Latest news with #ProjectArchway
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Rapists snared by ‘game-changing' new police tech to record bruises on darker skin
New police technology which makes it easier to see bruising in darker skin has snared two rapists. Ashley Bramble, 36, sexually assaulted a 13-year-old schoolgirl after picking her up at Hackney Carnival. The victim and a friend missed their last train home but Bramble offered to let the pair stay at his property in Portland Rise, Finsbury Park. The sex predator carried out a string of attacks on one of the girls overnight. She revealed details at school and Metropolitan Police detectives were able to track down Bramble in north London last September. 'A game-changing' device - known as Project Archway - which allow officers to better assess victims' injuries by making it easier to photograph and visualise bruising was used in the case against him. At Wood Green Crown Court, Bramble was jailed for 15 years having been convicted of two counts of rape, sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault. Another offender convicted thanks to Archway is Samuel Keys, 26, from Corby, Northamptonshire, who admitted five counts of rape against a woman and faces a lengthy jail term in September. Officers have previously faced challenges trying to gather evidence of some injuries, which limit chances of successful prosecutions in the war on violence against women and girls. During a pilot in south London, the tool was used on 33 occasions and charges were brought in 45 per cent of these cases. The device has undergone ethical scrutiny and wide consultation, including input from the Crown Prosecution Service, Black Police Association and the Met Ethics Board. Officers are specially trained prior to use and can only use the device with full consent from victims. In 2024, more than 123,000 violent crimes against women and girls were reported to the Met. Groundbreaking tech is helping us tackle violence against women and Archway captures bruising – especially on darker skin – more clearly and at an earlier stage, giving victims a better chance of justice. — Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) July 1, 2025 Alongside the force's V100 programme, which deploys counter-terrorism tactics to target London's most dangerous offenders, 129 convictions and 154 serious charges have been achieved. Arrests and charges for rape and serious sexual offences more than doubled. Speaking at New Scotland Yard, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said of the Archway project: 'We have made big strides in protecting women and girls from predatory men – and this new device is a bold symbol of that transformation. 'Compared to three years ago, our charge rate for offences for violence against women and girls offences has tripled, and we're going after the most dangerous individuals through our V100 programme. Women in London are better protected, and this is reflected in the trust gap between men and women closing. 'These improvements are a credit to our people – to their empathy, determination, and courage as they take on these heartrending cases day after day. 'The Met is leading nationally on innovation that puts victims first. We are the only police service to develop this kind of frontline technology, and we're already seeing how it strengthens evidence, builds trust, and ensures victims feel seen and heard from the moment they report abuse.' London mayor Sir Sadiq told reporters police were responding to the concerns of victims of colour. He said: 'I completely understand why ethnic minority and women Londoners have had less confidence in the police service and one of the missions of the police service with my support – and challenge – is to make sure we address the concerns that those Londoners have. 'I think what today shows is just how much the police has changed, and is responding to a legitimate concern raised by victims and survivors, particularly ethnic minority victims and survivors.'
ITV News
4 days ago
- ITV News
New police technology to help to visualise bruising in darker skin
The Mayor of London has praised new police technology which helps to visualise bruising in darker skin, unveiled as part of efforts to tackle violence against women and girls. Sir Sadiq Khan said the device developed by the Metropolitan Police was an example of 'how much the police has changed in the last few years'. The devices, known as Project Archway, allow officers to better assess victims' injuries, particularly on darker skin, by making it easier to photograph and visualise bruising. The mayor was shown the new technology on Monday and spoke with Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and officers who are piloting the devices. The handheld device is the first of its kind to be developed and uses a technique called cross-polarisation to make injuries clearer that may not appear to the naked eye. Of 33 uses during a pilot in south London, 45% have resulted in charges, with several others under investigation, the Met Police said. The device has undergone ethical scrutiny and wide consultation, including input from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Black Police Association, and the Met Ethics Board. Officers are specially trained prior to use and can only use the device with full consent from victims. Alongside the force's V100 programme, which targets the most dangerous offenders and has already resulted in 129 convictions and 154 serious charges, the technology is part of efforts to tackle violence against women and girls, following the publication of its three-year progress report on Tuesday. Sir Sadiq said that police were responding to the concerns of victims of colour. He said: 'I completely understand why ethnic minority and women Londoners have had less confidence in the police service and one of the missions of the police service with my support – and challenge – is to make sure we address the concerns that those Londoners have. 