Latest news with #vigilantism
BreakingNews.ie
7 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Man arrested by police investigating reports of vigilantism in Belfast
A man has been arrested by police investigating reports of vigilantism in east Belfast. It comes after video footage emerged online, appearing to show a group of vigilantes roaming around the area. Advertisement On Monday evening, police said a 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault, theft and causing criminal damage and is currently in custody. Police investigating reports of alleged vigilante behaviour have arrested a 37-year-old man. Read more here: — Police East Belfast (@PSNIBelfastE) August 18, 2025 District commander Superintendent Gavin Kirkpatrick said innocent members of the public are being confronted largely on the basis of their skin colour. He said police have stepped up police patrols over the last week to challenge the groups and reassure the community. 'The activity of these individuals has been generating fear in the community and it has to stop,' he said. Advertisement 'They are confronting and intimidating innocent members of the public, largely on the basis of the colour of their skin. 'Those involved have neither the legal nor the moral authority to do this. 'It is the responsibility of the police service to enforce the law in Northern Ireland. 'Over the past week we have been deploying additional targeted police patrols in east Belfast to engage, challenge and monitor these groups and provide reassurance to the community. Advertisement 'We have made one arrest and our investigations are continuing. 'I want to urge anyone who has been a victim of these groups to report it to police. 'We will robustly deal with any offences brought to us.' He added: 'Let me be very clear, these groups are not protecting the community from anything. Advertisement 'In reality these groups are frustrating our efforts to provide a policing service to the people of east Belfast by forcing us to redirect our limited resources to monitoring them. 'I urge everyone involved in this type of activity to stop. 'I would encourage anyone with any information which could assist police to contact us on 101 or report online via
Malay Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Don't play cops-and-judges over Jalur Gemilang issues, Fahmi tells Malaysians
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 16 — The public has been reminded not to resort to vigilantism or unlawful actions against any party committing offences linked to the Jalur Gemilang flag, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said. All matters involving investigations, prosecutions and court decisions must be left entirely to the authorities, Fahmi said following a reminder issued by the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) yesterday. 'Don't act as the police, lawyers and judge (as) it's wrong, leave it to the police to investigate, leave it to the AGC to prosecute and leave it to the courts to make a decision,' he said after the launch of the Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya level National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang Flag 2025 campaign at the Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) Kampus Bahasa Melayu here today. Communications Ministry deputy secretary-general (strategic communications and creative industry) Nik Kamaruzaman Nik Husin; Information Department director-general Julina Johan and IPG Kampus Bahasa Melayu director Dr Masitah Mohammad Yusof also attended the launch. He said he was given to understand that there were individuals called up by the police after a rally that was held to 'teach' certain parties, but further action will be left to the authorities. Fahmi also invited Malaysians to play their part in resolving any issues related to the Jalur Gemilang without resorting to any provocation. 'As Malaysians, we also can play our part. If we see a Jalur Gemilang that has fallen, we should raise it back up. If it has faded, we replace it with a new one. If it's improperly flown, we correct it with our own hands. 'Let's not sneer, curse, or act in an uncivilised manner as we need to show our patriotic spirit during the national month and at the same time, we need to remind one another,' he said. About the programme launched today, Fahmi said that it included the Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya level Merdeka Jalur Gemilang Convoy involving 73 vehicles from the Communications Ministry's departments and agencies, the police, the Fire and Rescue Department, the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry (KPDN), the National Security Council (MKN), Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), Suzuki V-Strom Malaysia motorsports club; the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) and the Lembah Pantai Madani Community. Other side events for the programme include the Safe Internet campaign aimed at creating awareness about ethical Internet use and practices to teacher training institute students. Jalur Gemilang kits were also handed to IPG senior management and representatives of 12 Madani Communities in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya in conjunction with the '1 House 1 Jalur Gemilang' initiative. — Bernama
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Akmal Saleh says summoned by Bukit Aman over Jalur Gemilang protest, but won't fear critics
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 — Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh said today that he has been called by the federal police to give his statement tonight over the protest he led on the display of Jalur Gemilang in Kepala Batas, Penang yesterday. He said he was called to the Dang Wangi District Police Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur at 11pm. 'If this is the price I must pay to defend the honour of this nation, I am willing and will fight to the very end. 'As for fearing their lot — never!!! No fear, no surrender!!!' he posted on Facebook. Earlier, the Attorney General's Chambers warned Malaysians against vigilantism in cases involving the improper display of the Jalur Gemilang, amid furore over Umno Youth's protest in Kepala Batas. The AGC also warned the public against provoking or issuing threats against the individuals or organisations concerned. It added members of the public must not assume the role of the authorities, such as ordering the removal of flags or seizing materials without legal power. This morning, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the protest amounted to bullying and intimidation of the trader and a subversion of the rule of law. Loke had instructed its youth wings nationwide to lodge police reports against the Umno Youth protest under Section 503 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation, Section 504 for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, and Section 505 for statements conducing to public mischief. Party secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook said reports would also be made under Section 507B of the Penal Code for causing harassment, distress, fear or anxiety, and Section 507C for uttering words likely to cause such effects. Yesterday, the police had urged the cancellation of a planned gathering in Bertam over the issue of Malaysian flag, to prevent any confrontation between opposing groups. Umno Youth however proceeded with its protest, with hundreds attending, along with a counter-protest by civil society Lawyers for Liberty.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
