Crimestoppers launchs new website for young people

www.fearless.org.

Crimestoppers have lauched fearless.org a websited aimed at a young people.

They want young people to give,clear information about crimes that are known to be at risk from as well as giving young people the chance  to give information anonymously if they don’t want to go to the police.

If a young person has information about  a crime they can fill out a Secure Anonymous Online Form

 the webiste and call centre is available 24/7, 365 days a year, and they will never ask for personal details.

  the website also gives young people  the Crimestopers phone number if they would prefer to speak with someone anonymously at Crimestoppers by phone .

The website has a quick close option that redirects to google  so that the user is not at risk of being found to be on the website pages.

this website is also good for People who work with young people , you can access free resources avaliable from the website.

The website has workshops and posters  on the the "Not a young person" section of the site which can be dowloaded.

why not take a look at the website now at www.fearless.org.uk

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Clampdown on dangerous dogs

Dangerous dogs and the people who fail to control them face a new clampdown in order to protect the public, Defra Minister of State Jim Paice revealed yesterday.

Approximately 210,000 people a year are attacked by dogs in England alone, including 4,000 postal workers trying to deliver mail.

There have been five fatal dog attacks in homes since 2007 – four of them on children – and hospital admissions for serious dog bites have more than doubled over the past decade.

The Government is therefore extending existing dangerous dogs laws to any private property, closing a loophole in the current criminal law which only covers public land.

There will also be a short consultation on how to introduce more comprehensive micro-chipping of dogs, as called for by major animal charities and many members of the public. In addition there will be more support for the police, councils and charities dealing with irresponsible owners and dangerous dogs.

Jim Paice said:

“We are known as a nation of animal lovers who take proper care of our pets. But there are a minority of irresponsible dog owners who don’t. These people allow their dogs to menace or even attack innocent members of the public. This has to stop.

“We’ve all heard the stories of snarling dogs not being properly kept under control or heard from health workers, postal workers or social workers who are at risk of serious injury from out of control dogs while just doing their job, attending to people in their homes.

“Today we are announcing a comprehensive package of measures that tackle the problem head on, which will better protect legitimate visitors to private property and will enable the police to take action before someone is hurt or killed.”

The plans also put forward proposals to allow the police, when dealing with any dogs which are subject to proceedings under the Dangerous Dogs Act, to take a  common sense decision as to whether the dog really needs to be kept away from their owners until the outcome of proceedings.

Jim Paice added:

“Our plans must strike the right balance between protecting the public from dangerous dogs and ensuring that safe and properly looked after pets don’t need to be wrenched from their home unnecessarily.

“We’re giving the police more discretion to take common-sense decisions where dogs are clearly not a threat by ending the requirement that they be seized and kennelled, at great cost to the taxpayer and distress to the owner involved, while a decision is taken on whether to exempt the dog from being destroyed under the Dangerous Dogs Act.”

Defra’s proposals are: 

• Extending dangerous dog laws to all private property – without penalising the owners of animals that defend them against trespassers;
• Consulting on whether to micro-chip all dogs to help tackle the problem of irresponsible owners and ease the overwhelming number of strays that are put down as the owner cannot be identified;
• Giving the police more discretion to take common sense decisions by ending an anomaly requiring dogs be seized and kennelled, at great cost to the taxpayer and distress to the owner and dog involved, while a decision is taken on whether to exempt the dog from being destroyed under the Dangerous Dogs Act;
• Providing £50,000 for local and community projects involving animal welfare organisations, the police, local authorities and community groups to promote more responsible dog ownership in estates, youth clubs and schools;
• Providing £20,000 for the training of expert police dog legislation officers in each force;
• Issuing new guidance to help the courts deal more effectively with seized dogs.

In addition, in order to improve consistency of sentencing the Sentencing Council, has been consulting on the sentences available to courts for owners of dangerous dogs, especially those who allow their animals to attack, and the Home Office has been examining measures to tackle

anti-social behaviour.

Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke launches radical proposals to strengthen community sentences and modernise the Probation Service.

Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke today launched  two radical proposals to strengthencommunity sentences and modernise the Probation Service.

