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The Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Sun
Lawless London's purple line warning tourists of scumbag pickpockets is a red flag to Broken Britain
LONDON has a new landmark – a purple line that runs along Oxford Street telling tourists and locals alike to: Mind the Grab. They are in the nation's phone-snatching hotspot. 7 And with a smartphone stolen every eight minutes in London, getting your device nicked by some two-wheeled scumbag is a very real possibility. 'Enough is enough,' says Ed Connolly, of electrical retailer Currys, who are behind the scheme. 'It's time to draw the line on phone theft. 'That's why we've launched the Mind the Grab campaign — a bold pavement marking we believe can make a real difference by encouraging people to step back from the kerb.' Good for Currys. But what a tragedy it is not our invisible police, the useless London Mayor or our spineless politicians who had the wit and will to say enough is enough. And what a crying shame it is the innocent, law-abiding and decent who must adapt their behaviour as thieving little bastards are allowed to run amok. But this is the country we now live in. There are voices on the Left who insist statistics prove crime's going down. But that is not the way it feels when you see the thin purple line on Oxford Street. And that is certainly not what the rest of the world believes. Degrade quality of life My family was in Lapland earlier this year when a fellow traveller was shocked to learn that we live in London. How business owners are cracking down on shoplifting 'Do you feel safe there?' she gasped. And she was from . . . Iran. But this view of the UK as a lawless land is growing. The Australian government warns its citizens to 'exercise a high degree of caution' when visiting the UK, because 'petty crime is common, including pickpocketing and thieves who use scooters and bicycles to snatch belongings'. It is not just Australia. New Zealand, France, Canada, the UAE and even Mexico — home of the drug cartels! — all warn their citizens to beware. 7 The heartbroken family of student Mohammed Algasim, 20, stabbed to death in an 'unprovoked' attack in Cambridge, say the UK is 'no longer safe' for visitors. Mr Algasim's family are from Saudi Arabia. And who would dare to contradict them? The Broken Windows Theory of crime states that visible signs of criminality — broken windows, graffiti, the stink of weed — create an urban environment that encourages further crime. And that is exactly where we are today. Last year around 80,000 people had their phones stolen in London. Yes, phone theft is horrible. But then so is burglary, shoplifting, mugging and knife crime. They all degrade and coarsen our quality of life. They all make us feel our loved ones are not safe on the streets where we live. Exactly 14 years on from the riots of the summer of 2011, you will hear many smug voices telling you Nigel Farage is wrong to speak of lawless Britain. I guess these people don't get out of the house much. Because as they close all of the police stations, the coppers withdraw from sight and the UK becomes the global centre of street crime, the UK sure as hell doesn't feel safer than it has ever been. Significantly, the Australian government gives the UK a Level 2 rating, reflecting 'a weak law and order system, where violent crime is common', and a country that 'may lack some key public services, such as a responsive police force'. Yes, that's us! The police will not save you. The courts will do bugger all. We are on our own now. Because there has clearly been a fraying of the social contract in this country. Meaning — the way we behave. Meaning — how we treat each other. Meaning — our sense of our rights and our duties. Meaning — the immutable standards, values and beliefs we all share. Meaning — communal sense of decency. Now, hurting someone you don't know is socially acceptable. There is nothing pathetic, nasty and cruel about taking something that doesn't belong to you. Shoplifting, phone theft, mugging, assault — it is no big deal. And it ends with a student, a beloved son who was thrilled to be in the UK for ten weeks, bleeding to death. The decline of the social contract means we are becoming a nation fit for thieving, violent little scumbags. And I fear it will take more than a thin purple line to stop them. Arrest E-bike idiots THE backlash against e-bikes has begun. One London council, Hounslow, has terminated its contract with Lime after two years following complaints about 'antisocial parking' on pavements. Writing in The Times, Agustin Guilisasti, co-founder and CEO of e-bike company Forest, calls for greater clarification about the rules and regulations around his booming industry. These would be good rules. Every e-bike that is abandoned on a pavement should be removed and destroyed. And the law should treat e-bike users like motorists. When they race through red lights, gawping gormlessly at their phone at 30 mph – nick the morons. Business is booming for the e-bike companies. But they are aware that many of us heartily despise them. Hounslow council has decided to end its contract with Lime and hand the reins to rivals Forest and Voi to 'maintain clear pavements and discourage poor parking'. Good luck with that. As far as I can tell from my neck of the woods, they – and the people who use them – are all as thoughtless as each other. E-bikes are not saving our towns, cities or planet. They are wrecking them. Name shame 7 BACK in the Sixties they asked, would you let your daughter go with a Rolling Stone? Now the question is, would you name your baby after a Rolling Stone? Probably not. Keith is no longer in the top 100 names. Neither is Mick. All those 'dad' names – Steve is another one, and Ian and Nigel – are on the way out. As is Tony. Nobody would call their baby Tony these days. One of us launches an unnecessary and unprovoked war against Iraq on fabricated evidence and suddenly our name is mud. Still a trump card 7 I HAD my doubts about the Tory scheme to send illegal migrants to Rwanda. Too legally