In a year when pace bowling will be so crucial to England’s hopes, and with a number of seamers absent, those on show did little to press their claims.
The biggest opportunity was to Cook, who has been prolific for Essex. It would be harsh to write off anyone after one Test, and it could be that he picked a bad time to have a poor game. His average speed of 77.9mph was the slowest recorded by an England seamer since 2006 and was not compensated by accuracy.
Atkinson has credit in the bank after 52 wickets in 2024 and will surely improve, while Tongue showed glimpses of why England rate him so highly. In his three-Test career, he has been England’s second-fastest bowler behind Mark Wood.
At least Stokes was able to get through three sprightly spells across the match, including bowling the first over on Saturday. When he returned in the afternoon, he found extra bounce to Madhevere and Brook clung to his flying one-hander.
Bashir was undercooked before this Test, being sent on loan from Somerset to Glamorgan. He improved the more he bowled, a fuller length and straighter line to better the five-wicket haul he took in this ground against West Indies last year.
The lbw to get Williams was fortunate and Curran surrendered, but the flight to Tafadwa Tsiga, who charged and was bowled, was delightful.
Blessing Muzarabani holed out and Raza sliced to slip. When Tanaka Chivanga was lbw, Bashir had the first six-wicket haul by an England spinner in a home Test since Moeen Ali in 2017.
GOVERNMENT officials are investigating the possibility of Russia having links to arson attacks at properties belonging to Sir Keir Starmer, it is claimed.
Two homes and a car previously owned by the Prime Minister were torched earlier this month.
6
A burning car in the same north London street where Sir Keir Starmer has a propertyCredit: PA
6
Police forensics officers seen near the PM’s home on May 12Credit: Getty
6
The inquiry is being led by the Met’s counterterrorism commandCredit: Reuters
Officials probing whether the three Ukrainian-born men charged with arson or conspiring to commit arson were recruited by the Kremlin, according to senior Whitehall figures.
This is just one of many lines of investigation being explored.
Talks are ongoing on how to respond if this proves to be the case, they told the Financial Times.
Even if there are found to be Russian links that does not mean the suspects were aware of any Kremlin involvement.
Cops have already said they suspect the trio of suspects could be part of a wider community.
However, they are keeping an open mind about motive.
The inquiry is being led by the Met’s counterterrorism command due to the connection to a high profile public figure, the force previously confirmed.
The suspects have been charged with criminal as opposed to national security offences.
Petro Pochynok, 34, is accused of conspiring to damage by fire the PM’sformer Toyota Rav4,a property where he once livedand his family’sformer housewith intent to endanger life.
ModelsRoman Lavrynovych, 21, andStanislav Carpiuc, 26, are also charged with plotting arsons between April 17 and May 13.
The charges relate to a vehicle fire in Kentish Town on May 8, a fire at the entrance of a property in Islington on May 11 and a fire at a residential address in Kentish Town in the early hours of May 12.
The three suspects deny the charges.
On Monday, police raided a two-bed North London flat said to have been previously shared by Pochynok and Carpiuc, his dad and brother until about six months ago.
Pochynok is said to have last visited the property three weeks ago.
Six officers were seen carrying evidence bags out after spending about four hours inside.
Carpiuc was arrested last Saturday at Luton Airport as he prepared to catch a Wizz Air flight to Romania.
He studied business at Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent, and is awaiting his results.
On website StarNow.com, Carpiuc said he wanted to be the “top male model in the world”.
The suspects have not displayed any links to Russia.
One has previously posted pro Ukraine messaging on social media.
6
Petro Pochynok is the third man to appear in court charged over an alleged plot to torch two homes and a car linked to Sir Keir Starmer
6
Stanislav Carpiuc, 26, is also charged with plotting arsons between April 17 and May 13
6
Model Roman Lavrynovych, 21, of Sydenham, has also been chargedCredit: Pixel8000
Georgia O’Connor, a British boxer who was unbeaten in her young professional career, has died at age 25.
The promotion company BOXXER said in a statement Thursday that it was “heartbroken by the passing” of a fighter it had represented for all three of her professional bouts.
“A true warrior inside and outside the ring, the boxing community has lost a talented, courageous and determined young woman far too soon,” the company wrote. “Georgia was loved, respected and admired by her friends here at BOXXER. Our thoughts are with her loved ones at this difficult time.”
No cause of death has been given, but O’Connor had revealed on Jan. 31 on Instagram that she had been diagnosed with cancer.
“I’m still smiling and that smile will NEVER fade, no matter what,” she wrote. “We’ve already got an amazing oncologist on my case and we’ve made sure I’m going to have the best treatment and healing possible. Starting NOW.”
A GoFundMe page, which O’Connor had said was set up by her parents to help cover her medical bills, described the cancer as “rare and aggressive.”
“Doctors are calling it ‘incurable,’” the fundraiser’s description states.
Georgia O Connor attends an event at the Royal Albert Hall on March 7 in London.
(Jordan Peck / Getty Images)
“From the moment I was diagnosed with cancer, Adriano didn’t hesitate,” O’Connor wrote Feb. 3 on Instagram. “He quit his job without a second thought and made it his mission to fight this battle alongside me. Not just by my side, but leading the charge, doing everything in his power to save me.”
