Latest news with #SPS
Global News
7 hours ago
- Global News
Surrey trucking company targeted twice in suspected extortion case
A Surrey business owner says his business was shot at early Thursday morning, about 24 hours after a previous incident. Raghbir Singh Nijjar, owner of Nijjar Trucking, which is in an industrial area in northwest Surrey, said someone shot at the building and the company cars parked in the lot. When Surrey Police Service officers arrived on the scene, they found bullet casings. No one was inured, even though staff were inside when the shooting happened, but the shooting happened just under 24 hours after vehicles were damaged at the same location. On Wednesday, June 18, at approximately 3:50 a.m., suspects used gasoline to damage vehicles but were scared off by on-site security. SPS officers arrived on scene and gathered evidence from this incident as well. Nijjar said that about a year ago, someone called his business and demanded money for the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Story continues below advertisement India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) describes the group as a criminal gang headed by Lawrence Bishnoi, whose lawyer says contests more than 40 cases accusing him of crimes such as murder and extortion. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Nijjar said they have reported everything to RCMP and Surrey police while the people have kept calling and asking for money. He said he is scared of what is going on. 'We (are) working every day,' he added. 'We (are doing) hard work. We (have been here) since '91. That's why we came over here (for) safety and (a) better future.' 2:15 Maple Ridge shooting believed tied to extortion attempts Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton with the Surrey Police Service would not confirm on Thursday that these incidents are linked to extortion. Story continues below advertisement 'Well, we'll be looking at all of the motives and all potential links, whether it's to past investigations and this current investigation, as with any investigation, we have to let the evidence dictate the course of that investigation,' he said. 'It may turn out that it is related to previous investigations or previous incidents, but we have to let the investigation take its course.' This incident comes after a home in Maple Ridge was shot at twice in what is believed to be linked to an extortion attempt and last week, the brazen murder of an Abbotsford man with no known criminal ties reignited extortion fears in B.C.'s Lower Mainland. In this case, SPS's Frontline Investigative Support Team (FLIST) has assumed conduct of both investigations. Anyone with information about this incident should contact the SPS non-emergency line at 604-599-0502 and quote file number 25-50413 (SP) or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or
CTV News
12 hours ago
- CTV News
Shots fired at Surrey business while staff inside, police say
A Surrey Police Service patch is seen on an officer's uniform in Surrey, B.C., on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Vehicles and buildings were damaged when shots were fired in Surrey early Thursday morning, according to authorities, who say no one was injured. Police were called to a business on 116 Avenue near 128 Street at 3 a.m., the Surrey Police Service said in a news release. 'Officers arrived on scene and located several bullet casings and damage to buildings and vehicles. Officers determined that there were no injuries to anyone despite staff being on scene at the time of the shots being fired,' the statement from the department said. The shots fired report came less than 24 hours after police were dispatched to investigate an incident at the same location. 'Suspects used gasoline to damage vehicles but were scared off by on-site security,' the SPS said. Police have not said if these incidents are related to ongoing extortion threats in the city, but did say 'connections to other incidents and potential motives are still being explored.' Anyone with information about these incidents is urged to call 604-599-0502 and quote file number 25-50413. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477.
Edinburgh Reporter
2 days ago
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Data shows prison officer assaults are a daily occurrence
Figures have revealed that one prison officer almost every day was assaulted by an inmate while on duty in Scotland's increasingly violent jails. Scottish Prison Service (SPS) data shows 350 officers were attacked during 2024/25 – the highest number in five years – with critics claiming violence behind bars is spiralling out of control. Data supplied under Freedom of Information shows 1,543 officers were victims of assault between 2020/21 and 2024/25. There were 313 assaults in 2023/24, 261 in 2022/23, with 294 and 325 incidents in 2020/21 and 2021/22 respectively. According to the Prison Officers' Association, jails are the 'most hostile and violent workplace of anywhere or any other occupation in the world'. They warn overcrowding, drug abuse, bullying and organised crime gang activities inside Scotland's crisis-hit prison system are placing overworked staff under intolerable pressure. Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr MSP said the 'damning' figures laid bare the 'brutal reality facing prison officers'. He said: 'Violence has spiralled out of control as the Nationalists have relentlessly slashed budgets, leaving hardworking staff at the mercy of dangerous inmates. 'Resources should be clearly targeted so that prison officers get the extra support they desperately need or else ministers run the risk of experienced staff quitting the SPS. 'Instead of continually betraying those working in our justice system, the SNP must start prioritising their safety.' Scottish Labour Justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill said the 'appalling figures' show violence is on the rise in Scotland's prisons and staff are being put in danger. She said: 'Under the SNP, Scotland's prisons are dangerously overcrowded and it is causing chaos. 'It's imperative that the Scottish Government has a plan in place to give prison officers the resources they need to keep staff safe in a job that carries such risks. 'If we can learn anything from other jurisdictions such as England and Wales we should and with some urgency. 'The SNP must wake up to this growing crisis and work with the Scottish Prison Service to keep staff and prisons safe.' Scottish Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP insisted 'no one should go to work expecting to be assaulted'. He said: 'Huge numbers of people, many of whom have complex problems, are being sent to a place proven to worsen their likelihood of reoffending. 'In turn, overworked prison staff are finding themselves with less time to work with individuals to help improve their prospects and are increasingly encountering unsafe situations. 'Prisons can be a pressure cooker but the government must ensure that high safety standards are maintained across the entire prison sector. 'It's time for the Justice Secretary to recognise that a step change is necessary. It's crucial we strike a balance between punishing, rehabilitating and supporting — that is how we will reduce reoffending and make communities safer.' A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said attacks on prisoners and prison staff are 'completely unacceptable' and all incidents were reported to Police Scotland. They added: 'To continue to provide a safe and secure prison estate, we have increased investment in the Scottish Prison Service resource budget by 10% to £481.5million in 2025/26.' An SPS spokesperson said: 'We take a zero-tolerance approach to violence. 'We take consistent and robust action against those in our care who perpetrate violence and offer support to those affected by it, including our staff.' Photo by Donald Tong on Like this: Like Related
