The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) are looking into the claims reported to have been made by a member of staff.
Mr Richards has not been suspended.
Sussex Police said the investigation has been handed over to the IPCC ‘in order to maintain the public’s confidence’ in it’s handling of such allegations.
Chief Constable Martin Richards said: “Given the senior position I hold and the trust placed in me by the people of Sussex and my colleagues, it is absolutely right that the Sussex Police Authority has voluntarily referred this matter to the IPCC for independent scrutiny. I will cooperate fully with the investigation to help them establish the facts.
“With trust in the police at the forefront of ongoing legitimate public interest nationally, I am mindful of the need to conduct my duties with the utmost integrity and an expectation of scrutiny. This is a view shared across the Force and we have recently updated all our policies in this area to underline this commitment.
“While the IPCC investigation is ongoing it will be business as usual. There will be no impact on the service provided to the public or the delivery of operational policing, which is our foremost priority.”
The decision to investigate is a neutral act and does not indicate an assumption of wrong-doing, say Sussex Police.
A spokesperson for the force said: “The Sussex Police Authority and the force strongly support transparency and public scrutiny.
“It is our usual policy to be as transparent as possible where there are allegations of misconduct and we announce involvement in IPCC investigations proactively whenever possible.
“We cannot disclose the nature of the allegations at this time, however, due to the risk of an impact on an ongoing operational matter. We will provide more details when there is no longer a potential impact on operational matters or when the IPCC concludes their investigation.”
Source: www.sussexexpress.co.uk
Rain warning for East Sussex - Lewes Today
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Source: www.sussexexpress.co.uk
Sussex police chief accused of misconduct - The Guardian
The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating an allegation of misconduct against a police force's chief constable.
Sussex Police Authority (SPA) voluntarily referred the allegation against the Sussex chief constable, Martin Richards, to the IPCC last month.
Sussex police had not released details of the incident but it is believed Richards is being investigated over allegations he used "undue influence" on a force operation, according to the Brighton Argus newspaper.
The complaint about him was made by a member of staff using the force's anonymous internal reporting system, the paper said.
A Sussex police spokeswoman said that given the seniority of the office of chief constable, Sussex police believed it was paramount that any allegations about him were subject to the independent scrutiny of the IPCC in order to maintain the public's confidence in the outcome of any investigation.
She said: "We cannot disclose the nature of the allegations at this time, however, due to the risk of an impact on an ongoing operational matter.
"We will provide more details when there is no longer a potential impact on operational matters or when the IPCC concludes their investigation."
She said the force welcomed their scrutiny and would provide any support required to the investigation.
Richards said: "Given the senior position I hold and the trust placed in me by the people of Sussex and my colleagues, it is absolutely right that the Sussex Police Authority has voluntarily referred this matter to the IPCC for independent scrutiny. I will co-operate fully with the investigation to help them establish the facts.
"With trust in the police at the forefront of ongoing legitimate public interest nationally, I am mindful of the need to conduct my duties with the utmost integrity and an expectation of scrutiny.
"This is a view shared across the force and we have recently updated all our policies in this area to underline this commitment.
"While the IPCC investigation is ongoing it will be business as usual. There will be no impact on the service provided to the public or the delivery of operational policing, which is our foremost priority."
Sussex police said the decision to investigate Richards was a neutral act and did not indicate an assumption of wrongdoing.
The spokeswoman added: "While the investigation is under way and until the facts are established, there should be no assumption of impropriety or speculation on the outcome of the investigation.
"The SPA and the force strongly support transparency and public scrutiny. It is our usual policy to be as transparent as possible where there are allegations of misconduct and we announce involvement in IPCC investigations proactively whenever possible."
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
UK weather: flood warnings as torrential rain hits - live blog - The Guardian
Here is a summary of today's weather news so far
• Torrential downpours are causing disruption in parts of the UK with a month's rain due to fall in 24 hours.
• More than 100 flood alerts and 19 flood warnings are in place for England and Wales, including the North East, the North West, the Midlands and the Anglian region of England.