O’Connor was born Feb 18. 2000, in County Durham, England. Her father introduced her to boxing very soon afterward, she told SkySports in 2021.
“My dad put a pair of gloves on me before I could walk,” she said. “He always wanted me to be able to look after me. He never wanted me to be a superstar, my family aren’t like that. He just wanted me to defend myself because the world isn’t a nice place.”
She added: “I was a three-time national taekwondo champion, undefeated in kickboxing, but my heart has always been with boxing.”
As a youth boxer, O’Connor won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2017 and a silver and bronze at the Youth World Championships in 2017 and 2018. She won all three of her professional fights, between October 2021 and October 2022, later revealing she did so while suffering from what was eventually diagnosed as ulcerative colitis.
“I was going to the toilet between 15 and 20 times per day,” O’Connor wrote Feb. 9, 2024, on Instagram. “… I had pain in my joints and unbearable bowel cramps almost every day. I had 3 professional boxing fights during this time, all of which I somehow managed to win without any form of medication or treatment.”
O’Connor also revealed in February on Instagram that she had suffered a miscarriage within “the last few months.”
England Boxing paid tribute on Thursday to one of its rising stars in a statement .
“A hugely talented boxer and much-loved member of the boxing community, Georgia inspired many with her achievements in the ring and her spirit outside of it,” the sport’s governing body in England wrote. “Her dedication, passion, and talent made her a role model for young athletes across the country. Georgia’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those she inspired, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.”
International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization super bantamweight champion Ellie Scotney addresssed her late friend on Instagram.
“Being a pure soul and a good person gets thrown around so much, but you my friend are the definition of every word of that and so much more,” Scotney wrote. “I still can picture that timid shy but larger than life young girl walking on her tip toes a few steps in front of me, little did I know that very same girl was going to show not just me but the whole world how special life is and mostly how to live by every second.
“Even when life was on a timer, you never let anything dim that light of yours. A smile that never ever fades, and a heart that will forever live on in so many ways. There was nothing you couldn’t do, the world at your very feet no matter what room you entered. I was so blessed with not just a friend for 10 years, but a sister for life.”
Brian Bennett hit the fastest Test century by a Zimbabwe batter but England remain on course for victory in the one-off Test, after making the tourists follow-on on day two at Trent Bridge.
MAZDA is pulling the plug on its first and only electric car, criticised during its four-year run for its limited range and cramped cabin.
The MX-30, which made its world debut at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, is a subcompact crossover SUV that offered EV, plug-in hybrid, and mild hybrid variants.
4
Mazda’s first EV, the MX-30, is being discontinued after four years of mixed reviewsCredit: SUPPLIED
4
The MX-30’s 124-mile range, due to its small 35.5kWh battery, was a key factor in its struggles against rivalsCredit: Supplied
4
New EVs like the Jeep Avenger and MINI Aceman now dominate the subcompact electric SUV marketCredit: SUPPLIED
4
Its awkward, coach-style rear doors were also criticisedCredit: Supplied
But now, it’s quietly reached the end of its production lifespan.
Launched in the UK in 2021, the MX-30 was positioned against competitors such as the Kia Soul EV and Peugeot e-2008.
However, it struggled to gain traction, primarily due to its short range and limited practicality.
One of the most significant criticisms of the MX-30 – aside from its bizarre, coach-style doors – was its modest range of just 124 miles, thanks to its 35.5kWh battery.
The smaller battery size, chosen to reduce the car’s weight, certainly improved handling and lowered its CO2 emissions during production.
However, it also resulted in persistent range anxiety among drivers.
Indeed, today, rivals like the Jeep Avenger, Renault 4, and MINI Aceman offer ranges of around 250 miles, highlighting the MX-30’s shortcomings.
WHAT’S NEXT?
While the fully electric MX-30 has been axed, the plug-in hybrid version remains on sale in the UK.
This variant, equipped with a fully charged battery and a full tank of petrol, can cover more than 400 miles, according to Mazda.
What’s more, the brand is set to give electric cars another stab next year with the 6e saloon, which is poised to be in the same segment as the top-selling Tesla Model 3.
A fully electric SUV is also in the pipeline, but the decision to temporarily pluck its only pure electric vehicle in its lineup is bold – particularly in light of the UK Government’s ZEV mandate.
Under the current mandate, at least 28% of manufacturers’ new car sales must be zero-emissions vehicles by 2025, prompting many brands to prioritise EV production.
As reported by Auto Express, a Mazda spokesperson said: “Mazda will meet the requirements of the ZEV/VETS legislation through the various flexibilities within the scheme and the introduction of further BEVs.”
Channel 5 will show four home England T20s per year for the next four years under a new deal with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), keeping the matches on free-to-air television.
The two men’s and two women’s matches, previously shown on the BBC, will also be available on Channel 5’s streaming service 5.
They will still be broadcast on Sky Sports, which shows all of England’s home matches.
Channel 5 will also stream highlights of the T20 Blast.
The first match on the channel is the women’s T20 between England and West Indies at Chelmsford on Monday.