complicated, I thought. And too prohibitively expensive. The £700million scheme was promptly ditched when Labour won the election. But how galling that Rwanda is now taking 250 migrants from the US under Donald Trump's removal system. And their pleasant accommodation in Rwanda will be paid for by the British taxpayer. Perhaps Rwanda will work as a deterrent after all. And it will certainly be a much greater deterrent to illegal migration than Labour's 'one-in, one-out' deal with France, meaningless sound bites about 'smashing the gangs'. And Home Secretary Yvette Cooper looking very, very cross. OZZY OSBOURNE'S death certificate describes the Black Sabbath supremo as a 'songwriter, performer and rock legend'. That sounds like a good job. What's the money like? Home front LABOUR'S minister for homelessness, Rushanara Ali, has resigned after turfing four tenants out of her London rental property – and then re-listing the same gaff for £700 a month more! Hypocritical? Undoubtedly. But you must admire Ali's flair for economic growth. Perhaps she should be Chancellor. Top Marks for putting Aimee in Christmas ads WITH only 137 days to Christmas, thoughts turn inevitably to the big Yuletide commercials. Marks & Spencer has signed Aimee Lou Wood to front its Christmas campaign – a definite upgrade of last year's effort (Dawn French as an unfunny fairy). Aimee was the best thing in the third series of The White Lotus. The Stockport-born actress, 31, is glamorous yet approachable, charismatic yet relatable. She seems nice. Very British. The perfect fit to front a Christmas campaign for an institution like M&S. Aimee definitely has a girl-next-door quality. If you happen to live next door to one of the hottest names in Hollywood.
The Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Sun
Liam Gallagher shows support for rape charge brother Paul by moving him into £4m home & flying him to gig in private jet
OASIS frontman Liam Gallagher is letting his rape-accused older brother Paul stay at his £4million home ahead of his court appearance. He also flew the DJ to the band's latest gig in a display of family unity. 6 6 6 The Sun on Sunday's pictures show the pair arriving at Luton airport where they chatted and joked before flying to Edinburgh on a £3.5million private jet. In another snap Paul, 59, is seen at Liam's North London mansion on Friday. A source said: ' Liam is supporting Paul through this. He invited him to stay with him at his house before they travelled to Edinburgh. 'Paul looked like he was moving in and had two large suitcases. When he was at the airport he only had one smaller case.' The source added: 'It says a lot about Liam. He has an incredibly hectic schedule at the moment because of the tour — but he wants to be there for his big brother.' Paul is on bail accused of rape, strangulation and coercive control, said to relate to one alleged victim. He faces a total of 11 charges including sexual assault, actual bodily harm and threats to kill and is due at Westminster magistrates' court on August 27. Last month Liam was believed to have dedicated hit Stand By Me to Paul as he and Noel, 58, played Wembley. Public show of support He did not name Paul but beat his chest after telling the packed stadium: 'I've got to dedicate this next tune to our kid.' On Friday and last night Oasis played in front of 70,000 fans at Murrayfield. Paul lives in a North London flat bought for him by Noel in 2004. Liam and Noel Gallagher's older brother Paul charged with rape and string of sex offences Police said the charges relate to incidents alleged to have taken place between 2022 and 2024 and that a woman is being supported by specially trained officers. Paul's lawyer said: 'He has always strongly denied the allegations. He looks forward to clearing his name.' Oasis are next due to perform again in Edinburgh on Tuesday before back-to-back sell-out gigs in Dublin. He has always strongly denied the allegations. He looks forward to clearing his name Paul's lawyer Paul is set to play as a DJ at the Ultimate Oasis Weekender after-show party following their gig at Croke Park — just 11 days before his court date. The band will then leave for dates in Canada, the US, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Australia and South America. The three brothers grew up in Burnage, Manchester, but Paul has never been involved with the band. However, he said in an interview: 'I always had the cool records.' His 1996 book Brothers: From Childhood to Oasis — The Real Story charted Liam and Noel's struggle for success and how they coped with stardom. It was written with the full co-operation of mum Peggie and included previously unpublished family photographs. 6 6
The Sun
36 minutes ago
- The Sun
I caught my boyfriend having sex with my best friend in the shower – but he says it's my fault for being bad in bed
DEAR DEIDRE: My boyfriend cheated on me with my best friend – and I walked in on them having sex in our shower. If you met him, you'd think this guy was the least likely person to have an affair. He's always so attentive, happy to massage my feet, clean my car and run me relaxing baths. We met two years ago. He pursued me for a date until I gave in. We had even been talking about starting a family. I'm 33, he's 35 and an electrical engineer who works and plays hard. Although our relationship is mostly happy, he would sometimes be jealous and controlling, limiting how often I went out and with whom. He'd become more critical of what I wore, sometimes laying out an outfit for me. I always thought this was a small price to pay for how amazing he is in all other areas. Even though they couldn't be more different, he and my best friend have always got on brilliantly. My boyfriend recently booked a last-minute holiday for me and him. My pal stayed at our house dog-sitting. We arrived home late, so she stayed over. I was so tired I went to bed. Waking a few hours later, I could hear the shower running. Thinking my boyfriend had forgotten to turn it off, I went into the bathroom to be confronted by the sight of him and my best friend naked together