Teen Used 'Old Man' Disguise In Armed Robbery

A schoolboy who used sophisticated prosthetics to disguise himself as a pensioner while carrying out a violent armed robbery has been jailed.

Miles Alura - and the teenage robber in his disguise

Brandishing two handguns and dressed up as an old man, 16-year-old Miles Alura and his two teenaged accomplices were caught following a raid on a Kent jewellers.

The trio used handcuffs and a dog lead to tie up terrified staff, before making off with £50,000 worth of jewellery. But an onlooker called the police and all three boys were arrested.

Alura was found in a nearby garden having dumped the gang's haul and removed his facial prosthetics, make-up and hairpiece.

The decommissioned guns found on Alura, pictured (inset) in his disguise

Following their capture, detectives from the Met's Flying Squad linked the July 3 robbery to an earlier raid on June 7 at a jewellers in Mayfair, central London.

Alura had committed that robbery along with one of the two boys - who cannot be named - and while wearing false waist-length dreadlocks.

They jumped over the counter and threatened the staff, intimating they had a gun. Workers were tied up and they escaped with jewellery worth £100,000.

Fingerprints belonging to both boys was found on paperwork - including school history coursework and a drawing of the plan of the store - left at the scene.

Alura was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court to a total of five years in prison. His accomplice in the Mayfair robbery, 'Boy A', also 16, of Stoke Newington, was jailed for three years.

A picture from Miles Alura's Facebook page

Fifteen-year-old 'Boy B', of Holloway, received a 12-month detention and training order. Reporting restrictions were lifted for Alura, but not for the other two boys.

Detective Constable Vicky Bailey, from the Met's Flying Squad, said: "These were violent armed robberies during which innocent members of staff were terrorised and genuinely feared for their lives.

"It is even more shocking to know that this level of violence was inflicted by three schoolboys who went to extraordinary lengths to research, plan and get away with these offences, demonstrated by Alura's sophisticated disguise."

All three defendants had earlier pleaded guilty at Kingston Crown Court to conspiracy to rob relating to the Kent robbery.

Alura and 'Boy B' had pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm regarding that raid. Alura and 'Boy A' had also pleaded guilty to the Mayfair robbery.

23.39 | 0 komentar | Read More

New Police Bosses Will 'Create Conflict'

By Mark White, Home Affairs Correspondent

Conflict between soon-to-be elected Police and Crime Commissioners and existing Chief Constables is "likely", according to a study of elected police officials in the United States.

Over exuberant election promises, severe budget cuts within the police service and clashing personalities could all help raise tensions.

The election of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) will take place on November 15. It marks the most fundamental change in the governance of the police service in the modern era.

PCCs will have the power to hire and fire Chief Constables and to set policing priorities and budgets.

Fulbright Police Research scholar Jayme Johnson interviewed 42 police leaders in the US, a mix of elected politicians and professional police officers.

He told Sky News: "Without a doubt, their conclusion was that conflict is likely."

But Mr Johnson, whose research has now been passed on to the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers, said there were lessons from the American experience of elected officials within law enforcement which could be applied to this country and help mitigate the potential for conflict.

He said: "The politician and the Chief Constable have to sit down at the beginning of the politician's time in office and agree a shared policing strategy and a philosophy which they can stand by and they can take to the public with confidence."

The reality of what newly-elected PCCs will face once in office will do little to aid harmonious relationships.

Ambitious election promises may be impossible to keep as the reality of tough budget cuts begin to bite.

The PCCs will take office with police budgets set to decline by 20% within the next three years.

Policing Minister Damian Green says 'conflict' has been overtstated

James Taylor, policing expert at the business advisory firm Deloitte, warns that "Newly-elected PCCs will take charge of forces undergoing massive upheaval and there will be a relentless focus on finance and cuts. Whatever party or candidate wins, the PCC will need to hit the ground running and be prepared to begin taking tough decisions from day one."

"By March 2013, the PCC will have to have finalised the Police and Crime Plan, a complex five-year document that requires a firm understanding of local needs, so time will be of the essence."

This of course will all be in addition to finding a suitable office and an experienced team to help the Commissioner with day-to-day business.

The PCC's new team will have to establish a workable relationship with the existing management structure within their force. They will have to familiarise themselves with current policing operations and commitments made by the Chief Constable, before the new Commissioner can even think about how to deliver their own manifesto commitments.

Another key role for Police and Crime Commissioners will be to consult regularly with the public on policing priorities.

There lies another avenue for potential conflict, as particularly forceful PCCs might be tempted to interfere in day-to-day operational decisions.

