Other News In Brief

ASBO Chief Arrested Over 'Violent Disorder'

The chief anti-social behaviour officer in Nottingham has been arrested over an incident of "violent disorder", it has emerged. Richard Antcliff, who is in charge of the team at Nottingham City Council, was one of 15 men who were arrested on Sunday 7 December, police said. The men were all suspected of being involved in "violent disorder" in Nottingham city centre in which four men were injured on 16 November. The men have all been released on bail until 3 February 2009. A spokesperson from Nottingham City Council said they were unable to comment on whether Mr Antcliff had returned to work but confirmed he was the chief anti-social behaviour officer and remained so.

Police Appeal After Asda Altercation

Police are appealing for witnesses to an altercation, which happened in the car park of Retford’s Asda supermarket on Monday 15 December at 12noon. The incident began with an alleged road traffic collision between a Renault Clio and a male pedestrian on New Street close to the junction with Wharf Road. The male driver of the Renault Clio then parked his car in the car park of Asda and got out of his vehicle. An altercation then took place between the two men in the car park. The owner of the Renault Clio later found the paintwork of his car scratched and a further altercation between the two men took place in the alleyway between the canal lock and Albert Road.

Street Closed Following 'Loud' Bang

Part of a street in Edinburgh has been closed off after an underground electrical fault caused a loud bang. An area round a manhole in Albany Street was closed for about an hour from 9.50am by police. Scottish Power were forced to shut off the local power in order to work at the site to investigate what caused the mini explosion.

Bereaved Families Get Right To Inspect Medical Forms

The right of families to inspect medical forms of a deceased relative completed by doctors before cremation takes place will start on 1 January 2009, Justice Minister Bridget Prentice said. These measures put in place, for the first time, a system which could help avoid another Shipman-type offence, and replace an outdated and confusing scheme. The regulations follow recommendations from Dame Janet Smith's inquiry into the Harold Shipman murders. They will enable relatives to draw the medical referee's attention to any concerns about unexpected symptoms or discrepancies in the case.

Vulnerable People To Get Better Protection

Vulnerable adults who lack mental capacity will benefit from a joined-up approach in responding to concerns about those taking decisions on their behalf and the way they are protected from abuse, according to guidelines published by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) today. The guidelines outline the respective roles the OPG, the Court of Protection and local authorities play so that areas of overlap can be harmonised. These agencies will work together to help prevent and respond to abuse, by sharing information and following principles laid down in the guidelines. The protocol between the OPG and local authorities sets out a framework for reporting concerns and working together on investigations.

(JM/KMcA)