Every police force to have specialist rape investigation unit – but not until 2029

Specialist rape and sex offences investigation teams will be established at every police force by 2029, the government has announced.

Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, said tools and tactics used to catch abusers are outdated and must be replaced by dedicated teams at all 43 forces in England and Wales.

Almost 30 forces already have a dedicated rape and serious sexual offence unit, The Independent understands. However, every force will not have one until 2029, the Home Office admitted.

Campaigners have said the delays are not acceptable and will leave survivors with an inconsistent response when they come forward.

The announcement, billed as the “largest crackdown on violence perpetrated against women and girls in British history” also includes a nationwide rollout of domestic abuse protection orders, which have been trialled over the last year.

The reforms are set to be part of the long-awaited Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy, due to be unveiled next week.

Ministers have pledged to halve VAWG in the next decade but have faced criticism over delays to publishing their plans.

On Tuesday, chairs of the home affairs committee, justice committee and women and equalities committee wrote to ministers over concerns from VAWG groups, warning that the delay is creating “significant uncertainty” across the sector and sending a message VAWG is “not a government priority”.

Announcing the latest measures, Ms Mahmood, said: “This government has declared violence against women and girls a national emergency.

“For too long, these crimes have been considered a fact of life. That’s not good enough.

“We will halve it in a decade. Today, we announce a range of measures to bear down on abusers, stopping them in their tracks.

“Rapists, sex offenders and abusers will have nowhere to hide.”

Domestic abuse protection orders can impose conditions to help protect victims from domestic abuse, including coercive behaviour, stalking and so-called honour-based violence.

Conditions can include mandatory curfews, electronic tagging, exclusion zones and notification requirements on abusers, with offenders who break orders facing up to five years in jail.

Nearly £2m will also be invested in a network of officers to target violence against women and girls online, the Home Office said.

It is expected to build on the success of an undercover network on child sexual abuse, which has resulted in over 1,700 perpetrators being arrested.

Andrea Simon, director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, welcomed the reforms but urged police forces to prioritise them without delay.

“All survivors deserve care, support and sensitivity when they take the courageous step to report what happened to them to the police, and to see their case investigated properly and thoroughly for the greatest chance of accessing justice,” she added.

“However, we are concerned that this may not be fully in place until 2029. In the meantime, survivors may often receive an inconsistent response depending on the force area they live in. This is not acceptable.

“Victims of rape are facing enormous challenges in the criminal justice system, with lengthier delays to their cases than any other crime type. We urge police forces to prioritise implementation of these reforms without delay.”

Under Rishi Sunak’s conservative government, the Home Office announced last year that they were rolling out Operation Soteria nationwide, a program which has helped police and prosecutors work more closely together when investigating rape and sexual offences.

Ms Mahmood has previously hinted she is considering major reforms which could drastically reduce the number of police forces in England and Wales.

Only 1,000 people turn out to Tommy Robinson’s ‘Christmas service’

Far-right activist Tommy Robinson’s latest event drew far fewer numbers on Saturday, as he led what he called an effort to “put the Christ back into Christmas” in London.

Only around 1,000 people gathered in Whitehall on Saturday for the carol concert, according to reported estimates.

It marks a sharp drop off in attendance compared to the estimated 110,000 to 150,000 people. people who participated in a London protest led by Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, in September.

Ahead of the event, Bishops at the Diocese of Southwark said they were “gravely concerned” about the use of Christian symbols to “justify racism and anti-migrant rhetoric”.

Writing for The Independent, Right Reverend David Walker, the Bishop of Manchester, also hit out at fake claims that “Christmas has been cancelled” and criticised those seeking to politicise Christianity.

After gathering outside Downing Street on Saturday afternoon, crowds listened to speakers on stage give readings and sing hymns.

Attendees received hymn sheets, while a vendor sold St George’s flags and Santa hats as chants of “Christ is King” and tributes to Charlie Kirk were heard.

Closing the event, Yaxley-Lennon said he used to “hate the church” but met a pastor in prison who taught him about the bible.

A priest sitting among the crowd shouted that Jesus had been a migrant.