Policing Minister Damian Green said he felt the potential for conflict had been overstated, as there were clear guidelines that Police and Crime Commissioners must abide by.

The minister said: "Their job is to hold the Chief Constable to account, not to be the Chief Constable."

He added: "I will welcome forceful personalities as PCCs. They've got a big, important job and what I don't want to see is them becoming like too many of the Police Authorities, which became particularly cosy with their local Chief Constables. I don't think Chief Constables want that either."

An advertising blitz has sought to boost the public's appetite for these elections... in truth the Government is braced for an historically low turnout.

If the public don't want PCCs, the police certainly don't, but in a few days' time they will have no choice but to work with their new political overlords.

23.39 | 0 komentar | Read More

Victoria Cross Charity Role For George, 12

Bereaved Mum's Journey Of Despair

Updated: 9:44am UK, Sunday 11 November 2012

By Lucy Cotter and Richard Suchet

For the families of those killed in war, Remembrance Sunday can be a day of profound grief.

While the nation - and the Commonwealth - expresses its gratitude to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, the bereaved are reminded of their own suffering and loss.

Some 53 British servicemen and women have been killed in Afghanistan in the past 12 months and 437 have died there since operations began in 2001.

Margaret Evison's son Mark died in Helmand Province in 2009.

A lieutenant in the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, he was considered one of the finest officers of his generation.

He died aged just 26 after being shot in the shoulder while leading a patrol in Helmand.

Margaret's book Death Of A Soldier describes the aftermath - from the time she was told her son had been injured, up until after his inquest.

It is an incredibly moving account which articulates the loss of a child, and is deeply thought-provoking.

But it also asks important questions about the circumstances surrounding Lt Evison's death, about the Army and the war in Afghanistan.

Ms Evison said: "It's a journey through despair, but also a tale of surprises, sometimes magical ... to pay my respects to a young man who commanded such love and respect in his short life."

Lt Evison was clearly a remarkable man, who achieved a great deal and inspired those who knew him.

Nicknamed 007, he was idolised by his men and was destined for a very bright future in the Army he loved so much.

Brigadier Tim Radford, heading the 19th Brigade in Afghanistan at the time, wrote: "He was charming, utterly focused, thoughtful and he left an indelible stamp.

"I know his soldiers adored him and he was held in such high esteem by them. Mark was described by his solders as having 'a face that was sculpted by angels'. In 25 years in the army, I have never heard soldiers speak with such affection about one of their officers."

The book brings Lt Evison to life through his mother's words, but also uses his own.

He wrote a diary in Afghanistan until a few days before he died which is included, along with extracts from the many letters written to the family from people who knew Lt Evison.

As well as being a very personal story about loss, the book illustrates the heroics of the people involved in trying to save Lt Evison, but also questions whether his death could have been avoided.

Ms Evison battled with the Ministry of Defence and found evidence that there was a lack of resources, poor radio equipment, and a delay in the helicopter sent to rescue Lt Evison which had an impact on his care.

She not only questions the Army's deficiencies, but the legitimacy of the campaign in Afghanistan.

However, the book ends on a very positive note, describing The Mark Evison Foundation, which was set up shortly after his death to inspire young people and help them develop their potential.

"We wanted the foundation to reflect Mark's unusual capacity to be a life-enhancer," she wrote. "That became its strap line 'Bring out the best in you'."

23.39 | 0 komentar | Read More

Support Call For Depressed Mums To Be

Women suffering with antenatal depression need more support, according to the Royal College of Midwives.

The RCM made the comments after a new poll found that more than a third of women who suffer depression during pregnancy have suicidal thoughts.

Four in five mothers surveyed who suffered with depression in pregnancy went on to struggle with postnatal depression.

Half of the 260 women surveyed said their illness affected their relationship with their baby, according to the research conducted by the RCM and Netmums.

Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the RCM, said: "This survey shows that there is an urgent need to identify and help women with depression in pregnancy and after the birth of their baby. If we can identify women as early as possible then we could prevent them declining into much more serious mental health problems.

"The Government has made a promise to women that they will be offered better support postnatally and that more will be done to spot and support postnatal depression. However, we know that antenatal and postnatal services are suffering as a result of budget cuts and a shortage of midwives. This is in addition to the postcode lottery of service provision for women with postnatal depression.

"If this situation is not rectified, the NHS will continue to fail women with mental health problems during pregnancy or birth and the Government's pledge would be judged to be an empty promise."

Health minister Dr Dan Poulter said: "Pregnancy, and the birth of a new child can be both a joyous and an emotionally challenging time.