The proposals will ensure community sentences are a tough, credible punishment, supported by the innovation, capacity and diversity of Voluntary Sector and Private Sector providers working in in partnership with the Probation Service to reduce reoffending and protect members of the public.

Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke said:

'All too often community sentences are seen as an easy option, sometimes just a weekly meeting with a probation officer or a few hours of unpaid work in an entire week. This is inadequate.

'That is why we are overhauling community sentences to ensure they are tough, credible and robust. Criminals must be punished for their crimes, they must pay back to communities and victims for their crimes and they must be reformed. If we can get criminals to return to a law abiding way of life, we stop them committing more crime against more victims.

'That is why we are modernising the Probation Service so that we bring in more of the energy and innovation of the widest possible range of providers to bear on the battle against reoffending and crime. Good sentencing is a combination of firm punishment and effective reform of the offender.'

The community sentencing consultation also includes proposals to improve the use of fines by getting better, more accurate information about offenders’ means.

This will empower offender managers to deal quicker with minor breaches and encourage greater use of restorative justice and more effective use of compensation orders, which are paid to victims of crime.

Extending the partnership between the Probation Service and the private, public and voluntary sectors, and giving Probation Trusts more control of local budgets of offender management services like electronic monitoring of curfews and joint commissioning treatment for drug and mental health  problems will help cut crime by driving down reoffending. This will better support the Government’s priorities for wider reform of the justice sector, including the development of payment by measured results to cut reoffending.

Bedfordshire Police Authority launch new Stratigic Plan for 2012-2016

Bedfordshire Police Authorites plan for 2012 2016 has now been released  after putting out their Draft Strategic Plan for 2011-16 in January 2012

Bedfordshire Police Authority will be closing in November and replaced by a directly elected Police and Crime Commissioner. 

This will therefore be the last plan set by the Police Authority, as in the future the elected Commissioner will set the strategic direction of policing in Bedfordshire.

 To view the Stratigic plan for 2012-2016

please click the link below

Beds Policing Plan 2012-16 Final

Bedfordshire Probation Trust Open Day Thursday 8th March

 Bedfordshire Probation Trust is holding an Open Day at the Bedford CVS office on Thursday 8th March between 5pm and 8pm.

The purpose of the Open Day is for Community and Voluntary Sector Organisations to meet with Beds Probation representatives, discuss the new Social Enterprise Project and identify any common objectives which may lead to

joint working. for more information please click on the link below.

IOM Social Enterprise Flyer

Ministry of Justice : Getting it right for victims and witnesses Consultation.

The  Ministry of Justice are undertaking a consultation aimed at all criminal justice agencies, victim support agencies advice sector,local authorities the judiciary system and all representative bodies and charitable organisations as well as members of the public with an interest in this area in England, Wales and Scotland.

Part 1  of the consultation sets out the Government’s proposed approach to ensuring that victims and witnesses get the support they need, both to overcome the consequences of crime and to participate fully in the criminal justice process.

It also sets out the justice Systems commitment to ensuring that offenders take greater responsibility for repairing the harm they have caused, through a combination of financial reparation and restorative justice.

Part 2 of the consultation sets out how the Government proposes to reform the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS) to protect compensation payments for those most seriously injured while removing less serious injuries like sprains from the scheme and restricting payments to those with criminal convictions.

Views are welcomed on both parts of the consultation document, to make a responce on behalf of your organisation, please visit the following link

and send your your responce to: victimsconsultation@justice.gsi.gov.uk

https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/victims-witnesses/supporting_documents/gettingitrightforvictimsandwitnesses.pdf

Please refer to the back of the consultation document for the full supporting text.

Consulation responces must be sent before Sunday 22nd April 2012.

Luton In Harmony Celebrate Second Birthday

Saturday 28th January 2012  between 12-3pm

Front of the Town Hall - George Street

What is Luton in Harmony?

Luton in Harmony is a campaign supported by Luton’s local partnership organisation, the Luton Forum. It was launched at Luton Town Hall on Friday 15 January 2010.

The  aim of Luton in Harmony is to celebrate the diversity and unity of our communities, and to build a positive reputation for our town.

