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31 arrested in crackdown on people- smuggling gangs

A Home Office crackdown against people-smuggling gangs and people exploiting the Common Travel Area (CTA) has led to the arrest of 31 people in multiple locations across the UK.

As the UK government steps up its pursuit against the criminal groups abusing our borders on all fronts, Immigration Enforcement teams, alongside UK police forces and international partners, descended on locations in the UK including Belfast, Scotland, Liverpool and Luton as part of a three-day operation.

Checks were conducted at major ports, airports, and road networks across the country, targeting illegal migration and disrupting smuggling routes. Ruthless criminal gangs, operating both in the UK and internationally, often exploit vulnerable migrants, charging them thousands of pounds to enter the UK illegally, luring them with false promises of a better life.

During the operation, £400,000 of criminal cash and 10 fraudulent identity documents were seized. These documents, which are critical tools used by people-smuggling gangs, enable them to evade immigration controls.

Created by criminal networks, counterfeit documents allow migrants to bypass border checks, trapping vulnerable people in further illegal activities. By exploiting these people, the gangs not only profit but also place them at risk of severe legal and personal consequences.

The multi-agency operation was led by Immigration Enforcement’s Criminal and Financial Investigations team in Northern Ireland, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), the National Crime Agency (NCA), other UK police forces, and international partners.

This operation is part of a national effort to stop irregular migration and human trafficking at key entry points across the UK, as the government works to tackle people-smuggling gangs and bring those exploiting vulnerable people to justice.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, said: “This government will not stand by as criminal gangs exploit vulnerable people, risking their lives and giving them false hopes of a better life in the UK.

“Driven by greed, these gangs have no regard for human life or safety, charging outrageous fees, preying on those desperate to escape hardship, and forcing them into illegal and dangerous situations.

“We are taking the fight to them on all fronts under the leadership of our new Border Security Commander. Dismantling the business models of these gangs does not just apply to the small boats trade – we are also stamping out other routes into the UK to bring them to justice and slash their profits.”

Home Office Immigration Enforcement Inspector, Jonathan Evans, said: “This operation has been a huge success and sends a clear message that the smuggling gangs who break our laws will face serious consequences.

“We are taking action day in, day out to ensure we stay a step ahead of these criminal groups, disrupting them at the earliest possible stage. We will continue working relentlessly to ensure no one abuses the Common Travel Area or the UK’s borders.

“I’m incredibly proud of our teams across the country, as well as our partners from the police, the National Crime Agency, and international counterparts, for their hard work and collaboration in carrying out this important operation.”

Healthy Heart Tip: Know your numbers

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK

Healthy Heart Tip: Know your numbers

When was the last time you had your blood pressure checked? Around one in three people in the UK have high blood pressure, and around six million people are unaware that they have it. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, often doesn’t have any symptoms meaning that you wouldn’t know you had it unless you got it checked by a health professional or checked it yourself.

Several different factors affect your blood pressure, including physical activity, diet and genetics. Following a healthy or unhealthy lifestyle can impact your blood pressure readings. Everyone should aim for their blood pressure to be within a healthy range throughout the day especially at resting.

Here we give more information on blood pressure and the risks of hypertension.

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the pressure of blood on the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood around your body.

Systolic blood pressure is the first (or top) reading that you get on the BP monitor and the higher number of the two. This is the maximum reading recorded when your heart contracts.

Diastolic blood pressure is the second (or bottom) reading that’s on the monitor. This is the minimum recorded reading when your heart relaxes prior to the next contraction.

Blood pressure readings

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm/Hg) and is written in a form of systolic over diastolic.

A healthy blood pressure range is a reading below the healthy range is classed as having low blood pressure, and a reading from 121-140 systolic or 81-90 mm/Hg diastolic is within a raised range.

If your blood pressure is above this, then you have high blood pressure and need to visit your GP. High readings range from 141-160 systolic or 91-100 mm/Hg diastolic, with very high readings being anything above 160 or above 100 mm/Hg.

Risks of hypertension

Having high blood pressure increases your risk of having a stroke or heart attack. Uncontrolled high blood pressure damages the walls of your blood vessels, which results in plaque build-up and can lead to coronary heart disease or strokes.

It also damages the heart muscle due to it needing to work over-time, which can lead to heart failure.

Reducing your blood pressure

Physical activity and exercise are one of the best ways to strengthen your heart and reduce your blood pressure. Aim to carry out at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week.

Dietary factors such as consuming high amounts of salt and sugar increase your blood pressure and can influence weight gain. An easy way to reduce your blood pressure readings is by reducing your consumption of these by opting for low salt and sugar versions of foods, making sure you’re reading the food labels on packaging.

Consuming too much alcohol and smoking can increase your blood pressure too, so reducing these and stopping where possible will help your heart massively.

