APPG meets to emphasise e-bike fire risk; Chief inspector of borders and immigration fired

Every weekday morning we bring you the sector’s freshest news stories, starting today with the news that an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) met this week to discuss the growing issue of e-bike and e-scooter battery fires across the UK. The group heard from family and friends of people who have lost their lives in e-bike and e-scooter fires.

There’s also a report on the chief inspector of borders and immigration, David Neal, being fired by the Home Office after he “lost the confidence” of the home secretary.

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All-Party Parliamentary Group meets to emphasise e-bike battery fire risk

Earlier this week, an All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) met to discuss the growing issue of e-bike and e-scooter battery fires across the UK.

The APPG on Online and Home Electrical Safety – Lithium Ion Battery Fires came together at the House of Commons to hear from family and friends of people who have lost their lives in e-bike and e-scooter fires. More via Emergency Services Times

Minister overseeing troubled South Wales fire service says commissioners have ‘full support’

The Welsh Government minister overseeing the management of the troubled South Wales Fire and Rescue Service says the commissioners appointed to oversee reform have her “full support”.

Deputy Minister for Social Partnership Hannah Blythyn has spoken for the first time since ITV Wales reported that the fire chief brought in to head up the service is himself at the centre of bullying allegations. More via ITV

Police Digital Academy boosts investigation training in the North West

More than 1100 police officers and members of police staff benefitted from innovative digital investigation training during the opening fortnight of the Police Digital Academy’s training sessions.

Short, virtual sessions have been running since the start of February as part of a five-week programme in which officers and staff learn from subject matter experts on key areas of digital investigation. More via Emergency Services Times

Fire Brigades Union challenges government’s changes to public sector pensions

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is challenging the government’s recent changes to public sector pensions. The changes, introduced by HM Treasury in 2019, meant that the costs of remedying the government’s own discrimination (proven by the courts) were to be passed on to public service pension scheme members. More via FBU

NBCC launches national month of action to tackle retail crime

The National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) is launching a month of action in March following the success of a similar initiative in October 2023.

Every police force in the country will be encouraged to hold at least one Safer Business Action Day (SaBA Day) in their area, which will include joint high visibility patrols, proactive activity against known offenders and crime prevention campaigns. More via NBCC

Prevent programme strengthened a year on from independent review

A year on from the Independent Review of Prevent, the government has already implemented the vast majority of recommendations. This delivers on a commitment made at the time of the independent review’s publication.

A report published yesterday demonstrates the significant progress made to deliver a stronger, more transparent and proportionate approach to stopping people from being radicalised into terrorism. More via Home Office

New campaign launched to encourage rail users to report sexual harassment

British Transport Police has launched a hard-hitting public awareness campaign in a bid to encourage rail passengers to report sexual harassment in all its forms.

‘Your Piece of the Puzzle’ uses the words of real victims whose information led to a serial sex offender being apprehended on the rail network and convicted of his crimes. More via Emergency Services Times

Home Office fires chief inspector of borders and immigration David Neal

The Home Office has fired the chief inspector of borders and immigration after he “lost the confidence” of the home secretary.

The department said it had “terminated the appointment” of David Neal on the grounds he had “breached” the terms of his appointment. More via Sky News

techUK launches strategic MoU with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)

techUK has announced the official launch of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in collaboration with the National Fire Chiefs Council.

The formal partnership is aimed at facilitating collaboration between the two organisations, ensuring that fire and rescue services can engage effectively with the technology sector in relation to their expanding national Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) portfolio. More via techuk

Ukraine combat medics bring war-damaged ambulance to UK streets

Combat medics who have served on the frontline of the war in Ukraine have been sharing their experiences as they tour a battle-damaged ambulance around the UK.

The vehicle was bombed in Kharkiv in 2022 and is one of several items from the frontline on show to coincide with the second anniversary of the Ukraine conflict. More via forces.net