ANPR

Good day on Monday, we tried out a major use of ANPR equipment across the city. ANPR stands for automatic number plate reader and it does what it says. AS cars go through, their registration plates are checked against databases showing criminal inteligence, lost or stolens, no insurance etc.

The day was a test of the kit, but more importantly a test of the ability of different police forces and agencies to work together. The operation is being tried out across the South West region in different locations during the week.

Here is the Herald article

Happy Kurdish New Year for Sunday

On Sunday the Kurdish New Year was celebrated in the Guildhall. Congratulations to all the Kurdish community of Plymouth. The BBC covered it (see link here). Roya & Shuker who run Refugees 1st feature. They are strong partners of policimg in Plymouth. Happy New Year to Lukman and all at the Kurdish cafe.

Plymouth Gold Star Awards

Today, at Stmellion, The Herald and First Bus put on the annual Gold Star awards, for people of Plymouth who have achieved extraordinary thibgs for the good of their communities. Click here for details.

Well done for PC Al Roberts, who was nominated by residents in his beat of Efford for his outstanding contribution to neighbourhood Policing. Wel done to Al and to all his team.

There were 13 awards to a wide variety of people from a boy of 9 to a man in his eighties. It was an excellent celebration of people doing things for the good of others.

The Police of Plymouth who were involved in the Southway gas explosion were awarded a Gold Star award. I was proud to recieve it on behalf of the BCU. PC Stuart Norgate was featured in the film that was made for the event.

Well done to all the local heroes and to all those involved in putting on the event.

Integration through Dance 15th March 08

Another great event, showing the different, vibrant, communirtes that make up our City. "Integration through dance, dance , dance" was held at the Roland Levinsky building on Saturday the 15th of March. I was sorry I could not make it. Colleagues who did said it was excellent.

Well done to Sanjay and all at the South Asian Society who puy it together. It featured on both ITV and BBC news.

Thank you to the society and to Lloyd Russell for the use of the photographs below.

A PCSO to be reckoned with!

Here is a great story regarding work by one of our PCSO's. Janboy Cross has shown another example of what they do across the City. Mind you there are not many ex boxer, power lifter, field gun crew PCSO's anywhere!

Click here for details

Get on Jan!

Blue Light Run

Our traffic officers are trained to a high degree. Driving with them on an emergency call is a priviledge few get to experience. In particular while most drivers might have a sense of stress while driving at speed, police advanced drivers are trained to "read the road" carefully and spot risks ahead.

The video below was produced to give people the opportunity to see how a "blue light run" looks from the drivers point of view and hear the commentary made as he drives.

Street Pastors

Just wanted to reflect on the Street Pastors scheme. Really good business. How often do you hear about a team of people who will train themselves, put themselves out, even take some risks, all for the good of others, with no desire to achieve a personal benefit. They are going to have radios that the City Centre Company has sponsored that can be monitored in the CCTV centre, this will allow yet more coordination of them with other agencies. They will be on the streets soon, initially Mutley Plain, then the rest of the City. Click here to go to their website.