"The Government recognises that women with depression both during and after pregnancy need care and support, not stigma.

"That's why early diagnosis and support for women and parents is so important, and it is midwives who provide the vital personalised, one to one care for women and families during pregnancy and childbirth.

"That is why the Government has invested in over 900 additional midwives working in the NHS since 2010."

23.39 | 0 komentar | Read More

Chancellor Told To Halt Petrol Price Hike

George Osborne is facing renewed pressure to abandon a planned increase in fuel duty, amid warnings the rising price of petrol was putting household budgets under more strain.

As MPs prepare to vote on Monday on the planned 3p a litre increase due in January, the consumer organisation Which? said more people than ever before were being forced to cut back on motoring costs.

It said its latest polling found a record 85% of people expressed fears about rising fuel prices - a nine point increase since July.

Those saying they would cut back on motoring costs rose seven points to 39% - another record high - while one in 10 said they had had to dig into their savings to cover their motoring costs.

Overall, one in three people said they were finding it difficult to live on their current income, with 33% also cutting back spending on the essentials last month. Getting on for half  - 44% - said they were planning to cut back on food and groceries in the coming months.

Which? said the figures showed 8.7 million households curbed their spending on essentials last month, while 6.4 million households dipped into their savings to cover their outgoings.

Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: "Rising fuel prices are the number one consumer worry and people are already telling us they're having to cut back and dip into savings just to get by.

"On the back of inflation-busting energy bill rises and increasing food prices, consumers can little afford another hit on their household budget. We're calling on the Government to think again about their plans to increase fuel duty in January.

"The forthcoming Autumn Statement must focus on measures that will help put money back in the pockets of consumers, because the economic recovery is at risk if we don't increase consumer confidence."

For Labour, shadow treasury minister Cathy Jamieson said: "Families, pensioners and businesses are still feeling the squeeze. Labour will vote on Monday for a delay in this fuel duty increase at least until next April."

A Treasury spokesman said: "The Government recognises that the rising price of petrol is a significant part of households' day-to-day spending.

"Since coming to office the Government has listened to the concerns of motorists about high pump prices and acted. Fuel is now 10p a litre lower than under the previous government's plans."

:: Pollsters Populus interviewed 2,100 UK adults on behalf of Which? online between October 26 and 28.

23.39 | 0 komentar | Read More

Missing Girl: Man Hands Himself In To Police

A 22-year-old man wanted in connection with the suspected murder of a teenager has handed himself in to police.

Hertfordshire Police said Jack Wall was arrested by officers investigating the disappearance of Amelia Arnold, who was last seen on Wednesday.

Detectives fear that Miss Arnold, aged 19, has been murdered and are focusing their enquiries on her home in Hadrian's Walk, Stevenage.

Wall, also of Stevenage, has been arrested on suspicion of Miss Arnold's murder.

He presented himself to officers at a police station in Hertfordshire after detectives appealed for him to contact them.

Detective Chief Inspector Tim Redfearn, from the joint Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: "Amelia's family are extremely distraught and are desperate for information on her whereabouts."

Officers particularly want to hear from anyone who lives in and around Hollybush Lane, Welwyn Garden City, and saw a white van or anyone depositing items in the area on Thursday afternoon or evening.

"I'd also renew my appeal for anyone who saw or heard any suspicious activity in Hadrian's Walk between Wednesday and Friday to come forward," added DCI Redfearn.

Meanwhile, police are continuing to question a 41-year-old man arrested on Saturday.

Anyone with information which could assist the investigation is asked to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

23.39 | 0 komentar | Read More

Remembrance Sunday: Tributes To The Fallen

Two minutes' silence have been held to remember those who have fallen in battle.

Marked by the first stroke of Big Ben at 11am and the firing of a gun from Horse Guards Parade by The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery, the silence at the Cenotaph in London was followed by The Last Post, sounded by the Buglers of the Royal Marines.

The Queen laid the first wreath in Whitehall, followed by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Princess Royal, Prince Michael of Kent and Field Marshal Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank.

The Queen laid the first wreath

Wreaths were also laid by Prime Minister David Cameron, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, opposition leader Ed Miliband and Westminster Plaid Cymru group leader Elfyn Llwyd, as well as high commissioners from Commonwealth countries and leaders of the Armed Forces.

Thousands of veterans have also marched through Whitehall to pay their respects at the Cenotaph.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, currently on their Diamond Jubilee Tour in New Zealand, had already paid their respects, laying a wreath of poppies at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Prince Charles visited Auckland War Memorial with the Duchess of Cornwall

There are a number of services taking place, including at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, which was attended by around 3,000 people.

