Skip next section Police still searching for shooter at Brown University

12/14/2025December 14, 2025

Police still searching for shooter at Brown University

“We do not have a shooter in custody at this time,” Providence Mayor Brett Smiley told a news conference.

He said that a shelter-in-place was in effect for the area.

Brown University also said that “the shooter or shooters still are not in custody at this time.”

The suspect was a male who was dressed in black and last seen leaving the building, according to Timothy O’Hara, Deputy Chief of Police.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that “the suspect is in custody,” only to later reverse the statement.

Officials also initially reported that a suspect was in custody.

https://p.dw.com/p/55JcU

Skip next section FBI agents on the scene of the shooting, FBI chief says

12/14/2025December 14, 2025

FBI agents on the scene of the shooting, FBI chief says

Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel said on Saturday that FBI personnel were on the scene of the shooting.

“Please pray for all those involved. We will update with more information as we are able,” Patel said.

https://p.dw.com/p/55JcJ

Skip next section 2 dead, 8 critically injured in Brown University shooting

12/14/2025December 14, 2025

2 dead, 8 critically injured in Brown University shooting

Two people have died in the shooting at Brown University, said Brett Smiley, mayor of Providence, at a press conference.

Eight people are in a critical but stable condition at Rhode Island Hospital, he added.

Smiley declined to say whether the victims were students.

Police were still searching for the suspect.

https://p.dw.com/p/55JcQ

Skip next section ‘Multiple’ shot at Brown University, police say

12/14/2025December 14, 2025

‘Multiple’ shot at Brown University, police say

Providence Police confirmed that “multiple” people have been shot at Brown University.

“This is an active investigation. Please shelter in place or avoid the area until further notice,” police said on X. 

Police did not give immediate details about the victims’ conditions or the circumstances of the shooting.

Brown University said the victims “have been transported to local hospitals.”

https://p.dw.com/p/55Jah

Skip next section What do we know so far about the Brown University shooting?

12/14/2025December 14, 2025

What do we know so far about the Brown University shooting?

• An active shooter was operating near Brown University’s Barus & Holley 
• The seven-story complex houses the university’s School of Engineering and Physics department
• Police confirm that ‘multiple’ people have been shot
• Authorities say the suspect is still at large
• Officials caution that information remains preliminary
• The Ivy League school has about 11,000 students

https://p.dw.com/p/55JZh

Skip next section Welcome to our coverage of the Brown University shooting12/14/2025December 14, 2025

Welcome to our coverage of the Brown University shooting

Police are responding to an active shooting situation at Brown University in Rhode Island.

Police say “multiple” people have been shot and the suspect is still at large.

Not much more is clear at this point, but stay tuned as we bring you the latest.

https://p.dw.com/p/55JZi

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NEED TO KNOW

• Kate Middleton left a handwritten note in honor of those who have lost their lives to cancer
• The Princess of Wales, 43, placed the note at the Ever After Garden, which raises funds for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity 
• Kate announced in March 2024 that she had been diagnosed with cancer; in January, she shared that she was in remission

Kate Middleton left a touching handwritten note to honor those who have lost their lives to cancer while making an unannounced visit to a London art installation.

Princess Kate, 43, shared a montage of moments from her visit to the Ever After Garden — a seasonal outdoor space which benefits the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity — in a video posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ official Instagram on Saturday, Dec. 13. 

“Thank you to all those who have contributed to the Ever After Garden, which raises vital funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Every flower, every light, is a memory held together, an illumination of shared love, remembrance, and hope – C,” Kate wrote in the post’s caption.

In a moment near the end of the video, a small handwritten note can be seen nestled in the grass.

“In loving memory of all those who have lost their lives to cancer – C,” the note reads.

Kate Middleton’s handwritten note at the Ever After Garden in London.

princeandprincessofwales/Instagram

The garden, which showcases more than 30,000 glowing white roses, was created in partnership with designer Anya Hindmarch, writer Camilla Morton and the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The garden has raised more than $1.6 million for The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, a leading cancer hospital and research center, since it first opened in 2019, per the charity’s official website.

