By Yixiang Zeng
A leading Chinese community activist claims London's Chinatown would collapse if the new immigration rules are not amended.
Already British Chinese candidates standing in the forthcoming General Election have discussed the rules with members of the Chinese community in London, who are hoping to have their own MP elected to help address their issues.
Activist and solicitor Christine Lee, who specialises in immigration law, said: “As a result of the new immigration rules, many of the Chinese restaurants are being forced to close down due to a shortage of staff. If this continues, London's Chinatown will collapse."
According to Ms Lee, the points-based system implemented a high standard of the English language requirement.
She said: "Most Chinese chefs do not have a high standard of written Chinese and to impose a fairly high standard of spoken and written English on them, the consensus is virtually no one will be qualified."
George Lee, a Hong Kong-born Conservative parliamentary candidate for Holborn and St Pancras, said: "One of the ways to address the issue is to ask the Chinese chefs to set up training schemes and train local people how to cook Chinese food.”
According to a 2005 Electoral Commission report, 30% of Chinese residents in the UK are not registered to vote, compared to a UK average of 8% to 9% of unregistered voters.
Joseph Wu, of The British Chinese Project, which aims to raise democratic awareness, said: "We have been collaborating with the Electoral Commission, which provides us with lots of English-Chinese leaflets, Chinese edition of registration forms. We then help our members fill in the forms.”
Residents like Xie De, of the Crispy Duck restaurant, in Chinatown, said: "It would be nice to have a Chinese MP, he will understand our community better. I will go and vote."
- Do you know there are eight Chinese candidates contesting for this year's General Election parliamentary seats.
- Inside London - Merlene Emerson, the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate standing for Hammersmith and Shepherd's Bush
- Outside of London - Alexander Lee Payton, Allan Siao Ming Witherick, Philip Ling from Lib Dem; Kegang Wu from Conservative, Anna Lo from Alliance Party; Stephen Shing, an independent candidate
(302 words)
A short version with a slightly different angle of one of my copies: Chinese Londoners ready to be counted
Sunday 25 April 2010
Friday 23 April 2010
Fears new immigration rule will shut down London China town (new edition)
by Yixiang Zeng
A leading UK Chinese community activist claims London's Chinatown would collapse if the new immigration rules are not amended.
Already British Chinese candidates standing in the forthcoming General Election have discussed the rules with members of the Chinese community in London, who are hoping to have their own ethnic MP elected to help address their issues.
Christine Lee, a solicitor specialising in immigration law, said: “As a result of the new immigration rules, many of the Chinese restaurants are being forced to close down due to a shortage of staff. If this continues, London's Chinatown will collapse."
According to Ms Lee, the points-based system implemented a high standard of the English language requirement, "Most Chinese chefs do not have a high standard of written Chinese and to impose a fairly high standard of spoken and written English on them, the consensus is virtually no one will be qualified."
George Lee, a Hong Kong-born Conservative parliamentary candidate for Holborn and St Pancras, said: "One of the ways to address the issue is to ask the Chinese chefs to set up training schemes and train local people how to cook Chinese food.”
According to a 2005 Electoral Commission report, 30% of Chinese residents in the UK are not registered to vote, compared to a UK average of 8% to 9% of unregistered voters.
Joseph Wu, of The British Chinese Project, which aims to raise democratic awareness, said: "We have been collaborating with the Electoral Commission, which provides us with lots of English-Chinese leaflets, Chinese edition of registration forms. We then help our members fill in the forms.”
Residents like Xie De, of the Crispy Duck restaurant in Chinatown, said: "It would be nice to have a Chinese MP, he will understand our community better. I will go and vote."
(300 words)
A short version with a slightly different angle of one of my copies: Chinese Londoners ready to be counted
A leading UK Chinese community activist claims London's Chinatown would collapse if the new immigration rules are not amended.
Already British Chinese candidates standing in the forthcoming General Election have discussed the rules with members of the Chinese community in London, who are hoping to have their own ethnic MP elected to help address their issues.
Christine Lee, a solicitor specialising in immigration law, said: “As a result of the new immigration rules, many of the Chinese restaurants are being forced to close down due to a shortage of staff. If this continues, London's Chinatown will collapse."
According to Ms Lee, the points-based system implemented a high standard of the English language requirement, "Most Chinese chefs do not have a high standard of written Chinese and to impose a fairly high standard of spoken and written English on them, the consensus is virtually no one will be qualified."
George Lee, a Hong Kong-born Conservative parliamentary candidate for Holborn and St Pancras, said: "One of the ways to address the issue is to ask the Chinese chefs to set up training schemes and train local people how to cook Chinese food.”
According to a 2005 Electoral Commission report, 30% of Chinese residents in the UK are not registered to vote, compared to a UK average of 8% to 9% of unregistered voters.
Joseph Wu, of The British Chinese Project, which aims to raise democratic awareness, said: "We have been collaborating with the Electoral Commission, which provides us with lots of English-Chinese leaflets, Chinese edition of registration forms. We then help our members fill in the forms.”
Residents like Xie De, of the Crispy Duck restaurant in Chinatown, said: "It would be nice to have a Chinese MP, he will understand our community better. I will go and vote."
(300 words)
A short version with a slightly different angle of one of my copies: Chinese Londoners ready to be counted
Thursday 22 April 2010
Residents want to kick Labour out (the second copy)
Members of the public are fed-up of sitting Labour MP for Harrow East Tony McNulty, saying they would vote for other parties to keep Labour out.
Residents of Harrow attended a public debate staging four candidates competing for the succeeding MP in the constituency, and the debate was held at the University of Westminster's Harrow Campus on 20 April.
Graaham Hall, a retired civil servant from the Ministry of Defence, who lives in Stanmore, said: “Definitely I won't vote for Labour, because Labour is so corrupt. Bob [is the one I'm going to vote], because I have found Lib Dem is even more extreme on the left.”
Sam Bur, a film production student from the University of Westminster, who lives on Northwick Avenue, Harrow, said: “I would go for Lib Dem, and I like their policies. Labour is about the expenses scandal.”
Mr McNaulty came under fire because his parents have been living in his second harrow home paid through parliamentray MP expenses.
“Tony McNulty is saying he hasn't done anything criminal, but isn't it extraordinary that it isn't criminal?” UKIP candidate Abhijit Pandya said, “It is a disgrace.”
Mr McNulty defended himself by saying he had followed advice from the Parliamentary fees office (though the body declared it was wrong later), and he had also apologised to his constituents and Parliament last October.
Residents Like John Thomas, a writer who lives on ELM Avenue, Harrow, said: “I very much would go for Conservative, and just get rid of Labour and the rest of parties.”
Another issue on community cohesion was fired up when Mr Pandya said that, "multiculturalism is a bad thing".
British born Mr Pandya, whose parents are from India, said he found it quite offensive when people say British Indian, and he argued that, as we were all born in this country and love this country, we should find something in common as British people.
