by police and the intelligence services have indicated that several of these transactions were linked to terrorism. Financial sector branch association Febelfin is now urging the federal government to draw up clearer guidelines on which transactions need to be reported.
Currently, banks must freeze the accounts of suspicious people or groups included on the UN and EU terror list. The banks must also report any suspect transactions.
However, a spokeswoman for the banking association, Marina De Moerlooze, said banks are bound by privacy laws and it is difficult to determine what transactions should be considered as being suspicious." [Snippet]
[Netherlands] Police and Army form joint anti-terror squad / Expatica, 2 Jan 2006
http://digbig.com/4ftys
"The police and the army in the Netherlands have established a new unit to deal with incidents involving terrorists or organised crime, the head of the national police service (KLPD) announced on Monday.
'For the first time police duties have been combined with defence activities,' KLPD boss Peter van Zunderd told a meeting to mark the New Year.
'This is an important development within our organisation to better tackle major organised crime gangs and terrorism,' he said. The new squad has been named Dienst Speciale Interventies (DSI) - Special Intervention Service. It will be ready to be deployed at short notice to deal with incidents that involve serious violence or the threat of serious violence." [Snippet]
"The police and the army in the Netherlands have established a new unit to deal with incidents involving terrorists or organised crime, the head of the national police service (KLPD) announced on Monday.
'For the first time police duties have been combined with defence activities,' KLPD boss Peter van Zunderd told a meeting to mark the New Year.
'This is an important development within our organisation to better tackle major organised crime gangs and terrorism,' he said. The new squad has been named Dienst Speciale Interventies (DSI) - Special Intervention Service. It will be ready to be deployed at short notice to deal with incidents that involve serious violence or the threat of serious violence." [Snippet]
The Key to the Future? The housing needs of young adults in prison / Howard League for Penal Reform, Dec 2005
http://www.howardleague.org/Out%20for%20Good/housing%20briefing.pdf
"The report argues that local authorities should have a statutory duty to house homeless young people when they are released from prison. It highlighted the importance of secure and stable housing to the successful resettlement of young men who have been in prison and the importance of housing in reducing reoffending."
"The report argues that local authorities should have a statutory duty to house homeless young people when they are released from prison. It highlighted the importance of secure and stable housing to the successful resettlement of young men who have been in prison and the importance of housing in reducing reoffending."
Caught Between East and West, Ukraine Struggles with Its Migration Policy / Migration Information Source, Jan 2006
http://www.migrationinformation.org/Profiles/display.cfm?ID=365
Olena Malynovska
"Since becoming independent, Ukraine has developed migration policies, created state migration services, and integrated recognized international norms (e.g. freedom of movement and refugee protection) into its national legislation." [Country Profile]
Olena Malynovska
"Since becoming independent, Ukraine has developed migration policies, created state migration services, and integrated recognized international norms (e.g. freedom of movement and refugee protection) into its national legislation." [Country Profile]
Citizenship in a Globalized World / Migration Information Source,1 Jan 2006
http://www.migrationinformation.org/Feature/display.cfm?id=369
Greta Gilbertson
"Citizenship is a multidimensional concept that means membership in a specific nation-state and the formal rights and obligations that this membership entails. Citizenship can also be understood as a status and an identity. The principle premise of citizenship is that nation-states can set and control the parameters of membership. "
Greta Gilbertson
"Citizenship is a multidimensional concept that means membership in a specific nation-state and the formal rights and obligations that this membership entails. Citizenship can also be understood as a status and an identity. The principle premise of citizenship is that nation-states can set and control the parameters of membership. "
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Loser: Britain's Identity Crisis / IEEE Spectrum, Jan 2006
http://spectrum.ieee.org/jan06/2597
Erico Guizzo
"The project that has Britons talking revolves around a proposed national identity card and an accompanying identity-verification database system. The government says the scheme will help combat fraud, illegal immigration, organized crime, and terrorism. But critics insist it will be ineffective, expensive, and intrusive. "
Erico Guizzo
"The project that has Britons talking revolves around a proposed national identity card and an accompanying identity-verification database system. The government says the scheme will help combat fraud, illegal immigration, organized crime, and terrorism. But critics insist it will be ineffective, expensive, and intrusive. "
[USA] DHS Completes Foundation of Biometric Entry System GovTech, Jan 02, 2006
http://www.govtech.net/news/news.php?id=97728
"'The U.S. Government's efforts to strengthen our nation's immigration and border management system have taken a giant leap with the deployment of US- VISIT entry capabilities at all our ports and visa-issuing posts abroad,' said DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff. 'US-VISIT is making America safer by enhancing our border management system with next-generation technologies and processes to address the emerging threats, challenges, and opportunities of our 21st century world.'"