“I’ve worked with lots of former offenders like Tommy Robinson,” she said, offering to speak to attendees about Christianity.

His Unite The Kingdom gathering was separated from a counter-protest organised by Stand Up To Racism in central London at the same time.

While previous confrontations between similar groups on Whitehall earlier this year resulted in police violence, Saturday’s demonstration appeared to proceed peacefully.

In September, Robinson organised a Unite The Kingdom rally in central London attended by between 110,000 and 150,000 people.

More than 150 reports of anti-Muslim hate were made to the Tell Mama charity monitoring the issue in the seven days following the rally.

Officers were assaulted as they faced “significant aggression” from protesters, the force said.

Projectiles were thrown by Robinson protesters towards the counter-demonstrators as thousands from both sides stared each other down on Whitehall.

Posting on X before the event on Saturday, Robinson said: “I want to remind everyone this is a religious celebration, this is not a political event.

“No face coverings, and no drinking please, as we have always done, let’s self police, behave respectfully and let’s make sure we honour our faith, our culture, and our heritage in the very best way we can.”

Two arrests were made overall. One person was arrested earlier in the day for an assault on a mounted officer in nearby Whitehall Place. The second arrest was for a man suspected of directing homophobic abuse towards an officer at a previous protest.

Trains cancelled, homes set to flood and roads closed amid heavy rain

A Met Office amber weather warning is now in force as “very heavy and persistent rain” is expected to continue into next week, with a potential danger to life in some areas.

Homes and businesses in parts of northern England and south-west Scotland are likely to become flooded on Sunday and Monday, the forecaster warned.

The amber rain warning, which came into effect at midnight on Sunday, covers south-west Scotland including Dumfries and Galloway, the Lothian Borders and Strathclyde.

Some areas could see 110mm to 130mm of rainfall before the alert expires at 11.59pm tonight.

Another amber alert is in effect for Cumbria, lasting until 6pm on Monday.

ScotRail announced on X that “due to forecast heavy rain across Dumfries and Galloway, for safety reasons, services between Kilmarnock and Dumfries will not operate” on Sunday.

Network Rail Scotland also announced that several rail lines, including Bridge of Allan–Perth, the West Coast Main Line, and services between Glasgow Central and Stranraer or Carlisle via Kilmarnock, would operate with speed restrictions from 6am on Sunday due to weather concerns.

The A66 in County Durham and Cumbria was closed in both directions due to high winds between the A1M at Scotch Corner and M6 at Penrith, National Highways announced.

A yellow rain alert is in place for Northern Ireland until 6am on Monday, with the Met Office warning “flooding of a few homes and businesses is likely”.

Marco Petagna, meteorologist at the Met Office, said: “Really, it’s a very slow moving band (of rain). That’s why we’re going to see those high rainfall totals.

“So the warnings are out quite widely across the sort of north-west of the UK, even down into Wales as well.

“Over the next few days, we’re looking at 20mm to 70mm towards the north-west of the UK, so one to three inches of rain, fairly widely.

“In those amber warning areas, we could see 200mm or more,” Mr Petagna added.

“So that’s eight inches or more – and yes, obviously, quite likely to give some flooding issues over the next few days.”

A yellow rain alert remains in place across South West Scotland, Central, Tayside and Fife, Highlands and Eilean Siar until 11.59pm on Sunday.

Further warnings cover parts of England, including the East Midlands, North East England, North West England, Yorkshire and Humber, until 6pm on Monday.

Those in the areas covered by the amber alerts for rain should avoid floodwater where possible. The forecaster said it is not safe to drive, walk or swim through floodwater.

People affected by fast-flowing or deep floodwater should call 999 and wait for help, the forecaster added.

It will be better to avoid travelling by road in some areas as conditions are expected to become “potentially dangerous” because of flooding.

The washout will likely lead to power cuts and some communities could be cut off because of flooded roads.

The Met Office advised residents in affected areas to prepare a flood kit, containing insurance and any other important documents, a torch and spare batteries, a first-aid kit and prescription medicines.

The kit should also contain supplies for looking after family members or pets, as well as warm and waterproof clothes, blankets, and food and water, the Met Office said.

