Priti Patel tells chief constables to crack down on partygoers in battle against Covid lawbreakers

Priti Patel tells chief constables to crack down on partygoers and pubs and says there is ‘no room for complacency’ in battle against Covid lawbreakers Home Secretary writes to forces reminding them of proactive policing ‘benefits’ But senior officers felt she overstepped the mark and dubbed her ‘Pushy Patel’ Ms Patel admitted earlier this year she’d … Read more

European lorry drivers crack out the booze as they face Christmas stuck in Dover

European lorry drivers have been seen pouring booze and decorating a Christmas tree with tin cans amid fears they may be forced to spend the festive season separated from their families while stranded in Dover. Attempting to keep spirits high, one driver was today seen pouring wine into cardboard drink cups before serving it to his … Read more

Professional rugby player jailed after trying to swallow 50 wraps of crack and heroin during arrest

A former public schoolboy and professional rugby player was jailed today after trying to swallow 50 packets of crack cocaine and heroin. Police had chased Lewis Szewczyk, 27, over fences and through back gardens, eventually tackling him to the ground where they saw him trying to swallow numerous packets of drugs.  Szewczyk, a professional rugby player … Read more

Can you crack JOANNA LUMLEY’s week-long quiz?

Can you crack my fabulous quizzica Britannica? JOANNA LUMLEY launches a week of mind-boggling facts and teasing trivia as the encyclopedia is publishing its first children’s edition for a generation By Joanna Lumley Published: 01:24 GMT, 28 November 2020 | Updated: 01:59 GMT, 28 November 2020 Joanna Lumley, pictured, said she is delighted to launch … Read more

Police vow to crack down on rule-breakers after officers are called to anti-mask protests

Police have vowed to crack down on lockdown rule breakers after hundreds were arrested and fined over the weekend at illegal raves, protests and a child’s birthday party.  Ministers have said they are prepared to escalate police response to incidents following concern that the public are not committed to the lockdown.  This weekend hundreds of … Read more

Northern police vow to crack down on ‘minority’ putting ‘lives at risk’ by flouting Covid rules

Five Northern police chiefs have promised to crack down on the ‘minority’ who flout Covid rules and put ‘lives at risk’, on the eve of the second nationwide lockdown. Chief constables Darren Martland of Cheshire, Michelle Skeer of Cumbria, Ian Hopkins pf Greater Manchester, Andy Rhodes of Lancashire and Andy Cooke of Merseyside said they … Read more

Coronavirus London: Met Police crack down on high R-rate boroughs

The Metropolitan Police have deployed extra officers to Hammersmith and Fulham and Hackney as the Government tries to control those boroughs with the highest rates of coronavirus transmission. As the nation continues to grapple with the pandemic, officers will conduct extra patrols in the worst-affected areas in the capital to help clampdown on breaches of the … Read more

Tory MP Ben Bradley is hit by backlash for suggesting free school meals cash went to ‘crack dens’

MPs have voted against Labour’s motion to extend free school meals over school holidays until Easter 2021, by 322 votes to 261 – a majority of 61. The division list numbers differ to those announced in the chamber, showing 319 no votes and 259 ayes. Here is the breakdown of the division list published after … Read more

‘Overstretched police are struggling to crack down on curfew breakers’

Police are ‘struggling’ to enforce coronavirus rules because there are not enough officers to crack down on the 10pm curfew breakers, a union boss warned today. John Apter, national chairman of the Police Federation, said there were often now just ‘one or two’ officers available to police busy high streets in towns and cities at … Read more