Latest news with #Yard
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Lawless London: Knife crime offences in the capital nearly double in decade under Sadiq Khan - as report shows West End is becoming a hotspot of offending
Knife offences in London have increased by 86 per cent in a decade, a shocking report has found. London's iconic West End has more knife crime than almost 15 per cent of the rest of the capital combined, according to research from the Policy Exchange. Just five per cent of robberies and 0.6 per cent of 'theft from person' crimes in London were solved last year, the research – titled Your Money or Your Life: London's Knife Crime, Robbery and Street Theft Epidemic' – found. The report's author, ex-Scotland Yard detective chief inspector David Spencer, said his former force must take an unequivocal 'crime fighting first' approach to save the city from a knife, robbery and theft epidemic. Knife offences across the country have increased by 78 per cent since 2014, but Mr Spencer said these figures had been skewed by the scale of the issue in the capital, where there were 16,879 knife crimes last year alone - about a third of the total across England and Wales. The report points out that this coincides broadly with the mayoralty of Sir Sadiq Khan, who was this week publicly criticised by US president Donald Trump, who claimed he had done a 'terrible job.' Sir Sadiq, who was knighted in June, has won the Mayoral elections three times since 2016. The Policy Exchange report claims that since the pandemic knife crime has risen year on year throughout his tenure, with separate figures indicating a nine per cent rise in the past year. A spokesman for the Mayor said murders, gun crime with lethal barrel discharges, knife crime with injury and burglary are all down since 2016 and last year teen murders were the lowest they had been for a decade. But the report's author Mr Spencer said: 'A cosy consensus between police chiefs and political leaders has led to a collapse in proactive policing – in particular stop and search rates – allowing the streets to be surrendered to thugs, robbers and thieves.' The Metropolitan Police said there had been a recent dip in knife crimes between April and May, while personal robbery was down 12.8 per cent in a year. The report made 17 recommendations, including that the capital's top 20 knife crime hotspots should have enhanced 'zero tolerance' enforcement, with extra officers tasked with conducting high volumes of stop and search. The number of searches has dropped by 56.4 per cent since 2022, from 311,352 annually to 135,739, the report states. And the paper argues that contrary to criticism, the controversial practice is not deployed in a 'racist' way and reflected the proportion of the capital charged with serious crimes. The report stated that 39.5 per cent of those stopped and searched were black, while 43.6 per cent of people charged with murder and 45.6 per cent of victims stabbed to death were. 'The police are merely responding to the demographic breakdown of serious and violent offending in the capital,' the report argued. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said he supported the 'zero tolerance' approach, which he understood would require a combination of clear policy, political will and savvy operational policing to implement. 'It also requires policing and political leaders to put public safety ahead of ideological dogma on issues such as stop and search,' he added. The report also called on the Government to force Apple and Google to prevent stolen mobile phones being able to connect with cloud services, which would render them useless to thieves. The Mail revealed on Saturday that traditional county lines gangs are turning to stealing phones over dealing drugs because unprecedented demand from overseas is creating a booming £70million black market. The report also highlighted that 'hyper-prolific offenders' across Britain with 46 or more previous convictions are sent to prison on less than half of occasions after they are convicted again. It recommended the Government should make immediate two-year custodial sentences mandatory for all such offenders upon conviction of a further offence. Labour MP and former Metropolitan Police inspector Jonathan Hinder said the criminal justice system had been left broken, and there was an urgent need to properly resource courts and prisons to restore public faith. 'In the meantime, the law-abiding public want a strong police force to have the confidence to take on criminals, and it's time for politicians of all colours to give the police their full backing to do just that,' he added. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'We are putting more officers in neighbourhoods than ever before, using our stop and search powers to taking thousands of weapons off the street – 17,500 over the past four years - and utilising new technology and data-driven tactics including focussing on the highest harm hotspots to bring offenders to justice and drive down violent crime. 'We are also arresting more than 1,000 more criminals each month thanks to the hard work of our officers. 'Our approach is having success - this financial year, knife-related crime is down by 16 per cent, there has 12.8 per cent reduction in robbery offences and homicide is at a five year low. 'This report repeats the calls that we have previously made for reform of the justice system and the collaboration of partners like major mobile phone producers. 'We all know that reducing knife crime requires a whole of society effort and we will support any initiative that seeks to make this happen.' A spokesman for the Mayor of London said: 'The latest ONS stats also show that overall, the violent crime with injury rate is lower in London than in the rest of England and Wales. 'Record funding from the Mayor and an enhanced approach to neighbourhood policing in the West End has led to personal robberies falling by 20 per cent and violence with injury reducing by 25 per cent in the last year. 'The Mayor is determined to build on this progress – his record £1.16bn funding has secured 935 police officers and he has worked closely with the Commissioner to increase the number of police officers on the beat in the West End, plus additional police officers working in new or enhanced town centre teams in hotspot areas. 'Despite years of austerity by the previous government, this is the latest example of the Met Police and Mayor prioritising what Londoners want and delivering on their pledge to put high visibility policing at the heart of fighting crime and rebuilding community confidence and trust.'