His argument was hit back by the rest of the candidates, Tory hopeful Bob Blackman supported the idea of multiculturalism, “We are a diverse borough, people live and work side by side.”
Lib Dem candidate Nahid Boethe also opposed Mr Pandya by saying people live in this country all have their roots and background.
Other issues debated last night included the fail to tackle the Jubilee line's closure during weekends and construction of a new facility for disabled people at Stanmore station.
One quote of UKIP candidate Abhijit Pandya is from the Harrow Times
Residents of Harrow attended a public debate staging four candidates competing for the succeeding MP in the constituency, and the debate was held at the University of Westminster's Harrow Campus on 20 April.
Graaham Hall, a retired civil servant from the Ministry of Defence, who lives in Stanmore, said: “Definitely I won't vote for Labour, because Labour is so corrupt. Bob [is the one I'm going to vote], because I have found Lib Dem is even more extreme on the left.”
Sam Bur, a film production student from the University of Westminster, who lives on Northwick Avenue, Harrow, said: “I would go for Lib Dem, and I like their policies. Labour is about the expenses scandal.”
Mr McNaulty came under fire because his parents have been living in his second harrow home paid through parliamentray MP expenses.
“Tony McNulty is saying he hasn't done anything criminal, but isn't it extraordinary that it isn't criminal?” UKIP candidate Abhijit Pandya said, “It is a disgrace.”
Mr McNulty defended himself by saying he had followed advice from the Parliamentary fees office (though the body declared it was wrong later), and he had also apologised to his constituents and Parliament last October.
Residents Like John Thomas, a writer who lives on ELM Avenue, Harrow, said: “I very much would go for Conservative, and just get rid of Labour and the rest of parties.”
Another issue on community cohesion was fired up when Mr Pandya said that, "multiculturalism is a bad thing".
British born Mr Pandya, whose parents are from India, said he found it quite offensive when people say British Indian, and he argued that, as we were all born in this country and love this country, we should find something in common as British people.
His argument was hit back by the rest of the candidates, Tory hopeful Bob Blackman supported the idea of multiculturalism, “We are a diverse borough, people live and work side by side.”
Lib Dem candidate Nahid Boethe also opposed Mr Pandya by saying people live in this country all have their roots and background.
Other issues debated last night included the fail to tackle the Jubilee line's closure during weekends and construction of a new facility for disabled people at Stanmore station.
One quote of UKIP candidate Abhijit Pandya is from the Harrow Times
Wednesday 21 April 2010
Harrow East MP candidacy debate (the first copy)
Members of the public are fed-up of sitting Labour MP for Harrow East, saying they would vote for other parties to keep Labour out.
A public debate staged four candidates competing for the succeeding MP in the constituency and provided them with the opportunity to address issues affecting the borough.
Graaham Hall, a retired civil servant from the Ministry of Defence, who lives in Stanmore, said: “Definitely I won't vote for Labour, because Labour is so corrupt. Bob [is the one I'm going to vote], because I have found Lib Dem is even more extreme on the left.”
Labour MP Tony McNaulty came under fire because of his expenses scandal, which revealed his parents have been living in his second Harrow home.
“Tony McNulty is saying he hasn't done anything criminal, but isn't it extraordinary that it isn't criminal?” UKIP candidate Abhijit Pandya said, “It is a disgrace.”
Mr McNulty defended himself by saying he had followed advice from the Parliamentary fees office (though the body declared it was wrong later), and he had also apologised to his constituents and Parliament last October.
Issue on community cohesion was fired up when Mr Pandya said that, "multiculturalism is a bad thing".
British born Mr Abhijit Pandya, whose parents are from India, said he found it quite offensive when people say British Indian, and he argued that, as we were all born in this country and love this country, we should find something in common as British people.
His argument was hit back by the rest of the candidates, Tory hopeful Bob Blackman supported the idea of multiculturalism, “We are a diverse borough, people live and work side by side.”
Lib Dem candidate Nahid Boethe also opposed Mr Pandya by saying people live in this country all have their roots and background.
Other issues debated last night included the fail to tackle the Jubilee line's closure during weekends and construction of a new facility for disabled people at Stanmore station.
The debate was held at the University of Westminster's Harrow Campus.
One quote of UKIP candidate Abhijit Pandya is from the Harrow Times
A public debate staged four candidates competing for the succeeding MP in the constituency and provided them with the opportunity to address issues affecting the borough.
Graaham Hall, a retired civil servant from the Ministry of Defence, who lives in Stanmore, said: “Definitely I won't vote for Labour, because Labour is so corrupt. Bob [is the one I'm going to vote], because I have found Lib Dem is even more extreme on the left.”
Labour MP Tony McNaulty came under fire because of his expenses scandal, which revealed his parents have been living in his second Harrow home.
“Tony McNulty is saying he hasn't done anything criminal, but isn't it extraordinary that it isn't criminal?” UKIP candidate Abhijit Pandya said, “It is a disgrace.”
Mr McNulty defended himself by saying he had followed advice from the Parliamentary fees office (though the body declared it was wrong later), and he had also apologised to his constituents and Parliament last October.
Issue on community cohesion was fired up when Mr Pandya said that, "multiculturalism is a bad thing".
British born Mr Abhijit Pandya, whose parents are from India, said he found it quite offensive when people say British Indian, and he argued that, as we were all born in this country and love this country, we should find something in common as British people.
His argument was hit back by the rest of the candidates, Tory hopeful Bob Blackman supported the idea of multiculturalism, “We are a diverse borough, people live and work side by side.”
Lib Dem candidate Nahid Boethe also opposed Mr Pandya by saying people live in this country all have their roots and background.
Other issues debated last night included the fail to tackle the Jubilee line's closure during weekends and construction of a new facility for disabled people at Stanmore station.
The debate was held at the University of Westminster's Harrow Campus.
One quote of UKIP candidate Abhijit Pandya is from the Harrow Times
Sunday 18 April 2010
Defamation - The Claim (Draft)
1. “Every repetition of a libel is fresh publication” (McNae's 20th edition of Essential Law for Journalists). Give an example of this from legal history.
Answer:
Every repetition is a fresh publication. The journalists is liable for repeating a defamatory statement made by an interviewee or source.
Former West Midlands police officers were accused of fabricating evidence in the Birmingham Six case, but the prosecution of those officers was abandoned, and the sentence convicted was later cleared in an appeal.
After the abandonment of that prosecution, the Sunday Telegraph reported one of the three officers as referring to the Birmingham Six and saying: “In our eyes, their guilt is beyond doubt.”
The Sun newspaper published an article based upon the Sunday Telegraph's interviews. It later carried an apology and was reported to have paid £1 million in damages.
2. A gang has been jailed for various offences and as a result a newspaper is preparing a feature on local crime. With the feature it has a picture of a red-light district in its town.
The picture shows clearly vehicles being driven in a street or being at a kerb with people apparently talking to drivers. People are also walking on a pavement
What legal danger exists in publishing the clear picture and how can it be avoided. The answer must show how conclusion are reached.