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
More than 150 violent offenders released early in Scotland
Almost half of the prisoners released during the latest attempt to ease overcrowding in Scotland's jails were serving sentences for violent crimes, new figures Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has revealed that 312 inmates who had completed 40% of their sentence were allowed out of jail to free up space in February and those released, 152 had committed non-sexual crimes of violence. The SPS said the move to release prisoners early had provided some respite but, with a rising population, further reductions were needed. Following a new emergency law introduced in February inmates sentenced to less than four years can be freed after serving 40% of their term, rather than 50% when the scheme was first brought in last year. Prisoners serving sentences for domestic abuse or sexual offences are prison service had estimated up to 390 could be freed straight SPS data shows a total of 312 inmates were in fact released, over three phases, between 18 February and 20 included 140 between 18 and 20 March. A breakdown of the data shows 92% of those released were men and the majority were serving sentences between one and two years. A total of 152 of the people released had committed non-sexual crimes of violence.A further 69 had committed "crimes against society" and 52 were in jail for crimes of dishonesty. Data on how many of those who were released early in this tranche and then ended up back in custody will be released later this year. A SPS spokesperson said: "We released people through these tranches in a way which prioritised the safety and wellbeing of those in our care, victims, and the communities we serve."While these releases have provided some respite, our staff continue to manage an extremely high and complex population, with eight prisons now at red risk status, and the number of people in custody set to rise even further."This has an increasingly destabilising effect on our establishments, with staff unable to do the critical work of building relationships and supporting rehabilitation, and prisoners frustrated by the impact on their daily lives and the opportunities available to them."Scotland's largest prison, HMP Barlinnie in Glasgow, released the highest number of prisoners (65) under the latest early release scheme, SPS data shows. Why are prisoners being released early? In February last year, a BBC Scotland documentary revealed how the SPS had concluded its jails were too full and were reaching a "tipping point" where emergency powers could be needed to release inmates summer 477 prisoners were released but 61 of them ended up back in custody before their original planned release two months, according to SPS data, the overall prison population had again risen above the level at which the releases than 1,700 prisoners were also released early in England and Wales last autumn as part of a similar attempt by the UK government to ease the end of last week, there were 8,136 inmates in Scotland's prisons – above the total design operating capacity of 7, the 17 prisons in Scotland, a total of eight are at red risk status, which means the SPS believes they are struggling to cope with the demands placed upon them.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
UK food, drink export revenues rose in Q1 but volumes flat
UK food and drink exports rose in value in the first quarter but volumes were flat amid a "continued struggle" to return to pre-pandemic levels. That was the view of the UK's Food and Drink Federation (FDF) as the industry trade body revealed shipments of food and beverages climbed 6.3% to £6bn ($8.1bn) in the opening three months of the year. However, with volumes relatively flat from the year-earlier quarter, the FDF highlighted in its latest Trade Snapshot report that food exports from the UK are 20.4% lower than they were in 2020, while non-alcoholic beverages are down 9.2%. 'Significant growth is needed to return to pre-pandemic levels' in the long term, the FDF said. Export volumes to the EU, the UK's largest trade partner, declined by 3.7% for food and 1.7% for non-alcoholic drinks compared to the first quarter of 2024. An agreement between the UK and EU in May to simplify sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls - yet to be rubber stamped and finalised - could increase UK exports to the bloc by 22.5%, though not until 2027 at the earliest, the industry body said. Balwinder Dhoot, the director of industry growth and sustainability at the FDF, said the SPS talks are a 'positive step towards reversing a concerning decline in exports from the UK' but added that a deal is "far from a silver bullet'. 'It is vital that through these negotiations the UK secures the ability to influence EU regulatory decisions that will impact British businesses,' Dhoot said. Away from the EU, the FDF highlighted the potential "positive impact" for the UK's food and drink producers from recent trade deals with India and the US. The value of UK food and beverages exports to non-EU countries rose by 10.5% in the first three months of 2025 as "food producers take advantage of improved access to growing global markets", according to the FDF. For instance, the FDF said that since the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) came into effect in December, UK exports of soft drinks to Malaysia have increased by 103% and sweets by 48%. Meanwhile, the trade body said the free-trade agreement with India is likely to benefit UK exporters of soft drinks, biscuits and chocolate in particular. "While there are encouraging signs of an improved global trade outlook ahead, FDF warns that there's more work to be done. It's vital that government continues to build closer trade relationships with trade partners, near and far, and prioritises British competitiveness in ongoing negotiations," it said. UK food and drinks exports to the US increased 23.4% in the first quarter, which the FDF said was probably in anticipation of US tariffs, before an agreement was struck between the two governments in May. However, the FDF added that negotiating the removal of the new 10% tariff should be a priority. Dhoot added: 'This new data demonstrates that there are also plenty of opportunities for UK food and drink beyond the EU, meaning government should keep its foot on the gas when it comes to improving the UK's trade relationships across other global markets. "Removing trade barriers and helping more businesses expand into new markets abroad presents a crucial growth opportunity, while diversifying our import markets is vital to protecting the UK's food security." "UK food, drink export revenues rose in Q1 but volumes flat " was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
