Offenders should be moved to open prisons to tackle overcrowding, says former justice secretary

New figures show that there are 74 assaults per day in jails in England and Wales, with a total of 26,912 assault incidents in 2023, including 3,205 serious assaults. Nearly 10,000 assaults were on staff, with 825 deemed serious. The most violent prison was HMP Wandsworth, where over half of the 1,044 total assaults were on staff. Full Article

Airline passengers at Gatwick, Heathrow, and Manchester airports faced severe delays and cancellations due to thick fog, with most flights delayed by over two hours. Manchester airport experienced significant delays, with flights to various destinations delayed by over four hours. Air traffic control provider Nats implemented temporary restrictions to ensure safety, working closely with airports and airlines to minimize disruption caused by the chaotic weather conditions. Full Article

Tim Darby, brother of murder victim Robert, accuses the justice system of failing as an "innocent man" remains imprisoned for 12 years following Robert's fatal stabbing in London. Jason Moore was convicted of the 2005 murder based on eyewitness identification, but Tim believes in his innocence and has been advocating for his release. In an open letter to authorities, Tim asserts that Jason's wrongful imprisonment dishonors his brother's memory and highlights systemic failures within the...

Your support enables The Independent to cover important stories like reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech, with a commitment to factual reporting. Donations help fund journalists to provide balanced coverage and ensure quality journalism is accessible to all. A recent incident involving a suspicious item on a beach in Cumbria turned out to be a harmless loudspeaker, highlighting the importance of public safety measures in handling such situations. Full Article

On Boxing Day in the town of Kippax near Leeds, a seven-year-old girl was left with life-changing injuries after the quad bike she was riding on crashed into a telegraph pole outside a pub. A 16-year-old boy has been arrested for causing serious injury by dangerous driving, while a man and a woman in their thirties have been arrested for child neglect. The incident occurred at around 10.30pm, and police are appealing for witnesses and...

Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to his late brother Nick, who passed away from cancer at the age of 60 on Boxing Day. The prime minister described Nick as a wonderful man who faced life's challenges with courage and humor, expressing gratitude to those who cared for him. Sir Keir canceled his holiday plans to be with his family during this difficult time, receiving condolences from Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. Full Article