Answer:
The legal danger is juxtaposition.
The picture will mislead readers that the kerb is the place where the gang committed a crime. The drivers, people talking to drivers, and other people walking on a pavement, might become victims while the crime committed, but in effect, this might not be the case.
The feature story its self might be accurate, but when juxtaposed with other material then might bear defamatory meaning.
To avoid it, the newspaper needs to get an accurate picture of showing the gang committed a crime or publishing the article without a picture.
3. A dozen inmates of a local prison are staging a roof-top protest.
They are displaying a large banner which reads: “Stop Brutality by governor and staff of D wing” A newspaper publishes a photograph of the protesting prisoners and their banner. Consider any possible legal pitfall.
Answer:
The legal pitfall is as the newspaper only publishes one side of the argument, that is, the prisoners' protest and its banner, without examining whether what they had complained is truthful or not, it might resulted in being sued by an individual member of the local prison service.
It is possible for individual members or officers of the institutions of local or central government to sue.
Though the institution itself, the House of Lords ruled, could not sue for defamation in respect of their “governmental and administrative functions” because this would place an undesirable fetter on freedom of speech.
A judge in the House of Lords said: “A publication attacking the activities of the authority will necessarily be an attack on the body of councillors which represents the controlling party, or on the executives who carry on the day-to-day management of its affairs.
If the individual reputation of any of these is wrongly impaired by the publication any of these can himself bring proceedings for defamation."
In this case, if the allegation is untruthful, the the head of the prison service could sue the newspaper.
4. A reporter hears that a local solicitor “has retired” after many years in practice.
He does not check this rumour, but writes a story which is published saying that the solicitor “has retired”. The rumour turns out to be untrue.
Can the solicitor take any action against the newspaper for libel or under any other law? State your reasons.
Answer:
The solicitor can take action against the newspaper for libel.
Because the reporter published untruthful statement about the solicitor, and will badly affect the solicitor's business.
In this case, though I do not think the reporter had disparaged his/her professional practice, the solicitor can take the newspaper to court because of the false statement.
5. Explain how a photograph or caption, by the context in which it is published could be libellous.
Answer:
If the photograph or caption is juxtaposed with a statement, which stands alone is innocuous, might bear defamatory meaning.
Journalists, particularly for sub-editors and those dealing with production, must take care how picture interact with each other, and with any commentary.
An example on juxtaposition: The magazine Stationery Trade News accurately reported the counterfeiting of some stationery products and named some of those responsible.
A company won huge damages against the magazine because it was named in what the editor considered to be a separate part of the article, dealing with another issue, but the jury found that the allegations could be understood as referring to the claimant company as well.
The copy referring to the claimants, a firm of envelope manufacturers, was sandwiched between the allegations of counterfeiting and the pictures illustrating counterfeiting.
6. (a). What in defamation law is an “inference”?
Answer:
An inference is a statement with a secondary meaning which can b understood by someone without special knowledge who “reads between the lines in the light of his general knowledge and experience of worldly affairs”.
For example, an inference is created if someone says: “I saw the editor leave the pub, and he was swaying and his speech was slurred”.
The inference here is indisputably that the editor was drunk, though the term 'drunk' was not used. But for some statements there may be dispute about whether a defamatory inference was created.
(b) What is meant, in the law of libel, by an innuendo? Give an example.
Answer:
An innuendo is a statement which may seem to be innocuous to some people but which will be seen as defamatory by people with special knowledge.
For example, to say “I saw our editor go into that house on the corner of Sleep Street' would not in itself be defamatory, unless the communication is to someone who has special knowledge that the house is a brothel.
The journalist would be mistaken to believe that use of inference or innuendo is any safer in libel law than making a direct allegation.
7. A reporter travelling on a train a few seats away from a councillor sees that the councillor is unable to produce a valid ticket when approached by an inspector, and is required to pay a penalty fare. The reporter writes a story for his newspaper. It appears under the headline: “Councillor fined for fare dodging”.
Do you consider this a safe headline? If not, give your reasons and write what you consider to be safe headline.
Answer:
I do not think the headline is safe. Although the reporter literally sees the councillor cannot produce a valid ticket, and required to pay a penalty fare by an inspector.
He did not, according to the materials, conduct further investigation why the councillor cannot produce a valid ticket, there might be a different reason instead of the councillor's cheat action. “fare dodging” here I think emphasized councillor's dishonest way to avoid buying ticket.
If the fact turns out not as the story describes, then the councillor can take the reporter to court.
A safer headline might be something like: Councillor fined unable to produce valid ticket.
8. Under the headline “The shame of Oxdown Close” a local newspaper runs a story about partner-swapping by couples living in a cul-de-sac in its area. It does not name any of the couples alleged to be involved, or include any house numbers. A couple who live in the road, and deny any involvement in such behaviour, threaten to sue the newspaper for libel. Consider its position.
Answer:
The couple can take the newspaper to court.
A libel claimant suing over a published statement must prove three things about it: 1) it is defamatory, 2) it may be reasonable understood to refer to him, 3) it has been published to a third person.
The test of 'identification' is whether the words would reasonably lead people who know the claimant to believe he/she was the person referred to.
It is important for the newspaper to state precisely of the house number, names of the couple, occupation, ages. Otherwise a innocent couple, like the ones in this case, might appear in the court to sue the newspaper would have damaged their reputation.
Journalists would be mistaken if they believe they can play safe by not naming the person, but such an omission may prove no defence.
Answer:
Every repetition is a fresh publication. The journalists is liable for repeating a defamatory statement made by an interviewee or source.
Former West Midlands police officers were accused of fabricating evidence in the Birmingham Six case, but the prosecution of those officers was abandoned, and the sentence convicted was later cleared in an appeal.
After the abandonment of that prosecution, the Sunday Telegraph reported one of the three officers as referring to the Birmingham Six and saying: “In our eyes, their guilt is beyond doubt.”
The Sun newspaper published an article based upon the Sunday Telegraph's interviews. It later carried an apology and was reported to have paid £1 million in damages.
2. A gang has been jailed for various offences and as a result a newspaper is preparing a feature on local crime. With the feature it has a picture of a red-light district in its town.
The picture shows clearly vehicles being driven in a street or being at a kerb with people apparently talking to drivers. People are also walking on a pavement
What legal danger exists in publishing the clear picture and how can it be avoided. The answer must show how conclusion are reached.
Answer:
The legal danger is juxtaposition.
The picture will mislead readers that the kerb is the place where the gang committed a crime. The drivers, people talking to drivers, and other people walking on a pavement, might become victims while the crime committed, but in effect, this might not be the case.
The feature story its self might be accurate, but when juxtaposed with other material then might bear defamatory meaning.
To avoid it, the newspaper needs to get an accurate picture of showing the gang committed a crime or publishing the article without a picture.
3. A dozen inmates of a local prison are staging a roof-top protest.
They are displaying a large banner which reads: “Stop Brutality by governor and staff of D wing” A newspaper publishes a photograph of the protesting prisoners and their banner. Consider any possible legal pitfall.
