Latest news with #criminalGangs
Times
3 hours ago
- General
- Times
Britain urges France to police its beaches ahead of fine weather
Britain is privately urging France to ensure that its beaches are properly policed next week amid concerns that thousands more migrants will attempt to make crossings. On Saturday a record 1,195 migrants crossed the English Channel in a single day in scenes that were described by Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, as 'disgraceful'. There was footage of a handful of gendarmes looking on from the beach as dozens of migrants ran into the water and scrambled aboard small boats. British law enforcement agencies are concerned that criminal gangs exploited the fact that French police were focused on the Champions League final in Paris on Saturday. The Times has been told that 93 officers were deployed to the capital from northern France. UK officials have been in touch with their counterparts across the Channel to raise concerns about the level of policing. Good weather is expected to lead to further crossings from early next week. The home secretary told MPs on Monday that it was 'disgraceful and unacceptable' that more than 1,195 migrants had been able to cross the Channel in 18 boats on Saturday, marking a daily record high for arrivals this year. The French authorities prevented just 184 migrants from making the journey on that day, despite agreeing in February to amend laws to allow police to intercept boats in shallow waters. Current guidelines prevent French police from intervening offshore unless it is to rescue passengers in distress. In practice, the guidelines mean officers can stop boats leaving the beach by puncturing them, but can do nothing once they are in the water unless the passengers call for help. In recent years, traffickers have exploited the rules by asking migrants to wade waist-high into the Channel, where they are picked up by dinghies launched from further afield, often from inland canals. The dinghies are piloted by smuggling gang operatives who haul migrants on board as police watch from the beach. The government expects the French to implement the change in the next month, ahead of an Anglo-French summit in London in July that will be attended by Sir Keir Starmer and President Macron. In February, Bruno Retailleau, the French interior minister, indicated that he wanted a change in police doctrine to enable officers to intervene in the water up to 300 metres from the coast. 'We have to review our organisation so that we can board these boats … arriving to pick up migrants,' he said. Le Figaro, the French newspaper, said ministry officials were still working on what were being termed the 'feet in the water' guidelines to implement the policy. However, Le Marin, the French maritime daily newspaper, said the proposed change of doctrine had met with fierce opposition, including from local police officers. Among the concerns are logistical issues, such as whether officers are safe wearing body armour in the water and how to protect their weapons once immersed.
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Amnesty says over 10,000 killed in 2 years in north, central Nigeria
Borno state – the epicentre of jihadist violence which has raged in northeast Nigeria since 2009 – was not included in Amnesty's investigations. (EPA Image pic) LAGOS : The number of people killed in violence committed by jihadist groups and criminal gangs topped over 10,000 in two years in central and northern Nigeria, Amnesty International said today. In a report, the global rights group blamed the government of President Bola Tinubu for failure to protect people in swathes of the country hit by raids by jihadists, and criminal gangs known as 'bandits' who attack villages, killing and kidnapping residents. However, Tinubu today insisted that troops deployed in the flashpoints have succeeded in restoring order and tackling threats posed by the militant groups. Massacres also occur in central Nigeria's so-called Middle Belt where herders and farmers often clash over land access, with the attacks often taking on a religious or ethnic dimension. Amnesty's investigation showed that 'in the two years since the current government has been in power, at least 10,217 people have been killed in attacks by gunmen'. Benue state, which lies in the central region, suffered the heaviest death toll of 6,896, followed by Plateau state, where 2,630 people were killed, Amnesty said in a report released to coincide with Tinubu's first two years in office. Of the seven states Amnesty investigated, Borno – the epicentre of jihadist violence which has raged in northeast Nigeria since 2009 – was not included. When Tinubu came to power two years ago, he vowed that dealing with insecurity was one of the main challenges for his government. 'Instead, things have only gotten worse, as the authorities continue to fail to protect the rights to life, physical integrity, liberty and the security of tens of thousands of people across the country,' said Isa Sanusi, director of Amnesty International Nigeria. Northern states that jihadists and other criminal groups have targeted for several years have seen an upsurge in attacks in recent months. Sanusi said the 'recent escalation of attacks by Boko Haram and other armed groups shows that the security measures implemented by President Tinubu's government are simply not working'. In his second year anniversary speech, Tinubu said Nigerian troops have 'restored order, reducing and eliminating threats to lives and livelihoods' in violence-wracked regions'. 'With the successes achieved, farmers are back tilling the land to feed us. Highways hitherto dangerous for travellers have become safer,' he added. His government is also facing simmering separatist tensions in the southeast.