• Racing at Warwick and the MFest, in Leeds, have been cancelled.
• The Prince of Wales has visited Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, which was hit by flooding last month
• Parts of Derbyshire, Durham, Nottinghamshire and County Down have been hit by flash flooding
• Festival-goers heading for T in the Park festival, in Balado, Kinross-shire, have been warned to come prepared for heavy rain.
An update from Helen Carter:
Firefighters in north Wales have been called to homes on the Llyn peninsular, where thousands of people will attend the Wakestock music and wakeboarding festival this weekend. Organisers of the festival, in Abersoch, say the event is going ahead. Flood alerts are in force around the rivers Conwy and Clwyd.
On a social networking site about Wakestock, the organisers say they have two good days [of weather] to follow "so let's all pull on the wellies and dance through it."
In Lancashire, the Leyland music Festival - that was due to take place on Saturday night - has been postponed as a result of the weather. Ten rivers across Lancashire were placed on 'flood alert' on Friday with people warned to "be prepared" as a band of rain spreads across he county.
An Environment Agency spokesman said up to 100mm of rain could fall across the north west from 5am on Friday with northern and eastern parts of Lancashire expected to be the worst affected.
Flood alerts are in place on the River Ribble, from Samlesbury, including Preston, Walton-le-Dale, and Higher Walton; the River Lostock and Yarrow catchment including the village of Croston, which was badly hit by flooding a fortnight ago, and there were reports of sandbags being delivered to homes in the town on Thursday night.
Fire stations at Bamber Bridge are on on "high alert" with the Ribble believed to be threatening areas including Lower Penwortham.
Information from the Environment Agency, updated at lunchtime has shown how Holbeach in Lincolnshire has received 37.8mm so far today and Porthmadog in north Wales has seen 29.8mm of rain today.
Train services have been suspended on Northern Rail between Salford Crescent and Hindley due to flooding at Atherton. Service suspended via Atherton.
Here is a video of flooding in Durham:
Don't worry everyone, it may be horrible out there...but at least we've got the Olympics to look forward to. Oh.
The Olympics are likely to experience the kind of poor weather that has characterised the summer so far, forecasters said today.
The UK is very unlikely to see a long hot and sunny spell at the height of summer, and the inclement weather experienced in June and early July is set to still be in evidence when the Games kick off at the end of this month.
But overall conditions are unlikely to be as bad as they have been, the Met Office said.In its outlook for the weather for the next six to 30 days up to early August, the Met Office said: "Climatologically this is the warmest part of the year, but this year a protracted spell of hot, sunny weather looks very unlikely.
"In fact inclement weather that has characterised June and early July will probably still be in evidence, although overall conditions are unlikely to be as bad."The southern half of the UK is likely to see below average sunshine and temperatures from mid July into the beginning of August.
And while the outlook for rainfall in the south is "extremely uncertain" over the next few weeks it is slightly more likely that southern areas will experience very wet conditions than very dry weather.
It is not yet clear what the weather is likely to be in northern parts of the UK, but conditions may improve into August, the Met Office said. (Press Association)
Note to drivers - cars will float (and then sink?) in 1ft of water, according to the AA:
PA reports:
The AA has deployed special water rescue Land Rovers to Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, Worcestershire and Mid Wales - in 23 cases they were called out to deal with vehicles which had been driven through water.
Darron Burness, the organisation's head of special operations, said: "With more torrential downpours expected across the UK today, localised or flash flooding could catch people out."Even if you know the local area well, lots of water on the roads can change their appearance and mask hidden hazards.
"It's often impossible to gauge the depth of flood water, so don't even chance it. Not only do you risk wrecking your engine but there may be dislodged manhole covers and other debris."The organisation warned motorists that cars would float in 1ft (0.3m) of water.
Parts of Derbyshire, Durham and county Down have been hit by flashflooding, the BBC are reporting:
In Derbyshire Breadsall, Beeley and Glutton Bridge are all affected. Pupils at Redhill Primary School in Ockbrook have been sent home from school.
