Author: James Whitmore

Demonstrators entered staff areas at HMP Wormwood Scrubs as inmate escalates protest to thirst strike Protesters breached the grounds of a west London prison on Saturday evening in support of a 22-year-old inmate who has escalated his hunger strike to a thirst strike. Metropolitan Police detained a group of demonstrators who entered a staff entrance area and locker room at HMP Wormwood Scrubs. The group refused to leave and obstructed staff movement before officers intervened. “All those involved are currently detained and will be arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass,” a Metropolitan Police statement confirmed. “We will update on the…

Criminal networks are openly advertising delivery roles on social media with detailed pay structures and working hours Albanian-speaking drug distribution networks are using TikTok to recruit drivers for narcotics operations across London, according to posts circulating on the platform under searches for “shofer london” (driver London). The advertisements, posted publicly on the social media site, offer positions to drivers willing to transport drugs to established customer bases throughout the capital and surrounding areas. Multiple posts detail specific working arrangements across different London zones. One advertisement for East London operations offers £220 per day, with confirmed payment terms and instructions to…

Andy Burnham’s bid to return to Parliament has exposed tensions within Labour, with allies of Sir Keir Starmer reportedly prepared to block the Greater Manchester mayor’s candidacy. The mayor announced on Saturday that he is seeking permission from Labour’s national executive committee to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election. The seat became vacant on Friday when Andrew Gwynne stood down as MP on health grounds. A decision from the NEC is expected on Sunday. However, BBC sources suggest that figures close to the prime minister may move to prevent Burnham’s selection. Support from Senior Labour Figures Several prominent Labour…

A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison following his conviction for raping a man in his 20s near Liverpool Cathedral. Ibrahim Momen, who has no fixed abode and is originally from Sudan, was found guilty by a jury at Liverpool Crown Court. The attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday 29 June 2025 on St James’ Mount in Liverpool city centre. Momen appeared before the court on Friday for sentencing, where he also received a restraining order in addition to the custodial sentence. Investigation and Trial Following the victim’s report, Merseyside Police…

Home Secretary to announce ‘biggest shake-up to policing in decades’ with mandatory Licence to PractiseEvery police officer in England and Wales will be required to hold a renewable work licence under reforms to be announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood on Monday.The new requirement, described by the Home Office as the biggest shake-up to policing in decades, will see officers maintain a “Licence to Practise” throughout their career rather than obtaining a one-off qualification.The reforms are designed to ensure officers develop new skills as criminal techniques advance, with explicit emphasis on standards in tackling violence against women and girls and…

Simple sensory devices helped improve emotional regulation and focus among students in international schools researchA three-month study examining screen-free wellbeing tools has found significant improvements in students’ emotional regulation and focus, according to research conducted by Nord Anglia Education.The study, which took place across four Nord Anglia international schools, involved six teachers and 36 students from Years 2 to 12. It comes against a backdrop of mounting global concern about excessive screen time, including Australia’s recent introduction of a social media ban for school-aged children.Researchers examined three sensory-based devices: Breathing Lights, which use colour-changing lights to guide calming breathwork; Stix,…

The Duke of Sussex has issued a statement defending the sacrifices made by NATO forces in Afghanistan, following recent remarks by President Donald Trump. Prince Harry, who served two tours in the country during his 10-year military career, emphasised the significance of the alliance’s commitment after the 2001 invocation of Article 5. The provision, triggered for the first and only time in NATO’s history, obliged every allied nation to stand with the United States in pursuit of shared security. “In 2001, Nato invoked Article 5 for the first—and only—time in history. It meant that every allied nation was obliged to…

A former Conservative councillor has pleaded guilty to a series of serious sexual offences against his ex-wife, who waived her right to anonymity to see him brought to justice. Philip Young, 49, admitted multiple counts of rape, sexual assault, assault by penetration, administering a substance with intent to stupefy, and voyeurism at Winchester Crown Court. The offences against Joanne Young, 48, took place between 2010 and 2023. Young, formerly of Swindon and now of Amberley Road in Enfield, London, took 27 minutes to enter his guilty pleas. He served as a Conservative councillor for Covingham and Nythe on Swindon Borough…

Rail workers are set to walk out on one of London’s Overground lines in a dispute over pay, threatening disruption for commuters across three days this spring. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) employed by contractor Cleshar will stage 24-hour strikes on the Windrush line on 26 February, 26 March, and 23 April. The industrial action follows the rejection of a 1.5 per cent pay rise offer. RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said workers had been left with little choice. “Our members have been insulted with such a derisory offer and have no choice but to take…

Four men have been sentenced to a combined total of more than 80 years in prison following a shooting in east London that left one victim with life-changing injuries.The group was jailed on Friday, January 23, at Snaresbrook Crown Court after being convicted of a violent attack in Canning Town. Among those sentenced was a teenager who attempted to evade police by hiding inside a bed.The AttackIn the early hours of October 26, 2024, two brothers were shot while walking their dog in Thorne Close, E16. Shortly after 2am, they were chased down the street by two men who had…