“It’s not until later Monday, towards the end of Monday, before that front really clears away from the north-west of England,” Mr Petagna said.

The UK is likely to see mild temperatures of 10C to 13C over the next couple of days, which is three or four degrees above the seasonal average, Mr Petagna added.

Though it is expected the weather will settle around Tuesday next week, the respite is likely to be brief with more heavy rain set to come in from the west from Wednesday, Mr Petagna said.

“It’s going to be fairly widespread. I think much of the UK will see some wet and windy weather later in the week, again.

“But we need to keep an eye on that because there’s potential further warnings might be needed.

“There is, heading towards Christmas, a hint that things could start to quieten down. But the next week to 10 days look pretty unsettled.”

Lewis Hamilton’s nightmare before Christmas – and what’s coming next

Lewis Hamilton, at the conclusion of his 19th and worst season in Formula One, could not have been more unambiguous. “No one’s going to be able to get hold of me this winter,” he said, after the season finale in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

“I won’t have my phone with me and I’m looking forward to it. Just completely unplugged from the matrix. I’ve generally always had it around, but this time it’s going in the fricking bin.”

Whether it be skiing in the Rocky Mountains near his Colorado home or keeping a low profile at his houses in London and New York, Hamilton is clearly planning a period of much-needed inconspicuousness. Even disregarding the lofty, dreamworld ambitions at the start of 2025, it has been a wretched season for the seven-time F1 world champion.

The significant statistics read as follows: 24 races, zero wins, zero podiums. Hamilton was only really in contention for a top-three finish once, at Silverstone, when Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg pipped him. The 40-year-old also finished sixth in the world championship with 156 points – his lowest total since the current points format was introduced in 2010.

And in qualifying, which has been Hamilton’s stark weakness over the last few years, he trailed teammate Charles Leclerc 19-5 (mirroring the “scoreline” from 2024 against his then Mercedes teammate George Russell) and was eliminated in Q1 in his last four qualifying sessions of the season, including the sprint in Qatar. What followed afterwards in the media pen was a man devoid of any hope and belief, almost unable to muster any words at all.

For Hamilton, an athlete so driven and hard-wired by high performance, it has been the toughest period of his career. When he signed a £50m-a-year contract at F1’s most fabled outfit in the sport’s biggest-ever driver move, it simply wasn’t meant to be like this.

“I feel terrible,” he said after round 22 in Las Vegas. “Terrible. It’s been the worst season ever. No matter how much I try, it keeps getting worse. I’m trying everything, in and out of the car.”

Has it been the car or the driver? Despite what Ferrari chairman John Elkann implied with his “talk less, focus on driving” comments last month, the answer is both.

Hamilton has found it difficult adapting to the capricious Ferrari car and the team’s antiquated way of working, particularly after 18 years of using Mercedes machinery. For instance, it was somewhat astonishing when, as rain fell at the season opener in Australia, he acknowledged that he wasn’t sure “which buttons to switch to” in the wet.

What was also clear from early on was Ferrari’s lack of progress over the off-season. From a point of finishing just 14 points behind champions McLaren in the 2024 constructors’ standings, they were now the fourth-quickest team, falling behind Mercedes and Red Bull.

Undoubtedly, when it became obvious a championship tilt was out of the question, Hamilton’s motivation and performance dipped. It was Ferrari’s first winless season since 2021.

But Leclerc’s dominance in qualifying and on the leaderboard – the Monegasque finishing 86 points ahead of Hamilton, with seven podiums to boot – also highlights the 28-year-old’s familiarity within the outfit in his seventh season, as well as his rapid one-lap prowess. Concurrently, Hamilton’s qualifying performances have dipped considerably, despite his having the most pole positions in F1 history.

Retirement talk for the legendary Briton, however, was far-fetched. Hamilton has a two-year contract at Ferrari, with an option for a third, and it is not in his character to throw in the towel when the going gets tough. In fact, history tells us Hamilton is often at his best when backed up against the wall, desperate to prove his doubters wrong.

All eyes now switch to 2026, when new engine and chassis regulations threaten to shake up the pecking order in arguably F1’s biggest-ever regulation change. Ferrari stopped development of their 2025 car in the summer, like most other teams, diverting attention to next year’s challenger.

