Radwinter Times Issue 19 April 2013 R1 - Sponsored by Radwinter Parish Council

Also on web site which has more details of most matters – http://www.radwinter.org

Parish Council and Village

Parish Council Gypsy & Traveller Sites Mark Halls Chairman 599537 07798 850584 You will be relieved to know that the Becky Bowles Clerk 599160 07772 278515 Mushroom Farm is no longer under Next Meeting Mon 20th May 2013 7pm Village Hall. This is the Annual Parish meeting when there will be reports on actions taken etc

Meetings open to all with public question and answer session at start of meeting. Come along if you want to ask a question or have a concern about the village or just want to know what goes on

Meeting 18th March allocated responsibilities: Finance and Audit: Cllrs Graves, Halls, Rains consideration but Anso Corner Farm is. If you Staff and structure: Cllrs Duck, Boyden object please write to say so to Andrew Staff Appeals: Cllrs Halls, Graves Taylor at Uttlesford District Council Village Development: Cllrs Duck, Halls, [email protected]. Sean’s letter in Graves, Rains Hempstead News, reproduced in the email Publicity:Cllrs Graves, Mary edition, may help in what to say. Footpaths and Trees: Cllrs Halls, Boyden Mobile Library Recreation Ground Representatives: Cllrs th th Halls, Rains Outside school 10 & 24 2.45 to 3.30pm Highways:Cllrs Duck, Moore Public Transport: Cllr Mary Waste Collections in March From houses Thursdays – put out Wednesday Neighbourhood Watch & Police Liaison: th th James Briggs Recycle (Green) 11 , 25 Non recycle (Black) 4th, 18th . Youth Liaison: Cllr Duck th th th th Environment: Cllrs Duck, Graves, Mary Food etc weekly (Brown) 4 , 11 , 18 , 25 Info on http://www.uttlesford.gov.uk Village Assets: All Councillors th st Rec Gdn Waste Sun 7 & 21 10-11am

Water Lane Parking Neighbourhood meetings Post Office and Village Hall visitors please The next meetings are in the Fire Stations AVOID road parking – Ambulances and Fire Tuesday 4th June Newport 7pm Engines MUST get through Tuesday 2nd April Thaxted 7.30pm All residents are welcome to attend PCC Meeting 7th March For information see InfoPak page 12 Nick Alston, our Police and Crime Commissioner held a meeting in Dunmow Post Office with Chief Inspector Nick Lee, Uttlesford’s Open Tuesday 10am-1pm, Friday 1.30-4.30pm District Commander, John Mitchell UDC Chief Clare Butfield, Postmistress Executive and other Police and Crime people. The discussion included Police Village Hall Booking Visibility/Response Times, Vehicle and Rural 599753 or 07582 954162 Crime. A report is included with the email edition. Conservation Area Appraisal The Plough Four copies of the approved document in New build Contractor still has things to do but colour printed A5, two pages per A4 sheet are should be clear early April available free for Parishioners. Ashdon’s Rose & Crown reopen date now 5th April To obtain a copy contact Bruce Tice 510670 X670 [email protected] Fete Collect from Reception desk Looks possible to go ahead but more help needed. Julie Haines 599764 [email protected] Upcoming Events 27th March 7.30pm WI Village Hall 4th & 18th April Village Hall Quilters Mrs Esther Cooke 'Ideas for Easter' Info Wendy Info Zoe Hoar 599466 Rowley 599753 [email protected] Radwinter Cricket Club Mark Fanthorpe 586023 [email protected] Home Rec 5th RADWINTER There are a few opportunities to join the team DUCK RACE Sat 06-Apr Radwinter Rec tbc Net 10.30am Sat 13-Apr Radwinter Rec tbc Net 10.30am Sat 20-Apr Radwinter Rec tbc Net 10.30am Sun 21-Apr Ashdon Away 2.00pm

Saturday 13th April 7.00 for 7.30pm Music at the Cross Roads Young Musicians Evening £5 Licensed Bar Book 599751 599332 EASTER MONDAY 2.00pm (First race 2.15) Radwinter Village Hall Charity AGM 25th April 8pm Village Hall HORSE MEADOW th BEHIND THE CHURCH - ALONG THE RIVER PANT Details/Agenda on Village notice board from 4 REFRESHMENTS Further information Julie Haines 599764 RADWINTER BOWLS CLUB or Suzanne Walker 599627 INVITES ALL RADWINTER RESIDENTS TO THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY

CELEBRATION OPEN DAY Weight Watchers Sessions th th nd FROM Noon SUNDAY 19TH MAY 2013 8 , 15 , 22 April Mondays 6.15-7.15pm FUN AND CHALLENGE ON THE GREEN Hempstead Village Hall TRY YOUR HAND AT BOWLING Join for £1 Meeting fee from £4.23 Info Jacqui BBQ FROM 1PM TO 3PM 07531 794554 [email protected] INFO: ENID SAUNDERS (CLUB SECRETARY) 01223 891619 [email protected] Pilates Village Hall Tuesdays 9 to 10am nd th th rd 2 , 9 , 16 , 23 April nd £7/session £20 for 3 All welcome The Big Lunch 2 June Info Sue Bright 599396 [email protected] The majority of people don’t know their neighbours but would like more community spirit to make new friends, feel safer and have people to Friendship Group look out for their homes and pets when they go 3rd April 2.30pm Village Hall away.The Big Lunch is all about community spirit. Six into one will go – Fran Smith Encouraging as many people as possible to have Info Diane Redfern 599365 lunch with their neighbours on one day a year. The event started in 2009. The Residents of Radwinter Coffee Time Village Hall – All welcome are asked to arrange their own local Big Lunch. 3rd & 17th April 10.30am to 12 Noon The PC is considering a central Big Lunch for all

Church Neighbourhood Watch Now that Gillian has retired please contact the Radwinter Coordinator James Briggs 599352. churchwardens, Wendy Rowley 599753 Crime Prevention Officer Peter Caulfield 101 [email protected] or Harvey Extn 395387 or Orrock 599236 Peter.Caulfield@essex.pnn.police.uk Security Shop and Crime reduction Advice Benefice Services and events www.uttlesfordnhw.org.uk or, for info, Services held by rotation in the 4 Benefice [email protected] Churches as in Spring Ambo. All welcome at all services in all churches

April Events in Radwinter Church 6th 10am to 1pm Coffee morning Crimes Reported 7th 8.00am Holy Communion No reports of crimes have been received from 14th 10.00am Sung Eucharist the Police but that does not mean there have 21st 6.30pm Evensong and Communion been no crimes ! 28th 10.00am Benefice Sung Eucharist with Commissioning of the Pastoral Link Visitors Across Uttlesford crime is rising albeit Saffron and Churchtastic Walden is one of the safest areas of the UK.

Church Clock – quotations around £8,000 for To get all crime reports and alerts by email building and safety work and £3,500 for clock advise Editor who will arrange repair. Now its get Faculty (Diocese Report 24/7 any knowledge or suspicion of permission) and fund-raising. Contributions criminal acts to Essex Police 999 (if please urgent), 101 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers 0800 555 111 Church Bellringing March When you hear the Bells there is either a Service going on or it’s a practice. These are: Radwinter 8th & 22nd Monday 7.45 to 9.15pm Linda Bullough 599339 [email protected] Police Alerts Hempstead 1st ,5th ,29th Wednesday 7:45 to 9.15pm Operation ‘Tornado’ The Neighbourhood Matt Antrobus 599229 [email protected] th meeting in Newport 5 March was attended All welcome to visit the towers on practice by Sgt Chris Sharp, PC Hanna Gritfiths & nights and maybe try their hand. No PCSO Mike O’Donnell-Smith. They advised of experience needed - keep fit - learn new skill! the cuts that have been made and the new

regime in Saffron Walden. Their tactics now RINGING FOR GILLIAN include 24 hour surveillance of known A THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK FROM offenders which has significantly reduced the THE RINGERS OF ST MARY’S RADWINTER number of local crimes

On Easter Monday bell ringers of Radwinter, Hempstead, Henham and Saffron Walden, who have so much appreciated the Rev Gillian Mann’s support and love of the bells, will gather at St Mary’s to honour her time here and wish her Good Luck in her retirement. We shall begin at 10.30am with general ringing on all the eight bells for 30 minutes or so. This will be followed by a Quarter Peal on Submissions/comments for next issue th six bells composed of eight different methods, Send latest by 20 of month preferably by one for each year Gillian has been with us, email to editor James Briggs Foxreach and will last approximately 40 minutes. Stocking Green CB10 2SS 599352 Visitors welcome from 10.30 until 11am [email protected]

