Latest news with #CityofLondonPolice
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Man in North Wales arrested for ‘leaking Hollywood films online'
A man has been arrested in North Wales on suspicion of leaking unreleased Hollywood films online. The 47-year-old suspect is being investigated over alleged copyright offences at his home in Penmaenmawr, near Conwy, on April 29 by officers from the police intellectual property crime unit (PIPCU) at City of London Police. He is suspected to have obtained thousands of films, television series and songs without the necessary licence or permissions from copyright owners and then distributed them through a file-sharing torrent site, according to police. The content included two recent Hollywood films that were leaked before their official release dates, the force said. Officers shut down the site and seized two laptops and several hard drives for further examination. A quantity of discs were also seized. The arrest came after an investigation by the intellectual property crime unit and the Motion Picture Association. The man has since been released under investigation, City of London Police said. Det Con Jason Theobald, of the intellectual property crime unit, said: 'This operation serves as a warning to anyone thinking of uploading copyrighted material to pirate sites. 'This is a crime that diverts funds away from the creative industries, money that not only supports artists, but thousands of technical and support staff working in this sector. 'It's estimated that this type of criminal activity contributes to around 86,000 job losses each year alone. PIPCU is committed to working with partners, nationally and internationally, to take action against those involved.' Karyn Temple, a senior executive vice president and global general counsel for the Motion Picture Association, said: 'This operation stands as a powerful testament to the impact of close collaboration between law enforcement, the creative sector and industry partners. 'We commend PIPCU for their leadership and dedication – their unique role in tackling intellectual property crime is essential in today's digital age. Together, we are delivering meaningful results in the fight against piracy. 'As technology continues to evolve, so do the threats to creative content. This decisive enforcement action reinforces the message that piracy is not a victimless crime – it damages creators, disrupts legitimate businesses, and endangers consumers. 'We are proud to stand with PIPCU and our partners to protect creative industries and ensure audiences around the world can enjoy stories in a safe, legal and secure way.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Man in North Wales arrested for ‘leaking Hollywood movies online'
A man has been arrested in North Wales on suspicion of leaking unreleased Hollywood films online. The 47-year-old suspect is being investigated over alleged copyright offences at his home in Penmaenmawr, near Conwy, on April 29 by officers from the police intellectual property crime unit (PIPCU) at City of London Police. He is suspected to have obtained thousands of films, television series and songs without the necessary licence or permissions from copyright owners and then distributed them through a file-sharing torrent site, according to police. The content included two recent Hollywood films that were leaked before their official release dates, the force said. Officers shut down the site and seized two laptops and several hard drives for further examination. A quantity of discs were also seized. The arrest came after an investigation by the intellectual property crime unit and the Motion Picture Association. The man has since been released under investigation, City of London Police said. A crime that hurts the creative industries Det Con Jason Theobald, of the intellectual property crime unit, said: 'This operation serves as a warning to anyone thinking of uploading copyrighted material to pirate sites. 'This is a crime that diverts funds away from the creative industries, money that not only supports artists, but thousands of technical and support staff working in this sector. 'It's estimated that this type of criminal activity contributes to around 86,000 job losses each year alone. PIPCU is committed to working with partners, nationally and internationally, to take action against those involved.' Karyn Temple, a senior executive vice president and global general counsel for the Motion Picture Association, said: 'This operation stands as a powerful testament to the impact of close collaboration between law enforcement, the creative sector and industry partners. 'We commend PIPCU for their leadership and dedication – their unique role in tackling intellectual property crime is essential in today's digital age. Together, we are delivering meaningful results in the fight against piracy. 'As technology continues to evolve, so do the threats to creative content. This decisive enforcement action reinforces the message that piracy is not a victimless crime – it damages creators, disrupts legitimate businesses, and endangers consumers. 'We are proud to stand with PIPCU and our partners to protect creative industries and ensure audiences around the world can enjoy stories in a safe, legal and secure way.'
