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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Keir Starmer's emotional message to Liverpool on visit after parade crash horror
In a visit to the Liverpool today, Keir Starmer said the whole country watched in horror after a car ploughed into a crowd in Water Street - leaving 79 people, including children, injured Keir Starmer has praised the bravery of Liverpool's emergency services who rushed to help those injured by horrific events at the city's Premier League victory parade. In a visit to the city today, the PM said the whole country watched in horror after a car ploughed into a crowd in Water Street - leaving 79 people, including children, injured. It came as police were given more time to question a 53-year-old driver, who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving offences and driving while unfit through drugs. Mr Starmer told the Liverpool Echo: 'The whole country watched on with horror as what was meant to be a day to celebrate turned into devastation on the streets of Liverpool. My thoughts remain with all those who were caught up in this awful incident - innocent football fans, including children, who had been looking forward to this day for many years." He added: 'The first responders showed remarkable bravery, caring for those who were hurt and protecting the public, and my heartfelt thanks go out to them. Liverpool has suffered too much trauma over the years, but it has a long and proud history of coming together in difficult times. Liverpool stands together and the whole country stands with Liverpool.' The PM also spoke to police chiefs about the collision on Water Street on Monday during his visit to the city today. He told the meeting at Merseyside Police HQ: "Thank you all for making time. It's really important for me to be here. The scenes on Monday were just awful, to see how incredible joy at an amazing achievement turned to horror in a moment." Mr Starmer said the Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, who also attended the meeting on Wednesday, had been keeping him updated since the incident. He added: "It's really important to be here to go through this first hand with you, so thank you for making time and ensuring that I get to see the detail in the way that I'd like to." Mr Rotheram also said: "As the facts from Monday's events become clearer, I want to take a moment to thank those from across the country, and across the world, who've sent messages of support and solidarity - especially to the Prime Minister and Home Secretary for coming to visit and meet those emergency services who rushed towards the danger. "The Liverpool City Region stands as one - and it means so much to have the rest of the country stand with us." The Prince and Princess of Wales also said they were "deeply saddened" by the parade crash, adding: "What should have been a joyful celebration ended with tragedy." On Wednesday, Water Street was reopened to traffic after police tents were removed from the scene. Street cleaning teams worked overnight to clear the road, which had been littered with bottles, cans and football scarves and flags.
Daily Record
23-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Plans to axe Paisley police station shelved but future remains 'under review'
The facility on Mill Street will now be subject to the 10-year Estates Masterplan review. Plans to find a new police station for Paisley cops have been kicked into the long grass 18 months after chiefs announced proposals to close Mill Street station. Police Scotland has confirmed it has no active plans to relocate officers from the town-centre building which is deemed no longer 'fit for purpose'. The news comes just days after the force said it will dispose of the town's Ferguslie police station, which officers vacated in September last year. Both Mill Street and Ferguslie Park were listed among 29 police stations across Scotland which management said in October 2023 were no longer fit for purpose and should be closed. It confirmed in January 2024 that it was looking at sharing space with a partner agency such as Renfrewshire Council. But a spokesperson confirmed no such agreement had been made and the Mill Street site is now being reviewed as part of the 10-year Police Scotland Estates Masterplan – which has identified neighbouring Greenock police station as a priority. The Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'The future of Paisley police station is currently under review as part of the estates masterplan. 'We recognise the need for a local policing service for the people of Paisley and its surrounding towns and a police presence in the area will continue. 'We are committed to creating an estate that is best for our officers and staff, meets our operational requirements and supports for the communities we serve. 'Until a replacement solution is identified, Police Scotland will make any necessary repairs to the current station in Paisley to ensure it continues to meet health and safety requirements.' The estates masterplan outlines a complete new model for policing going forward. It would see frontline police officers based in 'deployment hubs' from where they will collect their cars and equipment before starting shifts in the community. Individual communities would then each have a community policing base or touch-down point. This could be anything from a drop-in at a community centre to a retained police station, depending on need. But Neil Bibby MSP said Police Scotland must commit to a dedicated police station in Scotland's biggest town. The Paisley-based MSP for West Scotland said: 'I have been clear from the outset that the closure of the Mill Street Police HQ would be completely unacceptable unless it was replaced on a like-for-like basis, which included 24/7 public counter access, a CID base and a town-centre location. 'Clearly, underinvestment from the Scottish Government has driven the closure of Ferguslie Park station and is preventing a new or revamped police station in Paisley town centre too. 'Meanwhile, the SNP government is spending £1 billion on a new Barlinnie Prison in Glasgow after costs for that project have spiralled out of control. 'The police are doing the best job they can in difficult circumstances but aren't getting the support they need and the people of Paisley are paying the price for the SNP's incompetence and wrong priorities.' The Paisley Daily Express revealed in March 2024 how police chiefs spent more than £350,000 upgrading facilities at Mill Street police station before earmarking it for closure. Thousands had been spent addressing leaks in the 1980s prefmises, with serious leaks reported in the roof, radiators and toilets, while electrical issues were also a major concern, with money spent on lighting, air conditioning and water and fire risk assessments. Outlining the reasons for the disposal of the similarly dilapidated Ferguslie police station, Divisional Commander, chief superintendent Rhona Fraser said: 'Ferguslie Park is two miles from Paisley police station and three miles from Johnstone police station. 'Maintaining three buildings so close together is not necessary for operational requirements or financially sustainable. 'By merging resources, we can ensure our focus remains on delivering frontline policing and enhancing community safety, rather retaining underutilised buildings. 'Disposing of a building does not mean a withdrawal from the community. 'It is a key step in our estate masterplan, modernising and investing in police facilities to better support the needs of modern policing. 'Our commitment remains the same, with officers continuing to provide a visible and high-quality service.'
