Latest news with #RichardJones
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
London Underground: Thousands of pieces of graffiti removed daily
Transport for London (TfL) says it is removing about 4,000 pieces of graffiti per day on the Central and Bakerloo Tube says it is dealing with a huge increase in vandalism on the trains as well as challenges in getting the trains says it has a reduced number of trains on the Central line as some are being upgraded, five at a time. The Bakerloo line has the oldest fleet, and hence it has fewer transport body says it is for this reason that it has to put trains back into service with graffiti, otherwise the service would not be able to continue to the same timetable. At the Hainault Depot, the team says it is "working around the clock", having removed 23,000 pieces of graffiti in the past two Dan Pincott said: "To remove it we're using buffers because it's leather dye, not paint."It will not come off with normal graffiti remover, so it needs special tools."It's long hot hard hours for them to remove it." Alcohol-based leather dye is the toughest to get off as it soaks into the fibre, as opposed to paint which sits on the surface. The process can take days, TfL says. Director of asset performance delivery, Richard Jones, said: "Typically we had the spares previously where if the train was damaged inside or outside, it would not go into service. "But in order to maintain the service, some of the damaged trains are having to go into public use." Mr Jones added: "It makes the Underground feel less safe and it can be a magnet for other criminal activity so it's important to remove and we take it seriously."Customers do complain a lot."TfL says it is planning to introduce more cleaning teams as well as working with the police to target vandals.
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Health
- Leader Live
Flintshire Council warns hospital discharge support won't solve issues
Following an inquiry into patient flow at Welsh hospitals, local authorities across Wales are currently working on bids for a share of the fund to try to get patients out of hospital and back into their homes or community care faster. But Flintshire's Chief Officer for Social Services Craig Macleod told the authority's Cabinet meeting on Tuesday that the fund was not a silver bullet to cure the NHS of bed-blocking delays. "We have had formal notification that there will be a recurring grant to support timely hospital discharge from the Welsh Government, " he said. "We are currently working on a plan as to how we will use that funding. "We recommend that cabinet welcomes the grant as a step towards supporting discharge, however it will not resolve the issues relating to hospital discharge." One of the criticisms of the Welsh Government approach by Flintshire County Council was its inquiry focused on patient flow rather than patient outcomes. Deputy leader of Flintshire County Council Cllr Richard Jones said: "When you read the report from the ADSS (Association of the Director of Social Services Cymru) they say: 'We believe the terms of reference of the enquiry reflect an overly narrow perspective on the issue - one which prioritises hospital process over the fundamental goal of enabling individuals to live well within the community. "We believe there should be a greater emphasis on patient outcomes rather than just patient flow. That is the same approach we have towards care as an authority." Cabinet supported the work to capitalise on the additional funding and the review of the state of discharge services, which see residents continue to face significant challenges at all three general district hospitals serving Flintshire - Ysbyty Gwynedd, Wrexham Maelor and the Countess of Chester. "Hospital discharge delays should be viewed in terms of causes and context ensuring there is no loss of focus on the individual," said Cllr Christine Jones, Deputy Leader of Flintshire Council and Cabinet Member for Social Services and Wellbeing. "The reality is being in a hospital bed when there is no clinical need is not only contributing to the complex pressures within the NHS but it is also not in the best interests of the patient. "The regional partnership board will now take a lead role in producing a North Wales update to the original Audit Wales recommendations around hospital discharge. Flintshire will feed into that report in an effort to deliver improvements to discharge processes for all."
BBC News
13-06-2025
- BBC News
Brantham murder accused looked up woman's partner, jury told
A homeless man accused of murdering a grandmother looked up her partner on social media after her death, a court Barclay, 56, allegedly killed Anita Rose, 57, as she walked her dog near a sewage works in Brantham, Suffolk, on 24 July weeks later, Mr Barclay made two searches on Facebook for Ms Rose's partner, Richard Jones, Ipswich Crown Court Barclay, of no fixed address, denies murder. He was arrested in October 2024 and had his phone seized by Suffolk Police, the court on Friday were talked through data the force obtained. It included searches made online and websites that were browsed. Facebook searches for Richard Jones - the long-term partner of Ms Rose - were made on separate occasions, the prosecution said the first was on 13 August and the second on 17 September. The jury was also shown several news articles, including 12 from the BBC, that Mr Barclay was said to have viewed between August and has been accused of using his walking boots to deliver "numerous kicks, stamps and blows" in a fatal attack on Ms has been alleged that Mr Barclay was "on the run" trying to avoid being "recalled back to prison" when he was said to have killed Ms Rose. Christopher Paxton KC, prosecuting, also revealed details of a Facebook post Mr Barclay was said to have liked on 15 quoted author George Orwell and read: "War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength. "If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human's face - forever."Mr Paxton previously said Mr Barclay had an "extraordinary interest in the media broadcasts" surrounding Ms Rose's trial continues. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
6-year-old boy dies after drowning in Butler County
A 6-year-old boy is dead after drowning in a pool in Butler County. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] According to the Butler County Sheriff's Office, they were called to a home on the 3900 block of Timber Walk Lane for a reported drowning. Responding crews were told the boy was swimming with other children under adult supervision. The child's mother told crews she noticed her son had gone in the deep end and not resurfaced, so she went in and pulled him from the water. TRENDING STORIES: Kettering Health Cyberattack: Concerns raised about alerting those impacted by sensitive data breach Bengals stars headline celebrity softball game at Dayton ballpark 'Can't erase the hurt;' Woman learns punishment for crash that killed 35-year-old man The child was taken by a medical helicopter to Cincinnati Children's Hospital where he was later pronounced dead, the sheriff's office says. 'This is an unimaginable tragedy,' Sheriff Richard Jones said. 'Incidents involving children are the most difficult calls our deputies respond to. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the family during this incredibly difficult time.' The Butler County Sheriff's Office is investigating this incident. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Forbes
