Latest news with #ThamesValleyPolice
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Palestine Action to be banned after RAF base break in
The home secretary will move to proscribe Palestine Action group in the coming weeks, effectively branding them as a terrorist organisation, the BBC understands. Yvette Cooper is preparing a written statement before Parliament on Monday - which if passed will make becoming a member of the group illegal. The decision comes as a security review begins at military bases across the UK, after pro-Palestinian activists broke into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and sprayed two military planes with red paint. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the action as "disgraceful," describing it as an "act of vandalism". South East counter terrorism police confirmed its specialist officers were investigating the incident alongside Thames Valley Police and the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Counter-terrorism police added the incident happened in the early hours of Friday and that enquiries were "ongoing to establish the exact circumstances". Footage posted online by Palestine Action on Friday showed two people inside the Oxfordshire airbase in darkness, with one riding on a scooter up to an Airbus Voyager and spraying paint into its jet engine. After sharing the footage, a Palestine Action spokesperson said: "Despite publicly condemning the Israeli government, Britain continues to send military cargo, fly spy planes over Gaza and refuel US and Israeli fighter jets." The group claimed its activists had evaded security and had put the air-to-air refuelling tankers "out of service". However RAF engineers have been assessing the damage, with a defence source earlier telling the BBC that they did not expect the incident would affect operations. Thames Valley Police earlier said it had received a report about people gaining access to the base and causing criminal damage. "Inquiries are ongoing to locate and arrest those responsible," the force said. It is understood this incident was not the first time the group has targeted military sites. RAF Brize Norton serves as the hub for UK strategic air transport and refuelling, including flights to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. The air force has conducted reconnaissance flights over Gaza out of the Cyprus base.
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Royal Ascot descends into violence: Shocking moment pair fight each other as bloody brawl explodes in front of crowd of stunned racegoers
Beers and champagne in the sun got a bit much for some revellers at Royal Ascot as high spirits descended into bloody brawl between two young men. A shocking video has emerged online of a duo, who were suited and booted, viciously swinging punches at one another, at the prestigious Berkshire event. For a short moment, the pair grip each other before one plummeted to the ground after being hit once again. Stunned attendees at the racing event were left staring in horror, as a group of men attempt to separate the brawling pair. The group could briefly be heard telling the fighting men: 'Stop, stop, boys.' While one man, dressed in a grey suit, was dragged away, the other was picked up from the ground with blood gushing from his face. The bloodied racegoer wiped his visage and then bloodied his cream trousers as he seemingly yelled at the man he had fought only moments before. It is not clear exactly what transpired before or after the fight took place at the famous racecourse. MailOnline has approached Thames Valley Police for comment. Last year, a separate brawl broke out leaving one racegoer covered in blood after two men wrestled each other to the ground. One man had to be restrained by onlookers as he tried to kick another racegoer who was on the floor. The second man, who was wearing a brown suit, was then led away from the brawl with a bloody nose. The shocked crowd could be heard shouting 'easy, easy' in the video that has been shared widely on social media. Yesterday Royal Ascot revellers spilled out onto the street as they ventured home following a sweltering day at the races on what was the hottest day of the year so far. While the drinks were flowing in the scorching heat many racegoers were looking a little worse for wear after leaving the venue after Ladies Day. And while there is no is no official prize on offer for best dressed lady as there is at other race meetings, ticket holders were still eager to put their best foot forward.
