Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 17 Januari 2015 | 20.14
Fears are growing for a student who went missing after a night out with friends in Durham two days ago.
Euan Coulthard, 19, has not been seen since the early hours of Thursday and friends say he has not responded to emails, texts or online messages.
Shopkeepers in Durham have put up posters and fellow students have joined searches for the popular student, who comes from Nottingham.
Police have been searching the banks of the River Wear and mountain rescue experts have also been involved in checks of steep wooded areas.
Mr Coulthard is a member of Durham University's St Mary's College and was out on Wednesday evening, celebrating a friend's 21st birthday at an Italian restaurant.
He went to the Love Shack nightclub and was seen leaving alone. He was last spotted on CCTV crossing Framwellgate Bridge.
Mr Coulthard is 5ft 9ins tall, of average build, with light brown hair. He was wearing black skinny jeans, a denim jacket and a beige patterned shirt.
Inspector Dave Coxon said: "It is now about 39 hours since Euan was last seen and, obviously, as time gets on we are increasingly concerned for his welfare.
"Officers have been searching the area where he was last seen and have progressed along the river banks this afternoon. Searches will continue over the weekend."
The head of the EU's police agency Europol says there are no guarantees that another Paris-style terror attack can be prevented despite increased security measures.
Rob Wainwright told Sky News that it has become "extremely difficult" to deal with the threat posed by Islamist extremists.
It comes as David Cameron vowed to tackle what he called the "poisonous narrative of Islamist extremism that is turning too many young minds".
Europol's boss Rob Wainwright speaking to Sky News
He was speaking following two days of talks with US President Barack Obama in Washington where they said a new group would be set up to exchange information and expertise to tackle the terror threat.
There are fears about the spread of terrorism after last week's Paris attacks that left 17 people dead and the arrest of more than two dozen people in anti-terror raids in Belgium, Germany and France.
Video:'Important Discussions' On Terror
Mr Wainwright admitted that stopping every potential attack was "very difficult" but vowed to "prevail" and said there was a determined action by police to disrupt cells.
He said: "Even in countries like France that have some of the most well-equipped counter-terrorist capabilities in the world, still it is possible for terrorist attacks to take place.
"This means that stopping everything is very difficult. Containing the threat fully is very difficult but I'm sure we will prevail in the same way as societies have prevailed against other forms of terrorism in the past."
Video:Cameron And Obama On Terror Threat
The Prime Minister wants to be able to better track suspected terrorists without undermining civil liberties and admitted there was an inability to interrupt their communications.
He pushed for tougher requirements for internet firms to alert authorities to suspicious online exchanges, ban encrypted communications and store data.
A report last year into the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby concluded that Facebook failed to pass on information that could have prevented his death.
Video:PM: No 'Safe Space' For Terrorists
Mr Wainwright said the terror threat was "very serious" and a "large-scale problem" across many European countries and there could be thousands of suspects radicalised online and through their experiences in Syria and Iraq.
The PM said dealing with extremism meant combating the threat in those conflict zones but also "dealing with terrorism in our own midst".
He said he had some "important discussions [with Obama] about how we combat the poisonous narrative of Islamist extremism that is turning too many young minds towards this.
Video:Rabbi: Jewish Exodus In Paris
"And crucially how to make sure that we are still able legally to intercept the communications of terrorists and stop them before they create mayhem and murder.
"This is controversial. We have to get it right. There's always been an inability in extremism to interrupt the communications of terrorists and to stop them doing what they plan.
"I think it's important we maintain those capabilities in the future."
Video:Online Intelligence Snooping Fears
The Prime Minister's policy proposals have caused concern on both sides of the Atlantic about the prospect of security efforts encroaching on privacy.
The two leaders also agreed to stage cyber "war games" and establish a joint "cyber cell" to boost both countries' resistance to hack attacks.
A man has appeared in court charged over a series of arson attacks in South Oxfordshire.
Andrew Main, 47, of Roke Marsh Farm, Roke, Wallingford, appeared at Oxford Magistrates' Court charged with two counts of arson with intent to endanger life and two counts of arson reckless as to whether life was endangered.
The charges relate to fires in Crowmarsh Gifford and Roke Marsh Farm in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The South Oxfordshire Council offices, a funeral parlour and a thatched cottage were targeted, along with a building at the farm.
Twenty-seven fire crews were sent to the infernos - all reported within less than 10 minutes of each other, just after 3am.
A witness described seeing a burnt-out car in the foyer of the council headquarters, while aerial images show a collapsed section of roof on the charred remains of the building.
An army bomb disposal team was also dispatched amid fears of unexploded gas canisters at one of the sites.
