04/03/2010

Other UK News In Brief

Blair's Memoirs

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair's long awaited autobiography will be available in shops from September, his publisher announced today. The book - entitled The Journey - will chronicle Mr Blair's time in power at Number 10. Mr Blair, who left office in 2007, said it would describe "the human as much as the political dimensions" of his life. Publishers Random House described the book as "frank, open, (and) revealing".

'Dabs' Go Mobile

It has emerged that all 43 police forces in England and Wales are to start using mobile fingerprint scanners to check the identity of suspects in the street. Up to 3,000 devices, the size of a mobile phone, will be deployed this summer, enabling officers to cross-reference people's 'dabs' with national records. The National Policing Improvement Agency has signed a three-year contract worth £9m with US firm Cogent Systems.

Fire Shed Body Not Suspicious

Detectives in Eastbourne investigating the discovery of a woman's body following a fire in a garden shed are satisfied that there are no suspicious circumstances. Det Ch Insp Trevor Bowles said: "Following close examination of the scene and the body, we are now satisfied that the fire started inside the shed and there is no indication of the involvement of a third party." Formal identification will not take place until after the post mortem scheduled for today.

Fife Boy Shot By Air Gun

Officers from Fife Constabulary are investigating the shooting of a 16-year-old boy on Monday. The incident occurred shortly before 7pm on Cardenden Road, Cardenden. The boy was injured following the reckless discharge of an air weapon, police said. Sgt Des FitzGerald said: "Thankfully this youth was not seriously injured. I would ask that anyone who has information about this crime or if you were in the area of the shops on Cardenden Road between 6.30pm and 7pm on Monday and saw anyone in possession of an air weapon, to contact Fife Constabulary."

Adams Gives Himself Up

The fugitive brother of Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has handed himself over to the authorities in the Irish Republic. Liam Adams is wanted by police in Northern Ireland over claims he sexually abused his now grown-up daughter from the age of four. He was arrested in a Dublin police station under a European arrest warrant, which was issued on Wednesday. Adams was due to appear in court in Northern Ireland in November 2008 to face 23 charges relating to the alleged abuse, but he failed to show up. Speaking after the arrest warrant was issued, a Sinn Fein spokesman said: "It is our view that this should have happened before now."

(BMcC/GK)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 April 2011
British Man Dies In Dubai Police Custody
A British man has died in police custody in Dubai. Lee Bradley Brown, 39, from east London, died on Tuesday after he was taken to a Dubai police station where he was allegedly assaulted and put into a cell. It has been reported that Mr Brown, was arrested over a row at the luxury hotel Burj Al Arab hotel.
01 April 2004
New police complaints body launched today
A new independent police complaints organisation has been launched today which is designed to "increase police and public confidence" in the accountability and integrity of the police service, the Home Office has said.
02 October 2008
Sir Ian Blair Steps Down As Met Police Commissioner
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has announced he is to resign after three years as Britain's most senior policeman. Sir Ian, who was appointed as the 24th Met Police Commissioner in February 2005, said he would be standing down on 1 December.
28 October 2004
Sir Ian Blair named as Metropolitan police commissioner
The man who will replace Sir John Stephens as the next Metropolitan police commissioner has been named today. Sir Ian Blair, 51, on Oxford graduate who has 30 years experience with the Met, served as a constable, sergeant and inspector in both uniform and CID in Central London.
06 July 2005
Downing Street defends adviser’s comments
The government’s adviser on anti-social behaviour has been supported by Downing Street, after she was recorded allegedly praising binge drinking.