The Chronicles of Ruination 2

Monday, August 1, 2016

Wales,UK - Police hail public's help in fighting terrorism

The public make more than 3,600 contributions to the fight against terror every day, Britain's most senior counter-terrorism police officer says.

Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley said co-operation between police and the public was the "greatest advantage".

He cited anti-terrorist hotline calls and the reporting of suspicious online content as ways to keep the UK safe.

But he said with the terror threat ranked as "severe" since 2014, "even more public assistance" was needed.

The threat to the UK is at the second highest of five possible levels, meaning an attack is highly likely.

Mr Rowley said some were passing information to authorities about people behaving unusually in public places, while others were raising concerns about neighbours and friends becoming "more extreme".

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was "really important" for authorities to be able to intervene before people's beliefs become too extreme - saying about 60 to 70 cases a month were being resolved.

About one sixth of those came from public referrals, he added.

'Not complacent'

Asked if some of the referrals were stopping people being murdered or falling victim to acts of terrorism, he replied: "Yes."

He added: "We are drawing people back from a path towards extremism through partnership activity. Even if you take a view that 90% of those people may have self-treated or not gone on to become terrorists, that is still a massive effect."

In a blog post for the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), Mr Rowley said: "Every call, every referral, every briefing is part of our joint fight against terrorism.

"The information we receive helps our investigations, intelligence-gathering and preventative work; they help us carry out significant protective security operations; they help us get the right support for vulnerable people, and they undermine the plans of terrorists."

Other examples of the "collective effort" referred to by Mr Rowley include people visiting police and government websites for advice on how to protect homes and businesses or stay safe in the event of an attack.

On Sunday, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe warned a terror attack in Britain is a case of "when, not if".

In his blog, Mr Rowley - a Met assistant commissioner and the NPCC lead for counter-terrorism policing - said officers were not complacent and he "couldn't agree more" with Sir Bernard's assessment.

He said the UK's tight gun laws and a close working relationship between police and the security services were an advantage.

Mr Rowley said: "But for me our greatest advantage is the co-operation between the public and the police.

"It has often been said that 'communities defeat terrorism' and now that's more important than ever before."

see-http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36938608

Wales,UK - Countryside crime is a £2m blight on the Welsh economy, new study shows

Rural crime cost the Welsh economy £2m in 2015, new figures show

Rural crime cost the Welsh economy £2m in 2015, according to figures from NFU Mutual.

The rural insurer’s latest annual Rural Crime Report says the items most commonly targeted by thieves over the last 12 months were quad bikes, livestock and oil and diesel.

The overall costs of rural crime in Wales also stood at £2m in 2014, but the cost of quad bike theft has fallen by 37% from 2014.

UK-wide rural crime cost an estimated £42.5m in 2015 – in Northern Ireland the figure was £2.7m and in Scotland £1.7m.

'Increasingly sophisticated'

Richard Turner, NFU Mutual Agent in north Wales, said: “Rural thieves are becoming increasingly sophisticated and using computers rather than bolt cutters to steal from farms and country properties.

Thieves are getting more sophisticated in how they target their rural victims, say NFU Mutual

“Farmers and police have been working hard to adopt high-tech security measures to tackle the problems which now include: cloning tractor identities, advertising non-existent machinery in agricultural publications and stealing the GPS computer systems which are a key part of modern farming.”

Paul Roberts, who farms at Fach Gau Groes, in Conwy, had his Honda Foreman quad bike stolen from a shed on February 2.

Mr Roberts, 50, who also works as an auctioneer at Ruthin Farmers Auction, said two thieves cut their way through a metal door to get the bike.

He said CCTV footage of the theft showed they managed to get away with the bike in around four minutes.

Stolen to order

Mr Roberts said the six-year-old quad was in “immaculate” condition and, he believes, stolen to order as new tools also left in the shed were ignored by the thieves.

The theft made routine work like getting feed to ewes on the sheep and cattle farm more difficult for Mr Roberts.

He said: “That time of year you're highly dependent on the quad bike.

"You have to start to feed the ewes a month or so before they give birth to make sure they've got plenty of protein and vitamins. You have to make sure you feed them every day.

“So you go out on your quad bike with your feed otherwise they'll go down in condition and may abort etc. So when the bike was stolen, it made it very difficult.

"You had to walk with the bags on you - probably like they did 50 years ago.

"It did make it difficult - especially the winter at night because the fields were too wet for vehicles to go on, but a quad bike will go on the field without making too much of a mess."

Struggled to find replacement

Though he was insured against the theft, he said he struggled to find a replacement quad of the same age and in a similarly immaculate condition.