Saudi Gazette
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Pro-Palestinian activists break into RAF airbase
LONDON — Pro-Palestinian activists in the UK have broken into RAF Brize Norton and sprayed two military planes with red paint in a major security breach. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the action as "disgraceful", saying that it was an "act of vandalism". Footage posted online by Palestine Action on Friday showed two people inside the Oxfordshire airbase in darkness, with one riding on a scooter up to an Airbus Voyager and spraying paint into its jet engine. The Ministry of Defense, which has also condemned the move, is now expected to conduct a review of security at UK military bases. It is working with Thames Valley Police, which is leading the investigation. Palestine Action said the activists evaded security and claimed they had put the air-to-air refuelling tankers "out of service". However, RAF engineers are assessing the damage and a defence source told the BBC they did not expect the incident to affect operations. In a statement, a Palestine Action spokesperson said: "Despite publicly condemning the Israeli government, Britain continues to send military cargo, fly spy planes over Gaza and refuel US and Israeli fighter jets." RAF Brize Norton serves as the hub for UK strategic air transport and refuelling, including flights to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. The air force has conducted reconnaissance flights over Gaza out of the Cyprus base. The base is encircled by a large perimeter fence, with security camera and sensors in the area in addition to manned security checkpoints. Patrols around the base are also carried out from time to time. But a defense source said these measures would not have been able to provide complete cover around the large airbase. Palestine Action has engaged in similar activity since the start of the current war in Gaza, predominantly targeting arms companies. In May, it claimed responsibility for the daubing of a US military plane in Ireland. The group said the activists who entered RAF Brize Norton used repurposed fire extinguishers to spray red paint into the planes' engines. It also said they caused "further damage" using crowbars — though this is not visible in the bodycam footage it provided. Video shows the activists then roaming around the airbase. The protesters did not spray paint on the Vespina aircraft - used by the prime minister for international travel - which was also on the base. An MoD spokeswoman said: "Our armed forces represent the very best of Britain. They put their lives on the line for us, and their display of duty, dedication and selfless personal sacrifice are an inspiration to us all. "It is our responsibility to support those who defend us." Thames Valley Police confirmed it had received a report about people gaining access to the base and causing criminal damage. "Inquiries are ongoing to locate and arrest those responsible," the force said. Lord West, Labour minister for UK security and former head of the Royal Navy, said earlier that while he was not aware of the full details, the break-in was "extremely worrying". "We can't allow thing like this to happen at all," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme, adding that breaches like it were "really a problem" for national security. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the security breach was "deeply concerning". "This is not lawful protest, it is politically motivated criminality," she said in a statement. "We must stop tolerating terrorist or extremist groups that seek to undermine our society." Shadow armed forces minister Mark Francois told the BBC any attempt to interfere with the engines of large aircraft was "totally reprehensible". He added there were "serious questions for the MoD to answer" about how protesters were able to "gain access to what is supposed to be a secure RAF airbase". — BBC
New York Times
12 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Pro-Palestinian Activists Break Into Britain's Largest Air Base
In a startling breach of security, activists from a Pro-Palestinian group on Friday broke into Britain's largest air force base and damaged two aircraft in what they said was a protest against the country's military support for Israel. The group, called Palestine Action, posted footage online showing two people using electric scooters to move around the base, R.A.F. Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, which is used for overseas operations. In a statement, Palestine Action said that two activists had sprayed red paint into the turbine engines of two Airbus Voyagers and damaged them with crowbars, as well as spraying more red paint on the runway to 'symbolize Palestinian bloodshed.' The group said that the two people who carried out the vandalism 'managed to evade security and arrest' during the incursion in the early hours of Friday morning. Thames Valley Police, the force responsible for the area, said in a statement that officers were working with the Ministry of Defense and with the R.A.F. to investigate. Inquiries 'are ongoing to locate and arrest those responsible,' the force noted. In a statement, the Ministry of Defense said, 'We strongly condemn this vandalism of Royal Air Force assets. We are working closely with the police who are investigating.' The ministry did not immediately respond to a question on whether it would open a review of security at the site. Britain's largest R.A.F. base, Brize Norton houses about 5,800 service personnel, 300 civilian staff members and 1,200 contractors. According to its official website, the base 'provides rapid global mobility in support of U.K. overseas operations and exercises,' as well as air-to-air support for jets, 'both on operations and in support of U.K. homeland defense.' This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Man who exposed himself to drivers on M40 overbridge wanted by police
A manhunt has been launched for a man who exposed himself to drivers on an overbridge of the M40 in Oxfordshire. The incident occurred at on the M40 junction 11 at Banbury on June 18, at about 5.45pm, in which a male was standing on the overbridge exposing himself. Thames Valley Police for Cherwell have today (June 20) launched an appeal for anyone who witnessed the exposure incident to come forward. READ MORE: Reports of fire at Oxfordshire M40 major crash A spokesperson for the force said: "Were you travelling on the M40 at junction 11 on June 18 at 5.45pm? Experience the pulse of Oxford at your fingertips 🗞️ With our flash sale, Oxford Mail keeps you updated for less: only £4 for 4 months or save 40 per cent on an annual subscription. Don't miss out on what's happening locally #DigitalDeal #LocalJournalismhttps:// — Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) June 16, 2025 "If you were you may be able to help us with an investigation of exposure we are currently looking into. "If you saw the male or have any Dashcam footage that may help us to identify who they are please can you make contact." Anyone with information relating to this incident should contact police by calling 101 or making a report online quoting reference number 43250302938.