Main, who appeared at the short hearing wearing a plain grey tracksuit, nodded when asked if his personal details were correct.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Oxford Crown Court on January 30.
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Video:Latest Sky News Weather Forecast
Travel disruption looks set to continue as warnings of plummeting temperatures, snow and ice have been issued for large swathes of the UK.
The mercury will drop below freezing across much of the UK later, down to a low of -9C (16F) in the Scottish glens and -5C (23F) in southern England this weekend.
Sky News weather producer Rebecca Yussuf said: "Widespread sharp frosts will form each night over the weekend and early next week, with icy stretches on untreated surfaces.
"There will be further wintry showers, with rain and hail at low levels, sleet and snow over the higher ground.
The level three severe cold weather alert issued by the Met Office
"The higher ground of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England can expect a further 2-5 cm (up to two inches), with perhaps a slight covering at lower levels."
Southern England could see sleet and settling snow in places, mainly over the higher ground.
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Gallery: Snow And Ice Hit Parts Of UK
Snow and icy conditions are hitting many parts of the UK - and temperatures are set to plunge well below zero in many areas.
These pictures were taken in Cumbria, one of the areas hit by snowfall
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Northern England and parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to get up to two inches of snow this weekend
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Southern England could see sleet and settling snow in places, mainly over the higher ground
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Dr Angie Bone, of Public Health England's extreme events team, urged people to help vulnerable relatives and friends keep warm.
"Cold does kill, even in places where the temperatures aren't at their lowest. Most of our advice on keeping warm in cold weather may seem like common sense, but it's important that we make the point that people should think about how cold can affect them.
"Our advice is that when indoors, have plenty of warm food and drinks to stay warm and try to maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18C, particularly if you are not mobile, have long-term illness or are 65 or over."
Age UK urged older people to "take basic precautions" and called on the Government to "commit to improving the energy efficiency of homes across the country" in a bid to end preventable winter deaths.
Heavy snow has already caused disruption on roads, rail and at airports, and police have warned motorists to only to travel if necessary.
In Scotland on Friday, snow up to 5ft deep in parts left drivers stranded overnight on the A9 route to the Highlands.
Video:Your Videos Of The Snow
Trains were cancelled between Perth and Inverness and there were delays at Glasgow Airport.
A van driver died when a tree fell on top of his vehicle in Co Antrim and a three-year-old child and an elderly woman were among three injured when a pallet was blown from a lorry in east Belfast during strong winds.
Winds of 101mph were reported in Great Dunsell, Cumbria - the highest in the UK - while other exposed areas also saw speeds of above 70mph.
The strong winds caused disruption on railways in Kent and Birmingham, and part of Glasgow city centre was closed off after metal sheeting fell from the roof of a hotel.
:: Send your cold snap pictures and video to news@sky.com
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Snow Warning As Sub-Zero Temperatures Bite
We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
Video:Latest Sky News Weather Forecast
Travel disruption looks set to continue as warnings of plummeting temperatures, snow and ice have been issued for large swathes of the UK.
The mercury will drop below freezing across much of the UK later, down to a low of -9C (16F) in the Scottish glens and -5C (23F) in southern England this weekend.
Sky News weather producer Rebecca Yussuf said: "Widespread sharp frosts will form each night over the weekend and early next week, with icy stretches on untreated surfaces.
"There will be further wintry showers, with rain and hail at low levels, sleet and snow over the higher ground.
The level three severe cold weather alert issued by the Met Office
"The higher ground of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England can expect a further 2-5 cm (up to two inches), with perhaps a slight covering at lower levels."
Southern England could see sleet and settling snow in places, mainly over the higher ground.
1/7
Gallery: Snow And Ice Hit Parts Of UK
Snow and icy conditions are hitting many parts of the UK - and temperatures are set to plunge well below zero in many areas.
These pictures were taken in Cumbria, one of the areas hit by snowfall
]]>
Northern England and parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to get up to two inches of snow this weekend
]]>
Southern England could see sleet and settling snow in places, mainly over the higher ground
]]>
]]>
Dr Angie Bone, of Public Health England's extreme events team, urged people to help vulnerable relatives and friends keep warm.
"Cold does kill, even in places where the temperatures aren't at their lowest. Most of our advice on keeping warm in cold weather may seem like common sense, but it's important that we make the point that people should think about how cold can affect them.
"Our advice is that when indoors, have plenty of warm food and drinks to stay warm and try to maintain indoor temperatures to at least 18C, particularly if you are not mobile, have long-term illness or are 65 or over."
Age UK urged older people to "take basic precautions" and called on the Government to "commit to improving the energy efficiency of homes across the country" in a bid to end preventable winter deaths.
