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Policing - new material (64)

01 May 2003

A Study of complaints involving the use of batons by the police in Northern Ireland. Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland March 2003, pp56.

Gadgets and gizmos, Lisa Bratby. Police Review 18.5.03, pp34-35. This piece, based on interviews with Mike McBride of Jane's Police and Security Equipment, reviews the "useful gadgets currently on the market, many of them widely used in the USA." It covers fingerprinting (PDA fingerprints, Livescan and the LSIT/LITE Livescanner), facial recognition (thermograms), torch light (Camlite, a torch that doubles up as a video and audio recorder), surveillance (Copcam), Infrared (FLIR Thermovision Scout), Harvey Wallbanger (a rapid-entry device developed in the UK), riot control (Iron Horse mobile barrier, PVC curtain system) and Less-lethal weapons (Taser, PepperBall system, CS and pepper sprays).

Lancashire hotspot, John Knowles. Police Review 18.7.03, pp.20-21. Considers "four tension areas within the town" of Burnley in light of "racial clashes" in June 2001. They are i. Economic tensions ("deprivation is a major issue for Burnley"); ii. Political tensions (following the election of racist councillors); iii. Racial tensions ("A small minority of white males in the town are overtly racist. They also have a propensity for violence, often fuelled with drink, which often manifests itself in a football related environment. It is a matter of fact that some of these men are connected to, or have leaning towards, the BNP"; iv. Criminal tensions ("illicit...white and black networks").

Drug-related deaths in police custody, Siobhan Havis & Dr. David West. Police Complaints Authority (May) 2003, pp. 23. This paper reviews 43 deaths in police care or custody between 1997 and 2002. Available from the PCA website: http://pca.gov.uk