4WardEverUK

Seven deaths in West Midlands police custody in the last 12 years

Police Cell Victimssource: Express & Star
published: 20 February 2016

Seven people have died while in police custody across the West Midlands in the last 12 years, figures have revealed. They include five men and two women arrested on suspicion of crimes ranging from driving while unfit through drink or drugs to affray.

Among them was mother-of-four Sharmila Ullah who was being held at Bloxwich Police Station in July 2014 after being arrested for shoplifting.

A coroner concluded there had been some ‘individual failings’ in regards to observations while she was in custody but he was not satisfied they had contributed to her death.

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Tippa Naphtali

Leaked report reveals scale of crisis in England’s mental health services

Mental-Health-Sadnesssource: The Guardian
published: 13 February 2016

A leaked report by a government taskforce has painted a devastating picture of England’s mental health services, revealing that the number of people killing themselves is soaring, that three-quarters of those with psychiatric conditions are not being helped, and that sick children are being sent “almost anywhere in the country” for treatment.

Details of the damning assessment have come to light just as the prime minister is planning to herald a transformation of mental health services.

The report, due to be published on Monday to coincide with an announcement by the prime minister on funding and new initiatives, lays bare a system that is routinely failing people from every walk of life.

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Larry Fedja

New book addresses controversial police powers and accountability

Police vs People source: StopWatch
published: 9 December 2015

The recently released ‘Stop and Search: the Anatomy of a Police Power’ provides a compelling and well-rounded analysis of the issues around the power that daily allows officers to invade an individual’s privacy and to intrude into people’s liberty.

Academics and renowned criminologists have contributed to the book’s eight chapters, covering issues ranging from police racism and the economic case for stop and search to counter terrorism policing.

The book launch, hosted by the LSE on 26 November, saw discussions by Emeritus Professor Robert Reiner, Chief Superintendent Victor Olisa and the book’s editors and contributors.

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