Leicestershire police are once again operating ‘Operation Stay Safe’ to keep young people away from demonstrations in Leicester on the 4th February.

Demonstrations and assemblies are expected in the city in response to the presence of the right-wing English Defence League (EDL), who will also hold a rally. Leicestershire constabulary has promoted a strong ‘stay at home’ message, which …

On Friday February 3rd, campaigners in Nottingham will hold a protest against Atos "Healthcare".

Thursday 26 January 2012

"Public Confidence in Policing in the 21st Century" a lecture given by the Interim Chair of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), Len Jackson OBE, at Newton Building, Nottingham Trent University. 

POLICE officers have been slammed for their behaviour after appearing on a Channel 4 TV documentary.

The programme called Coppers was broadcast on Monday night and followed police officers on patrol in Nottingham.

But the behaviour of some officers has now been criticised and two incidents have been referred to Notts Police's Professional Standards Board.

In one incident a female police off…

Some legal information which may be useful for Saturday's Notts Uncut action.

"Police custody suites in Nottinghamshire have been rated as poor after a snap inspection found them to be dirty with minimal quality checks.

"The joint report from Her Majesty's Inspectorates of Constabulary and Prisons was based on visits to Worksop, Mansfield and Nottingham's Bridewell." (BBC News)

Friday 6th January 2012

Passing the Victoria Shopping Centre at about 3.20pm this afternoon, 2 police cars suddenly arrived next to me on the pavement area at some speed. They contained armed officers.

Sumac Centre, 245 Gladstone St, Nottingham, NG7 6HX

Today two of Stephen Lawrence's murderers were sentenced. Met police chiefs have been out in a public relations frenzy to paint themselves as finally having overcome the 'institutional racism' that the Macpherson inquiry found them guilty of. But recent news of racist coppers who would have been sacked in any other job keeping their jobs suggests otherwise.

Eight former lovers of undercover cops have started legal action against police chiefs for the psychological suffering they’ve endured. The women include three former lovers of Mark Kennedy, two former lovers of Jim Boyling, and women who had relationships with “Mark Cassidy”, Bob Lambert and “John Barker” – a name that doesn’t seem to have been associated with undercover policing of activism…

A police officer is being investigated for allegedly posting foul mouthed and possibly racist material on his Facebook page.

A selection of the posts, some of which date back to the beginning of the year, were sent to the Leicester Mercury anonymously. In one, the officer, who the Leicester Mercury is not naming, uses foul language about "foreigners", calling them "scum".

Former police inspector, Russell Dew, pleaded guilty to sexually touching a 13 year old girl and has been imprisoned for 6 years. He joins other officers such as Sergeant Darren Dearling on the sexual offenders register. Dew committed the offences whilst a serving police officer in Newark last year. In a sick twist he helped set up a centre for victims of abuse in Croydon.

On Saturday December 17th, Notts Uncut participated in the UK Uncut “Christmas Special,” visiting the usual tax dodging companies. Notts Police took an unusually confrontational attitude asking for people’s details, imposing conditions on the protest. Once person was arrested after she asked for clarification of the instructions, while another was arrested after remonstrating with the police …

On Saturday 17th December, two protesters were arrested during a demonstration held by Notts Uncut. A supporter was arrested at Bridewell Police Station later that evening.

The first of twelve official reports resulting from the public outing of undercover police officer Mark Kennedy and the subsequent collapse of the trials of 26 climate change activists has been published. The report claims that there was no “dishonest withholding of information” and no “systemic” failings, a conclusion the CPS have been happy to repeat. Critics of the report have dismissed it …

Nottingham student seeks apology and compensation from the police

Wednesday 7 December 2011

Nottinghamshire Police Helicopter was on operations this afternoon.  Working at quite low levels over the Mapperley area of Nottingham, it was there for quite a long period. [don't know if they got their man].

CPS publishes report tomorrow into claims prosecutors withheld undercover police officers' surveillance tapes from defence lawyers.

A key report into the Mark Kennedy controversy is due to be published tomorrow morning. Back in the summer, Keir Starmer, the Director of Public Prosecutions, set up a judge-led inquiry into claims that prosecutors suppressed secret surveillance tapes record…

Friday 2 December 2011

Good news! It has been returned to him.

On 21st November, a police officer had seized a video tape from media student Lewis Stainer while he was covering events around the occupation camp in Market Square.  The police claimed they could seize it under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 [section 19] since it contained 'evidence' of crime.

On Monday 21st November, Lewis Stainer, a student photographer covering the occupation in Market Square, witnessed the arrest of someone from the camp. He attempted to video the arrest and was promptly intimidated into handing over the video tape. After pressure from the National Union of Journalists and extensive publicity Notts Police agreed to hand back the video footage.

On the newswire:…

Tuesday 29 November 2011

On Monday 21 November, Lewis Stainer, a student photographer covering the occupation in Market Square, Nottingham, witnessed the arrest of someone from the camp. He attempted to video the arrest and was promptly intimidated into handing over the video tape.

BBC Radio Nottingham interview.

On Friday 25th November, the ‘Atos Two’ appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court. Despite some confusion over times, the hearing itself was uneventful with both pleading not guilty and the trial being set for February 27th. Outside, around 40 supporters gathered for a demo to show their support and urge the CPS to drop the case, before making another visit to Atos’ offices where the defendant…

Monday 21 November 2011

A student photographer covering the occupation in Market Square, Nottingham witnessed the arrest of someone from the camp yesterday afternoon. He attempted to video the arrest and was promptly intimidated into handing over the video tape.

In spite of assorted agreements with the police, officers continue to be obstructive to photogaphy in the street.

Although the trend of photographers getting hassle go's up and down over time, It has always been thus!

The object of this page is to strengthen your knowledge regarding issues surrounding photography, both in 'actions' and subjects in a public place. In situations whether your photo…

Two Nottingham residents, a pensioner and a wheelchair user, have been charged with aggravated trespass. The pair, dubbed the “Atos Two” by supporters, were arrested following a peaceful protest the offices of the Atos “Healthcare” on Stoney Street on September 30th. Campaigners accuse Atos of participating in a government-led attack on people with disabilities under the guise of “austerity.”…

Mark kennedy to appear in public for documentary screening in copenhagen

Mark Kennedy (mark stone) who was the undercover cop outed in the UK this year will appear in copenhagen next week for the screening of a documentary about him. many in the UK and also copenhagen have some serious beef with this guy, and comrades from the UK are invited to copenhagen to pay him a visit as they see fit. the f…

Met facing mounting crisis as activist spying operation unravels

Senior police officers' judgment questioned as revelations emerge about the behaviour of undercover agents

Paul Lewis and Rob Evans

guardian.co.uk, Thursday 20 October 2011 20.22 BST

The IPCC have criticised Notts Police's failure to prevent the brutal murder of Casey Brittle by her former partner, Sanchez Williams, last year. The murder was the final of 11 incidents of domestic violence which the police were notified of and failed to do anything about. The force was reprimanded for its failings in this area by the IPCC in Nov 2010, after it failed to prevent Gail Hdili's abus…