It will also show England’s men against the Windies on Sunday 8 June, then Nat Sciver-Brunt’s England against India on Saturday 28 June and the men’s match against South Africa on Sunday 14 September.
There will also be in-play clips of all matches on the BBC Sport website and app, plus live TV coverage of eight double-headers in each season of The Hundred.
The BBC’s audio deal also means Test Match Special will have commentary of home internationals until at least 2028, along with the new four-year contract to broadcast men’s and women’s county cricket.
A POPULAR high street name is set to make a dramatic return 13 years after vanishing from UK towns and cities.
Comet, once a go-to store for electrical goods, is being brought back by online marketplace OnBuy – but this time, it’s going digital.
3
Founded in Hull in 1933, Comet grew from selling batteries and radios into a nationwide electrical giantCredit: PA:Press Association
3
Now, more than a decade later, there’s fresh hope for fans of the iconic brandCredit: Getty – Contributor
The retailer, which closed all 236 of its UK branches in 2012, including popular outlets in Essex, will relaunch as an online-only platform in time for the festive season.
Founded in Hull in 1933, Comet grew from selling batteries and radios into a nationwide electrical giant.
It was a household name for decades, known for its deals on TVs, washing machines, and home appliances, before financial trouble forced it into administration in 2012.
Its collapse was one of the biggest retail failures of the time, with thousands of staff losing their jobs and many shoppers left disappointed.
Now, more than a decade later, there’s fresh hope for fans of the iconic brand.
OnBuy’s boss, Cas Paton, said he’s determined to restore Comet’s former glory.
“I am so excited, so thrilled. Growing up, I went to Comet to get what I needed.
“It was a brand that was close to me personally,” he said.
The relaunch won’t see the return of physical shops, but the digital revival promises a wide range of electronics, from big names to emerging tech brands.
OnBuy plans to use its marketplace model to connect shoppers directly with manufacturers, offering better prices and more variety.
Britain’s retail apocalypse: why your favourite stores KEEP closing down
Paton added: “We will be ultra competitive and undercut Currys and Amazon.”
He believes OnBuy’s modern approach and Comet’s strong heritage will help win over UK customers.
A significant portion of the £10 million investment will go towards building the Comet website and boosting its technology.
Around 50 new jobs are expected to be created as part of the relaunch effort.
Paton, who started his first business with just £80 after serving in the Royal Navy, said the brand’s revival is about more than nostalgia.
“We’re not just reviving a name; we’re reimagining what trusted electronics retail looks like in a digital-first economy,” he said.
OnBuy, which launched in 2016 and is now worth around £200 million, hopes to turn Comet into a major online player.
The relaunch comes at a time when more consumers are shopping online and seeking alternatives to big-name retailers.
Shoppers can expect a mix of old and new when Comet returns, with the website promising:
“We’re reviving the brand you love to bring you the best tech, brands, and deals worth waiting for.”
Although the high street stores won’t reopen, many still have fond memories of browsing the aisles at their local Comet.
For those in Essex and beyond, the return of the name, even online, is sure to stir a sense of retail nostalgia.
RETAIL PAIN IN 2025
The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury’s hike to employer NICs will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
Research by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that more than half of companies plan to raise prices by early April.
A survey of more than 4,800 firms found that 55% expect prices to increase in the next three months, up from 39% in a similar poll conducted in the latter half of 2024.
Three-quarters of companies cited the cost of employing people as their primary financial pressure.
The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”
Professor Bamfield has also warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.
“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”
3
The relaunch won’t see the return of physical shops, but the digital revival promises a wide range of electronics, from big names to emerging tech brandsCredit: Reuters
Cokanasiga will start on the wing against French Top 14 side Lyon on Friday night (20:00 BST) as Premiership leaders Bath look to clinch their second trophy of the season in the European Challenge Cup final, having also been part of the squad that won the Premiership Rugby Cup in February.
He scored a scintillating try last weekend as they thrashed Leicester 43-15 in the league, running from deep in his own half after Max Ojomoh’s interception.
Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan said Cokanasiga has become a “more rounded player” during his tenure at the club.
“He’s by far the biggest winger that I’ve coached but Joe’s got this amazing ability to finish tries, he’s got this hunger to get better,” he said.
“We’ve ID’d certain bits of his game he needs to get better and he’s become a much more all-round player.”
Cokanasiga agreed his consistency across the pitch has come with the more experienced he has become.
“As I’ve gotten older my priorities have changed of how I need to perform in the game,” he said.
“Then we’ve got people like [Bath attack coach] Lee Blackett that has a different view of the game than I do and that’s helped me improve massively.
“Johann’s someone I can go and speak to about anything and let everything out, he can be honest with me, I can be honest with him, same with Lee and JP [Ferreira, defence coach].
“They give you a lot of confidence and that’s massive in players.”
A PUB dubbed the “cheapest” in Britain has suddenly shut up shop after 500 years.
Locals have been left shocked after the owners revealed a bizarre reason with a notice on the door.
