Urgent safety warning after suspected hand grenades found in Hopwood
Anyone who sees the man is asked not to approach him and to call 999.A cordon put in place while the devices left on the bank were detonated has since been lifted.
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Telegraph
6 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Starmer hires 300 extra officers to stop record migrant crossings
An extra 300 officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) will be deployed to target Channel people smugglers in a new bid to prevent migrant crossings hitting a record this year. Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, announced a £100 million investment in border security which will pay for the NCA to get an additional 300 officers to work on organised immigration crime. It is three times the uplift of 100 NCA officers when the Government set up the Border Security Command under former police chief Martin Hewitt. The money will also pay for new state-of-the-art technology and equipment to detect and disrupt the crime gangs behind the small boats, including hi-tech undercover cameras, listening devices and AI-assisted intelligence and data analysis tools. Since taking up the post, Mr Hewitt has boosted the use of undercover tactics, covert surveillance and intercepts to track down and stop the people smugglers. The NCA claims to have prosecuted major smuggling gang kingpins, seized more than 600 small boats and engines, and disrupted a further 351 criminal gangs through the work of the NCA. Some of the extra money will also support the new pilot of the 'one-in, one-out' returns agreement between the UK and France, which for the first time will see migrants who arrive illegally on small boats sent back to France. In exchange, the UK will take a similar number of asylum seekers from France. Ministers hope the extra investment, the new deal with the French and France's pledge to intercept the smugglers' taxi boats at sea for the first time, will reverse the upward surge in crossings which have hit record levels this year. Some 25,436 migrants have already crossed since the New Year, up nearly 50 per cent on both 2024 and 2022, when a record 45,755 reached the UK on small boats. Unless the new measures work and deter or stop the migrants, the crossings are on course to pass 60,000 if the upward trajectory remains the same. Ms Cooper said: 'For six years, the small boat smuggling gangs were allowed to embed their criminal trade along our coast, and have shown a ruthless ability to adapt their tactics and maximise their profits, no matter how many lives they put at risk. 'They must not be allowed to get away with this vile crime. 'That is why this government has developed a serious and comprehensive plan to dismantle their business model, from disrupting their supply chains across the European continent to clamping down on their illegal working operations here in the UK. 'In the last twelve months, we have set the foundations for this new and much stronger law enforcement approach – establishing the new Border Security Command, strengthening the NCA and UK police operations, increasing Immigration Enforcement, introducing new counter terror style powers in our Border Security Bill, and establishing cooperation agreements with Europol and other countries. 'Now this additional funding will strengthen every aspect of our plan, and will turbo-charge the ability of our law enforcement agencies to track the gangs and bring them down, working with our partners overseas, and using state-of-the-art technology and equipment.' However, Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said the £100m was a gimmick that would make no real difference. 'There have been more than 25,000 illegal crossings so far this year, making it the worst year in history. Labour has failed and their laughable claim to smash the gangs lies in tatters,' he said. 'They have no serious plan, just excuses, while ruthless criminal gangs flood our borders with illegal immigrants. The Conservative Deportation Bill is the only real solution. Immediate detention, rapid removal and shutting down these illegal networks for good. 'This weak Labour government has lost control of our borders, and we now see rapes and sexual assaults by illegal immigrants reported on a near daily basis.' In a statement to The Telegraph, however, Mr Hewitt said: 'This additional £100 million investment in our Border Security Command represents a critical escalation in our fight against the criminal gangs exploiting our immigration system and putting lives at risk through dangerous Channel crossings. 'This significant immediate funding will deliver cutting-edge technology, additional officers, and enhanced intelligence capabilities to dismantle the organised criminal networks at every level. 'This comprehensive package will strengthen our frontline capabilities with more National Crime Agency staff focused on intelligence targeting of crime gang members, state-of-the-art detection technology, and sophisticated new equipment designed to disrupt organised immigration crime. 'We're also investing in our domestic response, bolstering our Organised Immigration Crime Domestic Taskforce and intensifying illegal working enforcement to tackle the UK-based elements of these criminal operations. 'Crucially, this funding recognises that organised immigration crime is a global issue requiring a global response. 'We're extending our reach upstream and across transit countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia to target criminal gangs at source, disrupt human trafficking networks, remove the supply of dangerous small boat equipment, and counter the lies criminals tell vulnerable people about safe passage. 'The investment will also support the implementation of the UK's new 'one-in, one-out' returns agreement pilot with France and the enhanced powers under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, including new capabilities to seize and analyse digital devices for intelligence gathering and criminalise the dissemination of online material that promotes breaches of immigration law. 'As part of the government's Plan for Change to secure our borders, we are working hand-in-hand with international partners to use every tool at our disposal to stop these criminal gangs getting away with undermining our border security, and to protect the vulnerable people they are exploiting for profit.'