Markeaton Lane in Derby is blocked after being flooded and there are problems on the A38 near Little Eaton.
In County Durham bridges in Whorlton and Kinninvie, near Barnard Castle, have been closed.
The A691 at Lanchester was closed temporarily due to surface water but is now passable with care.
In County Down Newcastle, Mourneview Road was under 18 inches of water. Down District Council has opened its centre on the promenade for those needing shelter.
A woman was rescued by firefighters in Castlewellan after she became trapped in her car by flood water.
Police said the Drumbanagher Road in Poyntzpass near Newry was closed after part of a boundary wall was "swept away" by flood water.
They have also advised motorists to avoid Shimna Road in Newcastle and Hilltown Road in Newry.
A PSNI spokeswoman added the Lidl supermarket in Newcastle had also been flooded.
Prince Charles finally got to Hebden Bridge to visit flood-hit businesses.
This from the BBC:
The Prince of Wales has visited Hebden Bridge to see what can be done to help businesses affected by recent flooding.More than 500 homes and businesses in Hebden Bridge, Todmorden and Mytholmroyd were flooded when a month's rain fell in 24 hours on 22 June.
Some residents criticised Calderdale Council for acting too slowly.
Prince Charles, who is president of a business charity, saw how the charity helped businesses recover. He was accompanied by representatives from his charity Business in the Community during the visit.
Temporary flood defences are being put in place in Burnley Road, Mytholmroyd. The road was closed for sandbags to be added to defences damaged by the recent high water but reopened when work was complete, said the Environment Agency.
Earlier this week, Calderdale Council said £250,000 would be made available to businesses affected by the heavy rain.
I have a response for @LePendu, who, rather sensibly, asked what Helen Carter was doing hanging around on a canal near Bootle.
This is why:
For a story about canals! I don't tend to hang round canal towpaths unless there's a reason [usually involving stories.]
Prince Charles, who was on his way to discuss flooding in Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire has been delayed: by flooding.
This from PA:
The Prince of Wales travelled to a flood-hit town today - only to be delayed by new storms. Charles was due to arrive in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, at 11.10am for a whistlestop tour of the town, but he arrived in torrential rain, an hour late for the visit.
Hebden Bridge was badly hit by the floods which devastated parts of West Yorkshire and Lancashire two weeks ago. Some of the damage to the town was still visible today with sandbags and boarding evident on many streets.
Charles began the visit at Central Street Infants and Nursery School where he met staff and pupils and examined the flood-damaged classrooms.
A month's worth of rain fell on the Calder Valley area of West Yorkshire in a few hours on the night of Friday June 22. This resulted in severe flooding in Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd and Todmorden as the River Calder hit its highest recorded level.
More than 200 households and domestic properties were badly affected by the flooding.
The Environment Agency has extended the number of flood alerts to 100 and issued eight flood warnings in the Midlands, North East and North West.
I've just spent two hours on a canal path on the Leeds Liverpool Canal at Bootle in heavy rain. Its mild but incredibly wet, the kind of rain that dissolves notebooks. The motorways are rainlogged and more reminiscent of an ice skating rink. Darwen is flooded the M65 is badly affected as is the M6 in Cheshire over the Thelwall Viaduct. Trains are not running from Hebden Bridge as a result of flooding on the tracks. Hebden was badly affected by flooding a fortnight ago.
Our excellent Money people, have done a Q&A on what on what people should do if they're worried about being flooded.
The UK is bracing itself for heavy flooding once again, following severe flood warnings from the Met Office.
The Environment Agency has said already sodden areas of the country will need to prepare for further heavy rain, while the Met Office says there is an increasing likelihood of river flooding and disruption to travel and outdoor activities.
Here is what should you do if your home is threatened by rising water.
Are you affected by the adverse weather? We've already seen the impact of flooding where you are thanks to group members who shared pictures with our UK News Flickr group in June, but we'd like to hear from you about how you're handling this latest downpour. Help us build a picture of what's happening where you are.