Heavy snow has already caused disruption on roads, rail and at airports, and police have warned motorists to only to travel if necessary.
In Scotland on Friday, snow up to 5ft deep in parts left drivers stranded overnight on the A9 route to the Highlands.
Video:Your Videos Of The Snow
Trains were cancelled between Perth and Inverness and there were delays at Glasgow Airport.
A van driver died when a tree fell on top of his vehicle in Co Antrim and a three-year-old child and an elderly woman were among three injured when a pallet was blown from a lorry in east Belfast during strong winds.
Winds of 101mph were reported in Great Dunsell, Cumbria - the highest in the UK - while other exposed areas also saw speeds of above 70mph.
The strong winds caused disruption on railways in Kent and Birmingham, and part of Glasgow city centre was closed off after metal sheeting fell from the roof of a hotel.
:: Send your cold snap pictures and video to news@sky.com
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Breaking News: Eurostar Cancels All Trains After Lorry Fire
Written By Unknown on Jumat, 16 Januari 2015 | 20.14
The Met Office has issued a level three cold weather alert for much of the UK, with warnings of plummeting temperatures, snow and ice.
Amber watch levels are in place for northeast and northwest England, as well as Yorkshire and the Humber as temperatures are set to fall to as low as -8C from Friday into the weekend.
"Be aware" warnings for ice and snow are also in place across Wales, the West Midlands, northwest, and west and northwest Scotland.
Sky News weather producer Rebecca Yussuf said: "It will turn much colder across the UK and Ireland over the next few days, with the return of widespread sharp frosts by night.
"Temperatures over the snowfields in Scotland will fall to lows of -8C (18F), whilst southern England and Wales will see lows of -4C (25F).
Video:Your Videos Of The Snow
"There'll be a widespread frost each night, with icy stretches forming on untreated surfaces.
"Most places will also see a drop in day-time temperatures, with parts of Scotland remaining sub-zero over the weekend and into the first part of next week.
"Monday looks to be the coldest day, with temperatures struggling to get much above 2C (36F) and winds making it feel even colder.
"The cold weather will be accompanied by wintry showers, bringing the risk of hail, sleet and snow just about anywhere over the next few days, although coastal areas will mostly see rain."
Dr Angie Bone of Public Health England's extreme events team urged people to help vulnerable family and friends to keep warm.
"Cold does kill, even in places where the temperatures aren't at their lowest. Most of our advice on keeping warm in cold weather may seem like common sense, but it's important that we make the point that people should think about how cold can affect them.
Cameras have been allowed to film inside the top-secret Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) for the first time.
Supervised filming was allowed in the organisation's 24-hour operation centre, which monitors events around the globe.
The access was granted as David Cameron pushes to give agencies such as GCHQ access to encrypted communications.
Allowing outsiders into Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) is an incredibly rare occurrence.
Outsiders are very rarely allowed past the building's tight security
So much so that signs are put up around the building warning staff against having sensitive conversations in the visitors' vicinity.
The organisation is responsible for signals intelligence - the gathering of intercepted communications and electronic signals.
The data gathered by the golf ball-shaped monitoring stations at some RAF airbases is sent to GCHQ where it is decrypted and analysed.
There are also thought to be intercepts on data cables in and out of the country.
At first glance, GCHQ looks like a typical office complex.
But the building itself is an imposing doughnut-shape ringed by razor wire-topped fences.
The main circular internal corridor is known as "the street" - it's an airy thoroughfare filled with busy workers.
It reflects the scale of the operation - GCHQ is Cheltenham's biggest employer.
Offices close to the inner circle look out onto the circular garden in the centre of the structure.
The enclosed outdoor space is deliberate – it's thought the design limits how much sound from conversations can carry upwards towards any spy satellites above.
Inside the doughnut, there's a small museum housing the first Enigma decoding machine, which cracked German codes during the Second World War.
Also on display are the notes on JRR Tolkein's application to join the Bletchley Park codebreakers.
GCHQ was established after the First World War and its very existence was not acknowledged until the 1980s.
In 2013, National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden revealed that it collects all online and telephone data in the UK under a programme known as Tempora.
A former owner of a painting has lost a High Court battle in a dispute over whether it was by the hand of the Italian artist Caravaggio.
Lancelot William Thwaytes, whose family acquired the work known as The Cardsharps in 1962, sued auction house Sotheby's alleging he was given negligent advice.
Mr Thwaytes, who inherited the painting from his art collector cousin, sold it through Sotheby's for a hammer price of £42,000 in December 2006 after it was catalogued as the work of a "follower" of Caravaggio.
The painting was bought by Mrs Orietta Adam, the partner of renowned scholar Sir Denis Mahon.
