Today Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable, Chris Eyre will sign the British Sign Language (BSL) Charter at the Nottinghamshire Deaf Society.

The charter will strengthen the Force’s capacity to eliminate unlawful discrimination against deaf people whether direct discrimination or indirect discrimination.

Signing the charter will also help the Force advance equality of opportunity and build good relations with the deaf community, empowering the local deaf community and increasing awareness of deaf and British Sign Language (BSL) issues.

This afternoon, members of the deaf community and chairman of the British Deaf Association will witness the signing of the Charter which sets out five pledges to improve access and rights for Deaf people.

There are five pledges that make up the Charter of which the force will sign the three most relevant pledges to the service that it provides:

• Ensure access for deaf people to information and services
• Ensure staff working with Deaf people can communicate effectively in British Sign Language
• Consult with our local Deaf community on a regular basis

Nottinghamshire Police Chief Constable, Chris Eyre said: “At Nottinghamshire Police we are committed to equality of opportunity, treatment and behaviour, and we will continue to build relationships with the deaf community in Nottinghamshire.

"We hope by signing the Charter, this will show further our commitment to support the Deaf community and improve our services to ensure access for Deaf and BSL users.”

Chairman of the British Deaf Association, Dr Terry Riley OBE said: “By signing the BDA BSL Charter, along with this evenings consultation forum, you will ensure that the conflicts and concerns between the police and the deaf community are addressed a true consultation and partnership.”

Signing the British Sign Language Charter will also strengthen the work the Force is doing to improve access to services for people with any physical disability, learning disability or other vulnerability.

Nationally, Nottinghamshire holds the lead for access.

Superintendent Paul Burrows from Nottinghamshire Police, the national lead for access, said: “We hope to build upon the best practice shown in other forces and in Nottinghamshire to improve accessibility across the board and to adapt our services accordingly.

"If you have any feedback on how we can adapt our services to be better for your friends or family, please email website@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk"

How to contact Nottinghamshire Police

If you are deaf, hard or hearing or speech impaired, you can contact Nottinghamshire Police by:

Pegasus

Pegasus is a PIN number database that helps people with disabilities or other vulnerabilities to contact the Police.

To use this service you must register, when you register you will receive a PIN number. This unique number enables the Police to identify you quickly should you need to call us. You can also show your PIN to a member of the Police should you need assistance in person.

Register online via the Pegasus pages of the Nottinghamshire Police website at www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/pegasus

Emergency SMS

In an emergency, you can contact the Police with a text message.

To register for the service, text ‘register’ to 999 and follow the instructions you are sent or visit the emergency SMS pages of the Nottinghamshire Police website at www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/emergencySMS for more information.

Do you recognise the man in this striking image?

Officers believe this may be the face of an unidentified man found dead in a caravan near the Nottinghamshire/Lincolnshire border.

The body of the man, believed to be no older than 50, was discovered 12 months ago on 13 March 2014 by a member of the public who discovered him in a static caravan on derelict land off Gringley Road, Beckingham.

A post-mortem examination found the man had died up to six months before the discovery of his body.

Detectives do not currently suspect foul play in the man’s death – there were no obvious signs of injury - but have been working over the past year to try to identify him. Finger print and DNA checks have come up empty; the man has no identifying marks such as tattoos or piercings and had no belongings on him including no phone and no wallet.

Detective Inspector Ash Wilson of Nottinghamshire Police said:  “We are still treating the death as unexplained and, at this stage, we do not believe there has been any foul play. We think he may have entered the caravan for shelter and subsequently died there.

“Our main goal is to identify this man and reunite him with his family

“He may not be from the area. He may have travelled here from Eastern Europe to work but somewhere there is a mother missing a son, a wife missing a husband or a child missing a father.

“We are desperate to get him back to his family and believe the public hold the key.”

Twelve months on from the discovery of the body, officers have released this forensic artist’s impression of what the man may have looked like in the hope someone will recognise him and come forward.

Detective Inspector Ash Wilson said: “The image is excellent and, while we are not saying it will be a 100 per cent likeness, we do suspect this is what he may have looked like.

“We’re hoping someone, somewhere is going to see this image and get a spark or recognition. If they do, they should call us today on 101.”

The man is described as around 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins tall, of medium to slim build and he had collar-length dark wavy hair. His ethnicity is unclear.

He has no discerning marks on his body — no tattoos or piercings — and there were no obvious signs of injury.

