'TheBD Law LI The newspaper of Essex Police Issue 334 August 2002 Relentless ~ursuitof criminals brings significant arrests and detections NO PLACE TO HIDE! A ONE-week offensive on crime has been by Heather Watts hailed a great success leading to hundreds of restrictions and letters were sent arrests and detections. to known criminals to advise The work marked the them to change their behaviour. second phase of Operation There were some particularly good results. Relentless. A total of 223 More than £90,000 worth of people were arrested and 275 stolen vehicles were recovered in offences detected, a 37 per response to an incident involving cent increase in arrests since organised theft of cars in Purfleet. the launch of the operation Checks on a lock-up at an industrial estate near Chelmsford earlier this year. resulted in 11 vehicles being The countywide offensive seized and a number of high value against car crime underlined vehicles, including two Audi TTs, the force commitment to ensure confirmed stolen. that criminals have a greater Warrants executed in Rayleigh fear of arrest than the public Division led to the recovery of a have of crime. number of car stereos and a stolen Assistant Chief Constable BMW and parts. (Crime) Joe Edwards said: "We A high visibility road check in carry out this kind of work all the Harlow led to the swift arrest of a time, but by focusing the whole man on a stolen motorbike and an force on a specific area for the 18-year-old man arrested in the week, it maximises the offences early hours of Monday in a stolen we detect and the intelligence vehicle appeared before the court gathered." on the Tuesday and is now serving A news blackout was five month's imprisonment. implemented for the arrest phase, Intelligence gathered at the first two days of the operation. roadchecks led to arrests for The arrests followed detailed offences ranging from going analysis of intelligence, and equipped to steal and possession fingerprint and DNA of offensive weapons. identifications to match suspects Mr Edwards said: "With with offences. operations like Relentless we will Criminals subject to curfew bail continue to hit back at the conditions were visited to ensure perpetrators of high volume they were complying with the crime." Officers no longer have the blues PEOPLE less fortunate than surplus shirts. ourselves are going to benefit from Public relations officer Tina changes to the police uniform. Starling contacted various Before July 1 this year all male organisations and the Salvation officers of constable and sergeant Army were more than happy to rank wore blue shirts. But changes take them off our hands. to the national uniform mean that Collection points were set up all officers regardless of rank or around the county and hundreds of gender will now wear white. shirts have already been donated. Following the changes, Waltham There is still time to donate but you Abbey officer Kevin Raby suggested need to be quick as the shirts go to some charitable use be made of the charity later this month. 2 THE LAW, AUGUST 2002 Are you due compensation.? IF you had a variable rate Step 1: Write to the chief executive but only after you have been through of your bank or building society. A Step 1. TESSA account between form of the letter you should write fol- Step 2: Only take this step if you April 1999 and September lows: haven't had a satisfactory response from 2000 YOU could find that Dear Chief Executive your bank or building society as shown you are in line for (Name and account number) in Step 1. This is to complain about the treat- You cannot complain to the Financial compensation. merit meted out to me as a TESSA Ombudsman Service until you have first The information that follows customer your organisation. I of all written to your bank or building should be read carefully to decide took out my variable rate TESSA on society and are dissatisfied with the whether you have a case and you . but missed out on interest once should also note that this does not TESSAs were withdrawn from sale. Write to the Financial Ombudsman Service telling them you believe you Britain's bravest awarded apply to fixed-rate TESSA accounts, It has come to my notice that in september 2000 the ombudsman have been unfairly treated by Your bank THE bravest officers in Street where each officer wa only variable rate. said that since TESSAs became or building society. Give them the England and Wales were greeted by, and photographec when TESSA~became obsolete in details of your case. The address is: announced at an awards with, the Prime Minister. obsolete in April 1999, banks and April 1999, the banks and building Financial Ombudsman Service ceremony on July 2 attended The judging panel include1 building societies should have paid a societies brought out new tax-free South Quay Plaza by Home Secretary David Federation Chairman Fret fair rate of interest, comparable with savings accounts which either paid a 183 Marsh Wall Blunkett and Cherie Booth Broughton OBE, polic those on accounts with less onerous higher rate or had fewer conditions London E14 9SR &c. widow Angie Hammond attached (or both). conditions. Don't forget to keep a copy of all The evening was organised chris from th The Financial Ombudsman has said this' they have correspondence and do let us know how by the Police Federation and ~~~~~i~~i~~of chief polic that the banks and building societies written to savers within 30 dayS you get on. ~~~d luck! 'ponsored by The Sun Officers, Kevin Morris of ths informing them that the account was newspaper. Superintendents' Associatioi should have paid a fair rate of interest Sixty-three of the most obsolete and let them transfer with- on the TESSAS, comparable with the pay rise agreed courageous policemen and and The Sun's criml new accounts. Failing that, they Out notice or penalty or any fee. women, drawn from 35 forces, should have written to savers within Between those dates you paid high- A THREE per cent pay rise for police attended the Police B~~~~~~ Our own constable, Micl 30 days of April 6, 1999 to tell them er rates of interest on other accounts officers for 200212003 was agreed at Awards, established seven Hall from Stansted Airport the TESSA was obsolete and let savers even though the terms and condi- the July meeting of the Police years ago to pay tribute to the was nominated for an act transfer their accounts without notice, tions on these Were less onerous. Negotiating Board (PNB). unsung heroes of the service. bravery in September 200' and, although he did not win penalty or fee. I would therefore be grateful if you The special evening followed Revised pay effective from a reception at 10 Downing a good day was enjoyed by all Some banks and building societies would send me a cheque to make UP September 1,2002, will be published did not do this and the financial for this interest shortfall. on our intranet website. Then send this to the chief executive of ombudsman has decided that TESSA AS usual, the agreements will savers who were put at a disadvantage your bank or building society. With a bit Pensions propaganda need +.he approval of the DESPITE some alarmist reporting in the national pres, by these new accounts should be of luck, all should go swimmingly, but following the publication of the Pickering Report on th~ was a three compensated. don't be put off if the bank or building Secretary. 'lso futureof pensions, there are no proposals to change policl If you believe that this applies to society tries to fob you offwithout a valid per cent increase in the pension provisions at this time. The police pension is not i your TESSA account, what you have to reason. If that happens, you can take handlers' allowance and the London funded scheme and officers are advised to treat recen do is: your case to the financial ombudsman lead for inspecting ranks. press speculation with extreme caution. Protecting your personal details NEW legislation is proposed to allow the The new law, which like the telephon, public (including police officers) to opt out of will allow individuals to go ex-directory, wil having their personal details included in an be introduced following an appeal througl electronic Register of Electors. existing human rights law. Such registers are often sold on to The official Electors' Register, that canno advertisers for junk mail and other be opted out of, will not be sold on to thirt purposes. parties. I A reminder that the telephone number for Berwick Devoil Healthcare Limited, a medical scheme broker which can give independent advice provide 35% Discount for Police Officers quotes giving preferential terms for Essex Police Employees is 01892 838124. Interest free instalments* Ferry out the fatigue message Discounts for civilian staff, AS the holiday season gets into full circulated to cater for foreign travellers retired officers and families swing Essex Police has joined forces Posters are being put up around the p01 with ferry company DFDS to remind and further leaflets will be available o. Police Business Use included drivers that tiredness behind the board the ferries. / wheel can kill. Although targeted at the holiday seaso FREE 90 day foreign use cover The project is the brainchild of the intention is for the campaign to be ongc I Colchester's Divisional Officer Colin Shead, ing and DO Shead will be talking to othe FREE courtesy car (comprehensive cover only) who is also the manager of the Service Desk businesses with a view to broadening th at Basildon Police.