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More foreign criminals will have their appeals heard from abroad, preventing them from gaming the system to delay their deportation from the UK, in the latest step to restore order to the UK’s immigration system as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.
The scope of the ‘Deport Now Appeal Later’ scheme will be nearly trebled from eight countries to 23, with foreign nationals from those countries (listed below) now expected to be deported to their home countries before they can appeal against that decision, increasing the UK’s ability to remove foreign criminals at the earliest opportunity, and easing pressure on the detention and prison estate.
Under the expanded scheme, foreign nationals who have had their human rights claim refused will be removed from the UK to their home country before they can appeal the decision. Individuals can then take part in their UK appeal hearing from overseas using video technology.
Previously, offenders from the countries in question could remain in the UK for months or years while their cases were worked through the appeals system, placing a burden on the taxpayer even beyond the end of their prison sentence. The Government is in continuous discussions with a range of other countries about joining the scheme.
This represents the Government’s latest tool in its comprehensive approach to scaling up our ability to remove foreign criminals. This has seen almost 5,200 removed since July 2024 – an increase of 14% compared to the same 12 months prior and builds on wider action to deliver on the British public’s priorities for safer streets and secure borders through our Plan for Change.
On Sunday, further measures were announced to allow foreign national offenders to be deported immediately after sentencing, saving taxpayer money by removing more foreign criminals directly from our prisons.
In addition, the Home Office is legislating to ensure that asylum seekers who commit notifiable sex offences can be stripped of their right to claim refugee protections under new powers in the Borders Security, Asylum & Immigration Bill.
We have also invested £5 million for the deployment of specialist staff to almost 80 jails with one clear mission – speeding up removals.
Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper said: “For far too long, foreign criminals have been exploiting our immigration system, remaining in the UK for months or even years while their appeals drag on. That has to end.
“Those who commit crimes in our country cannot be allowed to manipulate the system, which is why we are restoring control and sending a clear message that our laws must be respected and will be enforced.”
Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said: “We are leading diplomatic efforts to increase the number of countries where foreign criminals can be swiftly returned, and if they want to appeal, they can do so safely from their home country.
“Under this scheme, we’re investing in international partnerships that uphold our security and make our streets safer.”
In addition to the measures set out above, the government’s Immigration White Paper in May has also set out new plans to tighten the rules around how Article 8 of the Human Rights Act – the ‘right to a family life’ – may be used when appealing against deportation orders or the rejection of asylum claims, to ensure that the UK’s immigration rules are no longer abused.
These measures support the Government’s Plan for Change mission to secure borders through systematic immigration reform. The approach includes returning 35,000 people with no right to remain since July 2024, surging illegal working raids and arrests by 50%, and increasing asylum decision-making by more than 116%.
Crimestoppers the independent charity dedicated to giving people the power to speak up and stop crime, has launched a powerful new campaign to draw urgent attention to a distressing trend: increased levels of violence against women and girls during and after major sporting events.
Recent statistics and reports from frontline services have shown that incidents of domestic abuse and gender-based violence spike around the time of significant sporting occasions.
These events, while a source of national pride and community, can also act as triggers for harmful behaviours in some individuals, putting women and girls at greater risk.
Lydia Patsalides spokesperson for the charity Crimestoppers said: “Sport should unite and inspire us, and for the most part it does. But we cannot ignore the well-documented rise in violence towards women and girls that coincides with major fixtures.
“These are not isolated incidents – they represent a national issue that affects communities across the UK.”
The new campaign encourages the public to recognise the signs of violence and use Crimestoppers anonymous reporting service to speak up safely if they are concerned about someone’s wellbeing.
Crimestoppers is also working with sporting bodies, law enforcement agencies and support charities to spread awareness, challenge harmful attitudes, and promote prevention strategies at every level.
If you see something say something. By speaking up – 100% anonymously – you could help save lives. No tip is too small, and your voice is vital.
Two people have been arrested in connection with drugs offences in Edinburgh.
Around 11.30am on Friday, 8 August, 2025, officers stopped and searched a 21-year-old man in Hailesland Grove, who was found in possession of cannabis.
Further enquiries led officers to a car parked nearby where officers recovered quantities of Cocaine and Heroin. The estimated value of the drugs is more than £74,000.
Officers also searched two addresses in the Wester Hailes and Pilton areas of Edinburgh with a quantity of cash being recovered from one of the addresses.
A man and woman, both aged 21, have been arrested and charged in connection with drugs offences.
They are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 11 August, 2025.
