Latest news with #localCommunity
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
'Viable device' discovered inside home in Co Down
A viable device has been found at a residential property in Newtownards, Co Down. Nearby homes in the Linden Place area, close to the town centre, were evacuated on Wednesday night during the security operation. Advertisement A police spokesperson issued an appeal for information. They said officers received a report of a suspicious object inside the address at around 5.25pm on Wednesday. 'Officers attended the scene together with ammunition technical officers, and examined the device, which was discovered to be viable,' they said. 'A number of neighbouring properties were evacuated, as inquiries were conducted, and the device was secured and taken away for further examination. Advertisement 'Residents were allowed to return to their homes shortly after midnight today, (Thursday). 'Our inquiries are ongoing this morning, and we would appeal to anyone with any information which might assist us to contact 101, quoting reference number 1243 of 25/06/25.' Ards and North Down Deputy Mayor Vicky Moore condemned those responsible as having 'shown a flagrant disregard for life' with their actions. 'This was a downright sinister display of intimidation and the local community is united today in shock and horror,' she said. Advertisement 'It shows a flagrant disregard for human life and public safety, both for those who live at the house where the device was found, and those in nearby properties who had to be evacuated. 'We can only be thankful, due in no small part to the swift and professional work of local PSNI, that nobody was killed or seriously injured, and I want to thank officers for their efforts. 'Those responsible for such reprehensible actions do not represent us, and I would encourage anyone who has any information that may help bring them to justice to contact police or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers without delay.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
Moment woman brazenly 'steals' four solar lights from front garden while walking dog
This is the moment a woman was allegedly caught stealing four solar lights from a front garden as she walked her dog. In footage posted to Facebook, the woman can be seen brazenly walking up the garden path in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, with her German Shepherd. She then bends down and pulls two of the glowing lights out of the ground and begins to walk back down before the footage cuts off. The post was made in the Woodford Crime and Surrounding Areas Facebook group on June 18. Originally, the post read: 'Who is this woman in Buckhurst Hill stealing 4 solar lights ? Kindly return them if it is you and we will remove the post.' However, it was later updated to say: 'We have been informed Police now have her address. 'Your address is known. Please return the items. This is probably not the first time you have stolen.' Locals were infuriated by the video and rushed to the comments to give their opinions. One wrote: 'She's picking them like they were flowers.' 'Why can't people leave people's property alone. Buy your own. Makes me so mad,' another fumed. Others called to 'make her famous', as someone else raged: 'Oh well she's been caught in the act her face is famous now for everyone to see.' One woman questioned why someone would take the cheap garden decorations, writing: 'Why? You can get these in Poundland.' Finding humour in the situation, another local wrote: 'That's what you call light fingers.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
This Sussex spot has been named one of the friendliest places in the UK
Brighton and Hove has been named one of the friendliest cities in the UK. It comes after a new study from Aviva, of which a survey of more than 6,000 people found the UK to be more trusting, friendly and community-minded than some may think. Through the survey, the UK's top 10 cities for neighbourly trust and top 10 friendliest cities were revealed. Making the top 10 was Brighton and Hove. The survey by Aviva of more than 6,000 UK adults found nearly three quarters (74%) of people think their communities are friendly, while a similar number (73%) trust their neighbours. Additionally, nearly four in five (77%) UK residents also say their local community is a good place to live. York was revealed as the UK's friendliest city, while Exeter topped the list for neighbourly trust. In response to the question "my local community is friendly", 78.9% in Brighton and Hove agreed, making it the 10th friendliest city in the UK. The full list of the friendliest cities in the UK and the percentage of people who agreed their local community was friendly is as follows: York - 90.4% Exeter - 85.7% Plymouth - 84.9% Bath - 83.7% Aberdeen - 83.3% Edinburgh - 81.9% Derby - 81.3% Chelmsford 81.1% Cardiff - 79.3% Brighton and Hove - 78.9% Aviva's research shows that being part of a local community improves overall life satisfaction, with 8 in 10 (83%) of those who feel they are part of their community are satisfied with their overall quality of life, in comparison to just 45% of people who don't feel part of their community. Access to green spaces matters to everyone and is often viewed as a necessity, with 90% of respondents saying it's important for them to have access to green space in their local community, and 79% are happy with the quality of their local green spaces. The cities with the highest levels of happiness with their green spaces are Plymouth, Brighton and