3
The Abbey, Derby, posted the handwritten note on the door saying they were unhappy about photos of it being shared online.Credit: Google maps
3
The brewery operates 200 pubs across the UK and is known for it’s strict rules from owner Humphrey SmithCredit: Google maps
The Abbey, Derby, posted the handwritten note on the door saying they were unhappy about photos of it being shared online.
The 22-word notice reads: “Closed!!
“Due to someone posting pictures of the Abbey on social media.
Sam Smith has taken the alcohol and closed these premises.”
Samuel Smith’s Brewery owns the pub and it has been suggested the current landlords had broken policies and were dismissed as a result.
The brewery operates 200 pubs across the UK and is known for it’s strict rules from owner Humphrey Smith.
Such rules include a no-swearing policy, no televisions or jukeboxes and a ban on the use of mobile phones or laptops in its public houses.
Just days prior to the closure, a Facebook account with more than 125,000 followers posted 18 pictures of the pub, inside and out.
The Great British Pub Crawl account, a page run by Dale Harvey and his wife, Holly, follows the couple as they attempt to visit every boozer in the UK.
They posted the photos on Saturday, May 17 alongside the caption: “Not every day you are asked to grab photos or a video in a Sam Smith’s pub.”
It’s not clear whether the post was the reason behind the closure.
The pub is one of the last surviving buildings from an extensive monastery, dating back to the 15th century.
The sudden closure has left locals stunned, with many taking to social media to express their disappointment and confusion.
While the brewery has offered no official explanation, insiders suggest the landlords were dismissed for allowing, or failing to prevent, photos of the pub being shared online, a clear breach of company policy.
The closure marks yet another abrupt ending for a Samuel Smith’s venue, following similar shutdowns in Bradford and London, and raises fresh questions about the brewery’s management style and the long-term viability of its rule-heavy model in the digital age.
The Abbey is far from the only British boozer pulling its last pint.
A string of beloved pubs are closing their doors, with punters and landlords alike left heartbroken as pressures in the hospitality industry hit boiling point.
Once a bustling local favourite, the venue was brought back to life in 2014 following a major revamp by landlords Nick Stephens and his partner Hanna-Sinclair Stephens.
Despite surviving the Covid crunch thanks to a heroic crowdfunding campaign that raised over £30,000 in a single day, the couple say the pub has now become “unsustainable”.
“It was hugely popular, but we just couldn’t keep going,” Nick said.
“The capacity was only 90 — the numbers just didn’t add up anymore.”
Dubbed a “labour of love” by its owners, The Emerald quickly became a community favourite for curry lovers and cricket fans alike.
But behind the scenes, soaring costs and the departure of a key business partner created what they described as “emotional, financial and operational strain”.
In a heartfelt post, they thanked loyal customers:
“The Emerald was always more than just a pub—it was a cultural space… Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.”
Social media lit up with tributes from heartbroken regulars. One wrote: “It was more like home to us.
Watching India win the World Cup there was unforgettable.”
And even award-winners haven’t been spared, a Midlands pub, hailed as the region’s best and a finalist for Desi Grill of the Year 2024, has also gone under, despite its short-lived success.
The wave of closures paints a grim picture for the UK pub scene, already battered by the pandemic and now facing soaring prices for rent, business rates and barrels.
3
The pub is one of the last surviving buildings from an extensive monastery, dating back to the 15th centuryCredit: Google maps
Centuries from Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett highlight a dominant batting display as England wrap up day one on 498-3 in the first innings of their single Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge.
England Test captain Ben Stokes tells Jonathan Agnew that they “can be the best Test team in the world” but admits “we have been guilty in the past of being too stuck in our ways”.
England play a one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge from Thursday, before marquee series at home to India and away in Australia.
Back trouble restricted Muzarabani’s playing time with Northants, but the injury did not affect the learning process.
On the field, Ben Sanderson showed him how to bowl a full length in English conditions. Off the field, he formed a tight bond with Saif Zaib, Jack White and Ben Curran, the latter now a Zimbabwe team-mate.
Even when he could not play for Northants, the county still put Muzarabani to work.
“When I was injured I was touring the sponsorship boxes at Northampton,” he says. “I’d go in there and start conversations with fans. It really helped me to communicate, how to carry myself as a professional – outside cricket, just being a good human being.”
Brexit ended the Kolpak era and Muzarabani returned to the plan to resume his international career. He was back in Zimbabwe colours in late 2020, a “better bowler” for his sojourn in England.
Now his career is really gathering pace. A growing reputation as a white-ball operator has earned Muzarabani an Indian Premier League deal with Royal Challengers Bangalore, under coach and compatriot Andy Flower. Muzarabani will head for India straight after the Test in Nottingham.
The whip in Muzarabani’s action have led to comparisons with South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada. With his height and skid, they may be more similarities with former England pace bowler Steven Finn.
Zimbabwe’s chequered past means there are few very meaningful statistics to overhaul, although Muzarabani has the chance to carve his niche. This year no team play more than Zimbabwe’s 11 Tests, meaning he can build from his current 51 wickets towards becoming only the second bowler from the country to reach 100.
The other to top three figures, external is Heath Streak, his 216 unlikely to be overhauled. Even Streak cannot match Muzarabani’s average of 21.84, by far the lowest of any Zimbabwe bowler to have sent down at least 60 overs in Test cricket.