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Time of India
Suit up for bigger threats: Advanced bullet-resistant equipment for Delhi cops
AI Image NEW DELHI: Amid a higher threat perception, Delhi Police is procuring advanced protective gear to bolster its frontline deployment and enhance personnel safety. A substantial quantity of bullet-resistant equipment is being acquired, police sources said. The force is procuring around 7,900 bullet-resistant vests and helmets that will offer 3A-level protection from handguns and similar weapons. Another 7,930 jackets offering advance level 5 protection are also being acquired for protection against threats from assault rifles and weapons of that grade. Also being bought are 1,493 bullet-resistant patkas for use by some cops, including those of the Sikh faith, a senior officer revealed. The patka includes a steel band covered with expandable polyethylene sheet or EVA foam sheet for added protection. "The patka also features a suitable disruptive cover with strapping harness and arrangement for air circulation besides a high-density foam trauma pad with a water-resistant cover to minimise shot impacts," the officer said. Delhi Police has also set in motion the procurement of 1,000 bullet-proof visors for face protection. To ensure seamless connectivity, 2,000 multi-accessory connectors are also being procured. The cops need advanced bulletproof vests and jackets to protect against high-velocity rifle rounds, which are increasingly common in terrorist attacks and violent crimes. Enhanced safety in urban warfare scenarios is also crucial, as Delhi is a densely populated urban space where police operations may involve complex scenarios. "These advanced protective gear will significantly enhance the safety and effectiveness of Delhi Police personnel, enabling them to respond more confidently to threats from criminals and terrorists," said an office at Police HQ. "The force is committed to modernising its capabilities and staying ahead of emerging threats." Police commissioner Sanjay Arora is learnt to have given his nod for the proposals. Officers said that the vests would not only be worn by cops going on raids but also by the front ranks during riots and agitations. Police sources said that the jackets being acquired would comply with the American National Institute of Justice standards, considered to be the world standard for bullet proof jackets. The level 3+ armour also has the ability to resist bullets of .357 bore and soft armour piercing rounds including 7.62x39mm steel core bullets used in AK series rifles and 7.62x51mm battle rifle rounds used in sniper rifles. Jackets of level 3A and beyond will protect the cops from bullets fired from a range of weapons like AK rifles, sten machine guns, M and carbines, etc. Apart from bullets, the jackets will also be able to stop stabs made with knives or ice-picks. The new vests are assumed to cost around Rs 1 lakh each, which is more than double the price of the older vests that cost Rs 40,000. However, the actual cost is yet to be confirmed. Sources said that before procurement, the jackets had to clear the test parameters fixed by the Bureau of Police Research and Development and the police modernisation division of the Union home ministry. The jackets are made of several layers of Kevlar sheets and metallic plates. They will protect the chest, back, ribs, groin and neck and will weigh less than 2.5kg, a standard for all kinds of armour. Explaining the features of the new jackets, an officer said that the vests would be abrasion proof, water and fire proof and treated for protection against ultraviolet ray exposure. The jackets are available in large and standard sizes, besides in the 'extra large' size. There has been a longstanding demand from police personnel for additional, higher safety jackets. Many of the jackets Delhi Police had till a few years ago were not just outdated but also heavy, weighing 11-13kg apiece, an officer recalled, adding that it was extremely difficult to wear these jackets for hours. A few years ago, a Delhi court expressed concerns at the city's ill-equipped policemen, after which the city police force had begun efforts to procure bulletproof jackets for senior field officers and personnel engaged in patrolling and on law-and-order duty as well as for commandos handling riots and terror attacks. The absence of bulletproof jackets or their poor quality has been known to have resulted in the deaths of several cops in the country. While top Mumbai policeman Hemant Karkare was a victim during the 26/11 terrorist attack, Delhi cop Mohan Chand Sharma died during the 2008 encounter at Batla House.