"'The U.S. Government's efforts to strengthen our nation's immigration and border management system have taken a giant leap with the deployment of US- VISIT entry capabilities at all our ports and visa-issuing posts abroad,' said DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff. 'US-VISIT is making America safer by enhancing our border management system with next-generation technologies and processes to address the emerging threats, challenges, and opportunities of our 21st century world.'"
Ottawa program offers drinks to homeless alcoholics CBC News, 2 Jan 2006
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/01/02/alcoholics-ottawa060102.html?ref=rss
"Shelters across the country are taking a closer look at an Ottawa shelter that gives drinks to homeless alcoholics after a study suggested the program is having a positive impact. "
"Shelters across the country are taking a closer look at an Ottawa shelter that gives drinks to homeless alcoholics after a study suggested the program is having a positive impact. "
Cops set to join forces in year-long blitz on crime / Evening Times, 3 Jan 2006
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5047405.html
Alex Robertson
"A MAJOR new campaign is to be launched to crack down on violence and knife crime throughout Scotland.
The country's eight police forces, plus the British Transport Police, will join other agencies, including health, education, social work and prosecutors, to tackle violent crime. "
Alex Robertson
"A MAJOR new campaign is to be launched to crack down on violence and knife crime throughout Scotland.
The country's eight police forces, plus the British Transport Police, will join other agencies, including health, education, social work and prosecutors, to tackle violent crime. "
Prosecute 'massage parlour' rapists / Telegraph 3 Jan 2006
http://digbig.com/4fttc
Denis MacShane
"Britain should sign the convention on trafficked women agreed by the 46 member states of the Council of Europe. This has nothing to do with the EU and is an effort to offer protection to trafficked sex slaves by treating them as victims, not criminals or accomplices in crime. In essence, the convention allows any woman to be protected and sheltered once she escapes from her slave owners. Home Office jobsworths are resisting the convention on the grounds that it might give a reason for some of these sex slaves to believe they can stay in Britain rather than be expelled. On the contrary: signing the convention would send a signal to the pimps that their slaves can win freedom in a Britain determined to tackle this scourge."
Denis MacShane
"Britain should sign the convention on trafficked women agreed by the 46 member states of the Council of Europe. This has nothing to do with the EU and is an effort to offer protection to trafficked sex slaves by treating them as victims, not criminals or accomplices in crime. In essence, the convention allows any woman to be protected and sheltered once she escapes from her slave owners. Home Office jobsworths are resisting the convention on the grounds that it might give a reason for some of these sex slaves to believe they can stay in Britain rather than be expelled. On the contrary: signing the convention would send a signal to the pimps that their slaves can win freedom in a Britain determined to tackle this scourge."
Targeting Initiatives: Diverting Children and Young People from Crime and Antisocial Behaviour
/ DfES Research Report 476, 2003
PDF - http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR476.pdf
"This study was designed to develop understanding of the targeting of area-based initiatives (ABIs) and particularly those with potential for diverting young people from involvement in crime and/or anti-social behaviour. It was intended to support work being undertaken in connection with the ‘On Track’ programme, which provides multiple interventions to young people aged 4-12 considered to be at risk of involvement in criminal and/or anti-social behaviour later in their lives. The On Track programme is made up of 24 local demonstration projects located in relatively high crime, high deprivation neighbourhoods in England and Wales. "
PDF - http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR476.pdf
"This study was designed to develop understanding of the targeting of area-based initiatives (ABIs) and particularly those with potential for diverting young people from involvement in crime and/or anti-social behaviour. It was intended to support work being undertaken in connection with the ‘On Track’ programme, which provides multiple interventions to young people aged 4-12 considered to be at risk of involvement in criminal and/or anti-social behaviour later in their lives. The On Track programme is made up of 24 local demonstration projects located in relatively high crime, high deprivation neighbourhoods in England and Wales. "
The Offenders of the Future? Assessing the Risk of Children and Young People Becoming Involved in Criminal and Antisocial Behaviour
/ Department for Education and Skills Research Report RR545.2004
PDF - http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR545.pdf
Peter McCarthy, Karen Laing, Janet Walker
PDF - http://www.dfes.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR545.pdf
Peter McCarthy, Karen Laing, Janet Walker
CAGED BY DNA / News Of the World, 1 Jan 2006
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/story_pages/news/news4.shtml
KEITH GLADDIS
"It was the Criminal Justice Act of 2003 which led to everyone who is arrested being required to give a DNA sample - despite protests from civil rights campaigners.