He was dressed in a grey Slazenger round collared t-shirt under a blue Umbro zipped tracksuit top. Over this was a blue Levi denim jacket. He was also wearing blue BugJo jeans and white Slazenger trainers.

If you know who the man is or have any information contact police on 101, quoting incident 286 of 13 March 2014, or call Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111.

A new advice page will offer guidance and support for young people, parents, teachers and carers.

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a form of child abuse where children and
young people are forced or manipulated into sexual activity.

The abuser may groom the young person into trusting them – this can be done
face-to-face or online – and they then exploit this trust for their own gain.
Child sexual exploitation can take many forms and victims and perpetrators can
be from any social or ethnic background.

The page provides example signs to spot and
tips for keeping safe online. Click here to visit the page.

Could you help young men and women to fulfill their potential?

Inspiring and guiding police cadets towards a successful future - potentially as Specials, PCs, PCSOs and Police Support Volunteers - is a hugely rewarding activity.

Whether you are retired or in full or part-time work, you’ll have valuable skills and experience that will help cadets prepare for their future careers.

What's involved?

As a cadet leader, you’ll be part of a team that works with cadets based throughout Nottinghamshire.

Cadets meet one evening a week to gain insight into the various departments within the force, learn a range of skills and take part in community and sports activities.

They also volunteer for four hours a month to assist the police in attending public events, delivering crime prevention advice and general public engagement initiatives.

What does a cadet leader do?

Principle Base Leader

As the principle base leader, you will be responsible for:

• Maintaining order and discipline on your base.
• Allocating key duties to other leaders.
• Upholding health and safety regulations.
• Attending meetings on behalf of your base.
• Supporting cadets in future recruitment opportunities; and
• Ensuring cadets are aware of all volunteering opportunities.

Base Leader

As a base leader, you will be responsible for:

• Assisting the principle leader to carry out their duties
• Keeping all base records correctly, which includes keeping track of correspondence, files, and updating records.
• Arranging the provision of transport for all base activities and ensuring the base complies with all Health and Safety regulations; and
• Ensuring that Risk Assessments are in place for all base activities along with other general administration duties.

Drill/Ceremonial Officer

As the Drill/Ceremonial Officer, you will be responsible for:

• Maintaining the standard of dress for cadets and leaders at your base.
• Dealing with any disciplinary matters
• Assisting the principle leader in selecting cadets for ceremonial parades to represent the police cadets and the force as a whole.

Apply now

Interested? If you would like to discuss the role informally please contact us on 0115 967 2429 or email police.cadets@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk

To apply please download, complete and return the application form to the above email address.

All applicants will be subject to the Force Vetting Policy.

Nottinghamshire Police is committed to the principles of Equality, Fairness and Diversity, and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Downloads

Public, private and voluntary sector organisations in Nottinghamshire are coming together to make a united stand against all forms of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and launch a new initiative against hate crime.

Partners including the County Council, City Council, Police, Fire and Rescue, East Midlands Ambulance Service and the Police and Crime Commissioner will raise the Rainbow Flag at a ceremony at County Hall, West Bridgford on Monday 11 May (11.10am).

The ceremony will launch a series of events across the county and the city on the run up to the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on 17 May. Over 100 Rainbow flags being raised at locations across the county, including at all district and borough council offices, both universities and a number of businesses, schools, colleges and hospitals.

The event commemorates the day in 1990 when the World Health Organisation declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder and is an annual landmark day for everyone who opposes prejudice and discrimination.

The County Council proactively promotes its services to the LGBT community, including civil partnerships and marriages through its registration service and opportunities for fostering and adoption.

Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue and Nottinghamshire County Council were all named in the top 100 gay-friendly workplaces in the UK by Stonewall this year, with the Healthcare NHS Trust ranked at number one.

Richard Townsley, Chair of the Nottinghamshire IdahoBiT Group, said: "Nottinghamshire has taken a stand against discrimination. All across Notts and Nottingham the rainbow flag will be flying high and proud thanks to the work of our local LGBT community and the support of so many organisations."

Councillor Alan Rhodes, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council said: "One of the County Council's core values is 'treating people fairly' and we passionately believe that no-one should be discriminated against for their sexual orientation or because of their gender identity.

"I am delighted that the public service providers in Nottinghamshire are coming together to make this very public statement. The Rainbow Flag is a symbol of our on-going commitment to value equality and diversity for all in the organisations and the communities we represent."

To coincide with the event, Nottinghamshire Police is launching a campaign to encourage people to report hate crime and setting up a new North Notts LGBT Independent Advisory group.

