George Armstrong

That's a really good point. These counterfeit or non duty paid rackets can't be doing anything for the reputations of the genuine Refugees from the Middle East, fleeing here to rebuild their lives after the atrocities meted out upon them. I think their community leaders should exercise some community leadership to address this illegal activity which is causing massive preconceptions about the Iraqi Kurd ethnic group.

There is a gap in the legislation somewhere. The Police and Trading Standards are clearly listening to the word on the street, developing the intelligence, swearing out and executing the warrants, making the seizures and bringing prosecutions. What's needed is a legislative power to say to people, 'You can't own, manage, be connected with etc any shop in Herefordshire" because of the fact that you've run a dodgy business in the past. Without being able to close down the operations at point of sale, there'll always be another stooge put up to front a 'Polish' shop which has little or nothing to do with Polish people. For a start, I'd enact a bye law that requires clear and unobstructed views through the front doors and windows. All that sticky back plastic can come down straight away...

It's a tricky one, Megilleland. It all depends on how seriously you want to tackle preparation for acts of terrorism, access to child pornography and people researching how to commit the perfect murder etc. The key to this will be the authority levels to gain access to such records. For example, search warrants are granted to the police by magistrates. Tests apply, such as: how reliable is the source, how recent is the information, how accurate is it, has it been provided maliciously and can it be corroborated. There are other considerations which must be addressed too. I'd expect a very high threshold of tests to be applied by the Courts before State agencies can go snooping through your internet research. Like I say, it's a tricky one.

North Wales Police are now starting Operation Snap, whereby you email evidence of bad driving, mobile phone use etc from your dashcam to the Police to use as evidence in prosecutions. Hopefully drivers may now think twice before answering their phone, reading that text, updating their status or liking that video you shared with them of a dancing kitten...

You want to try reading the Hereford Voice, Cambo. It's all on there if you look properly, Mate.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/hereford-mystery-roger-curry-identified-kidnap-police-a6987206.html And there's the link. Mine's a pint of Wye Valley, Dilligaf!

I think this guy was identified as a chap brought here from North America and dumped, because we have state provided care as opposed to across the pond. Someone was arrested, I think, too. It was all on the news, Dilligaf. You must've been on holiday that week, Buddy.

Well, you've got to hand it to them, Clarkester. At least they didn't turn it into the biggest free car park for the city shoppers in history. I mean: why pay for Merton Meadow or Station Approach when you could park at the Hospital for free? Solution: 1. Ticket issued at entry. 2. Validated at ward at beginning of visit. 3. Validated at ward upon end of visit. 4. Free to get out if you remove your car within 20 mins, for example. That'd sort out the genuine from the free-loaders surely? Thoughts please...

http://m.herefordtimes.com/news/14750804.Memorial_service_for_murdered_policeman/

Picked this up off Tracy's Facebook Page: "Went out last night on patrol with West Mercia Police Officers in Hereford. Part of my role as a County Councillor is being a representative on the Licensing and Regulatory Committee so I saw first hand some of the checks carried out by licensed premises staff, met Street Pastors who do an amazing job tending to vulnerable people, to ensure they are safe and looked after and seeing how Hereford night time economy operates. Also, did some taxi enforcement and went out with a police officer in an unmarked and very fast vehicle. It has to be said the officer was a hell of a good driver !! As well as explaining to me what she was doing and why, she dealt with members of the public very professionally and courteously, even in sometimes difficult situations. She gave me a real insight into the workings of the police on a Friday and Saturday night it a city centre! I also met lots of licensees, door staff and members of the public. The door staff were very good, explained issues and answered the numerous questions I asked of them, all with a smile on their face! They all agreed the city has been transformed in an evening and is completely different to how it operated just a few years ago. I have to say it was a very worthwhile exercise and I think all councillors, especially those in licensing should go out there and see how things really work. Last night was memorable for lots of reasons and I hope I have a little more understanding of how the city and the people working in it operate." Nice work, Tracy.

Glad it worked out okay in the end, Dilligaf. If only the officer(s) had given a decent explanation at the time, then you wouldn't have been caused this stress.