ROSPA: Falls Awareness Week

Falls Prevention Awareness Week 23 – 27 September

For #FallsAwarenessWeek, RoSPA ran a Fall Fighter awareness session with some of our colleagues at HQ!

Anyone can become a Fall Fighter – taking part is simple and requires no prior knowledge. The materials are designed for quick and effective delivery, with an average completion time of just 15-20 minutes.

Visit our website to find out more and download our FREE Fall Fighter training resources: : https://www.rospa.com/…/falls-prevention/fall-fighter

Council & Cruden Complete Energy-Efficient Passivhaus Social Housing Development

Midlothian Council and Cruden celebrated the completion of an energy-efficient Passivhaus development on Scottish Housing Day.

The milestone marked the official completion of 20 new council flats at St Cuthbert’s on Bonnyrigg High Street, built to the energy-efficient Passivhaus standard.

These flats include assisted living apartments and homes for residents aged 55 and over and were designed by the award-winning architecture firm AHR. The project is part of the most ambitious Passivhaus programme in Scotland, with a total of 182 new homes constructed by Midlothian Council to meet stringent building standards and achieve up to 90% in energy savings.

Councillor Stuart McKenzie, Cabinet Member for Housing commented: “It’s fantastic to see what was once a building site transformed into a modern, attractive development that our tenants are now calling home.

“Hearing first-hand how local people are enjoying warm, comfortable, and energy-efficient homes while helping us make progress towards our net zero target by 2030 is truly inspiring.”

The Passivhaus-certified homes feature bright, spacious interiors designed to reduce energy consumption, with Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems providing fresh air circulation while retaining the heat already generated in the apartments.

With an exterior designed to complement the surrounding architecture, the development seamlessly blends into the local community, enhancing the character of Bonnyrigg High Street.

Fraser Lynes, Managing Director at Cruden, expressed the company’s pleasure in working with Midlothian Council on these new homes: “It’s incredibly rewarding to see tenants already settling in and benefiting from energy-efficient living. This year’s Scottish Housing Day theme, ‘Homes for Life,’ truly reflects what we’ve accomplished here—creating a sustainable, future-proof community that addresses the environmental challenges of tomorrow.

“Knowing we’ve built homes that not only protect the environment but also significantly enhance the comfort and quality of life for residents is what makes projects like this so fulfilling.”

Midlothian Council’s commitment to sustainable housing is part of its wider strategy to achieve net zero emissions by 2030. With this latest Passivhaus development, the council continues to set an example for local authorities across Scotland, providing residents with affordable, energy-efficient homes while supporting environmental goals.

Lothian couple conquers the Edinburgh Kiltwalk for deaf children

Broxburn residents Stuart and Mhairi Shand conquered the Edinburgh Kiltwalk in support of the National Deaf Children’s Society on Sunday 15 September.

The couple took part in the Big Stroll Kiltwalk, which started in Musselburgh and passed through Portobello and Leith before finishing at Murrayfield Stadium, where they were greeted by their family. They completed the 11.2-mile course in three hours, 50 minutes.

They chose to support the National Deaf Children’s Society because their son Tommy was born deaf in April of last year and the family has been receiving ongoing support from the charity.

They’ve smashed their original fundraising target of £500, with over £1,000 raised so far for the charity, which supports the UK’s 50,000 deaf children and their families.

Stuart and Mhairi live in Broxburn, West Lothian, with their four children, Amelia, 14, Kian, 11, Annie, 6, and Tommy.

Stuart said: “The overall experience was amazing. It was a great atmosphere during the event and great to be part of it! Choosing the National Deaf Children’s Society was a no brainer for us.

“The support the charity has given us from day one has been great and the British Sign Language classes have been invaluable in helping us communicate with Tommy.

“The main inspiration though was Tommy. He’s our wee superhero and we just want to help make his life as easy as possible. He was waiting at the finish line for us but he was sleeping!”

Hannah Awesome, who supports fundraisers for the National Deaf Children’s Society, said: “I want to say a huge thank you to Stuart and Mhairi for taking on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk for us. We’re all very proud of you.

“The National Deaf Children’s Society is dedicated to supporting the UK’s 50,000 deaf children and their families. The efforts of selfless fundraisers like Stuart and Mhairi will help us to keep on doing our vital work, now and into the future.”

Holyrood committee seeks views on impact of funding deals to boost economies and create new jobs

The Scottish Parliament’s Economy and Fair Work Committee will examine how effective funding deals have been in improving Scotland’s local economies, in a new inquiry launched on Friday.

The Committee has opened a consultation to look at the implementation and effectiveness of Scotland’s City Region and Regional Growth Deals.