Hove, Edinburgh and Bath. However, Aviva's research also suggests many people do not have access to certain amenities in their local area. Nearly a third (32%) say they do not have access to pubs in their local community, while 42% say the same about libraries and 46% have no access to gyms, sports and fitness centres in their area. Aviva's research has revealed a the UK's top 10 friendliest cities (Image: PA/Aviva) Taking to Reddit previously, one user said: "Brighton is like an oasis of niceness in the UK. "Sure there are plenty of other lovely places, but I feel like Brighton is just ridiculously nice, liberal, tolerant, good food, great culture, nice beach, friendly people. "I used to live in Birmingham and it was just way more rough and ready, generally more intense, more crime, more violence etc. "Do you ever feel like you just want to bury your head in the lovely sand (stones) of Brighton and just never leave?" "It's not perfect but it is certainly more relaxed about many things more than other towns and cities," another user responded. Recommended reading: Why this 'historic' Sussex city is among the happiest places to live in Britain 'Beautiful' market town in Sussex named one of Britain's happiest places to live Hove named among UK's best places to live in 2025 Another added: "Born here ... longest I've been away is two weeks ...... and I hated it and couldn't wait to get home again.... I have very firm roots." A third said: "I agree, Brighton is an excellent place to live. Bristol is a close second." Do you think Brighton is a friendly city? Let us know in the comments.
Daily Mail
17-06-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Residents fight back against caravan city: Van dwellers complain about 'NIMBYs' who blare their horns, kick their caravans and throw stones to scare them away
Van dwellers in Bristol have revealed how a 'bunch of NIMBYs' who are demanding their encampment be removed blare their horns, kick their caravans and throw stones to scare them away - as they insist they make the area safer. For months locals in the Downs area of Bristol have been complaining about dozens of caravans parked up on public roads and have accused the council of not taking action fast enough. There has been a series of incidents, some violent, including a caravan being set on fire in February, windows being smashed and objects being thrown. Craig Collier, 44, a software engineer who has been living in his van in Clifton on and off for three years, told MailOnline: 'Really it is a bunch of NIMBY's driving around at night beeping their horns and shouting "p****s" at us. 'Sometimes, people will come down and throw stones at the vans, groups of kids will come past on scooters and bikes and kick the vans as they go past. 'It is all fairly low-level stuff, but you don't feel safe when you are in a van and there is a group of people outside. 'Nobody has been physically attacked.' Craig believes that if he parked his van in Bishopston, Bedminster or Easton, there would not be as big of a backlash from the local community. He said that people living in vans choose the Downs as it is 'super safe' and argues that by being there, they are making the area safer. Craig said: 'I stay on the Downs because it is super safe despite what these people are saying – us being here makes it way safer.' Tensions escalated even further on Thursday ahead of a planned protest by residents which saw 300 people turn up with a van dweller confronting an group action leader live on air as he was interviewed by the BBC. Bristol, deemed the most expensive place to rent outside London, has seen a rapid rise in the number of vehicle dwellers since 2020. The council estimates there are up to 680 vehicles being lived in across Bristol at locations including land next to the M32, Fishponds and The Downs. Around 107 people are thought to be living on the Downs, making it the largest encampment in the city. Residents in Bristol have previously spoke of suspected thefts, drug use and intimidation, whilst dwellers acknowledge there is a mixed group of people - ranging from professionals and academics to those with addiction issues - and that not everyone treats the area with respect. In the three years Craig has spent living on the encampment, he was able to pay off £46k worth of debt and complete a mechanical engineering degree which he put down to living in his van. He said: 'I have had debts for decades. In the last three years I managed to clear £40,000 worth of debts. If I didn't live in a van I would still have those debts. 'My life is so much better. I get out more, I speak to people more. If I don't like it here I move somewhere else. 'Most of us move, this is a place to come and park at night to sleep. 'Myself, I have been parking here for three years on and off, I don't live here, I live in my van – this is a safe place for me to park. 'I don't understand why the minimum bar is so expensive when all I really want is a bed. 'I'd pay £400 for a bed, but that does not exist, it is a thousand pound for a bed or you have to live with loads of people.' Craig said some of his friends in the Downs do feel unsafe and claimed people have broken into his van. He said: 'If I park my van in Easton, it gets broken into, if I park my van here it doesn't 'If I park here, I have grass, open air, I don't s**t in the bushes, there is a toilet block right there, I have a toilet and shower in my van. 'What is dangerous on the Downs, and what we have reduced is sex in the bushes and predators. 