Reporting crimes easier than ever with new policing app; Ambulance technician embarks on Arctic adventure

Every weekday morning we bring you the sector’s freshest news stories, starting today with news of a new policing app that makes reporting crimes much easier. The app, called Police.UK, also enables the public to find out information about local policing teams and access prevention advice and support for victims and witnesses of crime.

There’s also a story on an intrepid London Ambulance Service medical technician who has set off on an Arctic expedition, for the first in a series of endurance events to raise money for charity.

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Reporting crimes easier than ever with new policing app

A new policing app is now available, allowing the public to report crimes and incidents, find out information about local policing teams and access prevention advice and support for victims and witnesses of crime.

The app, called Police.UK, is the brainchild of the National National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Digital Public Contact Programme which is responsible for transformational change in how the public can contact the police digitally. More via Emergency Services Times

Former Met officer breached Standards of Professional Behaviour, finds misconduct hearing

A former Metropolitan Police officer breached the Standards of Professional Behaviour in respect of Discreditable Conduct, which amounted to gross misconduct, a misconduct hearing has found.

Former PC Hannah Stace acted aggressively on two separate occasions while intoxicated, assaulting a fellow police officer in March 2022 and a member of the public in June 2022. The hearing concluded that, had former PC Stace been a serving officer, she would have been dismissed. More via Metropolitan Police

Luton Airport car park fire started accidentally, finds investigation

A fire that broke out in a multi-storey car park at Luton airport in October 2023 started accidentally, an investigation into the incident has found. More via Emergency Services Times

Climate change is one of the key challenges facing the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Perth and Kinross councillors have been told climate change is one of the key challenges facing the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).

Jim Snedden, station commander at Perth Community Fire Station, told councillors of the service’s water safety capabilities as he gave a presentation to Perth and Kinross Council’s Housing and Social Wellbeing Committee. More via Daily Record

Ambulance technician embarks on Arctic adventure

An intrepid medical technician at London Ambulance Service has set off on an Arctic expedition braving sub-zero temperatures, for the first in a series of endurance events to raise money for charity.

Rob Lewis, 62, hopes to complete a string of gruelling fitness challenges in 2024, calling it ‘6 in my 60s’, in support of the London Ambulance Charity. More via London Ambulance Service

New leadership for police watchdog

The Home Office confirmed that Rachel Watson will takeover as Director General of the Independent Office for Police Conduct, a post that has been filled on an interim basis since December 2022. More via Emergency Services Times

Police investigation launched into alleged racist comments made by top Tory donor

West Yorkshire Police has launched an investigation into alleged racist comments made by a top Tory donor.

Officers are investigating after Frank Hester reportedly said Diane Abbott, the UK’s longest-serving black MP, made him “want to hate all black women”. More via BBC News

Ambulance service Medical Director receives Honorary Doctorate

West Midlands Ambulance Service’s Medical Director, Dr Alison Walker, has been presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Science by Coventry University.

The Doctorate was presented in honour of Alison’s dedicated contribution to the enhancement of pre-hospital care across the West Midlands and the country. More via West Midlands Ambulance Service