News and Knowledge

Leeds Pride 2024: LGBTQ+ Legal Rights Explained

Sunday marks the day of Leeds Pride, which celebrates all things LGBTQ+ in our city centre.   Colourful acts, drag, and live music will take to the streets to commemorate love, equality and friendship for all. Gay Pride has been celebrated for decades, to remember the Stonewall Riots, which took place in 1969. The riots,…

Women’s safety branded ‘national emergency’ as 80% feel scared to walk home alone

A national emergency has been declared for women’s safety, as more than 80% say they are scared to walk home on their own.   The survey, carried out by ITV News interviewed 1232 young adults, found that 81% of young women aged between 18-25 feel unsafe walking home in the dark.     Speaking to…

Domestic abuse reports increase by 22% since start of Euro 2024

Domestic abuse charities in Leeds have issued a warning, stating they are ‘bracing’ for an increase in calls as Euro 2024 gets underway.   Leeds Domestic Violence Service (LDVS) says that the number of calls received has already risen in the week since the Euro 2024 started, and charities even believe there is a “risk…

Police officer speaks out after suffering violent knife attack on duty

PC Mohammed Ahmed, a Leicestershire police officer, has spoken out about his fear of being assaulted again after suffering a knife attack in Leicester.   The 39-year-old officer sustained a facial wound during an incident on Beaumont Leys Lane on 22 September. According to data obtained by the BBC through a Freedom of Information request,…

Police issue ‘zero tolerance to violence’ warning ahead of Euro 2024

As football fans gear up for a month of fun (or tears) at the Euros, police forces across the UK have issued warnings to stop violence among supporters.   Although football often brings fans together to celebrate, it is unfortunately a time when reports of violence and domestic abuse increase when things go wrong.  …

Homophobic hate crime hotspots in the UK amid 462% surge in incidents

June marks Pride Month – A time for celebrating all things LGBTQ+ and raising awareness of how far society has come since the Stonewall riots back in 1969.   But although, on the surface, the world appears to be more inclusive now than ever before, figures show that the LGBT+ community still suffers from terrible…

NHS heart surgeon charged with 14 counts of sexual assault

A senior heart surgeon at an NHS hospital has been charged with 14 counts of sexual assault against six female members of staff over a five-year period.   Amal Bose, 54, formerly worked at Blackpool Victoria Hospital as the head of cardiovascular surgery but was arrested in August after reports of sexual offences against employees.…

Boy, 5, hospitalised after suspected XL Bully attack

A young boy has been hospitalised after being bitten by a dog suspected to be an XL Bully.   The incident occurred on Brazil Street in Hull at around 11:45 am on Tuesday, May 28. Police responded to reports of a five-year-old boy being bitten by a dog. The boy suffered head injuries in the…

Historic Abuse: Man jailed for ‘catalogue of sexual abuse’ against young boys

A 70-year-old man who carried out a “catalogue of sexual abuse” against young boys over three decades has been jailed.   Keith Lockwood, of Park Lane, Keighley was described as a ‘serial abuser’ by detectives, after carrying out offences during the 1970s, 80s and 90s. This week, Leeds Crown Court heard how Lockwood committed sexual…

Council told to apologise after refusing to rehome domestic abuse victim

A local council has been told to apologise after refusing to rehome a woman who was at risk of domestic abuse.   Kirklees Council delayed moving the woman for more than a month, despite evidence showing that she was at risk of harm of her former partner, a report by the Local Government Ombudsman found.…