Author: James Whitmore

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…

Detectives have issued an appeal for information after a woman was sexually assaulted at St Pancras International railway station last year.The incident occurred at approximately 7.30am on Saturday, November 22, 2025, when a man assaulted a woman on an escalator inside the station.According to British Transport Police, the man then followed the victim out of the station to a nearby building, where he attempted to follow her inside but was prevented from doing so.Investigators have now released an image of a man they believe may have information that could assist their enquiries.Anyone who recognises the individual in the image is…

A 34-year-old from Loose has been imprisoned following discoveries made during a disturbance call that led police to his rear garden structure last summer. Detective Constable Rohan Gupte described how Jake Everts operated from his own property, believing the location would shield him from detection. Officers arrived at the Hubbards Lane address around noon on 22 July 2025 responding to reported trouble. The sentence handed down on 15 January 2026 at Maidstone Crown Court came after Everts entered guilty pleas to charges involving class A and class B substances with intent to supply, plus possession of criminal property. During the…

Britain’s judicial leadership has rolled out an ambitious roadmap targeting persistent representation gaps within the courts system, with particular urgency placed on addressing a troubling statistic: black judges have remained at just 1% of the judiciary for ten years running. The framework, spanning 2026 through 2030, establishes monitoring protocols that will track advancement yearly rather than waiting until the programme concludes. Officials will publish progress updates on each designated priority area through the judiciary’s official website, with a comprehensive assessment scheduled for 2030. The Baroness Carr of Walton-on-the-Hill, who holds England and Wales’ top judicial position, emphasized the goal of…

Detectives have released CCTV images of a man they wish to speak to following a sexual assault on a London train.British Transport Police are investigating an incident which occurred on board an Elizabeth Line service travelling from Bond Street to Paddington on the evening of Friday 28 November.According to officers, a man boarded the train at approximately 7.10pm and sexually assaulted a woman who was seated in the carriage.Investigators have now issued photographs of an individual they believe may have information that could assist their enquiries.Members of the public who recognise the man pictured are urged to come forward. British…