The murmurs at this early stage are that Mercedes will be the frontrunners, such was their expertise in the last major engine-regulation change, back at the start of their hybrid-era dominance in 2014. If that is the case, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will be eyeing a title challenge, as will their three customer teams (McLaren, Williams and Alpine).

And unequivocally, it will signify that Hamilton’s decision to move away from the Silver Arrows was a mistake.

However, until the cars are on the road at the first private pre-season test in Barcelona at the end of January, it is all just speculation. Perhaps it will be Ferrari who steal a march on their competitors, which could include the likes of Aston Martin and Williams next year. Under-pressure team principal Fred Vasseur, who retains the faith of Hamilton and Leclerc, will certainly hope so.

Hamilton stated in July that he has sent three documents to engineers and decision-makers, and his presence at this week’s post-season test in Abu Dhabi – an event he usually skips – speaks to a man ultra-focused on improving the once-great Italian outfit.

The other factor at play is whether Ferrari themselves change tack. Leclerc is contracted until the end of 2029 but was promoted after just one season of promise at Sauber in 2018. Ferrari junior Ollie Bearman has driven a solid rookie season at Haas and is the next cab off the rank. Should he star in 2026, would Ferrari be inclined to give the Essex boy a quickfire promotion?

The prospect of Bearman usurping Hamilton feels unlikely, despite the elder statesman’s difficulties this year, and especially if Ferrari can produce a car capable of winning grands prix. Because that will be the ultimate indication of Hamilton’s current powers. That would give him a chance of winning a record-breaking eighth championship.

And that would give him the opportunity of an F1 swansong he so desperately craves.

Trump says he will retaliate after three Americans killed in Syria

President Donald Trump promised “serious retaliation” against ISIS after two U.S. Army soldiers and one civilian interpreter were killed and three other soldiers were injured in an attack in Syria on Saturday.

Hours after the Pentagon announced the three Americans had been ambushed by a “lone ISIS gunman,” the U.S. president vowed to seek retribution against the entity believed to have conducted the attack on U.S. and Syrian forces.

“This was an ISIS attack against the U.S., and Syria, in a very dangerous part of Syria, that is not fully controlled by [ISIS,] Trump wrote on Truth Social. “The President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is extremely angry and disturbed by this attack. There will be very serious retaliation.”

The attack on American forces occurred as U.S. soldiers were conducting a “key leader engagement,” as part of a counter-terrorism operation near the ancient city of Palmyra, Sean Parnell, the chief Pentagon spokesperson, said.

The motive for the attack remains unclear at this time, but the Pentagon is currently investigating, Parnell added.

U.S. Central Command said the gunman was killed.

In a statement, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said, “Let it be known, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you.”

The Pentagon is withholding the names of the deceased soldiers as well as any identifying information about their units until next of kin notification, Parnell said.

Trump told reporters Saturday afternoon that the three soldiers injured “are doing well.”

The ambush comes just days after Admiral Charles Bradford “Brad” Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command, expressed optimism for the future of Syria approximately one year after the fall of the al-Assad regime.

In a video message, Cooper said U.S. troops were in Syria to combat ISIS as well as support the integration of Syrian Democratic Forces with the Syrian government. The Trump administration has embraced the new Syrian leader.

As of December 2024, roughly 2,000 U.S. troops were in Syria, but the Trump administration has been reducing the number of troops over the last 10 months. In April, they said they would draw the number down to 1,400.

Despite pulling some troops from Syria, the U.S. continues to fight back against ISIS – though U.S.-backed troops initially defeated the last holdouts of the caliphate in 2019. But ISIS still maintains a presence in the region and periodically carries out deadly attacks.

Syria’s interior ministry spokesperson, Noureddine al-Baba, told Syria’s state media Sana that the attack took place at the entrance to a fortified Internal Security Forces headquarters after the end of a joint patrol.

The Independent understands that the suspected killer used small arms fire.

The identity of the attacker or his affiliation hasn’t been confirmed. Baba appeared to give contradictory statements by indicating the attacker may have been part of a force affiliated with Syrian security forces who had extremist ideology.

