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Police standoff after man barricades himself into property with ‘dangerous items’
Police officers were involved in an armed standoff yesterday after a man has barricaded himself into a property with “dangerous items” in Northolt, west London. Eighty people in the area surrounding Wood End Lane were evacuated and firearms officers and police negotiators were called to the scene.
Officers did not attempt to enter the property out of “concerns for the safety of the man and responding officers,” according to a Metropolitan Police statement. Video footage posted to social media showed a number of police vehicles on the residential street.
A police spokesman said: “Police cordons are in place, at a 200-metre radius, to facilitate the ongoing policing operation. At this stage police believe there is one man inside the address. Whilst it is not known what the man has inside the property, police are treating seriously reports that the items could be dangerous and that attempts have been made by the man to prevent access to the address. Police are
working with the London Ambulance Service; London Fire Brigade and the Local Authority.” The incident is not believed to be terrorist related or part of any other ongoing investigation.
Sturgeon to use new powers to safeguard rights of disabled people
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will pledge to safeguard the rights of disabled people when she speaks at a conference this week. Ms Sturgeon will say that the needs of disabled people will remain at the forefront of policy-making north of the border following the devolution of new powers from Westminster.
In a major speech to the Rehabilitation International World Congress in Edinburgh, she will outline the Scottish Governments plans to implement the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. She is also expected to say that Scotland will safeguard the rights of disabled people in the workplace after employment service powers are devolved to Holyrood in 2017.
Ms Sturgeon will say: “In the nearly 60 years since the first UK-based Rehabilitation Congress, the way that we think about disabled people and disability has changed markedly - and for the better. On an international level, the issue of disability rights has become a major focus of the human rights agenda particularly through key milestones like the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We have already safeguarded the rights of 2,800 of our most severely disabled by establishing the Scottish Independent Living Fund and we are committed to using the new powers we will shortly gain to positively influence the quality of life for people with a disability.”
British troops to join Nato force in Kosovo next year
A team of British troops will be sent to join the Nato effort in Kosovo, Sir Michael Fallon has announced. The Defence Secretary said almost 30 troops will travel early next year to join the Nato Kosovo Force (KFOR) on a 12-month deployment, adding that “significant security and stability challenges” remained in the western Balkans.
Britain’s contribution to the mission will focus on supporting KFOR’s ability to carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. The personnel will be based at KFOR’s headquarters in Kosovo’s capital Pristina. Sir Michael said: “There are significant security and stability challenges in western Balkans. Nato remains a cornerstone of our defence. By continuing to defend the security of Europe, Britain's security is strengthened at home.”
KFOR began as a peacekeeping force in the late 1990s following the war which saw Kosovo break away from Slobodan Milosevic’s Yugoslavia. It now has about 4,300 troops from some 30 countries helping ensure security in Kosovo.
Labour calls for child funeral costs plan to be introduced
Labour believes bereaved parents coping with the death of a young child should be given Government support to help cover the cost of the funeral. Jeremy Corbyn said “losing a child is unimaginable” as Labour called for Chancellor Philip Hammond to allocate £10 million in his Autumn Statement to pay for the plan. About 5,000 children and young people die each year, with over two-thirds dying before their first birthday.
Labour’s plan would mean that no grieving family would have to pay for either a burial plot or cremation that are provided by local authorities for a child that dies aged under 16. Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary, Teresa Pearce, said: “Sadly, each year around 5000 children die, many of them in
their infancy. If the Government accept our proposal to provide free burial for children, it would go some way to reducing the strain for those grieving families. While we must always be careful with public expenditure, the cost of this scheme for Government is minimal when compared to the benefits it could bring.”
At present, local authorities across England have different charging regimes for the burial or cremation of children, with some already offering the service for free. The cost of Labour’s plan is based on using the most expensive council fee and multiplying it by the number of child deaths a year.
Wife hails ‘hero’ husband killed in house fire
The wife of a man who died trying to save his daughter in a house fire has described her husband as a “brave hero”. Andrew Broadhead, 42, and eight-year-old Kiera died in the blaze in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, on Wednesday, which police believe was started deliberately. Sara Broadhead and her daughter Mia, 12, paid tribute to the pair when they visited the scene at the house on Ash Crescent, in Stanley.
Mrs Broadhead, 35, said: “Andy was a brave hero who managed to save the lives of his wife and eldest daughter. Unfortunately he couldn’t save our youngest daughter Kiera and gave his own life trying to save hers. He was a very kind man and Kiera was a vibrant, independent loving girl. Our whole family are absolutely devastated by their loss. If Andy and Kiera were here they would be overwhelmed by the kindness and support they have been shown. We just want to thank everyone in the community and everyone who has supported us so far.”
Mia left a letter to her father and sister among the tributes which have been placed at the scene. It read: “To daddy and sissy Kiera, I love you to the moon and much more. I miss you like there's none of me left. Come back, come back, we need you.” West Yorkshire Police believe the blaze may have started after a substance was poured through the letterbox of the property and have launched a murder inquiry.