Posts

Posted on

Press release: Paedophile has sentence increased for being unduly lenient

A paedophile who engaged in sexual activities with 2 children has had his sentence increased after the Attorney General, Jeremy Wright QC MP, referred it for being too low.

Throughout 2016 Phillip Edward Derham, 39, committed multiple sexual offences against 2 young girls – one under the age of 10 and one under the age of 16. Derham engaged in sexual activity with both children, and also encouraged the elder to send him indecent images of herself.

Derham was originally sentenced to a 7 year extended sentence comprising of 4 years 6 months imprisonment and an extended licence period of 2 years 6 months imprisonment at Swindon Crown Court.

Today, after the Attorney General’s reference, the Court of Appeal increased his sentence to 11 years, comprising of 8 years in prison and an extended licence period of 3 years.

Commenting on the sentence increase, the Attorney General said:

I am pleased that the Court of Appeal has agreed that Derham’s sentence was too low. Two children’s lives have been significantly damaged, and I hope this increased sentence can bring some comfort to them and their families.

Link: Press release: Paedophile has sentence increased for being unduly lenient
Source: Gov Press Releases

Posted on

Press release: Boris Johnson teams up with former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen to tackle illegal wildlife trade

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and former England cricketer and wildlife campaigner Kevin Pietersen have today (Friday 4 May) teamed up for a visit to see the important role Border Force plays in fighting the illegal wildlife trade at Heathrow Airport.

After receiving a briefing from illegal wildlife trade experts in the Border Force team, Mr Johnson and Mr Pietersen were shown confiscated items which people have tried to smuggle through customs and are now housed in Heathrow Airport’s ‘dead shed’.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said:

The illegal wildlife trade is a vile and loathsome crime with organised gangs and criminal scum at the very heart of it. Not only is it wiping out wildlife populations, it is also robbing communities of sustainable incomes and damaging economies across Africa and Asia, all for the senseless demand in live animals and wildlife products for trinkets and quack medicines.

Border Force is doing incredible work stopping these items from ending up on the black market here in the UK but more can and must be done on a global scale if we are going to stamp this crime out for good. That’s why we are bringing world leaders together for an international conference this autumn, to find a way to save our charismatic megafauna and endangered species before it is too late.

I applaud the work that Kevin and other wildlife campaigners are doing to raise awareness of the plight of endangered rhinos across Africa and Asia.

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen said:

Stopping the illegal wildlife trade is the only way we will save those endangered species which are on the brink of extinction.

In South Africa close to three rhinos are illegally killed every single day. It’s shameful that the world is just sitting back and watching as whole species are being wiped out.

I support the vital work going on by governments around the world to tackle this issue head on but we need action now to halt the demand for the illegal wildlife trade before we see species wiped out for good.

October’s conference will focus on tackling the illegal wildlife trade as a serious organised crime, building coalitions and closing illegal wildlife markets.

Further information

Media enquiries

For journalists

Link: Press release: Boris Johnson teams up with former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen to tackle illegal wildlife trade
Source: Gov Press Releases

Posted on

Press release: Learn from others how best to protect people in the Calder Valley

Sixty flood wardens who volunteer to help protect people and their properties throughout the Calder Valley are being invited to an event to help them learn from each other.

Anyone who wants to get involved in supporting residents during a flood event, either as a flood warden or by volunteering for one of the charities or organisations which reduce flood risk in the community, can also come along to the event during the evening to find out how they can help.

Owners and employees from Calderdale businesses will also be welcome to drop in to get advice on how best to protect their premises from flooding.

The networking event, supported by the Environment Agency and Calderdale Council, will be held in the Waterfront Hall, at Hebden Bridge Town Hall, on Wednesday 23 May. It will be open to flood wardens between 5 – 6.30pm and to members of the local community between 6.30 -8.30pm.

There will be information stalls run by many organisations at the event including Yorkshire Water, Treesponsibility, Slow the Flow, Watermark Flood Fund and Community Foundation for Calderdale.

A team from the Environment Agency will be signing people up for their free flood warning service, providing information about flood defence schemes in the area and discussing what is included in the Calderdale Flood Action Plan.

Representatives from the Council’s emergency planning, flood and housing teams will also be on hand to share information on Calderdale’s multiagency flood response protocol, flood risk management strategy and role in recovery following serious flooding.

Jonathan Follows, Calderdale flood resilience officer with the Environment Agency, said:

This is the second time we have had an event of this kind in Calderdale.

Our flood wardens are invaluable to us as our eyes and ears on the ground. This is a great opportunity for them to share best practice so they can support each other.

They will have the chance to meet new people and learn more about the training opportunities and information that the Environment Agency can provide to help them in their role.