The arboretum's focal point, the national Armed Forces Memorial, is designed so that on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, a shaft of sunlight dissects its inner and outer walls, falling on a bronze wreath sculpture.

Services also took place at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh and Enniskillen in County Fermanagh.

For the first time, the two most senior members of the Irish government attended Remembrance events in Northern Ireland.

Irish premier Enda Kenny was in Enniskillen, 25 years after the 'Poppy Day bombing' which killed 11 people and injured more than 60. Mr Kenny laid a laurel wreath at the war memorial, only yards from where the no-warning blast detonated a quarter of a century ago

Political leaders also paid their respects

Deputy leader Eamon Gilmore also laid a wreath with Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers in Belfast.

In Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan, around 150 servicemen and women attended a service at 11am Afghan time, marking the two-minute silence before a bugler sounded the reveille.

Other ceremonies have been held across Helmand at patrol bases and checkpoints by the 9,500 British forces serving there.

Thousands of people also respected the two-minute silence on Twitter, abstaining from posting messages during the period of reflection. The idea was spread using the hashtag #2minutesilence.

On Saturday night, Rod Stewart performed for the Queen at the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance in honour of Britain's war dead.

The show included the traditional two minute silence as poppy petals fell from the roof of the Royal Albert Hall, each representing a life lost in war.

Two minutes of silence begin at 11am every year on November 11 to commemorate the armistice signed between the Allies of World War One and Germany for a ceasefire on the Western Front, which took effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

The England cricket team fall silent during their tour match in India

23.39 | 0 komentar | Read More

BBC Needs To 'Get A Grip', Says Lord Patten

The BBC needs to "get a grip" to restore trust in the broadcaster after the Newsnight child abuse slur and Jimmy Savile scandal, Lord Patten has said.

His comments follow the resignation of BBC director-general George Entwistle, plunging the BBC into its deepest-ever crisis.

Lord Patten said he would be meeting with Tim Davie, the acting director-general of the BBC, to discuss the future of the flagship programme and its management.

The 68-year-old BBC Trust chairman, who is tasked with restoring public confidence in the corporation, told Sky's Murnaghan programme there were "big issues" that needed to be tackled involving the corporation, including tough managerial decisions.

He admitted the broadcaster had "taken a big hit" and needed to win back the confidence and trust of licence fee payers by ensuring its journalism was of the "highest quality".

"We have got to make changes and we will make changes," Lord Patten said.

"What we now need to do is get a grip on what's happening in the BBC, including the journalism which is at the heart of what we do and what we are about.

Lawyers say Lord McAlpine's reputation has been "severely damaged"

"We have to make sure that a very large and complex organisation has a leader who has the right sort of support."

He said his own position would be under scrutiny, adding that if he failed in his job, he was certain people would tell him to "take my cards and clear-off".

Number 10 sources said the crisis at the BBC was "very difficult, very serious", but the corporation needed to "show grit" as it had the capacity to "reform itself".

Mr Entwistle quit after 54 days in the job after a Newsnight report wrongly implicated former Conservative Party treasurer Lord McAlpine in an investigation into child abuse allegations at the Bryn Estyn care home in North Wales.

A report on the allegations, which have since been exposed as false, was due to land on Mr Entwistle's desk today.

He said stepping down was the "honourable" thing to do as he had to take responsibility as editor-in-chief of the BBC, for what Lord Patten described as "unacceptable shoddy journalism".

Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman said Mr Entwistle was a "talented man"

It was the second scandal to hit Newsnight in recent weeks, following the storm over the dropping of its investigation into Jimmy Savile.

Lord Patten, who appointed and appeared alongside Mr Entwistle when he delivered his statement outside New Broadcasting House on Saturday night, said he had done the "honourable and decent thing".

"It was his decision to leave. To be honest, I didn't try to argue him out of it because I think he'd made the right decision," he said.

"George was a very fine broadcaster. It was a tragedy that he was laid low by a lot of the things which he wanted to deal with."

Mr Entwistle's fate was sealed after he was grilled by John Humphrys on BBC Radio 4's Today programme during which he admitted he did not know about the Newsnight investigation until the day after it was broadcast, and had not seen newspaper reports casting doubts on the probe.

Lord Patten said Mr Humphrys' "interrogative" questioning was an example of the BBC trying to "expose the truth - even when it's horrible about itself".

He added it was imperative Mr Entwistle's successor was appointed within "weeks, rather than months".