The ruling has led to more than 250 serious criminals being convicted after being held for minor offences like drunkenness or theft. The tally includes four murderers, three rapists, six robbers and four sex offenders. "
KEITH GLADDIS
"It was the Criminal Justice Act of 2003 which led to everyone who is arrested being required to give a DNA sample - despite protests from civil rights campaigners.
The ruling has led to more than 250 serious criminals being convicted after being held for minor offences like drunkenness or theft. The tally includes four murderers, three rapists, six robbers and four sex offenders. "
Every Child Matters: Change for Children, Young People and Drugs
/The Department for Education and Skills,The Home Office and The Department for Health, Aug 2005
PDF - http://www.drugs.gov.uk/publication-search/young-people/ECM_YPD.pdf?view=Binary
"The guidance sets out how those responsible for delivering children and young people's services and the drug strategy should work together to improve the futures of young people, their families and community."
PDF - http://www.drugs.gov.uk/publication-search/young-people/ECM_YPD.pdf?view=Binary
"The guidance sets out how those responsible for delivering children and young people's services and the drug strategy should work together to improve the futures of young people, their families and community."
Asylum seekers face tough controls under new fast-track system / Guardian, 3 Jan 2006
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,11026,1676919,00.html
Alan Travis
" large-scale overhaul of the asylum system has begun which will lead to at least a third of all asylum seekers being placed in detention centres for the 'fast-track' processing of their claims for refugee status.
The 'new asylum model', which ministers hope will be implemented by September, also envisages far greater controls over failed asylum seekers facing removal, including the use of electronic tagging, reporting requirements and detention."
Alan Travis
" large-scale overhaul of the asylum system has begun which will lead to at least a third of all asylum seekers being placed in detention centres for the 'fast-track' processing of their claims for refugee status.
The 'new asylum model', which ministers hope will be implemented by September, also envisages far greater controls over failed asylum seekers facing removal, including the use of electronic tagging, reporting requirements and detention."
[Australia] Our convict state - one in 600 behind bars / Sydney Monring Herald, 3 Jan 2006
http://digbig.com/4ftrc
Jonathan Pearlman
"TOUGHER sentences, stricter bail laws and a crackdown on repeat offenders have led to a surge in the state's prison population. About one in 600 adults in NSW are in jail - a rate that has almost doubled since 1986, according to figures from the Department of Corrective Services." Includes chart of 'World' Prison population rates
Jonathan Pearlman
"TOUGHER sentences, stricter bail laws and a crackdown on repeat offenders have led to a surge in the state's prison population. About one in 600 adults in NSW are in jail - a rate that has almost doubled since 1986, according to figures from the Department of Corrective Services." Includes chart of 'World' Prison population rates
Softly, softly: retraining prison officers to lose hardline image / The Herald, 3 Dec 2005
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/53564.html
Lucy Adams
"Prison officers, who are ordinarily uniformed and only deployed within prisons, will be drafted in to help with troublemakers in the community as part of the government campaign to tackle reoffending in Scotland.
An expert panel commissioned by the Scottish Executive is looking at different, tailor-made programmes for car thieves, young offenders and female offenders to tackle their behaviour either in prison or in the community"
Lucy Adams
"Prison officers, who are ordinarily uniformed and only deployed within prisons, will be drafted in to help with troublemakers in the community as part of the government campaign to tackle reoffending in Scotland.
An expert panel commissioned by the Scottish Executive is looking at different, tailor-made programmes for car thieves, young offenders and female offenders to tackle their behaviour either in prison or in the community"
Monday, January 02, 2006
Crackdown on white collar criminals behind drugs trade / Sunday Herald, 1 Jan 2006
http://www.sundayherald.com/53405
Liam McDougall
"Lawyers, accountants and estate agents who oil the wheels of the drug trade are to be targeted by an elite crime-fighting unit and specialist prosecutors similar to those battling the Mafia in Italy. The SDEA (Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency) says that 2006 will see a 'significant shift in focus' in drugs law enforcement towards hunting down and prosecuting the white-collar professionals who prop up organised crime in Scotland. Historically, the police service's focus has been only on the criminals, but we know that those on the periphery - the lawyers, accountants, estate agents - are enabling organised criminals to run their businesses."
