Police Response to COVID-19

by Les May

The text below is part of a press release regarding the release of a report by the Home Affairs Committee. I have added my emphasis. The full report can be downloaded from the link at the bottom of the page.

As a result of the COVID-19 epidemic, the police are charged with enforcing unprecedented regulations and restrictions on movement and gatherings in order to save lives and protect the NHS, according to a new report from the Home Affairs Committee.
The report into policing during the epidemic has concluded that the early response from the police has overall been proportionate and effective, and that it is important that any errors and problems continue to be swiftly corrected so that public trust is maintained.
The committee supports the police strategy to engage, explain and encourage, with enforcement as a last resort, and strongly welcomes the vital work of police officers across the country to support the NHS and save lives. It says that adherence to the regulations will ultimately depend on public support and on maintaining the principle of policing by consent.
Given the pace at which the new regulations had to be implemented, the Committee concludes that some early errors were not surprising. It welcomes police forces making public corrections and apologies when mistakes are made, and calls on them to ensure training and proper checks are in place.
The report was finalised before the latest publication College of Policing guidance on reasonable excuses to leave home, and the release of enforcement data from police forces this week which shows a wide variation between 380 enforcement notices served by Lancashire police and 38 enforcement notices served by Greater Manchester Police. The report calls for regular monitoring by the NPCC* and College of Policing where there is significant divergence in the use of enforcement measures.
The report highlights the importance of parks and green spaces during lockdown, especially for families with children and those in urban areas who don’t have gardens or outdoor space, and raises concern about parks being closed to everyone because some people are deliberately flouting social distancing regulations, without first trying enforcement measures against those individuals. It urges police forces and local authorities to work in partnership to see whether proper enforcement action can help keep parks and green spaces open for everyone else instead.
*National Police Chiefs' Council

https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5801/cmselect/cmhaff/232/232.pdf

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Danczuk Rape: 'Insufficient Evidence' say CPS

SIMON DANCZUK, the MP for Rochdale, who has been facing a rape allegation dating back to 2006 will not face any further action, prosecutors have said.

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk was questioned by Lancashire Police over the allegation on the 4th, January.
But the Crown Prosecution Service said no further action should be taken because of 'insufficient evidence'.
Mr Danczuk said he was 'relieved' the case against him had been dropped and described the investigation as an 'immensely stressful period'

'I expect Labour Party to lift my suspension'

The now independent MP had been suspended from the Labour party a month before the rape allegation emerged, when he admitted sending inappropriate text messages to a teenage girl.

The 49-year-old voluntarily attended a police station by appointment when he was interviewed over the rape claim.
He said in a statement: 'I am grateful for the decision made by the CPS and I am relieved that the investigation has now come to an end.
'Even though I maintained my innocence throughout, this has been an immensely stressful period for me and my family.
'I now expect the Labour Party to conclude their investigation into these matters and lift my suspension as soon as possible.'

'Decision Fully Explained'

In a statement, the CPS said:
'Following receipt of a file from Lancashire Police... the evidence was considered by a specialist prosecutor in accordance with the code for crown prosecutors.
'It has been decided that there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.
'The complainant has been informed and we have written to her to fully explain our decision.'
Lancashire Police said it 'entirely respected' the decision of the CPS, which it had 'worked closely with' throughout the investigation.
'While these allegations were made against a public figure, we have been committed throughout to investigating this matter in the same professional and victim-focussed way that we would all such allegations,' it said.
The force said it 'remained committed to investigating allegations of this nature, no matter how long ago or what the role, position and status of the alleged offender.'
Labour said the MP Simon Danczuk 'remains suspended from the party'.

Sleazy Simon Danczuk!

TOMORROW's Rochdale Observer carries an unsigned letter that claims that Simon Danczuk used 'Fameflynet, a celebrity photo agency' to have photos of himself and a blond woman leaving the Lowry Hotel after a romp.  The photo shows Mr. Danczuk in a suit that looks he has spent the night in bed wearing. 
The letter writer writes:
'The last time he flogged photos of himself to this particular agency it was when he was questioned by Lancashire Police about allegations of historic rape.'
He seems to be making a good living out of behaving badly.  And, the people of Rochdale voted for this get rich quick guy!  God Bless them!
The un-named writer comments:
'Labour must act now on an out of control narcissist.  Danczuk thinks it's OK to peddle this sleaze to the highest bidder.'
Yet, there is no sign of the Rochdale Labour Council Leader, Richard Farnell, doing anything to stop Mr. Danczuk.  The last time Councillor Farnell was asked about Danczuk by the Lib Dem opposition leader, Andy Kelly, he said that he is 'a hard working MP' who 'has a lot on his plate!'
He didn't mention at that time that most of his hard work seems to be done between the blankets. No doubt we haven't seen the last of the sexy side of Mr. Danczuk and maybe we've got until 2020 before there is any let-up in this kind of athletics.