Was the Duchess of Cambridge ‘working’ when she visited the Sarah Everard vigil? March 31, 2021 The UK’s most senior police officer has suggested the visit by the Duchess of Cambridge to the Sarah Everard vigil was legal because she was working, even though the trip was private and not an official engagement. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme today that it was possible under [...]
Metropolitan Police ‘acted appropriately’ at Sarah Everard vigil, watchdog finds March 30, 2021 The Metropolitan Police’s handling of a vigil for Sarah Everard was “appropriate”, a report from the official policing inspectorate has concluded. Home secretary Priti Patel ordered the review by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) after widespread outrage at scenes of police using force against mourners at the vigil on [...]
Covid-19, a year on: A breakdown of trust between the police and the public March 28, 2021 In March last year, police were given extraordinary powers. Hastily drawn up regulations granted them the ability to ensure people stay at home, except for essential reasons. People across the country accepted an incredible curtailing of their liberties, and, in doing so, accepted the police force’s role to enforce the lockdown. Time and time again, [...]
Boris Johnson slams ‘disgraceful’ attacks on police after Bristol riots March 27, 2021 Prime Minister Boris Johnson has criticised protesters after bricks and glass bottles were thrown at police officers during a third night of clashes in Bristol last night. More than 1,000 people clashed with police in the city centre last night during the ‘Kill the Bill’ demonstration against the government’s Police and Crime Bill. In a [...]
Owner of Freddie Mercury seal attack dog will not face criminal charges March 24, 2021 A barrister will not face criminal charges after her dog attacked a seal nicknamed Freddie Mercury last weekend, leading to the animal being euthanised. The young common seal, which had been given the name in honour of the late Queen singer by walkers in Barnes, west London, was bitten by the dog on Sunday. Freddie [...]
Multi-million fund looks to boost life chances for homeless women March 21, 2021 A multi-million pound investment fund has launched in London aiming to build a host of properties for at-risk women. The fund, led by property investor Patron Capital and social impact firm Resonance, will purchase properties across the UK and lease them to women’s sector organisations and charities. The fund has already raised £15.5m and unlike [...]
Misogyny to be recorded as a hate crime from autumn March 18, 2021 Police will record misogyny as a hate crime in England and Wales from the autumn, following wide scale protests about the treatment of women in the UK following the murder of Sarah Everard. Home Office minister Baroness Williams said police forces around the country will be instructed to record cases of harassment and stalking as [...]
Sadiq Khan to unveil £544m plan to fund London’s Covid recovery March 16, 2021 Sadiq Khan will today announce a £544m investment in London’s jobs and high streets to help the capital recover from the coronavirus pandemic. The Mayor of London will also call on the government to match his spending plans for the city as he unveils the proposals at the inaugural London Recovery Summit. Alongside the spending [...]
Londoners protest against police after Sarah Everard vigil disruption in Clapham March 15, 2021 Londoners protest against police after Sarah Everard vigil disruption in Clapham
Priti Patel calls for ‘balance of rights’ between protesters and individuals as she introduces protest crackdown March 15, 2021 Priti Patel has told MPs that “there is a balance to be struck” between the rights of protesters and individuals as she today introduced new legislation that will crackdown on some form of protesting. The new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, if passed into law, will give the police powers to set start and [...]