'At the other end of here there has been a cruising area for decades, this is a place where men have gone to have sex. 'There is a spot over there for flashing, there is a spot for group sex and voyeurism. 'Since we have been living here, we see less of that, why? Because before nobody was living here and now, we are here. 'On the specific of the Downs, we make the place much much safer.' Approximately 107 vehicle dwellers are currently living in the encampment on the Downs Bristol, deemed the most expensive place to rent outside London , has seen a rapid rise in the number of vehicle dwellers since 2020 One man who wanted to remain anonymous has been living in his caravan with his dogs on the Downs for four years. He argues that he and others in the community make Clifton and tidier and safer area. He said: 'First of all, 90 per cent of these caravans are empty, I see reports saying there are hundreds of us living here – that is not the case. 'I have been living here with my dogs for four years, I will go litter picking, I clean up s**t from bushes. 'I do my best to make the area a pleasant space for everyone. 'There is a small minority of people here who are throwing litter about, but it is not the majority of us. 'There are good people out here, a lot of us want to work to make the Downs a nice place for people to visit.' On Thursday, BBC reporter Hannah Miller was interviewing Tony Nelson, the founder of Protect the Downs, a group whose aim is to have the caravans and vans removed, when a man approached and appeared to square up to the interviewee. Approaching the group from across the street, a man was heard shouting: 'I want a word with you actually. I thought it was you.' He added: 'You're part of the Downs Committee thing, aren't you? Protect the Downs.' Mr Nelson replied: 'Yeah, and we tend to just talk, not shout.' The man then walked into shot and straight up to Mr Nelson, shouting: 'No we don't, not anymore. 'The amount of hate and violence your group is causing up here.' Mr Nelson said: 'Did you come here to just shout at me?' The man replied: 'Yes, I did.' While the reporter stands by, appearing somewhat bemused, Mr Nelson said: 'So do you want me to just shout back?' The exchange continues with Mr Nelson asking the man if they could 'talk like adults', and being told: 'You're past that, mate. Well past that.' After not getting the reaction he was looking for, the man then suddenly turns and grabs the reporter's microphone, saying: 'Get that out my face.' There is then a scuffle partially recorded as the man appears to attack the cameraman. The man is also alleged to have pushed Mr Nelson. The police are now investigating the incident. An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: 'On Tuesday 10 June we received a report that a man had been pushed and a camera pushed over in Parrys Lane, Bristol at about 6.30pm on Monday 9 June. 'An investigation is underway and anyone with information should call 101, giving the call handler the reference number 5225161720.' Bristol City Council says it has received in excess of 1,500 complaints and reports relating to encampments, relating to littering, looking unsightly, blocked pavements, feeling threatened and anti-social behaviour. But it has found some reports include hate speech and 'othering', said to contribute to prejudice against vehicle dwelling communities. After the incident with the van resident, Mr Nelson told the BBC: 'People really feel very strongly about the council's inaction, their permissiveness, their saying 'it's OK to come and trash our parks'. 'People are fed up with that. I don't know if it's council incompetence or whatever.' A petition calling for the encampment to be removed has received more than 7,500 signatures. Photos from Thursday's protest showed hundreds of people amassing on the Downs from all age groups. Organisers told attendees in advance: 'Show up for the Bristol Downs and your fellow Bristolians and help us preserve this beautiful space for generations to come. Share the event far and wide. There are many thousands of Bristolians who don't know how they can help. This is how. Spread the message. The tide is turning. 'This historic parkland is being destroyed by an unacceptable proliferation of vans, vehicles and caravan dwellings. Tens of thousands hard hard-working citizens of Bristol no longer feel safe enjoying this vast open parkland. 'Once the jewel of Bristol. This land is being usurped by individuals taking public parkland for themselves. A council too inept to uphold basic law and order. 'The fight is just beginning.' Councillor Barry Parsons, Chair of the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee, released a lengthy statement, in which he acknowledged the 'complex situation' facing the city. He said: 'Our latest estimates are that there's between 640 to 680 lived-in vehicles and caravans on the kerbside, on private and council sites, with some squatting on land in parts of the city. 'This figure doesn't include the number of transient Gypsy, Roma and Traveller groups who visit the city throughout the year – and this is a group of people who we can expect to see more of during the next few months as we're now into the summer season. 'While people living in vehicles and caravans are spread across our city, we recognise that the size and concentration of the group bordering The Downs is larger than all other encampments.' He added: 'We're taking proactive steps to apply for an injunction for the grassed areas of The Downs and Ladies Mile, which if secured, will allow officers to move vehicles that pitch up more quickly than usual.'
