Town crackdown on 'escalating' issue of graffiti
A town has adopted a "zero-tolerance approach" to graffiti in an effort to deal with its "escalating issue", Crimestoppers has said.
The charity said a four-week campaign had started in Northampton to tackle the problem.
It was working with Fearless, its youth service, and West Northamptonshire Council, which has increased the maximum fine for graffiti and other environmental crimes to £500.
"Graffiti is not only an act of vandalism - it undermines community pride, damages both public and private property, and can foster a sense of unease among residents and visitors," the charity added.
The campaign encourages residents to report graffiti anonymously through the charity, and it is being advertised across social media and transport to raise awareness.
Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Crimestoppers
West Northamptonshire Council
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Shooting outside Cache 42 leaves 1 dead, 2 people injured
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — At least three people were injured after deputies say a shooting happened outside a restaurant in Southeast Shelby County. Shelby County Sheriff's Office deputies say they were called to a shooting in the parking lot of Cache 42 in the 4200 Block of Hacks Cross Road around 10:00 p.m. Two male adults and one teen were reported shot and taken to nearby hospitals. Two of the victims were taken to Germantown Methodist Hospital in non-critical condition, while the third was transported to Regional One in critical condition and later pronounced deceased. This is still an ongoing investigation. No suspect information has been released at this time. Cache 42 is partially owned by Memphis rapper Moneybagg Yo. Anyone with information is urged to contact SCSO detectives at 901-379-7625 or CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Woman's Husband Vanished and Blocked Her Number. Now, He's Back After 6 Months Like 'Nothing Happened'
A woman says her husband left her and their three children without so much as a note and blocked her calls and texts She says he recently showed up at her door six months later as if "nothing happened,' claiming that he's 'ready to come home' The woman shared her story on a popular community forum to get advice on how she should proceedA woman's husband disappeared for nearly six months — but is now 'ready to come home' without an apology or a 'proper explanation.' The woman detailed her experience in a Mumsnet post titled 'Husband left at New Year's and just turned up like nothing happened.' She explained that her husband left her and their three children — ages 7, 5 and 2 — in early January, leaving 'no note, no message, no nothing. Just packed a bag and vanished.' She said that her husband blocked her on 'everything,' including texts and phone calls, and didn't even respond to his own mother when he disappeared. The original poster (OP) went on to say that she reached out to police, who informed her that he was 'fine' and 'left voluntarily,' so there was 'not much they could do.' The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! The OP — who has been solo parenting and 'barely keeping it together ' since he left — was shocked when her husband 'turned up yesterday' as if 'nothing happened.' She said he claims 'he'd been 'sorting himself out' and 'couldn't cope' and that he's ready to come home now.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The woman said that his actions have left her three children 'confused' and her eldest child 'cried all night.' 'I'm angry and numb and tired and I don't even know what I'm supposed to do with this. I feel like I've spent six months mourning and now he's back like a ghost,' she continued. The woman said that she ultimately did not let her husband stay at the house, but 'he's saying he wants to talk.' 'I don't know if I even want to hear it,' she said, before asking her fellow community members if anyone has ever been through anything similar. Post commenters expressed immense sympathy for the OP, with many people sharing that they do not think she should take her husband back or attempt to reconcile. 'I wouldn't let him back under any circumstances, if not just for what he's done to your children already, but because there's every chance he'll do it all again,' one person said. 'I think I'd have to hear him out and get answers, but no way would he be coming back to live,' added another person. Some, however, said they thought the OP should at least listen to what he has to say. 'If he was, prior to this, a good person/good partner, I would hear him out. It sounds like he's had a complete breakdown," someone said. Another person said that the OP should ultimately listen to herself — and disregard the opinion of others on what is ultimately a highly personal issue. 'OP, he can come back if you want him to. He can't come back if you don't want him to. It's completely up to you, and none of us,' they said. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
‘Freemen on the land': YouTube videos tell homeowners they aren't bound by mortgages
'Freemen on the land' sound like outlaws in a fairytale. But rather than stealing from the rich to give to the poor like Robin Hood, this group tries to convince hard-up borrowers they are not legally bound by their mortgage contract. It may sound far-fetched but the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has sounded the alarm over this conspiracy theory as a small but growing number of homeowners are using this argument to try to block repossession proceedings. 'We're aware of mortgage holders in financial difficulty who are being misled by this online misinformation, often with serious financial consequences,' the FCA says. The 'freemen on the land' movement – sometimes written as 'FOTL' or just 'freemen' – claims individuals are only bound only by the contracts and laws they consent to, often using arguments dating back to Magna Carta. It is not a new phenomenon but is gaining currency in the UK thanks to social media. People involved in the movement post information and eviction videos online, including on YouTube. The accounts can have thousands of followers and some videos have been viewed close to half a million times. Mortgage lenders are reporting a rise in borrowers using these arguments. The FCA says that some borrowers have paid individuals a fee to take their claims to court to avert their home being repossessed. However it says: 'None of these claims have succeeded as they're not legally valid. 'Other people have ended up losing not just their homes but also a large chunk of their equity.' On its website the housing charity Shelter has a round up of what it calls a 'growing trend of conspiracy theory litigants'. In one case, a judge dismissed 13 separate claims against various mortgage lenders and expressed concern about an 'unseen hand' behind the court documents. The misinformation is being spread by word of mouth or in help groups on social media sites. 'People are using informal channels like Facebook groups to find help and these individuals are in those groups saying: 'Yes, I can,'' says one expert who did not want to be named. Greg Sachrajda, the head of department in the FCA's retail banking directorate, suggests that some people who are at risk of losing their home are 'susceptible to arguments that make things sound better'. But he says: 'If you borrow money, you're required to repay it, and you only make the situation worse by trying to rely on false arguments which the courts are rejecting. 'We've seen examples of people not only losing their home but also then getting less back from the proceeds of the sale of the home.' The same bogus arguments are being used to avoid council tax payments and parking fines. Indeed numerous councils devote sections on their websites to debunking 'Freemen' ideas. Thurrock council, for example, spells out that 'rights claimed under common law, are not the same as laws relating to council tax', adding: 'You don't have a 'choice' as to whether you are liable for council tax.' Do not believe the claims. If you are struggling to repay your mortgage the short answer is: speak to your lender. Lenders are required to treat borrowers in financial difficulty fairly and the options available could include extending the term of the loan, temporarily switching to an interest-only mortgage, or even agreeing a payment holiday. Selling up may turn out to be right thing to do but even then the lender should be able to help. Many lenders offer what is called an 'assisted voluntary sale'. This gives the borrower more time to sell the property and the lender can help with the costs. This can maximise the amount of money the individual realises from the sale. A spokesperson for the lenders' trade body UK Finance says: 'It's always worth seeking independent legal advice before acting on information you find online as understanding your legal position fully will help protect you from costly mistakes.' Speak to your council if you are struggling with your council tax bill. There are other places you can turn to for help with debts. National Debtline, StepChange, Citizens Advice and the government-backed MoneyHelper service are among those offering free support. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