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Iconic £250m holiday park's future thrown into doubt as parent firm COLLAPSES into administration
THE FUTURE of a holiday park and its £250 million development is in doubt after its parent firm collapsed into administration. Now, its owners are under investigation by the City of London Police who are examining the firm's finances. 4 4 4 Penrhos Coastal Park in Wales has long been a popular tourist destination. It was acquired by a Southport based company named Seventy Ninth Group, which is a holding company for a large group of businesses. However, the company has fallen into administration and is under investigation by the City of London Police. The holding company has allegedly been offering loan rate notes to investors with high interest return over a fixed period. Allegedly, investors would be approached by a third party who offered the opportunity for a fixed return of 12 per cent - if they invested £10,000. Another deal which involved a £25,000 investment with a fixed return of 15 per cent was also allegedly offered. Four people connected with the company have been arrested and released on bail. Now, the fate of Penhros Coastal Park and its £250 million development is at risk. The firm had planned to build 492 premium holiday lodges, a restaurant and leisure amenities as well as a spa, pool, gym and sports pitches. Seventy Ninth Group allegedly planned to forgo external funding and would develop the site using its own finances. The Sun tried to contact the Seventy Ninth Group via telephone but the lime didn't connect and, according to Google, the firm's site in Southport is permanently closed. A spokesperson for the Seventy Ninth Group had previously told the Echo: "The Seventy Ninth Group categorically denies any wrongdoing following claims recently made public by the City of London police. "Since the events of last week, we have been working diligently with our legal advisers to address the claims made as part of the investigation, while also providing information to business partners and other stakeholders. "The company has also appointed independent forensic accountants to conduct a comprehensive review of the business. The Seventy Ninth Group remains committed to servicing its clients in the UK and across the globe." The City of London Police have refused to comment on the investigation, choosing to remain in a 'holding position'. A spokesperson for the force said: 'It's still an active investigation and so as such we wont be commenting on it.' Previously, another spokesperson for the City of London Police had said: "The Seventy Ninth Group tell investors that funds are used for real estate, wealth and aviation. 'Another area of business advertised under The Seventy Ninth Group is mining for natural resources in countries such as Canada and Guinea." 4
North Wales Live
19-05-2025
- Business
- North Wales Live
Future of £250m North Wales holiday park unclear as firm enters administration
The fate of a £250m North Wales holiday park remains "unclear" after the company behind the plan fell into administration last month. The Seventy Ninth Group is currently being investigated by the City of London Police after it was believed to be offering loan notes to investors with high interest return over a fixed period. The police force announced it was probing the company earlier this year, with eight companies linked to the name having entered into administration and notices being filed on The Gazette official public record. The administrator for seven of the eight companies linked to The Seventy Ninth Group previously told the ECHO how The Seventy Ninth Group Limited is the holding company for a large and complex group of unregulated businesses which together describe itself as an asset manager, reports the ECHO. It operates across real estate, aviation, natural resources and wealth management. When the ECHO attempted to contact The Seventy Ninth Group, the phone line would not connect and the website is no longer available. Police confirmed the group, based on Wight Moss Way in Southport, operate in real estate, "claiming to specialise in the acquisition, management and development of lucrative assets". The company also offers investment opportunities selling loan notes secured against properties. In January this year, the Merseyside company was announced as the new owners of the consented development at Penrhos Coastal Park near Holyhead. Almost 500 luxury lodges have been earmarked for the 200-acre site. The site was set up for the community in 1971 by the former Anglesey Aluminium plant. The Seventy Ninth Group said earlier this year the first of the £12,000 lodges would be available by summer 2025. At the time, the Isle of Anglesey County Council welcomed the news and said it was looking forward to establishing a "long-term working relationship" with the company. However, following four arrests made by City of London Police in connection with the company and now the appointment of administrators, the council's chief executive declined to comment further on the future of the site. Anglesey Council's chief executive, Dylan J. Williams, told the ECHO: "The ownership and future of the Penrhos site remain unclear, so it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time." Outline planning permission for the development was agreed in 2016 and in October 2024, a legal challenge by local residents was rejected in the High Court before the landowner, Land and Lakes, sold the site to The Seventy Ninth Group two months later. The plans for the site, valued by the company at £250m, include 492 premium holiday lodges, a restaurant and leisure amenities, a swimming pool, spa, gym and sports pitches