Detective Sergeant John Dunn said: “We work tirelessly to remove illegal drugs from communities every day and remain committed to disrupting the activities of those who supply drugs.
“We cannot tackle this issue alone and would urge the public to continue supporting us in building intelligence about the possession and supply of drugs by contacting Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
POLICE are appealing for information following a series of linked high-value car thefts across Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Lothians and Borders.
Between Tuesday, 15 July, and Thursday, 7 August, several vehicles, including BMWs, Audis and a Mini were stolen from various residential addresses.
Details of the thefts are as follows:
Polwarth Terrace, Edinburgh – Between 2am and 3am on Tuesday, 15 July, a white BMW M340i, registration EH10 JEN and a black/red Mini Clubman, registration, EA20 SXT were stolen. Incident 0781 of 15 July
The Orchard, Berwick-upon-Tweed – Between 8pm on Monday, 4 August, and 7.30am on Tuesday, 5 August, a white BMW X3, registration VGZ 4001 was stolen. Incident 0632 of 5 August.
Matthews Drive, Newtongrange, Midlothian – Between 11.30pm on Tuesday, 5 August, and 12.30am on Wednesday, 6 August, black Audi A6, registration RE59 TKA, and a black Audi Q5, registration KS20 KNA, were stolen. Incident 0923 of 6 August.
Norman McLeod Crescent, Glasgow – Between 11.30pm on Tuesday, 5 August, and 12.30am on Wednesday, 6 August, a grey BMW M4, registration SF25 JJK and a grey BMW M3 Competition, registration SH23 WXT, were taken. Incident 0365 and 0358 of 6 August.
Gilsland Grange, North Berwick – Between 1am and 2am on Thursday, 7 August, a grey Audi RS3, registration EJ18 WGO, was stolen. Incident 0503 of 7 August.
Detective Sergeant Will Dickson said: “Extensive enquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible for these thefts and recover the stolen cars.
“Our investigation so far suggests that the cars may be in the Edinburgh area, although they could be displaying cloned or false number plates.
“If you’ve seen any cars matching the make and model of those described in your area and believe them to be out of place, or noticed any suspicious activity in relation to them, please get in touch.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting the relevant incident number or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Four men have been charged with more than 30 retail crime offences following enforcement carried out in Edinburgh.
On Tuesday (4 August) local officers, acting on intelligence gathered by the Retail Crime Taskforce, arrested a 45-year-old and 37-year-old in connection with 21 shoplifting incidents from supermarkets and convenience stores in Causewayside and Marchmont.
A 36-year-old man was also arrested for five shopliftings that took place at supermarkets in Gorgie and Chesser, while a 41-year-old was arrested in connection with five separate warrants that were all in relation to shoplifting offences in the Chesser and Gorgie areas.
Inspector David Duthie said: “These arrests are further example of the successful collaboration between divisional officers and Retail Crime Taskforce colleagues to address retail crime within the Capital.
“All reports of retail crime are treated with the utmost seriousness, and whether it’s one shoplifting incident, or several, we will use all resources at our disposal to bring offenders to justice.”
Around 5.30pm yesterday (Thursday, 7 August) police received a report of men seen in possession of what appeared to be a firearm on Loganlea Terrace.
Emergency services attended and found a property on fire.
There were no reports of any injures.
Following further enquiries two men aged 22 and 29 were arrested in connection with drug offences. They have been released pending further enquiries which are ongoing.
No weapons were recovered.
Enquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire.
A teenager involved in the significant disorder within the South West of Edinburgh during Bonfire Night 2024 has been given a prison sentence.
At Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 4 August, the 17-year-old, who cannot be named, was sentenced to one year and six months in prison for mobbing and rioting, which took place in Calder Road on 5 November.
He previously pled guilty to the Calder Road incident and a separate disorder offence that took place on Princes Street on 5 October 2024 and has so far served eight months in prison, having been remanded in custody.
Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh said: “The scenes we witnessed in Calder Road, along with other areas of the city, last Bonfire Night were wholly unacceptable and resulted in a local car dealership having thousands of pounds worth of damage inflicted upon their vehicles, while our colleagues at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service also had their station in the area targeted.
“This individual was an active participant in the disorder and damage that took place during this time, and he was subsequently arrested as a result of thorough inquiries conducted by local officers and CID colleagues.
“His prison sentence is a welcome outcome and should once again highlight the joint commitment of both Police Scotland and COPFS to ensure those responsible for these crimes are brought to justice for their dangerous and unacceptable actions.”