Zimbabwe have not played a Test against England since 2003.
Before then some of the country’s most famous cricketing moments came against the English: Eddo Brandes at the 1992 World Cup, England coach David Lloyd proclaiming “we flipping murdered ’em” in the first drawn Test with the scores level in Bulawayo in 1996.
And 2025?
“England are one of the best teams in the world,” says Muzarabani. “We believe in ourselves. We believe can win. We just have bring our ‘A’ game to beat these guys.”
A SERIAL thief has been barred from every Greggs in England and Wales after repeatedly targeting the same bakery in a shameless crime spree.
Patrick Verry, 33, is now forbidden from entering any of the high street baker’s hundreds of branches following a court order brought by the Met Police.
9
Greggs in Palmers Green North London where a member of staff has been hailed a hero after scaring off shopliftersCredit: Simon Jones
9
One thief caught in the act at Greggs on Shields Road, BykerCredit: North News
9
Another thief caught in the act — fwrite ilmed during a broad daylight raid on 8 May 2025Credit: North News
He was caught in the act last week by officers inside a Greggs shop in Wood Green, North London, after striking the location seven times.
Verry was arrested on the spot and brought before Highbury Magistrates’ Court the following day, where he admitted to six counts of theft from the same Greggs store.
Police described him as one of the capital’s “most prolific shoplifters” — and now he’s banned from every Greggs outlet across the country in a move to protect staff and customers.
The order comes as part of a new Met Police blitz on retail crime amid soaring shoplifting rates nationwide.
Chief Inspector Rav Pathania, the Met’s retail crime lead, said: “The Met is focused on tackling the most prolific shoplifters like Verry.
“They cause fear to retail workers and their offending has a negative impact on communities.”
He continued: “We continue to work with local business owners to investigate reports of shoplifting, understand concerns and use different tactics to crackdown, including targeted operations and regular patrols.”
The ban on Verry comes as The Sun lifts the lid on the true scale of the shoplifting crisis crippling British high streets.
Our undercover investigation found Greggs shops across the country being stripped of stock in broad daylight, with some stores experiencing a theft every 20 minutes.
At one busy location in South London, a thief was seen stuffing doughnuts and drinks into his pockets before barging past staff and walking out unfazed.
In another shocking clip filmed in Tooting, a brave female Greggs manager tried to stop a thief who was carrying several bottles of Coca-Cola.
She shouted: “You’re not having all of that,” as the crook tried to leave.
He coolly replied: “Yeah I’m walking out with them, watch me.”
Customers looked on in silence, too scared to step in. A witness said: “There were two grown men just stood by the tills.
“Everyone was just silent.
“No one said a word. People are just afraid now.”
9
Local officers worked with retailers in Greenwich to identify and arrest Winston Wright who stole more than £2,500 worth of goods from stores in the area over four monthsCredit: Metropolitan Police
9
Our undercover investigation found Greggs shops across the country being stripped of stock in broad daylightCredit: Metropolitan Police
9
The ban on Verry comes as The Sun lifts the lid on the true scale of the shoplifting crisis crippling British high streetsCredit: Metropolitan Police
9
In many cases, Greggs staff are told not to intervene directly with thieves for safety reasonsCredit: Metropolitan Police
The Met later confirmed it was not alerted to the Tooting incident, which happened in August, highlighting just how many shoplifting cases go unreported.
Our reporters saw similar scenes play out in branches from Newcastle to Brighton, with thieves helping themselves to hot food, drinks and sandwiches without even trying to hide it.
In Stockwell, South London, one man was caught on camera filling his coat with products before grabbing two boxes of jam doughnuts worth £3 each and fleeing during the lunchtime rush.
A cookie grab, then fist bump
THEFTS we saw in just two days at Greggs bakery in Stockwell South London.
Wednesday, 11.45am: Man strolls in, picks up a box of doughnuts and walks out.
1.30pm: A man lines his pockets with doughnuts and products from the fridge.
A shop worker pleads with him to pay. The thug threatens him and barges out.
3.45pm: Two men raid the fridges, with one pinching Lucozade bottles, while the other scoffs chicken bites.
4pm: A pair of teenage schoolchildren take a Lucozade drink and hot food.
Thursday, 11.10am: Two men walk in and start grabbing hot food and drinks. They appear to queue before also taking doughnut and walking out without paying.
11.30am: An OAP pretends to be on the phone before snatching hot food.
1.30pm: A man grabs three bottles of Lucozade, hot food and cookies. Challenged, he gives back the food and drink, gives the worker a fist bump and strolls out eating a cookie
2pm: A man steals two baguettes and a bottle of Coca-Cola. As he leaves, a public address states: “Shoplifting will not be tolerated.”
In Worthing, West Sussex, two men repeatedly walked in and out of Greggs helping themselves to hot food from the display cabinets.
On Brighton’s Queen’s Road, one crook walked off with two trays of wedges in front of a stunned staff member. “Average day,” the employee said when asked about it.
Minutes later, another thief ran out with two trays of wedges and a sandwich, while yet another masked man sprinted off carrying food as helpless staff shouted after him.
