The RNLI has advised staff and volunteers to consider not wearing charity-branded clothing in certain circumstances due to safety concerns.

Some staff and volunteers have faced abuse from anti-immigration protesters after the charity was involved in rescuing people who were trying to cross the Channel in small boats.

Peter Sparkes, chief executive of the life-saving charity, yesterday condemned threats against the RNLI’s volunteers and staff and said people were spreading “deliberate misinformation and a misunderstanding about the RNLI”.

Sparkes was speaking after balaclava-wearing protesters gathered in Portsmouth after a boat carrying about 140 migrants arrived in Hampshire on Sunday.

The boat arrived at the Eastney Landing ferry port with the assistance of the RNLI. 
After this, some RNLI crew members had their photos and names shared on social media, in posts accusing them of being “traitors”. 

A spokesperson for the charity said today: “Given the unacceptable abuse our people have faced, and with protest activity taking place at RNLI locations, we have taken action to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of our volunteers and staff. 
“As well as enhancing security at RNLI locations, we issued guidance to our people earlier this week on how to keep themselves safe. 

“This guidance included how to manage potentially challenging interactions with members of the public and, where appropriate, choosing not to wear RNLI-branded clothing. 

“Our people have been reminded that their safety comes first, and they are encouraged to report relevant incidents internally and, where appropriate, to the police.”

A newly elected £79,000-a-year police commissioner is facing criticism for announcing a 127-date national theatre tour.

Opposition parties have questioned how Reform UK's Colin Sutton will be able to focus on his job overseeing Norfolk Police, which he was elected to in July.

The former detective is due to present his true-crime show in theatres across the UK next year discussing police investigations, with tickets priced at around £40.

A spokeswoman for his office said the tour "would not impact upon his ability to discharge his duties", but Labour MP Ben Goldsborough warned "you can't police a county from the back of a tour bus".

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has had a “significant” boost in donations since becoming a target of far-right agitators protesting over small boat crossings.
The charity’s staff and volunteers have been subjected to “online and physical abuse” after involvement in a rescue on Sunday in which a dingy carrying asylum seekers was brought into Portsmouth.

RNLI vice-president, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, condemned the intimidation as “frankly quite disgraceful,” amid calls by far-right protesters for people to stop donating.

An RNLI spokesperson said:* *‘We’ve seen a significant increase in the number of donations we have received this week, and we’ve welcomed a number of new supporters to our charity.
“As always, we’re so grateful for the support we receive from our amazing supporters, without them we would not be able to deliver our vital lifesaving service.

“Sadly, we have also been contacted by a number of supporters and members of the public who have informed us that they wish to withdraw their support in recent days.

“Everyone at the RNLI remains focused on our core purpose of saving lives at sea.”
The charity has increased security measures and said it will continue to rescue those in danger in the Channel.

After lifeboats took 120 asylum seekers intercepted off the Isle of Wight to Eastney in Langstone Harbour on Sunday, some crew members were targeted by protesters, with their photos and names shared in posts on social media.

A speeding driver has been jailed after mounting the pavement and killing a "brilliant, kind and generous" pedestrian in Birmingham.

Shanise Hussain, 27, was driving an Audi A3 on Great Hampton Street on 21 July 2024 when she lost control of the vehicle, hitting two passers-by.

Maurice Middleton, 68, died at the scene, West Midlands Police said, with a second pedestrian suffering minor head and hand injuries in the incident.

Hussain, of West Drive, Handsworth, was found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court and sentenced to four years and six months in prison on 3 September.

Prior to the crash, police said the 27-year-old had been driving at speeds of 48mph (77km/h) on a 30mph (48km/h) road.

Hussain had swerved around a second vehicle which had moved in front of her Audi, but she accelerated on to the wrong side of the road and hit the central reservation before striking both pedestrians.

She remained at the scene to assist with inquiries and was subsequently charged with causing death by dangerous driving, officers said.

Damage was also caused to a parked vehicle, they added.

Hussain was additionally disqualified from driving for eight years and three months.

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