Answer:
The legal pitfall is as the newspaper only publishes one side of the argument, that is, the prisoners' protest and its banner, without examining whether what they had complained is truthful or not, it might resulted in being sued by an individual member of the local prison service.
It is possible for individual members or officers of the institutions of local or central government to sue.
Though the institution itself, the House of Lords ruled, could not sue for defamation in respect of their “governmental and administrative functions” because this would place an undesirable fetter on freedom of speech.
A judge in the House of Lords said: “A publication attacking the activities of the authority will necessarily be an attack on the body of councillors which represents the controlling party, or on the executives who carry on the day-to-day management of its affairs.
If the individual reputation of any of these is wrongly impaired by the publication any of these can himself bring proceedings for defamation."
In this case, if the allegation is untruthful, the the head of the prison service could sue the newspaper.
4. A reporter hears that a local solicitor “has retired” after many years in practice.
He does not check this rumour, but writes a story which is published saying that the solicitor “has retired”. The rumour turns out to be untrue.
Can the solicitor take any action against the newspaper for libel or under any other law? State your reasons.
Answer:
The solicitor can take action against the newspaper for libel.
Because the reporter published untruthful statement about the solicitor, and will badly affect the solicitor's business.
In this case, though I do not think the reporter had disparaged his/her professional practice, the solicitor can take the newspaper to court because of the false statement.
5. Explain how a photograph or caption, by the context in which it is published could be libellous.
Answer:
If the photograph or caption is juxtaposed with a statement, which stands alone is innocuous, might bear defamatory meaning.
Journalists, particularly for sub-editors and those dealing with production, must take care how picture interact with each other, and with any commentary.
An example on juxtaposition: The magazine Stationery Trade News accurately reported the counterfeiting of some stationery products and named some of those responsible.
A company won huge damages against the magazine because it was named in what the editor considered to be a separate part of the article, dealing with another issue, but the jury found that the allegations could be understood as referring to the claimant company as well.
The copy referring to the claimants, a firm of envelope manufacturers, was sandwiched between the allegations of counterfeiting and the pictures illustrating counterfeiting.
6. (a). What in defamation law is an “inference”?
Answer:
An inference is a statement with a secondary meaning which can b understood by someone without special knowledge who “reads between the lines in the light of his general knowledge and experience of worldly affairs”.
For example, an inference is created if someone says: “I saw the editor leave the pub, and he was swaying and his speech was slurred”.
The inference here is indisputably that the editor was drunk, though the term 'drunk' was not used. But for some statements there may be dispute about whether a defamatory inference was created.
(b) What is meant, in the law of libel, by an innuendo? Give an example.
Answer:
An innuendo is a statement which may seem to be innocuous to some people but which will be seen as defamatory by people with special knowledge.
For example, to say “I saw our editor go into that house on the corner of Sleep Street' would not in itself be defamatory, unless the communication is to someone who has special knowledge that the house is a brothel.
The journalist would be mistaken to believe that use of inference or innuendo is any safer in libel law than making a direct allegation.
7. A reporter travelling on a train a few seats away from a councillor sees that the councillor is unable to produce a valid ticket when approached by an inspector, and is required to pay a penalty fare. The reporter writes a story for his newspaper. It appears under the headline: “Councillor fined for fare dodging”.
Do you consider this a safe headline? If not, give your reasons and write what you consider to be safe headline.
Answer:
I do not think the headline is safe. Although the reporter literally sees the councillor cannot produce a valid ticket, and required to pay a penalty fare by an inspector.
He did not, according to the materials, conduct further investigation why the councillor cannot produce a valid ticket, there might be a different reason instead of the councillor's cheat action. “fare dodging” here I think emphasized councillor's dishonest way to avoid buying ticket.
If the fact turns out not as the story describes, then the councillor can take the reporter to court.
A safer headline might be something like: Councillor fined unable to produce valid ticket.
8. Under the headline “The shame of Oxdown Close” a local newspaper runs a story about partner-swapping by couples living in a cul-de-sac in its area. It does not name any of the couples alleged to be involved, or include any house numbers. A couple who live in the road, and deny any involvement in such behaviour, threaten to sue the newspaper for libel. Consider its position.
Answer:
The couple can take the newspaper to court.
A libel claimant suing over a published statement must prove three things about it: 1) it is defamatory, 2) it may be reasonable understood to refer to him, 3) it has been published to a third person.
The test of 'identification' is whether the words would reasonably lead people who know the claimant to believe he/she was the person referred to.
It is important for the newspaper to state precisely of the house number, names of the couple, occupation, ages. Otherwise a innocent couple, like the ones in this case, might appear in the court to sue the newspaper would have damaged their reputation.
Journalists would be mistaken if they believe they can play safe by not naming the person, but such an omission may prove no defence.
Wednesday 14 April 2010
The situation in Harrow East and Harrow West before the General Election
The incumbent Labour MP Tony McNulty is facing a strong contestant the Tory candidate Bob Blackman.
An independent MP candidate, Professor Tim Briggs, medical director at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, recently withdrew from running in this year's General Election.
But Mr McNulty, the Harrow East MP is still facing a tough fight in the wake of the boundary changes.
Other candidates contesting for the seat are the Lib Dem's Nahid Boethe, the Green's Sarah Kersey, and UKIP's Abhijit Pandya.
The Harrow West sitting MP Gareth Thomas, is challenged again by another Tory candidate Dr Rachel Joyce, who has worked as an NHS doctor for the past 21 years.
She pledges to open up the Stroke unit at the Northwick Park Hospital, save Mount Vernon Cancer Unit from being shut, and also oppose the post office closure.
Meanwhile, the Labour MP Mr Thomas has been campaigning hard to set up a new police station in Harrow and has pledged to retain the number of Safer Neighbourhood Teams.
A long time campaigner, the UKIP's Harrow West candidate Herbie Crossman has also thrown himself into the race, claiming taxpayers have paid too much money to bureaucracy and European red tape.
Other contestants are Harrow councillor Chris Noyce from the Lib Dems, Rowan Langley from the Green.
Nevertheless, Mr Thomas is believed to enjoy a boost by the boundary changes bringing more Labour voters into his constituency.
An independent MP candidate, Professor Tim Briggs, medical director at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, recently withdrew from running in this year's General Election.
But Mr McNulty, the Harrow East MP is still facing a tough fight in the wake of the boundary changes.
Other candidates contesting for the seat are the Lib Dem's Nahid Boethe, the Green's Sarah Kersey, and UKIP's Abhijit Pandya.
The Harrow West sitting MP Gareth Thomas, is challenged again by another Tory candidate Dr Rachel Joyce, who has worked as an NHS doctor for the past 21 years.
She pledges to open up the Stroke unit at the Northwick Park Hospital, save Mount Vernon Cancer Unit from being shut, and also oppose the post office closure.
