Latest news with #TrisOsborne
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Chatham MP says new powers will tackle 'menace' of nuisance bikes
An MP says a change in the law will strengthen the police's power to tackle the "menace" of nuisance new measures in the Crime and Policing Bill, currently going through Parliament, will mean police can seize and crush vehicles without advance warning. It comes after residents have described parts of Chatham as like the "wild west", with reports of gangs of people on motorbikes and quadbikes speeding across parks, taking over streets and threatening members of the Osborne, the MP for Chatham and Aylesford, says the previous rules didn't allow vehicles to be seized unless the rider had committed multiple offences, but the new law will act as a "deterrent". Police usually classify 'nuisance vehicle' crimes as people gathering in gangs on bikes or quad resident Daniel Baptist says he's noticed gangs of "20 plus motorbikes going up and down the local streets"."They won't be wearing helmets, some of them," he said."Some of them are on e-bikes, some are on illegal scramblers."It frightens the hell out of some of the older residents in the area. They can be extremely noisy. Especially when you've got gangs of 20 of them riding up the road at the same time."It can be extremely noisy and quite intimidating." Last year, Medway Council attempted to tackle the issue by introducing a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) across Medway, meaning any motorist or bike rider caught causing nuisance could be fined and taken to some residents say people are still gathering and carrying out anti-social behaviour on their vehicles at sites like Barnfield Recreation Ground in Chatham, despite the strengthened powers available to local issue is documented by a social media profile called @Barnfield_Bikes. The owner of the account spoke to the BBC but didn't want to be identified for fear of his said: "There have been incidents where residents have been threatened because they've challenged riders. They've ridden around them in an intimidatory manner."It's out of control… like the Wild West." Insp Paul Diddams, from the Medway Community Safety Unit at Kent Police, said the area "remains a priority for both uniformed and plain clothed officers"."Over the last five weeks patrols, both on foot and in vehicles, have attended 32 times," he said."These patrols included attendance on nine separate occasions over the past weekend."Alex Paterson, councillor for community safety, highways and enforcement on Medway Council, says there have been 106 fixed penalty notices issued across Medway since the introduction of the said it was "clear that police are using their powers", despite it sometimes being "dangerous" for welcomed the government's plans to allow officers to seize vehicles on a first offence."We are keen to give the police as many tools as we can to tackle this so I would welcome anything that sent a clearer message to the criminals".
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Sneaky' hidden fees costing consumers £2.2 billion a year banned under new laws
"Sneaky" hidden fees and "outrageous" fake reviews are now banned under new laws introduced on Sunday (April 6). Consumers spend £2.2 billion on hidden fees every year, according to the Department for Business and Trade. But these new laws, introduced on Sunday, are set to put a stop to that. Fake reviews and 'unavoidable' hidden fees that cost consumers £2.2bn every year are now banned. We have clamped down on unfair trading practices to protect consumers like you and your family. 👇 — Tris Osborne MP (@TrisOsborneMP) April 6, 2025 Under the new laws all mandatory fees must now be included in the headline price which will give Brits more "control over their cash" and help save them money. These mandatory fees include the likes of: Admin fees Ticket booking fees However, optional fees such as airline seats and baggage upgrades for flights are not covered by the new laws. All mandatory fees must now be included in the headline price. (Image: PA) The UK Government said: "The ban aims to bring to an end the shock that online shoppers get when they reach the end of their shopping experience only to find a raft of extra fees lumped on top. "So, for shoppers buying train tickets – they won't be stung by a hidden booking fee at the end of the checkout. "When buying a takeaway, the delivery and admin fees must be clear at the start of the process. "The same will apply to all online shopping experiences from concert tickets to trips to the cinema." It added: "Not only will it create greater transparency, but it will make it far easier for consumers to confidently compare products and services to make sure they are getting the best bang for their buck." Meanwhile, the new laws also ban "outlandish" fake reviews "so customers know what they are buying when they shop online". RECOMMENDED READING: UK passport prices to increase from next month — everything you need to know HMRC Child Benefit increase next week confirmed for millions of families Santander issues 2025 scam warning to all customers after worrying rise Reviews were found to be used by 90% of consumers and contributed to the £217 billion spent in online retail markets in 2023, the UK Government said, outlining the importance of the new ban. Justin Madders, minister for competition and markets, said: 'From today consumers can confidently make purchases knowing they are protected against fake reviews and dripped pricing. 'These changes will give consumers more power and control over their hard-earned cash, as well as help to establish a level playing field by deterring bad actors that undercut compliant businesses.'