under the water. I fled the house to stay with my mum. I've been here ever since. Spotting the signs your partner is cheating My boyfriend's sent hundreds of texts, starting off loving and apologetic, then turning spiteful and cruel. He now says he never loved me and that this is all my fault for being boring in bed. It isn't the first of my relationships to turn sour. I have a history with bad, controlling men. It's telling, too, how your boyfriend quickly gave up the loving text messages and became unkind. Women often attract controlling, abusive men if they have had an unstable relationship early on in life, one where they feel, for example, they don't deserve to be heard. Then, in adulthood, they choose partners who disrespect and gaslight them. You'll need support in the next few months and I recommend Women's Aid ( Look at its website and read the page called 'I've left and need support'. Talking to a therapist will help you unpick the pattern of unhealthy relationships you have identified so that you can heal and make healthier choices in the future. Also, my support pack, How Counselling Can Help, explains how to get started. SHE POSTED HER SEXY PICS ONLINE DEAR DEIDRE: I PAID for my girlfriend to have a glamour photoshoot. I imagined the sexy photos would be an erotic secret between us. Instead, she's plastered them over her social media. We've been dating for three years. I'm 29 and she's 24. She's never been very confident. She's always on a diet and seems to think I can't fancy her naked because she's a size 18. She's wrong – I can't get enough of her. For her birthday, I bought her a boudoir photoshoot in the hope it would boost her confidence to see what I see. I accompanied her on the day and, by the time she'd had her hair, make-up and lingerie styled, she'd blossomed. The shoot went well – she was writhing on the furniture, and I was aroused watching her. We went home and had phenomenal sex all night. The photos were exquisite. Even though it was expensive, I paid for her to receive 25 digital shots. I assumed these would be a delicious, shared secret for our eyes only. But, scrolling through her Instagram the other day, I saw five of the photos on her feed. She'd cropped them above the waist, but her boobs were visible through the lacy bra. Even worse, 34 men had reacted to the photos, with love hearts, fire emojis and 'yum' type comments. I told her I wasn't comfortable with her sharing them online. She said I was jealous and 'my body, my choice'. Am I being old-fashioned? DEIDRE SAYS: It must have been a shock to see your girlfriend's lingerie-clad body online. I doubt you are the only person who would feel annoyed. It's not about being old-fashioned, it's about her motivation for posting the pictures. She claims to be happy in the relationship. But to you, it must seem like she's seeking attention from other people. It would be good to have a chat with her. You cannot control her actions, or what she chooses to put on her own social media, but you can explain how they make you feel. If she wants to be a part of a loving relationship, she'll take your feelings on board. You can also warn her that the photos might reach the eyes of dubious characters, or even future employers. Hopefully you can both reach a compromise. FAMILY FORUM DEAR DEIDRE: MY ex-girlfriend and I split up a year ago and now share custody of our son, who's six. I was really upset by the break-up, especially as we continued seeing each other and having sex for a few months after. We agreed that when either of us met a new partner, we'd let the other person know about them, and that we'd wait six months before introducing them to our son. I've just found out that my ex has broken both of these rules. She met a new man three months ago, and instead of keeping things casual until she got to know him properly, she let him come to her house for sleepovers after just one month. She's also introduced him to our son, and they've all been having days out together to theme parks and the beach. Worse still, my ex told our son to lie to me about it all because she knew that I'd be fuming. Am I being unreasonable about this? I realise I'm probably upset because I'd harboured a hope of getting back together with her. But aside from that, it feels awful that she encouraged our son to lie. I also can't get past the mental images of them all together. From the outside, they'd look like a family. But he's not my son's dad – I am. DEIDRE SAYS: Co-parenting can be hard, especially in the early days when you're all still adjusting to the new arrangement. I also understand how hurt you feel about your ex moving on. But you're right – your ex shouldn't have broken the rules and definitely shouldn't have told your son to lie. It might be a good idea for the three adults to meet and talk. It's important for you to know anyone who will regularly be spending time with your son. I'd also have a chat with your son about lying, and how it could affect you believing what he says in future. For support, contact a charity working to help separated parents provide the best outcomes for their children. EMBARRASSED BY BLADDER WOES DEAR DEIDRE: MY husband chose me over his daughter and now she's not inviting him to her 30th. It's so sad and I feel guilty over it. I'm 28 and my husband is 50 – he divorced years ago – so obviously my age is the issue for his daughter. We got married in the Caribbean, with two witnesses from our hotel. When he messaged his daughter to say he'd got hitched, she replied: 'As long as you are happy, Dad, that's great'. That was the last time he heard from her. I saw her account on Instagram and realised she's having a party, but my husband didn't know. He sends her cards and gifts for birthdays and Christmas, but gets no reply. I'm wary about sticking my nose in when it's me who is the problem. DEIDRE SAYS: It is best if your husband handles this, so remind him her birthday is a big one and suggest he invites her out to celebrate. If she accepts, you can decide whether to be there or give them time alone. He can find support through (0808 800 2222).
