Other UK News In Brief

Airport Operation Sees Crime Fall

A five-week intelligence led operation, targeting wanted offenders, thieves, road traffic offenders, taxi touts and those handling stolen goods and drugs, has taken place at Heathrow. The operation results report a 31% decrease in crime in the same five-week period versus last year. 42 people were arrested for a range of offences including, immigration, drugs, public order and minor road traffic offences. Quantities of Class A and B drugs, cash, laptops and duty free items such as perfumes, were also seized. The operation, which was run by the Heathrow Crime Squad and supported by industry partners, airlines and unions, used a wide range of tactics including searches on incoming flights, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), increased high-visibility patrols at the terminals, and terminal and cargo area searches. Chief Inspector Matt Twist, of the Heathrow Crime Squad, said: "This operation was about turning intelligence into robust police activity, and working with our key partners to gain crucial information on criminality. We will take every opportunity, however slight, to disrupt criminals at the airport, and remind them that we, and the airport community, will not tolerate their actions."

Employers Value Part-Time Study

Employers highly value graduates who gained their qualification while studying and working part time, research reveals. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU) found that around a third of employers said that their views of part time study have improved based on the experience of their employees. The Futuretrack: Part-time Students from an Employer Perspective research showed that 40 per cent of part time students reported that their employers paid all of their course fees and 8 per cent received partial fee support. Moreover, the Government will give extra support to part-time students in higher education by bringing in changes to student finance arrangements from 2012/13. These will ensure that eligible part time students studying over 25 per cent intensity will be able to apply for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition.

New Direction For England’s Public Forest Estate

England’s best known historic forests will be protected for future generations under proposals announced by Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman today. The transfer of heritage forests such as the New Forest and the Forest of Dean to charitable trusts will mean walkers, riders and cyclists will still be able to enjoy them as they do at the moment. The plans make clear that these woodlands will not simply be sold off to the highest bidder. The document suggests a mixed approach that would deliver benefits for users and taxpayers, and makes clear that public access and biodiversity will be protected. The government will bring forward amendments to the Public Bodies Bill to ensure the public benefits the forests provide are protected. The changes of ownership will allow the Forestry Commission to focus on its key roles of responding to outbreaks of tree pests and diseases, regulating felling and setting standards for sustainable forest management. The proposals would remedy the situation where the Commission is the largest commercial operator in the sector it also regulates. The Government has already committed to taking 15% of the public forest estate out of state control over the course of this parliament, generating up to £100 million of receipts. The consultation paper launched today invites views on a range of ownership and management options for the remaining 85% of the estate. This will be an open consultation and Government will listen to all responses before publishing its response in the summer.

(BMcN/GK)