Britain to widen curfew powers
AFP British Home Secretary Theresa May. London – Britain is to consider the extension of curfew powers to prevent a repeat of the large-scale rioting, arson and looting that shook London and other major cities last week, Home Secretary Theresa May said Tuesday. “It’s clear to me that, as long as we tolerate the kind of anti-social behaviour that takes place every day up and down the country, we will continue to see high levels of crime, a lack of respect for private property, and a contempt for community life,” said May. In a speech on police reform in London, she also sought to calm growing tensions between the police and politicians by ruling out categorically the possibility of a non-British officer becoming the new head of Scotland Yard, London’s embattled police force. The head of London’s Metropolitan Police (Met) had a “unique policing role in relation to national security, and that is why the post has always been held by a British citizen,” May said. She was making the remark in connection with a heated debate about government plans to consult Bill Bratton, the former US “supercop” renowned for this zero-tolerance tactics in New York and other US cities, on the issue of curbing crime fanned by urban gangs. “Of course, as you know, we always seek advice from abroad – and, as you know, Bill Bratton is going to be providing advice, as others will be, on gang crime,” said May. “But I would also say this. I absolutely believe that we will be able to find from amongst our own ranks the sort of tough crime fighter, equipped to lead the Metropolitan Police and drive down crime in our capital.” May said the wanted to give police the tools required to tackle future disturbances under new guidelines to be worked out. “Under existing laws, there is no power to impose a general curfew in a particular area,” said May. Additionally, there were only limited powers to impose a curfew on someone aged below 16. “These are the sort of changes we need to consider,” said the Home Secretary. The police needed to have the legal powers to take “robust action” against criminals. They …
Cameron vows to fix ‘broken society’
Prime Minister David Cameron said on Monday his government would mend Britain’s “broken society” to prevent a repeat of the country’s worst riots in decades. London – Prime Minister David Cameron said on Monday his government would mend Britain’s “broken society” to prevent a repeat of the country’s worst riots in decades. More than 2 800 people have been arrested since a protest over the fatal shooting of a suspect by police prompted rioting and looting in the poor north London area of Tottenham, which spread across the capital and sparked violence in other English cities. Cameron, who returned from holiday in Italy last week at the height of the unrest, is seeking to tap into widespread public anger over the protests, which occurred 15 months after he took office at the head of a cost-cutting coalition. “This has been a wake-up call for our country. Social problems that have been festering for decades have exploded in our face,” Cameron, leader of the centre-right Conservatives, will say in a speech on Monday. “Now, just as people wanted criminals robustly confronted on our street, so they want to see these problems taken on and defeated. Our security fightback must be matched by a social fightback,” he will say, according to advance extracts of his speech. The stakes are high for Cameron. Any repeat of last week’s lawlessness, in which shops were smashed up and set on fire and five people were killed, will sap public confidence in his government. However, analysts say Cameron, a slick former public relations executive, could benefit politically if he provides the tough law and order response some voters are seeking. Cameron has responded to the crisis by taking a hardline stance and his speech on Monday will refer to the dangers of indiscipline in schools and family breakdown, succour to traditional Conservatives who feel their young leader is too liberal on social issues. Cameron, 44, and his centre-left Liberal Democrat coalition partners will review their programme over the coming weeks, looking at issues like welfare and addiction to ensure that stronger communities can be built. But the prime minister has ruled out easing spending cuts which some left-wing critics say are fuelling tensions in Britain’s cities, where the gap between rich and poor is gaping. Cameron believes that jittery financial markets will take fright at the first sign of backtracking on plans to erase by 2015 a…
Rebels say Gaddafi halts oil, Libya blames Britain (Reuters)
Reuters – Libya accused Britain of damaging an oil pipeline in an air strike, hours after rebels said government attacks had halted production of oil they hope to sell to finance their uprising.
Royal finances: Will Kate be signing a prenup? (AP)
AP – British divorce lawyers have words of warning for Prince William: Not all fairy tales have happy endings.
London boot camp held for pint-size ‘princesses’ (AP)
AP – With Britain’s royal wedding around the corner, wannabe princesses gathered Saturday at a posh London hotel for a crash course on how to curtsy, what to say to the queen and how keep pesky crumbs off their lips when eating finger sandwiches.
Rioters battle UK police after anti-cuts rally (Reuters)
Reuters – Black-clad, masked youths battled riot police and attacked banks and luxury stores in central London on Saturday, overshadowing a protest by more than a quarter of a million Britons against government spending cuts.
Britain, France ready Libya no-fly zone resolution (AFP)
AFP – A British-French resolution demanding a no-fly zone over Libya could go before the UN Security Council as early as this week, diplomats said Monday.
British prince pilloried over pedophile friend (Reuters)
Reuters – The royal family is supposed to burnish Britain’s image, but Prince Andrew has generated quite a different buzz by consorting with a convicted U.S. pedophile and having contacts with the Libyan leader’s son.
Changing Time in Britain?
LONDON – Tourism officials say Britain should permanently wind its clocks forward by one hour, bringing lighter evenings to woo more vacationers to the U.K. The idea, repeatedly rejected in the past, will be included among a raft of proposals to bolster the country’s tourist industry. Prime Minister David Cameron’s office said Monday the plan would see Britain abandon Greenwich Mean Time, and fall into line with neighboring France. Lawmakers have long opposed the idea, because it would create long, gloomy mornings across much of Scotland and northern England. Some official claim sunrise in Scotland could come as late as 10 a.m. under the switch. Britain’s culture ministry acknowledges the proposal would only progress if the entire country gave its support. (Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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