Police hunt for man over deliberate car fire in Aberdeen
Det Insp Kate Coyle said: "Inquiries are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone with any information, particularly anyone who saw a man running in the direction of the old railway line around that time, to contact us."It is believed he may have suffered injuries to his hands during the incident and I would urge anyone who recognises this description to get in touch."
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Sky News
34 minutes ago
- Sky News
Acid attacks rise in UK - with 25% of them in an area that's home to just 2% of the population
The number of acid attacks has risen 10% in a year, according to a Freedom of Information request to UK police forces. Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI) said its analysis shows 498 physical attacks involving corrosive substances were recorded in 2024 - compared with 454 in the previous year. According to the charity, the real figure is likely to be even higher because of under-reporting by victims. In 2023, both Northumbria Police and the Metropolitan Police recorded the highest number of physical attacks - 18% and 16% respectively. But figures in 2024 showed a significant fall in attacks in London, dropping by 78%, while cases in Northumbria rose substantially. ASTI executive director Jaf Shah told Sky News that attacks in Northumbria account for almost 25% of the nationwide total - despite making up just 2% of the population. He explained: "Historically, London has always seen the highest number attacks, which is unsurprising because of the population. But what we've seen in the 2024 data is a massive drop in the number of attacks in London to just 16. "Whereas in Northumbria we've seen a 49% increase to 121 attacks, so there's a massive disparity in terms of numbers, especially relative to population figures for each of those corresponding areas. So this is obviously a very worrying trend." 1:26 Mr Shah added there was supporting evidence about the type of attacks taking place in the Northumbria force area. "Professor Francisco Figueiredo, who is head of ophthalmology at Newcastle University ... certainly picked up on an increase of young men receiving treatment with corrosive injuries in the eye. "A lot of the injuries he's treated are related to the use of ammonia ... that's quite different to some of the attacks we've seen in other parts of the UK where sulphuric acid is commonly used." West Midlands Police also recorded a significant increase in attacks - rising 82% between 2023 and 2024 - and making up 12% of the UK total. ASTI states the FOI data reveals acid attacks in the UK are historically associated with male-on-male violence and often linked to gang activity. Of the 224 physical attacks where gender data was recorded, a third of victims were female, reflecting the increasing use of acid as a weapon of violence against women and girls. 2:43 ASTI also commissioned research, conducted by Frontier Economics, which concluded that the financial impact of all acid attacks in 2024 was more than £31m. The study estimated that a single attack costs £63,000, consisting of the medical and psychological support victims require and paying for the criminal justice system to deal with perpetrators. ASTI also told Sky News it was recommending reforms to tackle the "lack of robust checks on sales of corrosives", especially via online retailers. Acid attack 'devastates lives' Commander Stephen Clayman, National Police Chiefs' Council lead for corrosive substances, said an attack "devastates lives and causes physical and psychological damage to victims that can last a lifetime" and officers were committed "to tackle this appalling crime". In a statement, he added: "Many corrosive substances are available over the counter at supermarkets and DIY stores. "It is important that law enforcement and government work closely with retailers themselves, to enhance our intelligence picture, and determine the best ways to keep these products from falling into the hands of people who intend to use them to cause harm. "Serious crimes such as this should not go unreported and we want victims to feel able to come forward and report these matters to us."
Daily Mail
41 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Dramatic footage shows a shoplifter being chased by police and threatening to jump from the side of a pier
Dramatic body camera footage has been released showing a prolific shoplifter threatening to jump off railings near a pier. Michael Thompson was spotted a day after his last offence in Chatham High Street and tried to flee. The video above shows the pursuit towards Sun Pier before his arrest. The 37-year-old had repeatedly stole food and alcohol worth more than £400 in May and July.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Rochdale grooming gang ringleaders 'to finally be deported' to Pakistan after UK lifts ban on flights
Two of the ringleaders of the Rochdale grooming scandal may finally be deported back to Pakistan a decade after a judge first authorised their departure. Until now the South Asian state has refused to accept Qari Abdul Rauf, 55, and Adil Khan, 54, after the pair renounced their Pakistani citizenship. That left the Home Office unable to deport the duo since to do so would have left them 'stateless' - a move which is illegal under international law. But Pakistan's position looks set to potentially change now that ministers have given the green light for direct flights to once again resume between the two countries. The country's national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) was barred from operating inside the EU and UK in 2020. The ban followed an incident on May 22 that year in which a domestic passenger flight from Lahore to Karachi crashed while on approach to Jinnah International Airport, killing 97 out of the 99 people on board as well as an additional person on the ground. Rauf and Khan were both dual British-Pakistani citizens until the pair were convicted of a catalogue of child sex offences in 2012. The Home Office called for their British citizenship to be revoked after they were convicted of grooming and raping young women. Aziz ferried victims from Rochdale to sex parties as far away as Leeds and Bradford. However, the pair renounced their Pakistani citizenship days before an appeal was due to be heard on the Home Office decision, making it is legally complex to send them to back to Pakistan. But officials in Islamabad last month told The Times that Pakistan may finally agree to take the two men once direct flights are resumed. The British High Commission in Pakistan confirmed yesterday that PIA is once again legally allowed to fly no-stop routes into the UK. A spokesperson said: 'After a sustained, independent, and technically driven process, the UK's Air Safety Committee has lifted its restrictions on Pakistani carriers. 'It will take time for flights to resume, but this is an important step, and a testament to Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority's air safety improvements. 'Individual airline carriers will still need to apply for permits to operate to the UK through the UK Civil Aviation Authority.' Jane Marriott, the UK high commissioner to Pakistan, added: 'I'm grateful to aviation experts in the UK and Pakistan for their collaborative work to drive improvements to meet international safety standards. 'While it will take time for flights to resume, once the logistics are in place, I look forward to using a Pakistani carrier when visiting family and friends.' This dropping of the ban will be welcome news to the 1.6million people of Pakistani heritage living in the UK. David Lammy is currently leading discussions with Pakistan on their return, and both the Foreign Secretary and Home Office ministers are reported to be 'working very hard' to strike an agreement. Faith minister Lord Khan, who has strong connections to Pakistan, is also said to be involved in talks. Paul Waugh, the Labour MP for Rochdale, said: 'This is very welcome news. I know that this decision will have been taken solely on the basis of the safety improvements made by the airline and is not linked to deportations. 'But it indicates exactly the kind of close working relationship we need between the UK and Pakistan to pave the way for the return of Pakistani nationals deported from the UK – including the men convicted for being Rochdale grooming gang members.' Earlier this year, MailOnline revealed that Rauf was working in Rochdale as a delivery driver, prompting fears he might meet one of his victims during the course of his work. His neighbours in Rochdale were disgusted that he is still allowed to live in the same town where he carried out his vile crimes. One mother, who lives just a few doors away, said: 'Nobody can believe that monster is still here, after what he did to those young girls. 'It's disgusting. What is the country coming to? Why is he still here?'