These are funding agreements between the Scottish Government, the UK Government and local partners to boost regional economic growth. Calling for views, the Committee aims to find out how the deals have contributed to addressing local issues, and supported development and inclusive growth.

There are currently 12 deals in Scotland, each tailored to local circumstances and priorities. This might include improved broadband and mobile coverage, reducing unemployment or supporting the life sciences industry.

Claire Baker MSP, Convener of the Economy and Fair Work Committee, said: “City Region and Regional Growth Deals have the potential to deliver significant transformations in communities across Scotland by attracting investment, creating new jobs and improving economic growth.

“We would like to understand more about how these impacts have been and are being measured, and how far lessons learned from earlier deals are informing newer deals.

“We’re particularly keen to hear from Scottish businesses to gauge experiences of engaging with local city region deals and about what support has been provided to bid for work.

“As a Committee, we will examine the progress of the Deals so far and identify whether they are delivering what they intended for the people of Scotland.”

Corstorphine locals: Vintage Vibes needs YOU!

Do you live or work in or around Corstorphine and could spare an hour or two a week to help tackle loneliness in your area?

We’re looking for lovely locals to become a friendship volunteer to a local older person who’s feeling alone.

To find out more about how you can change someone’s life for the better and make a difference on your doorstep, send us a DM or visit, vintagevibes.org.uk.

Do good. Feel good!

Tomorrow: Police drop-in at Pilton Community Health Project

PCHP BOSWALL PARKWAY – MONDAY 23 SEPTEMBER from 12 – 1pm

Community Police Drop-In Event

Hello neighbours!

We’re excited to host a Community Police Drop-In event happening Next Monday!

Date: Monday 23rd of September

Time: 12-1 pm

Location: Pilton Community Health Project, 73 Boswall Parkway, EH5 2PW

This is a fantastic opportunity to meet our local police officers, ask questions, share concerns, and learn more about how we can work together to keep our community safe.

Whether you have specific issues to discuss or just want to say hello, everyone is welcome! Let’s build a stronger, safer community together.

Feel free to bring your family and friends. Light refreshments will be provided.

See you there!

MSP visits local optometrist for National Eye Health Week

Miles Briggs MSP has visited local opticians McGraths Opticians in Edinburgh, ahead of National Eye Health Week.

He is backing the awareness week’s key message that going for regular eye examinations, which are free for everyone in Scotland, remains as important as ever in protecting your sight.

Miles Briggs, Conservative MSP for Lothian, says: “Meeting today with McGraph’s Opticians in Edinburgh, I heard directly about how important regular eye tests are for public health.

“National Eye Health Week is an opportunity to highlight how essential having a regular eye exam is.

“I encourage everyone to make sure they get an eye test, which is free in Scotland, at least every two years.”

National sight loss charity RNIB Scotland, and Optometry Scotland, the representative body for optometrists and dispensing opticians in Scotland are promoting this year’s National Eye Health Week which takes place from 23 to 29 September 2024 to highlight the importance of good eye health and the need for regular eye tests for all.

Positively, recent research from Public Health Scotland indicates that there has been an increase in eye examination uptake this year compared to last. There was a 6.7% increase across NHS Lothian for NHS funded eye examinations.

RNIB Scotland Director, James Adams says: “Having a regular eye test is important for people’s wider health – they can pick up early signs of sight threatening conditions as well as many other underlying health conditions.

“We are encouraged by a recent increase in the uptakes of eye tests, however we need to make sure everyone feels comfortable getting one.

“We’re here to support anyone experiencing changes in their vision and is worried about what this could mean. Along with other charities, we can provide the advice and support so you can make an informed decision about your healthcare. No one should go through an eye condition diagnosis without support.”

Optometry Scotland’s Executive Committee adds, “‘We are proud to collaborate with RNIB Scotland during National Eye Health Week.

“As part of our commitment to improving public health in Scotland, we want to encourage everyone to make use of NHS-funded eye examinations. These vital checks are not just about vision correction but are essential for the early detection of eye conditions and overall wellbeing.

“We are also grateful to work alongside RNIB Scotland in organising MSP visits, further highlighting the importance of eye health across the nation. By ensuring the public knows about the accessibility of these services, we can help safeguard the eye health of communities across Scotland.’

ICONS exhibition at granton:hub

ICONS is an 18+ historical erotica exhibition centred around mythology, cultism and the human body. Inspired by the life of Sir William Peck, the exhibit will take place in his genuine historical cult meeting house that entertained the golden dawn religion.

Hosted by Ethyn Haynes, an Edinburgh based artist inspired by historical technique, will showcase not only his artwork but also the work of Rachel Cornwall and Bronwen Winter Phoenix.

The pieces will be up for sale along with signed prints and other goodies.

The exhibition runs from Saturday the 28th until Sunday the 29th, 11am till 4pm.