Anso Corner Farm possible Gypsy & Traveller site

The Hempstead Parish Council has written as below to Uttlesford District Council . Sean McCarthy, Hempstead PC Chairman says if you are unhappy with the proposed application then you must write a letter stating your objections. As many letters as possible are needed. Please feel free to use some of the contents below for your own letter but language must be temperate and objections must be on solid grounds, not emotions. Do not expect that 'others will write'; you must write for yourself and every letter will count from every adult and every child, so please get writing. The email addresses to write to are: [email protected] cc: [email protected], [email protected]

Dear Mr Taylor, I am writing on behalf of Hempstead Parish Council regarding the inclusion of the site at Anso Corner Farm on the list of possible locations for Gypsy and Traveller Sites. The Council does realise that this is only the first stage in a long process. However they did wish their views on the unsuitability of this site to be considered in a measured way before there is any public over-reaction. The main objections are on these grounds:

Is it a valid application? I note that the application was recorded as being received after the deadline for the call for sites had expired. Does this invalidate the application? In addition there are internal contradictions in the document regarding the state of existing buildings. In 2.6 they are described as 'cheaply built and in poor state of repair'. Whereas as 4.14 to 4.16 it is argued these buildings could be used as facilities for Travelling Showpeople Sites. It also misses the point that these Travelling Showpeople pitches need to be bigger and the site would not support so many pitches as quoted in the application.

Is it needed? Even in the 2009 Essex Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment there is a great uncertainty about the methodology for calculating the number of sites required. Subsequently there are no indications, such as illegal site occupation, that there is an increased need for sites in this area. Therefore there is no proven evidence of a need for Gypsy and Traveller sites in this area.

Accessibility. The village centre, which is a mile away, has no facilities other than one public house. It is only accessible by a very narrow road with no pedestrian provision. The nearest shops can only be reached by car and the nearest doctor's surgery is in Thaxted six miles away. Local Schools are already up to capacity and there is little or no employment available in this area. There are also no other traveller sites nearby. There are extremely limited public trans- port options. These are all issues identified as important concerns for Travellers when they were questioned in the 2009 Assessment.

Anso Road (B1055) is already causing problems due to its inherent unsuitability for the traffic using it. It is narrow and winding yet is used by large lorries and agricultural vehicles. Passing often necessitates stopping and inching past for these vehicles. Verges and barriers are often damaged and left in a poor state of repair. In the last year a roadside barrier was damaged and left a dangerous drop right next to the road for many months. Many residents have complained of very near misses and stand offs between large vehicles. Caravans and other large vehicles would only exacerbate these problems. The road is particularly narrow in front of the adjacent property Southbroom.

Flooding is also a regular occurrence along this road and in this area. Any additional surface water would put an additional strain on the existing water course which struggles to cope now and has in the recent past flooded the surrounding houses. This is in conflict with Policy HO 10 of the LDF when it addresses criteria for Sites: 'Criteria C. Sites should not be located within areas of flooding.' Sewage and water supply systems would also be put under a severe strain to cope with this influx of people.

Environment. This is an area of rural housing outside the village envelope with several listed properties in the vicinity. The majority of the site can be clearly seen from many directions especially in winter. It would be particularly unsuitable for travelling show people who need space to erect, maintain and test their rides and equipment. At this stage we have only set out our initial reactions and outlined the problems that demonstrate that this is a completely unsuitable site for a Gypsy and Traveller Site of any sort. We would particularly like a reply concerning the validity of this application.

Yours sincerely...

Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex

Uttlesford Public Meeting 7th March 2013

Overview of police and crime issues

The Uttlesford District forms part of the North Local Policing Area, with Uttlesford and Braintree districts forming the shared District Policing Area. The major towns are Saffron Walden and Great Dunmow and the district includes the large villages of Thaxted, Stansted Mountfitchet and many other rural villages. The district is a very diverse area to police. It has two major roads running through it, the A120 and M11. Stansted Airport is situated within the Uttlesford District and has its own dedicated policing. Uttlesford District Neighbourhood Policing Team maintains an excellent relationship with its Community Safety Partners, including the District Council, and work closely together to tackle community safety issues. Uttlesford District supports a substantial and growing number of active Community Speed Watch groups to help tackle speeding in local towns and villages. It also supports a number of Essex Watch schemes, including Neighbourhood Watch and Farm Watch, and is proud to be associated with Mrs Valerie Trundle, Essex’s Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator of the year. Uttlesford District has shown a small increase in crime of 0.04% (1 more offence) when comparing reports between 1st February 2012 to 31st January 2013, against the same period in 2011/12. Anti- social behaviour (ASB) has reduced by 12% (183 fewer offences) over the same period.

1) Police Visibility/Response Times

There are two police stations within the Uttlesford District, located at Great Dunmow and Saffron Walden. Both of the police stations are open from 1200hrs to 1800hrs, Monday to Saturday. There are a number of officers and PCSOs based at Great Dunmow Police Station from the Neighbourhood Policing Team. A significant number of Special Constables also work at the police station alongside their regular colleagues. Saffron Walden Police Station contains the same policing elements as Great Dunmow but, in addition, also houses the Neighbourhood Crime Team that provides a 24/7 patrol and investigation function, as well as the Youth Team and a Crime Reduction Officer. The number of staff at this location that work 24/7 has been increased in January 2013 to further strengthen the police presence in Uttlesford. The response and patrol function that provides emergency response cover to the district is based at Braintree Police Station. These officers are briefed and deployed from the police station to their patrol areas. Essex Police operates a system of deploying the nearest available unit to both emergency and priority incidents. As a consequence, local officers are often in closer proximity to incidents than the response and patrol units.

The definitions of emergency and priority incidents and the response standards are as shown below: An emergency response is provided where an incident is taking place and there is a risk of: 1. Danger to life; 2. Serious injury to a person; 3. The use or immediate threat of use, of violence; 4. Serious loss or damage to property; 5. An offender has been disturbed at the scene, or is detained and poses a risk of harm; 6. There are strong objective reasons for believing that an emergency response is required.

Response standard - Essex Police aims to attend emergency incidents within 15 minutes for urban locations and within 20 minutes for rural locations. A priority response will be provided where it is assessed that there is a degree of importance or urgency associated with the incident, but where an emergency response is not required. A priority response would typically be required where: 1. There is concern for a person’s safety; 2. An offender is detained and poses no immediate risk; 3. A witness or other evidence is likely to be lost; 4. A hate or domestic incident has occurred.

Response standard - Priority incidents are attended within 60 minutes.

2) Vehicle Crime

Over the past year, theft from motor vehicle increased by 80 offences in Uttlesford. Approximately half of these additional crimes were thefts of catalytic converters (‘CAT’ thefts) from vans and other light commercial vehicles. A number of locations were subjected to repeat offences of motor vehicle crime with CAT converters being the most common item targeted. A significant policing operation commenced in September 2012, which led to the arrest and conviction of two people for organised CAT theft. Since the conviction, the number of offences of this type has fallen significantly.

During the past year, the majority of thefts from vehicles in Uttlesford occurred overnight, many as a result of owners leaving their vehicles insecure with valuable items stored inside. A number of police and media operations have focused on raising public awareness of this issue as well as targeting offenders. Local police have recently used a policing tactic which involves the targeting of known offenders 24 hours per day, which has been successful in reducing offending. A significant amount of work has also been carried out with Uttlesford District Council to secure the eviction of persons suspected of crime. 3) Rural Crime

Essex Police defines 93% of Uttlesford District as ‘rural’; so the vast majority of crime occurs in a rural setting. This demographic brings with it the challenges of dealing with types of crime that are not frequently experienced in other areas of the force. For example, hare coursing is a concern that is often reported to police in rural Uttlesford. Not only is hare coursing an offence in itself, it is often accompanied by damage to property and crops. The people who carry out this activity are often involved in other types of acquisitive crime. The current rural crime trends in Uttlesford include the theft of portable equipment, fuel and small vehicles such as quad bikes from outbuildings, theft of gas canisters from bird scarers, battery theft from farms and tack theft from equestrian establishments. Uttlesford has a very effective Farm Watch system (currently 112 farms are participating). Good communication exists between participants and the police, including regular bulletins and instant SMS text messages to alert farmers to incidents such as hare coursing and vulnerable missing persons. As a result, the police receive good intelligence from farmers, especially concerning suspect vehicles, and through the network we are often able to track suspects’ movements around farms and warn the farmers. The force holds regular farmers’ Neighbourhood Action Panel (NAP) meetings; the next meeting is scheduled for 19th March 2013. Your feedback is most welcome. Should you wish to contact the PCC about this meeting or any other matter please e-mail: [email protected] or write to:

Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex 3 Hoffmanns Way Chelmsford, CM1 1GU

News alerts will usually be tweeted via the Essex PCC Twitter account: https://twitter.com/essexpcc

You can learn more about the PCC’s work at: www.essex.pcc.police.uk

The neighbourhood policing teams will always act on intelligence received from the community. If you have information regarding any criminal activity please either call your local team or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an anonymous line where you can report any criminal activity.

Crime and policing news update February 2013

Date: Thu Feb 28 13:09:27 GMT 2013

College of Policing officially launched

The College of Policing was officially launched on 4 February, marking the beginning of a fundamental and important change to the policing landscape. Policing Minister, Damian Green described it as ‘an historic occasion’. Since then, much is happening to ensure the College gets off to a good start. Professor Shirley Pearce has been appointed as Chair, with the Board members also recently announced.

The College is currently focusing on the design of its future shape and structure in collaboration with its stakeholders and members. It’s due to deliver its blueprint to the Board for consideration and approval in July. Meanwhile, we invite you to get involved in the process by emailing blueprint with your thoughts, comments or ideas. Chief Executive, Chief Constable Alex Marshall recently appeared before the Home Affairs Committee, where Chairman Keith Vaz said the Committee regards the College as a very important part of the new policing landscape. Alex set out his ambition for the College to be a world-class professional body for policing and for it to ultimately be recognised as a Royal College. He said he’d be focusing on three urgent priorities: integrity and ethical conduct, protecting the public from dangerous people, and local and neighbourhood policing.

To find out more about the College of Policing, visit the website or follow us on Twitter @CollegeofPolice If you are a police officer or have a pnn email address you can find out more about the College of Policing onPOLKA by joining the College of Policing community.

Police.uk

The successful crime-mapping website, police.uk, celebrated its second anniversary on 31 January. To coincide with this, new functionality was added enabling users to ‘draw your own area’. ‘Draw your own area’ tool Visitors to the site can now draw their own ‘shape’ on Police.uk crime maps. This can now plot the precise area where users want information about crime, anti-social behaviour and justice outcomes. Previously, users were relying on a standard one mile radius from a given postcode. ‘See your stats’ tool This provides a pictorial overview of crimes, anti-social behaviour and justice outcomes which have occurred in the users postcode area or ‘drawn shape ’. Users can now see which crime types are most common in their local area. This is in addition to the summary of actions the police have taken in response, and which justice outcomes are most likely to result. Virtual user group We are in the process of setting up a virtual user group for Police.uk enabling us to contact members by email when we need feedback on aspects of the site, or proposals for new content. If you’re interested in being a member of this virtual user group, or would like more information about Police.uk, please email Charlotte Russell.

The Police and Crime Commissioner page Each police and crime commissioner (PCC) now has a ‘profile’ page on police.uk setting out their priorities for action, their photo and details of how to contact them. Find your PCC page on Police.uk by entering your postcode or town.

Measures announced to ensure highest standards of integrity in policing

On 22 October 2012, during the debate on the findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel, the Home Secretary undertook to return to the House of Commons to announce her plans to strengthen police integrity. On 12 February she made a statement outlining a package of measures. Ministers and Home Office officials have been working with colleagues in ACPO, HMIC, the College of Policing, the National Crime Agency, and the Independent Police Complaints Commission to identify a package of measures to deal with this issue.

Police-led prosecutions

In a move to cut inefficiency and deliver swifter justice for victims, the Home Office has extended police prosecution powers to cover over half of all cases heard in the magistrates' courts.

Following legislation introduced last year, the police can now take over the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) role in prosecuting proof in absence cases and those where exceptional hardship representations are made.

