Edition 75
Olympic athlete out to do a runner AN Olympic athlete has walked into a Leeds police station in Britain and asked for asylum. According to The Sun, the male competitor turned up at Bridewell Police Station on Tuesday. He is believed to have entered Britain as a legitimate member of the Olympic squad of an East African country. The sportsman is currently having his application processed in the normal way after police passed the case to the UK Border Agency (UKBA). Immigration officials have warned that up to two per cent of athletes, team officials and supporters may claim refuge in the UK during and after the Games – or try to stay on once their visas expire. A number of international Olympic teams have training camps in Yorkshire, the largest being the Chinese team in Leeds. A Home Office spokesman said it was expected that all athletes taking part in the Games would leave when their accreditation expires and any applications for asylum would be dealt with according to standard immigration procedures. A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said asylum applications were a matter for the UKBA.
www.thecourier.es
Friday, July 27, 2012
DON’T BE AN M-WAY MUG
BRITISH holidaymakers taking their cars to Spain this summer are being warned of the threat from motorway thieves who rob foreign-registered vehicles and hire cars of their possessions, passports and money.
Beware AP7 robbery scams, British motorists are warned
UK-registered cars using Spanish motorways are proving an easy target for gangs who use a wide variety of scams to distract unsuspecting holidaymakers - and then steal their belongings. The worst blackspot is the AP7 motorway between the French border and the Alicante region. More than 60 robberies on this motorway were reported to the British Consulate in Alicante last year - and the number of reported cases is increasing this summer. It is believed that hundreds more cases of thieves using distraction scams go unreported to Foreign Office staff because victims generally only contact a British Consulate if their passport has been taken. Foreign motorists are tricked by loud bangs, apparent accidents or vehicle problems, supposedly punctured tyres and pretend requests for help in motorway service areas. “We are warning drivers of UK-registered cars and hire cars to be on the alert on motorways in Spain, both while driving and taking a break”, said Paul help . They may well be part Rodwell, British Consul in of a gang operating a scam in which an unseen accomAlicante. “We also hope that Brits plice will rob you of your living in Spain will help us to things.” The Consulates in get the message out to any friends and family who may Barcelona and Alicante have drive to Spain this summer jointly designed a leaflet for visits. The most important called Driving safely and thing is to be on your guard avoiding roadside scams in against anyone who attempts Spain that can be downto stop you or ask you for loaded from UKinSpain travel
British Consul Paul Rodwell : ‘Be on your guard’
advice webpage. It provides useful advice that will help drivers to plan their journeys, stay safe and avoid common problems.Victims of crime should inform the police. Britons can also go to the UKinSpain website for advice or contact the local British Consulate via 902 109 356 for an emergency travel document or other assistance.
‘THEY ARE QUICK AND SLICK WHILE YOU ARE TIRED AND VULNERABLE’ STEPHEN and Helen Robinson from Leicestershire stopped at a service area between Barcelona and Valencia to exercise their dog. Both were at the boot of the car when they were distracted by a man apparently on the phone, asking them how to say something in English. Meanwhile their bag was taken from the front, despite the dog being inside. “It was quick and slick,” said Mrs Robinson. “Remember that on the second day of driving down from the UK, you may be more tired and therefore more vulnerable. Separate your valuables into different places in the car, and when you stop be aware you may be being watched. You won’t see the accomplice of the person who is distracting you.” In another robbery, Joy and Alan Horton from Suffolk were aware of a vehicle close to them on the motorway, then heard a loud bang. They pulled over. The other car stopped in front of them and while the driver talked animatedly to them, his passenger accomplice grabbed their belongings unseen. “Keep all jackets, bags and valuables in a locked boot and not on the back seat where they can be seen,’’ warned Mr Horton. “If you think your car may have been in a collision and you pull over, lock the car as soon as you get out and mount a guard on both sides of the vehicle.”