Ted Antill, the Nottinghamshire Police lead for hate crime, said: "We take all reports of hate crime extremely seriously. We work very closely with our partners and have recently appointed a dedicated hate crime manager to the force, which will be funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner.

"We want the public to know you should not tolerate hate crime, so please report every incident to us. We will listen to your concerns and work with you to stop it from happening again."

If you have experienced hate crime, or know if someone that has, call 101 or in an emergency dial 999. You can also report online at www.report-it.org.uk ."

Police and Crime Commissioner, Paddy Tipping, added: "Hate crime, in its many forms, can cause deep distress and fear. This is a disgusting crime that really impacts on the quality of people's lives and is usually driven by hostility, prejudice or hatred. It is the responsibility of all of us, not only to support and encourage people to report it, but also to challenge this poor behaviour."

Scores of events are taking place across, from scrolling messages at over 1,100 Nottingham City bus stops and the lighting up of Nottingham Castle in rainbow colours, to themed events for students at North Notts and West Notts Colleges and roadshow event at Worksop Market.

In fact Joel Bedos, Chair of the international organising committee, based in Paris believes Nottinghamshire may be the most active area in the entire country.

Mr Bedos said: "People in Nottinghamshire have been tremendously active and successful in bringing homophobia and transphobia to public attention around 17 May. It looks very much like Nottingham will be the most IDAHOT friendly place in the UK this year."

Press release issued by Nottinghamshire County Council

The largest ever survey into crime and antisocial behaviour (ASB) in rural areas has been launched in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to find out how the police can better serve rural communities.

The survey, launched by the National Rural Crime Network (NRCN), is calling for people who work or live in rural areas to come forward and give their views on policing in their community, the impact crime and ASB has on  them and their neighbours and to ultimately help shape the future of crime prevention and rural policing.

 Anyone living or working in rural areas is being encouraged to take part in the survey to help build a picture of what is a widespread but often misunderstood issue.  You don’t need to have been a victim of crime to have a view on how the police work.  You may be concerned about police visibility or response, see incidents that go unreported, or you may have a local officer who is engaged and proactive.

Against a backdrop of policing budget reductions and a growing focus on higher crime areas, the new survey will assess how crime and ASB, as well as the threat of potential crime, affects individuals, both financially and emotionally. It will also shed light on the human implications of crime and the fear of crime seeking to explore the impact not just on individual victims, but also communities as a whole.

Any crime that happens in an urban area can, and does, happen in rural areas too, and how policing is delivered affects everyone living and working there.  Traditional farm-related incidents such as fuel theft and sheep rustling make up just one part of the problem; we need to understand all the other issues that affect people in our remoter areas, as well as in market towns, villages and the countryside more generally.  

Nottinghamshire Rural Crime lead DCI Caroline Racher said: “We recognise that crime committed in rural communities can have a significant impact on victims.

"Rural crime is not just confined to agricultural thefts but encompasses a range of offences, from house burglaries to crimes against wildlife, and heritage sites,  we want to make sure our rural communities are getting the service they need.“We are supporting the National Rural Crime Network Survey, and I would encourage anyone who lives or works in a rural area to take part, this is your chance to have your say”

The survey will be open until Wednesday 24 June. Click here to complete the survey.

For more information on the NRCN visit: www.nationalruralcrimenetwork.net

Could you help young men and women to fulfill their potential?

Inspiring and guiding police cadets towards a successful future - potentially as Specials, PCs, PCSOs and Police Support Volunteers - is a hugely rewarding activity.

Whether you are retired or in full or part-time work, you’ll have valuable skills and experience that will help cadets prepare for their future careers.

What's involved?

As a cadet leader, you’ll be part of a team that works with cadets based throughout Nottinghamshire.

Cadets meet one evening a week to gain insight into the various departments within the force, learn a range of skills and take part in community and sports activities.

They also volunteer for four hours a month to assist the police in attending public events, delivering crime prevention advice and general public engagement initiatives.

What does a cadet leader do?

Principle Base Leader

As the principle base leader, you will be responsible for:

• Maintaining order and discipline on your base.
• Allocating key duties to other leaders.
• Upholding health and safety regulations.
• Attending meetings on behalf of your base.
• Supporting cadets in future recruitment opportunities; and
• Ensuring cadets are aware of all volunteering opportunities.