Scotsman
5 days ago
- General
- Scotsman
Dundee families walk together for a more inclusive future
A group of Dundee parents and children are playing their way to fitness as they prepare for next month's Kiltwalk. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The group of 40, including parents and children who attend The Yard, alongside dedicated staff, are raising funds for the refurbishment of the Dundee service, which supports families, children and young people with disabilities and additional needs. The inclusive play centre, which also provides wraparound family support, is currently being transformed into a fully accessible, year-round community hub, set to open in the Autumn. In the meantime, Yard continues to operate out of temporary premises at Dundee East Community Sports Club, with summer holiday sessions at Kingspark School. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The ambitious, £1.5M upgrade includes a new roof, sensory room, Changing Places toilet, expanded play areas, meeting and office space, and a large communal kitchen and dining area. The outdoor garden and play zones are also taking shape, with NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation contributing £100,000 to the outdoor space and donating two spaces to the Kiltwalk. The Yard Kiltwalkers Most of the group are embarking on the four-mile Wee Wander, including Dundee Mum Cheryl Ferguson and daughter Rio who are returning for their second year and inspiring others to get involved. A few brave walkers are tackling the full 20-mile Mighty Stride. As Sunday 17 August approaches, the team have already raised almost £1,000. Gill Thomson, Service Development Manager at The Yard Dundee, who is walking alongside her two sons, said, 'The fact that so many mums, dads and children have signed up is a real testament to how much The Yard means to them. Our families really are our best ambassadors, and everyone is super-excited for the reopening, but we still need more money to get the doors open, and every pound raised brings us a step closer. 'Four miles may feel like a big ask but we're a strong and resilient community and are determined to do our best. All the summer fun at The Yard is keeping us fit and fired up for the big day!' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Gill will be joined by Dundee mum Pamela Donaldson, whose nine-year-old daughter attends The Yard. She said, 'I've been coming to The Yard every Sunday with my daughter since she was three years old. She absolutely loves it. It's a place she can just be herself, and feel free, and we're so excited about the reopening and the opportunities the new building will bring. I don't normally ask for sponsorship but this is a cause I'm so passionate about. I don't know what we would do without The Yard, or how we would have managed over the years without their support.' To donate, visit
New York Times
07-07-2025
- General
- New York Times
The Questions Started With the Wren
Of all the nest boxes in our yard, the Carolina chickadees always choose the hanging box in the rose arbor. Every year the female builds her beautiful nest of moss and lays her clutch of speckled eggs. How many eggs? I never know. With chickadees it can be as many as a dozen, as few as three. But if I hear the glorious, burbling river of song that means a northern house wren has arrived, I know the chickadees don't stand a chance. A house wren is a tiny, feathered terrorist. He pulls the nests out of occupied boxes and fills the unoccupied ones with sticks to prevent other birds from nesting there. He scoots unseen in the underbrush, emerging only to puncture the eggs and kill the young in any unguarded nest. If a house wren has any say in the matter, all the nests here are doomed. This year a house wren arrived on April 9. Less than a week later the chickadee nest was in tatters, tangled in the rose canes. I held my breath every time I checked the bluebird box, but the bluebirds held their own against the encroacher. All four of their babies grew up and safely flew into the trees. Bluebirds generally start nesting again very soon after their young fledge — while the male cares for the fledglings, the female builds a new nest — so I cleaned out the box, treated it with food-grade diatomaceous earth to keep the ants out, reinstalled the wire nest lift meant to thwart parasites and waited for round two. But when the bluebirds left the nest box this year, they also left the yard and did not return. Were they taking their babies as far from the house wren as they could get? The wren, meanwhile, continued his rounds, moving from nest box to nest box, laying claim to them all. A female wren, if one ever arrives, will have four empty boxes to choose from. Will one ever arrive? Or choose him if she does? I don't know. I've spent 30 years learning the ways of this wild yard, and still there are so many mysteries. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Glasgow Times
