Catch up with the latest news.
Reduction in Glasgow knife crime
Interesting figures obtained last week by the Evening Times newspaper indicate that there has been a reduction of almost 40% in knife attacks in the Glasgow area compared to last year’s figures. In the period 2012-2013 there were 903 recorded knife attacks as opposed to 1,439 in the period 2011-2012. When… Read more ...First appeal against 'whole life' tariff
A convicted murderer has become the first to appeal against his “whole life tariff” prison sentence since the European Court of Human Rights ruled that such sentences could be in breach of human rights, reports the Telegraph. The ruling, on an appeal by Jeremy Bamber, Douglas Vintner and Peter Moore, was… Read more ...Tax fraud and identity theft
Tax fraud takes many forms, as shown by a recent HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) prosecution concerning identity theft and Income Tax repayments. The case involved four members of a Southampton-based organised crime gang, who stole more than 3,000 identities in an attempt to defraud at least £2 million of… Read more ...HMRC targets VAT fraud
In the latest example of its crackdown on VAT fraud, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) last week announced the successful prosecution of a Birmingham man who had stolen £133,500 by charging his customers VAT but not passing it on to the Revenue. Christopher Prime was a director of Eurobrew, which… Read more ...Increase in stop and search in Scotland causes concern
New figures have been published that appear to show the number of stop and searches being carried out in Scotland has doubled, leading to concern from human rights groups, reports the Scotsman.The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) is believed to have asked Scotland's Chief Constable to investigate the reasons for such… Read more ...Four sentenced for £6m film tax fraud
Four members of a London based gang were sentenced last week for their roles in a £6 million VAT and film tax credits fraud.Of the four, one absconded before the trial and was convicted in his absence. The remaining three, Amit Kumar, Afsana Karim and Sanjeev Mirajkar, were convicted following… Read more ...FCA fines trader for market manipulation
For the first time the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has taken enforcement action against a High Frequency Trader, as part of its strategy to enhance the integrity of the UK’s financial markets. According to the FCA, between 6th September 2011 and 18th October 2011 US-based trader Michael Coscia used an… Read more ...Commission proposes European Public Prosecutor's Office
The European Commission has set out plans to establish a European Public Prosecutor's Office. Its exclusive task will be to investigate and prosecute and, where relevant, bring to judgement – in the Member States' courts - crimes affecting the EU budget. The European Public Prosecutor's Office will be an independent… Read more ...Whole life orders should include the possibility of review
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled this week that three British men who had been given whole life sentences had suffered a breach of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits inhuman and degrading treatment. The case concerned the three applicants’ complaint that their… Read more ...