SMALL BOAT CROSSINGS AT RECORD LEVELS
Dangerous criminal gangs profiting from deadly small boats crossings will face a major new crackdown following a £100 million investment in border security.
The funding will pay for up to 300 extra National Crime Agency officers (NCA), state-of-the art detection technology and new equipment to smash the networks putting lives at risk in the Channel.
The investment will see the Border Security Command, the NCA, the police and other law enforcement agency partners receive a significant cash injection to strengthen investigations targeting smuggling kingpins and disrupt their operations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and beyond.
The package of up to £100 million will boost existing law enforcement operations and allow more intelligence to be gathered on organised immigration crime gang members, support upstream capacity building, purchase sophisticated technology and equipment to strengthen UK border security and disrupt the people-smuggling gangs.
The investment will build on the recent successes under existing funding, including the arrest and prosecution of major smuggling gang kingpins, the seizure of over 600 small boats and engines, and the disruption of a further 351 criminal gangs through the work of the NCA.
It comes as the NCA announced their biggest people-smuggling raid and seizure of boat engines in Bulgaria last week – showing the impact increased international law enforcement operations can have.
The comprehensive funding package will include:
The investment will also support the new powers that will be introduced when the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill becomes law, which will include the introduction of a UK-wide offence to criminalise the creation and publication of online material that promotes a breach of immigration law, such as the advertisement of small boat crossings on social media.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “For six years, the small boat smuggling gangs were allowed to embed their criminal trade along our coast, and have shown a ruthless ability to adapt their tactics and maximise their profits, no matter how many lives they put at risk. They must not be allowed to get away with this vile crime.
“That is why this government has developed a serious and comprehensive plan to dismantle their business model, from disrupting their supply chains across the European continent to clamping down on their illegal working operations here in the UK.
“In the last twelve months, we have set the foundations for this new and much stronger law enforcement approach – establishing the new Border Security Command, strengthening the National Crime Agency and UK police operations, increasing Immigration Enforcement, introducing new counter terror style powers in our Border Security Bill, and establishing cooperation agreements with Europol and other countries.
“Now this additional funding will strengthen every aspect of our plan, and will turbo-charge the ability of our law enforcement agencies to track the gangs and bring them down, working with our partners overseas, and using state-of-the-art technology and equipment.
“Alongside our new agreements with France, this will help us drive forward our Plan for Change commitments to protect the UK’s border security and restore order to our immigration system.”
National Crime Agency Director General of Operations Rob Jones said: “The NCA focuses on making the biggest impact on organised crime groups behind these lethal crossings.
“We currently have 91 investigations ongoing into the most dangerous people smuggling networks impacting the UK, and are working with partners at home and abroad to target, disrupt and dismantle them.
“This additional funding will help boost our capacity and capability, enabling us to target more offenders.”
The NCA has reported that, in the 2024/25 financial year, it achieved 351 NCA-led disruptions of organised immigration crime networks and activity – its highest level on record – and a 40 percent increase on the previous financial year.
That included 56 high-impact NCA-led disruptions, which meant that those particular investigations led to the prosecution and disruption of those directly responsible for committing the crimes, and resulted in a significant and/or long term impact on the capability of the organised crime group involved.
These new measures fall within government’s Plan for Change.
The government says it is ”restoring order to the immigration system, including the introduction of new legislation under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, tougher enforcement powers, ramping up returns to their highest levels for more than half a decade and a major crackdown on illegal working to end the false promise of jobs used by gangs to sell spaces on boats’.
‘It builds on the work this government has already undertaken to restore order to the immigration system, surging enforcement action against illegal migration, with a 50% increase in arrests of those caught working illegally, returning 35,000 people with no right to be in the UK, and imposing tougher sanctions against gang ring leaders, key intermediaries and suppliers of people-smuggling equipment.‘
Felix Winter, aged 18 years, has been sentenced to six years in prison for Terrorism offences, at the High Court in Glasgow.
The court heard Winter committed the offences between June 2022 and July 2023, when he was aged between 15 and 16. Winter had made known to others ‘desire and plans to carry out acts of violence involving firearms, explosive devices and poison against pupils and teachers at the school’.
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said: “This was an extremely complex and fast-moving investigation, and I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the diligence and hard work of the officers who worked tirelessly to gather the evidence and bring the perpetrator to justice.
“The inquiry also underlines the advantages of working closely in partnership as part of the Prevent programme, which promotes early intervention through tailored, diversionary support to individuals who may be susceptible to supporting or committing terrorism to help keep our communities safe.”