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Kate and husband Prince William, 43, became Joint Patrons of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in January. Both the Trust and the accompanying charity hold special significance for the couple, as Kate received her cancer treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea following her cancer diagnosis.

“Her Royal Highness’ message over the last year has been one of resilience and hope, and her support for The Royal Marsden stems from a deep empathy for those facing similar challenges,” the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity wrote in their initial statement announcing the news early this year.

Kate Middleton during a cancer charity event in Colchester, England, on July 2, 2025.

 Stefan Rousseau – WPA Pool/Getty

They noted that the patronage carries on a “proud tradition of the Royal Family’s support of both the hospital and the charity.”

“The Prince of Wales has held the role of President of The Royal Marsden since 2007; a position which was previously held by his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales,” they added.

Kate revealed her cancer diagnosis in a personal video message in March 2024. She started her cancer treatment in February 2024 — a little over a month after she had undergone major abdominal surgery.

She announced that she had completed chemotherapy in September 2024, and shared that she was officially in remission the following January.

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President Donald Trump offered prayers to the victims and their families caught up in a mass shooting at Brown University on Saturday evening.

Trump originally claimed the suspect was in custody as law enforcement continued searching the campus amid reports of multiple casualties.

‘I have been briefed on the shooting that took place at Brown University in Rhode Island. The FBI is on the scene,’ Trump wrote on his Truth Social. ‘The suspect is in custody. God bless the victims and the families of the victims!’ 

But the president later corrected his message in a subsequent post.

‘The Brown University Police reversed their previous statement — The suspect is NOT in custody,’ Trump wrote.  

Students at the Ivy League campus in Providence, Rhode Island were earlier urged to ‘run, hide and fight’ after reports of an active shooter near the Barus and Holley Engineering building, according to a university alert sent at 4:22 p.m. local time.

The campus was placed on lockdown as police responded to the scene and emergency vehicles flooded the area.

During a press conference just before 7pm, officials confirmed two people have been killed an a further eight have been left in critical condition. 

President Donald Trump said he had been briefed on a mass shooting at Brown University Saturday evening, claiming the suspect was in custody as law enforcement continued searching the campus amid reports of multiple casualties

Trump initially incorrectly posted how the suspect was in custody but then corrected himself

A shooter targeted Brown University on Saturday afternoon 

In an earlier update issued at 5:11pm, Brown University officials said a suspect was not in custody and that police were continuing to search for the shooter, walking back earlier reports that someone had been detained. 

About an hour after the initial alert, authorities said shots were also fired on Governor Street, several blocks from campus. 

Much about the incident remained unclear but at least two people have been killed with several others injured according to a law enforcement source who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Students were instructed to silence their phones and remain sheltered in place while awaiting further instructions.

The Sun Chronicle reported that SWAT teams were hunting a suspect and that there were multiple victims. The shooting unfolded as students were taking final exams.

The shooting occurred near the Barus & Holley building, a seven-story complex that houses the university’s School of Engineering and physics department. 

According to the university’s website, the building includes more than 100 laboratories, dozens of classrooms and offices. 

‘We’re still getting information about what’s going on, but we’re just telling people to lock their doors and to stay vigilant,’ said Providence Councilmember John Goncalves, whose ward includes the Brown campus. 

‘As a Brown alum, someone who loves the Brown community and represents this area, I’m heartbroken. My heart goes out to all the family members and the folks who’ve been impacted.’ 

The university released a statement just after 6pm on Saturday evening with more details on what had occurred. 

Police officers and first responders gather at Waterman St. and Thayer in response to a shooting at Brown University on Saturday afternoon

Ambulances are seen lining Hope Street at Brown University in Providence, close to the university

Emergency personnel gather at Hope and Waterman Streets at Brown University in Providence

Students in the area of where the shooting occurred were advised to either ‘run’ or ‘fight’

‘At 4:22p,, we alerted our campus to an active shooter incident near Barus & Holley Engineering. We immediately informed our community to shelter in place by locking doors, silencing phones and staying hidden until further notice. We have been providing further information to our community as and when it becomes available, but this remains an active crime scene, and law enforcement continues to search for the suspect. The situation is ongoing, and all members of the community should continue to shelter in place,’ the statement explained.

