Blog Round Up

All's back to normal. Blogging in the style of another blogger is fun for a day, but do it for an extended period could drive you nuts. I think I managed to synchronise with the target quite well. If readers found this fun (and readers were unanimous when I asked them whether I asked whether I should continue with my Tom Watson posts - I was the only one who voted against!), I might be persuaded to do it again at some point in the distant future.

Dizzy Thinks Then Posts

Dizzy has hit on a rich vein of form of late. I recommend all his recent posts, but especially his most recent on the Falklands War where the comment thread shows why the Left are unfit to run the country. They are? Damn.

Crime Statistics Scandal

Just as seriously, Tony Sharp has uncovered a crime statistics scandal. Not only have recorded detections been manipulated, but a great deal of scarce police resource has been misplaced in the process. Can't wait until the police bloggers get hold of that story - they'll be all over it like a rash. In my judgment there's a big chance that this one will hit the mainstream. And whilst we are on the theme of policing, the Tories are unveiling some excellent proposals.


Unsolved Riddle

Still nobody has succeeded in my guess the politician's quote puzzler which was set a few days ago. Who said this.

"I do think certain individuals are disposed to crime because of their genetic inheritance"

There are some clues on the other thread. As an additional clue, I will add that the politician wrote the text in his autobiography. Like my imaginary friend Hamer Shawcross I'm taking an Easter break. I'll be away from Thursday so I am looking for guest posters. I have a few lined up, but if you're interested, just let me know.

Blogging With Intent

When bloggers I respect get a bee in his or her bonnet, I tend to listen. There are several storms brewing in the blogosphere. Here's two.

Morleygate

Ian Grey is a Blogpower member and an occasional visitor to this blog. Ian lives in Morley which is located several miles south-west of Leeds. This council is located in a safe seat for Labour and Ed Balls will be parachuted in take over from Colin Challen, the incumbent MP at the next election. In 2004, (following the resignation of a Labour party councillor) Ian Grey won a by-election in the Morley ward of Elmfield. Ian stood as an independent and beat the BNP candidate as Labour slumped into third place. In fact the majority of Morley councillors are independent. Ian has his own opinions and isn't somebody to take the path of least resistance for an easy life. He is very unhappy with his council colleages for stifling debate on contentious decisions and has set up a fresh blog to deal with Morleygate.

Dan Coffill case

Inspector Gadget is one of the most highly respected police bloggers. Lately, he has been moved to blog on the story of Dan Coffill, an off-duty Lewisham policeman, who has been reduced to a vegetative state by two thugs (who have just had their sentences reduced on appeal). Dan's family feel completely let down by the justice system and have been in touch with the Police Inspector. He is ready to release further information on this case. If you thought the doctors were angry with the government over at Dr Crippen's, try looking at the comments from our police officers over at Gadget's place.

Prague Policing Strategies

A clairvoyant called the police yesterday and told them she sensed there would be a terrorist attack at Prague airport. Police sent an armoured vehicle and officers armed with automatic weapons to the airport. Right, I'm off out to stretch my legs.

Muck-Raking Again

Possibly as a result of the ongoing cash for peerages and ongoing Home Office travails, I think that the blogosphere didn't do enough analysis on the conviction of Clive Goodman. Clive Goodman was News of the World royal editor and he and a "co-conspirator", Glenn Mulcaire were sentenced to prison for crimes related to intercepting phone messages.

As well as the royal household, the investigation found that targets for tapping included David Blunkett while he was home secretary, David Miliband, Sol Campbell and Rebekah Wade.

There's something pretty rotten in a system where people will go to these lengths to get material and to bug the Home Secretary deserved a stiffer sentence in my opinion. I have a few points to make. Firstly, I hope that both these criminals' media careers are over. They ought to be shunned and if I hear that they are employed in any capacity by a newspaper, I will make a song and a dance over it.

Secondly, it was only greed and some good fortune that led to the criminals' capture after they revealed information that only a very limited number of people knew.

Thirdly, do you agree with what the Information Commissioner said?

"The current very low penalties under the Data Protection Act for "blagging" offences which do not involve telecoms interception are not a sufficient deterrent to stop the widespread illegal trade in personal information."

And finally has this legal decision opened the way to prosecution of other cases as previously blogged? Or will these other cases be dropped in the public interest?

Lightening The Tone - Well Not Exactly

READ THIS BOOK.

It's written by the UK's most popular police blogger. He likes law enforcement and nicking bad 'uns. He doesn't like the Home Office or Grauniad-reading muesli-eating types much, but as he says in his book, he doesn't get much in the way of negative or contradictory feedback in his comments or email inbox. Before opining on UK policing, I recommend you visit his site or buy his book. Looks like the snow has stopped falling, so hopefully no blogging over the next few days. Somebody else is moderating comments for me.

Police Bloggers

Bloggers who work in the public services are of particular interest to me. I've decided to add a new link in my policing section.

Check out PC Tim Ireland

Convicted Murderers On The Loose - Who Cares?

A teacher calling a pupil a cripple is front page news on the BBC website today. The following isn't!

Two convicted murderers escaped from an open (wtf) prison and have not had their photos published.

This is worth reading, but I want to pull out the incredible statement from a spokesman for Derbyshire Police - and I quote;

"When making a decision to release any photograph, police forces must take into account numerous factors including the public interest test,

Yes 11 of the 13 escaped convicts remain on the run, duh.

whether there is a strong local policing purpose

and this is a reason not to release the pictures!!!

and, of course, the Human Rights Act

which the Tories are committed to binning

and Data Protection Acts"

Still feel like you're on firm ground Recess Monkey?

Bel covers this too. I understand that after a great deal of ducking and diving on the BBC's 1pm news, it was announced that the photos have now been published. If there's any small c conservatives out there, it's time for you to get off the fence to do more to rid ourselves of this shower government.

Tags : Biased BBC, Not Proud Of Britain, Justice