Latest news with #Folkestone
The Sun
10 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
Greedy smuggling gangs cramming more migrants into small boats as Labour's excuse for record arrivals is sunk
GREEDY smuggling gangs are cramming ever more migrants into small boats — as the Government's excuse for record arrivals was sunk. The number of dinghies carrying 80 or more people tripled in just one year. 3 In the 12 months to April, there were 33 compared to 11 in 2024 and just one in 2023. And there were 312 boats carrying 60 or more compared to 153 the year before. The dangerous squeeze emerged yesterday when the Home Office published for the first time data on both the number of migrants -per-boat and how weather affected the crisis. Labour has tried to blame recent sunny spells for a higher number of migrants completing Channel crossings. They pointed out the last year saw 190 so-called calmer 'red days' — up from 106. But Sky News research showed that in rougher conditions small boat journeys were still up 30 per cent. Last night the Home Office said smugglers overloading boats was 'all the more reason why we should crack down on their vile trade'. Afghans Shah Salim Sajjadi, 38, and Safiollah Mohammadi, 25, were yesterday jailed for eights months each in Folkestone after a woman and child died in the overcrowded Channel dinghy they captained. A probe into the deaths continues. 3
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
BBC Audio Tom Fletcher
Tom Fletcher heads the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and has been at the forefront of recent efforts to deliver aid into Gaza. Last week, he was criticised for making inaccurate claims about the impact of the Israeli blockade. No stranger to tough jobs, he was previously a foreign policy advisor to three British Prime Ministers and the UK Ambassador to Lebanon as the country dealt with the civil war in neighbouring Syria. He once fought the mayor of Nairobi in a boxing match and had a mortar round land in his swimming pool at the British embassy in Beirut. One of four siblings, he was born in Folkestone, where he attended the Harvey Grammar School before studying at Oxford University. Prior to his UN role he was Principal of Hertford College and has written books on diplomacy as well as novels. Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Tom Gillett, Lucy Pawle and Jo Casserly Editor: Nick Holland Sound: Gareth Jones Production Coordinator: Sabine Schereck
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Leas Coastal Park work to be carried out to prevent landslides
Work to prevent landslides from the cliffs above the Leas in Folkestone, Kent, will begin in the and Hythe District Council said it will carry reduce the height of some of the trees at the site, along with installing mesh, netting and a new follows a landslide at the Vinery in February 2024, after a period of heavy authority has yet to appoint a contractor, but hopes the work will start in October and finished by the end of 2025. The work will be carried out ahead of a refurbishment of the Lower Leas Coastal Park play 21 May councillors agreed to spend £750,000 on new equipment for the play area. Connor McConville, cabinet member for assets, said: "If we want to deliver a new first class play area in time for next summer, it is essential we move at pace with the cliff stabilisation work."The equipment in the fun park will be removed while the work is being carried out.
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Daily Mail
'Wakey, wakey': Stalker husband used Alexa to torment estranged wife during horror campaign where he would call her dozens of times a day
A stalker husband used an Amazon Alexa to torment his estranged wife while bombarding her with dozens of unwanted phone calls every day. Philip Shipp, 43, of Darby Road, Folkestone, had struggled to accept the end of his marriage and launched a campaign of torment which included showing up at his former partner's home and barraging her with emails and text messages. Shipp even went as far as accessing an Alexa device in the woman's property and saying 'Wakey, wakey' through the connected microphone. On another occasion he called her 72 times in the space of three hours. The woman, who ended the 15-year marriage, reported the stalking as Shipp was ignoring strict bail conditions where he was not allowed to contact her. Folkestone Magistrates' Court heard the offences took place between April 23 and May 19. Prosecutor Lucie Fish said: 'This case is of a domestic nature - they are an estranged husband and wife. 'They were together for about 15 years but have been on and off since 2019. She became a foster carer and the defendant's behaviour changed, and she wanted to cease all contact, but he seemed to challenge that.' Ms Fish continued: 'He was saying 'Wakey, wakey' (through the speaker) and it stressed her out. She also got 40 calls that day.' Shipp was arrested on May 8 and bailed with strict conditions not to contact the woman or go near her property. Ms Fish said he breached those conditions and added: 'There was surveillance when he turned up at her home address, and multiple voicemails were left. He then said he would kill himself. He's unpredictable.' Defending, Jack Stewart said Shipp had no previous convictions and that he was struggling after losing his relationship, his job and dealing with drugs issues after the death of his daughter. Mr Stewart said: 'He has one caution, but has not been in court before. He has breached his bail, but it was in desperation, and he didn't understand the consequences. 'He's struggled with cocaine since the death of his daughter 19 years ago. He can't cope properly. He's also epileptic and fell (while having a fit) and lost his teeth. 'He's had to leave his work. He was a retail manager and has worked for EE and Vodafone, but he's had hospital appointments and is in pain. 'Things have been too much for him over the past couple of years. The relationship ended out of the blue and he struggled to cope with that, and there were other problems. 'It was stupid to make contact again, but it was a desperate attempt to get closure. His mental health has deteriorated. 'I'd asked for an adjournment for a pre-sentencing report to be completed.' Shipp was remanded in custody due to his breach of bail conditions and he is due to be sentenced at Margate Magistrates' Court on June 10.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Sandgate Beach sewage leak prompts warning against swimming
Swimmers are being urged to avoid using a beach in Kent due to "pollution from sewage".The alert at Sandgate Beach, near Folkestone, is expected to last until 24 May, according to the Environment Agency (EA).Sandgate and West Folkestone ward councillor Tim Prater said a drain near The Sandgate Hotel "seems to be discharging sewage onto the beach".But Southern Water said a damaged sewer pipe caused the spill, and the discharge had "not affected bathing water quality." "The discharge from the surface water outfall has not entered the sea," it water company added that the incident was reported on Wednesday and it immediately sent teams to the has since "introduced a series of measures to protect the local environment, including tankers to control flows through the area". Councillor Prater says the anti-swimming advisory could be lifted sooner than and Hythe District Council confirmed the EA and Southern Water were "working to fix" the sewage leak and that signage was being installed at the EA's most recent water quality classification for Sandgate was "excellent", based on samples it took between 2021 and 2024.