In addition, officers are now able to follow several low-level crime offences from the point of arrest right through to completion, including some alcohol and public order offences, driving without due care and attention and criminal damage under the value of £5,000.

The CPS still prosecute cases where a defendant pleads not guilty, is under the age of 16, or if the case starts by charge.

The changes are being tested in nine police force areas to find the best delivery model. The pathfinders are Essex, Hampshire, Kent, Lincolnshire, Metropolitan, Nottinghamshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and West Yorkshire. Support is available from the Home Office to any other area wishing to implement these new processes. If so, please email Tanya Manning. For more detailed information, please see the Police-led prosecutions section on the website.

Scrap Metal Dealers Act

The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 received Royal Assent today, bringing reform to the industry and providing a key element in the fight against metal theft. The Act, introduced by Richard Ottaway MP, received widespread support during its Parliamentary passage.

The Act builds on measures already taken by the government, including enhanced enforcement activity through the National Metal Theft Taskforce, design solutions to improve traceability of stolen metal and earlier legislative measures in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 to ban the purchase of scrap metal with cash.

The Act replaces the outdated Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 with a more robust, fee-raising license scheme administered by local authorities. Features include the power for local authorities to refuse and revoke a licence; giving courts the power to close unlicensed dealers; requiring dealers to verify sellers’ identity and creating a single publically available national register of licence holders maintained by the Environment Agency. The Act maintains the offence of purchasing scrap metal with cash that came into force in December but removes the exemptions for itinerant collectors and brings motor salvage operators within the definition of a scrap metal dealer for the first time.

The Home Office is responsible for the Act’s implementation which we anticipate will be in October 2013; guidance will be issued in due course. Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)

The draft ASB Bill was published in December last year to enable it to undergo pre-legislative scrutiny by the Home Affairs Select Committee (HASC).

The aim of the legislation is to put the needs of victims at the forefront of the response to ASB through a reformed toolkit (rationalising 19 of the current powers, including the ASBO, into six new flexible ones) and by giving victims a stronger voice through the introduction of both a Community Trigger and a Community Remedy.

The HASC considered nearly 200 pages of written evidence as well a hearing from a number of interested individuals, including councils, the police and victims of ASB in oral evidence sessions. Jeremy Browne, Minister for Crime Prevention, gave evidence in the final session on 29 January.

The Committee's final report was published on 15 February and was broadly supportive of the reforms. Ministers will now consider the recommendations before responding formally in April. Alcohol consultation

The consultation on delivering the government’s policies to cut alcohol fuelled crime and anti-social behaviour closed on 6 February after ten weeks. Alongside the public consultation, roadshow events were held across the country. The government’s response to the consultation will be published in due course. Ending Gang and Youth Violence

The programme continues across government, and with local partners.

The ‘Ending Gang and Youth Violence Report: One Year On’, published last November, set out new commitments. In addition, the practical support to areas most affected by gang and youth violence has been extended and a further £500k made available to voluntary organisations working with young people. Local Ending Gang and Youth Violence partners can:

• Sign up for regional roadshows on ‘Gang-associated Young Women and Girls in the Youth Justice System’ in Leeds (15 March), Birmingham (18 March), Manchester (21 March) and London (25 March). To apply for a place, email the events team • Attend workshops on ‘Reducing Gang Violence through Mediation’ facilitated by Tio Hardiman, Director of ‘Ceasefire Illinois’, in London (18 and 22 March), Liverpool (19 March), Manchester (20 March) and Birmingham (21 March). To register your interest, email the serious youth violence team All local partners are encouraged to:

• Access the new toolkit and range of case studies on information sharing to reduce violence • Learn more about the links between violence and health in the Department of Health report ‘Protecting People, Promoting Health’ • Promote the ‘Family Lives’ helpline (0808 800 2222) and online support for parents and carers concerned about issues including gangs and violence To find out more, please email the serious youth violence team.

National Crime Agency update

There are now just seven months to go until the National Crime Agency (NCA) is operational on 1 October and the ‘build’ phase is gathering pace.

February has seen the delivery of Version 2 of the Blueprint (which sets out the high level operating model for the NCA and outlines the capabilities the NCA will have to lead the UK response to serious, organised and complex crime) and Version 2 of shadow National Coordination and Tasking (which means that UK Border Agency, Border Force and CEOP can now request precursor agency resource). Our shadow operations with partners continue to produce real results and test how the NCA will work, so it is ready to hit the ground running on day one.