AGC warns Malaysians against vigilantism in Jalur Gemilang offence after Umno Youth's Kepala Batas protest
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 — The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has today warned Malaysians against vigilantism in cases involving the improper display of the Jalur Gemilang, amid furore over Umno Youth's protest in Kepala Batas, Penang over the matter. The AGC said such actions could include raiding premises, spreading personal details, or making unfounded accusations on social media. 'The Chambers also reminds the public not to take matters into their own hands against anyone suspected of such acts,' it said in a statement here. The AGC also warned the public against provoking or issuing threats against the individuals or organisations concerned. It added members of the public must not assume the role of the authorities, such as ordering the removal of flags or seizing materials without legal power. All complaints or related information should instead be channelled to the relevant authorities for appropriate action, it said. It cited several recent incidents including the Malaysian flag being mounted upside down at a shop in Kepala Batas, Penang, at a school in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, and the depiction of an incomplete Malaysian flag in the 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination result slip. Other examples included the depiction of an incomplete Malaysian flag on the official social media accounts of news publications Harian Metro, Sin Chew Daily, and Kwong Wah Yit Poh. 'The Chambers emphasises that all parties are responsible for respecting the Malaysian flag as a symbol of national sovereignty, and for complying with all laws and guidelines in force governing its use. 'Any offence involving the improper mounting or display of the Malaysian flag, which could cause confusion, misunderstanding, or public unrest, may be subject to legal action,' it said. Earlier, DAP instructed its youth wings nationwide to lodge police reports against the Umno Youth protest under Section 503 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation, Section 504 for intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, and Section 505 for statements conducing to public mischief. Party secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook said reports would also be made under Section 507B of the Penal Code for causing harassment, distress, fear or anxiety, and Section 507C for uttering words likely to cause such effects.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Abuse of people mistaken for migrants not an ‘innocent mistake', says UK equality campaigner
The vitriol faced by Scouts and charity rowers mistaken for migrants was not an 'innocent mistake', a race equality campaigner has said, as she warned that toxic rhetoric could lead to more violence and vigilantism. A wave of anti-migrant protests outside asylum hotels in recent weeks has been followed by growing reports of vigilantism, with people facing abuse after being mistaken for migrants. Police have launched an investigation into an incident at a Scout camp in Wales, where children were allegedly filmed and subjected to racial abuse amid unfounded speculation the site was being used to house immigrants. Last week, Great Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe was accused of being part of a vigilante effort after he reported a charity rowing crew he mistakenly thought were possible 'illegal migrants'. 'We're in a really dangerous situation and the government really needs to step up to the challenge,' said Dr Shabna Begum, the chief executive of the Runnymede Trust. 'We're in quite a desperate place of despair and gloom, and that breeds the division and type of activity that we're seeing. We are looking at a really bleak future where if the government doesn't address some of the deep-seated inequalities in the country, we are likely to see more of these vigilante groups, which just breed more violence.' Reports of a vigilante group in Bournemouth have been met with alarm. More than 200 residents have supposedly signed up to Safeguard Force, which claims it will carry out uniformed patrols in the seaside town to protect 'women, children and the elderly'. Begum said this type of behaviour had been triggered by a 'breakdown of the social contract' and a failure of politicians to deal with economic deprivation. 'We know that vigilantism is not regulated, it's not rational, it is an emotional reaction to a situation where people are feeling desperate and are feeling let down and are feeling angry,' she said. 'And this has implications for all people of colour in this country, because people are not checking people's migrant status or whether they are seeking asylum before they make their conclusions about whether they belong, whether they are going to be subject to hostility and aggression.' Begum said incidents of people being mistaken for migrants were not 'innocent mistakes' but happened as a result of politicians and the media pursuing an agenda based on 'flimsy or false information'. 'For instance, Rupert Lowe has an agenda, he has a particular position on these things … There are thresholds of accountability and scrutiny and checking that he should have gone through,' she said. 'I do think there's a deliberate disingenuousness around this, because it's convenient and easy to focus on migrants and stopping boats. It's much, much harder to really deal with big structural issues around economic inequalities and misogyny.' The largest anti-migrant protests have centred around the Bell hotel in Epping in Essex. On Tuesday, the district council applied for an interim high court injunction in a bid to stop asylum seekers from being housed there. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Oliver Coppard, the Labour mayor of South Yorkshire, urged politicians and the media to take a responsible approach over predicting disorder connected to asylum and migration, saying some people were 'seemingly trying to will it into existence'. Coppard's region experienced some of the worst trouble last summer, when a far-right mob attacked a hotel housing asylum seekers near Rotherham. The area was, he said, 'in a very different place now', adding: 'The last thing we need is politicians trying to talk up the chances of that sort of thing happening again. 'Politicians of all stripes have a responsibility to be measured in their comments, to try and bring people together. And that's not what we're seeing from certain parts of both the Tory party and Reform.' Coppard singled out the Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, and the shadow justice secretary, Robert Jenrick, saying they use asylum and migration 'as a political football rather than speak responsibly on behalf of the whole of the country'. Badenoch said on Tuesday that she understood why people in Epping were protesting, and alleged women had 'stopped jogging in the park because there are men lurking in bushes'. 'The people who I spoke to are having a lot of concerns about safety. Mothers told me that they're worried about their daughters going to school. They're getting harassed. They stopped jogging in the park because there are men lurking in bushes,' she said. 'Communities shouldn't have to be paying for this. And what I saw in Epping really, really upset me. I can see why many of those people are protesting.'