‘We are very sorry to share that we have confirmed reports of multiple shooting victims, but we do not yet have information about their condition that we are in a position to share. They have been transported to local hospitals.

‘Our first priority is the safety of our community and coordinating closely with local law enforcement and medical personnel to ensure their safety. We are working immediately to determine who was in the building at the time of the shooting. We had multiple exams scheduled in that building from 2 pm to 5 pm. We can confirm that support services are on site. We have also relocated students to get support services at a secure location.

‘Senior administrative leaders from across the University are convened in emergency command to mobilize ongoing response and support for our community. We are establishing support for our community and families.

‘We have been and continue to be very grateful to law enforcement and emergency medical personnel. Please continue to take all steps to remain safe. Follow the instructions of law enforcement personnel and avoid the area.

The shooting marked more than 70 school shootings nationwide this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

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A stretch of the M6 is closed due to a crash – this is a breaking story



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UN working group raises concerns over Indigenous over-representation in Australian prisons

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has raised major concerns about the detention of Indigenous people, children and migrants.

The experts urged Australian authorities to engage in comprehensive reforms to reduce the imprisonment of First Nations peoples, raise the minimum age of detention to at least 14 years, and end the mandatory detention of persons with irregular visa status.

The working group wrote in a statement:

The gross overrepresentation of First Nations peoples in the prison population, the shocking detention of children as young as 10, and the punitive approach to migrants are human rights crises that continue to plague Australia.

First Nations people make up just 3.8% of Australia’s population, yet they account for 35% of those imprisoned in the country.

Addressing this crisis requires authorities to work in genuine partnership with First Nations communities to co-design solutions, from early intervention, including prior to contact with the criminal justice system, through to reintegration after detention – rather than relying on punitive approaches.

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Updated at 00.01 CET

Tom McIlroy

Chalmers says ‘really strange’ for shadow treasurer to miss mid-year budget update

The shadow treasurer, Ted O’Brien, is on leave this week and will miss the government’s mid-year budget update.

O’Brien is in the United States on a trip with family members.

The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, will release the mid-year economic and fiscal outlook on Wednesday, set to give a new snapshot of the government’s budget position and update key economic forecasts.

Chalmers says it will include about $20bn in new savings to help the bottom line.

Speaking on Sky News on Sunday morning, he said there must be a good reason for O’Brien to miss the annual statement.

It would be really strange, if not unprecedented, for the shadow treasurer to go on holidays during the mid-year budget update, particularly when we’ve said for some time now, it will be in the middle of December.

So it’s up for Ted O’Brien to explain to his colleagues. I can’t imagine they’re happy about it, but from my point of view, I’m not going to have a shot at him, because I’ve got more important things to worry about than where Ted is in the country or in the world.

I’m very focused on delivering this mid-year budget update, whether he’s here or not.

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Updated at 23.58 CET

Tom McIlroy

The federal government has taken the next step on plans to stop supermarkets from price gouging their customers.

Promised during the federal election campaign, the new ban is designed to prohibit retailers including Coles and Woolworths from charging prices that are excessive when compared to the cost of the supply plus a reasonable margin.

The new ban, delivered through the Food and Grocery Code, will come into effect on 1 July next year. The competition watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, will police the laws.

If Coles and Woolworths breach the laws, they face penalties of whatever amount is greater: $10m or three three times the value of the benefit derived, or 10% of the company’s turnover during the past year.

“These changes give the regulator the powers and the penalties it needs to hold supermarkets to account,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.

“Whether it’s boosting funding for the regulator, banning price gouging or making the food and grocery code mandatory, we’re doing everything we can to ease pressure on Australians.

“One of the best ways to ease the cost of living for Australians is to help people get fairer prices at the checkout and that’s what this is all about.”