and outdoor tennis courts. The Seventy Ninth Group said it would not be seeking external funding and would be developing the site from its own financial resources. City of London Police said investors are contacted by third-party introducers offering the opportunity to invest with fixed returns between 12% for a minimum £10,000 investment and 15% for a minimum £25,000 investment. The force said: "The Seventy Ninth Group tell investors that funds are used for real estate, wealth and aviation. Another area of business advertised under The Seventy Ninth Group is mining for natural resources in countries such as Canada and Guinea." Four people have been arrested in connection with the company. A large amount of cash, luxury watches and jewellery were found during searches of five separate properties, all of which have been seized. All people arrested have been released on bail and enquiries are ongoing. City of London Police said: "Anyone who has been contacted by investors from The Seventy Ninth Group, or working on behalf of The Seventy Ninth Group, should contact the City of London Police immediately." A spokesperson for The Seventy Ninth Group has previously told the ECHO in a statement: "The Seventy Ninth Group categorically denies any wrongdoing following claims recently made public by the City of London police. "Since the events of last week, we have been working diligently with our legal advisers to address the claims made as part of the investigation, while also providing information to business partners and other stakeholders. "The company has also appointed independent forensic accountants to conduct a comprehensive review of the business. The Seventy Ninth Group remains committed to servicing its clients in the UK and across the globe." The Seventy Ninth Group was also the headline sponsor of last year's 100th anniversary Southport Flower Show. The company's website previously explained how the board is comprised of "experienced industry leaders, two of whom have been honoured by members of The Royal Family, with decades of collective expertise across high-profile sectors".
Telegraph
15-05-2025
- Telegraph
Met officer faked identity to hide secret family, BBC presenter claimed
A TV presenter has claimed a police officer used a false identity to begin a relationship with her and hide the fact he secretly had another family. Jackie Adedeji, 31, also alleges that after she made a complaint against the man the detective assigned to investigate made inappropriate comments towards her. Adedeji, who presents episodes of investigative TV show Untold and appeared on BBC3, told Channel 4 News that she raised a historical allegation of sexual misconduct in 2023. She made the complaint against a then serving Metropolitan Police officer who was more than 15 years her senior, whom she met while he was on duty in east London. Adedeji alleges the officer initiated a sexual relationship, including during work hours, and used a false identity throughout their years-long relationship. She claimed he used the alias to hide from her that he already had a family. The officer, who worked for City of London Police after leaving the Met, was arrested in February 2024 on suspicion of misconduct in public office, Channel 4 News reports. Adedeji claims that when a detective was assigned to investigate her complaint, he made inappropriate comments to her throughout the process, including commenting on her appearance and joking about how the case brought them together. Ms Adedeji said: 'These experiences have left me completely disillusioned. 'How can women feel safe coming forward when they're retraumatised by the very system that's meant to protect them?' She said City of London Police told her last year her case had been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) but was later told by the CPS that they had not received the file. Claire Waxman, the Victims Commissioner for London, has since written to Pete O'Doherty, City of London Police Commissioner, to raise concerns about the investigation. Ms Waxman wrote: 'It's really important that those actually looking into the behaviour have not been accused themselves and have not been subject to allegations.' Diana Johnson, the policing minister, said: 'I can't comment on the individual case but it concerns me greatly that we have this culture in policing.' 'Held to account' A Met spokesman said: 'While the vast majority of our officers work every day with professionalism and integrity to keep London safe, it is right they are asked to uphold the highest of standards and are held to account when they fail to do so. 'The Government's new vetting regulations close a gap in the law and allow us to ensure only officers who maintain a suitable standard of clearance throughout their career can police the streets of London.' A City of London Police spokesman said: 'Last year, a criminal investigation began following the arrest of an officer for misconduct in a public office. 'A separate complaint against the same officer was also investigated under police conduct regulations, resulting in him being found guilty of gross misconduct. He is no longer a serving officer. 'We cannot disclose details of the criminal investigation that may prejudice the case but accept the victim's complaints and fully recognise the importance of trust and confidence in how our investigations are carried out. 'We referred all of the victims' concerns to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for consideration, and after receiving their advice it should continue to be investigated locally, we have listened to the concerns raised and passed the complaint to a separate force [British Transport Police] for independent review.'
