Iraq faces the mother of all corruption scandals

But life is so much better than it was under Saddam Hussein [says Tony Blair]....60% of all Iraqis depend on the food rationing system and it is within this system that the corruption is happening. The Independent claims 1,000 officials are to be arrested...

All figures for piracy made up

the article claims that all figures for software piracy are "educated guesses" [ie made up by the business lobbyists]. Article appears to be talking about software piracy, but its a bizarre journey it has made. To the Independent from New Zealand and originating in Canada.

Hamza's sons jailed for car scam

Dont leave your luxury car in a long stay car park! Abu Hamza's sons will get the DVLA to transfer ownership to them...unbelievable tale.

Ecuadorian Town a hub for drug-running rebels, Colombia says

The 48th Front of FARC and the "Fatman" Oliver Solarte, who makes the money that runs the rebellion. the story is disputed and complex, but is a rare article on drug trafficking, organised crime and terrorism

MI5 "too stretched" before July 7th

BBC report of Intelligence and Security Committee report. Different newspapers spinning this in different ways. The significant statement is at the bottom. it was decided that Khan, Tanweer and Khyam of the fertiliser bomb plot] were involved in planning financial fraud rather than a terrorist attack...perhaps we should be devoting more resources to "small" frauds? No link from article to actual report. i will try to put it on here if it turns up. None of the papers has linked it yet.

Trade in illegal medicine exposed

Ever wonder why people can sell stuff in shopping malls, but the minute you try to take a photo or a video....Shazam...here comes security person!
The BBC story doesnt ask that question. This is a puff for a programe they will be showing later. Counterfeit drugs on sale in car parks.

Less than 1 in 10 terrorism arrests leads to conviction

i think I missed blogging this story last week. All the figures for the post 9/11 period.

Labour has fought phoney war on drugs

Centre for Policy Studies not the most objective reporters, and Telegraph not the most middle of the road newspaper...but its always good to have another side to the argument!

Rise in use of drug tests to sack staff

Report from Release, the drugs charity on calls to its emergency service from employees...and the lack of calls from employers suddenly.

CCTV makes "modest" impact on crime

Home office spinning this report the other way. It works well on crime in car parks, but not a lot else. Very little has been properly evaluated. Which goes for just about all crime prevention work, after all.