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Michelle Rowland to make repayment for 2023 family trip found to be partly outside guidelines

Tom McIlroy

The attorney general, Michelle Rowland, has become the first MP to make repayments for family travel amid growing controversy about politicians expenses, after some of her claims for a 2023 trip were found to be a breach of the rules.

Rowland used family reunion travel entitlements to take her children on a trip to Perth. The independent parliamentary expenses authority has found some of the expenses should not have been paid for by taxpayers.

“During the trip to Perth, the attorney-general had at least 10 official engagements,” a spokesperson said.

IPEA finalised its advice on Friday 12 December and conveyed a portion of the family reunion travel expenses were outside the guidelines.

The attorney-general has formally accepted that advice on Friday and commenced steps to make a repayment.

Rowland did not claim travel allowance payments for the days she did not have official engagements on the trip, and paid for her own expenses and accommodation in Western Australia.

Rowland’s trip cost $21,000, which included about $16,000 for business-class air fares.

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Updated at 23.24 CET

Police investigating shots fired in Sydney’s west

An investigation is under way after an alleged public place shooting in Sydney’s west overnight.

NSW police said that just after 12.30am on Sunday, police were called to a home on Hunt Street, Guildford West, following reports of shots fired.

Officers attached to Cumberland police area command were told a number of shots were fired at a house before a white hatchback left the scene.

The three occupants of the house – two women and a child – were not injured.

About 3.20am on the same day, emergency services were called to James Street, Guildford West, following reports of a car fire. On arrival, police located a white hatchback well alight.

Multiple crimes scenes have been established, and police commenced an investigation if the two incidents are linked.

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Updated at 23.56 CET

Welcome

Good morning, and welcome to the blog! I am Cait Kelly and I will be with you throughout the day.

A few things around this morning :

Australia is experiencing severe weather across the country – with heatwaves in the west and cool fronts in the east. Western Australia is in the grips of a heatwave, with Perth forecasted to reach 39C and surrounding suburbs could exceed 40C on Sunday, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

The federal government has introduced rules to limit “excessive pricing of groceries” with changes to Australia’s Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, which was made mandatory in April. The ban will prohibit very large retailers from charging prices that are excessive when compared to the cost of the supply, plus a reasonable margin, the government said on Sunday.

And Australia’s koala population could be many multiples higher than previous estimates -New tools such as heat-detecting drones and acoustic recorders uncovered an additional 244,000 of the furry marsupials nestled in trees across NSW. That’s a significant jump from previous figures, which put the state’s koala population anywhere between 15,000 and 30,000.

Let’s get into it!

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Two US soldiers and a US civilian interpreter have been killed in Syria in an ambush by an Islamic State (IS) gunman, the US Central Command has said.

Officials said three other service members were injured in the attack, during which the gunman was “engaged and killed”.

US President Donald Trump wrote on social media that it was “an ISIS attack” against the US and Syria and said there would be “a very serious retaliation”. The Syrian government has issued a statement condemning the attack.

The identities of those killed are being withheld for 24 hours until their next of kin have been informed, the US Central Command said.

In a post on X, the US Central Command, which directs American military operations in Europe, Africa and the Indo-Pacific, said the attack was “the result of an ambush by a lone ISIS gunman”, while a Pentagon official said initial assessments showed the attack was “likely” to be carried out by the Islamic State group.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the attacker was a member of the Syrian security force.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the identity of the gunman has not been released.

The ambush occurred in Palmyra, located in the centre of the country, while the soldiers were “conducting a key leader engagement”, according to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell.

He added the attack is under investigation.

A Pentagon official said: “This attack took place in an area where the Syrian president does not have control.”

Trump added that the three injured US soldiers were “doing well”. Syria’s state news reported that two Syrian service personnel had also been injured.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said: “Let it be known, if you target Americans – anywhere in the world you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you.”

In a post on X, Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said the country condemned the attack, and extended its condolences to the families of the victims.

Tom Barrack, US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, said: “I strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist ambush targeting a joint US–Syrian government patrol in central Syria.

“We remain committed to defeating terrorism with our Syrian partners.”

