UK Crime

DNA database blunder 'could have resulted in 200 crimes'

Published: 18 May 2007

John Reid faced a furious reaction last night after he belatedly admitted that nearly 200 serious crimes could have been committed because Home Office forensic scientists left 26,000 samples off the national DNA database.

New crime agency seizes 75 tonnes of drugs

Published: 18 May 2007

The new "British FBI" has seized nearly 75 tonnes of cocaine and heroin in its first year, it was revealed today.

IT engineer extradited to Italy over Mafia killing of aristocrat

Published: 18 May 2007

Enrico Mariotti, an IT engineer living quietly in a West Sussex suburb, said goodbye to his family yesterday and boarded a plane for his native Italy, with no expectation that he will ever see Britain or be a free man again. Mr Mariotti, who is 66 and has four grandchildren, says he is the victim of a miscarriage of justice who has been sucked into a sensational tale of kidnapping, murder, the Cosa Nostra and Fascists.

Home Office failures blamed for 200 undetected crimes

Published: 17 May 2007

Nearly 200 crimes went undetected for up to 11 years because of failures by Home Office forensic experts, it was revealed today.

Mauled girl's uncle jailed for owning dangerous dog

Published: 16 May 2007

The uncle of a five-year-old girl killed by a pit bull terrier was jailed for eight weeks today for owning the illegal dog.

Mourinho arrested in row over pet dog

Published: 16 May 2007

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has been arrested and cautioned after an argument with police over his pet dog.

Lawyer for bomber's widow condemns police

Published: 16 May 2007

The solicitor of a woman released without charge after being arrested in connection with the July 7 bombings has condemned police for her treatment.

Man shot dead by police

Published: 16 May 2007

A man died after being shot by police, Scotland Yard said today. The man, in his 50s, was shot by firearms officers at 10.25pm yesterday in Hanger Green in Ealing, west London.

Two held over schoolboy's shooting

Published: 15 May 2007

Two men were arrested today over the murder of a 15-year-old boy who was shot dead in his bedroom.

Targets 'force police to make ludicrous arrests'

Published: 15 May 2007

Frontline police called on the Government today to reverse the target-driven culture that has forced them to make "ludicrous" decisions such as arresting a child for throwing cream buns.

Teenager stabbed to death in Newcastle

Published: 15 May 2007

A youth was under arrest on suspicion of murder today after a teenager was stabbed to death, police said.

Tarrant arrested 'for throwing cutlery at diner in curry house'

Published: 15 May 2007

Chris Tarrant was arrested late on Sunday after a diner at a curry house accused the television presenter of throwing cutlery at him.

One night in the court cells costs as much as a Ritz suite

Published: 14 May 2007

Prisoners are being held in court cells that cost more per night than a suite at the Ritz it emerged as ministers were accused of an "absurd waste of money".

Tarrant questioned over assault

Published: 14 May 2007

TV star Chris Tarrant has been arrested on suspicion of assault at a restaurant.

Police issue picture of murdered pregnant teenager

Published: 14 May 2007

Police yesterday released a picture of a teenage mother-to-be who was murdered in her own home in a "violent" knife attack.

Refugee stabbed to death in land he thought was safe

Published: 12 May 2007

For eight years Mohamed Ali Maslah struggled to make ends meet. He had trained as a bus driver and taken a string of odd jobs to try to support his family.

Police 'escape justice' in Menezes death inquiry

Published: 12 May 2007

Eleven police officers involved in the shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, the Brazilian electrician shot after being mistaken for a terrorist, will not face any disciplinary action.

Shorter sentences planned to ease jail overcrowding

Published: 10 May 2007

Burglars and shoplifters would receive shorter jail sentences or avoid custody altogether, while offenders who breach their parole would be treated more leniently under moves to tackle the prison overcrowding crisis.

Widow of London bomber held in anti-terror raids

Published: 10 May 2007

The widow of Mohammed Sidique Khan - the ringleader of the July 7 suicide bombers - and her brother were among four people arrested yesterday in an anti-terrorist investigation.