BBC News
6 minutes ago
- BBC News
I regret taking my son to a riot following Southport attack, says stepmother
"I have no answer for it other than I'm an idiot, stupid, got caught up in the moment," says Amy is trying to explain how she - a mother to two children who lives in Tamworth, Staffordshire - attended a riot with her son, then aged is one of thousands of people to have been involved in violent protests that erupted last summer. The rioting followed the murder by a teenager of three young girls in Southport - Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, other children and two adults were also injured.A wave of misinformation, half-truths and lies on social media, including false claims that the killer was a Muslim asylum seeker, sparked riots in towns and cities across England and Northern Ireland. More than 1,800 people were arrested, and 698 were convicted of crimes such as violent disorder and assaulting police.A year on, angry protesters are once again gathering at hotels where asylum seekers are Panorama contacted hundreds of people who took part in riots last year to ask them how they account for their actions. Many would not speak to us, saying they did not trust mainstream media; others were too ashamed or a few agreed to talk. But while Hodgkinson-Hedgecox told Panorama her actions had been impulsive and she regretted them, another was unapologetic - defending his online calls to sink small boats and refusing to condemn rioters who set fire to the hotel where he was 38, is wearing an electronic tag around her ankle at the house she shares with her partner Charlotte and their two children. Sentenced to two years and three months in jail after pleading guilty to violent disorder, but now released on licence, she cannot leave the house between 19:00 and 07:00."It was really exciting,'' she says. "The adrenaline was just… it was crazy. It was a real eye-opener that I would never do again."With her distinctive short cropped hair, Hodgkinson-Hedgecox is easily identifiable in the reams of footage from that evening outside the hotel. She did not throw any missiles, she had no part in setting any fires, but she was standing in front of police lines shouting abuse at them, and making obscene gestures at the asylum seekers living in the hotel. Twelve-year-old Brady had seen the protests on TikTok and repeatedly asked Hodgkinson-Hedgecox to take him there. She says she went there because she believed social media posts which said asylum seekers had been filming young girls at a park close to the hotel, near the centre of Tamworth. But Hodgkinson-Hedgecox acknowledges the claims may not have been true."I did swear. I was just shouting to the police, like, how would you like it if your child has been videoed by them? There's a level where you should be sticking up for us as well as them," she says."I was frustrated, I was really frustrated. Everybody's got an opinion on what's going on right now." The former factory worker, with Brady at her side, stayed there as the violence escalated."When they started smashing the windows, they were throwing fireworks through the holes and they were going bang in the building, I thought, something bad's going to happen here," she says."As soon as I seen the lighter go on that petrol bomb I thought, oh my God, this building's going to go down. I was really concerned for [the people inside]. I thought, wow, this is gonna go up in flames, gonna kill them all. And it's not right, it's wrong. It's so wrong."Hodgkinson-Hedgecox has been jailed several times. Until the riots, her last conviction, for battery, was in 2009. She says she has turned her life around since and is totally focused on her family. "I accept that I was wrong for being there. I should never have been there. And I accept I should have never took a child with me either," she says. "Massive regret, huge regret. It's bad parenting."Patriotic Alternative, a far-right, anti-immigration group run by former BNP activist Mark Collett contacted Hodgkinson-Hedgecox's partner Charlotte after she was offered her £1,000, saying it was providing financial support to the families of some of those convicted for their role in the rioting, describing them as political prisoners. Charlotte, who told us she was in a bad place after her partner was convicted, says she now regrets accepting the Rotherham, Ross Hart took part in a protest outside another asylum hotel. The 30-year-old says he was angry about the number of people arriving in the UK in small boats. "All these migrants coming over, they get the hotels, they get their food," he says. "They get everything they need to get set up. That comes out of taxpayers' money."The protest began peacefully, but as it escalated, Hart was filmed joining men rocking a police was "adrenaline", "a heat of the moment thing", he says. "Just show them that we've had enough and you need to listen to us."Hart was also filmed vandalising one of the hotel's air conditioning units. "At that time basically, only thing people cared about then were making sure they left that hotel. Long story short: get them out." Just as in Tamworth, rioters set fire to the hotel. Hart was not involved in the arson but he stood by and watched. And he admits to giving little thought to the plight of those trapped inside."I don't think none of that came into nobody's mind because enough's enough. No, I wouldn't say I wanted them to die, I wanted them gone."Hart was jailed for two years and 10 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder. Like Hodgkinson-Hedgecox, he had been jailed as a teenager. Two