Last month, President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with Donald Trump at the White House in a visit that the Syrian leader said was part of a “new era” for the two countries.

Syria recently joined an international coalition to combat IS and has pledged to co-operate with the US.

The global coalition is aimed at eliminating the remaining elements of the so-called Islamic State and stemming the flow of foreign militants to the Middle East.

In 2019, a US-backed alliance of Syrian fighters announced IS had lost the last pocket of territory in Syria it controlled, but since then the jihadist group has carried out some attacks.

The United Nations says the group still has between 5,000 and 7,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.

US troops have maintained a presence in Syria since 2015 to help train other forces as part of a campaign against IS.

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London police said Saturday that they will not investigate claims that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, asked a bodyguard in 2011 to dig up dirt on his accuser Virginia Giuffre.

Giuffre, who died by suicide at age 41 earlier this year, had alleged that she was sexually trafficked to Andrew as a teenager by now-deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Giuffre sued Andrew in civil court for sexual assault in 2021, with Giuffre and Andrew coming to an out-of-court settlement in 2022. 

What did the British media report about the Andrew bodyguard claim? 

British newspaper Mail on Sunday reported in October that Andrew gave Giuffre’s date of birth and social security number to his personal protection officer. The paper said Andrew was seeking information that could be used to smear Giuffre, a dual citizen of the US and Australia.   

The bombshell report shortly before King Charles decided to strip 65-year-old Andrew of his royal titles, with the former prince also expected to leave his Royal Lodge residence. 

In a statement, London Metropolitan Police said it had carried out an assessment that Andrew “asked his Met Police Close Protection Officer to carry out checks” on Giuffre in 2011. 

“The assessment has not revealed any additional evidence of criminal acts or misconduct,” Senior Met officer Ella Marriott said. 

Giuffre family ‘disappointed’ by Met police decision

Giuffre’s family said Saturday that they were “deeply disappointed” by the London police’s decision, saying it was done “without explanation.”

Giuffre continued to speak out about Epstein and Maxwell before her death, and founded an organization dedicated to sex trafficking survivors [FILE]Image: Bebeto Matthews/AP/dpa/picture alliance

“While we have hailed the UK’s overall handling of the case of Andrew Mountbatton-Windsor previously, today we feel justice has not been served,” they added. “We continue to challenge the system that protects abusers, especially as more evidence comes to light that can hold people accountable. Our sister Virginia, and all survivors, are owed this much.” 

Epstein files slated for release next week

The statements on Sunday from the Met Police and Giuffre’s family come days before the US government is required to release its documents pertaining to the criminal activities of Epstein, a convicted sex offender. 

What are the Epstein files?

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Democrats and Republicans overwhelmingly approved legislation that would force the release of the Epstein files by December 19.

US President Donald Trump, who faces controversy over his relationship with Epstein, had signed the bill into law amid mounting political pressure from both parties. 

Edited by: Rana Taha

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Brown University notified students of an active shooting situation around 4:20 pm Saturday (Getty Images)

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Law enforcement is responding to reports of an active shooter on Brown University’s campus in Providence, Rhode Island, according to a text message sent by the school.

Around 4:20 p.m., students received a text message alerting them to a shooter near the Barus & Holley building, located near Hope Street and George Street. The university urged them to lock doors, silence phones and stay hidden until further notice. It reminded them to run, hide or fight as a last resort.

The school initially believed a suspect was in custody, but later deleted the alert and said, “police do not have a suspect in custody.”

It is unclear if anyone has been injured at this time. The student newspaper, the Brown Daily Herald, said videos depicted “several individuals lying on the ground near the Sciences Library.”

Rep. Gabe Amo, who represents parts of Providence in Congress, said he was “monitoring” the shooting and in touch with law enforcement.

Brown University, an Ivy League School, has a student population of roughly 11,005 – with a majority being undergraduate students.

Providence police ask residents to avoid area

The Providence Police asked residents to avoid Hope Street near Brown University, where an active shooter situation was reported.

