News in brief
A brief summary of some of this week`s news.
TVP officer suspended
A Thames Valley Police officer has been suspended and found guilty under section four of the Public Order Act 1986 after he was charged with carrying a knife while involved in a disturbance with a group of youths on New Years Day.
DC David Muddimanwill be sentenced on October 1.
German buys police website
A German entrepreneur has purchased the National Hi-Tech Crime Unit (NHTCU) domain name after the registration was allowed to expire.
The NHTCU closed in April 2006 after its cases were transferred to SOCA, but the website remains active after Uwe Matt purchased the domain name in August.
The Government has now been urged to pay better attention to its current and defunct websites.
Injured officer awarded £3m
Det Chief Supt Tony Crofts, 52, has been awarded £3 million by the courts after a road accident left him severely injured.
Mr Crofts, who headed the homicide squad in South London, was knocked off his motorcycle by a car in 2004. He suffered a severe brain injury and lost his right arm in the crash.
He now suffers with depression and his working memory and organisational skills are impaired.
Driver Alan Murton had admitted liability but disputed the damages.
Strongbow success
Two North East forces have adopted practice from Operation Strongbow an initiative set up by Cleveland Police in 2003 to tackle distraction burglaries and bogus traders.
Cleveland worked with Trading Standards, University of Teesside and volunteer organisations to target doorstep crime and Durham Constabulary and Northumbria Police have now adopted the practice.
Officers sacked after assault
Two officers from Northamptonshire Police have been sacked and a third told to resign after assaulting a 16-year-old boy and perverting the course of justice.
The allegations included causing a sergeant to make an incorrect entry in the custody log and attempting to plant drugs on the boy. William Docherty, 42, and Sean Holiditch, 43, were found guilty of seven charges and Steve Eaton, 50, was required to resign after pleading guilty to three charges.
TVP officers get horse training
Officers from Thames Valley Police (TVP) are working in partnership with animal charity The Horse Trust to receive specialist horse training.
The one-hour course will prepare and equip officers with the basic handling skills needed to deal safely with horse encounters to increase public and police safety.
Last head of CID retires
Northamptonshire Polices last ever head of CID has retired after more than 30 years service.
Detective Chief Superintendent Mac McCulley retired 30 years and one day after he joined Northamptonshire Police.
Det Ch Supt McCulley has held every investigatory rank from detective constable upwards and became, in November 2003, the countys head of criminal investigation. He is the last county officer to carry this title as the role has been merged into the new Protective Services Department.
Guinea police arrested
Senior police officials in Guinea have been arrested in a drugs raid.
The officials are being questioned after an aircraft allegedly carrying a large quantity of cocaine mysteriously landed and took off earlier this week. It is thought that drugs cartels are using the country as a transit point to smuggle huge quantities of cocaine to Europe.
Anti-terror squad for airport
Liverpools John Lennon airport is to have a dedicated team of police officers in a bid to address counter-terrorism issues and reduce crime.
The team is made up of ten officers and will operate on a 24-hour basis. It has been funded by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and will work with private security firms within the airport to target potential terrorism threats.
Gun left in cafe by Met officer
An investi