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The Independent
28 minutes ago
- The Independent
‘Increased police presence' at asylum hotel protest
A protest against the use of a hotel to accommodate asylum seekers will see an 'increased police presence', the Metropolitan Police has said. The force has imposed conditions on a protest and counter protest outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in Islington, north London, on Saturday. A protest and counter protest will also take place in Newcastle outside The New Bridge Hotel on Saturday. The Metropolitan Police said the protest against the use of the Islington hotel was organised by local residents under the banner 'Thistle Barbican needs to go – locals say no'. A counter protest, organised by Stand Up To Racism and supported by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, as well as other groups including Finsbury Park Mosque and Islington Labour Party, will also take place. Police said the anti-asylum hotel protest had been 'endorsed by groups from outside the local community which is likely to increase the number of people attending'. Online groups that have voiced support for the protest include 'Patriots of Britain' and 'Together for the Children'. The Metropolitan Police said plans were in place to 'respond to any protest activity in the vicinity of other hotels in London being used to accommodate asylum seekers'. Conditions on the anti-asylum hotel protest include that anyone participating must remain within King Charles Square and that the assembly must not begin before 1pm and must conclude by 4pm. Police said conditions on the counter protest include that participants must remain in Lever Street, near the junction with Central Street, and that the assembly must not begin before 12pm and must conclude by 4pm. Chief Superintendent Clair Haynes, in charge of the policing operation, said: 'We have been in discussions with the organisers of both protests in recent days, building on the ongoing engagement between local officers, community groups and partners. 'We understand that there are strongly held views on all sides. 'Our officers will police without fear or favour, ensuring those exercising their right to protest can do so safely but intervening at the first sign of actions that cross the line into criminality. 'We have used our powers under the Public Order Act to put conditions in place to prevent serious disorder and to minimise serious disruption to the lives of people and businesses in the local community. 'Those conditions identify two distinct protest areas where the protests must take place, meaning the groups will be separated but still within sight and sound of each other.' There are also posts online advertising a 'for our children, for our future' protest in Newcastle on Saturday outside The New Bridge Hotel. A 'stop the far right and fascists in Newcastle' counter protest has been organised by Stand Up To Racism at the nearby Laing Art Gallery. In a statement, the organisers of the counter protest said: 'Yet again far-right and fascist thugs are intent on bringing their message of hate to Newcastle. They aim to build on years of Islamophobia, anti-migrant sentiment and scapegoating. 'In Epping and elsewhere recently we have already seen intimidation and violence aimed at refugees, migrants and asylum seekers. 'Newcastle, like the rest of the North East, has a well-earned reputation for unity in the face of those who seek to divide us. Whatever problems we face, racism and division are not the answer.'
Auto Express
28 minutes ago
- Auto Express
Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra slash electric car prices
The Volkswagen Group has decided it doesn't want to wait around and see which of its EVs are eligible for the government's new Electric Car Grant scheme, and has cut £1,500 from the price of selected electric cars from Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra. The government recently announced a grant scheme for fully electric cars costing under £37,000, but it's still unclear which models will be eligible for £1,500 or £3,750 off their respective price tag. It's dependent on complex sustainability criteria – which is why we don't know which models will meet the government's grant just yet. For Volkswagen, the electric cars that fall under the German firm's new £1,500 'Grant Guarantee' include the ID.3 in Pure, Pro and Pro trim levels, along with the ID.4 in Pure and Pro - essentially excluding the GTX from both. The £1,500 grant would bring the entry-level ID.3 Pure Essential's price down to £29,360 and the ID.4 Pure Match to £38,090. Advertisement - Article continues below If the new £1,500 grant from Volkswagen isn't enough to tempt you, then check out the big savings through the Auto Express marketplace, where you'll find great deals on loads of pure-electric cars. As for Skoda, its grant covers the Elroq and Enyaq, in SE, SE L, Edition and SportLine trim. With the grant the Elroq will cost from £30,010 and the Enyaq £38,190. Cupra's grant is on the Born hatchback on V1, V2 and V3 trim levels - lowering the base price to £34,190. All three brands will run their new £1,500 'Grant Guarantee' until 31 August. Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra all say their grant 'will honour the £1,500 grant on the vehicles specified, even if the Government's grant is not awarded'. You won't be able to receive both the 'Grant Guarantee' and the Government Electric Car Grant on any of those models however. The latest moves follow similar offers or incentives from brands including Hyundai, Alfa Romeo, Kia and Leapmotor. Configure your perfect Skoda Elroq through our Find A Car service now. Alternatively, check out the best deals out there on a new Skoda Elroq from stock or top prices on used Skoda Elroq models...
BBC News
29 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Reckless' behaviour at Plymouth harbour 'risking lives'
A warning has been issued about reckless and anti-social behaviour around a waterfront, which is said to be risking weather and the start of the summer holidays had led to people taking part in potentially life-altering or fatal activities, Plymouth Harbour Authorities Liaison Committee people jumping off harbour walls - known as tombstoning - swimming in prohibited areas and vandalising life-saving equipment has increased, the committee added.A spokesperson said tombstoning could seem fun until "an accident happens". They warned it was "extremely dangerous and costs lives". The activity can lead to cold water shock, being swept away by strong currents and injury due to lower-than-expected water committee said 20 people had died from tombstoning since 2004 and a further 70 were injured. The youngest person injured was 12, they added, while the oldest was 45. "Don't jump into the unknown," the committee spokesperson Downer, interim CEO of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, said a small minority of people were damaging visitors' impressions of the waterfront through anti-social and dangerous said business had also been impacted, adding: "No one should have to feel unsafe in their workplace [because of people who were] determined to cause trouble."