“There is currently heavy Providence Police and Fire presence on Hope Street near Brown University. Please exercise caution and avoid this area until further notice,” Providence PD wrote on X.

Ariana Baio13 December 2025 22:21

University says police do not have a suspect is in custody

After initially claiming a suspect was in custody, Brown University said police do not have a suspect in custody – and continued to urge students to shelter in place.

“ Police do not have a suspect in custody and continue to search for suspect(s).”

Ariana Baio13 December 2025 22:19

One suspect in custody

Brown University said one suspect was in custody, in a second alert to students, but urged students to remain hidden for the time being.

“Providence Police are on scene. Continue to shelter at this time. One suspect in custody,” the schools said in an emergency alert.

Ariana Baio13 December 2025 22:13

Congressman says he is ‘monitoring’ shooting

Rep. Gabe Amo, who represents parts of Providence in Congress, said he was “monitoring” the shooting and in touch with law enforcement.

“If you are in the area, please stay inside and allow law enforcement to do their work,” Amo said, urging those with information to contact police.

Ariana Baio13 December 2025 22:12

Active shooter alert at Brown University

Brown University notified students of an active shooter situation around 4:20 p.m.

The university urged students to remain hidden with cell phones silenced until further notice.

At this time it is unclear if anyone has been injured.

Ariana Baio13 December 2025 22:11

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NEED TO KNOW

• A woman, 38, accidentally drove into an indoor swimming pool with her 5-year-old daughter still in the car after allegedly mistaking the accelerator and brake pedals
• “Thanks to the quick intervention of two lifeguards and one person, the occupants were able to be removed from the vehicle, and there were no victims to be reported,” officials said
• While the mother and daughter seemed unharmed, they were taken to a nearby hospital and were reportedly suffering from shock

A woman crashed her car into a swimming pool — with her 5-year-old daughter still inside — after allegedly confusing the gas and brake pedals.

On Thursday, Dec. 11, a 38-year-old woman was driving in the parking lot of the Paul-Éluard municipal pool in the southern French town of La Ciotat when she drove straight through a glass wall and into an indoor pool, according to the city of La Ciotat. 

“Thanks to the quick intervention of two lifeguards and one person, the occupants were able to be removed from the vehicle, and there were no victims to be reported,” French officials wrote on Facebook that night. “Firefighters, as well as national and municipal police, intervened immediately to secure the scene.”

Photos from the aftermath of the incident show the vehicle sitting at the bottom of the pool, underneath the lane ropes, with its back doors wide open and one of the airbags seemingly deployed. Another photo shows the shattered glass panel where the car reportedly crashed into the recreational center. 

Following the incident, the municipality announced that, while the city extracts the vehicle and repairs damages, the pool would remain closed for a few weeks. 

According to local outlet La Provence, the town hall stated that fire and rescue services suspect that the woman may have “confused the brake and accelerator pedals” when the incident occurred around 9 p.m. local time.

Fortunately, two lifeguards were present at the pool when the Jaguar XF shattered the glass door and sank into the 25-meter pool. 

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As another person stood witness, the lifeguards “immediately dove in to rescue the mother and her daughter,” the Bouches-du-Rhône Interdepartmental Fire and Rescue Service (SDIS) told the outlet.

While the woman and her daughter were seemingly unharmed, they were taken to a nearby hospital and were reportedly suffering from shock. 

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A retail head says he is ‘flabbergasted’ that the head of the Metropolitan Police has criticised retailers calling on them to ‘step up and do better’ when it comes to helping police tackle shoplifting.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of the British Independent Retailers Association, said today that he ‘could not believe it’ when he heard Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley was calling on stores to do more and publicly lecturing them that ‘this was a team effort’.

He said the retail sector had in fact spent £1.2 billion on high tech extra security measures in the last two years but was still losing £2 billion in stock a year.

‘It is slightly off field for him to come out and say ‘we have done our bit now come out and do yours’,’ he said.

While agreeing that police nationwide had been making a concerted effort recently to improve their record on catching shoplifters, he said police had ‘effectively ignored the problem’ before they were forced into action.