Is it affecting your work or an event your organising?
Are you making the best of the bad weather?
Has it caused problems to transport where you are?
If you would like to contribute, you can add your pics to this Flickr group
The Environment Agency can be followed on twitter @EnvAgency for flood updates throughout the day
Latest flood warnings & alerts can be found on our website (updated every 15 mins): bit.ly/fhE9iu #floodaware
— Environment Agency (@EnvAgency) July 6, 2012
The Environment Agency has said the areas most likely to be hit by severe flooding include Derbyshire, Lancashire, South and West Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Greater Manchester, Blackburn, Blackpool, Warrington, Cheshire and Halton.
There are currently three flood warnings for potential river flooding and 89 less serious flood alerts, but the Environment Agency said many more were likely to be issued today in the face of the torrential rain.
The agency also warned of surface water flooding when drains become overwhelmed by too much rain. The public has been warned to take care near floodwater and not to take risks walking or driving through floods.
The rain is causing problems at Silverstone as it prepares for the British Grand Prix.
Thanks to everyone for their patience this morning, the bad weather has meant that parking is taking longer than usual ow.ly/c3p6g
— Silverstone (@SilverstoneUK) July 6, 2012
This from the Press Association:
Motorists experienced delays on the M1 down to Silverstone as a result of traffic heading to the F1 British Grand Prix but not helped by the heavy rainfall, which has flooded the car parks.
Vehicles are being guided into the venue and Silverstone's Woodlands Campsite will be operating a full wet weather plan.
A statement on the campsite's web page said: "Due to extremely wet ground conditions, your vehicle may need to be towed onto your pitch on arrival and away from your pitch on exit.
"Please be prepared for this: make sure you know where your vehicle's towing eye is. If your towing eye is detachable, have it ready in your glovebox."
It also warned campers: "The site will be muddy - be prepared - bring full wet weather clothing and footwear."
In Lincolnshire, the A52 Bridge End Road in Grantham has been closed between the A607 Springfield Road junction and the Harrowby Road junction, because of flooding.
Motorists around Nottinghamshire were forced to slow down and take care because of heavy rain.
On the M1 around junction 27 at Heanor, spray and surface water made driving conditions difficult and visibility reduced.
In other, heartening, news. The odds have been cut on this being the wettest ever year of all time here in the UK. Gah.
Miserable day outside...we've cut the price on 2012 to be wettest year on record in the UK or Ireland from 8/1 to 4/1! paddypower.com/bet/novelty-be…
— paddypower (@paddypower) July 6, 2012
Some cancellations for today:
RACE FOR LIFE cancelled in Huddersfield #examiner ow.ly/c3swF
— Huddersfield News (@Examiner) July 6, 2012
Unfortunately, Sharrow Festival, due to be held tomorrow, has been cancelled due to the weather; :( Please share.
— Tramlines Festival (@tramlines) July 6, 2012
Sadly due to the recent adverse weather competition on Saturday 7th July at Malpas Horse Trials has been abandoned.
— British Eventing (@BEventing) July 6, 2012
Rain woe scuppers Geldof festival: The two-day MFEST music festival falls victim to the heavy rain expected acro... bbc.in/Po4ldX
— BBC Radio Leeds (@BBCLeeds) July 6, 2012
More from PA:
Chris Burton, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the Press Association's weather division, said the conditions - caused by an area of low pressure - were "very unusual" for this time of year.
"We could see up to 50mm of rain fall quite widely over central and northern areas and, locally, we could see quite a lot more than that, with heavy, thundery downpours."
In some places, this could reach 60mm.
He added: "The rain will last much of the day and it is gradually spreading west. Tomorrow, we are looking at heavy showers in the afternoon across south-west England, the Midlands and the South East.
"Next week it is not going to get any drier."
Travel is clearly a concern for many people today. The Highways Agency is urging drivers to take extra care on roads, particularly in the North West (my own neck of the woods) this weekend with the forecast of torrential rain showers.