But he also said that he “held no leadership position and was not affiliated with the Internal Security Forces Command.”

Baba defended the ISF, saying that there are more than 5000 personnel affiliated with their forces in the Syrian desert and that “these personnel undergo weekly evaluations”.

He claimed that in one of these evaluations a few days ago, the perpetrator of the attack had been flagged as possibly having extremist views. A decision regarding his case was expected to be made on Sunday, but the attack happened the day before Saturday which is an administrative holiday.

Baba also said that ISF had issued prior warnings to partner forces in the international coalition “regarding preliminary intelligence indicating a possible breach or attack by ISIS. However, these warnings were disregarded.”

Education for all: How your skills could make you a great teacher

From construction and engineering to hospitality and beauty, Further Education teaching opens up doors to a wide range of careers. Encompassing a range of technical and vocational courses and qualifications for those over 16 who aren’t studying for a degree, it offers a more hands on, industry-led approach to learning.

Further Education offers a more focused, vocational approach and a fast-track into the workplace. It allows you to build on your existing skills and experience while shaping the next generation of professionals in your field. To find out more, we spoke to Further Education students and teachers about how it works and what they get out of it.

Further Education qualifications can be started from the age of 16. “It’s a step up from school but it doesn’t involve so much independent learning and research as many Higher Education degrees,” explains Susan Simmonds, 52, a Further Education lecturer in Land and Wildlife Management at Sparsholt College Hampshire. “During this time, learners gain so much maturity and a qualification that can take them out into industry,”

Sometimes this study might be full-time in college, while other Further Education opportunities offer apprenticeships, with students gaining qualifications while working on the job. Overall, the courses are generally more practical and directly linked to industry and preparing learners for their future careers. “These courses give students a wide range of relevant experience, knowledge and skills during a time when they’re maturing, and becoming ready to transition into the world of work,” Susan says.

There are often myths and misconceptions about the world of Further Education. From the learner side, many people don’t necessarily realise the opportunities available to them through Further Education, as Meri, 17, who is studying an Extended Technical Diploma in Land and Wildlife Management Level 3 at Sparsholt College, explains. “Many people I have spoken to don’t realise there are multiple ways to prepare for a career in industry, and that courses like mine can open those doors.”

For Meri, it’s been a really positive experience, and one that has helped prepare her for the workplace. “The college has a lot of contacts with industry and the assignments we do are similar to professional reports.” Meanwhile, Zach, 17, who is on the same course, has also thrived at the Further Education college: “I have been able to meet far more friends and great people and I feel as though it has helped me grow. It’s also provided many opportunities to experience real-world practical work.”

For those training or working as Further Education teachers, often after years spent in a specific industry sector, it’s the students that make their new career so rewarding. David Hobson, 54, who teaches the Motor Vehicle course at Stockton Riverside College, found that the job satisfaction he gets from sharing his personal know-how with the next generation of workers has kept him in Further Education teaching for 16 years. “The benefits of passing on my skills to young people keep me going. It’s an opportunity for me to equip learners with the industry skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their careers”

Susan, who teaches Further Education part-time alongside her work as a Community Ecologist, has had a similar experience: “I find the work really energising. Young people are so full of life and enthusiasm that I come home feeling uplifted.”

Whether it’s part-time alongside your current job or a switch to full-time teaching, Further Education teaching can be a really rewarding and valuable career move.

Teaching in a mixture of colleges (often General Further Education Colleges or Sixth Form Colleges) and Adult and Community Learning Centres, as well as workplace and apprenticeship settings, it can fit around your life and other commitments. While typical full-time contracts are around 35 hours a week, there are also some part-time or flexible options available.

Real world industry experience across a wide range of jobs can set you on a path to becoming a Further Education teacher, with opportunities in everything from construction and healthcare, to engineering, digital, hospitality, tourism and beauty. You don’t always need teaching qualifications to start teaching in further education, you can undertake training on the job which is often funded by your employer.

If, like Susan and David, you see the appeal of sharing the industry knowledge and skills you’ve developed with the next generation, exploring the option of becoming a Further Education teacher can be a great next step. As David points out, “You won’t know how enjoyable it is until you try it.”

