Displaying items by tag: police

Five Iranian men have been arrested in the UK on suspicion of plotting a terrorist attack, with the Israeli embassy in London understood to have been the target. Although police have not officially confirmed the embassy as the focus, multiple sources, including the BBC, report this as accurate. The suspects, aged between 24 and 46, were arrested in Swindon, west London, Stockport, Rochdale, and Manchester. Four remain in custody under the Terrorism Act; one has been released on bail. Counter-terrorism officers have searched several properties across England, and the investigation is described as fast-moving and sensitive. Iran has denied involvement but offered cooperation. Officials warn that Iranian-backed activities in the UK are often underestimated, with influence spread via religious institutes, media, and charities aligned with Tehran’s aims. UK authorities have praised the swift response of hundreds of officers involved, highlighting the seriousness of this threat. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant as investigations continue, with further updates expected as operational security allows.

The Government has announced a major new initiative to restore neighbourhood policing, aiming to rebuild public trust and enhance community safety. Under the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, 13,000 additional officers will be deployed by 2029 - an increase of more than 50%. Every neighbourhood will have named, contactable officers and guaranteed police patrols during peak times, ending the postcode lottery in law enforcement standards. Each police force will also appoint an antisocial behaviour lead to respond to local issues with tailored action plans. The initiative includes new powers through the Crime and Policing Bill to address antisocial behaviour, shoplifting, and phone theft. Retailers and hospitality leaders have welcomed the measures, recognising visible policing as essential for revitalising high streets and ensuring safe neighbourhoods across the UK.

A 74-year-old woman has become the first person charged in Scotland under the new Abortion Services Act 2024. The law, which came into force in September, bans anti-abortion protests within 200 metres of hospitals and clinics where terminations are performed. The police arrested and charged the woman after reports of a demonstration outside a Glasgow hospital. The case will be referred to the procurator fiscal. Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay, who introduced the legislation, called the protests 'shameful' and thanked the police for their swift response. She argued that the law is necessary to protect women from intimidation while accessing healthcare. The incident follows controversial remarks by US vice-president JD Vance, who falsely claimed that Scots could be prosecuted for private prayer in their homes. The Scottish government dismissed his comments as misinformation, reaffirming that private prayer is not prohibited. Mackay urged potential demonstrators to 'think again', warning that future protests will be stopped, and legal consequences will follow.

Australia is investigating allegations that foreign funding is fuelling a rise in anti-Semitic crimes. Prime minister Anthony Albanese revealed suspicions that criminals-for-hire who lack ideological motives are being paid to commit these acts. The authorities are working to trace the sources of funding, whether domestic or international. Anti-Semitic incidents have surged since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023. In Melbourne, arsonists firebombed a synagogue, while in Sydney, vandals targeted Jewish neighbourhoods and institutions, including a childcare centre. The police strike force tasked with investigating these crimes has doubled its manpower. Arrests have been made, and one man has been charged with attempting to burn down a synagogue in Sydney. The police are also investigating the involvement of young people in recent incidents, to see if they had been radicalised online.

Keir Starmer has announced a bold 'Plan for Change’, prioritising increased neighbourhood safety, improved NHS services, education reforms, and economic growth. Central to this vision is the pledge to recruit 13,000 additional police officers, police community support officers, and special constables across England and Wales. Starmer emphasised the importance of visible, community-based policing to restore trust and reduce fear. The plan also addresses NHS waiting lists, aiming to improve access to healthcare. Education reforms focus on early childhood development, ensuring children start school prepared to learn. Additionally, Starmer highlighted a commitment to clean energy, aiming to make Britain a green energy superpower by 2030. Addressing broader issues, Starmer pledged improvements in living standards, housing development, and stricter immigration controls. He criticised past governments for 'sticking plaster' politics, vowing lasting change through strategic, measurable goals.

Gun crime in London has surged by nearly 30%, impacting areas once considered safe. The recent shooting of an eight-year-old girl in Ladbroke Grove highlights the escalating violence linked to gang rivalries. Community leaders attribute the rise to recently released prisoners returning to their communities with unresolved conflicts.  High-crime areas are seeing younger individuals recruited into gang activities, including carrying weapons. The surge in gun-related incidents has placed immense pressure on Scotland Yard, which faces severe budget cuts of £450 million, potentially reducing the police force by two thousand officers. Mayor Sadiq Khan emphasises efforts like the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), which has funded 350,000 opportunities for youth and contributed to a reduction in homicides and stabbings. Initiatives such as youth worker programmes in hospitals and police custody aim to prevent reoffending and exploitation. Organisations like The Children’s Society are working to protect vulnerable children through education, awareness campaigns, and collaborative efforts to tackle the root causes of violence, offering hope for a safer future.

Avon and Somerset police have issued an apology to Pastor Dia Moodley, who was arrested while street preaching in Bristol. Moodley, a grandfather and pastor, was detained for thirteen hours after being accused of 'racially or religiously aggravated harassment without violence'. The arrest followed an incident where Moodley answered a question contrasting Christianity with Islam and expressed his belief in binary gender. During the confrontation, he was pushed from his stepladder, and his signs were damaged. One of the signs, which contained a Bible text, was destroyed by university staff when instructed to do so by the police. Moodley, represented by the Alliance for Defending Freedom (ADF), sustained a soft tissue injury during the altercation. His counsel called the treatment 'appalling' and urged the strengthening of free speech laws to protect peaceful, lawful expression of beliefs. Although the police dropped their investigation, the event highlights concerns over discriminatory policing and the freedom to share Christian beliefs publicly.

Sri Lankan police have arrested more than 230 Chinese nationals suspected of executing online scams targeting international banks. They seized 250 computers and 500 mobile phones involved in the fraudulent activities, with investigations continuing into the scale of the financial theft. They were helped by a special team sent from China; the biggest raid, on 12 October, netted 126 Chinese men. China’s crackdown on cybercriminals at home may have driven some to seek illegal activities abroad. The Chinese embassy expressed its readiness to strengthen law enforcement cooperation with Sri Lanka, which has had advanced 5G  telecommunications infrastructure since 2019. In June the police arrested over two hundred suspects, primarily from India, for similar financial fraud operations.

Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, a Christian charity volunteer, has won £13,000 in compensation and received an apology after being wrongfully arrested twice for silently praying outside an abortion clinic in a 'buffer zone' - an area designated to prevent actions that may intimidate women entering the clinic. Her first arrest occurred in November 2022, but she was cleared of charges in February 2023 when prosecutors failed to present evidence. Despite this, she was arrested again for the same action weeks later. Supported by ADF International, she pursued legal action against the police, citing wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, and human rights violations. Although grateful for her vindication, Vaughan-Spruce expressed concern that Christians should not have to fight for their rights in such a manner. Her case emerges as government ministers review police guidelines, potentially redefining the legal standing of 'silent prayer' near abortion clinics across England and Wales.

The authorities have intensified their investigation into internet influencer Andrew Tate, who faces serious charges, including human trafficking, sexual exploitation of minors, and money laundering. Recently, masked police conducted raids at his property near Bucharest, as part of an ongoing probe by Romania's anti-crime agency. Tate, along with his brother Tristan and two Romanian women, were arrested in 2022 and have since been formally indicted. While they have consistently denied all allegations, claiming a lack of evidence and a political conspiracy, they remain under strict legal restrictions, including house arrest and a ban on leaving the country. The case has garnered significant attention due to Tate's divisive online presence, where he promotes misogynistic views to millions of followers: he has already been banned by various social media platforms. The trial's start date is yet to be determined, following a lengthy preliminary legal process.