Luton in Harmony highlights the positive relationships which exist between people of different backgrounds and with different life experiences, and unites local people in a celebration of all that is good about our town

.

Luton in Harmony are inviting people who live, work, or visit Luton, to wear a badge, and sign a pledge card. This says that supporters will:

• wear the Luton in Harmony badge with pride - and tell people what it means
• make friends with people from different backgrounds and life experiences - and learn about their  values
• and promote their own beliefs in a spirit of peace and harmony.

Child sexual exploitation linked to gangs and groups

The Office of the Children’s Commissioner recently launched an Inquiry into child sexual exploitation linked to gangs and groups (CSEGG). With this launch they published a call for evidence targeted at professionals and adults, which is attached (http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_536)

they are keen for as many professionals as possible to complete the call for evidence and would appreciate a considered response from you or your colleagues.

It is crucial that they receive the views and opinions of as many stakeholders as possible to provide them wiith data on victims and/or perpetrators of this abuse reflecting a wide population. they are particularly interested in hearing from: Voluntary and community groups working in the areas of: child sexual exploitation, youth and gang violence, violence against women and girls, sexual health, missing, children in care, supporting BME or refugee and asylum seeking children, alternative education provision and Youth offending services

Please share your views by noon on 20th January 2012.

Bedfordshire Police Authority Consulation

and Police Budget Survey

Bedfordshire Police Authority is keen to consult with partners and the public on its plans for policing Bedfordshire in the future.

Please click here for the Draft Strategic Plan 2011-16 which is currently out for consultation, to add your views please send all responces by

Monday 09th January 2011.

The are also undertaking a Police Authority & Force Budget Survey for 2012.

The Stronger and Safer Network would like to encorage as many members as possiblepossible to to share their thoughts please complete this survey now click here

The Luton Assembly are currently writing a responce from the Stronger and Safer Network Committee to the Consutation  to add your views to our response contact us

Road Safety Week 2011

 From  21st November- till 27th November 2011

 The theme for this years Road Saftey week is "Too young to die".

 Brake the National Road Safety Charity Will be raising awareness of the fact that road crashes are sudden,  and violent that rip apart families by ending lives too soon,

During Road Safety Week, Brake will be appealing to young people, drivers of all ages, parents, the wider community, and policy makers to work together and act now to put a stop to this needless loss of young lives .

make the Pledge Via The Road Saftey website visit http://www.brake.org.uk/pledge

OPEN DAY

Friday 25th of November 2011
10am – 2pm
ALL WELCOME (including men)

Come and find out the work of the LAWC
Talk to the staff and volunteers
Did you knowLAWC provide?

1-1 advice and advocacy
Work with women at risk of forced
marriage/honour based violence

Work with mums experiencing domestic abuse and run

Freedom Programmes

Run a Counselling Service
Offer a Befriending service
Provide a range of surgeries
Support Groups

Come and find out what else we do ……….
Light refreshments will be available – please
confirm attendance to help us with our catering.
Call us on 01582-416783
LUTON ALL WOMEN’S CENTRE
106 Old Bedford Road, Luton

New Crime mapping data added to police.uk

local communities can use Police UK to look at performance-related information for their area such as crime rates, quality of service, victims satisfaction and compare all 43 police forces in England and Wales. Following feedback from the public and the police, we have also introduced new crime categories on Police.uk As of 29th October 2011 local communities now has access to street-level information about the following offences: public disorder & possession of weapons, shoplifting, criminal damage & arson, other theft and drugs.

further developments including:

• The provision of more specific information about the location of crimes and antisocial behaviour. At present crimes are mapped to an anonymous point (called a 'snap-point') on a street with 12 or more postal addresses.

• The home office want to reduce this threshold and publish crime and antisocial behaviour information for key locations such as football stadiums, parks and supermarkets so that the public has access to an even greater level of information about incidents which might impact on day to day life.

• The government will work with the British Transport Police to extend the range of information provided on police.uk so that the public can access information about crime rates at railway stations; and by May 2012, the public will be able to access Police.uk to see what has happened after a crime has been reported to the police and track its progress through the criminal justice system. 
• To View the Police UK  website Click Here