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Police Accused Of Abusing Power Whilst Enforcing Virus Lockdown

UK police officers have been told to take a “consistent” approach when ensuring people comply with emergency measures aimed at curbing coronavirus.

Guidance to officers calls on forces to “coordinate” efforts and emphasises the importance of professionalism. It comes amid criticism of the way some forces have handled the new measures.

A former Justice of the Supreme Court said one force’s use of drones to film walkers in the Peak District had been “disgraceful”. But Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said police forces were doing a difficult job and being sensible about enforcing social distancing measures.

It comes as a further 393 people with coronavirus have died in the UK – the biggest daily total so far.

A total of 1,801 people have now died with the virus across the UK, including 367 more in England, 13 in Scotland, seven in Wales and six in Northern Ireland.

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Two Short-Range Missiles Tested By North Korea

North Korea hailed a test of “super large” rocket launchers, just hours after the South condemned the state as “inappropriate” for pursing tests amid the global coronavirus outbreak.

On Sunday, South Korea said two short-range missiles had been fired, the latest in a flurry of tests this month.

The North generally ramps up missile tests in the spring and the global virus outbreak has not deterred it. It has reported no virus cases, but experts have cast doubt on this.

Sunday’s test was of two short-range ballistic missiles fired from the eastern city of Wonsan. They flew for 410km (255 miles) with a maximum altitude of around 50km before falling into the sea, the South Korean military said.

Then on Monday, North Korean state media outlet KCNA reported that it had successfully tested “super large” multiple rocket launchers.

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New Director General Appointed At MI5

Ken McCallum has been appointed the new director general of MI5, the security service has said.

Mr McCallum led counter terrorism investigations during the London 2012 Olympic Games and MI5’s response to the attempted assassination of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in 2018.

Currently deputy director general, he has worked there for nearly 25 years, a statement said. He succeeds Sir Andrew Parker, who retires in April after seven years.

Originally from Glasgow, Mr McCallum spent his first years at MI5 focusing on Northern Ireland-related terrorism, and later specialised in countering Islamist extremist terrorism. He led its strategic response to the series of terror attacks that took place in 2017 and has also worked on cyber-security.

Mr McCallum said: “MI5’s purpose is hugely motivating. Our people – with our partners – strive to keep the country safe, and they always want to go the extra mile.”

Sir Andrew Parker said he is “the right person to take MI5 forward” as the country “deals with the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic”.

Met Police Appeal For Retired Officers To Return

Retired Metropolitan Police officers are being asked to return to the force as it tries to cope with the coronavirus outbreak in London.

Former PCs and sergeants who left in the past five years are to be offered work in a paid or voluntary capacity. The force also wants those nearing retirement to consider staying on.

Met Commissioner Cressida Dick said: “Demands on us will grow and vary over the coming weeks but I want people to know and see the Met is here for them.” She is writing to retired police constables and sergeants to re-join at those ranks, either on a full or part-time basis.

The latest available Home Office data shows 5,012 Metropolitan Police officers retired in the five years up to March 2019, excluding those who did so on medical grounds.

The force had a total of more than 31,000 officers as of last September. Senior officers may be able to return to service where they bring specific skills and experience.

The Met also wants retired officers to sign up as special constables.

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Guns Used In James Bond Films Stolen

Five deactivated guns used in several James Bond films and worth more than £100,000 have been stolen in a burglary.

Thieves broke into the back of the property in north London on Monday evening and fled before police arrived.

A Walther PPK handgun used by Roger Moore in A View to a Kill was among those taken from the private collection. The Met described the guns as “irreplaceable”.

Also stolen were a Beretta Cheetah pistol, a Beretta Tomcat pistol, a Llama .22 calibre handgun from Die Another Day, and a Revolver Smith and Wesson .44 Magnum featured in Live and Let Die.

Neighbours described the suspects as white males with eastern European accents who left the scene in Enfield in a silver vehicle.

Det Insp Paul Ridley, from the Met, said: “The firearms stolen are very distinctive and bespoke to particular James Bond movies.

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