New Leader Named By IS Group

October 31, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The Islamic State (IS) group has confirmed the death of its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and named his successor.

An IS outlet on messaging service Telegram named Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Qurayshi the new leader and "caliph".

US special forces tracked down Baghdadi in north-west Syria at the weekend and attacked his compound. The IS leader fled into a tunnel and killed himself with a suicide vest.

Baghdadi was declared leader of the extremist group in 2014 when IS took control of huge swathes of Iraq and Syria and imposed its rule over the civilian population.

Ballistic Missile Tested By Russia

October 30, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Russia has successfully test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile from its latest nuclear-powered submarine, the country's defence ministry says.

Footage captured overnight shows the release of the so-called Bulava missile from an underwater position in the White Sea, the ministry said. It was fired from Russia's new Prince Vladimir submarine and was reported to have travelled thousands of kilometres.

The submarine is expected to be operational by the end of the year.

Syrian Intelligence Officers Charged With Crimes Against Humanity

October 29, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A court in Germany has charged two suspected former Syrian intelligence officers with crimes against humanity.

One of them, Anwar R., is suspected of being involved in the torture of at least 4,000 people in 2011-12. This resulted in the deaths of 58 people. The other suspect, Eyad A, is charged with torture in at least 30 cases.

Key evidence was gathered after a UN exhibition in 2015, which depicted the corpses of torture victims in Syria under President Bashar al-Assad.

Armed Police Officer Hit By Car

October 29, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A police officer has been hit by a car which had been pulled over in an "intelligence led stop" in Tottenham.

The vehicle was stopped by armed police in White Hart Lane at about 11:30 GMT and struck the officer when it was driven off "at speed", the Met said.

London Ambulance Service said the firearms officer suffered a minor injury and had been driven to hospital.

London Jewellery Robber Apprehended By Public

October 28, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Members of the public caught and held on to a suspect running away from an armed raid on a jewellery shop.

The owner of the shop, in west London, said he feared for his life when men armed with sledgehammers smashed their way into the store in Shepherd's Bush.

Police said a car was driven into Sultan's on Friday evening on Uxbridge Road.

A 34-year-old man has been charged with robbery, dangerous driving and possessing an offensive weapon. He also faces charges of criminal damage and receiving stolen goods.

IS Leader Dead

October 28, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the jihadist group Islamic State (IS) and arguably the world's most wanted man, killed himself during a raid by US commandos in north-western Syria, President Donald Trump has said.

The self-styled "Caliph Ibrahim" had a $25m (£19m) bounty on his head and had been pursued by the US and its allies since the rise of IS five years ago.

Eight Russian Soldiers Killed By Colleague

October 25, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A Russian serviceman has shot dead eight fellow soldiers and seriously injured two more on a military base in the country's Far East, officials say.

Private Ramil Shamsutdinov - who has been detained - might have been suffering from mental health problems, they say. The shooting happened in the military unit No. 54160 in the village of Gorny, not far from the city of Chita, on Friday evening.

The shooting happened at 18:15 local time (11:15 GMT), Russia's Investigative Committee said.

Russian Troops Deployed Towards Turkey/Syria Border

October 24, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Russian forces have begun to deploy towards the Turkey-Syria border, as part of deal to remove Kurdish troops.

Units have already entered the two key border towns of Kobane and Manbij. Under the deal agreed by Russia and Turkey, Kurdish fighters were given 150 hours from noon on Wednesday to pull back 30km (18 miles) along the border.

Lorry Driver Arrested After 39 Bodies Found In Container

October 23, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The bodies of 39 people have been found in a lorry container in Essex.

Police were called by the ambulance service shortly before 01:40 BST after the discovery at Waterglade Industrial Park in Eastern Avenue, Grays.

The lorry driver, a 25-year-old man from Northern Ireland, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

Essex Police said the vehicle travelled from Bulgaria and entered the UK via Holyhead, Anglesey, on Saturday. Early indications are that 38 adults and one teenager have died, the force said. There were no survivors.

Norway Ambulance Hijacker Charged

October 23, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A man has been charged with attempted murder after a stolen ambulance crashed into a family in the Norwegian capital Oslo, injuring three people - including twin babies.

Public broadcaster NRK showed images of the ambulance driving through the city as gunshots were apparently fired from inside the vehicle.

The alleged hijacker sustained gunshot wounds after police returned fire. A woman has been charged with illegal possession of a firearm.

A motive for the attack has yet to be established although police are investigating possible links with far-right extremists.