Reports that some MPs are wearing stab vests to constituency surgeries as they are worried about their safety in the wake of former Conservative MP Sir David Amess’ murder are “concerning”, Number 10 has said.
Sir David, who at the time was the MP for Southend West, was murdered at a constituency surgery in October 2021.
But, over a year since Sir David’s murder, Tory MP Virginia Crosbie has disclosed she has worn a stab vest to surgeries following his death.
“The decision to buy a stab vest was a serious one because I always want to be able to engage face to face with my constituents without obvious barriers,” the MP for Ynys Mon in Wales told The Times.
“But not to engage or to feel unsafe were not options either.”
Ms Crosbie also disclosed that she has security protection and feels that this is necessary in order to be able to do the job she does to the best of her ability.
“Our democracy relies on MPs being able to meet those they represent. That was my overriding reason to wear the vest,” she said.
“I want to be the best MP I can. It is very sad I must, but the present climate makes it a necessity.
“I always inform the police I am having a surgery and a close protection officer is with me.”
Image: Sir David Amess was killed while holding a surgery in his Southend constituency in October 2021
Finchley and Golders Green MP Mike Freer has previously said he and his staff had decided to wear stab vests and carry panic alarms for constituency surgeries after investigations showed that Ali undertook reconnaissance near the MP’s local offices.
Amid reports of MPs wearing stab vests due to concerns about their wellbeing, Downing Street said “the safety of MPs is very important”.
The PM’s official spokesman added: “A great deal of work goes on on this. The government and Home Office take every appropriate measure to ensure safety.”
But Conservative MP James Sunderland told The Times he feared that Sir David and Ms Cox “won’t be the last”.
“Heaven forbid it happens again, but it’s a question of when, not if, and what we have to do is do everything in our power to prepare us for those situations,” he said.
Mr Sunderland added that “politicians shouldn’t be doing security” as he called for an overhaul of the security system.
Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and then home secretary Priti Patelordered an audit of existing security provisions after Sir David’s murder.
Meanwhile, in September last year, parliament began the search for a contractor which would “provide physical security services” including close protection officers and licensed door supervisors until the end of October 2027 at a cost of £5m.
Three women have been charged under the Terrorism Act after a van was driven into an external fence of a defence business in Edinburgh.
The incident happened at the Leonardo facility in Crewe Road North on Tuesday.
The three women – aged 31, 34 and 42 – who were earlier arrested under the Terrorism Act have been charged and are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday 21 July.
Police Scotland’s Counter Terrorism Unit are leading the investigation and enquiries are ongoing.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an elderly couple died following a fire at their home in St Helens.
Peter Eric Greener, 77, known as Eric, and his partner Sheila Jackson, 83, were caught in the blaze at their home on South John Street in the early hours of Tuesday.
Mr Greener died on Wednesday, while Ms Jackson died on Thursday.
Image: Eric Greener. Pic: Merseyside Police
Image: Sheila Jackson. Pic: Merseyside Police
Merseyside Police said an accelerant was used to start the fire.
On Sunday, the force said the suspect from St Helens had been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody for questioning.
Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson said: “Although an arrest has been made, I would like to take this opportunity to remind people to pass on information directly to police or anonymously via Crimestoppers, and not to comment or post in any way which jeopardises this ongoing work.”
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DS Wilson said “extensive enquiries” continue.
She added: “And to that end we are still appealing for anyone with information to come forward, particularly if you live in the area of South John Street and recall seeing or hearing anything suspicious at around the time of the incident.
“Please do not assume what you know has already been reported to us, as we can quickly make that assessment.”
Close to its many restaurants, food delivery riders are congregating on their bikes.
The area is packed with shoppers and workers.
PC Paige Gartlan is approaching with other officers. She’s on the lookout for illegally modified e-bikes – and she knows she’ll find them here.
“You can physically tell by looking at the bike that it’s generally going to be illegal – the battery pack is taped on to the sides and generally the size of the motor that’s on the back wheel,” she explains.
Sky News has been invited on an operation by West Midlands Police to find these bikes and get them off the streets.
PC Gartlan has been hit by one before. She’s had to tackle a rider to the floor after he drove into her.
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Within minutes, she’s spotted a suspicious-looking bike. The rider makes a run for it – followed by plain-clothed officers.
PC Gartlan tests the bike – it’s showing a top speed of 52km/hr on the speedometer – just over 30mph.
Image: PC Paige Gartlan with a seized e-bike
The speed limit for e-bikes in the UK is 15.5mph when using electric power for assistance.
I look up the street and another two riders have been detained. In less than an hour, officers have confiscated four bikes – all were being ridden by fast food delivery drivers.
The commotion is attracting a lot of attention.
“They are dangerous,” Sandra, who has just finished work, tells me.
Image: Demoz had his bike taken by police
She’s stood watching the riders being questioned. She says she’s had near-misses herself and is worried for the safety of the elderly and children.
It’s not just West Midlands police officers here – immigration officials are carrying out checks too. They’re involved in a nationwide operation, which has seen more than 7,000 arrests in the last year – a 50% increase on last year.
Matthew Foster, the immigration enforcement lead officer for the West Midlands, tells me they’ve already found one individual who has entered the UK unlawfully.
“He’s been detained,” he says, “to affect his removal from the UK.”
Further down the street, police are loading illegally modified bikes on to a van – they’re destined to be crushed. One of them had belonged to Demoz.
He’s on his way home, carrying a big box with the logo of one of the main fast food delivery firms on it.
He tells me he used to have an illegal bike, but he thought his new one was legal.
“I make a mistake, I have to say sorry, I will do better for the future,” he says.
I get in touch with the big delivery firms; Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat.
Their representatives say they constantly remind workers of their safety obligations, and that they’re all working closely with the government to increase security checks on riders.
As he leaves, Demoz, now bike-free, tells me he’s thinking of changing his job.