The fight against metal thieves stepped up a gear this week (5 – 9 September 2016) after police and heritage experts joined together for the first time to carry out coordinated enforcement action.

Data released today by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) shows that the use of police custody as a place of safety under mental health legislation has more than halved in one year.

Following increases in the reporting of hate crime and raised community tensions, the National Police Chiefs’ Council requested weekly returns from forces across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Following the publication of the Press Association survey on body worn video for officers using Taser, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu has outlined the national approach on this issue.

The NSPCC have highlighted increases in the number of reports to police forces of people accessing indecent images of children. Tackling this growth is a national priority and we are responding robustly to arrest more offenders and safeguard more children than ever before.

Today’s useful report by HMIC indicates that 72 per cent of people feel that crime and anti-social behaviour is not a problem at all or not much of a problem in their local community.  The HMIC result of 76 per cent of people being satisfied in policing mirrors a similar trend found by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) in March, which indicated that overall confidence in local policing is at its highest level in ten years.

Since the psychoactive substances act was introduced 3 months ago, forces across the country have been using new powers to significantly reduce the number of retailers and head shops stocking these substances.

Following the release of the Home Office’s latest police procurement data, our finance lead believes that transparent benchmarking of procurement data is an important part of securing value for money for the public. 

Police forces will enforce the law involving cannabis use by using a range of options depending on the individual circumstances of the case. As always they will follow a proportionate approach signposting users to education and support services. 

Statistics obtained from the National Police Chief's Council under Freedom of Information show that just under half of individuals specifically vulnerable to Daesh-related radicalisation, and offered support from a Channel panel, refused to participate.

Today, NPCC chair Sara Thornton laid a wreath at the unveiling of a unique memorial to commemorate those police and military officers who lost their lives during the Eoka crisus in Cyprus from 1956 to 1960.

Sexting can be seen as harmless or normal activity but there are many risks involved. Once circulated, the sender loses all control of that image and it can cause significant distress when it gets into wider hands. The new NSPCC guidance offers invaluable advice to parents how to speak to young people and intervene early.

Chief officers have responded to a review by Sir Eric Pickles MP on electoral fraud. Assistant Chief Constable Gary Cann supported the review, which was commissioned last year by former Prime Minister David Cameron MP, and gave evidence to the inquiry team.

The latest national figures show that forces across the country followed a targeted approach that saw an increase in alcohol tests showing a positive, failed or refused reading. While the percentage of drivers tested reduced, officers targeted through intelligence drink drive hotspots.

It is in the interests of the taxpaying public and chief officers navigating the system that the rules are clear, consistent and fair with checks and balances by locally accountable Police and Crime Commissioners

Speaking in response to today's Black Lives Matter protests, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Race and Religion, Commander Mak Chishty, said: “Any death following police contact is a tragedy. Police are determined to continue to improve the way that people are cared for in custody. There has been significant work to ensure safer detention of people and have seen the number of deaths in custody more than halve in the last ten years.

The National Police Chiefs' Council and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners say that police-led transformation projects receiving funding from the Home Office is a positive start to the process of reforming policing.

Statistics published today as part of the Crime Survey of England and Wales show the numbers of adults who experienced abuse as a child.  

Following the Hillsborough inquest verdict, I wrote an article for The Guardian on leadership culture in policing. At the most recent meeting of Chief Constables’ Council we built on that idea with a number of papers and guest speakers. 

Following the establishment of National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) in April 2015, formal legal steps were taken to wind up the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

This review is not complete but there are no plans to remove resources which need to be locally based into remote regional hubs

National Police Chiefs’ Council Chair Sara Thornton recently spoke with the Centre for Public Impact, a non-profit organisation, about the challenges facing the police service and the need to develop new tactics and capabilities to keep people safe.

We have all been facing a severe level of threat - meaning "an attack is highly likely" - for nearly two years now. And whilst we have thwarted a number of terrorist plots in that time, we are not complacent and continue to do everything we can to protect the public.

Statistics released by the Home Office today show that there was a reduction of eight firearms officers between April 2015 and March 2016 but the police are still on track to deliver an extra 1500 firearms officers over the next 18 months.

While there is no specific intelligence relating to attacks against the Christian community in the UK, police are urging the community to be alert but not alarmed, report concerns to the police and review their security as a precaution.

We have seen a significant rise in the reporting of hate crime and urge victims to continue to come forward.

Police come to work wanting to protect people and save life, and each death must be scrutinised to learn lessons and help raise standards of care.

We need all agencies to work together to provide a consistent, coordinated repsonse to support those in need.

We are looking for two independent non-executive board members, one to fill a vacancy and the other in reserve for appointment if and when a vacancy arises.  

In light of recent events, a meeting took place with the police, IPSA and the Parliamentary Security Department to review MPs security and consequently number of additional security measures were introduced.