11-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How Retailers Can Turn Tariffs To Their Advantage
Richard Jones is Chief Revenue Officer of Wunderkind, helping brands adapt to modern trends amid any ever-evolving customer landscape. Tariffs are taking effect this year, and they're doing more than just raising prices—they're eroding brand loyalty. A prominent tech analyst recently made headlines saying that even Apple fanboys may rethink their devotion to the brand if iPhones reach a $2,000 price point. But the price impact doesn't have to be that dramatic to cause shifts in consumer behavior. At Wunderkind, we recently conducted a consumer survey that reveals a stark truth: 40% of consumers say they'll switch brands for a better deal. Another 32% are actively hunting for discounts today, and 13% have already started shopping around, preparing for what they see as inevitable price hikes. A recent EY report found much the same, breaking it down further by retail category. In other words, shoppers are now in motion. They're questioning their go-to brands, revisiting old ones and opening the door for new players to win their loyalty. This isn't just a disruption; it's a reordering of the market. But for every challenge, there's an opportunity. Exactly what that opportunity is depends on whether you're an established incumbent brand fighting to maintain market share or a newer brand challenging the status quo. In either case, the tariff fallout represents a rare chance to capture new, valuable audiences. Incumbent brands rely on customer loyalty, and if we've learned one thing, it is that customer loyalty is the first thing to go out the window when prices increase. According to our poll, fewer than half—just 46%—of consumers say they plan to remain loyal to their favorite brands regardless of price swings. Loyalty, in this environment, is conditional. And marketers who assume otherwise are sleepwalking into attrition. Today's shopper is pragmatic, not sentimental. If you're not actively addressing the tariff conversation, you're already losing control of the narrative and, likely, your customers. The right response here is to be proactive. You can't quietly raise prices and hope no one notices. The answer is radical transparency. Consumers want to know what's happening behind the scenes. Is your brand absorbing the costs? Passing them on? Moving production? Delays, price shifts and tradeoffs are all acceptable—if you communicate them clearly and with empathy. Silence, on the other hand, will get you dropped. This is also a moment to make strategic tradeoffs. Start offering your discounts now. Sacrificing short-term margins can protect long-term loyalty. For instance, 56% of consumers say they're willing to wait longer for a product if it means saving money. That's a direct reversal of the Amazon effect. Speed still matters, but value now has the upper hand. And as always, personalization matters. Can you make those offers and value exchanges more personalized? Rethink your acquisition and retention mix. Don't assume last year's segmentation or loyalty initiatives will survive. Challenger brands have a rare window of opportunity. While category incumbents are forced to defend price hikes and shifting supply chains, disruptors can step in with more innovative acquisition strategies and a faster path to perceived value. Consumers are looking around. They're browsing new sites, checking unfamiliar labels and signing up for marketing emails at record rates. We found that 43% of shoppers are more likely to join a brand's email or SMS list if they think it'll save them money. Retailers that prepare for this surge of net-new traffic are already winning. They're not just offering generic discounts—they're deploying intelligent opt-ins, personalized offers and value-driven messaging that converts browsers into buyers. And they're using advanced identity resolution to turn anonymous visits into detailed profiles. That means delivering a personalized experience before the shopper even shares an email address. For challenger brands, this is your shot. The very customers who seemed out of reach just months ago are now in-market, actively looking to make a switch. They're on your website. They're reading your reviews. They're comparing your price point to the brand they've always bought from. The question is, what are you doing to earn that conversion? Are you welcoming them with compelling value? Are you making their experience feel unique and personalized from the first interaction? Are you bold enough to pursue the loyalty they once gave to your competitor? Whether you're an incumbent or a challenger, tariffs are changing the winning retail rulebook. Use these actionable tactics to take control: 1. Build an agile acquisition engine. Use identity resolution to recognize and build a profile on anonymous shoppers before they formally opt in. Use that information to create intelligent value exchanges that promote meaningful incentives for customers to sign up for your programs rather than offering one-size-fits-all discounts. 2. Personalize at scale, fast. Use data-driven segmentation to immediately apply behavioral and demographic information to new and returning site visitors and engage them automatically using AI-enabled campaigns to trigger email/SMS offers when a shopper's value sensitivity is detected. 3. Communicate with transparency. Don't leave customers guessing. Share why prices are changing, what to expect with delivery times and what your brand is doing to offset costs. If fulfillment slows, position it as a tradeoff for better value. 4. Target loyalty where it matters most. Create segmented loyalty offers for categories under the greatest price pressure (groceries, apparel, electronics). Highlight cost-saving bundles, loyalty rewards or payment flexibility to keep price-conscious shoppers engaged. 5. Seize disruption to build future loyalty. Look for ways to provide comfort to consumers shaken by this economic turbulence to build relationships that last beyond tariffs. Prioritize first-party data collection now, as an audience acquired during high price volatility is likely to be highly engaged and receptive to value-driven messaging. Ultimately, tariffs are doing something extraordinary. They're resetting the customer-brand relationship across categories. They're testing loyalty, elevating price sensitivity and opening doors for the bold. If you're an incumbent, don't assume your base is safe—defend it with honesty and smart retention. If you're a challenger, don't wait for an invitation—take market share with relevance, timing and agility. The rules are changing. The question is, how will your strategy adapt? 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