A new criminal offence for pet abduction is set to be introduced under government plans to crack down on pet theft following a sharp rise in beloved family pets being stolen during the pandemic. 

The new law will recognise the welfare of animals and that pets are valued as more than just property.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://emergency-services.news/pet-abduction-to-be-made-new-criminal-offence-in-crackdown-on-pet-thieves/

Two people from the UK have been winched to safety from their broken-down catamaran in stormy conditions 240 nautical miles southwest of Brittany in a long-range rescue coordinated by HM Coastguard. 

At around 19:00 hours yesterday evening (5th July), HM Coastguard received a distress alert from a UK-registered personal locator beacon (PLB).  

Thanks to the emergency details registered with the PLB, coastguard personnel established that the signal had come from a 45 ft catamaran with two people on board, travelling from Cape St Vincent in Spain back to the UK.  

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://emergency-services.news/hm-coastguard-operations-centre-erupts-in-cheers-after-coordinating-200nm-long-range-rescue-of-british-yacht-crew/

Outrage And Disgust After FOUR Emergency Ambulances Deliberately Targetted By Mindless Morons

Four emergency ambulance crews from the North East Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust had lucky escapes after being subjected to what is believed to have been deliberate attacks in the Sunderland area over the last week.

Each crew travelled on blue lights on their way to life-threatening incidents when objects struck their vehicles.

On Friday, 25 June, an emergency ambulance crew travelled along Chester Road in Sunderland at 1.48 pm when an object flew across the vehicle's front, narrowly missing the windscreen on the driver’s side, obliterating the wing mirror. 

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://emergency-services.news/outrage-and-disgust-after-four-emergency-ambulances-deliberately-targetted-by-mindless-morons/

A former staff member of West Midlands Police has been convicted of conspiring to supply Class B drugs while she was off duty.

35-year-old Cherelle Ying, from Birmingham, was found guilty on 25th June 2021 at Birmingham Crown Court.

Ying was sentenced to 17 months in prison, suspended for 21 months.

Ying had been employed by West Midlands Police since March 2008 and was based at Nechells police station.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://emergency-services.news/west-midlands-police-former-staff-member-convicted-of-conspiring-to-supply-class-b-drugs/

Police in Swindon have paid tribute to three-year-old Phoenix Curtis, who sadly passed away on 27th May and will be laid to rest today, 23rd June.

Phoenix was a big fan of the emergency services - the police in particular - and he would always gaze in awe whenever a police vehicle drove by on 'blue-and-twos'.

The three-year-old was born with a heart defect and, despite undergoing three rounds of open-heart surgery, tragically died on 27th May.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://emergency-services.news/police-in-swindon-pay-tribute-to-three-year-old-superfan-who-will-be-getting-a-police-escort-for-his-funeral-cortege-today/

Following an extensive investigation, the IOPC has found that officers from Greater Manchester Police who deployed a taser whilst dealing with a male on a petrol station forecourt was justified.

On 6th May 2020, officers suspected that 34-year-old Desmond 'Ziggy' Mombeyarara, who was driving a car with a five-year-old boy in the passenger seat, was intoxicated.

Police had clocked Mombeyarara speeding at 72 mph in a 30 mph zone.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://emergency-services.news/iopc-finds-that-taser-deployment-was-justified-after-partial-clip-of-forecourt-incident-went-viral/

A fly-tipper has been sentenced after his accomplice fell out of the back of a van as they tried to leave the scene of where they had just illegally dumped some rubbish.

Paminder Singh, 38, of Arthur Street, Wolverhampton, was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and was given a two-year disqualification with a requirement to pass an extended retest.

He was also given 20 days of community rehabilitation and a tagged curfew for three months from 7 am to 7 am at Stafford Crown Court yesterday, Thursday 17th June.

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://emergency-services.news/fly-tipper-sentenced-after-his-accomplice-died-during-getaway/

A 40-year-old man has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after shooting a police sergeant three times in the face.

On November 20, 2020, PS Dave Cayton responded to an incident in Neuville Way, Desborough, after a 999 call was made reporting a male at the address who was armed with various weapons.

Upon arrival at the scene, PS Cayton made his way into the address and quickly found the suspect. 

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://emergency-services.news/male-who-shot-police-officer-in-the-face-three-times-sentenced-to-11-years-in-jail/