News24
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- News24
5 Security hacks to prevent car theft
In the past five years, over 220 000 households have experienced car thefts. This is according to 2023/24 Stats SA's Victims of Crime (VoC) report which highlight the surge in car theft rates. Experts from Zego have offered five tips to help drivers protect their vehicles during the busy travel season. Five tips to keep your car safe from theft 1. Use a steering wheel lock It is simple, but effective! A steering wheel lock is a visible deterrent that makes it harder and slower to steal a car, especially for thieves using relay technology. Bonus Tip: Hook your seatbelt through the wheel as a backup if you don't have a lock! It's not foolproof but adds an extra layer of hassle for thieves. Read more | Be generous, not gullible: 9 tips to dodge Easter-scammers 2. Etch your VIN into all windows Having your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) chemically etched into every window makes your car traceable and less attractive to thieves. Replacing all windows is costly, and many buyers avoid VIN-etched cars due to their traceability. You can get this done at an auto-shop or buy an online DIY kit and do it yourself. 3. Beware of illegal tow trucks Criminal gangs have been known to use unmarked or fake tow trucks to steal vehicles in broad daylight. If a tow truck seems suspicious (e.g. no uniform, an unbranded truck), take photos, ask for ID and report them immediately. Read more | South Africa's 2025 property surge: The revival, risks and what to expect next 4. Protect your car from key hacking A lot of car thefts happen through key hacking, which is why it's crucial to take necessary steps to minimise the chances of that happening. There are a few measures you can take: Disable your keyless car entry - In most cases you should be able to disable it on your own through the infotainment system, the instrument cluster or the key fob, but it's best to contact your car manufacturer first to get specific instructions for your particular vehicle. Signal-block your car keys - Using a pouch to store your keys in is the most efficient way to do so, as its metallic material lining helps block radio-frequency signals. Place your keys away from doors and windows - Storing your keys near entry points in your home increases the chances of thieves intercepting the signal from your key fob - keep them further inside to minimise the risk. 5. Turn your wheels to the curb when parking Another simple yet overlooked deterrent - turn your wheels sharply toward the curb when parking. Doing so makes it harder for thieves to quickly tow or roll your car away and adds resistance for anyone trying to jack up the car and remove the wheels.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
BBC uncovers child sex abuse in South Africa's illegal mines
This story contains details, including a video, that some people may find distressing. The most shocking thing for Jonathan, who had endured six gruelling months living and working underground in an abandoned South African gold mine, was the abuse he witnessed being meted out to children. Some are recruited for cheap labour, but others are brought in specifically for sex, campaigners say. Jonathan, now in his late 20s, had migrated to South Africa from a nearby country on the promise of making easy money working in one of its dozens of disused mines, closed by multinationals because they were no longer commercially viable. We are protecting his full identity as he fears reprisals from the vicious criminal gangs that run the illegal mining industry for speaking to the media. Details of what the young people were going though emerged after the death of dozens of illegal miners near the town of Stilfontein late last year when the mine was blockaded by police. In a calm and steady voice, Jonathan describes the heat, long hours and limited food and sleeping options which took a toll on his body. But an enduring memory is what happened to the underage miners in the shaft where he worked. "I used to see these kids in the mine - teenagers actually, 15, 17-year-olds. "Others used to take advantage of them sometimes. It was a little bit scary, and I wasn't comfortable with it." He said they were raped by adult miners who promised to give them some of the gold they found in exchange for sex. "If that kid is desperate for money, he will take the risk." Jonathan describes how the children would approach teams of miners for protection but "that team would have conditions". Sex was also used as punishment if the teenagers failed to complete a task for their team. Jonathan says the children in the mine where he worked were all foreign and did not realise what they were getting themselves into. Mining researcher and activist Makhotla Sefuli backs this up. He says criminal gangs specifically target children to work in illegal mines across South Africa. Many of them are abducted from neighbouring countries and trafficked. They are enticed by baseless promises of finding them employment in the formal mining industry. "Their passports are confiscated when they get to South Africa… It is common knowledge that these young boys are being abused," Mr Sefuli says. The BBC has spoken to miners who worked in at least two other illegal mines who told us they saw children being abused in the shafts where they were working. Tshepo, not his real