years ago, he was also convicted for assaulting a who is unemployed, has anxiety, depression and borderline personality disorder. He says he was not taking his medication in the run up to the riots, but doubts it would have made much difference to his actions."I do believe if I'd have had my medication, I probably would have still been there," he says. "But I don't think I have done anything at all, to be honest." Ross Hart, like Amy Hodgkinson-Hedgecox, has been released early on licence, but his views on asylum seekers have not been affected by his jailing. We showed him a social media image which appears to show migrants on a boat heading to the UK. It features a comment he posted: "Sink the lot dirty rats".When challenged about the offensive post, he says: "There's nowt racist about that. To me, there's nowt wrong with that, what I've put there."The anger over the housing of asylum seekers in hotels has not gone away. At least 12 people were charged after violence broke out at a protest outside an Essex hotel last month."Social media has got a lot to answer for and personally, do I think it's gonna happen again? Yeah, absolutely I do," says Hodgkinson-Hedgecox. "Would I attend? No, definitely not. Do I believe everything that I read on social media now? No. I really, really don't." "I'm a quiet person now, I've got a quiet life. I just wanna move forward from this, learn from my mistakes, and just go back to being the family person that I am."One target of the 2024 riots - Southport Imam Ibrahim Hussein, whose mosque was attacked - says he has forgiven those rioters who have written to him to apologise. But Mr Hussein says the fear has not gone away for many Muslims like him."I'm afraid it's like if you crack a big piece of glass, it's very hard to put it back," he says. "It is a scary time when you are labelled for what you believe."
Daily Mail
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Is THIS Britain's strictest seaside council? Popular towns hit with 'unfair' clampdown after beach brawls... but locals say 'it's not our fault'
Locals at one of Britain's most popular seaside towns are furious at being slapped with an 'insane' and 'patronising' crackdown on swearing after a series of violent incidents. Broadstairs in Kent has become a 'warzone' after a string of brawls have impacted the reputation of the 'beautiful' town. Visitor numbers have plummeted and business is down this summer, according to locals and businesses. In response, Thanet District Council is looking at bringing in a 'bizarre' scheme which sees those that use foul language get fined £100 in an effort to curb anti-social behaviour which has seen an Italian restaurant attacked and a huge beach fight. The Thanet council ban would not just affect Broadstairs but also the neighbouring towns of Ramsgate and Margate which have also suffered from anti-social behaviour this year. But furious residents and tourists believe they are being unfairly blamed for the rise in violence and antisocial behaviour. The most shocking examples of violence include a huge fight on the beach last month which saw hundreds of youths brawl in the open air. Terrifying footage shows the group surround two males who were throwing punches and slaps at each other on a walkaway behind a row of beach huts. The brawl then spilled out onto sand where a baying mob screamed and seemed to urged the pair to carry on fighting. Horrified children and families ran for cover. Another serious incident that has paralysed the close knit community this summer saw a gang of 30 youths surround and target a family-run Italian restaurant in the town. They stormed towards staff at Sardinia, who had helped protect a youth who had been the victim of an assault outside the restaurant. The gang throw a series of chairs at the building before a staff member chases one youth off. In response, the council is looking to introduce fines for those caught swearing. Avdi Kotarja, 39, manager of the restaurant, told Mail Online: 'It was awful. I was there that night, it was horrific. We were helping a guy who was getting attacked and stopped him from more pain and more beatings. 'That's how it all happened. They then came for us. It was terrifying. 'Some of the youths there that night who were involved walk around town as if nothing happened. 'Our customers are brilliant and we love Broadstairs. But there is certainly an issue here. 'I don't see how banning swearing will have any impact. It's bigger than that.'. Patrick Deane, 76, has lived in the town all his life, and said he is worried about going out at night. The retired builder said: 'It's a warzone. I don't feel safe. We don't see police but do have plenty of these private security people. The town has an edge to it as if it could kick off at any moment. I'm scared at night here. 'A lot of my friends feel the same. What is banning swearing going to do? That will end up targeting the wrong people? The people carrying out this violence are serious. They need a proper punishment. 'Not a fine for swearing. The plan is frankly insulting to those people who live and work here or those that have gone through this.' Fellow residents John Corbett, 71, and Caroline Miners, 82, said the town had become 'lost to the gangs' and 'plagued by yobs.' Mr Corbett, who has lived there for 20 years, said: 'It's so sad. I want Broadstairs to go back to what it was. A beautiful and pleasant place where people could relax and people played on the beach. Now people are scared. 'We get these private security people wandering around. You don't see many police. People are scared. 