The Trust chairman later sent an email to BBC staff entitled The Way Ahead, saying the priority was to address the serious questions regarding the botched Newsnight report and Savile abuse scandal.

Culture Secretary Maria Miller said Mr Entwistle's resignation was a "regrettable situation, but the right decision".

Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman said his departure was "a great shame" and that he had been "brought low by cowards and incompetents".

Sky's Michelle Clifford said Mr Entwistle "bowed to the inevitable because he had shown himself to be completely in the dark about the fundamental facts of what was going on over the last few weeks".

George Carey, a former editor of the news programme, said the Newsnight brand would "recover" from the two scandals, but added it was paramount the BBC got to the bottom of what happened.

"There is a heart of darkness in this story which is between the editor of Newsnight and George Entwistle, and in there, someone must know why the decisions were taken - both the early decisions relating to Savile and also the McAlpine decisions," he said.

23.39 | 0 komentar | Read More

Remembrance Sunday: Tribute To Helmand Soldier

By Lucy Cotter and Richard Suchet

For the families of those killed in war, Remembrance Sunday can be a day of profound grief.

While the nation - and the Commonwealth - expresses its gratitude to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, the bereaved are reminded of their own suffering and loss.

Some 53 British servicemen and women have been killed in Afghanistan in the past 12 months and 437 have died there since operations began in 2001.

Margaret Evison's son Mark died in Helmand Province in 2009.

A lieutenant in the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, he was considered one of the finest officers of his generation.

Ms Evison's book describes the aftermath of her son's death

He died aged just 26 after being shot in the shoulder while leading a patrol in Helmand.

Margaret's book Death Of A Soldier describes the aftermath - from the time she was told her son had been injured, up until after his inquest.

It is an incredibly moving account which articulates the loss of a child, and is deeply thought-provoking.

But it also asks important questions about the circumstances surrounding Lt Evison's death, about the Army and the war in Afghanistan.

Ms Evison said: "It's a journey through despair, but also a tale of surprises, sometimes magical ... to pay my respects to a young man who commanded such love and respect in his short life."

Mark Evison was one of the army's brightest stars

Lt Evison was clearly a remarkable man, who achieved a great deal and inspired those who knew him.

Nicknamed 007, he was idolised by his men and was destined for a very bright future in the Army he loved so much.

Brigadier Tim Radford, heading the 19th Brigade in Afghanistan at the time, wrote: "He was charming, utterly focused, thoughtful and he left an indelible stamp.

"I know his soldiers adored him and he was held in such high esteem by them. Mark was described by his solders as having 'a face that was sculpted by angels'. In 25 years in the army, I have never heard soldiers speak with such affection about one of their officers."

The book brings Lt Evison to life through his mother's words, but also uses his own.

He wrote a diary in Afghanistan until a few days before he died which is included, along with extracts from the many letters written to the family from people who knew Lt Evison.

As well as being a very personal story about loss, the book illustrates the heroics of the people involved in trying to save Lt Evison, but also questions whether his death could have been avoided.

Ms Evison battled with the Ministry of Defence and found evidence that there was a lack of resources, poor radio equipment, and a delay in the helicopter sent to rescue Lt Evison which had an impact on his care.

She not only questions the Army's deficiencies, but the legitimacy of the campaign in Afghanistan.

However, the book ends on a very positive note, describing The Mark Evison Foundation, which was set up shortly after his death to inspire young people and help them develop their potential.

"We wanted the foundation to reflect Mark's unusual capacity to be a life-enhancer," she wrote. "That became its strap line 'Bring out the best in you'."

23.39 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man Bailed By Jimmy Savile Inquiry Police

A man in his 70s arrested in connection with the Jimmy Savile sex abuse investigation has been released on bail.

The suspect was held as part of Operation Yewtree - an inquiry into alleged child sexual exploitation by Savile and others.

Police said the man was detained at an address in Cambridge on suspicion of sexual offences, and was taken into custody locally.

He has now been bailed to a date in December pending further inquiries.

The arrest was the third made in Operation Yewtree.

Former glam rock star Gary Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was arrested first and questioned at a central London police station after being detained at his home in the capital.

Comedian Freddie Starr was arrested next. He was detained twice and released on bail for a second time earlier this month, as part of the Savile abuse inquiry.

The 69-year-old, from Warwickshire, was arrested on suspicion of sexual offences.

He has consistently denied any involvement in the alleged abuse.

Scotland Yard is leading a national investigation into former TV and radio presenter Savile, who died last year at the age of 84.

He is now believed to have been one of the UK's most prolific abusers, with about 300 possible victims.

23.39 | 0 komentar | Read More