Severe weather Warning of Rain for Yorkshire & Humber bit.ly/MZWArq
— Highways Agency (@HAtraffic_yorks) July 6, 2012
The Highways Agency, which operates the North West's motorways and major A roads, says drivers check travel conditions, heed travel advice - including electronic motorway signs - and drive to conditions after a forecast of torrential rain for the weekend which is likely to affect all parts of the region at some stage.
Highways Agency Traffic Officers at six outstations across the North West and at the North West Regional Control Centre (RCC) at Newton-le-Willows in Merseyside will be monitoring weather and traffic conditions around the clock over the weekend.
On road patrols will be on hand to quickly respond to incidents while colleagues in the RCC will be monitoring CCTV cameras, answering emergency telephone calls and setting advisory signs for drivers to warn of spray and other road conditions.
Staff from EnterpriseMouchel and A-one+, the Highways Agency's two service providers for the region, are also on standby with patrols ready to clear drains and gulleys and clear carriageways of any standing water.
John McTaggart, head of on road traffic operations for the North said, "Traffic Officers will be working flat out over the weekend to help clear incidents on the motorway network as soon as possible as well as using our network of electronic signs to give drivers advice about conditions.
"But drivers have a part to play too and we urge them to drive to conditions by slowing down in the wet and rain, using their vehicle lights to improve visibility and leaving extra room for braking.
"Drivers should also try to plan their journeys including checking weather and traffic conditions before setting out."
The Highways Agency provides live traffic information via its website www.highways.gov.uk/traffic, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile platforms, such as the iPhone. Local Twitter services are also available at @HAtraffic_nwest and @HAtraffic_pen9 for Transpennine routes.
Weather advice is available at www.metoffice.gov.uk
The Met Office has issued amber warnings of severe weather for most regions in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland, including the Lothian and Borders and Strathclyde Police force areas.
An awful lot of weather news out there, and none of it good, I'm afraid.
The Press Association is reporting that the wet weather is set to "continue to blight the summer":
Gloomy forecasts suggest the wet weather will continue to blight the summer as the Environment Agency issued nearly 90 flood alerts and warned of a "potential danger to life".
Heavy downpours are predicted to hit the Midlands, Yorkshire and Wales, raising fears that householders could be forced to flee their homes in a repeat of scenes last month - the wettest June on record.
Weather forecasters said up to 60mm of rain could hit central and northern England today. This is the same amount that would more usually be expected to fall over the course of an average July.
It may be July, known in some other countries as summer, but here in the UK we are expecting a severely wet day, with flood warning in place across much of the country. We're here to keep you updated on travel problems, flood risks and weather-related news as it happens. What is the weather doing where you are? Please do comment below the line or send any stories and pictures to alexandra.topping@guardian.co.uk
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Sussex Chief Constable Martin Richards investigated by IPCC - ITN
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating allegations of misconduct against Sussex Chief Constable Martin Richards.
Sussex Police Authority voluntarily referred the allegation to the IPCC last month.
Details of the incident have not been released by Sussex Police, but according to the Brighton Argus newspaper it is believed Mr Richards is being investigated over allegations that he used "undue influence" on a force operation.
A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said that given the seniority of the office of Chief Constable, Sussex Police wants to ensure any allegations against him are subject to the independent scrutiny of the IPCC, in order to maintain the public's confidence in the outcome of any investigation.
"We cannot disclose the nature of the allegations at this time, however, due to the risk of an impact on an on-going operational matter.
We will provide more details when there is no longer a potential impact on operational matters or when the IPCC concludes their investigation," she said.
Source: www.itn.co.uk
Southeastern train 'out of control for three miles' - BBC News
A train overshot a station by two-and-a-half miles because it did not have any sand to help with braking in poor weather conditions, a court has heard.
The 06:45 Southeastern service from Charing Cross to Hastings overran Stonegate station in East Sussex by 2.43 miles (3.91km) on 8 November 2010.
Maidstone Crown Court heard that it was effectively out of control for 3.2 miles (5.14km) from when braking began.