30-06-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Inclusive play centre for disabled children opens in Glasgow
Scottish charity The Yard, which has supported more than 3,000 children and families since 1986, has expanded its model to the city. The charity has taken over the lease of the Linn Park Adventure Playground site on Netherlee Road. The site opened on June 28. Catriona Lowe (Image: Supplied) The newly renovated centre will include a 5,000-square-metre outdoor play area for children and young people, from birth to 18 years old, with disabilities and additional needs. The Yard will welcome the whole family to allow children to thrive, while parents and carers can connect with others in similar situations. Read more: Dominic Calvert-Lewin mooted for Celtic transfer but one key concern raised 'Do not travel' warning issued for Glasgow-bound trains this morning The charity has revamped the building to meet the needs of its service users, with plans to further improve the outdoor garden and play areas. Improvements include full rewiring, a new heating system, upgraded kitchen and toilet facilities, and a new office space. Celine Sinclair, chief executive officer of The Yard, said: "At The Yard, we're inclusive by design. "We never ask for a formal diagnosis. "Too often that's just another barrier for families already facing challenges. "Our doors are open to any child or young person who would benefit from an inclusive, safe place to play, express themselves and grow in confidence. "We're equally here for their families, offering connection, friendship and a shared understanding." Catriona Lowe, a Glasgow-based mum, said: "We are so excited that The Yard is coming to Glasgow. " I travel through to Edinburgh when we can as it's one of my son's favourite places and a fab day out as a family." Families can access The Yard Glasgow through the £8 per month membership scheme, which includes unlimited access to all The Yard centres in Scotland. A membership assistance programme is also available for families who need financial support.
Buzz Feed
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Pedro Pascal Praised For Flying Economy To Cannes
Pedro Pascal went viral more than once at Cannes this year — most recently for describing himself as a 'lazy 50-year-old bougie bitch.' Iconic! Now, Pedro has garnered attention once more after it was revealed that the star had flown economy to the French film festival, where his upcoming western Eddington premiered. USA Today published a video of Pedro boarding an economy flight from London to France, which was purportedly recorded by filmmaker and influencer Lucas Pelizaro. And while acknowledging that yes, the bar is 'on the floor,' numerous fans have praised the star for choosing economy for a short-haul flight* as they pointed out that many celebrities splurge on private jets for ridiculously short trips. As we all know, many celebs have faced increasing backlash in recent years for their private jet usage. Perhaps most notably, Kylie Jenner was branded a 'full time climate criminal' in 2022 after it was revealed that she'd used her jet to take flights as short as 17 minutes. Meanwhile, stars like Travis Scott, Taylor Swift, and Kim Kardashian were exposed for their excessive private jet usage too, according to research conducted by sustainability-driven digital marketing agency Yard. With this in mind, several fans branded Pedro a 'climate conscious king' as they commended his decision to fly commercial to Cannes. 'This man is in the news every day for doing good things,' one person said. 'Protect him at all costs,' someone else wrote. 'Clearly he just wants to be a regular guy treated like regular folks,' one more user said, while others named-dropped Taylor Swift and Travis Scott as they suggested other celebrities should 'take notes' from Pedro. You can check out more of our Cannes-related coverage right here.