Meanwhile, the Labour MP Mr Thomas has been campaigning hard to set up a new police station in Harrow and has pledged to retain the number of Safer Neighbourhood Teams.
A long time campaigner, the UKIP's Harrow West candidate Herbie Crossman has also thrown himself into the race, claiming taxpayers have paid too much money to bureaucracy and European red tape.
Other contestants are Harrow councillor Chris Noyce from the Lib Dems, Rowan Langley from the Green.
Nevertheless, Mr Thomas is believed to enjoy a boost by the boundary changes bringing more Labour voters into his constituency.
Thursday 8 April 2010
Chinese Londoners ready to be counted
by Yixiang Zeng
Chinese Londoners are hoping to have their own ethnic MP elected in the forthcoming UK General Election to help raise their concerns.
Members of the Chinese community are worried about issues such as immigration and cultural integration into mainstream British society.
George Lee is a Hong Kong-born Conservative parliamentary candidate for Holborn and St Pancras.
Mr Lee said: "Restaurants in Chinatown need good Chinese chefs and workers, but the current points-based immigration system makes it difficult for the restaurant owners to employ the right people they need.
"One of the ways to address the issue is to ask the Chinese chefs to set up training schemes and train local people how to cook Chinese food."
Immigration laws
Christine Lee is a UK-based Chinese solicitor specialising in immigration law and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association.
She gave a stark warning in a briefing to the House of Commons in 2008, saying: "As a result of the new immigration rules, many of their [Chinese restaurants and takeaways] businesses are being forced to close down due to a shortage of staff.
According to Ms Lee, the Chinese catering industry in the UK has heavily relied on work permits to bring in skilled chefs back from China.
But due to the high standard of the English language requirement implemented by the points-based system, there is now a staff shortage.
"Most Chinese chefs do not have a high standard of written Chinese and to impose a fairly high standard of spoken and written English on these chefs, the consensus is that virtually no Chinese chefs will be qualified," said Ms Lee.
Speaking up
Members of the Chinese community in London say the ethnic Chinese here are described as reserved and silent, and the community's integration with mainstream British society has never been an easy ride.
Merlene Emerson, a Singaporean Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate standing for Hammersmith and Shepherd's Bush, said: "I believe the challenge of integration is greater for the first generation immigrants and this is partly due to language difficulties."
Better integration
According to a 2005 Electoral Commission report, 30% of Chinese residents in the UK are not registered to vote, compared to a UK average of 8% to 9%.
"However, I can see young British-Chinese have little difficulty of integrating into mainstream society," Mrs Emerson said.
"There are now also British-Chinese in many of the professions, from medicine, engineering and law to business, media and the arts."
George Lee added: "I wish to see more Chinese professionals working in different industries, such as reading the news, getting involved in politics, serving in the companies' managerial level and playing football or Rugby."
Where are you from?
Devon Chow, a second-generation British Chinese said: "If people ask me where I am from, I will say from Britain.
"I play with friends here and they are from various origins. I do not have a specific Chinese circle of friends. In fact, I speak very little Chinese.
"But I like and know a lot of Chinese culture through my parents, such as festivals and food, and we eat mainly rice."
The 11-year-old, who recently won the UK Youth Parliamentary election, representing Ealing youths in the Youth Parliament, said: "I like my local community and naturally like to be involved in local youth activities.
"Being a member of the Youth Parliament, I just have more of these opportunities both local and nationally."
Community Action
Another Hong Kong born is Labour candidate, Dr Stephen Ng, who is standing for Hillrise ward as a local councillor in the London Borough of Islington.
Dr Ng said: "It is important to encourage local Chinese residents to attend council and public meetings, read local newspapers, and do voluntary work in our borough, instead of mainly playing Mahjong or singing Karaoke."
As a Chinese Arts and Culture Co-ordinator at the Islington Chinese Association, Dr Ng added: "For the Chinese community living locally in the borough, it is also important to introduce Chinese arts and culture to all the local residents, so the people and children will understand [our community], and we share the joy and excitement together."
The British Chinese Project
In order to involve more qualified Chinese voters to participate in the forthcoming general election, a London-based organisation, The British Chinese Project (BC), is aiming to raise democratic awareness within the UK Chinese community and has been campaigning hard for community members to vote.
Joseph Wu, BC's media consultant, said: "We have been collaborating with the Electoral Commission, who provides us with a lot of English-Chinese leaflets and Chinese edition of registration forms.
"These materials have been distributed to our community members, we then help fill in the registration forms and explain to them how the voting procedure works.
"You just need to use their language to communicate with them."
Steven Cheung, the BC's 19-year-old member who stood as an independent candidate from London to run in the 2009 Euro Elections, is currently writing a book called "Election ABC", with the hope of sharing his election experience with the community's young people and raise their awareness of being active citizens.
Several London-based Chinese newspapers, such as the London Global Times, UK Chinese, and Chinese Spectrum Radio have also been featuring Chinese MP candidates as well as stimulating qualified Chinese residents to vote.
Getting the vote out
Residents like Xie De, of the Crispy Duck restaurant in Chinatown, said: "It would be nice to have a Chinese MP, of course, he or she will understand us, understand our community better.
When asked if he will vote in the general and local elections, he said: "Yes, I will. I voted several times before actually, and this time I will vote again."
The Overseas Chinese Affairs Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in the UK, Lin Xu, said of the British Chinese community that, "they should take the initiative to get involved in mainstream society and they should be encouraged to become active citizens."
According to BC's media consultant Joseph Wu, there are a few other Chinese candidates standing at the general election. They are:
* Alexander Lee Payton, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate standing for Havant, Hampshire
* Anna Lo, the Alliance Party parliamentary candidate standing for South Belfast
* Allan Siao Ming Witherick, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate standing for Broxbourne, Hertfordshire
* Kegang Wu, the Conservative parliamentary candidate standing for Liverpool Riverside
* Philip Ling, the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate standing for Bromsgrove, Birmingham
* Stephen Shing, an independent candidate standing for Eastbourne, East Sussex
Wednesday 7 April 2010
English Legal Sytem (draft)
1. Give an example of one incident that could lead at first instance to a hearing in a criminal court and to an action in a civil court.
2. (i)In a County Court case involving alleged negligence, what is the name given, in legal terms to:
(a) The person who takes the legal action; and
Claimant
(b) The person who is sued?
Defendant
(ii)Name three main sources of law:
Custom
Precedent
Equity
(iii)What is the name given, single or collectively to barristers?
Barristers are known, singly or collectively, as 'counsel'.
(iv)What are the three types of criminal offences dealt with in a Magistrates Court?
Indictable – only offences
Either – way offences
Summary offences
3. (i)Name the two main divisions of the law.
Criminal law
Civil law
(ii)Name the two branches of the legal profession.
Solicitors
Barristers
(iii)What is the name given to the head of the judiciary?
The Lord Chief Justisce
(iv)What is meant in law by the expression ''to take silk''?
