A female police officer has been stabbed in the stomach after intervening during a suspected attempted robbery at a grocery store in London.
The officer was attempting to detain two men, armed with knives, as they carried out a raid on a Westminster corner shop, in Chapter Street, south west London, at 3.42pm today.
Two officers, a male and a female, happened to spot the commotion caused by the ongoing robbery as the shopkeeper struggled to push the armed men from the shop.
The officer was attempting to detain two males, armed with knives, as they carried out a raid on a Westminster shop, in Chapter Street, south west London
As the officers challenged the males, the policewoman received a stab wound to the abdomen, despite her injury she continued to chase the suspects along Vauxhall Bridge Road.
The suspects were detained a short time later with the assistance of firearms officers.
The officer was taken to hospital. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
After being stabbed the female officer bravely continued to chase the suspects down Vauxhall Bridge Road
Chief Inspector Simon Brooker, Central West BCU, said: 'This shows precisely the kind of danger officers face every single day as they work to keep the public safe.
'For this officer to be stabbed on duty is unacceptable but, fortunately, she does not appear to be seriously injured.
'I applaud her bravery in responding to this call. This courage is typical of Met officers as they go about their duties.'
The home secretary has promised to deliver the "biggest overhaul of our asylum system in decades", with legislation to be brought forward next year.
Speaking at the Conservative Party's virtual conference, Priti Patel described the current system as "broken" and vowed to replace it with one that is "firm and fair".
She said that those who defended the current system - "the traffickers, the do-gooders, the leftie lawyers, the Labour Party" are "defending the indefensible".
But Labour's shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: "The Tories talk about a broken immigration system, but they have been in power for a decade and are the political party that broke it.
"Recent experience suggests they have not learned any lessons at all, with unconscionable, absurd proposals about floating walls and creating waves in the English Channel to push back boats and sending people thousands of miles away to process claims.
"The truth is the Tories are devoid of compassion and competence."
More than 6,000 migrants have arrived in the UK on small boats so far this year, figures show, despite the government previously promising to make the route from France to England "unviable".
In her speech, the home secretary accused government opponents of propagating a "false narrative that Conservatives do not have a proud history of providing a safe haven to those most in need".
She said that under Conservative leadership, the UK "has and always will provide sanctuary when the lights are being switched off on people's liberties".
"A fair asylum system should provide a safe haven to those fleeing persecution, oppression or tyranny," Ms Patel said.
"But ours doesn't. Because our asylum system is fundamentally broken. And we have a responsibility to act."
The home secretary said the new system would be "fair and compassionate towards those who need our help" and "fair by welcoming people through safe and legal routes".
But she said it would be "firm" in stopping the "abuse of the broken system", such as people who "come here illegally making endless legal claims to remain" and speeding up the "removal of those who have no claim for protection".
"After decades of inaction by successive governments we will address the moral, legal and practical problems with the asylum system. Because what exists now is neither firm nor fair," Ms Patel continued.
"And I will bring forward legislation to deliver on that commitment next year.
"I will take every necessary step to fix this broken system, amounting to the biggest overhaul of our asylum system in decades."
The home secretary added: "I will not be complicit in an international criminal trade in asylum seekers, elbowing the most vulnerable to the side.
"Reform the system, prosecute the criminals, protect the vulnerable - that is what a firm, but fair asylum system should look like, and that is what I intend to deliver."
The home secretary acknowledged that such an overhaul "will take time" and pledged to "accelerate" the government's response to illegal migration in the meantime.
Ms Patel also said she recognised that the plans would provoke criticism and controversy, saying: "No doubt those who are well-rehearsed in how to play and profit from the broken system will lecture us on their grand theories about human rights."
But she made clear her determination to stand firm, adding: "If at times it means being unpopular on Twitter. I will bear it.
"If at times it means Tony Blair's spin doctor mocking my accent. So be it," she said, referring to an Alastair Campbell tweet mocking her Essex accent and penchant for dropping her Gs.
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"And if at times it means Labour Members of Parliament attempting to silence me because I do not conform to their idea of what an ethnic minority woman should stand for. I will stomach it.
"Because as Conservatives, we do not measure the depth of our compassion in two hundred and eighty characters on Twitter, but in the actions we take and the choices we make."
The Home Office's top civil servant said earlier this week that "everything is on the table" when it comes to "improving" the UK's asylum system.
Appearing in front of MPs on the Commons Public Accounts Committee, permanent secretary Matthew Rycroft repeatedly refused to deny reports that the government has considered sending asylum seekers to isolated islands 4,000 miles from the UK while their applications are processed.
He also refused to answer direct questions on whether disused ferries could be turned into processing centres.
A MAN has been arrested after a woman was found dead at univeristy accommodation in Newcastle.
The 18-year-old was found unconscious yesterday morning, police in Northumbria revealed, with an 18-year-old man taken into custody.
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Police said their officers were called out by paramedics shortly after 6am on Saturday.
The teenager was later pronounced dead at the scene.
A Police Northumbria spokesperson said in a statment: "At 6.06am yesterday (Saturday) police received a report via the ambulance service of an unresponsive woman at an address on Richardson Road in Newcastle.
