Police Accused Of Abusing Power Whilst Enforcing Virus Lockdown

March 31, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

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.

Two Short-Range Missiles Tested By North Korea

March 30, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

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.

New Director General Appointed At MI5

March 30, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

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.

Met Police Appeal For Retired Officers To Return

March 27, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

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.

Guns Used In James Bond Films Stolen

March 27, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

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.

Christchurch Mosque Attacker Pleads Guilty To Murdering 51 People

March 26, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A man accused of deadly attacks on mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch a year ago has pleaded guilty to 51 charges of murder.

Brenton Tarrant, 29, also admitted the attempted murder of another 40 people, and one terrorism charge. He had previously denied the charges and was due to go on trial in June.

The gun attacks at two mosques sent shockwaves around the world. In the wake of the killings, New Zealand brought in stricter gun laws.

Some Prisoners Could Be Released To Reduce Covid-19 Spread

March 25, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The government is considering releasing some offenders from prisons in England and Wales to ease pressures caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said the virus poses an "acute" risk in prisons, many of which are overcrowded.

Some 3,500 prison staff - about 10% of the workforce - were off work on Tuesday because they were ill or self-isolating, a committee of MPs was told. Mr Buckland said releasing some inmates could help to "alleviate" pressures.

Inmates In Colombia Riot Over Coronavirus Spread Leaving 23 Dead

March 24, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

At least 23 people have died in one of Bogotá's largest jails after what the authorities are calling a mass breakout attempt amid rising tensions over coronavirus.

Colombia's Justice Minister Margarita Cabello said 83 inmates were injured during a riot at La Modelo prison.

Inmates at prisons across the country held protests on Sunday against overcrowding and poor health services during the coronavirus outbreak. The justice ministry is investigating.

Four Men Found Guilty Of Revenge Killing In Wembley

March 24, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Four men have been found guilty of the revenge killing of a shop worker who was shot dead in a case of mistaken identity.

Kwasi Mensah-Ababio was "simply in the wrong place at the wrong time" as he sat on a park bench in Wembley, north-west London, the Old Bailey had heard. He was shot in the head at close range.

Rene Montaque, 35, Karlos Gracia, 23, and Alhassan Jalloh, 21 were found guilty of his murder. They will be sentenced at a later date.

All New Jury Trials To Be Postponed Due To Covid-19 Virus

March 23, 2020 / By Armoured Cars / In security

All new jury trials in England and Wales have been halted until they can be conducted safely, the Lord Chief Justice has announced.

In a letter to judges and magistrates, Lord Burnett said the decision was made to "ensure social distancing in court" amid the ongoing spread of coronavirus. But he added that, where safe to do so, "efforts to bring existing jury trials to a conclusion should continue".

Scotland and Northern Ireland have already taken similar measures.