Latest news with #BBCSouthEast
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bears saved from 'years of unimaginable suffering'
Three bears have been rescued from the backyard of a residential home in Yerevan, Armenia, with the help of a Sussex-based charity. The Syrian brown bears - Aram, Nairi and their daughter, Lola - were limited to "filthy cages" and denied "basic care", the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) found during an investigation. International Animal Rescue (IAR), based in Uckfield, told BBC South East that their joint rescue with FPWC on 20 March took over 12 hours. The rescuers from IAR said the "stench" and "filth" was "horrific" and followed "years of unimaginable cruelty". "The sheer cruelty of locking these animals up in tiny cages and feeding them cola, it was absolutely horrific," said Alan Knight, president of IAR. Rescuers say the male bear (Aram) was held captive for 12 years and repeatedly bred with a female bear (Nairi) taken from the wild. Their daughter, Lola, was discovered with them, while previous cubs had been taken and sold, according to IAR. Mr Knight said: "These were some of the worst conditions I have ever seen." IAR described the rescue as their "most difficult one to date". The rescue team say they were initially refused entry to the property by the bears' owner, despite having a legal order. After a drawn out standoff, rescuers say they finally gained access at night-fall and worked to sedate and transport the bears "under heavy rain and darkness" using torches. IAR told BBC South East that the three bears are now under supervised quarantine and receiving urgent veterinary care at FPWC's wildlife rescue centre in Urtsadzor, Armenia. An appeal has been launched by IAR to fund their ongoing care and to help complete a new sanctuary where the bears can live. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Boki the bear emerges healthy after brain surgery The volunteers rescuing wildlife with Brian May French hunter given suspended sentence for killing protected bear International Animal Rescue Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets
BBC News
06-05-2025
- BBC News
Thousands of attempts by migrants to hide in vehicles at Channel ports
Migrants made several thousand attempts last year to hide on UK-bound vehicles at the Channel obtained by BBC South East show there were 5,874 detections at ports on the continent, including Calais, Dunkirk and the Channel Tunnel in Coquelles, compared with 4,794 in was stepped up at ports on the continent after more than 56,000 detections were made in government said it was taking the necessary steps to clamp down on all forms of people smuggling. 'Unrelenting threat' More migrants have crossed in small boats since 2018, but a recent report by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, said "the threat of clandestine entry at the juxtaposed ports remains high and is unrelenting".David Bolt, the inspector, said: "Border Force resources and capabilities are stretched, and its operations and those of its security contractors are closely monitored by migrants and by smuggling gangs to identify and be ready to exploit any weaknesses."It's therefore vital that Border Force continues to invest in staff, detection equipment, and IT systems at the juxtaposed ports."Last week people smugglers who tried to bring five Vietnamese migrants into the UK hidden under rubbish in a van were jailed after it was searched at the Eurotunnel terminal in Coquelles. Previous BBC research discovered that over a 10-year period, civil penalties totalling more than £60m have been issued to lorry increased fines, introduced in 2023, any hauliers found to be carrying an illegal migrant can face a fine of up to £10,000 for each "clandestine entrant".Border Force issued 1,787 fines to hauliers in 2024-25, according to a Freedom of Information request by BBC South Moreton from the Immigration Services Union previously told the BBC how all types of road vehicles are targeted."It's not always a lorry of course, campervans are at risk," she said."People towing their caravans have found people inside them."Tourist traffic can also be fined. Last month a couple from Kent who were fined £3,000 for unknowingly driving two Sudanese migrants through Calais in a campervan had the penalty a similar case, a couple from Essex had their £1,500 fine overturned after a migrant was found zipped inside the cover of a bike rack on the back of their motorhome after returning from France. Before reaching the UK control zones, a tourist or freight vehicle will pass through controls operated by the port and French authorities, involving one or more checks by the port authority or security contractors working on its behalf. On entry into the UK control zone, a vehicle may be searched by Border Force or one of its dogs and carbon dioxide probes can be used to detect people on board Smith, former head of UK Border Force, said: "The juxtaposed controls at French feeder ports provide a critical component of UK border security, including preventing illegal entry."Without these controls, the numbers coming across from France would be significantly higher than they are already."He said it was "vital" that Border Force continued to invest in controls to "maximise our chances of detecting illegal entrants". A Home Office spokesperson said: "Border Force officers have discovered inhumane cases of migrants being crammed into the backs of lorries or heavy-goods vehicles for many years. "We are introducing measures in the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill to allow government and law enforcement agencies to work closer than ever with the DVLA to intercept threats when a suspicious vehicle enters the UK."