name, says he saw older men forcing young boys to have sex with them underground. "In some instances, they did it for the money. Some are recruited solely for that purpose, because of the financial incentives that will come with the practice of maybe trading sex underground." He adds that the abuse deeply affected the children. "They change their behaviour patterns and have trust issues. They don't want you to get close to them, because they feel that they can no longer trust anyone." South Africa's illegal mining industry made global headlines last year following a standoff between police and miners at the Buffelsfontein gold mine, near the town of Stilfontein in the North West Province. Trapped underground with decaying bodies, miners faced a dark reality Inside South Africa's 'ruthless' gang-controlled gold mines The authorities had been trying to curb illegal mining, which the government said cost South Africa's economy $3.2bn (£2.6bn) in lost revenue last year. They launched an operation called Vala Umgodi, or seal the hole, in December 2023, promising to take a tough stance on the gangs. As part of the operation, the police limited the amount of food and water that went down the Stilfontein mine to, as one minister put it, "smoke out" the illegal miners. Officials said the men were refusing to come out for fear of being arrested. Soon footage began to emerge from within the mine showing dozens of emaciated men begging to be rescued, as well as rows of body bags. Eventually a court ordered the authorities to save the men. Among those brought up were many who said they were underage, but as a number of them were migrants without documents confirming how old they were, the authorities carried out medical tests to get an estimate. Through this, the Department of Social Development (DSD) confirmed that 31 of the rescued Stilfontein miners were found to be children. They were all Mozambicans nationals and in November, 27 of them were repatriated. Save the Children South Africa helped translate some of the interviews between the underage miners and the rescue workers. "They went through trauma, because some of them also saw others being sexually exploited," the charity's CEO Gugu Xaba tells the BBC. "Just the feeling that they may not come out of there destroyed those children mentally. "The adult miners would start by grooming them, by acting like they like them." She says the children were then made to perform sexual acts on the adults and they were then raped, days after day. "You find that the adult will have three or four of them that they are doing the same thing to." Ms Xaba says mining gangs recruit children because they are easier to manipulate and cheaper. "Children don't understand when you say: 'I'll pay you 20 rands ($1; £0.80) per day.' The adults sometimes refuse to work, but children find themselves with no choice. So it's easier to use a child to do the work. It's easier to take a child who's kind of voiceless and to bring them down there." Beyond being exploited financially, she says there are gangs that recruit children specifically for sex. Many illegal miners spend months underground, rarely going up to the surface. Markets spring up underground to provide them with anything they need. "Most children are trafficked in order to be used as sex slaves. And you've got a pimp who is taking the money, and it means every day this child is used as a commercial sex worker." The BBC asked the police and the DSD whether anyone would be charged over the sexual abuse allegations. They did not respond to our requests. A source working on the Stilfontein miners' cases said many of the children did not want to testify. Meanwhile, the illegal mining industry continues to thrive. And with an estimated 6,000 vacant mines potentially available to explore, it is a business that is unlikely to end anytime soon, leaving thousands of vulnerable children at risk. Racially charged row between Musk and South Africa over Starlink The expelled envoy at the heart of the latest US-South Africa row Race policies or Israel - what's really driving Trump's fury with South Africa? Even in his final seconds of life, first gay imam pushed boundaries Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
19-05-2025
- BBC News
South Africa's illegal mines: BBC uncovers child sex abuse
This story contains details, including a video, that some people may find most shocking thing for Jonathan, who had endured six gruelling months living and working underground in an abandoned South African gold mine, was the abuse he witnessed being meted out to are recruited for cheap labour, but others are brought in specifically for sex, campaigners now in his late 20s, had migrated to South Africa from a nearby country on the promise of making easy money working in one of its dozens of disused mines, closed by multinationals because they were no longer commercially are protecting his full identity as he fears reprisals from the vicious criminal gangs that run the illegal mining industry for speaking to the of what the young people were going though emerged after the death of dozens of illegal miners near the town of Stilfontein late last year when the mine was blockaded by a calm and steady voice, Jonathan describes the heat, long hours and limited food and sleeping options which took a toll on his an enduring memory is what happened to the underage miners in the shaft where he worked. "I used