'I think what today shows is just how much the police has changed, and is responding to a legitimate concern raised by victims and survivors, particularly ethnic minority victims and survivors.' Sir Sadiq added: 'It's really important to acknowledge the progress made. Similarly, the response last week from the Met Police Service and the commissioner to the hearing into Child Q is significant; a recognition of the systemic issues last week from the police service. That wouldn't have been the case a few years ago.' Two Metropolitan Police officers were sacked last week after they were found to have committed gross misconduct during the 'disproportionate' strip search of a 15-year-old black girl at school, who was wrongly suspected of carrying cannabis. Commander Kevin Southworth said while the officers involved did not act correctly, there were organisational failings with training around strip-searches said to be 'inadequate' and oversight of the power 'severely lacking'. Sir Sadiq said that while impressive, the new technology and work to help victims of colour did not been there was not more work to be done. Sir Sadiq said: 'It's not mission accomplished. Neither myself nor the commissioner are complacent about the need for further reform, about the need for further work, about the need to win over those Londoners who still aren't sure about the Met Police Service.' He called for work to tackle misogyny to begin in schools and for it to be classed as a hate crime by Parliament. Sir Sadiq added: 'We need to recognise that ending the violence against women and girls, ending misogyny, can't start and stop with the police. It needs a whole society approach. It's really important that employers understand the concerns the female staff have, but also pubs, bars, music venues, music festivals need to be safe for women and girls. There's responsibility for us as men to provide allyship to women and girls. 'There is a role for the criminal justice system to do far better. It can't be right in 2025 in one of the most progressive countries in the world, if you're a woman or a girl, you're scared to go out.' Sir Mark said the force was improving its response to victims of violence against women and girls. He told the PA news agency: 'This new technology is just one example of how we're day-by-day improving our response to victims of violence against women and girls. 'A very basic requirement is to be able to get great evidence of an assault, that might be a bruise or a scratch. 'It's not always easy to photograph it. It depends on the light, depends on a whole range of factors. It also sometimes depends on the colour of skin – darker skin sometimes showing bruising less readily. 'Recognising this problem, our forensic experts have designed this special lighting technology.' He said the tests had resulted in more prosecutions and that he wanted it to be expanded to the rest of London and in future, the country.
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Mayor says device to assess bruising to darker skin shows police have changed
Sir Sadiq Khan said the device developed by the Metropolitan Police was an example of 'how much the police has changed in the last few years'. The devices, known as Project Archway, allow officers to better assess victims' injuries, particularly on darker skin, by making it easier to photograph and visualise bruising. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley showed the new technology to Sir Sadiq Khan (Stefan Rousseau/PA) The mayor was shown the new technology on Monday and spoke with Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and officers who are piloting the devices. The handheld device is the first of its kind to be developed and uses a technique called cross-polarisation to make injuries clearer that may not appear to the naked eye. Of 33 uses during a pilot in south London, 45% have resulted in charges, with several others under investigation, the Met Police said. The device has undergone ethical scrutiny and wide consultation, including input from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Black Police Association, and the Met Ethics Board. Officers are specially trained prior to use and can only use the device with full consent from victims. Alongside the force's V100 programme, which targets the most dangerous offenders and has already resulted in 129 convictions and 154 serious charges, the technology is part of efforts to tackle violence against women and girls, following the publication of its three-year progress report on Tuesday. Sir Sadiq told the PA news agency that police were responding to the concerns of victims of colour. He said: 'I completely understand why ethnic minority and women Londoners have had less confidence in the police service and one of the missions of the police service with my support – and challenge – is to make sure we address the concerns that those Londoners have. 'I think what today shows is just how much the police has changed, and is responding to a legitimate concern raised by victims and survivors, particularly ethnic minority victims and survivors.' Sir Sadiq added: 'It's really important to acknowledge the progress made. Similarly, the response last week from the Met Police Service and the commissioner to the hearing into Child Q is significant; a recognition of the systemic issues last week from the police service. That wouldn't have been the case a few years ago.' Two Metropolitan Police officers were sacked last week after they were found to have committed gross misconduct during the 'disproportionate' strip search of a 15-year-old black girl at school, who was wrongly suspected of carrying cannabis. Commander Kevin Southworth said while the officers involved did not act correctly, there were organisational failings with training around strip-searches said to be 'inadequate' and oversight of the power 'severely lacking'. The device, known as Project Archway, allows officers to better assess victims' injuries in the ongoing fight against violence towards women and girls (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Sir Sadiq said that while impressive, the new technology and work to help victims of colour did not been there was not more work to be done. Sir Sadiq said: 'It's not mission accomplished. Neither myself nor the commissioner are complacent about the need for further reform, about the need for further work, about the need to win over those Londoners who still aren't sure about the Met Police Service.' He called for work to tackle misogyny to begin in schools and for it to be classed as a hate crime by Parliament. Sir Sadiq added: 'We need to recognise that ending the violence against women and girls, ending misogyny, can't start and stop with the police. It needs a whole society approach. It's really important that employers understand the concerns the female staff have, but also pubs, bars, music venues, music festivals need to be safe for women and girls. There's responsibility for us as men to provide allyship to women and girls. 