Liam McDougall
"Lawyers, accountants and estate agents who oil the wheels of the drug trade are to be targeted by an elite crime-fighting unit and specialist prosecutors similar to those battling the Mafia in Italy. The SDEA (Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency) says that 2006 will see a 'significant shift in focus' in drugs law enforcement towards hunting down and prosecuting the white-collar professionals who prop up organised crime in Scotland. Historically, the police service's focus has been only on the criminals, but we know that those on the periphery - the lawyers, accountants, estate agents - are enabling organised criminals to run their businesses."
[Sweden] Criminal Immigrants? / Captus, 31 Dec 2005
http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig6/sanandaji6.html
Nima Sanandaji:
"Recently the Crime Prevention Commission released a report showing that Swedish immigrants in general have a crime tendency more than 100 percent higher than the average, and some 300�400 percent above the average when it comes to more serious crimes such as murder and rape. Granted, these figures look at those charged with crimes rather than those convicted, but it is a fair assumption that there is a strong correlation between the two factors. "
Nima Sanandaji:
"Recently the Crime Prevention Commission released a report showing that Swedish immigrants in general have a crime tendency more than 100 percent higher than the average, and some 300�400 percent above the average when it comes to more serious crimes such as murder and rape. Granted, these figures look at those charged with crimes rather than those convicted, but it is a fair assumption that there is a strong correlation between the two factors. "
Three jailed every week for using cannabis, despite law change / Independent, 2 Jan 2005
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/article336081.ece
Nigel Morris
"Home Office figures obtained by The Independent disclose that many courts still behave as if reclassification had not taken place and police are bringing far more prosecutions than was intended when the law was changed.
The figures show that 13,302 people were convicted of possessing cannabis - not supplying or selling the drug - in 2004. A total of 161 received an immediate custodial sentence."
Nigel Morris
"Home Office figures obtained by The Independent disclose that many courts still behave as if reclassification had not taken place and police are bringing far more prosecutions than was intended when the law was changed.
The figures show that 13,302 people were convicted of possessing cannabis - not supplying or selling the drug - in 2004. A total of 161 received an immediate custodial sentence."
Sunday, January 01, 2006
[USA] Crime Numbers Keep Dropping Across the City / New York Times, 31 Dec 2005
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/31/nyregion/31crime.html
Al Baker
"Crime has fallen across New York City for the 17th consecutive year, with subway crime down by more than 5 percent from last year and the number of recorded murders virtually certain to be the fewest in any single year since 1963, new Police Department statistics show."
Langan, Patrick A. and Matthew R. Durose (BJS statisticians) The Remarkable Drop in Crime in New York City, (Paper presented at the International Conference on Crime, Rome, Italy, December 2003) PDF - http://samoa.istat.it/Eventi/sicurezza/relazioni/Langan_rel.pdf
Al Baker
"Crime has fallen across New York City for the 17th consecutive year, with subway crime down by more than 5 percent from last year and the number of recorded murders virtually certain to be the fewest in any single year since 1963, new Police Department statistics show."
Langan, Patrick A. and Matthew R. Durose (BJS statisticians) The Remarkable Drop in Crime in New York City, (Paper presented at the International Conference on Crime, Rome, Italy, December 2003) PDF - http://samoa.istat.it/Eventi/sicurezza/relazioni/Langan_rel.pdf
Dear Troublemaker, behave or face an asbo / Norwich Evening News 24, 31 Dec 2005
http://digbig.com/4ftgt
Peter Walsh
"Police chiefs have written to dozens of people they think could be behind anti-social behaviour to turn over a new leaf in the new year or feel the full force of the law. Officers in Norwich are targeting more than 50 individuals with new leaflets urging them to change their anti-social ways before it is too late. The leaflets are being sent out today as part of Operation Harrier activities throughout Norwich and South Norfolk."
Peter Walsh
"Police chiefs have written to dozens of people they think could be behind anti-social behaviour to turn over a new leaf in the new year or feel the full force of the law. Officers in Norwich are targeting more than 50 individuals with new leaflets urging them to change their anti-social ways before it is too late. The leaflets are being sent out today as part of Operation Harrier activities throughout Norwich and South Norfolk."
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