Base Leader

As a base leader, you will be responsible for:

• Assisting the principle leader to carry out their duties
• Keeping all base records correctly, which includes keeping track of correspondence, files, and updating records.
• Arranging the provision of transport for all base activities and ensuring the base complies with all Health and Safety regulations; and
• Ensuring that Risk Assessments are in place for all base activities along with other general administration duties.

Drill/Ceremonial Officer

As the Drill/Ceremonial Officer, you will be responsible for:

• Maintaining the standard of dress for cadets and leaders at your base.
• Dealing with any disciplinary matters
• Assisting the principle leader in selecting cadets for ceremonial parades to represent the police cadets and the force as a whole.

Apply now

Interested? If you would like to discuss the role informally please contact us on 0115 967 2429 or email police.cadets@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk

To apply please download, complete and return the application form to the above email address.

All applicants will be subject to the Force Vetting Policy.

Nottinghamshire Police is committed to the principles of Equality, Fairness and Diversity, and we welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Downloads

Nottinghamshire Police is today releasing the mug shots – and a Tinder profile picture – of six men sought for a range of offences.

If you know thee whereabouts of any of these men please call Nottinghamshire Police today on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Detective Chief Superintendent Helen Jebb of Nottinghamshire Police said: “You’ll see that the people we need to talk to are sought in relation to some very serious matters. We believe they may have had some involvement with these offences so it is vital we trace them as soon as possible.

“We’ve already made extensive enquiries in an effort to find these people but now we are calling on the public for help.

“If you see any of the people pictured or if you have any information on their whereabouts please call Nottinghamshire Police as soon as possible on 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.” 

Henry Spencer

Have you seen Henry Spencer?

The 28-year-old is wanted in connection with an offence of grievous bodily harm against a woman on 16 November 2014.

Spencer’s last known address is Warwick Brewery, Newark, however he may now be in the Doncaster area.

If you have any information which could help us find him please call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The image of Spencer was taken from the social media/dating site Tinder. Spencer's account is in a false name.

Gareth Wrenn

Have you seen this man?

Gareth Wrenn, 22, is wanted in connection with the supply of drugs in the St Ann’s area of Nottingham.

His last known address is Winterton Rise, Bestwood Park, Nottingham.

If you see Wrenn please do not approach him. Instead contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Kashley Michael

Can you help us find 26-year-old Kashley Michael?

Michael is wanted in connection with a robbery and for failing to attend Crown Court for sentencing.

His last known address is Waldeck Road in Carrington.

If you have any information on his whereabouts please contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Justin Richard Scott

Have you seen Justin Richard Scott?

Scott, 40, is wanted in connection with an assault and an offence of criminal damage in Arnold in March of this year.

He has previously lived in Arnold but also has links to Skegness/Chapel-St-Leonards.

If you have any information on Scott’s whereabouts please contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Zaon Powell

Can you help us find wanted man Zaon Powell?

Powell, 28, is wanted in connection with a domestic robbery in Hucknall in March.

Powell’s last known address is Whitechapel Street, Whitemoor, Nottingham.

If you have any information on Powell which may help please call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Jamie Peatfield

Have you seen missing Jamie Peatfield?

Peatfield is wanted in connection with an assault and breach of his bail conditions.

He was last seen in the Retford area on 26 April 2015 and officers strongly believe he may still be in Retford.

If you have any information on his whereabouts please contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

“By knife I kill two people.”

These were the words uttered by Kamil Dantes to emergency services after he had stabbed his parents to death.

Yesterday (27 May, 2015), at Nottingham Crown Court, the 29-year-old admitted the manslaughter of Leszek Dantes and his wife Malgorzata Dantes on the grounds of diminished responsibility. He will be sentenced at a later date.

The 54-year-olds’ bodies were discovered at around 6am on Monday 21 April 2014 in the upstairs front bedroom of the family home in Hardwick Road East in Worksop.

Kamil had placed the two kitchen knives he had used in the attack at the top of the stairs, covered with a towel. One had been used with such force it had broken. He then called for an ambulance.

A Home Office post-mortem examination found the Dantes’ had died from multiple stab wounds. Each had up to thirty separate wounds, a number of which would have proved fatal.

The Dantes had moved to England from Poland in the late 1990s and worked together at a factory in Worksop.

A few years ago Leszek was diagnosed with a brain tumour. He became reliant on a wheelchair and struggled to speak. As a result he could no longer work. Malgorzata was his full-time carer.

In recent years relatives had noticed changes in Kamil’s behaviour, with him becoming more and more negative towards them. This appeared to be aggravated by reported use of steroids and cannabis.