“To take silk” means if a barrister's application to the Lord Chancellor is successful, then they are said to “take silk”.
(v)What is the name given to the person whose duties include advising the government on legal matters?
The Attorney General
The Solicitor General
4. In what circumstances in a jury at Crown Court allowed to return a majority verdict?
What majority verdict ratios are permissible?
Explain why it is good practice that
(a) When there is a conviction by a majority verdict, a newspaper should report the fact that it was by majority.
(b) When there is an acquittal by a majority, a newspaper report should not mention that the jury's vote was not unanimous.
5. What is meant in criminal law by an offence triable either way?
It means that such charges can be dealt with either at a Crown court or at a magistrates court, hence the term “either-way”.
In this category, a magistrates court may decide a particular case is so serious that only a Crown court can deal with it, or if the magistrates court decide it can deal with the case, the defendant may exercise his/her right to opt for a Crown court trial, I.e by jury.
In general, either-way offences are regarded as being of a lesser magnititude of criminality than indictable-only crime.
Nevertheless, the either – way category includes very distressing and harmful offences, e.g. theft, burglary, sexual assault, and assault causing grievous bodily harm.
6. (a)What is a tort?
Tort means a civil wrong for which monetary damages may be awarded by a court if the person affected sues in civil law, e.g. defamation, medial negligence.
(b)Name three types of actions which would come under the heading of a tort.
2. (i)In a County Court case involving alleged negligence, what is the name given, in legal terms to:
(a) The person who takes the legal action; and
Claimant
(b) The person who is sued?
Defendant
(ii)Name three main sources of law:
Custom
Precedent
Equity
(iii)What is the name given, single or collectively to barristers?
Barristers are known, singly or collectively, as 'counsel'.
(iv)What are the three types of criminal offences dealt with in a Magistrates Court?
Indictable – only offences
Either – way offences
Summary offences
3. (i)Name the two main divisions of the law.
Criminal law
Civil law
(ii)Name the two branches of the legal profession.
Solicitors
Barristers
(iii)What is the name given to the head of the judiciary?
The Lord Chief Justisce
(iv)What is meant in law by the expression ''to take silk''?
“To take silk” means if a barrister's application to the Lord Chancellor is successful, then they are said to “take silk”.
(v)What is the name given to the person whose duties include advising the government on legal matters?
The Attorney General
The Solicitor General
4. In what circumstances in a jury at Crown Court allowed to return a majority verdict?
What majority verdict ratios are permissible?
Explain why it is good practice that
(a) When there is a conviction by a majority verdict, a newspaper should report the fact that it was by majority.
(b) When there is an acquittal by a majority, a newspaper report should not mention that the jury's vote was not unanimous.
5. What is meant in criminal law by an offence triable either way?
It means that such charges can be dealt with either at a Crown court or at a magistrates court, hence the term “either-way”.
In this category, a magistrates court may decide a particular case is so serious that only a Crown court can deal with it, or if the magistrates court decide it can deal with the case, the defendant may exercise his/her right to opt for a Crown court trial, I.e by jury.
In general, either-way offences are regarded as being of a lesser magnititude of criminality than indictable-only crime.
Nevertheless, the either – way category includes very distressing and harmful offences, e.g. theft, burglary, sexual assault, and assault causing grievous bodily harm.
6. (a)What is a tort?
Tort means a civil wrong for which monetary damages may be awarded by a court if the person affected sues in civil law, e.g. defamation, medial negligence.
(b)Name three types of actions which would come under the heading of a tort.
Monday 5 April 2010
second copy
A woman's body, dismembered into parts and wrapped in a white plastic bag in a black bin liner, has left the police puzzled.
Paula Fields, whose head, hands and feet were missing, was found in Regent's Canal, between Royal College Street and St Pancras Way in several holdalls on 19 February 2001.
DCI Howard Groves said: “Someone out there knows who committed these attacks and we appeal to anyone who has information which will allow us to catch the killer to come forward.
Another victim's body, identified as 33-year-old Melissa Halstead, was discovered in Westersingel canal by officers in Rotterdam in 1990.
Both of these investigations were linked last year and a Joint Investigation Team was formed.
Howard added: “These two women were killed and their bodies disposed of in the most callous and undignified manner possible.”
The bags are described as dark green duffle with green piping, two pockets at either end.
They all have brown handles, one carrying strap, and one front pocket with press stud buckle.
The bags were quite heavy as they were weighed down with bricks and tiles.
Paula, of Liverpool, known as Michelle or Lisa Barton, was white, of slim build, and it is believed she was addicted to crack cocaine.
She was believed to work in the Queen's Drive area of Stoke Newington as a prostitute.
It was there the victim was last seen on 13.12.00 getting into a red saloon car.
(250 words)
Paula Fields, whose head, hands and feet were missing, was found in Regent's Canal, between Royal College Street and St Pancras Way in several holdalls on 19 February 2001.
DCI Howard Groves said: “Someone out there knows who committed these attacks and we appeal to anyone who has information which will allow us to catch the killer to come forward.
Another victim's body, identified as 33-year-old Melissa Halstead, was discovered in Westersingel canal by officers in Rotterdam in 1990.
Both of these investigations were linked last year and a Joint Investigation Team was formed.
Howard added: “These two women were killed and their bodies disposed of in the most callous and undignified manner possible.”
The bags are described as dark green duffle with green piping, two pockets at either end.
They all have brown handles, one carrying strap, and one front pocket with press stud buckle.
The bags were quite heavy as they were weighed down with bricks and tiles.
Paula, of Liverpool, known as Michelle or Lisa Barton, was white, of slim build, and it is believed she was addicted to crack cocaine.
She was believed to work in the Queen's Drive area of Stoke Newington as a prostitute.
It was there the victim was last seen on 13.12.00 getting into a red saloon car.
(250 words)
Killer of Clapton woman still on the run (second copy)
A tall man in wearing a hoodie is now believed to be responsible for shooting Gulistan Subasi two weeks ago in Kingsmead way.
The 26-year-old victim, Gulistan Subasi, of Turksih-orgin, was pronounced dead at the scene when the ambulance arrived.
The police are now still appealing for witnesses to come forward.
DCI Sebire said: "I appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time of the shooting, including anyone who was inside or close to Aysal Food Market, situated below the flat, who may have seen or heard anything suspicious to contact us.
"I also appeal to anyone who was not in the area but may have information that can assist our enquires, no matter how small or insignificant they feel it might be, to contact us.
“The suspect is described as male, approx 6ft tall, of slim build and wearing a light-coloured hooded top.”
"His face may have been covered and he may have been wearing gloves."
Anyone with information should contact the incident room on 020 8358 0200
(174 words)
The 26-year-old victim, Gulistan Subasi, of Turksih-orgin, was pronounced dead at the scene when the ambulance arrived.
The police are now still appealing for witnesses to come forward.
DCI Sebire said: "I appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time of the shooting, including anyone who was inside or close to Aysal Food Market, situated below the flat, who may have seen or heard anything suspicious to contact us.
