German Far Right Extremists Prone To Violence

May 3, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Some 12,700 Germans are inclined towards violence, of an estimated 24,000 far-right extremists, according to interior ministry figures.

Authorities had already warned of a growing threat of violence from the extreme right, including an "affinity for weapons", the ministry said.

Hundreds of flag-waving extremists caused alarm this week when they marched through an eastern town.

National Security Council Leak, Not A Police Matter

May 2, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The government does not think it necessary to refer the National Security Council leak to the police, the PM's de facto deputy says.

Responding to calls from MPs for a police inquiry, David Lidington said the PM considered the matter closed. He said Gavin Williamson - who has been sacked as defence secretary - had not been accused of a criminal offence, but had lost the PM's confidence.

Masood Azhar Named As A Terrorist By UN

May 1, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The UN has designated the leader of a militant group behind a deadly bomb attack that brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war as a terrorist.

Masood Azhar is the leader of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which carried out a suicide bombing in February killing 40 troops in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The UN move comes after China dropped its objection to the listing. India hailed it as a diplomatic victory. Masood Azhar will be subject to an assets freeze and a travel ban.

Man Pleads Guilty To Supplying Guns

May 1, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A man has pleaded guilty to conspiring to sell or supply semi-automatic pistols that were being manufactured on a Sussex industrial estate.

Police discovered parts that could have been made into more than 100 guns.

Weapons from the factory were sold to London criminals and were linked to eight crime scenes including two attempted murders, the court was told.

Wood had denied a second charge of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and that will be left on file.

IS Leader Appears In Video Release

April 30, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The Islamic State group has released a video of a man it says is its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, vowing to seek revenge for its loss of territory.

He has not been seen since 2014, when he proclaimed from Mosul the creation of a "caliphate" across parts of Syria and Iraq.

In this new footage, Baghdadi acknowledges defeat at Baghuz, the group's last stronghold in the region. It is not clear when the video was recorded. IS says it was shot in April. The footage was posted on the militant group's al-Furqan media network.

Ring Leader Of Easter Sunday Bombings Died In Attacks

April 26, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The alleged ringleader behind Sri Lanka's Easter Sunday bombings was killed in the attacks, President Maithripala Sirisena said.

Mr Sirisena said Zahran Hashim, a radical preacher, died at the Shangri-La hotel in the capital, Colombo. He said Hashim led the attack on the popular tourist hotel, accompanied by a second bomber identified as "Ilham".

At least 250 people died in the wave of bombings on Sunday, which targeted churches and hotels in Colombo.

Knife Crime Continues To Rise

April 25, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Police recorded 40,829 offences involving knives or sharp instruments in 2018, up 6% on the year before.

Office for National Statistics figures show cases of murder and manslaughter, excluding terror attacks, also rose by 12%. There were 732 killings, up from 655 in 2017 - the highest since 2007. But the separate Crime Survey, based on people's experiences, points to no significant change in overall crime.

Kim Jong-un Arrives In Russia For Summit With Putin

April 24, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has arrived in the far east of Russia for a summit with President Vladimir Putin.

Mr Kim arrived by train in the Pacific Coast city of Vladivostok for his first talks with the Russian president, which are expected to start on Thursday. He was welcomed by officials with a traditional offering of bread and salt.

Russia says they will discuss the Korean peninsula's "nuclear problem" but Mr Kim is also said to be seeking support after talks with the US failed.

Death Toll Rises To 321 After Sri Lanka Bomb Attacks

April 23, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Sri Lanka has held its first mass funeral amid a day of mourning for the victims of Sunday's bomb blasts.

The death toll from the attacks on churches and hotels has risen to 321 with about 500 wounded, police said.

A state of emergency is in effect to prevent further attacks.

The Islamic State (IS) group claimed the attack on Tuesday via its news outlet. Sri Lanka's government has blamed the blasts on local Islamist group National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ).

New IRA Admit Responsibility For The Murder Of Lyra McKee

April 23, 2019 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The New IRA has admitted responsibility for the murder of journalist Lyra McKee, according to the Irish News.

In a statement given to the paper the group offered "full and sincere apologies" to her family and friends.

Ms McKee, 29, was shot in the head on Thursday night while observing rioting in Londonderry's Creggan estate. On Tuesday police confirmed the arrest of a 57-year-old woman in connection with Ms McKee's death.

The woman was arrested under the Terrorism Act.

Police say there has been a "massive response" to her killing and have urged more members of the public to come forward.