'There is a role for the criminal justice system to do far better. It can't be right in 2025 in one of the most progressive countries in the world, if you're a woman or a girl, you're scared to go out.' Sir Mark said the force was improving its response to victims of violence against women and girls. He told the PA news agency: 'This new technology is just one example of how we're day-by-day improving our response to victims of violence against women and girls. 'A very basic requirement is to be able to get great evidence of an assault, that might be a bruise or a scratch. 'It's not always easy to photograph it. It depends on the light, depends on a whole range of factors. It also sometimes depends on the colour of skin – darker skin sometimes showing bruising less readily. 'Recognising this problem, our forensic experts have designed this special lighting technology.' He said the tests had resulted in more prosecutions and that he wanted it to be expanded to the rest of London and in future, the country.
The Independent
4 days ago
- The Independent
Mayor says device to assess bruising to darker skin shows police have changed
The Mayor of London has praised new police technology which helps to visualise bruising in darker skin, unveiled as part of efforts to tackle violence against women and girls. Sir Sadiq Khan said the device developed by the Metropolitan Police was an example of 'how much the police has changed in the last few years'. The devices, known as Project Archway, allow officers to better assess victims' injuries, particularly on darker skin, by making it easier to photograph and visualise bruising. The mayor was shown the new technology on Monday and spoke with Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and officers who are piloting the devices. The handheld device is the first of its kind to be developed and uses a technique called cross-polarisation to make injuries clearer that may not appear to the naked eye. Of 33 uses during a pilot in south London, 45% have resulted in charges, with several others under investigation, the Met Police said. The device has undergone ethical scrutiny and wide consultation, including input from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Black Police Association, and the Met Ethics Board. Officers are specially trained prior to use and can only use the device with full consent from victims. Alongside the force's V100 programme, which targets the most dangerous offenders and has already resulted in 129 convictions and 154 serious charges, the technology is part of efforts to tackle violence against women and girls, following the publication of its three-year progress report on Tuesday. Sir Sadiq told the PA news agency that police were responding to the concerns of victims of colour. He said: 'I completely understand why ethnic minority and women Londoners have had less confidence in the police service and one of the missions of the police service with my support – and challenge – is to make sure we address the concerns that those Londoners have. 'I think what today shows is just how much the police has changed, and is responding to a legitimate concern raised by victims and survivors, particularly ethnic minority victims and survivors.' Sir Sadiq added: 'It's really important to acknowledge the progress made. Similarly, the response last week from the Met Police Service and the commissioner to the hearing into Child Q is significant; a recognition of the systemic issues last week from the police service. That wouldn't have been the case a few years ago.' Two Metropolitan Police officers were sacked last week after they were found to have committed gross misconduct during the 'disproportionate' strip search of a 15-year-old black girl at school, who was wrongly suspected of carrying cannabis. Commander Kevin Southworth said while the officers involved did not act correctly, there were organisational failings with training around strip-searches said to be 'inadequate' and oversight of the power 'severely lacking'. Sir Sadiq said that while impressive, the new technology and work to help victims of colour did not been there was not more work to be done. Sir Sadiq said: 'It's not mission accomplished. Neither myself nor the commissioner are complacent about the need for further reform, about the need for further work, about the need to win over those Londoners who still aren't sure about the Met Police Service.' He called for work to tackle misogyny to begin in schools and for it to be classed as a hate crime by Parliament. Sir Sadiq added: 'We need to recognise that ending the violence against women and girls, ending misogyny, can't start and stop with the police. It needs a whole society approach. It's really important that employers understand the concerns the female staff have, but also pubs, bars, music venues, music festivals need to be safe for women and girls. There's responsibility for us as men to provide allyship to women and girls. 'There is a role for the criminal justice system to do far better. It can't be right in 2025 in one of the most progressive countries in the world, if you're a woman or a girl, you're scared to go out.' Sir Mark said the force was improving its response to victims of violence against women and girls. He told the PA news agency: 'This new technology is just one example of how we're day-by-day improving our response to victims of violence against women and girls. 'A very basic requirement is to be able to get great evidence of an assault, that might be a bruise or a scratch. 'It's not always easy to photograph it. It depends on the light, depends on a whole range of factors. It also sometimes depends on the colour of skin – darker skin sometimes showing bruising less readily. 'Recognising this problem, our forensic experts have designed this special lighting technology.' He said the tests had resulted in more prosecutions and that he wanted it to be expanded to the rest of London and in future, the country.