Meanwhile, there has been a shift in the items being targeted at rural homes as well – in the latest survey of NFU Mutual’s agency network, the theft of garden equipment was cited as the biggest growing trend, along with 4x4s.

Insurers NFU Mutual say thieves are targeting garden equipment and 4x4s from rural homes

Mr Turner said: “However, it is reassuring to see levels of rural crime are not rising in Wales, and reflects the huge efforts being made by anti-crime schemes throughout the countryside.”

The majority of NFU Mutual agents surveyed (65%) also reported that thieves in their area are becoming more sophisticated and cyber crime is also a growing concern.

The survey revealed social media is now the main resource for sharing information about crime and is a valuable tool – not only in prevention, but also for catching criminals and returning stolen goods.

“Our advice to people living and working in the countryside remains the same; evaluate your current security measures, making improvements where necessary, remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the local police, but also community watch schemes,” said Mr Turner.

see-http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/countryside-crime-2m-blight-welsh-11677435

Wales,UK - Locked Up: The killer drivers and former detective who raped two women amongst the criminals sent to prison this month

These are the faces of some of the criminals who have been locked up in July. They include a former detective who was jailed for 18 years for raping two men and a driver who was locked up for 12 years following a crash that killed a dad and his unborn son on New Year’s Eve.

Jeffrey Howard Davies

Former police detective Jeffrey Davies has jailed for 18 years for raping two woman

The former police detective who raped two women was jailed for 18 years this month. He carried out the attacked while working with South Wales Police.

Former police officer jailed for 18 years for raping two women

Kyle Kennedy

The driver who killed a father and his newborn son in a head-on crash in Cardiff was jailed for 12 years.

Kyle Kennedy, 29, was found guilty of causing the deaths of Simon Lewis and Simon Junior – who was unborn at the time of the crash – by dangerous driving on New Year’s Eve.

Joshua Staples

The driver was sentenced to 16 months in jail for causing the deaths of father and son Stuart and Fraser Bates by careless driving.

Joshua Staples, 22, from Tonyrefail, Porth , had pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by careless driving without due care and attention.

David Begley

David John Begley who was jailed for 12 weeks for sending an offensive tweet to Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood

The Swansea man was jailed for a tweet saying he hoped Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Woodwould be the victim of a “gang rape by immigrants”.

Jamie Richardson

The football fan savagely bit off a part of his friend’s ear in a fight outside a club after his team had lost. Richardson, 31, was drinking at the Columba Club, in Newport , on October 3, to watch his team face Southampton in a Premiership clash.

Michael Martin

A gang of 23 are behind bars following a two-year investigation that saw police seize almost 300 kilograms of drugs as well as £1.2m in cash. Police said the gang was headed by Michael Martin, 50, of Bargoed , who “utilised his underworld contacts across the UK to form a drug empire”. He was sentenced to 14 years.

Samuel Jenkins

The new driver, 22, who ploughed into a bridge at more than 70mph killing a friend in car with him was jailed in July. He was sentenced to three years in prison with a five year disqualification from driving for the death of Haramardeep Singh Ghuman.

Paul Hibbs

The 44-year-old was jailed for attacking his partner with a glass beer bottle while in a "drunk rage". He was sentenced to three years and four months after pleading guilty.

Wesley Howard Jones

The former Army serviceman who tried to steal a mobile phone from a Cardiff taxi driver has been jailed for 18 months. The 39-year-old had borrowed a mobile phone to make several calls while taking a journey in January this year.

Robert Gethin

The driver was jailed for leading police on a high-speed chase around Penarth in his pyjamas while he was twice the drink-drive limit. The 33-year-old from St David’s Crescent in Penarth admitted four offences – dangerous driving, drink-driving, failing to stop, and driving without insurance. He was jailed for 10 months.

John Lewis

The television extra who starred in Sherlock and Torchwood was jailed for stealing almost a £72,000 in benefits. The 65-year-old from Barry admitted dishonestly claiming the cash at Cardiff Crown Court.

St Clair Mansbridge

The thief distracted staff at a high-end jewellers by asking for a glass of water – then snatched watches worth £10,000.

1 AUG 2016
BY CATHY OWEN

These are the faces of some of the criminals who were jailed in July

Dad-of-three St Clair Mansbridge took the two Cartier watches, worth £5,000 each, from Parkhouse in The Hayes.

see-http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/locked-up-killer-drivers-former-11678661

Port Talbot,South Wales - The search continues for missing animals after violent rampage in which cats were maimed or killed at a sanctuary

Police are still investigating after at least three cats were killed in a burglary

The number of cats were who died after a brutal break-in at a cat sanctuary has risen to three.