He was detained under the Mental Health Act for two weeks in 2011 after reporting to police that his parents were dead.

Since then he had been on medication and closely monitored.

Detective Chief Inspector Leigh Sanders, who led the investigation, said: “The Dantes’ could not have seen this coming.

“Kamil subjected his parents to a frenzied, prolonged attack on that April morning without any provocation. Caught unaware, they had no time to fight back and certainly his father, who struggled to walk, had no means of escape.

“They trusted him, they supported him and this is how he repaid them.

“This incident has understandably taken its toll on their relatives, some of whom remain in Worksop. They asked that their privacy be respected to allow them the space and time to process what has happened to their family and find a way to continue on with their lives without them.”

If you suspect someone may pose a threat to themselves or others call the 24-hour confidential SMaRT mental health helpline on 0800 561 0072. In an emergency call 999.

Officers searching for missing 13-year-old Amber Peat from Mansfield are renewing their appeal and sharing a new image in their attempts to find her.

Amber went missing from her home in Bosworth Street in Mansfield at around 5.30pm on Saturday (30 May, 2015).

Officers are carrying out searches in the local area and believe there is every chance she is still in the Mansfield area.

Amber Peat is described as white with long dark brown hair. She is around 4 ft tall and of a petite build with brown eyes and a tiny scar above her lip. She was last seen wearing a black Puma zip up top, purple trainers and blue jeans.

Missing Persons Coordinator Kirsty Gittings said: “If you know where Amber is or have any information please call us on 101, quoting incident 56 of 31 May.

“Amber, if you are reading this appeal please get in touch with us or your parents. They are very worried about you.”

If you have any information on Amber’s whereabouts please call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

This week the force is supporting National Volunteers week 1 – 7 June.

National Volunteers week was established in 1984 and seeks to commend the commitment and contribution made by volunteers in all areas of the UK. Organised by the National Council of Voluntary Organisations NCVO, the annual campaign is an opportunity for charities, community groups and organisations to thank their volunteers for the contribution they make as well as showcase opportunities available for people to get involved.

We are taking this opportunity to recognise the hard work and efforts of our 599 volunteers across the force from Cadets to Special Constables. National Volunteer’s week is the perfect opportunity for the force to recognise volunteers who give their time, energy and enthusiasm to policing, and to say thank you.

ACC Simon Torr, Operational Policing lead said: “During Volunteers Week I would like to take the opportunity to say thank you, to each and every one of our volunteers. Volunteers play a huge part within the Force and they have become an integral part of the policing family – their efforts do not go unnoticed. They commit their time and energy into providing additional support to our staff and officers. I am very grateful for their hard work and efforts.

Volunteers Week is the perfect opportunity to give our volunteers the recognition they rightly deserve.”

Chief Inspector Richard Stapleford, Nottinghamshire Police ‘Citizens in Policing’ Department said: “I would like to thank all of our Cadets, Specials and Police Support Volunteers for the invaluable work that they undertake for Nottinghamshire Police. They are an integral part of the force and they enable us to enhance the service we deliver to people and communities.”

Our volunteers are people who have committed their personal time to provide additional support to our staff and officers and continually add value to the service we provide to the public.

Volunteering is a way to give something back. It is also an opportunity for volunteers to benefit from new experiences, to challenge themselves and gain new skills.

Mel Romane, 69, a Police Support Volunteer said: “I started as a Volunteer with the police three years ago and now currently volunteer at the Bridewell Custody suite where I work with victims and witnesses of crime to help them through the experience of having to go through court.

“I applied for this role as I really enjoyed helping others and making them feel better about what they were experiencing. This role is of paramount importance to me as I find the work of the Police fascinating and I get to help people.”

For more information or if you are interested in volunteering please visit: http://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/volunteer or http://www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/job-advert/cadet-leader

The trusted aunt and grandmother of a seven-year-old girl have been convicted of cruelty towards her.

Shanay Walker was found dead in her home in Beckhampton Road, Bestwood, on Thursday 31 July 2014.

On Thursday 4 June 2015, following an eight week trial at Nottingham Crown Court, Kay-Ann Morris, Shanay’s paternal aunt and guardian, was found guilty of cruelty towards her. The 24-year-old of Beckhampton Road was acquitted of her murder.

Juanila Smikle, her paternal grandmother, was also found guilty of cruelty towards Shanay and three other youngsters. The 54-year-old of Easegill Court was acquitted of cruelty towards a fifth child.

