Police launched an internal inquiry after footage emerged of a young black man being pinned to the ground by a group of British Transport Police officers and having a spit hood placed over his head at London Bridge Station. The officers claim Aihie became ‘aggressive’ after they intervened in an argument between him and his girlfriend. The footage shows Aihie yelling ‘it hurts, it hurts,’ as he is pinned to the ground and forced to have a hood completely cover his head. Meanwhile a Christian campaigner called on Theresa May to ensure ethnic minorities are properly represented in senior government roles. Simon Wooley, from Operation Black Vote, said his message for the Prime Minister was, ‘there are a record number of black MP’s right now in Parliament, and not all of them are being given prominent roles. We need to see a plan to tackle persistent racial inequality and greater representation.’ See also: https://www.rt.com/uk/353932-police-black-arrest-video/

The Goddard inquiry was set up in 2015 in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal to gather evidence on historical institutional child abuse in Britain. The inquiry is asking victims who were abused and reported the abuse to authorities but were either ignored or the report not acted on properly, to come forward. 600+ people have taken part and the inquiry panel is encouraging more victims and survivors to come forward as the first ones begin giving testimonies to a public inquiry into child sexual abuse. This is an unprecedented national ‘truth-telling’ project designed to catalogue decades of suffering. Pray for the 2,000+ people who have contacted the Goddard inquiry so far to finally receive appropriate care and healing. Pray for others not yet brave enough to speak out, may they bravely step out and be freed from flashbacks, fear and emotional pain.

PSNI (Police Service Northern Ireland) have charged a 28-year-old man with rape and false imprisonment as part of an investigation into human trafficking in County Londonderry. He was also accused of human trafficking into the UK for sexual exploitation, causing and inciting prostitution, and assault and actual bodily harm on an Eastern European woman being treated for her injuries and being assessed as a victim of human trafficking. Detective Inspector Mark Bell, from PSNI Human Trafficking Unit, said, ‘These enquiries, including a search of a property in the city, are continuing as we work with partner agencies to ensure the woman receives all appropriate support and assistance.’ Meanwhile, Theresa May, who is a Christian, has pledged £33m to tackle modern-day slavery. The money will target the routes of the people-trafficking trade from countries like Nigeria. Also BBC reported Wednesday, ‘UK Border Control had only three boats available to keep UK borders secure.’ See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36960905

The Archbishop of York has told Premier that clergy shouldn't be concerned about increasing security of UK churches as the responsibility lies with the police, the army and the Government. He was speaking following the killing of 84-year-old priest Fr Jacques Hamel, which led to the Met Police issuing guidance to churches. See last week’s Prayer-Alert - Church to review security arrangements. The Archbishop, who is the second most senior clergyman in the Church of England, says clergy should be focusing on being welcoming instead of worrying about security. He said, ‘That is really in the hands of both the police, the army and the Government - they're responsible for security. What we can do is make sure that we are loving of God and loving of neighbour without discrimination,’ and, ‘we're following a crucified Saviour and our job is to be as loving and sometimes as vulnerable as He was.’