Southeastern pleaded guilty in May and will be sentenced later.
The rail company admitted two charges under two sections of the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act.
Leaf mulchThe incident happened just after 08:00 GMT despite the driver applying emergency braking, the court was told.
Prosecutor Richard Evans said inadequate logging procedures and a lack of communication between Southeastern employees had meant that the train had travelled 929 miles (1,495km) after a sand refill report was generated.
He said the the train was likely to have had no sand on board for about two days when it overran Stonegate station.
The court heard that leaf mulch on the line meant that conditions between the steel rails and train wheels were much like "oil on a non-stick frying pan".
Neil Garnham QC, representing Southeastern, said that even if everything that should have been done had been, the train would still have overshot Stonegate station by up to 0.8 miles (1.28km) because of poor rail adhesion.
No-one was injured and there was no damage.
The hearing continues.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
The White Cliffs of Dover are a hidden natural gem - The Guardian
There are some places that we feel we know so well even if we've never actually been to them. They become so wrapped up in our national story that they come to symbolise much more than just a location on a map.
For millions of Britons, the White Cliffs of Dover is such a place. It has captured the sense of home for generations, represented the beginning or the end of a journey and has played a much vaunted role in our history as an island nation.
And yet this chalky stretch of the Kent coast is as important for its natural history as its part in human history. The term "hidden gem" can sometimes be over used but in this case in rings true. It lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a significant stretch has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Walk along the coastal path from the National Trust visitor centre, which over looks the port of Dover with its ferries coming and going, to the South Foreland lighthouse and you're in for a wildlife treat. Chalk cliffs and chalk grassland are really important for wildlife and the abundance of nature here shows why.
There is an amazing statistic that you can find more plant species in a square metre of chalk grassland than a tropical rainforest; showing that sometimes we over look the riches that can be found in our own backyard.
The list of rarities found here is impressive. Plants that call the White Cliffs their home include the oxtongue broomrape (Orobanche picridis), which is only found in six locations across the British Isles, the nationally scarce early spider orchid (Ophrys sphegodes) and intriguingly named slender bedstraw (Galium pumilum).
Ravens have returned to nest on the White Cliffs of Dover for the first time since Queen Victoria was on the throne. Also found nesting on these imposing cliffs are the only colony of kittiwakes in Kent to the majestic peregrine falcon. And if you take that stroll along the coast, take a moment to stand still, look up and you might catch the unmistakeable and pure sound of a skylark.
The White Cliffs of Dover are an ornithologist's dream as they are a fuelling station on the route for migrants as they head south. In a good year bee eaters or even the marsh warbler can be found here.
Butterflies love a well-managed home and the grazing of the White Cliffs has made them a welcome guest. Four of the brilliant blue butterflies – the chalkhill blue, the Adonis blue, the small blue and the common blue - can be found in flight along this stretch of coastal grassland.
Migrant butterflies, such as the long-tailed blue which loves the sweet pea as its food of choice, can be found here, making their way across the English Channel.
Grazing the coastal strip above the cliffs has been a key to making this such a wildlife gem. Exmoor ponies have munched their way along the cliffs, keeping the scrub down and creating the kind of habitat that birds, bees and butterflies love.
As a nation which loves wildlife it's time that places that have stirred up the imagination as much as the White Cliffs of Dover should be celebrated equally for their natural history. Take a stroll along these dramatic cliffs and you won't be disappointed in your quest to get that little bit closer to nature.
• Mike Collins works for the The National Trust, which has launched its biggest ever coastal appeal to acquire the missing link of the White Cliffs of Dover. The Trust currently cares for five miles of the cliffs
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Lidl replaces Littlewoods.com as sponsor of Mirror's Pride of Britain Awards - Media Week Online
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Lidl is to sponsor the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards in a two-year, six-figure deal replacing Littlewoods.com. The show, which has been running for 14 years, is a national televised event that celebrates the achievements of inspiring and heroic people.Source: www.mediaweek.co.uk
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