Cultural spotlight now falls on all Welsh fire services; North Yorkshire Police improves its performance

Every weekday morning we bring you the sector’s freshest news stories, starting today with the news that North Wales and Mid and West Wales fire and rescue services will undergo a joint independent review to examine their culture and values. The move comes after an independent review of South Wales Fire and Rescue Service found it had a ‘patriarchal mentality’ with ‘sexist and misogynistic behaviours.’

There’s also a story on how North Yorkshire Police has made improvements in a number of areas, according to the police inspectorate.

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Cultural spotlight now falls on all Welsh fire services

The Welsh Government has confirmed that North Wales and Mid and West Wales fire and rescue services will undergo a joint independent review to examine their culture and values.

The Welsh Minister, Hannah Blythyn said that she had reflected on the the extent to which similar issues about staff misconduct and dysfunctional workplace culture were present in the two other Welsh fire and rescue services. More via Emergency Services Times

APCC responds to retail crime report

The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) has issued a response to the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) Crime Report 2024.

APCC Lead on Business and Retail Crime, Katy Bourne, said the report serves as a reminder that incidents of retail-related crimes have reached unacceptable levels. More via APCC

Former GMP officer will not face criminal charges for actions following Manchester Arena bombing

A former Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer who helped coordinate the police response to the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017 will face no criminal charges as a result of an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation relating to evidence they provided to subsequent reviews and debriefs, and during the Manchester Arena Inquiry.

The matter will now progress to a disciplinary hearing where a panel will determine whether they breached the police standards of professional behaviour. More via IOPC

College of Policing Bursary scheme 2024 applications now open

Applications are open for the 2024 College of Policing bursary scheme, which offers people in policing up to £4,000 for higher education study. Research resulting from these studies could be used to shape the future standards and guidance of policing. More via College of Policing

Justice Committee to hear from charities amid financial fears over Probate delays

The Justice Committee will take evidence from charities on the financial impact of probate delays during the first session of its new Probate inquiry.

The cross-party Committee of MPs will hear from senior representatives of Cancer Research UK, Devon Air Ambulance Trust and Remember A Charity and the Institute of Legacy Management on the significant impact of probate delays across the charitable sector, in particular organisations reliant on funding from gifts in wills. More via UK Parliament

North Yorkshire Police improves its performance – inspectorate

North Yorkshire Police has made improvements in how it keeps people safe, reduces crime and provides victims with an effective service, the police inspectorate has said.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) graded North Yorkshire Police’s performance across nine areas of policing and found the constabulary was good in five areas and adequate in four areas. More via HMICFRS

Telecoms operators agree to protect Telecare users during digital switchover

Phone and internet network operators have agreed to protect vulnerable customers who rely on personal alarms as they switch them from analogue to digital telephone landlines.

Network operators, including Openreach and CityFibre, have committed to ensuring that those who rely on vital telecare alarm systems are not left without a working device during the migration. More via Shropshire Star

New home for Cornwall Air Ambulance’s Helifest

Cornwall Air Ambulance will once again be organising a big one-day blue light festival in 2024, but this year it will have a new home.

A revamped Helifest will take place on Saturday, July 6 at Scorrier House near Redruth. The festival will celebrate the hard work of Cornwall’s emergency services. More via Voice