"I also appeal to anyone who was not in the area but may have information that can assist our enquires, no matter how small or insignificant they feel it might be, to contact us.
“The suspect is described as male, approx 6ft tall, of slim build and wearing a light-coloured hooded top.”
"His face may have been covered and he may have been wearing gloves."
Anyone with information should contact the incident room on 020 8358 0200
(174 words)
Police appeal for witnesses' assistance (first copy)
Detectives are still appealing for witnesses with any information to come forward following a shooting incident that happened in Clapton.
The victim, Gulistan Subasi, 26, of Turkish-origin, was pronounced dead at the scene in Kingsmead Way on 22 March while the officers and the London Ambulance Service attended.
DCI Sebire said: "I appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time of the shooting, including anyone who was inside or close to Aysal Food Market, situated below the flat, who may have seen or heard anything suspicious to contact us.
"I also appeal to anyone who was not in the area but may have information that can assist our enquires, no matter how small or insignificant they feel it might be, to contact us.
According to DCI Sebire, "The suspect is described as male, approx 6ft tall, of slim build, wearing a light coloured hooded top [worn with hood up], light coloured trousers, and a rucksack/drawstring bag on his back.
"His face may have been covered and he may have been wearing gloves."
A post-mortem gave cause of death as a gunshot wound to the chest.
Anyone with information should contact the incident room on 020 8358 0200.
If you wish to remain anonymous please all Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
(216 words)
The victim, Gulistan Subasi, 26, of Turkish-origin, was pronounced dead at the scene in Kingsmead Way on 22 March while the officers and the London Ambulance Service attended.
DCI Sebire said: "I appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time of the shooting, including anyone who was inside or close to Aysal Food Market, situated below the flat, who may have seen or heard anything suspicious to contact us.
"I also appeal to anyone who was not in the area but may have information that can assist our enquires, no matter how small or insignificant they feel it might be, to contact us.
According to DCI Sebire, "The suspect is described as male, approx 6ft tall, of slim build, wearing a light coloured hooded top [worn with hood up], light coloured trousers, and a rucksack/drawstring bag on his back.
"His face may have been covered and he may have been wearing gloves."
A post-mortem gave cause of death as a gunshot wound to the chest.
Anyone with information should contact the incident room on 020 8358 0200.
If you wish to remain anonymous please all Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
(216 words)
Appealing for witnesses of dismembered body
Officers are appealing for witnesses and information after the discovery of a body in Camden nine years later.
The dismembered body of Paula Fields, whose head, hands and feet were missing, was found in Regent's Canal in several holdalls on 19 February 2001.
DCI Howard Groves said: “These two women were killed and their bodies disposed of in the most callous and undignified manner possible."
In 1990, officers in Rotterdam discovered a body in Westsersingel canal, and the victim was identified as 33-year-old Melissa Halstead.
Both these investigations were then linked, and a unique Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was formed in February 2009.
“Someone out there know who committed these attacks and we appeal to anyone who has information which will allow us to catch the killer to come forward.” Said Mr Groves.
A post Mortem, carried out in 2001 at St Pancras Mortuary, failed to determine the cause of Paula's death.
When the body was found it was not clothed, and was just wrapped in a white plastic bag in a black bin liner.
Paula, also known as Michelle or Lisa Barton, was 5'2'', and spoke with a Liverpool accent.
She was white, of slim build with long, medium brown hair and blue/green eyes.
(208 words)
The dismembered body of Paula Fields, whose head, hands and feet were missing, was found in Regent's Canal in several holdalls on 19 February 2001.
DCI Howard Groves said: “These two women were killed and their bodies disposed of in the most callous and undignified manner possible."
In 1990, officers in Rotterdam discovered a body in Westsersingel canal, and the victim was identified as 33-year-old Melissa Halstead.
Both these investigations were then linked, and a unique Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was formed in February 2009.
“Someone out there know who committed these attacks and we appeal to anyone who has information which will allow us to catch the killer to come forward.” Said Mr Groves.
A post Mortem, carried out in 2001 at St Pancras Mortuary, failed to determine the cause of Paula's death.
When the body was found it was not clothed, and was just wrapped in a white plastic bag in a black bin liner.
Paula, also known as Michelle or Lisa Barton, was 5'2'', and spoke with a Liverpool accent.
She was white, of slim build with long, medium brown hair and blue/green eyes.
(208 words)
Saturday 3 April 2010
Sexual workers in the hope to gain more help from the Met Police (second copy)
The sexual workers in London will now have another way to ask for help as the Met Police has launched its new service to tackle human trafficking.
The new command SCD9 will further investigate the trafficking of adults for sexual exploitation, forced labour and domestic servitude.
Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Martin, head of SCD9, said: “We know that people trafficking is still under reported and we want to encourage any victims to come forward to help us prevent this horrific crime happening in the future.
“It takes bravery and courage to get in touch, but we would urge any person who has been, or is a victim, to speak to us to help bring those who violate and exploit others for their own gain to justice.”
He also adds: “The new command will benefit from a single command structure for trafficking and the Specialist Crime Directorate focus and specialism on organised crime.
“We do, of course, remain committed to tackling vice, reducing serious violence in high-risk licensed premises and gaming establishments, and eradicating obscene publications.”
(The story need more sources to complete)
The new command SCD9 will further investigate the trafficking of adults for sexual exploitation, forced labour and domestic servitude.
Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Martin, head of SCD9, said: “We know that people trafficking is still under reported and we want to encourage any victims to come forward to help us prevent this horrific crime happening in the future.
“It takes bravery and courage to get in touch, but we would urge any person who has been, or is a victim, to speak to us to help bring those who violate and exploit others for their own gain to justice.”
He also adds: “The new command will benefit from a single command structure for trafficking and the Specialist Crime Directorate focus and specialism on organised crime.
“We do, of course, remain committed to tackling vice, reducing serious violence in high-risk licensed premises and gaming establishments, and eradicating obscene publications.”
(The story need more sources to complete)
Man jailed for operating gun factory in his sitting room (third copy)
A man has been sentenced for running a gun-conversion factory from his living room at Croydon Crown Court.
Investigations showed Gary Waller ran a cottage industry, converting imitation and blank-firing handguns into lethal weapons using his cupboard as the conversion factory.
DC Carruth, the case officer, said: “Hopefully these lengthy prison terms given to the six individuals today will act as a deterrent to others who choose to be involved in the conversion use and supply of firearms throughout London and the Home Counties.
“The ruling by Lord Chief Justice Dyson will greatly assist not only Trident but other teams throughout the country to charge and successfully convict dangerous criminals in possession of firearms and ammunition."
Trident, part of the Metropolitan Police Service's anti-shooting command, arrested and charged a six-man gang.
The 30-year-old gun supplier, of 41 Seymour Villas, South Norwood, is part of the six strong gang who made up a network of runners, middlemen, purchasers and end-users.