‘I am really surprised he has come out with this. In fact, we have all been working hard together – retailers, police and PCCs – as part of the Police and Retail Crime Action Group which was set up two years ago by the last government to tackle shoplifting and it has been a collaborative effort to get to that point.

‘We are grateful that police forces around the country have ‘stepped up’ to use his words. Response times have improved for example and more recently there have been high profile raids on illicit shops.

Sir Mark Rowley (pictured) claimed there was evidence of security staff working with gangs to help them steal from shops

Cambridgeshire Police released CCTV footage of thieves targeting the John Lewis department store in Cambridge earlier this month, amid growing concern over retail crime

‘What disappoints me is that it has been collaboration that has got us to this point, not just him and police forces.’

Sir Mark Rowley said in an interview with the Telegraph that while the police’s record on store theft definitely needed improvement two years ago when the retail sector was right to be ‘cross’, police had now made significant progress.

He went on to call on retailers to work together with the police more, detailing occasions where stores had hampered investigations by not providing CCTV images and video.

Sir Mark said: ‘They were right to say to us, ‘please step up more’. And we have done. They need to step up more. There are some of them who are fantastic and I’m not going to name a good and bad list, that would be invidious. But I’m just putting a marker down.’

Sir Mark said police in the capital had now ‘really doubled down’ on shoplifting, throwing the gauntlet down to retailers:

‘We’re making a lot of progress, but they now need to do better.’

He even outlined one incident where private security staff had colluded with shoplifters to tell them when it was ‘clear’ and ‘helping them commit their criminality’.

As well as refusing to hand over CCTV to police, he also suggested some retailers refused to let their staff have time off to provide witness statements to the police or attend court to give evidence.

Sir Mark added: ‘So if they’re not prepared to roll up their sleeves as corporate victims, it’s going to be tough for us to make progress.’

But hitting back, Mr Goodacre said there was a ‘trust gap between those who own and run and work in retailers and the police’ because retailers believed police ‘won’t do anything in the long run about it’. 

‘Yes, they may well respond but the people perpetrating the crimes are still roaming the streets and back out. That may not be the police’s fault. It may be the blockage in the court process doing that so that’s the frustration.’

He said that he always encouraged retailers to submit evidence but they were often frustrated ‘that even after doing so or even after holding the suspected shoplifters on site, those people are back out on the street a day later’.

He added: ‘That’s the gap he has identified between retailer action and police communication but – if we are going to improve that – him coming out and being this critical of the retail sector is unhelpful.

‘He should go to the Retail Crime Action Group and ask them to go to people like me and Sainsbury’s and the Co Op and whoever to really try and make sure that the crimes are properly reported.

‘If we reported all the crimes, police forces wouldn’t be able to cope. They would be overwhelmed so be careful what you wish for!’

Sir Mark said facial recognition technology meant police were able to identify shoplifters or robbers in at least forty per cent of cases when they had obtained CCTV images.

And the Met boss said one UK chain operates a central control room in which they send pictures of suspects to the police, adding that ‘some of them are great at collecting the material’.

CCTV captures shoplifting taking place at News Plus on Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow

‘This is a team game. We’re stepping up. They now need to as well.’

Sir Mark said the Met’s efforts at tackling shoplifting had allowed the force to reverse the rise in store thefts, with cases down 4.4% this year from April to December.

Earlier this week, thieves who toured John Lewis stores across three counties to steal fragrance and Apple products worth tens of thousands of pounds were jailed.

Simona Dumitru, 35, and Sara Nae, 25, both from Leicester, stole goods from shops in Reading, Oxford, Milton Keynes and High Wycombe during August and September.

Lucy Whing, Crime Policy Advisor at the British Retail Consortium, said there were some ‘early signs’ that ‘ongoing improvements in coordination between retailers and police forces’ were ‘paying off’.

‘Retailers are also investing in new CCTV systems and reporting systems to help provide as much information as possible to authorities, however it is vital that reporting systems are aligned across police forces, to ensure that retailers can implement reporting systems that work right across the UK,’ she said.

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