'Ranting' ex blamed for mobile motor offences
Motorists caught driving while using their mobiles have blamed "ranting" ex-wives and over-zealous bosses, according to police in Surrey.
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Surrey: 'Intelligence sharing is critical'
Surrey Police Assistant Chief Constable Jerry Kirkby says the force agrees with and accepts HMIC conclusions that there are a number of learning points to come out of the Savile case.
"The HMIC review is clear that intelligence sharing between forces was critical to the eventual outcome of allegations made against Savile in his lifetime.
"I welcome their acknowledgement that in 2007 victims were taken seriously by Surrey Police and allegations were recorded correctly, but our investigators were unable to benefit from knowledge of any previous allegations made elsewhere in the country despite conducting national intelligence checks.
"The review concludes that, had Surrey investigators been made aware of these previous reports, our investigation would have been scaled up accordingly. One of the key issues was the decision not to share accounts between victims.
"Whilst the HMIC agree this was initially done correctly in order to avoid any suggestion of collusion between victims, the force accepts it should have been reviewed at a later stage and balanced against the confidence of victims to support the legal process.
"As the Director of Public Prosecutions has previously acknowledged, the officers working on this case were experienced and committed individuals who acted in good faith.
"We therefore support his recent announcement that the approach to victim credibility in the Criminal Justice System is flawed and the current national guidelines must be replaced.
"Surrey Police has already instigated its own programme of work to improve victim and witness care in historic sexual assault cases.
"As part of this, the Chief Constable has requested the College of Policing conduct a peer review looking at how victims and witnesses are supported to ensure we are taking the right approach going forward."
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Has anyone seen Tonie?
Surrey Police is growing concerned for the welfare of a teenage girl from Horley who has been missing since the weekend.
Tonie Cox, 15, was last seen in Horley Town at around 7pm on Saturday, 29 December and has not been in touch with family, friends or police since - despite repeated requests to make contact.
Tonie is described as white, 5ft 10ins tall, with mousy blonde shoulder length hair and was last seen wearing a blue Nike hooded top, blue jeans and a black and white scarf.
She has gone missing previously but has either returned home or made contact with friends or family a short time later.
Police are urging Tonie to make contact with them so they can ensure that she is safe and well.
Officers from Surrey Police's Missing Persons Unit are carrying out extensive enquiries to try and locate Tonie and are appealing for assistance from members of the public to trace her.
Surrey officers have been working with Sussex Police and Metropolitan Police colleagues to search areas including Hastings and St Leonards in East Sussex and Hounslow in south west London, where Tonie is known to have friends and connections.
Anyone who thinks they may have seen Tonie is asked to call Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference M/12/1328, or call independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Fewer complaints made against police in the South
Fewer complaints have been made against forces in the South according to new figures released by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
- Dorset Police received 363 complaints in 2011/2012, 410 complaints were made against the force in 2010/2011, a fall of 11%.
Sussex Police received 706 complaints in 2011/2012, 745 complaints were made against the force in 2010/2011, a fall of 5%.
Surrey Police received 648 complaints in 2011/2012, 672 complaints were made against the force in 2010/2011, a fall of 4%.
- Thames Valley Police received 1,045 complaints in 2011/2012, 1,147 complaints were made against the force in 2010/2011, a fall of 9%.
Cyclists told to stay safe after rise in accidents.
Surrey police has issued a warning to cyclists after a sharp rise in the number of crashes over recent weeks.
Officers say Olympic fever, with the road race heading through the county, and the Tour de France has inspired people to get on their bikes.
*Surrey Police Superintendent Sharon Bush said: "People have been really keen to get out on their bikes thanks to the warmer weather and the excitement generated by the Olympics and the Tour de France. With that increase in number comes an increase in the number of collisions being reported. *
"We are asking for a little bit of courtesy from drivers and for them to be mindful of other road users. Likewise, we are appealing to cyclists to be visible, take care at junctions and take responsibility for their own safety."**
Man charged after M25 'chase'
A man has been charged after a motorist drove the wrong way round the M25 in a police car chase. Surrey Police said Christopher Jones, 26, of Rhyl, Denbighshire, has been charged with dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen, driving without insurance and breach of bail conditions.
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Car drives wrong way round M25
Police would like witnesses to come forward after a driver drove the wrong way down a slip road and onto the M25.
The black Vauxhall Astra joined the motorway at junction six at Godstone and then continued driving the opposite way to the traffic in the early hours of this morning.
The vehicle was eventually brought to a halt by police on the M26 in Kent. The police car suffered minor damage.
Two men, aged in their 20s, were arrested on suspicion failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, theft of a motor vehicle and possession of a class B drug with intent to supply.
Police are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the Vauxhall driving on the either the A22 or M25 to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to call Surrey Police on the non-emergency 101 number quoting reference TD/12/2410.
Police plea hearing adjourned
A former police detective charged with murdering his partner whose body was found dumped in woodland has appeared in court today.
Peter Foster, 35, is accused of killing Detective Constable Heather Cooper, 33, at their home in West Street, Haslemere, Surrey.
The body of Miss Cooper, a mother-of-two, was found by police in Blackdown Woods near Lurgashall, West Sussex, in October last year.
A post-mortem examination found she died from a blow to the head and a stab wound to the throat.
Miss Cooper, who worked in the Public Protection Investigation Unit based at Guildford Police Station, was on maternity leave at the time of her death. Her family described her as a "wonderful mother" who "lived life to the full".
The case was adjourned until April 30th.
Charterhouse pupil arrested over pornography allegations
A pupil at the Charterhouse School in Godalming in Surrey has been arrested over child pornography allegations. Charterhouse is one of Britain's top public schools. It is believed his computer and other materials were taken away. The 16-year-old boy has since been released on bail.
– Surrey Police"A 16-year-old boy was arrested in Godalming on March 22 on suspicion of making indecent images of a child. Following interview he has been released on police bail."
– Charterhouse School spokeswoman"Charterhouse confirms that a pupil has been questioned by the police about material alleged to have been found on a computer."
Surrey Police find body after explosion
Body found following explosion in Guildford. Investigation continues. http://t.co/cCW65739
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