to see these kids in the mine - teenagers actually, 15, 17-year-olds."Others used to take advantage of them sometimes. It was a little bit scary, and I wasn't comfortable with it."He said they were raped by adult miners who promised to give them some of the gold they found in exchange for sex."If that kid is desperate for money, he will take the risk."Jonathan describes how the children would approach teams of miners for protection but "that team would have conditions".Sex was also used as punishment if the teenagers failed to complete a task for their says the children in the mine where he worked were all foreign and did not realise what they were getting themselves into. Mining researcher and activist Makhotla Sefuli backs this says criminal gangs specifically target children to work in illegal mines across South of them are abducted from neighbouring countries and trafficked. They are enticed by baseless promises of finding them employment in the formal mining industry."Their passports are confiscated when they get to South Africa… It is common knowledge that these young boys are being abused," Mr Sefuli BBC has spoken to miners who worked in at least two other illegal mines who told us they saw children being abused in the shafts where they were not his real name, says he saw older men forcing young boys to have sex with them underground."In some instances, they did it for the money. Some are recruited solely for that purpose, because of the financial incentives that will come with the practice of maybe trading sex underground."He adds that the abuse deeply affected the children."They change their behaviour patterns and have trust issues. They don't want you to get close to them, because they feel that they can no longer trust anyone."South Africa's illegal mining industry made global headlines last year following a standoff between police and miners at the Buffelsfontein gold mine, near the town of Stilfontein in the North West Province. Trapped underground with decaying bodies, miners faced a dark realityInside South Africa's 'ruthless' gang-controlled gold mines The authorities had been trying to curb illegal mining, which the government said cost South Africa's economy $3.2bn (£2.6bn) in lost revenue last launched an operation called Vala Umgodi, or seal the hole, in December 2023, promising to take a tough stance on the part of the operation, the police limited the amount of food and water that went down the Stilfontein mine to, as one minister put it, "smoke out" the illegal miners. Officials said the men were refusing to come out for fear of being footage began to emerge from within the mine showing dozens of emaciated men begging to be rescued, as well as rows of body bags. Eventually a court ordered the authorities to save the men. Among those brought up were many who said they were underage, but as a number of them were migrants without documents confirming how old they were, the authorities carried out medical tests to get an this, the Department of Social Development (DSD) confirmed that 31 of the rescued Stilfontein miners were found to be children. They were all Mozambicans nationals and in November, 27 of them were the Children South Africa helped translate some of the interviews between the underage miners and the rescue workers."They went through trauma, because some of them also saw others being sexually exploited," the charity's CEO Gugu Xaba tells the BBC."Just the feeling that they may not come out of there destroyed those children mentally. "The adult miners would start by grooming them, by acting like they like them."She says the children were then made to perform sexual acts on the adults and they were then raped, days after day."You find that the adult will have three or four of them that they are doing the same thing to." Ms Xaba says mining gangs recruit children because they are easier to manipulate and cheaper."Children don't understand when you say: 'I'll pay you 20 rands ($1; £0.80) per day.' The adults sometimes refuse to work, but children find themselves with no choice. So it's easier to use a child to do the work. It's easier to take a child who's kind of voiceless and to bring them down there."Beyond being exploited financially, she says there are gangs that recruit children specifically for illegal miners spend months underground, rarely going up to the surface. Markets spring up underground to provide them with anything they need."Most children are trafficked in order to be used as sex slaves. And you've got a pimp who is taking the money, and it means every day this child is used as a commercial sex worker."The BBC asked the police and the DSD whether anyone would be charged over the sexual abuse allegations. They did not respond to our requests.A source working on the Stilfontein miners' cases said many of the children did not want to the illegal mining industry continues to with an estimated 6,000 vacant mines potentially available to explore, it is a business that is unlikely to end anytime soon, leaving thousands of vulnerable children at risk. More South Africa stories from the BBC: Racially charged row between Musk and South Africa over StarlinkThe expelled envoy at the heart of the latest US-South Africa rowRace policies or Israel - what's really driving Trump's fury with South Africa?Even in his final seconds of life, first gay imam pushed boundaries Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