"Emergency services attended where sadly the woman - aged 18 - was pronounced dead at the scene.
"Enquiries into the circumstances around her death are ongoing. Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers at this time.
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'"An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and is currently on police bail while the investigation continues.
"The investigation is at an early stage but this is not believed to be Covid-19 related death."
Emergency crews were called to a home on the same road as Newcastle University's Park View student village yesterday.
A Newcastle University spokesperson said: "We are shocked and saddened to learn of the death of one of our students and our welfare teams are offering support to those affected.
"This is not Covid-related and as this is an active police investigation, we are unable to provide further comment at this time."
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Park View is a £75 million development which provides self-catered accommodation across six residential buildings.
On Friday, we reported how hundreds of students had tested positive for coronavirus at nearby Northumbria University - days after youngsters were pictured breaking the rule of six.
Around 770 people are infected with the virus at the uni - although just ten per cent are showing Covid symptoms
The Home Secretary has pledged to make the UK's asylum system "firm and fair", promising "the biggest overhaul in decades."
In a speech at the Conservative Party virtual conference, Priti Patel said: "We will protect those most in need and put the rights of those who respect the rules above those who take our country for a ride."
Ms Patel said that under Conservative leadership, the UK "has and always will provide sanctuary when the lights are being switched off on people’s liberties".
She told those tuning into the online conference: "A fair asylum system should provide safe haven to those fleeing persecution, oppression or tyranny.
"But ours doesn’t. Because our asylum system is fundamentally broken. And we have a responsibility to act."
Commenting ahead of Ms Patel's speech, Labour's Nick Thomas-Symonds MP said: "The British people will see through the Home Secretary’s shameless comments about a ‘broken system’, when the system has been overseen by the Tories for a decade.
He added: "This is yet more evidence of how lacking in compassion and competence the Tories are."
In her address, Ms Patel added: "From the expulsion of Ugandan Asians from a repressive regime, to proudly resettling more Syrian refugees than any other EU country, to supporting campaigners fleeing political persecution in Hong Kong.
"Under Conservative leadership, the United Kingdom has and always will provide sanctuary when the lights are being switched off on people’s liberties.
"So, I will introduce a new system that is firm and fair.
"Fair and compassionate towards those who need our help. Fair by welcoming people through safe and legal routes.
"But firm because we will stop the abuse of the broken system. Firm, because we will stop those who come here illegally making endless legal claims to remain.
"And firm, because we will expedite the removal of those who have no claim for protection.
"After decades of inaction by successive governments, we will address the moral, legal, practical problems with this broken system. Because what exists now is neither firm nor fair.
"And I will bring forward legislation to deliver on that commitment. I will take every necessary step to fix this broken system. Amounting to the biggest overhaul of our asylum system in decades."
The Home Secretary vowed to "accelerate" the operational response to illegal migration.
Adding: "We will continue to hunt down the criminal gangs who traffic people into our country.
"I will continue to use the full force of our outstanding National Crime Agency and intelligence agencies to go after them.
"We will make more immediate returns of those who come here illegally and break our rules, every single week.
"And we will explore all practical measures and options to deter illegal migration."
Nicola Sturgeon is facing demands to join a bid to oust Margaret Ferrier after he 800-mile round trip to Parliament while suffering coronavirus symptoms.
The MP has yet to resign from the Commons despite being stripped of the SNP whip and Ms Sturgeon publicly calling for her to go.
Scotland Yard confirmed it was looking into Ms Ferrier's admission that she travelled 400 miles from Glasgow to London while awaiting the results of a test, and then took the train back after being told it was positive.
Ms Ferrier could face a £4,000 fine for a first-time offence of 'recklessly' coming into contact with others when she should have been self-isolating under a law that came into force on the day of her positive test.
The Scottish First Minister is now under pressure to sign up to a recall petition that could force Ms Ferrier out of her £82,000 a year job.
Nicola Sturgeon (left) is facing pressure to back a recall petition to oust Margaret Ferrier (pictured right) from the Commons
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said today that he is 'surprised, amazed and shocked' that Ms Ferrier has not yet resigned.
He told Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday her actions were 'irresponsible and dangerous'.
Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard has said Ms Sturgeon must support a recall petition to remove Ms Ferrier, which could be triggered if she is suspended from the Commons for two weeks.
Under parliamentary rules, the MP would face a by-election if at least 10 per cent of her 81,000 constituents signed.
Ms Ferrier travelled by train to London from Scotland last Monday while awaiting the results of a Covid test taken on Saturday, and then travelled back the following day after being told the test was positive.
Images on her Twitter page showed her in several public places likely to have been busy on a Saturday, including the Vanilla Salon and South Lanarkshire Eastfield Lifestyle leisure centre in Rutherglen, and Sweet P gift shop in Burnside.
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle lashed out at her astonishing actions as she faced calls from her own party leader to quit the Commons.
Ms Sturgeon used a series of expletives and said her 'head was in her hands' on being told that her 'friend and colleague' had broken the law, sources told the Times.
