News and Knowledge

Kirklevington Detention Centre is under investigation for historic abuse against detainees

Former inmates have alleged to have been “forgotten and frozen out” after claiming to have been abused as youths at a correctional facility.   The Kirklevington Detention Centre, which operated from the 1960s to the 1990s, has been the focus of multiple historical abuse claims of staff members abusing juvenile inmates physically and sexually.  …

White Ribbon Day 2024

November 25 marks White Ribbon Day – aimed at preventing violence against women and girls by addressing the root causes.   At Oakwood Solicitors Ltd, we are proud to join the campaign dedicated to ending male violence against women and promoting gender equality.     What is White Ribbon Day? White Ribbon Day is part…

Record number of knife crime arrests made in West Yorkshire

West Yorkshire Police has made a record number of knife crime arrests this year after launching Operation Jemlock.   Between July and the end of September Operation Jemlock officers made a total of 657 arrests, the highest number made in the summer period since the unit’s formation in 2019.     During the summer, the…

Police issue appeal after 334 people arrested and eight people stabbed at Notting Hill Carnival

Notting Hill Carnival took to the streets in London over the bank holiday weekend, but despite the festivities, there were hundreds of violent crimes which took place among crowds.   Metropolitan police have confirmed that there were more than three hundred people arrested for various offences across the two-day event, including eight stabbings and one…

Zombie knife amnesty scheme to open ahead of ban

An amnesty scheme has been opened to encourage people who own dangerous ‘zombie knives’, to deposit the weapons without repercussions.   From 24 September, it will be illegal to own zombie-style knives and machetes as they will be added to the list of dangerous prohibited items already banned, including zombie knives, butterfly knives, Samurai swords…

Thai Massage workers ‘intimidated and scared’ by sexual abuse

Workers at a Thai massage parlour have said they feel intimidated and scared of abuse from men often mistaking them for sex workers.   Gem Bunngam who owns Gem Traditional Thai Massage in Worcester, said the business was plagued by prank calls and abuse, particularly by men asking for “happy endings” at least twice a…

Fifth of delivery drivers fear they might be attacked as murder investigation launched

After calls for delivery drivers to get more protection doing their rounds, detectives are investigating the murder of a man in Leeds.   The incident comes after unions called for action earlier this year, as more than a fifth of delivery drivers feared they might be attacked while doing their job.     Now police…

Repeat knife crime offenders at record high in West Yorkshire, figures show

The number of repeat knife crime offenders in West York hit a record high in the past year, figures show.   Ministry of Justice data shows that the Criminal Justice System dealt with 753 knife and offensive weapon offenders in West Yorkshire in the year to March. Of these, 214 had a previous conviction or…

New figures reveal surge in violent attacks and sexual assaults on Britain’s railways

Recent data has revealed a concerning increase in violent and sexual crimes on Britain’s railways, raising significant safety concerns.   Over the past two years, the number of violent incidents on trains has escalated by 50%, climbing from 7,561 cases in 2021 to 11,357 in 2023.     Meanwhile, sexual assaults have risen by 10%…

Church of England Abuse: Blackburn Cathedral priest posed ‘significant risk’ to children

Concerns have been raised after it was found that a Church of England priest was paid off after being assessed as a ‘potential risk to children and young people’.   According to a BBC investigation, Canon Andrew Hindley, who worked in the Blackburn diocese from 1991 to 2021 – was subject to five police investigations,…