Looking for a new role that’s rewarding, flexible and draws on your current career? Why not consider sharing your experience where it matters most – helping inspire the next generation of workers in the field you love? Visit the Further Education website to find out more

King ‘deeply touched’ by public reaction to cancer message

King Charles is “deeply touched” by the public’s response to his recent message regarding his cancer recovery, Buckingham Palace says.

The monarch had announced in a video message on Friday that his cancer treatment would be reduced in the new year.

He attributed the “good news” to an early diagnosis, effective care, and diligently following doctors’ advice.

Charles, who has received outpatient cancer treatment since early February 2024, also used the opportunity to encourage millions to undergo available screenings for the disease.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said on Saturday that they were “delighted by the scale and sensitivity of the worldwide media reaction”.

They added that they are “most grateful for the many kind comments we have received for the King, both from those working in cancer care and from the general public”.

“I know His Majesty will be greatly encouraged and deeply touched by the very positive reaction his message has generated,” the spokesperson added.

“He will be particularly pleased at the way it has helped to shine a light on the benefits of cancer screening programmes.

“It has long been the King’s view that if some public good can come from sharing elements of his personal diagnosis and treatment journey, then it would be his pleasure and duty to do so.

“His thoughts and warmest wishes will remain with all those affected by cancer and those who care for them.”

Delivering his message in support of the Stand Up To Cancer campaign, Charles said that early diagnosis had enabled him to “continue leading a full and active life, even while undergoing treatment”.

He went on to say he was “troubled” to learn that nine million people around the UK are not up to date with cancer screening that is available to them.

“That is at least nine million opportunities for early diagnosis being missed,” he said.

He added: “Too often, I am told, people avoid screening because they imagine it may be frightening, embarrassing or uncomfortable.

“If and when they do finally take up their invitation, they are glad they took part.

“A few moments of minor inconvenience are a small price to pay for the reassurance that comes for most people when they are either told they don’t need further tests or, for some, are given the chance to enable early detection, with the life-saving intervention that can follow.”

Charles urged people to use the online screening checker, screeningchecker.co.uk, which enables them to discover if they are eligible for screening.

Meghan Markle has ‘no plans’ to see estranged father, report claims

The Duchess of Sussex has no plans to see her estranged father and has given up hope on reconciliation, reports have claimed.

Earlier this week, Meghan reportedly reached out to father, Thomas Markle, who is currently in a Philippines hospital after having his leg amputated.

The duchess is said to have written him a letter, but has no plans to see him, The Times has reported.

The paper claimed the letter included Meghan’s feelings about Mr Markle’s participation in several media interviews, and reported that she has not had any contact from her father after she sent the letter.

It also said she did not call her father out of fear their phone call would be overheard, and that his media interviews are a key reason for why they are unlikely to ever reconcile.

The pair have been estranged since the run-up to her wedding, when Mr Markle said he would not attend due to ill health after he admitted posing for paparazzi pictures.

Earlier this week, the duchess’ spokesperson accused the Daily Mail of breaching “clear ethical boundaries” by reporting from his bedside in hospital.

In a statement, her spokesperson said: “Given that a Daily Mail reporter has remained at her father’s bedside throughout, broadcasting each interaction and breaching clear ethical boundaries, it has been exceedingly difficult for the duchess to contact her father privately, despite her efforts over the past several days.

“With the support of reliable and trusted contacts, her correspondence is now safely in his hands.”

Mr Markle told the Mail on Sunday that he doesn’t want to die distanced from his daughter and wishes to meet his grandchildren, Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, as well as her husband, the Duke of Sussex.

The paper has said “nothing has been published without his specific consent, and that of his son, and that “any suggestion we have ‘puppeteered’ Mr Markle is entirely false and strongly denied.”

The couple have brought numerous cases against media organisations since 2019, as part of what Harry calls a mission for truth and accountability after decades of press intrusion into his life.

In his latest court case, Harry and six others, including singer Elton John, are suing Daily Mail publisher Associated Newspapers over alleged unlawful information gathering dating back 30 years.

The trial will start in early 2026.