During the trial, Morris did not give evidence but flatly refused the charge, and had claimed to police Shanay had accidentally fallen downstairs and had been okay.When she went to check on her later, she could not wake her.

The court heard that the investigation into Shanay’s death uncovered a disturbing history of abuse carried out by both Morris and Smikle.On the evening of the murder the court heard that Shanay had been with her grandmother in Top Valley when she had run away from her care at about 8.30pm.Shanay was captured on CCTV running into a convenience store before being found and taken home.

At about 1am Morris collected Shanay and made her way home. Once at home she had several phone conversations with her mother which resulted in Smikle hailing a taxi to Beckhampton road at about 2.49am. Smikle stayed in the house for several minutes before returning home.

From about 3am Morris sent a number of messages to family members. To her twin sister Kerry-Ann Morris, who was in Germany, she wrote: ‘sis I'm sorry I'm in shock right now thinking how it could happen but it's the devils work. Shanay is no longer n so is the rest of my life’.Upon receiving the message Kerry-Ann rang her sister and subsequently alerted the police.

The court heard Morris’ guardianship of Shanay had been very strict. She regularly punished her to the extent that her school made several referrals to social services. Each time Morris had a response for the injuries Shanay had sustained.

Witness evidence also revealed Morris regularly hit Shanay with a hair brush or shoe, force fed her food she didn’t like or dragged her along the floor.Smikle behaved in a similar manner towards Shanay and other youngsters. Slapping, beatings, ice baths and physical assaults were common forms of punishment.

Sentencing

Following conviction Morris was sentenced to 8-years in prison while Smikle was jailed for four years.

Upon sentencing Morris the judge Mr Justice McDuff said: “Your ill treatment of that little girl was frequent and wicked and lasted over the two years. You hit her, you taunted her and you abused her in unimaginable ways.

“This whole series of events culminated on the night of 30-31st July when Shanay died. I will be loyal to the jury’s verdict. Maybe you were not responsible for the fatal head injury but whatever its cause I am wholly satisfied that you beat Shanay over and over shortly before she died.

I reach that conclusion because of the overwhelming evidence to that effect.”

Police comment

Detective Superintendent Rob Griffin, who led the investigation, said: “Shanay was abused by family members who had been put in a position of trust.“In her short life Shanay had known several homes but ultimately granted guardianship under her father’s sister. Despite showing every sign of this being a good match Morris was cruel and abusive. There was no respite when Shanay visited her grandmother’s house and the same cruel abuse was carried out – encouraging her to run away on the night of her death.

“For the emergency service workers who were first on scene to find Shanay’s body this will remain one of the most harrowing cases they have dealt with.

“I’d like to thank them for their professionalism as well as the work of my detectives, the witnesses who gave evidence and the Crown Prosecution Service.

“This has been a very complex case and I think the jury have had a very difficult job to do. They have had to listen to an enormous volume of evidence, some of it complex, some of it upsetting and I respect entirely the verdict they have returned.

“I am disappointed for the family because ordinarily the end of proceedings like this generally represents closure for them and this helps enormously with the grieving process. That has not been the case for them here.“As always our thoughts are with Shanay’s biological parents and those who knew and loved her.”

Family comment

“My beautiful daughter Shanay was entrusted to the care of family members who I believed would love and look after her.

“Instead she was the victim of ongoing abuse and tragedy and her life was cut short before she could become the lovely woman I know she would have grown up into.

“Juanila Smikle and Kay Ann Morris have shown little remorse for their actions. It hurts and sickens me to know of the pain Shanay would have been in.  

“I have lost my daughter and my other daughters have been denied the chance to get to know their sister. 

"We will miss Shanay’s cuddles, her singing and dancing to Mary Poppins and our mother and daughter day trips to the nail salon.

"All we have are memories and photographs. I feel like I will never be able to adjust my life to the prospect of Shanay not being around anymore. ”

A Serious Case Review (SCR) has been commenced by the Local Safeguarding Children Board to examine the interaction between the agencies involved in this case. The SCR will look at whether any opportunities were missed to better protect Shanay and whether any lessons can be learned from this tragic outcome.

An elderly woman has been left bruised and shaken after
being robbed near to her home.

The 77-year-old victim was putting her car into her garage,
in Ebury Road, at about 10.20pm on Saturday 6 June when the offender approached
her.

He grabbed her handbag, which was across her body, and
pushed her against the wall. After several minutes he managed to wrestle the tan-coloured
bag from her and fled in the direction of Sherwood Rise.

