Name of Beatles frontman becomes synonymous with South American crimewave

Police in a Brazilian city say they have arrested three John Lennons in the last month - and a fourth landed in the city morgue.

The Beatles were massive in Brazil - with Lennon the most popular - and thousands of women named their sons after him.

The John Lennon crimewave was reported in the city of Belo Horizonte, capital of Minas Gerais state, reports the Brazil Dispatch.

The most recent arrest came when John Lennon Ribeiro Siqueira (19) was arrested for attempting to rob a lottery agency.

Last month, John Lennon Fonseca Ferreira (22) was arrested during an attempted robbery at a home in Belo Horizonte.

Before that, police arrested John Lenon Camargos Gomes (22) who they say committed five homicides in the city.

They believe the suspect, a convicted drug trafficker, was also responsible for two attempted murders.

The body of John Lennon Sebastiao da Silva (18) turned up dead in the back seat of a car parked in Belo Horizonte in January. Police suspect it was a revenge killing.

Not every John Lennon in Brazil turned out bad. John Lennon Silva Santos (22) plays defense for one of Rio de Janeiro's most popular football teams, Botafogo.

Article Courtesy of - Ananova and www.policeoracle.com

New Police Memorial Unveiled

A new force memorial to police officers who have died since 1822, has been unveiled.

West Midlands Police officially revealed the new roll of honour on January 31in the reception of its HQ in Birmingham.

For the first time it brings together all the names of 89 officers who have died on duty in the region since 1822 – the year when the first death on duty of an officer happened.

All the officers have had their names, age and date of their death placed on the memorial. It also includes those who have died through accidents or have been killed in road collisions.

The first officer to die on duty in the region in 1822 was Wolverhampton night watchman Richard Cooke. He was fatally hit on the head by a stone while intervening in a street affray.

Also mentioned are the 32 serving officers who lost their lives in World War Two, including 16 Coventry officers, eight of whom died during an air raid on the city in November 1940. Sixteen Birmingham officers who died during the war are also commemorated.

“Up until now, there has not been a tribute of this kind to honour and remember all the officers who have given their lives while serving West Midlands Police and its former constituent forces so we have worked closely with the force to put this right,” said Chairman of West Midlands Police Federation Ian Edwards.

“These officers have given their lives while serving their communities, fighting and preventing crime, keeping the peace and protecting the vulnerable. This roll of honour will be a permanent reminder of the debt of gratitude we all owe to them.”

A roll of honour which commemorates those officers who died during the two world wars will remain in its current location at Lloyd House.

Chief Constable Chris Sims said: “Although there are a number of local tributes across the force area in memory of officers who have lost their lives while on duty, this is the first time that a force memorial has been erected which brings together the names of all the officers.

“We are proud of these officers and it is right they should be remembered.”

DS Steph Bradley, whose brother PC Ryan Hunt died aged 31 in May 2006 in a traffic collision - while working on an investigation in South Yorkshire - said: “This memorial will be a fitting and lasting tribute to every one of those officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. It will be a great honour to represent the families.”

NB. Article courtesy of - Nic Brunetti - Police Oracle. www.policeoracle.com

Apologies For Absence

Please accept my apologies for not posting on my blog for several weeks. Seven weeks ago I slipped and fell on ice which resulted in an injury to my left shoulder necessitating physiotherapy. I am recovering very slowly but using the keyboard on my computer has proven very difficult; hence my lack of postings.

In addition, I have suffered the recent loss of a longstanding dear friend of mine who passed away suddenly causing me considerable shock. I am gradually returning to my former self and trust my regular readers will bear with me in the meantime. I am particularly grateful to Annete for her concern and good wishes. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible !!!!!