Latest news with #RichardCooper
BBC News
7 days ago
- BBC News
Murder 24/7 series throws spotlight on West Mercia Police investigations
An investigation into the horrific killing of a 23-year-old delivery driver is to be examined in a BBC television series. A string of men used an arsenal of weapons to beat Aurman Singh to death after being tracked during his round in Shrewsbury in 24/7, to be broadcast on BBC Two, follows the twists and turns, dead ends and breakthroughs of West Mercia Police murder investigations in Shropshire and Herefordshire in real production team had been filming with the force for the past two years, said Colin Barr, creative director of Expectation TV, which makes the show. He said the investigation into Mr Singh's murder had been "fast moving" and the evidence gathering operation had been "extremely detailed"."We capture that whole process using multiple cameras following different professionals in the team as they do their job," he explained. "And you never know where those threads are going to go so the whole thing is unpredictable and fast paced."A total of seven men have been convicted in connection with Mr Singh's murder. Chief Constable Richard Cooper said the series offered a "powerful and unfiltered look at the extraordinary teamwork and compassion shown by our officers and staff in the most heartbreaking of circumstances". "These are not just investigations - they are stories of real people, real loss, and the pursuit of justice," he new series Murder 24/7 starts on BBC Two at 21:00 BST on Monday 16 June with some episodes also available on BBC iPlayer. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
STV News
14-06-2025
- STV News
Manhunt launched after two Aberdeenshire shops broken into and cash stolen
An investigation has been launched after two Aberdeenshire shops were broken into on Saturday, and a four-figure sum of cash was stolen. The first incident occurred on Aberchirder's Main Street at around 12.20am; less than two hours later a shop on Insch's Commerce Street was broken into. A sum of cash was stolen from both of the shops. Detectives believe three men dressed in dark clothing were in the area at the time, as was a silver BMW 3 series, which they may have been using. An investigation is ongoing. Detective Sergeant Richard Cooper said: 'Enquiries we have carried out so far suggest that both break-ins may be linked. 'I am appealing to anyone who saw anything suspicious, including any vehicles nearby to get in touch. 'Please check any private CCTV or dash-cam that you might have for information that could help with our investigation.' Those with information are urged to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0117 of Saturday, June 14, 2025, or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Press and Journal
14-06-2025
- Press and Journal
Two Aberdeenshire shops broken into, as four figure sums of cash stolen
Two shops in Aberdeenshire were broken into, and four-figure sum of cash was stolen in the early hours of Saturday morning. The first shop on Main Street, Aberchirder, was broken into shortly after midnight, and a four-figure sum of cash was stolen. Later, at around 2.15am, a shop on Commerce Street in Insch was broken into, with more cash stolen. Police enquiries suggest three men dressed in dark clothing were in the area at the time. There was also a silver BMW 3 series seen at around the same time, which they may have been using. Detective Sergeant Richard Cooper said: 'Enquiries we have carried out so far suggest that both break-ins may be linked. 'I am appealing to anyone who saw anything suspicious, including any vehicles nearby, to get in touch. 'Please check any private CCTV or dash-cam that you might have for information that could help with our investigation.' Anyone who can help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0117 of Saturday, 14 June, 2025. Calls can also be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Cash pressure forced PCSOs' 20:00 finish plan'
"Financial challenges" have forced the need for a consultation on police community support officers (PCSOs) finishing shifts by 20:00, a new police chief has admitted. Chief Constable Richard Cooper said West Mercia Police would be saving money on extra payment officers get when they work unsociable hours. Following a backlash over the plan by councillors in Shropshire last month, Mr Cooper stressed that if the consultation pans out, the same amount of PCSOs would still be working the same amount of hours. "Its not a case of do we need to save money, it's how do we save the money?," he told BBC Hereford & Worcester. "The cost of running the organisation is now stripping the funding available to us," he said, speaking on the mid-morning Hot Seat spot, on Thursday. "We've had to make some really difficult considerations. Our police staff and officers receive an unsociable hours payment for working into the evening and we need to save money." As chief constable Mr Cooper - who was appointed in March after working in the role temporarily since last August - is responsible for the delivery of operational policing across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire. A caller on the programme's phone-in had asked about whether the PCSOs are needed later than 20:00. In response, Mr Cooper said many officers deal with anti-social behaviour issues, which generally "diminishes rapidly" by that time. "The data supports the fact the peak [for anti-social behaviour] is between 5 and 6. It starts dropping thereafter and stops dramatically after 8 o'clock," he explained. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Backlash over plan for no PCSOs after 8pm West Mercia Police
BBC News
01-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Chief constable defends West Mercia plan for no PCSOs after 20:00
"Financial challenges" have forced the need for a consultation on police community support officers (PCSOs) finishing shifts by 20:00, a new police chief has admitted. Chief Constable Richard Cooper said West Mercia Police would be saving money on extra payment officers get when they work unsociable hours. Following a backlash over the plan by councillors in Shropshire last month, Mr Cooper stressed that if the consultation pans out, the same amount of PCSOs would still be working the same amount of hours."Its not a case of do we need to save money, it's how do we save the money?," he told BBC Hereford & Worcester. "The cost of running the organisation is now stripping the funding available to us," he said, speaking on the mid-morning Hot Seat spot, on Thursday."We've had to make some really difficult considerations. Our police staff and officers receive an unsociable hours payment for working into the evening and we need to save money." Anti-social behaviour issues As chief constable Mr Cooper - who was appointed in March after working in the role temporarily since last August - is responsible for the delivery of operational policing across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire. A caller on the programme's phone-in had asked about whether the PCSOs are needed later than 20:00. In response, Mr Cooper said many officers deal with anti-social behaviour issues, which generally "diminishes rapidly" by that time. "The data supports the fact the peak [for anti-social behaviour] is between 5 and 6. It starts dropping thereafter and stops dramatically after 8 o'clock," he explained. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