It was thought he may have been seen in the Beech Avenue
area a short time later. The victim suffered a large cut to her head as a result and
had to receive hospital treatment.

The offender is described as white and in his 20s. He has a
slim build and is about 5ft 7ins tall. He was wearing a dark hooded top. The Force has issued an e-fit of the suspect.

T/Detective Inspector Mike Allen said: “This was a nasty
attack which has left the victim extremely shaken and with some significant
cuts and bruises.

“I’d like to appeal to everyone, particularly those in the
local area, to look at the image to see if they recognise the suspect. Someone
knows this man. Perhaps you saw him flee the area or perhaps you saw him with
the handbag. Any information could help our investigation.”

“Thankfully incidents like this are relatively rare but I’d
like to remind everyone to stay vigilant, keep an eye out for their
neighbours,  and report people that are behaving unusually in your
communities.”

If anyone has information please call Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Garages and sheds are often used to store expensive power tools and garden equipment. A burglar could use these to break into your home. Never leave your garage or shed unlocked, especially if they connect to your property.

Follow the advice on this page to help secure your shed and garden.

Securing your shed

• Fit a strong hasp and padlock to your shed door. Make sure the door is strong enough to resist being kicked or pushed in. Replace standard hinges with strap hinges secured by coach bolts or use security screws on existing hinges.
• Consider fitting a battery operated shed alarm.
• Visibly mark the property you keep in your shed and garage and use anchor points to secure larger tools and equipment.
• Register your valuables on the national online property database Immobilise so that Police can reunite you with them if they are ever stolen and later recovered. Visit the Immobilise website.

For further advice on property marking visit our property marking section.

Garden security

• Your front garden should not provide cover for a burglar. Hedges or fences at the front of your home should be limited to 1 metre high.
• At the rear of your property, hedges, fences or walls should be at least 1.8 metres high. Gates leading to the rear of your property should be the same height and padlocked.
• Move ladders, tables, chairs and wheelie bins so that they cannot be used to climb on. If possible, chain and padlock them to a strong anchor point.
• Fit lighting in your garden.

For further and more detailed advice please refer to our Securing Your Shed guide.

To speak to our Crime Prevention Unit about protecting your property and reducing your chances of becoming a victim of crime, email crime.prevention@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk

A man who sexually abused two children has been jailed for 17 and a half years.

Stephen Noy, 57, was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault on a girl under 16-years-old, five counts of sexual assault on a girl under 14-years-old and two of unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl under 13-years-old, following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court, which concluded on Friday.

Today (23 June 2015) he was sentenced to 17 and a half years in prison.

Noy, formerly of Bernard Road, Edlington, South Yorkshire, targeted the girls at locations in Nottinghamshire.

The historic abuse took place over several years and he manipulated the youngsters into believing that his attacks on them were a normal part of growing up.

DS Nikki Smith who led the investigation said: “These children were coerced into keeping their silence as Noy made them think that the horrific attacks he carried out were to be expected.

“This allowed him to construct a web of secrecy in which the children felt they could not escape.

“These children, who are now adults, have been through untold psychological and emotional difficulty in their lives and it is a testament to their bravery that this man has been found guilty.

“I hope this case highlights that our officers will do everything they can to bring to justice those who commit these terrible crimes, whether it happened yesterday or decades ago.”

Detectives investigating two robberies at shops in the Mansfield area committed in the past two weeks have issued CCTV footage following a third similar offence.

The latest incident occurred at the Shell service station in Leeming Lane South at around 10.30pm on Monday (20 July).

A male, around 6ft tall and with a local accent, dressed in dark clothing and a face covering, approached the cashier and produced a knife, demanding that she hand over money to him.

Once given the cash, the offender left on foot in the direction of Mansfield.

The cashier was uninjured.

Last week, a reward of up to £1,000 was offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the offender who carried out similar robberies at the One Stop shop in Woodhouse Road at around 10.40pm on Wednesday 8 July and then at the Sainsbury’s store in Westfield Lane at around 10.30pm on Sunday 12 July.

Footage of all three incidents (973 of 20 July, 900 of 8 July and 903 of 12 July) have also been released in order to help detect those incidents.

Anyone with any information about those or the incident on Monday 20 July (incident 973) should telephone Nottinghamshire Police on 101.

Alternatively they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

At our Special Constable Awareness Events you can meet and talk to Special Constables about the job, find out how the recruitment and selection process works, how you would be vetted and the training provided.

There will also be a chance to ask questions and find out about the experiences of local Specials.