Marvin Welch, 29, of SE20 stores partly finished firearms in his flat; Wesley Huggins, 25, of SW8 and Adrian McNeish, 27, of SE22 acted as middlemen; Darren Yaw Opoku, 19, of Surrey acted as a courier; and Cadele Clarke, 25, of SW16 bought weapons from Waller.
The six were sentenced to a total of 43 years of a string of firearms offences.
(228 words)
Investigations showed Gary Waller ran a cottage industry, converting imitation and blank-firing handguns into lethal weapons using his cupboard as the conversion factory.
DC Carruth, the case officer, said: “Hopefully these lengthy prison terms given to the six individuals today will act as a deterrent to others who choose to be involved in the conversion use and supply of firearms throughout London and the Home Counties.
“The ruling by Lord Chief Justice Dyson will greatly assist not only Trident but other teams throughout the country to charge and successfully convict dangerous criminals in possession of firearms and ammunition."
Trident, part of the Metropolitan Police Service's anti-shooting command, arrested and charged a six-man gang.
The 30-year-old gun supplier, of 41 Seymour Villas, South Norwood, is part of the six strong gang who made up a network of runners, middlemen, purchasers and end-users.
Marvin Welch, 29, of SE20 stores partly finished firearms in his flat; Wesley Huggins, 25, of SW8 and Adrian McNeish, 27, of SE22 acted as middlemen; Darren Yaw Opoku, 19, of Surrey acted as a courier; and Cadele Clarke, 25, of SW16 bought weapons from Waller.
The six were sentenced to a total of 43 years of a string of firearms offences.
(228 words)
Friday 2 April 2010
New command tackling human trafficking
A new command SCD9, Human Exploitation and Organise Crime, tackling human trafficking and exploitation has been launched by the Metropolitan Police Service.
SCD9, bringing together expertise in clubs and vice, human trafficking and immigration crime, will investigate the trafficking of adults for sexual exploitation, forced labour and domestic servitude.
Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Martin, head of SCD9, said: “The new command will benefit from a single command structure for trafficking and the Specialist Crime Directorate focus and specialism on organised crime.
“We do, of course, remain committed to tackling vice, reducing serious violence in high-risk licensed premises and gaming establishments, and eradicating obscene publications.”
SCD9 will enable the considerable expertise and skills within Clubs and Vice and SCD to be built upon with the benefit of reducing duplication and improving leadership, governance, accountability and clarity for partners and victims.
Richard adds: “We know that people trafficking is still under reported and we want to encourage any victims to come forward to help us prevent this horrific crime happening in the future.
“It takes bravery and courage to get in touch, but we would urge any person who has been, or is a victim, to speak to us to help bring those who violate and exploit others for their own gain to justice.”
(213 words)
SCD9, bringing together expertise in clubs and vice, human trafficking and immigration crime, will investigate the trafficking of adults for sexual exploitation, forced labour and domestic servitude.
Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Martin, head of SCD9, said: “The new command will benefit from a single command structure for trafficking and the Specialist Crime Directorate focus and specialism on organised crime.
“We do, of course, remain committed to tackling vice, reducing serious violence in high-risk licensed premises and gaming establishments, and eradicating obscene publications.”
SCD9 will enable the considerable expertise and skills within Clubs and Vice and SCD to be built upon with the benefit of reducing duplication and improving leadership, governance, accountability and clarity for partners and victims.
Richard adds: “We know that people trafficking is still under reported and we want to encourage any victims to come forward to help us prevent this horrific crime happening in the future.
“It takes bravery and courage to get in touch, but we would urge any person who has been, or is a victim, to speak to us to help bring those who violate and exploit others for their own gain to justice.”
(213 words)
Thursday 1 April 2010
Met first ever magazine targets the young
The Beat, Met's first ever magazine for young people, are being sent to kids across London to give them advice on how to keep safe.
The Beat will cover problems such as gangs, drugs and weapons, and gives young people crime prevention advice, as well as showing them how to get more involved in keeping their communities safe.
Detective Supt Alaric Bonthron, from the Met's Communities Together Strategic Engagement team,said: “We hope The Beat will be a fun, but useful guide for 11 year olds as they near the end of the time at primary school, and hope The Beat gives them some practical advices and tips on how to keep safe.
“The beat is just one way to let them know the police are here if they need help.”
Sir Paul, who had recognised the importance in speaking and listening to young people and then acting on their concerns so they feel safe, wrote in the publication: “...we need to spend more time talking to you and finding out what you want from your local police.
Although it has been a while since I was in my teens I think the same good advice applies – if someone is making you feel unsafe, tell someone responsible.”
The magazine has its very own agony uncle: Michel, a member of the Met's Volunteer Police Cadets, who will be able to help out with reader's crime and safety concerns.
Over 100,000 copies are being sent to state schools in the capital.
(248 words)
The Beat will cover problems such as gangs, drugs and weapons, and gives young people crime prevention advice, as well as showing them how to get more involved in keeping their communities safe.
Detective Supt Alaric Bonthron, from the Met's Communities Together Strategic Engagement team,said: “We hope The Beat will be a fun, but useful guide for 11 year olds as they near the end of the time at primary school, and hope The Beat gives them some practical advices and tips on how to keep safe.
“The beat is just one way to let them know the police are here if they need help.”
Sir Paul, who had recognised the importance in speaking and listening to young people and then acting on their concerns so they feel safe, wrote in the publication: “...we need to spend more time talking to you and finding out what you want from your local police.
Although it has been a while since I was in my teens I think the same good advice applies – if someone is making you feel unsafe, tell someone responsible.”
The magazine has its very own agony uncle: Michel, a member of the Met's Volunteer Police Cadets, who will be able to help out with reader's crime and safety concerns.
Over 100,000 copies are being sent to state schools in the capital.
(248 words)
Met laboratory achieves international standard
The Metropolitan Police's Evidence Recovery Unit (ERU) has become the first police laboratory to achieve the international standard for its outstanding quality of work.ERU, the first kind in England and Wales, has reached a new benchmark - ISO17025:2005 standard, following a rigorous inspection by the United Kindom Accreditation Service (UKAS).
Gary Pugh, Director of Forensic Services, said: “The forensic staff at the ERU have made significant contribution to several high profile cases and the accreditation is important endorsement of their skills and contribution.
Lord Lindsay, UKAS chairman, presented Gary Pugh with an award in a special presentation ceremony held last week at New Scotland Yard.
A three-day inspection by the UKAS assessment team included a thorough examination of the scientific methods and supporting procedures implemented within the Search Laboratory.
The findings confirmed the technical competency of the laboratory had reached the required standard, including performing testing, evidence recovery, and result interpretation.
The ERU staff will undergo regular visits by UKAS to ensure the standards demonstrated previously are being maintained.
This will include ongoing staff competency and proficiency testing.
The Directorate of Forensic Service is also ensuring it meets the standards laid down by the government's Forensic Regulator who confirmed in January 2010 that all police forensic laboratories must aim to achieve accreditation by December 2013.
(216 words)
Picture by the Met Police
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