Prime Minister To Allow Increase In UK's Nuclear Warheads

March 16, 2021 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The UK is pledging to shift its focus towards countries such as India, Japan and Australia, after a year-long review of its foreign policy.

The government said it would boost alliances in the Indo-Pacific region, describing it as "increasingly the geopolitical centre of the world". Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the UK would work with China on issues such as climate change. And he warned against adopting a "Cold-War mentality" with the country.

The review, which Prime Minister Boris Johnson will set out later in the House of Commons, also paves the way for an increase in nuclear warheads.

Prime Minister Deeply Concerned By Footage At Sarah Everade Vigil

March 15, 2021 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Women must feel their complaints about violence are "properly heard", the PM has said, after concern about how a vigil for Sarah Everard was policed.

Boris Johnson said footage of officers forcibly removing a number of women from the event was "distressing". He added it was "fundamental" that women felt listened to and he was "going to make sure that happens".

IOPC Investigating Metropolitan Police Over Handling Of Sarah Everard Case

March 12, 2021 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Scotland Yard is to be investigated over its handling of an allegation of indecent exposure against the officer suspected of murdering Sarah Everard.

The police watchdog will consider if Metropolitan Police officers "responded appropriately" to the alleged incident. Ms Everard, 33, was last seen in Clapham, south London, on 3 March. The case has prompted an outpouring of shock and anger as women across the country share their own experiences of feeling unsafe.

PHE Issues Report On Prisoners With Covid-19

March 10, 2021 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The number of prisoners believed to have been infected with coronavirus may be up to six times as many as the published figure, it has emerged.

Public Health England (PHE) says it has found 1,783 "possible/probable" cases - on top of 304 confirmed infections across jails in England and Wales. PHE's report says there have been no "explosive outbreaks" in prisons, but "significant threat levels" remain. Measures to quarantine new and at-risk inmates are needed for a year, it adds.

Deadly Double Knife Attack In North London

March 9, 2021 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A 19-year-old man has died and another teenager is in hospital after a stabbing in Tottenham, north London.

Three men were attacked shortly before 14:00 GMT on Penshurst Road near White Hart Lane station, the Met Police said. Air ambulance crews treated the 19-year-old victim but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A second man, aged 18, was taken to hospital with stab wounds, while a third victim suffered minor injuries, police said.

Pope Arrives In Baghdad Calling For An End To Terrorism

March 5, 2021 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Pope Francis has called for an end to violence and extremism, on his first ever visit to Iraq.

The pontiff is making his first international trip since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Covid and security fears have made this his riskiest visit yet, but the 84-year-old insisted he was "duty bound". He also said Iraq's dwindling Christian community should have a more prominent role as citizens with full rights, freedoms and responsibilities. He is hoping to foster inter-religious dialogue - meeting Iraq's most revered Shia Muslim cleric - and will celebrate Mass at a stadium in Irbil in the…

Swedish Police Probe Terrorism As Seven Stabbed During Attack

March 4, 2021 / By Armoured Cars / In security

A man has injured seven people, three seriously, in a knife attack in a town in southern Sweden.

The 22-year-old assailant struck in the centre of Vetlanda at about 15:00 (14:00 GMT) on Wednesday.

Police are treating the case as attempted murder but have not ruled out a terror motive.

The suspect was shot in the leg by officers but is in a stable condition in hospital and has been questioned by police.

At a news conference, police said the man was arrested with a knife in his hand, and confirmed he is an Afghan citizen. The suspect moved to Sweden in 2018, local media said.

Counter Terrorism Police Foil Three Attacks During Covid-19

March 4, 2021 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Three terror attacks have been prevented in the UK since the coronavirus pandemic began, according to security services.

Arrests for terrorism-related activity fell by 34% in 2020, the lowest level in nine years, Home Office data showed. But the number of terror plots stopped has risen to 28 since March 2017, counter terror police said.

A senior officer warned: "Terrorists have not stopped planning attacks or radicalising vulnerable people online."

Rockets Hit US Airbase In Iraq Hosting Troops

March 3, 2021 / By Armoured Cars / In security

Ten rockets have hit a base hosting US-led coalition forces in western Iraq.

Iraq's military said the rockets caused no significant losses at Al Asad air base, but security sources told AFP news agency that a civilian contractor died after suffering a heart attack.

Last month, a rocket attack in northern Iraq killed a Filipino contractor and injured a US service member. The US blamed Iran-backed Shia militias and carried out retaliatory air strikes on one of their facilities in Syria.

Home Office Could Be Liable For Damage Caused By WW2 Bomb

March 2, 2021 / By Armoured Cars / In security

The government could be liable for damage after the controlled explosion of a World War Two bomb, according to an MP.

Some people spent a fourth night away from their homes in Exeter after the bomb was detonated on Saturday, blowing out doors and windows of nearby homes.

Ben Bradshaw, Exeter's Labour MP, said "residents will be looking for answers" on who is liable to pay for the damage. The Home Office has been asked to comment.

The 2,200lb (1,000kg) German bomb was discovered on an allotment due for development on Friday.