Latest news with #Northumbria Police
The Independent
17-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Police face ban from marching in Pride parades after High Court ruling
The judgement, handed down on Wednesday, ruled that officers were wrong to have taken part in Newcastle's Pride parade last year. The case was brought by Linzi Smith, who describes herself in court documents as a 'lesbian who is 'gender critical',' who 'believes that a person's sex is an immutable characteristic'. She argued that police breached their impartiality obligations for taking part in the event and appearing under a banner supporting transgender people's rights. The judge, Mr Justice Linden, agreed with her and ruled the Chief Constable of Northumbria Police acted unlawfully when she allowed uniformed officers to take part in the event last year. The ruling is likely to have wide-reaching implications for how police are able to participate in community events across the country. Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council, said the organisation as 'working through the detail' of the judgement and is working to create broader guidance to help local forces 'make decisions around participation in events to maintain their impartiality.' 'Having police officers and staff who know their communities, are visible in those communities and play an active part in their local area has been shown time and time again to build trust and confidence in our service,' he said. 'Every week police officers and staff will as part of their duties take part in thousands of events up and down the country, from community events at village halls through to large scale events like carnivals, parades and festivals. 'However, we recognise that policing must also maintain its impartiality, including in the types of events it supports and plays an active part in.' In a witness statement, Harry Miller, a former officer and founder of group Fair Cop, said the chief constable marched next to participants 'carrying the flags and emblems clearly associated with the gender ideologists' cause' such as banners saying 'Trans women are women' and 'Trans rights are human rights'. He argued this signalled a political association. Reaching his decision, the judge said the chief constable's participation was likely to be seen as 'expressing the support of the head of the force for the views and the cause which the march sought to promote' and 'therefore as indicating the position or perspective of the force as an organisation'. Jo Maugham KC, executive director of the Good Law Project said the 'incredibly important' judgement could have practical implications for all people subject to impartiality obligations participating in such events. 'The impartiality duties that police have are substantially no different from the impartiality duties that all sorts of other public servants have,' he said. 'It doesn't mean police can't police these parades - they can. But it does mean they can't march in them. 'But it also could mean civil servants can't march in them or BBC journalists.' He warned this could extend to parades or protests relating to other causes such as anti-racism or anti-misogyny as Trans people are also a legally protected group under the Equality Act. Mr Maugham added there was a 'lack of clarity at the heart of the judgement' which he said does not define the phrase 'gender ideology' itself. '[The judge's ruling] seems to think the reality or legitimacy of trans existence is up for debate,' he told The Independent. 'The difficulty of that is Parliament has said it is not up for debate. 'The Equality Act recognises that trans people - like women and disabled people - are a group whose existence is not up for debate, it is to be protected.' He said: 'This is yet another decision made by our courts which has a very profound affect on LGBT rights where a court has not thought it appropriate to hear from anyone from that community.' Responding to the ruling, Northumbria Police said it has an 'important role to play in a variety of events, including parades and festivals' throughout the year. It said while their primary aim is to keep people safe, these events also provide police with 'an opportunity to engage with people including those who may have less confidence in policing.' these events provides the force 'with an opportunity to engage with people including those who may have less confidence in policing' 'It is vitally important they feel supported and we continue to build their trust in us,' a spokesperson said. 'That is why we felt it important to challenge the case which was brought against us and which has implications for wider policing. 'We will work through the ruling to understand the implications, while staying true to our values of fairness, visibility, and support for all.'
The Sun
11-07-2025
- The Sun
Two men charged with kidnap and robbery after BMW chased by cops crashing into nursing home killing two women
TWO men have been charged in relation to a car crash that killed two care home residents. The crash occurred on July 9 following a police chase. 3 3 3 It resulted in a blue BMW colliding with a care home in Sunderland, killing two of the residents. Police confirmed that two care home residents - a woman in her 90s and a woman in her 80s - died on Thursday. Eight others were taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries. The vehicle used had been reported as stolen from Newcastle after a proposed car sale around 20 minutes before the collision. A woman related to the sale was allegedly still inside the car when it was driven away. She was reportedly forcibly removed shortly after. Northumbria Police have charged the men , both aged 21, with a number of offences related to the incident. Sam Asgari-Tabar, has been charged with robbery, kidnap and causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Reece Parish has been charged with robbery and kidnap. Relating to a separate incident, he has also be charged with violent disorder. The men are due to appear at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on July 12. Anyone with information should get in touch with Northumbria Police, quoting reference NP-20250709-1225.
BBC News
11-07-2025
- BBC News
Sunderland care home crash: Two women die
Two women have died after a car crashed into a care home in Sunderland following a police chase, Northumbria Police has crash happened at about 21:40 BST on Wednesday when a blue BMW hit Highcliffe Care Home in Witherwack, causing structural damage to the building. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts.
The Independent
10-07-2025
- The Independent
Several injured after car crashes into care home during police chase
Eight people have been taken to hospital after a car crashed into a care home during a police pursuit. Residents were evacucated after the crash at Highcliffe Care Home in Witherwack, Sunderland, at around 9.40pm on Wednesday. North East Ambulance Service, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service and Northumbria Police attended the scene, where a hole was left in one of the walls of the care home. Eight people inside the building were injured in the collision and taken to hospital. None of their injuries are thought to be life-threatening. Northumbria Police said a 21-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident on suspicion of dangerous driving and theft of a motor vehicle. Another man, also aged 21, was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle. Officers are continuing to investigate the crash and both men remain in police custody. Northumbria Police said the car involved was a blue BMW, which had been involved in a police pursuit. Officers had been following the vehicle after a report of a car being stolen on Angerton Gardens in the Fenham area of Newcastle at around 9.20pm. Northumbria police said: 'The car involved has collided with the Highcliffe Care Home premises on Whitchurch Road in Witherwack, causing structural damage. 'All residents and staff were brought to safety, with eight residents taken to hospital with injuries not believed to be life-threatening. 'The building was evacuated as a precaution, with temporary accommodation arranged for residents and their families informed. 'Two men, both aged 21, were arrested in connection with the report, and remain in police custody while we investigate further. 'We're working closely with our blue-light partners, as well as the local authority and NHS colleagues, to support those involved.' The wife of one resident who was evacuated, Carol Wilson, told the BBC she could not 'believe her eyes' when she saw the damage. Ms Wilson, 66, said: 'It [the car] hit the home and we got a call at 11.10pm hearing about the damage. I couldn't believe my eyes, the whole top floor has caved in.' A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: 'We received a call at 9.41pm on Wednesday 9 July to reports to a vehicle colliding into a premises in the Whitechurch Road area of Sunderland. 'We dispatched three emergency ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, a duty officer, a clinical team leader, three crews from our Hazardous Area Response Team (Hart), our tactical advisor, our tactical commander, and two crews from our patient transport service (PTS) to the scene. 'We assisted with the evacuation of residents at the property and eight patients were conveyed to hospital.'