Forthcoming event

• Tuesday 18 August 2015 (7pm-) at County Hall, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, NG2 7QP

Contact information

It is advisable to book a place at all Special Constable Awareness events.

For more information and to secure your place, please contact specials.recruitment@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk or call the Volunteer team on 101 ext 810 6922 or book your place by text message by contacting 07595 008 494.

You can play a vital role in helping us to deliver and improve our service to the public by becoming a Special Constable.

Special Constables recruitment

Now recruiting

• Vacancy: Special Constable (Closes 16 September 2015)

• Vacancy: Rural Special Constable (Closes 16 September 2015)

About our Special Constables

What is a Special Constable?

Special Constables (or "Specials") are volunteer police officers with the same powers as regular officers. They work in partnership with regular officers and the wider policing family, such as Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). Specials spend a minimum of four hours a week supporting their police colleagues to tackle crime in their communities.

What do Special Constables do?

Specials take part in frontline police work. They spend most of their time on the streets, doing intelligence-based patrols in crime hotspots or taking part in crime-prevention initiatives. This could mean anything from keeping town centres safe at night to conducting house-to-house enquiries or helping prevent vulnerable members of the community from becoming victims of crime.

How many hours do Special Constables have to volunteer?

We ask that you volunteer a minimum of 16 hours a month. Most police forces expect members of their Special Constabulary to perform around four hours' duty per week (roughly 17 hours per month).

How do I apply?

Once you feel you are ready to apply and you meet all the eligibility criteria, details will be posted on this page for how to apply to become a Special Constable. Please note that becoming a Special Constable does not mean automatic entry into the regular police force.

Other useful information

• Frequently Asked Questions

• Read our step-by-step guide to what happens after you apply to be a special constable.

Special Constable awareness events

Special Constable Awareness events are for anyone interested in becoming a Special Constable. We prefer candidates to initially attend an awareness event before submitting their application form to ensure they have a full understanding of the role and its responsibilities.

For more information about upcoming events and to secure your place, visit our Special Constables Awareness Events page.

Contact information

For more information about becoming a Special Constable, please contact specials.recruitment@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.uk

Information on Nottinghamshire Police’s commitment to supporting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans* (LGBT) community in our county.

Stonewall Diversity Champions

As part of our commitment to LGBT equality, Nottinghamshire Police takes part in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, a tool we use to evaluate our initiatives to promote a better working environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans employees.

We are extremely proud to be a Stonewall Diversity Champion and promote our commitment to LGBT equality by displaying the Diversity Champion Logo and by ensuring that all police stations have a rainbow flag emblem at the point of entry, as of 10th May 2015 in preparation for the International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia on 17 May.

International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia

Nottinghamshire Police took the lead in coordinating activities for the International Day Against Homophobia Biphobia and Transphobia on 17 May 2015. The Deputy Chief Constable Sue Fish took part in the streaming event in market square and spoke about her personal and organisational commitment to LGBT equality.

The Chief Officer team is committed to making LGBT equality a reality within Nottinghamshire Police and to ensure that the services we provide address the needs and concerns of the LGBT community.

LGBT Independent Advisory Groups (IAG)

We continually encourage consultation and welcome LGBT community members in participating in our two independent advisory groups.

Supporting the LGBT community in Nottingham City.

We are Police Community Support Office Zoe Wade and Community Protection Officer Julian Best and have been working in Nottingham City for around eight years.Since the start we have been interested in working with and supporting Nottingham's LGBT community, this has been not least through our work in the city including the many initiatives and projects such as the annual high profile Pride festival, having regular meetings and contact with the community including key individuals from community groups and visits to venues, colleges and events to ensure we are giving everyone the best level of support that we can.

We are now going to be looking after this web page resource for the LGBT community right here on the Nottinghamshire Police’s main website. As well as details of how to report hate crime and how to contact directly Zoe or Julian we aim to keep it updated with event dates, advice, photos, information and current links to external support networks.

We will always be ready to offer support and guidance and are just a phone call or email away. We look forward to continuing to serve the many people and groups that we are in contact with, and going forward to meet anyone who we have yet to reach as we strive to ensure the whole community know we are here for them.

Should you have any suggestions for this page of anything you would like to see then please do get in contact:

• PCSO Zoe WadeEmail zoe.wade@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.ukMobile: 07595 074 172

• CPO Julian BestEmail: Julian.best@nottinghamshire.pnn.police.ukMobile: 07956 131854

The Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire's Statement of Accounts 2014/15.