North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Mayor says device to assess bruising to darker skin shows police have changed
Sir Sadiq Khan said the device developed by the Metropolitan Police was an example of 'how much the police has changed in the last few years'. The devices, known as Project Archway, allow officers to better assess victims' injuries, particularly on darker skin, by making it easier to photograph and visualise bruising. The mayor was shown the new technology on Monday and spoke with Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and officers who are piloting the devices. The handheld device is the first of its kind to be developed and uses a technique called cross-polarisation to make injuries clearer that may not appear to the naked eye. Of 33 uses during a pilot in south London, 45% have resulted in charges, with several others under investigation, the Met Police said. The device has undergone ethical scrutiny and wide consultation, including input from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Black Police Association, and the Met Ethics Board. Officers are specially trained prior to use and can only use the device with full consent from victims. Alongside the force's V100 programme, which targets the most dangerous offenders and has already resulted in 129 convictions and 154 serious charges, the technology is part of efforts to tackle violence against women and girls, following the publication of its three-year progress report on Tuesday. Sir Sadiq told the PA news agency that police were responding to the concerns of victims of colour. He said: 'I completely understand why ethnic minority and women Londoners have had less confidence in the police service and one of the missions of the police service with my support – and challenge – is to make sure we address the concerns that those Londoners have. 'I think what today shows is just how much the police has changed, and is responding to a legitimate concern raised by victims and survivors, particularly ethnic minority victims and survivors.' Sir Sadiq added: 'It's really important to acknowledge the progress made. Similarly, the response last week from the Met Police Service and the commissioner to the hearing into Child Q is significant; a recognition of the systemic issues last week from the police service. That wouldn't have been the case a few years ago.' Two Metropolitan Police officers were sacked last week after they were found to have committed gross misconduct during the 'disproportionate' strip search of a 15-year-old black girl at school, who was wrongly suspected of carrying cannabis. Commander Kevin Southworth said while the officers involved did not act correctly, there were organisational failings with training around strip-searches said to be 'inadequate' and oversight of the power 'severely lacking'. Sir Sadiq said that while impressive, the new technology and work to help victims of colour did not been there was not more work to be done. Sir Sadiq said: 'It's not mission accomplished. Neither myself nor the commissioner are complacent about the need for further reform, about the need for further work, about the need to win over those Londoners who still aren't sure about the Met Police Service.' He called for work to tackle misogyny to begin in schools and for it to be classed as a hate crime by Parliament. Sir Sadiq added: 'We need to recognise that ending the violence against women and girls, ending misogyny, can't start and stop with the police. It needs a whole society approach. It's really important that employers understand the concerns the female staff have, but also pubs, bars, music venues, music festivals need to be safe for women and girls. There's responsibility for us as men to provide allyship to women and girls. 'There is a role for the criminal justice system to do far better. It can't be right in 2025 in one of the most progressive countries in the world, if you're a woman or a girl, you're scared to go out.' Sir Mark said the force was improving its response to victims of violence against women and girls. He told the PA news agency: 'This new technology is just one example of how we're day-by-day improving our response to victims of violence against women and girls. 'A very basic requirement is to be able to get great evidence of an assault, that might be a bruise or a scratch. 'It's not always easy to photograph it. It depends on the light, depends on a whole range of factors. It also sometimes depends on the colour of skin – darker skin sometimes showing bruising less readily. 'Recognising this problem, our forensic experts have designed this special lighting technology.' He said the tests had resulted in more prosecutions and that he wanted it to be expanded to the rest of London and in future, the country.