Well, I for one hope that Dan and his team continue to provide Hereford with its principal night spot without interference from corporate blue-sky thinkers. If it ain't broke, then don't fix it. Dan has been instrumental in Herefordshire Against Night-time Disorder, along with Paul Neades winning a National Award, and his Hereford BID is doing some great stuff for the City Centre. Play has withstood the ravages of the recent economic depression which has seen two or three other Nightclubs go to the wall or reinvent themselves. And both Dan and Paul are regular posters on this site too... Yes, a facelift would be nice, but I just hope Deltic leave well alone and recognise that Play in its current format suits Hereford very well.

Unless I'm missing something, you don't seem to see the local street drinkers hanging out on the Plinth when the Panamanian Panpipers are giving it a go...

Further to my last, the latest tweet from the @southsidecops regarding this bike is "Thank you for all the retweets... The bike has been reunited with a very grateful owner #teamwork". Looks like you won't have to compromise your integrity, Bobby, by helping return some stolen property to the rightful owner. Phew...

I believe that the local Police have been very successful in reuniting a lot of disappointed ex-bike owners with their former velocipedes. No doubt this is another, which they don't want to hand back to a suspected thief.

In fairness, it is used to good effect - especially where the incursion is onto private land and the incursion is passively resisted by a landowner who is PRESENT. Where is gets tardy is where it's publicly owned land - like a Council car park - and all those Human Rights, Welfare & Education issues kick in. This is the bit that causes frustration - no Council Officer presence at scene, other than Cllr Chris Chappell or similar with the bottle to knock on a few doors to discuss the mess etc.

In fairness, it is used to good effect - especially where the incursion is onto private land and the incursion is passively resisted by a landowner who is PRESENT. Where is gets tardy is where it's publicly owned land - like a Council car park - and all those Human Rights, Welfare & Education issues kick in. This is the bit that causes frustration - no Council Officer presence at scene, other than Cllr Chris Chappell or similar with the bottle to knock on a few doors to discuss the mess etc.

Section 61 - 62 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. Believe it's well known and well used by your former colleagues, for travellers and raves, ever since. Just saying...

By law, the police have the power to direct you to leave and remove your vehicles if: there are two or more people trespassing on the land the landowner has taken reasonable steps to ask you to leave When the landowner is the council or any other public authority, it must consider your human rights and other welfare considerations such as your children's education, before it decides to ask you to leave. A senior police officer must be present, and reasonably believe that: there are six or more vehicles parked on the land, or you or another trespasser has caused damage or behaved in a threatening, abusive or insulting manner A senior police officer is someone above the rank of constable. The police can also move you on if there are two or more people trespassing on the land with one or more vehicle and there is a suitable alternative site available. The police can't move you on if you have permission to be on the land.

I think that was an Award to HAND and Bottletop for the Alcohol Diverson Scheme, and not Play. Dan Guerche is the Chair of HAND - that'll be the link...

Roger, Why don't you get in touch with your former colleagues and/or the Street Pastors to find out the answers to your rhetorical questions? My understanding is that this project is supported by Health and the WMAS. I believe that there are pre-agreed protocols and practices between the Project and there handling of inebriated & vulnerable people is all based on pre-established best practice triage principles. Who knows, they might offer to show you around their facility? If you don't want to do it, maybe this is a job for Ubique...

Yes, but if a fine follows a call regarding a genuine medical emergency, then people who are subject of a medical emergency might not get medical assistance and tragedy may ensue. Being very drunk can be a medical emergency, per se. So let's let the SPs deal with those who inadvertently get themselves into a bit of a state, who aren't drunk enough to be hospitalised or disorderly enough to be arrested. You know it makes sense...

I did mention this initiative a while back, and I think it might well be a national first for the Street Pastor movement. My understanding is that all Pastors are trained to high standard, including street triage and first aid. I don't believe they evangelise either - but just do good things, as their faith demands of them. I believe this centres around the night time crowd who get into difficulties, rather than rough sleeping street drinkers. I also understand that the pubs and clubs support the Pastors, with profits from their award winning HAND Ban re-education scheme being directed that way. If we put aside our cynicism and/or scepticism for a minute... What's not to like about good people trying to make things better?