Top teams put thieves on metal alert

 
Theft of metal is causing huge disruption and upset within the region, with copper wire thefts disrupting train services, broadband /phone, electricity supplies etc whilst lead is being stolen from church roofs and even war memorials

Durham Constabulary is boosting its response to metal thefts as part of a major crackdown on this growing crime. 
New units are being put together under the banner of Operation Hansel, the crossborder response to metal theft. 
 
Teams of five or six officers, some of which are specific road policing teams, will target those responsible for most of the metal theft and scrap metal crime happening in County Durham and Darlington.
 
“The theft of metal is an increasing problem not only in this area but across the country because of the high value that it fetches for scrap,” says Chief Supt Dave Orford, who is leading the force’s response to metal theft.
“We’re already doing a lot to combat the problem, gathering intelligence all the time and working closely with the people who run scrap yards in the area. The new teams have been put together to focus specifically on this type of crime and
they aim to target those people we know to be the worst offenders. However, we also need the help of local residents to make the most of this campaign. We’re asking anyone who sees a vehicle carrying metal to report it so we can ensure that it’s operating legally.  We’re also asking people not to make things easy for thieves: don’t leave metal items like bikes or garden equipment insecure and keep an eye on any unoccupied property where you live and report anything suspicious.”
 
Anyone with information should contact Durham Constabulary on 0345 60 60 365 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Death of a retired Police Officer - Inspector Norman Smith

It is with regret that we announce the death of retired Inspector Mr Norman Smith from Sunderland, who died on the 26/09/2011 aged 83 years.
Mr Smith retired from Sunderland in 1974 following 25 years service, he had worked at Sunderland police station throughout his 25 years service.

Death of a retired Police Officer - PC 461 Richard Jackson

It is with regret that we announce the death of retired PC 461 Richard Jackson from Whitby, who died on the 8th September 2011 aged 91 years.
Mr Jackson retired from Horden CID in 1972 following 25 years service. He had previously served at HQ, Darlington, Hurworth, Hamsterley Colliery, Consett & Horden.

Death of a police staff colleague : Tracy Thackery-Smith

It is with great sadness that we need to advise colleagues of the death of Tracey Thackeray-Smith who died on Saturday 17th September 2011.

Tracey joined Durham Constabulary in June 2008 and worked at Consett in a Front Counter Clerk role and also as part of the CJU team

Great North Run. Charity Appeal

Andy Watson, a serving W.O.1 Officer in the British Army , having just returned from a  second ‘tour’ in Afghanistan will once again be travelling from Chippenham  to run (fundraising for charity) in the Great North Run on Sunday, 18^th September, 2011
He is running to raise charitable funds for the Royal Institute for the Blind.
His target this year is £300.00. If you feel you can make a contribution to this target, please sponsor him via the internet link: www.justgiving.com/rnib-andywatson.
Thank you for your anticipated support.
Alan S. Watson.

The Rover 2.6 Patrol car !!

Rover 2.6, VUP 142V, Alpha Red 49 with PC 1017 Brian Jones. Photograph taken on the Causey Road near Stanley by PC 1153 Keith Butler at the end of a night shift in July 1981

Ford Granada -  Alpha Red 47 driven by PC 1017 Brian Jones accompanied by Chief Superintendent Alf Charlton and (believed) Chief Inspector Purdy. The photograph was taken by Sgt John Noble at Burnhope Way, Peterlee on 8th July 1983 on the occasion of the visit of HRH Princess Diana to Peterlee town centre and the Fisher Price factory.

Many Thanks to Brian Jones who sent the above photo’s showing one of our trusty old Ford Granada’s and one of the ‘delightful’ Rover SD1’s which we ran in 2.3(supervision), 2.6(patrol) and 3.5(motorway) versions.

Brian asks the question : Possibly the worst patrol car ever!? Perhaps we could have some debate?

RPI to CPI : E-Petition to view

Dear Colleagues

I have been made aware of the attached e-petition on the government’s change to the uprating of pensions from RPI to CPI, which has recently been made available on the Directgov web-site:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/1535

You will be aware that we are currently challenging this change by Judicial Review and the case it due to be heard in the High Court later this year. Should the site receive 100K responses it will result in the matter being debated by Parliament, which may assist our challenge.

Please feel free to circulate as widely as possible.

Regards

Ian Rennie

General Secretary

Police Federation of E&W

Copper Plate–August 2011 (Issue 84)

August 2011 edition of Copper Plate (the first electronic edition) can be viewed by clicking on the image.

You can view older editions of Copper Plate by clicking on the menu bar above or by CLICKING HERE

‘Missed But Never Forgotten’–DC Vince Myhan

Colleagues of a Darlington-based police officer have been paying tribute after his sudden death from a heart attack.
Det Con Vince Myhan, 45, became ill at the home he shared with his wife, Karen in the early hours of Wednesday, June 8. Despite being rushed to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough he died shortly after arrival. Vince joined the force in October 1991 and spent most of his career in the south of the county. Since 2005 he had been based in Darlington, working as a beat officer before postings to the offender management unit, vulnerability unit and CID. In July last year he received a commendation for his work on a difficult case which led to a Darlington man being sentenced to a minimum ten years in prison for the attempted murder of his baby son. Det Sgt Jim Cunningham, who worked alongside him on many cases, described Vince as the life and soul of the office and someone who always gave 100 per cent. “His work ethic was tremendous and he was always determined to treat with dignity and respect everybody he had dealings with. “We have had several calls from witnesses, crime victims and others who knew Vince and were very upset to hear of his death,” he said. 
Vince’s area commander, Chief Supt Andy Reddick, said; “Vince was focused on serving the community and he displayed the highest levels of professionalism; he was particularly proud of his work in the vulnerability unit dealing with some of the most vulnerable members of our community. He will be missed, but never forgotten.”

By Martin Wallwork (Copper Plate issue 84)

Death of a retired Police Officer - Inspector 843 Marshall John Dodds

It is with regret that we announce the death of ex- Inspector 843 Marshall John Dodds of Morpeth, Northumberland who died suddenly on 3rd September 2011aged 74 years. 

Mr Dodds leaves a widow, Mrs Jacqueline Dodds.

Mr Dodds joined Durham Constabulary in 1960 and served in various postings including West Hartlepool, Etherley, Ramshaw, Consett, Stanley,C.I.D. and Chester-le-Street from where he retired in 1985.

The funeral service will take place on Monday, 12th September 2011 at 1.00 p.m.at West Road Crematorium, Newcastle upon Tyne.

The service is not private. Friends and former colleagues are also invited afterwards to the Plough Inn, Front  Street, Ellington, Morpeth.

Donations in lieu of flowers are requested to the British Heart Foundation

Our thoughts are with Mrs Dodds and her family at this sad time.