In Southampton, a man entered just after midday, grabbed four hot food items and said: “Sorry guys, I’m homeless, I need to eat,” before walking straight out the door.
In many cases, Greggs staff are told not to intervene directly with thieves for safety reasons.
One insider told us: “They’ve been told not to chase anyone, not to engage. It’s heartbreaking for the team.”
Astonishingly, just 350 people have been prosecuted for stealing from Greggs in the last six months.
Of those, only 111 received immediate or suspended jail time — and most had long criminal records.
Greggs has started introducing extra security measures in stores hit hardest by crime.
That includes removing self-serve fridges, placing chilled food behind the till, and trialling bouncers in some branches.
55k thefts every day across UK
By Julia Atherley
BRITAIN is facing a shop- lifting epidemic with a record 55,000 incidents a day.
In 2024, it cost retailers £2.2billion, up from £1.8billion in 2023, figures show.
Offences reported by police in England and Wales have jumped 23 per cent to more than 492,000 in the past 12 months, says the Office for National Statistics.
The scourge is being driven by the perception that offenders are rarely caught or punished.
Graham Wynn, of the British Retail Consortium, described shoplifting as a “major trigger for violence and abuse against staff”.
Mr Wynn said: “The rise in organised crime is a significant concern, with gangs hitting stores one after another.
“Sadly, such theft is not a victimless crime; it pushes up the cost for honest shoppers and damages the customer experience.”
Labour has promised to make assaulting a retail worker an offence and treat more seriously thefts of goods worth less than £200.
One staff member said: “It’s like we’re on the front line. You’re trying to sell sausage rolls but you’re looking over your shoulder constantly.”
Greggs boss Roisin Currie confirmed the company is now using facial recognition technology to catch thieves and pass images to police.
“We’ve now got a system where we can take photos of people committing theft on the shop floor and that then instantly goes to the police,” she told The Sun.
The bakery chain is also investing in body cameras for workers and running trials with a 24-hour shoplifting helpline.
A Greggs spokeswoman said: “Shoplifting is an industry-wide issue and we take it extremely seriously.
The safety of our colleagues and customers remains our absolute priority.”
Politicians have backed The Sun’s investigation.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “This is an important and timely investigation from The Sun, exposing just how bad the shoplifting epidemic has become.
“There has to be consequences for this appalling criminality.”
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson added: “Retail workers should never feel unsafe at work. That is why we’re taking robust action to tackle shop theft and protect workers.”
She confirmed new laws are coming under the government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which will create a specific offence for assaulting shop staff and scrap the £200 threshold that previously gave low-level shoplifters “effective immunity.”
Meanwhile, the Met has released dramatic new footage showing suspects sprinting from stores clutching bottles, sandwiches and snacks as part of a wider crackdown on repeat retail offenders.
And police chiefs say they’re not stopping with Verry, more bans could be coming for other prolific shoplifters as efforts ramp up to restore order on Britain’s battered high streets.
9
Astonishingly, just 350 people have been prosecuted for stealing from Greggs in the last six monthsCredit: PA
9
Greggs boss Roisin Currie confirmed the company is now using facial recognition technology to catch thieves and pass images to policeCredit: Solent
ENGLAND will roll out the world’s first gonorrhoea vaccine campaign this summer.
The NHS said it will begin immunising against the sexually transmitted infection, also known as ‘the clap’, in August.
1
A vaccine will be offered to gay and bisexual men, who are most at risk (stock image)Credit: Getty – Contributor
Health chiefs reckon they can prevent around 10,000 cases per year with an existing meningitis vaccine.
Cases have tripled since 2012 and hit a record 85,000 in 2023.
Local sexual health clinics will offer the jab to gay and bisexual men, who are most at risk.
Patients will receive the 4CMenB vaccine for meningitis B, which has been found to nearly halve the chances of catching gonorrhoea in adults.
Read more on sexual health
The jab is already routinely given to babies to protect them from MenB, but its protection wears off as they grow up.
Vaccination could also head off growing concerns about superbug versions of the infection, which are resistant to antibiotics.
Dr Amanda Doyle, of NHS England, said: “The launch of a world-first routine vaccination for gonorrhoea is a huge step forward for sexual health.
“It will be crucial in helping to reduce the rising rates of antibiotic resistant strains of the bacteria.”
Gonorrhoea is a bacterial infection spread by unprotected sex.
Many people do not have any symptoms but if it is left untreated it can spread and lead to infertility.
It is the second most common STI in Britain by new cases per year, after chlamydia.
The vaccine rollout was approved by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) after research by Imperial College London suggested it could prevent 100,000 cases and save the NHS £8million over the next 10 years.
Dr Sema Mandal, from the UK Health Security Agency, said: “In 2023 we saw gonorrhoea diagnoses reach their highest since records began in 1918.
“Not only will this rollout protect those that need it most, but it will make the UK the first country in the world to offer this.
“STIs aren’t just an inconvenience – they can have a major impact on your health and that of your sexual partners.”
Public health minister Ashley Dalton added: “Once again our NHS is leading the way.”
WHO WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE JAB?