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Section of M20 closed due to lorry fire
The M20 near Folkestone has been temporarily closed on the westbound carriageway due to a lorry fire which caused smoke to billow across the road. Traffic has been building around the section that has been closed, from junction 11 (Hythe and Westenhanger) to junction 12 (Cheriton). Kent Fire and Rescue Service told BBC South East four fire engines and two water carriers were dispatched to the scene of the fire near junction 12 just before 09:00 BST. Kent Police is also in attendance. National Highways South East said traffic was being diverted via the A20 in both directions. Police say there have been no reports of injuries. The cause of the fire is currently unknown. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. National Highways
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Parts of South East see hottest day of year so far
Parts of south-east England have seen their hottest day of the year so far. The temperature in Herstmonceux in East Sussex reached 24.7C (76F) at lunchtime on Wednesday. That has topped the previous peak for the year on Tuesday when the temperature got up to 24.4C in Wigonholt in West Sussex. Areas of Kent, Surrey and Sussex could see the "hottest first day of May on record", according to BBC South East weather presenter Nina Ridge. She said: "Some places in the South East could see highs of 27C on Thursday." Coastal areas will be fresher due to the breeze off the sea. With temperatures soaring, the RNLI is reminding people taking to the South East's beaches to follow simple safety guidelines. Choose a lifeguarded beach where possible Swim between the red and yellow flag If you see someone in trouble call 999 and ask for the coastguard Gareth Morrison, RNLI head of water safety, said: "Whilst the air temperature will be high, water temperatures remain dangerously cold." The NHS said it recommended spending time in the shade when the sun is strongest, using at least factor 30 sunscreen and reapplying it every two hours, and taking extra care with children. Kent Fire & Rescue Service has warned about the dangers of wildfires. A spokesperson said: "Wildfires often happen after lengthy periods of dry weather and can spread rapidly, causing devastating damage to property, wildlife, and natural landscapes. "Unfortunately, most wildfires are started start by human activity - whether it's a barbecue, discarded cigarettes, bonfires or even arson." Temperatures are expected to cool for the forthcoming May Bank Holiday weekend. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Will UK break heat records for start of May and will it last? Temperatures to reach 29C in warmest start to May on record What does hot weather do to the body? BBC Weather
BBC News
22-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Badenoch calls Kent County Council poll an 'uphill challenge'
The leader of the Conservative Party has said the upcoming Kent County Council election will be an "uphill challenge" for her Badenoch said "nowhere is safe" for her party when every seat on the council, which has been Tory-run for nearly 30 years, is up for election on 1 visited Romshed Farm, near Sevenoaks, in the latest stop on the local election campaign to BBC South East, she said: "I'm not pretending this is going to be easy. This is an uphill challenge. We're going to work for every vote." The last time Kent County Council was up for election was in 2021 when Boris Johnson was prime minister. The Conservatives secured more than 70% of the following the 2024 General Election, in which the Conservatives lost 251 seats across England, the party's new leader attempted to manage expectations, saying it "takes time" to rebuild trust with the public. She said: "Oppositions tend to be out of government for decades, we're trying to do this in one term."We know the May elections are going to be difficult."But we are working hard for every vote because we believe across the board Conservative councils deliver lower taxes for better services."When asked why she had chosen to campaign in Sevenoaks, which is traditionally safe Tory territory, she said "nowhere is safe".She said: "I've never thought about seats being safe. "We have to make sure that we work for every vote and we're not just complacent and assume that an area will always be Conservative."You can find out more about the county council elections, including who is standing in your area, here.