Katie Kimber, chair of the Calderdale Community Resilience Board, said:

We have eight flood groups throughout the Calder Valley and if anyone is interested in joining one as a flood warden or simply as a volunteer they can come along to our event and find out everything they need to know.

There will also be representatives from a wide range of voluntary and community groups who are keen to recruit new volunteers and will be happy to explain more about their projects.

Mark Thompson, director of Regeneration and Strategy at Calderdale Council, said:

We’re extremely grateful for the work our flood wardens do in helping to keep our communities as safe and informed as possible.

If you or someone else you know has been affected by flooding, Calderdale’s flood groups are a valuable support network that can offer you help and information before, during and after a flood.

This is a great chance to meet wardens in your area, find out more about what they do and discover some of the many ways in which you can get involved should you wish to do so.

As part of the event there will be information about resources available to flood wardens including handbooks and personal protective equipment; training on how to use the radio network to communicate with other wardens and using social media during a flood event, demonstrations on using sandbags and a chance to ask questions and raise any concerns.

If anyone is interested in becoming a flood warden or volunteer they can email: yorkshirefloodresilience@environment-gov.uk

Link: Press release: Learn from others how best to protect people in the Calder Valley
Source: Environment Agency

Posted on

Press release: CCTV becomes mandatory in all abattoirs in England

In the latest move to cement the UK’s position as a global leader in animal welfare standards, legislation requiring CCTV in all abattoirs in England comes into force today.

This follows a consultation by the Secretary of State last August on plans to deliver the government’s manifesto commitment for cameras in every abattoir in England in all areas where live animals are present. Other recent reforms to improve animal welfare include:

  • increasing sentences for animal cruelty tenfold to 6 years
  • launching a call for evidence on the live export of animals
  • banning back street puppy breeders
  • ending the third party sales of puppies
  • publishing updated animal welfare codes

Official Veterinarians will have unrestricted access to footage to reassure consumers that high welfare standards are being effectively enforced.

All slaughterhouses will be required to comply in full by 5 November, following an adjustment period of 6 months to enable businesses to install a suitable CCTV system.

Animal Welfare Minister Lord Gardiner said:

The government shares the public’s high regard for animal welfare and we are proud to have some of the highest standards in the world. Today we welcome the new law which requires mandatory CCTV in all abattoirs in England.

We are a nation that cares about animals and these strong measures will ensure all animals are treated with the utmost respect at all stages of life allows us to continue to lead the way to raise the bar in high welfare standards.

We have published guidance for slaughterhouse operators.

Link: Press release: CCTV becomes mandatory in all abattoirs in England
Source: Gov Press Releases

Posted on

Press release: Get your load home in one piece – tie it down properly

What do 40 beds, 96 chairs, 49 cushions and 163 mattresses have in common?

They all fell off vehicles and onto England’s motorways, where they were found by Highways England traffic officers.

The list of flying furniture also includes 52 sofas and 17 tables.

Badly secured items that fall onto busy, high-speed roads are a danger that causes delays and even collisions. The average incident like this takes 20 minutes to clear up, often disrupting other road users.

In a bid to keep the roads clear of domestic debris, Highways England has launched this campaign to encourage drivers with bulky items to make sure they are properly secure.

The message is simple: let’s all get home in one piece.

Highways England project manager Amelia Kirwan said:

We want all drivers and their items to get home in one piece. If you’re buying or moving furniture this weekend, use proper straps that are strong enough for the job. Don’t risk losing your stuff, and causing other drivers to become delayed, injured or worse.

Our traffic officers picked up around 600 items such as mattresses, sofas and chairs during a nine month period. So before you set off, check your load is secure and your view is clear of obstructions.

Research for Highways England, which is responsible for England’s motorways and major A-roads, found that nearly 9 out of 10 cars observed did not have any method of securing heavy loads inside a vehicle. If the driver stopped or changed direction suddenly, this creates a serious risk that a load can be thrown forward through the windscreen or hit vehicle occupants.

‘Let’s all get home in one piece’ is one of a number of Highways England safety warnings for drivers this bank holiday.

Drivers should also do a quick series of checks before setting off. Almost half of all breakdowns are caused by simple mechanical problems that could be avoided by simply checking fuel levels, tyres, engine oil, water and lights.

A few minutes spent planning journeys and checking road conditions before setting off can also save time and frustration later. Tourist routes are likely to be particularly busy this weekend.

Drivers can get live traffic information on the Traffic England website.

Travel information is also available by phone from the Highways England Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000, and updates are provided via Twitter.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

Link: Press release: Get your load home in one piece – tie it down properly
Source: Gov Press Releases