Police
Community tensions rise amid Coronavirus outbreak
Reports of increasing community tensions ‘across multiple areas’ have been picked up by the Government as the international Coronavirus crisis continues to worsen.
The sound of silence
Local agencies are often ‘woefully ill-equipped’ to stop child sexual abuse in the family environment, says a new joint report from four inspectorates including Ofsted. Why is multi-agency performance still so poor – and what needs to happen next? Chris Mahony reports.
Tackling familial sexual abuse needs a sustained approach
Dealing with child sexual abuse in the family environment calls for informed, committed and resourced leadership and delivery over time, says Mark Rogers.
Councils urged to improve information sharing
Local authorities have been urged to improve information sharing following two serious case reviews (SCRs) into horrific child deaths.
Council director on bail after fraud arrest
Liverpool City Council’s director of regeneration and employment has been released on bail a day after being arrested as part of an ongoing fraud investigation.
'Safe places' needed in Greater Manchester to divert youth from violent crime
Communities in Greater Manchester feel there is an urgent need to create safe places and strong relationships to divert young people from violent crime, new research has found.
‘Ten years or life’
New research aims to understand the drivers of recent hikes in violent crime involving young people in Greater Manchester as perpetrators and victims – and has come up with insights and recommendations. Ann McGauran reports.
Domestic abuse crime figures surge
The number of domestic abuse-related crimes recorded by the police has surged by 24% in the year ending March 2019, new figures show.
Calls to back councils in counter-extremism strategy
A ‘bold new approach’ to tackling extremism that would see local authorities’ role bolstered has been recommended in a new report.
Carter hits out at customs points suggestions
Kent CC’s leader has hit out at suggestions customs points for lorries leaving Channel ports following a no-deal Brexit may be predominately in his county.
The use of child spies ‘needs urgently reviewing as a priority’
Stuart Carlton says the Association of Directors of Children’s Services and the Department for Education need to know which children are being used as spies - and jointly assure themselves that the risks are acceptable.
Use of child spies is 'plain wrong'
One of England’s most high-profile directors of children’s services has spoken out against police use of child spies to penetrate criminal organisations.
More joined up approach is needed from central Government to tackle county lines
Central Government departments work in silos on tackling serious violence and county lines and need to work together ‘in a more smart way’, says a council expert.
We need leaders who give optimism that a way through must be found
Rob Whiteman says the expertise and insight of the public finance profession is fundamental to shaping sustainable services in the age of austerity.
Councils to play 'key' role as radicals return
Local authorities will play a ‘key’ role in assessing potentially radicalised individuals and families returning from conflict zones such as Syria, a senior police officer has said.
Is the Prevent strategy reaching maturity?
The Home Office is positioning its controversial Prevent counter-terror activity alongside town hall safeguarding activities. Mark Conrad speaks to key players involved in a major pilot of the new regime, dubbed ‘Operation Dovetail’
EXCLUSIVE: Security fears after candidate addresses published
Security concerns have been raised after a loophole forced councils to publish the home addresses of candidates standing in the EU elections.
No easy answers to knife crime
Public bodies should not have to be made to shoulder the responsibility for reporting gangs, writes Claire Fox. She says shifting the responsibility for this on to frontline workers is a wrong-headed distraction.
Council denies ‘litany of failures’ in Shamima Begum case
Tower Hamlets LBC has denied claims it was responsible for a ‘litany of failures’ leading up to teenager Shamima Begum's decision to join Daesh.
Crime prevention budgets slashed
Crime prevention budgets have been cut by more than a half since 2010, an analysis from Labour has revealed.