Changing role

The Police Scientific Development Branch (PSDB) is to take on a new, broader role to provide scientific engineering and technological advice to the rest of the Home Office.

A spokesman for the Home Office said the change was part of a move by the Home Office to adopt a more strategic approach to science across the organisation, building on the science and technology strategy for policing.

The PSDB will now report through Professor Paul Wiles, the Home Office Chief Scientific Advisor, to the Permanent Secretary. Later in the year PSDB will be renamed the Home Office Scientific Development Branch (HOSDB).

North Yorkshire Police and North Yorkshire County Council are launching a joint summer-long initiative to cut the number of serious motorcycle accidents, after statistics showed that one in three road deaths in the county last year was a rider or pillion passenger.

Under the initiative the worst speed offenders will be fast-tracked through the courts, and could lose their licences in weeks. Extra high-profile patrols, a tough enforcement regime and a series of road policing action days will also be included in the initiative.

“Enough is enough,” said Assistant Chief Constable David Collins. “Residents and visitors alike are suffering damage to the quality of their lives because of a minority of riders and, worst of all, unacceptable numbers of riders are being killed and seriously injured. This cannot continue.”

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) have published a revised internet and e-mail policies advice leaflet.

The advice leaflet has been revised due to the expanding numbers of people who have access to the internet in the workplace.

It offers practical advice on the reasons for having a policy in place, advise on establishing, developing and managing a policy and guidance on legal issues.

The leaflet can be found at www.acas.org.uk/publications/AL06.html