Police preparing for 6% crime surge in first year if sentencing reforms go ahead Police are preparing for a surge in crime of up to 6% in one year if government plans to cut the number of shorter prison sentences and release some criminals earlier go ahead. Service bosses are bracing for thousands more offences
Bank warns of spike in purchase fraud ahead of Christmas shopping season Shoppers are being warned about a spike in purchase fraud ahead of the festive shopping season. TSB’s analysis of its data indicated that purchase scams accounted for 63% of bank transfer fraud cases reported between January and September 2025 by its customers
Will Ferrell’s Elf costume could fetch up to £200,000 at auction Will Ferrell’s festive costume from the Christmas film Elf could fetch between £100,000 and £200,000 when it goes under the hammer as part of a movie memorabilia auction. The green, white, yellow and black elf outfit, which originates from the film’s producer Jon Berg,
Rare bottle of Arctic beer to be opened after 150 years to revive brew A Scottish brewer is set to open one of the rarest beers in the world – a 150-year-old bottle once brewed for an Arctic expedition – to create a modern version of the historic ale. Dougal Gunn Sharp, founder and master
Charity installs solar-powered operating rooms in Ukraine as war disrupts power A Scottish charity has completed the installation of six solar-powered children’s surgical theatres in western Ukraine, as the region faces ongoing bombing and power disruption in the war with Russia. Kids Operating Room has completed the fit-out of six new paediatric operating rooms at
No watering down of Hillsborough Law, says Lammy ahead of first debate The courage of campaigners whose lives were devastated by state scandals will be honoured as the so-called Hillsborough Law comes before Parliament for its first debate, the Justice Secretary has said. The Public Office (Accountability) Bill will have its second reading in Parliament
Fifth celebrity eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing during Halloween week CBBC actress Ellie Goldstein, the first celebrity with Down’s syndrome to compete on the main series of Strictly Come Dancing, is the fifth contestant eliminated from the show. Model Goldstein, 23, and her dance partner Vito Coppola faced a dance-off against EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal
Media needs to retain opportunities for ‘working-class voices’ – Lorraine Kelly TV presenter Lorraine Kelly has emphasised the need for better representation of working-class voices in the media because “if you’re only going to hear elite opinions we’re never going to get anywhere”. The daytime host appeared on the BBC’s Desert Island Discs, where she
Swinney to raise whisky deal in talks with US ambassador First Minister John Swinney has said he will raise tariffs on Scotch whisky in talks with the US ambassador. Warren Stephens will visit John Swinney at Bute House in Edinburgh on Saturday morning, before the pair take in the Scotland v USA rugby match at
Polling shows immigration concern ‘manufactured’, say campaigners Concern about immigration is a “manufactured panic”, a campaign group has said after polling suggested only a quarter of people think it is an important issue locally. A YouGov poll found only 26% of people said immigration and asylum was one of the three most important issues facing