Latest news from across the emergency services

Welcome to the last Emergency Services Times Daily Digest for 2023.

We created this new website feature to provide you with a single source of reference for blue light news each day and help you more easily stay abreast of what’s happening in the sector. But initiatives like this are always open to review and we’d love to hear your feedback following our digest’s first full month. Please send any comments (both positive and constructive) to jdevonshire@nineteengroup.com

We’re also looking to bring in a daily digest newsletter, which will enable you to receive our daily compilation straight in your inbox. Watch out for more on this in the New Year.

We’re signing off now for the holidays but we’ll be back again on January 2 with all the emergency services news you should know about. Until then, we wish you a wonderful festive season and New Year.

Best wishes from all of us here at Emergency Services Times.

A look back at 2023 and farewell to print

Catherine Levin, Editor of Emergency Services Times, reflects on 2023. As well as some interview and insight highlights, she also taloks about the decision to be digital only going forward. More via Emergency Services Times

College of Policing releases force control room implementation guidance

The College of Policing (COP) has released new guidance aimed at forces that are looking to implement the Right Care Right Person (RCRP) approach when responding to health and social care-related calls for service.

COP says the new guidance should be read alongside the policy considerations guidance for RCRP and is designed to support and work alongside existing force protocols and processes. More via COP

New taxi marshal service launched in Northampton to promote safer travelling at night time

A new taxi marshal service has been launched in Northampton to help people to travel more safely during peak Night Time Economy (NTE) periods.

The marshals will be responsible for making sure lone females, vulnerable people and those accompanied by children are safely supervised when using taxis as well as addressing any conflicts arising on the taxi rank and reporting any incidents to the Licensing Authority and Northamptonshire Police. More via West Northamptonshire Council

Pioneering military recruitment scheme showcased to UK police forces

A delegation of senior police figures descended upon Nottinghamshire to learn about a brand-new training programme designed to turn military leavers into police officers.

The first cohort was given their first taste of frontline policing in the summer and are now completing a Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA), which will see them become fully-fledged police officers. More via Nottinghamshire Police

Clearer vision, targets and standards needed to boost UK’s extreme weather resilience – NAO Director

Sian Jones, Director of Cross-Government Value For Money at the National Audit Office (NAO) reflects on the NAO’s recent report, “Government Resilience: Extreme Weather”.

Jones says that the report’s recommendations of strengthening leadership, developing resilience standards, and coordinating prioritised climate investment underscore the urgency for strategic planning and collaborative efforts to protect the nation against the impacts of climate change. More via National Preparedness Commission

Police to patrol service stations and laybys to target freight theft

Police will increase presence to crack down on criminal gangs targeting lorries and stealing their goods.

Known as Operation Yard, officers will carry out regular patrols at services stations and laybys being used by haulage drivers to park up overnight throughout the three counties covered by West Mercia Police. More via West Mercia Police

Public back keeping Powys Wales Air Ambulance base

The public’s views on the future of the Wales Air Ambulance have been revealed – and they show a majority of people want the bases to stay where they are.

The results of the public meetings on the future of the Welshpool base held over the county over the last year show that there was a “consensus of support” for the option which would see the bases kept where they are with extra vehicles. More via Powys County Times