The Crime and Courts Bill - which will provide the legal basis for the NCA, including its functions, powers, tasking and assistance, information sharing, governance and scrutiny arrangements – has completed Committee stage in the House of Commons and, subject to the will of Parliament, is on track to receive Royal Assent in Spring 2013.

For more information on the NCA and the Bill visit the NCA's section on the website.

New psychoactive substances controlled On 1 November 2012, the government accepted the 'Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs’ (ACMD) advice to update the scope of the current controls in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 of Class B synthetic cannabinoids and to place under permanent Class B control: • Methoxetamine, which is currently subject to a temporary class drug order, and other similar compounds, as well as • O-Desmethyltramadol, which is related to the prescription-only medicine ‘tramadol’

These latest controls are part of the actions the government committed to in its New Psychoactive Substances Action Plan (May 2012). The ACMD’s advice used forensic data from the Home Office Forensic Early Warning System (FEWS), as well as evidence from UK and EU drugs early warning systems which have identified the new compounds and monitored prevalence of use and harms. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2013 (SI 2013/239) has been approved in both Houses of Parliament under the affirmative resolution procedure and will come into effect on 26 February 2013. This means that methoxetamine is no longer a temporary class drug, but a controlled Class B drug to which all criminal offences, including its simple possession, apply. Details of the law change and its implementation are set out in the Home Office Circular 004/2013 and supporting documents published alongside SI 2013/239. For further information about drug control under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, please email Cyrille Marcel.

News from partners

Update from the Gambling Commission Gaming Machines seized in Peterborough In a recent multi-agency operation, the Gambling Commission provided support and expertise to Cambridgeshire Police and Peterborough City Council. This resulted in gaming machines, and other gaming equipment, being seized following a raid at an address in Peterborough. Convicted criminal forced to hand over nearly £20,000 An investigation by the England illegal money lending team, working in partnership with the Gambling Commission and Lancashire Trading Standards, resulted in the prosecution of a father and son from Preston. Neither had a licence to lend money from the Office of Fair Trading or a licence to provide facilities in gambling.

Both were convicted at Preston Magistrates Court of a number of offences; illegal money lending, money laundering, and possessing criminal property from the proceeds of acting as an unlicensed money lender and unlicensed bookmaker. The father was also ordered to forfeit nearly £20,000.

Police Bulletin Extracts

Extracts prepared by Editor of Radwinter Times with minor presentational edits

Letter from Sam Cox (NHWN, Administrator, UK)

Dear members, coordinators and supporters,

We are pleased to announce that we have secured free Public Liability Insurance for all Neighbourhood Watch and Home Watch schemes across England and Wales to enable volunteers to carry out their roles. The policy starts from the 1st April 2013 and will run until the 31st March 2014.

The policy covers any scheme registered with an Authority recognised or verified by the Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network. This includes the police service, the local authority or constituted NHW Associations. There will be no need for each police force or NHW Association to register with the policy holder (NHWN) or the broker (Towergate Insurance). In an event of a claim it will be for the Scheme or Association to evidence how they are recognised as a NHW Scheme or Association in line with local policies and procedures or within their constitution.

What is covered?

• If any of your activities cause injury to third parties or damage to third party property the insurer will cover claims arising for up to £5 million per claim occurring during the insured period. • The insurance applies for activities which are undertaken with your full knowledge, authority and under your control in line with good practice procedures and adhering to all relevant local policies and practices. • The erection and maintenance of signs and posters, including whilst erecting, is covered providing that the lower edge of the sign is not less than 2.1 metres above the footway. • Neighbourhood and Home Watch events, street parties and Neighbourhood and Home Watch stands at other peoples events are covered provided they are not prohibited by any exclusion criteria • The cover is also for other Wider Watches, Junior NHW and Speed Watch, if incorporated into a NHW Scheme or Association and local policies and practices are adhered to • There is no age restriction (upper or lower) placed on the cover.

For more details about what is covered and what is not covered by the policy, please download the PLI Policy Summary document. General questions are also addressed in the PLI Frequently Asked Questions document. The certificate for proof of cover can be downloaded from the Members Area on our site

To get these reports directly email Editor – [email protected]