NHS England said clinics will target the highest risk people for its gonorrhoea vaccine campaign.
From August vaccines will be offered to:
Gay or bisexual men who have recently had multiple sexual partners
Gay or bisexual men who have recently been diagnosed with an STI
Transgender women (male-to-female) or non-binary people who were born male
Clinics may use their discretion to offer to sex workers or anyone who has recently had a bacterial STI
Data from 2023 show that 40,586 out of England’s total 85,223 gonorrhoea cases were among men who had sex with men, making them the highest risk group. A further 15,000 were among heterosexual men and 22,000 were among women.
SHOPPING experts have revealed when is the ideal time to stock up on major garden essentials to make huge savings.
Three of the key items should be bought this month in order to make the biggest savings.
3
Gazebos are a must-have for the unpredictable British summerCredit: Getty
Boffins at comparison site Idealo have done the hard work for us and worked out that shoppers could save £183.84 if they purchase a gazebo this month, rather than in November, when they are at its worst price.
One shopper recently bragged about picking up a “huge” gazebo from her local Morrisons for just £20.
May is also your month for hedge trimmer shopping and you could save £12.80 as opposed to buying in August as their most expensive month.
As most parents will know, tearing kids away from screens can sometimes be a challenge, making garden toys a lifeline in the summer months.
read more on garden bargains
If you’re after something that will keep your little ones entertained for hours, what about the trusty pogo stick?
May is the best month to pick one up, creating a saving of £1.24 rather than in December.
For your other green-fingered needs, June has been officially crowned as the cheapest month of the year to buygarden bitsin the UK, with the greatestdealson offer.
While June is ideal, buying garden goodies any time between the end of May and August is also promised to save you cash.
Idealo found that savings of up to £649 can be made by buying each item at the right time.
Katy Phillips, senior brand and communications manager at idealo tells The Sun: “Our data shows that a little patience can go a long way when it comes to saving money on garden essentials this year.
“Holding off until the right month could save shoppers hundreds of pounds on big-ticket items like sun loungers, tables and fire pits.
“We’d always recommend comparing prices across multiple retailers before committing to a purchase. With a bit of planning, and by using apps with tools like price alerts, you can enjoy your garden for less and make your money stretch further this summer.”
3
The best time to buy a hedge trimmer is MayCredit: Getty
How to save money on garden furniture
Opting to buy your new garden furniture or items on sale could save you a lot of money.
Most retailers start discounting garden items after summer and will run promotions over the winter, but be aware stock can be far more limited during this time.
Retailers will start reintroducing more to their garden ranges during spring and may run limited promotions over bank holidays, for example.
You are unlikely to get a great deal just before or in the height of summer, but some retailers offer mid-summer clearance sales to get rid of old stock, so keep an eye out.
Remember to always shop around when making a big purchase, as even if one store has a sale on, you may be able to get a better deal elsewhere.
You can use websites like Price Spy to compare the prices of items across multiple retailers and see how the prices have changed over time.
Remember, you may not need to buy you furniture – you could save a fortune by up-cycling old items instead.
Giving dirty pieces a good wash and a lick of fresh paint can make them look brand new.
You can also pick up perfectly good items second-hand.
Try platforms like Facebook Marketplace or eBay to see if anyone near you is getting rid of old items – you may even be able to pick them up for free.
3
May is an excellent month to score the best deals on garden toolsCredit: Getty
Exeter and England wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s prospects of playing Test rugby this summer increased after the 22-year-old was selected for a two-day England training camp this week.
Feyi-Waboso has not played since dislocating his shoulder in December, with his comeback delayed by a setback suffered at an England camp in February.
Gloucester centre Seb Atkinson, Leicester back row Emeke Ilione and Sale midfielder Rekeiti Ma’asi-White are also included in a 33-strong group that does not include either British and Irish Lions, or players from Northampton and Bath, who are preparing for European finals this weekend.
Gloucester’s 20-year-old prop Afolabi Fasogbon, who was ruled out of Six Nations contention with an ankle injury, is named, along with the likes of Jamie George, George Ford and Ben Curry, who missed out on Lions selection earlier this month.
In 2017, England toured Argentina in the same summer that the Lions were taking on New Zealand.
A teenage Tom Curry and Sam Underhill made their Test debuts against the Pumas and a little more than two years later were key parts of a Rugby World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand.
Head coach Steve Borthwick expects similar to happen again this year with 13 of his players selected for the Lions tour of Australia.
“There is no doubt players will emerge this summer and will be part of the Rugby World Cup 2027 squad that wouldn’t have been if we had to pick it today,” he told 5 Live Sport.
“I have no doubt. It is the same thing that happened in 2017 – players grab the opportunity.
“I told them today that opportunity rises and change happens – the players that get the chance have to grab hold of it with both hands.”
However, use of the gadgets rocketed in people who never smoked and has become an addiction in its own right.
The study tested the effects of e-cigs and nicotine gum in 16 current or former smokers aged 18 to 24.
They had no nicotine overnight and then chewed gum for 30 minutes or used a vape in the morning, before answering questions about their cravings.