However, Ms Ferrier is resisting calls to quit and may seek to stay in the Commons as an independent, having referred herself to the parliamentary standards watchdog.
Images on Ms Ferrier's Twitter page showed her in several public places likely to have been busy on a Saturday, including the Vanilla Salon and South Lanarkshire Eastfield Lifestyle leisure centre in Rutherglen (pictured with the MP centre)
The SNP has insisted it was unaware Ms Ferrier had taken a Covid-19 test on Saturday before travelling to Westminster to take part in a debate on coronavirus in the House of Commons on Monday.
By Ms Ferrier's own account, she was informed the test was positive that evening.
The Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP said she was screened after experiencing 'mild symptoms', meaning she should have self-isolated.
In a statement, she admitted she travelled home to Glasgow on Tuesday, where she has been self-isolating ever since. She apologised for her actions and said there was 'no excuse'.
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed it is investigating the journeys along with British Transport Police over potential breaches of the Health Protection Regulations 2020.
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Boris Johnson has warned it may be "bumpy through to Christmas" and beyond as the UK deals with coronavirus.
Speaking to the BBC's Andrew Marr, the PM said there was "hope" in beating Covid, but called on the public to "act fearlessly but with common sense".
He said the government was taking a "balanced" approach between saving lives and protecting the economy.
His comments come as the UK announced more than 10,000 new cases for the first time since mass testing began.
There were 12,872 new cases announced on Saturday. However, the government said a technical issue meant some cases earlier in the week were not recorded at the time so had been included in Saturday's data.
The prime minister said: "The best thing we can do now for all those who have suffered in the course of this pandemic is bring it to an end in the speediest possible way."
Labour's shadow health minister, Alex Norris, criticised the interview as a "wasted opportunity" to set out a "serious strategy to improve public confidence in the government's handling of this crisis".
He said: "Instead [the PM] waffled and ducked every question. His serial incompetence is holding Britain back."
Mr Johnson said he believed over the "next few weeks and months" the "scientific equation will change whether that is vaccines or testing" and there will be "progress" in beating the virus.
As a result, he said there was "hope" and "things can be significantly different by Christmas", as well as being "radically different" by spring.
But, the prime minister warned there could be "a very tough winter for all of us", adding: "I tell you in all candour, it will continue to be bumpy through to Christmas and may even be bumpy beyond."
Is Boris Johnson optimistic or pessimistic about the fight against Covid? He seems to be a bit of both.
The prime minister's prediction for the next few months is gloomy - winter will be "bumpy".
Restrictions of varying degrees could be with us for months.
But at the same time, he is urging people to be fearless if they use common sense - and believes a "radically different" spring is around the corner.
The short-term forecast is downbeat. But the PM wants to retain hope that things could improve again in the not so distant future.
Labour has been a long-standing critic of the performance of the Test and Trace system, with its leader, Sir Keir Starmer, accusing the government of having "lost control" of the virus.
Mr Johnson said the system was "not perfect" and that he was "frustrated with it".
But he defended its "massive increase in capacity", saying it had "made a huge difference" in tackling Covid-19.
Mr Johnson also stood by the Eat Out to Help Out restaurant discount introduced in August, which some critics have said added to the rise in coronavirus cases in September.
"In so far as that scheme may have helped to spread the virus then obviously we need to counteract that and we need to counteract that with the discipline and the measures that we're proposing," he said.
But he insisted it was "right to reopen the economy" as the government tries to "strike the right balance".
Mr Johnson said he took "full responsibility for everything that has happened since the pandemic began".
Asked about how effective the latest local lockdowns were in tackling the growing number of cases, the prime minister said it was "too early to say".
Mr Johnson said he understood the "frustrations" of people living in the affected areas - as well as a number of his own backbench MPs - but defended the action, saying: "I'm a freedom-loving Tory. I don't want to have to impose measures like this, are you crazy?
"This is the last thing we want to do. But I also have to save life. And that's our priority."
"And I also think, by the way, that's the priority of the British people and I think they will want to see their government continue to work, continuing to fight the virus and that's what we're doing."
Labour's shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth earlier called for the government to publish guidelines on what criteria they used to impose local lockdowns, and to involve local council leaders and health officials.
He said there were questions as to why current areas have extra restrictions, while the constituencies of cabinet ministers with higher case numbers remained unchanged.
"Because there are no clear guidelines as to why an area goes into restrictions, and how an area comes out of restrictions, then there is a suspicion that there is political interference," he told Andrew Marr.
"I hope there isn't. But until the government publish clear guidelines, that suspicion will always linger."
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Mr Johnson was also asked about his health following his own experience of fighting coronavirus in March and April - and in light of US President Donald Trump testing positive.
The prime minister said when he had the virus he was "too fat" and it was a "teachable moment for our great country" to get on top of the issue of obesity.
But he claimed it was "balderdash" that he was still suffering from the effects of coronavirus, known as "long Covid".
He said the claim was "drivel", adding: "It is balderdash and nonsense. I can tell you I'm fitter than several butchers' dogs."
The Conservatives are currently holding their first virtual party conference due to coronavirus restrictions on mass gatherings.
