Labour hands police ‘long-overdue’ violent shoplifting powers Retail The government has handed the police a set of “long overdue” powers to crack down on soaring levels of violent shoplifting, which has been branded a “national scandal”. The crime and policing bill was granted royal assent on Wednesday, meaning assault against retail workers is classed as a specific offence, and the effective immunity for [...]
Labour MP’s partner among three arrested in China spy probe Legal Three men, including a partner of a Labour MP, have been arrested on suspicion of spying for China. The Metropolitan Police revealed on Wednesday that the men, aged 39, 43 and 68, were arrested in London and Wales as part of a counter-terrorism policing investigation under the National Security Act. One of those arrested, David [...]
Shabana Mahmood should seize control of the Met police from failing Khan Opinion The Metropolitan Police’s inability to effectively fight crime is down to dysfunctional accountability system under the Mayor of London. The Home Secretary should step in to get the force back to fighting crime and keeping Londoners safe, says David Spencer “In London, the Met rules the streets”. That’s what I was told over 20 years [...]
Uplift in patrols: West End businesses fund major Christmas crime crackdown November 19, 2025 The largest single private-sector investment in enhanced security and policing in London’s West End was launched, involving over 600 businesses in the busy section of the capital. Operation West End, an initiative from the New West End Company, which represents over 600 West End businesses, including on Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street, works [...]
Cut net zero and welfare spending instead of police budget, Tory MP blasts June 8, 2025 The shadow home secretary has slammed the Labour government amid mounting speculation police budgets are on the chopping block in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spending review. Chris Philp told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg he believes police funding should be protected from cuts following concerns of a shrinking workforce. “I think I’m very concerned that [...]
AI watchdog slams government over facial recognition rollout May 29, 2025 An artificial intelligence (AI) search body has criticised the UK government for accelerating the deployment of facial recognition technology without first establishing a comprehensive legal framework. The Ada Lovelace Institute has warned the increasing use of live facial recognition (LFR) by police and retailers across the UK is happening in a “legislative void”, raising urgent [...]
M&S: Police investigate cyber attack as FTSE 100 shares stall April 30, 2025 The ongoing cyber attack on Marks & Spencer (M&S) is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police as the FTSE 100 retailer and its customers continue to face major disruption. Officers from the force’s cyber crime unit are looking into reports a hacking group known as Scattered Spider may have carried out the attack. When it [...]
Football chanting to lead to cocaine tests by police February 17, 2025 Football fans arrested for pitch invasions or tragedy chanting face cocaine tests by police as part of a Home Office crackdown on drug use at matches. The government has announced the plans as it steps up efforts to tackle the “root causes of reoffending and reduce criminal behaviour”. The 2023-24 football season saw 344 arrests [...]
Phone thefts: How are the Met Police tackling the crisis in London? February 6, 2025 If you live or travel in London, it’s fairly likely that you, or someone you live, work or socialise with, will – at some point or other – have had their phone stolen. Whether it’s slipped out of your pocket, or snatched from your hand, the experience has become commonplace – but remains stressful, frustrating, [...]
The truth about non-crime hate incidents November 28, 2024 Don’t believe the conspiracy theories, recording non-crime hate incidents is vital to effective policing, says Sam Fowles I’m constantly amazed by how so many people without “free speech” manage to get their views on the front page of the Telegraph. Getting “cancelled” seems to almost guarantee a national platform. This week’s “threat” is “non-crime hate [...]