BreakingNews.ie
13-06-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Kinsale locals object to planning permission for mussel farm the size of 12 GAA pitches
More than 3,000 people have signed a petition objecting to the granting of planning permission for a mussel farm in Kinsale, Co Cork, which will be the size of '12 GAA pitches.' A 23-hectare bottom-culture mussel farm has been granted approval by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, sparking opposition among residents, environmental advocates, and local groups. The proposed site is located directly adjacent to Dock Beach. Advertisement The Department of Marine granted the license in May, with objectors having a month to appeal the decision. Locals in Kinsale will gather both on land and sea at 6:30pm on Friday to register their opposition to the granting of a licence to a shellfish company to pursue the operation. The protest flotilla will include fishing vessels, sailing boats, paddle boards, kayaks, and swimmers. Kinsale resident, Donal Hayes, said the planning decision flies in the face of the entire community. Advertisement "There's an incredible sense of community and concern. And there's a kind of a spirit of volunteerism and local initiatives and there's this kind of, there's a feeling of we're all in this together, you know," he said. "There's loads of things like the Gourmet Festival, the Arts Week, the Maritime Festival. I mean, you could keep going on. This flies in the face of everything. "This campaign (against the project) marks a turning point in local civic engagement, with the people of Kinsale uniting to defend their coastal environment, heritage, and way of life.' Meanwhile, Cork county councillors are to lodge a formal objection to the decision to grant planning permission to the controversial project. Advertisement Cllr Gillian Coughlan of Fianna Fáil told a meeting of Cork County Council earlier this week to say that locals in Kinsale 'were disappointed and dismayed' at the granting of the licence 'is an understatement." Residents say they are outraged that the project has been allowed to proceed without what they perceive as public consultation or proper scrutiny of the ecological impact. The Kinsale Swimmers, a year-round sea swimming group, voiced particular concern that dredging activity would stir up silt for up to six weeks, severely degrading water quality and making the beach unusable for swimming. They also raised alarm about the accumulation of mussel faeces, which they say would pose a long-term threat to water quality in the bay. Advertisement Earlier this week in the Dáil, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that the licence for the project was granted followed consultation with scientific advisors and statutory consultees. 'The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation, which for this application apparently was held in 2019 and was rerun in 2021. In total, there were 609 public submissions received. "And I'm told that the decisions in respect of agricultural licence applications are only taken following the fullest consideration of all consultations and public interest elements of each application, including environmental considerations. Ireland Airline ordered to pay €7,500 to passenger refused... Read More "An appeal against an aqua culture licence decision may be made in writing within one month. So there is a process here.' Cork Independent Ireland TD Michael Collins raised the issue in the Dail on Tuesday. He said the process in which the aquaculture licence was granted is 'flawed' citing issues around 'transparency with the licence award, a lack of public consultation, and a lack of monitoring of environmental impacts.' The company behind the project Waterford based Woodstown Bay Shellfish Ltd has been contacted for comment.