Lower cravings & higher satisfaction
Results showed that people who used vapes rated their cravings and withdrawal feelings significantly lower than gum users, and rated their personal satisfaction higher.
This suggests the e-cigs have a stronger effect which may make it easier to get hooked.
Study author, PhD student Andrea Milstred, said: “Today’s electronic cigarettes have great potential to produce addiction in populations that are otherwise naive to nicotine.
“This often includes youth and young adults.”
The British Government plans to outlaw disposable vapes and crack down on the flavours that are allowed, in a bid to make them less appealing to teenagers and young people.
Writing in the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research, Ms Milstred suggested vaping might be more addictive than gum because it uses a form of nicotine that does not taste as bitter or harsh.
What are the new vape laws?
Ministers have pledged to crackdown on poorly regulated vapes and e-cigarettes following an explosion in the number of teenagers who use them.
New rules for manufacturers and shopkeepers are expected to come into force in late 2024 or early 2025.
They are set to include:
Higher tax rates paid on vapes increase the price and make it harder for children to afford them
A ban on single-use vapes in favour of devices that can be recharged
A ban on colourful and cartoonish packaging that may appeal to youngsters
Tighter controls on flavourings and a ban on unnecessarily sweet or child-friendly ones like bubblegum and candy
More regulation on how and where they are displayed in shops, potentially putting them out of sight
Harsher penalties for shops caught selling them to under-18s
The ban on disposable vapes is part of ambitious government plans to tackle the rise in youth vaping.
A report published by Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) last June found 20.5 per cent of children in the UK had tried vaping in 2023, up from 15.8 per cent in 2022 and 13.9 per cent in 2020.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt also announced plans to impose a tax on imported e-cigs and manufacturers, making vapes more expensive.
The duty will apply to the liquid in vapes, with higher levels for products with more nicotine.
Under McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, England have delivered often thrilling cricket and secured landmark series wins away in Pakistan and New Zealand.
However, they failed to regain the Ashes in 2023, having gone 2-0 behind against Australia before surging back to draw the series, while they were also heavily beaten in India and lost in Pakistan last year.
After securing the series win in New Zealand in December, they lost the third and final Test in feeble fashion.
McCullum said he and his side wants England fans to feel an “attachment” to them, liking them both as players and their style of cricket, while also winning series.
“There’s no greater opportunity than playing in big series against the best opposition on the biggest stage under the brightest lights to be able to test that,” he added.
But McCullum said the all-rounder is “the most ruthless” sportsperson he has ever met.
“He is unbelievably driven, to push himself, to push his team-mates, to win at all costs,” he said.
“We’re very lucky to have him in the chair because he’s going to be very strong about trying to push this team to the next level.”
Despite the obvious focus on the five-Test series against India and the Ashes down under, McCullum said England will not underestimate Zimbabwe in the four-day Test at Trent Bridge.
“We want to be where our feet are,” he said.
“This game has an amazing ability to bring you back down to earth if you don’t have the respect for the game or the respect for the opposition.
“We go into it as favourites so we need to make sure we’re rock hard fit and ready to go and make good decisions under pressure.”
This includes the all-new Kansas BBQ Chicken Fries, alongside returning favourites like the Bacon Caesar Gourmet Kings and the fiery Spicy Mayo range.
Topping the menu shake-up is the Kansas BBQ Chicken Fries — a sweet and smoky twist on the fan-favourite snack.
The new Kansas BBQ King Box, which includes a BBQ Chicken Stacker, four Kansas BBQ Chicken Fries, regular fries and a drink, will be hitting menus for £5.99.
Burger King is also bringing back its Gourmet Kings Bacon Caesar range — packed with posh ingredients and full-on flavour.
The Spicy Mayo Double Whopper and Spicy Mayo Chicken Royale are also making a saucy return.
Burger King fans can get BOGOF deals via the BK app too — with the Bacon Caesar burgers going two-for-one between May 20-22, and the Spicy Mayo range following suit from May 27-29.
Prices of new and returning items
Here’s what’s new and back on the menu:
Kansas BBQ Chicken Fries (6pc) – from £5.49
Kansas BBQ King Box – from £5.99
Sharer Box (now includes Kansas BBQ Chicken Fries) – from £7.29
Gourmet Kings Bacon Caesar Angus – from £8.19
Gourmet Kings Bacon Caesar Crispy Chicken – from £8.19
Gourmet Kings Bacon Caesar Loaded King Fries – from £4.79
Gourmet Kings Bacon Caesar Loaded Nuggets (delivery exclusive) – from £7.49
Spicy Mayo Double Whopper – from £8.89
Spicy Mayo Chicken Royale – from £7.69
And fans might remember Burger King gave its most iconic burger a major upgrade.
But it wasn’t just the freebie that had burger lovers buzzing.
The chain confirmed that the Whopper had changed for the first time in years, with juicier beef, a fluffier glazed bun, and fresh-cut tomatoes and onions.
Katie Evans, Chief Marketing Officer at Burger King UK, said at the time: “We know our fans love the Whopper, so we’ve been listening… and making it taste better than ever.”
With new snacks, returning legends and even better burgers, fans will want to act fast — before these tasty deals and limited-edition bites are gone.