Workers at the Ty Nant Cat Sanctuary in Cymmer are today still searching for cats missing after the violent rampage at the centre on Saturday night.

Police are still investigating and a GoFundMe page set up to help the sanctuary has already raised more £8,000.

People at the centre have been left devastated with one writing on Facebook: " I can honestly say i have never felt hate like i did today, we have gone through anger and sadness all day.

Two men, aged 18 and 15 according to the sanctuary, have been arrested after the incident, which happened at 7.50pm on Saturday.

The 18-year-old is due to appear in court on Monday morning.

The surgery initially said at least two cats had been killed, but they updated their Facebook page on Sunday evening saying the number is now three.

The sanctuary also said staff found three cats in a cage that was taken from the sanctuary hidden under ferns in a ditch, but that all three were unharmed.

They also said six cats are still missing.

A GoFundMe page was set up in the aftermath of the incident on Sunday to help the sanctuary. It had a target of £1,000, but donations have soared to more than £8,000.

Posting on Facebook, the surgery said: "The injuries they had sustained has left all of us heartbroken and angry.

"That any human being could knowingly inflict such harm and suffering on a defenceless animal is beyond reason.

"At mid-day, after many hours of searching the area, three cats were found in cage that was taken from the sanctuary hidden under ferns in a ditch.

"All three of them are unharmed and have been safety returned to the sanctuary, and we are extremely grateful for this.

"There are still cats that are unaccounted for, and we hope that they will somehow be found and returned safely.

"We would like to thank you all for your continued support and messages, but due to the number of them we cannot reply to all of them."

'Deeply saddened'

On the GoFundMe page, it says: "We are deeply saddened to inform you all that last night the sanctuary has been the victim of a terrible attack.

"All our hard work and love that we have shown these cats has been devastated by this malicious attack. Teresa, Nicky and the rest of the team are heart broken by this.

The incident happened on Ty Nant Lane on Saturday

"We would ask for any information from the public and our friends who follow and support us, to contact us or the police. Please share this post with friends and family. We hope all our fellow cat lovers with help us with this."

A spokesman for South Wales Police said: “South Wales Police has charged two males, aged 15 and 18, following a burglary which occurred at Ty Nant Cat Sanctuary in Cymmer, Port Talbot on Saturday 30th July 2016.

"The 18-year-old has been charged with burglary and criminal damage and is due to appear at Swansea Magistrates Court this morning.

"The 15-year-old has been charged with the same offences and bailed to appear at Swansea Youth Court on 11th August."

see-http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/search-continues-missing-animals-after-11687892

Wrexham,North Wales - Wrexham among worst places in England and Wales for youth reoffending

File picture of prisoners in prison / jail / gaol. File photo — Teenage criminals in Wrexham are the most likely to reoffend in North Wales

Teenage criminals in Wrexham are the most likely to reoffend in North Wales.

Figures reveal that Wrexham has the fourth highest youth reoffending rate in England and Wales for the year ending in September 2014.

Statistics released by the Ministry of Justice show that the reoffending rate in the county for those aged 20 or younger is 40.03% – more than a quarter higher than the average in England and Wales of 32.74%.

However, there is some good news for Wrexham, as rates did fall four times faster than the average, going down by 8.8%, from the 44.99% rate that was second highest for youths in England and Wales in the year to September 2013.

Looking at adults, Wrexham was also the North Wales county with the highest reoffenders rate and was 14th in England and Wales at 28.66% in the year to September 2013.

The figure rose to 29.34% in the year to September 2014.

Across England and Wales, youngsters aged 20 or younger were much more likely to reoffend than adults aged 21 and above, with the older group reoffending at a rate of 24.09% - a quarter below the rate of their younger counterparts.

However, the number of offenders aged 20 or younger has halved in the last five years, falling from 187,300 in the year to September 2010 to 92,100 in the year to September 2014.

The Ministry of Justice told the Daily Post that the new justice secretary Liz Truss wants to “drive forward radical reform” in prisons to help rehabilitate offenders prior to their release.

Since 2014, new probation reforms have been introduced where those serving six months or more now receive probation supervision on release.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: “Last year, we introduced legislation that means, for the first time, those serving under twelve months receive targeted support on release.

“The new Justice Secretary has also been clear that she wants to drive forward radical reform in our prisons to deliver secure and purposeful regimes that help properly rehabilitate offenders.

“Sentencing in individual cases is a matter for independent judges, who base their decisions on the facts of the case.”

see-

1 AUG 2016
BY SARAH HODGSON AND CHARLES BOUTAUD