Cannabis plants worth £750k seized by West Mercia Police
Det Ch Insp Joanne Woods said: "We know that organised crime groups involved in cannabis production are also linked to other serious crimes, including modern slavery and exploitation."This three-week operation not only disrupted significant criminal activity and removed cannabis from circulation but also provided valuable intelligence to inform future operations."
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The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Asylum seekers are still getting money on taxpayer-funded credit cards after being granted refugee status
ASYLUM seekers are still receiving money on taxpayer-funded credit cards even after being granted refugee status. A probe has been launched after we uncovered cases of migrants saying they were still getting the handouts - despite rules stating payments must stop once leave to remain is granted. It piles fresh pressure on the Home Office, which is already facing questions over the ASPEN card scheme after it emerged thousands of attempts were made to spend the cash in gambling venues. 1 One migrant wrote in a Facebook group: 'I was granted refugee status in January 2025. I'm still getting money on my ASPEN card… do I need to inform the Home Office or will it stop automatically?' Another user replied: 'I know someone else this happened to. But he had payments for a whole year. 'He did not touch the money as the Home Office could ask you to refund if you are not entitled to this.' Another admitted they are getting payments for dependants who have gone home. When asylum seekers arrive in the UK, they are typically housed in fully catered hotels and receive £9.95 a week on their ASPEN card, rising to £49.18 a week if they are later moved to self-catered accommodation. A Home Office spokesperson said: 'The Home Office rules state that – when an individual ceases to qualify for support – their subsistence payments will automatically end, and their card will be cancelled, after a short transitional period. 'As part of our investigation into the functioning of Aspen cards, we will look into any instances where cards have not been cancelled as intended, and take whatever action is necessary to correct any faults.' The Tories last night insisted it was 'further evidence' Labour has 'lost control of the immigration system'. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'We have seen luxury hotels provided for illegal immigrants, record ever numbers crossing the channel, rapes and sex offences being committed by asylum seekers, taxpayers' money being used to fund gambling by illegal immigrants and now we find they can't even switch the payment cards off when they should. 'This system has become a complete farce. No wonder it costs billions each year. It is an insult to taxpayers that illegal immigrants get better treatment than they do.' Reform UK's Richard Tice also let rip: 'We keep being told that there is no waste in government yet it's clear to see taxpayers are being taken for a ride by asylum seekers. 'The solution to this is simple. If you stop the boats, you stop the benefits and the enormous costs that are associated with illegal crossings. Only Reform will do this.' The wider investigation into ASPEN card misuse began earlier this week, after a Freedom of Information request by PoliticsHome revealed more than 6,500 gambling-related transactions had been attempted by asylum seekers in the past year. Although online gambling was blocked, migrants were able to use the cards in physical sites such as casinos, slot machine arcades and lottery retailers. In some cases, they withdrew cash in or near gambling venues. There are currently around 80,000 ASPEN card users in the UK.
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Horror as 3 spectators killed at rally after driver, 22, veers off road during race – year after tragedy at same event
The tragic incident happened at the event near Ambert this morning RACE SHOCK Horror as 3 spectators killed at rally after driver, 22, veers off road during race – year after tragedy at same event Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THREE spectators have died at a rally in France after a driver veered off the road. The tragic incident happened at the event near Ambert in the Puy-de-Dome region this morning. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The tragic incident happened at the event near Ambert in the Puy-de-Dome region this morning The car crashed into spectators at around 10am this morning. Two brothers aged 60 and 70 sadly died at the scene of the incident. A 44-year-old father was taken to hospital but also subsequently passed away, according to reports. The 22-year-old driver and their 51-year-old co-driver both sustained minor injuries. The incident saw dozens of police officers and firefighters rush to the scene. The Puy-de-Dome prefecture posted on X: "This morning, a tragic accident occurred during the Rallye de la Fourme d'Ambert. "Following a vehicle in the race going off the road, several spectators were struck. "Our thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and all those affected by this tragedy." A manslaughter investigation has now been opened, local media reports add. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
Metro
7 hours ago
- Metro
Three spectators die after rally car veers off road during race
Three spectators at a rally event in France have been killed after a car left the road this morning. A pair of brothers aged 60 and 70 died at the scene, while a 40-year-old father died later in hospital, according to local news outlet La Montagne. The race was taking place near Ambert in the Puy-de-Dome region west of Lyon this morning. It has now been cancelled. Local media said the driver, a 22-year-old woman, and her 51-year-old co-driver have been taken to hospital but their condition is not life-threatening. More Trending In a post on X, the Puy-de-Dome prefecture said: 'This morning, a tragic accident occurred during the Rallye de la Fourme d'Ambert. 'Following a vehicle in the race going off the road, several spectators were struck.' It added: 'Our thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones, and all those affected by this tragedy.' An investigation into involuntary manslaughter has now been opened. Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ Or you can submit your videos and pictures here. For more stories like this, check our news page. Follow on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: Keir Starmer says state is 'inalienable' right of Palestinian people MORE: Fake American catches Paris restaurants charging more than French diners MORE: Spectator run over by Ineos team car during Tour de France
