Facial recognition to be challenged in UK courts

A legal challenge against the use of automatic facial recognition [AFR] technology by police has been launched by a civil liberties group.

Lawyers for Big Brother Watch argue the use of AFR breaches the rights of individuals under the Human Rights Act.

The case also focuses on a claim that the Home Office has failed in its duty to properly regulate the use of AFRs and it criticises the length of time that gathered images are held.

The Metropolitan Police piloted the system at Notting Hill Carnival in 2016 and 2017, at the Cenotaph on Memorial Sunday, and at Westfield Shopping Centre in Stratford in June 2018.

Cameras in Cardiff city centre and at a demonstration at an "arms fair" were used to gather the images of members of the public. As of April this year AFR generated 2,451 alerts with only 234 proving accurate. At that time, police officers stopped 31 people who had been incorrectly identified and asked them to prove their identity.

Lawyers for Big Brother Watch argue the use of AFR breaches the rights of individuals under the Human Rights Act, including the right to privacy and freedom of expression.

Brighton man faces jail for attempted kidnap of 8 year old girl

A Brighton man is facing prison after being charged with attempt kidnap on an eight year girl who was on her way to post a letter. 

Michael Belhawla, 24, is alleged to have grabbed the girl from behind and bundled her to the floor with his hand over her mouth. 

The victim has since suffered with post traumatic stress diorder as a result of the attack. 

Belhawla has pleaded guilty to assault causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) but has denied the more serious charges. 

The defense claims that Belhawla was very drunk and collided with the young girl. They have also cited drug and alcohol issues as factors. 

Judge Charles Kemp has ordered a psychiatric assessment to help him decide when he sentences Belhawla on Friday 31st of August. Belhawla will be remanded in prison until the hearing. 

Teenage boy injured in street robbery

A teenage boy was attacked and suffered facial fractures after a robbery in Hove. 

The attack took place on 22 June between the hours of 02:30 and 03:00 at the junction of Sackville Road, Hove Street, Church Road and New Church Road. 

The boy suffered a broken eye socket and a fractured cheekbone. The suspects also took a small quantity of cash from another boy and left the scene going along Hove Street. 

The suspects are described as white, in their early twenties. One of the males was about 1.8m (6ft), skinny build with short dark hair. He was wearing an orange/ red coat with blue at the bottom. The other male was 1.52m (5' 10"), chubby with very short hair and wore a grey tracksuit with a hoody. 

Police are appealing for any witnesses of the assault to come forward. Detective Constable Darram Newman said, "If you saw this pair that night, or if you know who they might be, please contact us online or by calling 101, quoting serial 180 of 23/06. 

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111"

Brighton BCRP features in Professional Security Magazine

Brighton BCRP's accreditation scheme for Mobile Support units is just one of the innovative projects that feature in an article in June's Professional Security magazine.

Click here to read the article.

Five assaults in a single night

Police are investigating five connected assault in Brighton city centre on Monday night (June 25).

The assaults all occurred between 01:00 and 04:30 and officers are seeking the same three suspects [pictured].

The first incident was at about 01:00 on Western Road at the junction with Montpelier Road where a man had been approached and punched.

The next was at about 03:20 on Church Road, near to Albany Villas where a 28-year-old man was found bleeding from the head. He had been assaulted near to Churchill Square and his iphone and cash card was stolen.

At 03.51 a call to Sussex Police was received after two men were punched on Kings Road at the junction with Western Street. They both needed treatment for cuts to the head.

At 04:07 two men were assaulted after one went to help another man who was being assaulted on Western Road near to Castle Street.

At 04:15 police received a fifth call from Kings Road Arches near to Coalition nightclub where a man had been punched in the face and had been taken to hospital. He is believed to have a broken nose.

The three men are described as white, two in shorts and T-shirts and one in a shirt and tie. One was carrying a JD sports bag.

If anyone witnessed anything or thinks they might be able to help please contact police online quoting serial 150 of 26/06.

Police struggle with 'social work' role

The sociologist Egon Bittner once defined policing as responding to "something that ought not to be happening and about which someone had better do something". Many front line police staff would probably agree as their roles expand to take up the slack from other services that have little to do with the traditional police role of fighting crime.

Indeed currently for some forces over 80% of the calls they receive have nothing to do with crime. The Metropolitan Police Service responds to a mental heath call every 12 minutes; an increase of 33% over the last five years.

Budget cuts have shifted demand from other public services. The number of adults with mental illness has grown steadily over the past quarter decade but there are 12% fewer mental health nurses than there were eight years ago. The police often pick up the slack because they are the first point of call in an emergency. It is telling that mental health calls spike after 17:00 on Fridays when social workers finish their caseloads for the weekend.

But most police officers tend to be poorly equipped for their new role because stretched police budgets include very little money for training in mental health issues. At best perhaps half a day of an officers 13 week training programme will be devoted to the topic; the College of Policing now recommends two days.

Police forces are trying to adapt and mental health nurses now work in some police call centres while others attend incidents with officers to advise them how to respond. Some forces go even further with Durham funding the refurbishment of a vacant allotment for use by the local community to encourage well-being and a sense of purpose. It also sponsors a charity that organises local football matches and litter picking for volunteers.

Brighton BCRP hits major milestone

Brighton & Hove Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) welcomes its 500th member, Sainsbury’s Preston Road, making it the largest BCRP in the UK by membership.

Established in 1999 the multi-award winning Brighton BCRP has gone from strength to strength and has helped hundreds of businesses around the city to increase their profitability by reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in or near their premises.

Members range from large multiple retailers to small independent traders and the vast array of pubs, clubs and restaurants for which Brighton is renowned.

The scheme works to create a safe environment for businesses and their customers through an effective partnership with Sussex Police and the local authority.

Lisa Perretta, BCRP Manager said:”This is a fantastic milestone for the BCRP which demonstrates excellent partnership working not just in the city centre, but also with businesses on the outskirts of the town.  We are committed to assisting the business community across Brighton & Hove to reduce crime and the fear of crime.”

Andy Crowhurst, Zone Operations Manager - Sainsbury's South said: “The BCRP are working tirelessly to make Brighton & Hove a safer place to live, work and shop.  Sainsbury’s and Mitie are proud to be members and even more so to know that Sainsbury’s became the 500th Member.  It is a fantastic achievement and shows just how well the BCRP works in the city.”

Centre for Social Justice calls for tougher sentencing for shoplifters

The CSJ urges the government to introduce two-year sentences for prolific shoplifters in order to cut crime and rehabilitate offenders many of whom are stealing to fund their drug addiction.

The call follows the release of the CSJ's new 'Desperate for a Fix' report which suggests rising shop theft is being driven by criminals addicted to narcotics and psychoactive substances such as Spice.

The report found that as many as 70% of shop thefts are committed by drug addicts. The CSJ says 10,000 of the most prolific drug-addicted offenders should be targeted with a tough two-year sentence involving a year of drug-free secure accommodation and a year of therapeutic drug treatment to prevent re-offending.

The CSJ also recommended that Police and Crime Commissioners should work with businesses and local partners to identify and target prolific drug-addicted offenders.

To read the full article, please click here.