'It's all fueled by alcohol which is drank on the streets and drugs. The locals are great. We just want a nice time. It's caused by youths, some who live here and some from London. 'They think it's just a big play area to them.' Caroline added: 'I've lived here 50 years and it's as bad as it has ever been. The authorities do not do anything worthwhile. 'Banning swearing is a joke. I genuinely thought people were having a laugh. We're talking about youths terrorising restaurants, family businesses, having huge organised fights and intimidating people. 'It's all fuelled by drinking. They've ruined beach huts which were beautiful. They're just destroying the area. People are staying away. 'This is further down the line and more serious than just some swearing. The people who suggested that are very naive.' Despite the presence of council security who MailOnline saw prowling the promenade, Carole wanted to see more police. She said: 'They arrive to react. But we don't see them on patrol. That's what we need.' Shop keeper Adrian Poulter, 56, said he had experienced 'numerous' problems with youths in recent months. He said: 'Shoplifting this year has become a big issue. It never has before. I've had to ban groups in my shop. They just flood in and steal a lot of items and run off. It's terrible. 'I've had more shoplifting this year than in the last 10 years of being here. I don't think they're all local. They often film it and no doubt put it on social media. 'There is absolutely no respect. Bans on swearing will not work, they'll just laugh. It's an insane plan. The town is lost. I know businesses which have closed and people who have moved and won't come back. It's very sad.' Liz and Graham Sage were visiting Broadstairs on Friday lunchtime from nearby Whitstable. They visited the town the evening after the violence erupted at Sardinia. Graham, 76, said: 'There was absolutely at atmosphere that evening we visited. Everyone was on an edge and that has not gone away. If anything, it has increased. 'It's youths from the town and those from outside. We have visited today in the day, I'm not sure we would want to come at night.' Liz added: 'It's a huge shame. People work so hard around here. It's a beautiful area. I don't know what they will do to stop it. 'But some sort of swearing ban won't work. That would just become a huge joke. It's patronising. You've got private security people. 'But everyone wants more police.' Councillor Heather Keen, Cabinet Member for Community said: 'Antisocial behaviour can have a damaging effect on our local community. We've sadly seen situations in our public spaces recently which have escalated and we know that local people, visitors and businesses want more to be done to tackle this. 'The proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) aims to reduce antisocial behaviour and provide the vital tools which are needed to intervene. Without this, the ability of the police to respond to crime and disorder is impacted and crime, in the form of antisocial behaviour, increases. 'The specific behaviours referred to within the orders – including the reference to foul and abusive language – are all similar to the district's previous PSPO which was in place between 2018 and 2024. They mirror the same restrictions in place across many other districts and boroughs, including in other parts of Kent and the south east. 'To be clear, the restriction around language is not aimed at preventing free speech or swearing. Specifically the PSPO relates to 'using foul or abusive language within the hearing or sight of another person who is likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress by this'. This particular restriction is being proposed to address a significant issue in the areas covered by the PSPO. Evidence to support this has been provided by police, Ward Councillors and residents as well as business owners. 'The enforcement of this measure is not subjective. It involves an objective test and any antisocial behaviour will be judged against the impact on the reasonable person. 'We sought to implement a PSPO in similar terms to the one that it is currently proposed, in the summer of last year. Following a threat of legal challenge to that process, we decided to gather further evidence which indicates that the introduction of a restriction to address this issue is proportionate. We have also carried out a comprehensive consultation. The public and stakeholder response has again indicated overwhelming support for all of the proposed restrictions. 'As a result we will consider the proposed order when the Cabinet meets on Thursday 24 July to carefully consider the results of consultation and take a view. Subject to approval, we will seek to implement this as soon as possible.' Superintendent Dan Carter of Kent Police, said: 'The decision to continue the dispersal orders in Thanet has been made to ensure that our coastline remains a safe place, and they are one of the several tools we're using to deal swiftly with antisocial behaviour as we move further into summer 'Orders remain in constant review and will be utilised as needed. I am continually grateful to residents and businesses for their support and feedback. By working closely with the community to identify their concerns, it means we can tackle those issues head on. 'I would also urge parents to speak to their children about the impact that antisocial behaviour can have on others. Antisocial behaviour can have serious consequences not only for victims, but for young people themselves, who may face police action or prosecution.'