On 10 November, 2007 - at his 97th birthday party - Sir Denis declared his belief that the old master had created the work himself in about 1595 and valued it at £10m.
Following his death, it went on loan to the Museum of the Order of St John at Clerkenwell, London, and is currently insured for £10m.
The painting shows a young, privileged man falling victim to a pair of cheats during a game of cards
Caravaggio was born in Milan
Lawyers for Mr Thwaytes argued at a hearing last October that Mr Thwaytes had sought Sotheby's full advice and wanted "certainty" about the nature of the painting before putting it up for sale, but the advice he was given was "negligent".
They accused Sotheby's of not consulting enough top experts or sufficiently testing the painting before the sale.
But Mrs Justice Rose, sitting in London, ruled there had been no negligence by Sotheby's, which disputed the claim that the work was by Caravaggio.
The judge ruled Sotheby's experts had reasonably come to the view that the quality of the painting "was not sufficiently high to indicate that it might be by Caravaggio".
Sotheby's countered that many leading art specialists did not believe the work was by the Milan-born artist and it would never have sold for the millions suggested by those supporting Mr Thwaytes.
It was also the unanimous opinion of specialists in the auction house's own old masters painting (OMP) department that it was an anonymous copy of Caravaggio's Cardsharps displayed in the Kimbell Museum, Fort Worth, Texas, which was universally acknowledged to be by the old master.
Today the judge ruled the auction house had been entitled to rely on "the connoisseurship and expertise of their specialists in the OMP department in assessing the quality of the painting."
The judge said they were highly qualified and examined the painting thoroughly.
A teenager has been arrested in Merseyside following cyberattacks on Sony PlayStation and Xbox systems last year.
The teenager was held today in Southport, Merseyside, after a joint British and FBI-led operation.
He was arrested on suspicion of unauthorised access to computer material.
He was also detained for alleged threats to kill, the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) said.
It was unclear whether the arrest related to the Christmas Day attack on Xbox and Sony which left millions of users offline.
Deputy Chief Constable Peter Goodman, the national policing lead for cyber security at the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), said it was a "significant" arrest.
He said: "This arrest demonstrates that we will pursue those who commit crime with the false perception they are protected within their own homes or hiding behind anonymous online personas.
"As we continue to build capability and develop skills across wider policing, we still need industry, communities and individuals to protect themselves by implementing basic security measures whilst taking full advantage and enjoyment of the opportunities the world wide web provides."
Investigators, supported by the National Cyber Crime Unit (NCCU), said the operation also focused on alleged "swatting" offences.
Swatting involves individuals providing false information online to law enforcement agencies in the US.
The false information suggests a threat exists so police respond with tactical units.
Electronic and digital devices were seized by officers who arrested the teenager in Boundary Street, Southport.
Craig Jones, head of the Cyber Crime Unit at SEROCU, said: "We are still at the early stages of the investigation and there is still much work to be done.
"We will continue to work closely with the FBI to identify those who commit offences and hold them to account.
"Offences referred to as 'swatting' involve law enforcement forces in the United States receiving hoax calls via Skype for a major incident in which Swat teams were dispatched.
"We are pursuing cyber criminals using the latest technology and working with businesses and academia to further develop specialist investigative capabilities to protect and reduce the risk to the public.
"Cyber crime is an issue which has no boundaries and affects people on a local, regional and global level."
A former children's home manager has been found dead weeks before he was due to stand trial over alleged historical sex abuse.
John Stingemore, 72, was found at his home in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, on Wednesday afternoon.
Police called to the property following concern about his health found him collapsed and he was declared dead at the scene.
Sussex Police said the death was not suspicious.
A post-mortem examination has yet to take place and the case has been passed to the coroner.
Stingemore was due to stand trial next month at Southwark Crown Court charged with a string of indecent assaults on children.
The charges came following an investigation into alleged abuse at Grafton Close Children's Home in Hounslow, west London.
The home is at the centre of Operation Fernbridge, a Met police probe launched last year into an alleged VIP paedophile ring operating out of the Elm Guest House in Barnes, south London.
Written By Unknown on Kamis, 15 Januari 2015 | 20.14
Heavy rain and gale force winds are forecast to batter most of the UK, bringing the threat of flooding and disruption to travellers.
Forecasters have predicted the weather will turn very wet and windy across much of the country - strong winds are expected to return with gusts of up to 80mph in places.
A Met Office "be aware" weather warning for rain and strong winds is in place for the whole of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and central and southern Scotland.
Flooding is expected in Tayside, west central Scotland and southeast England.
In Ireland, a status red warning has been issued for exposed coastal mountain areas of Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick.
Video:Snow Stops Vehicles On A9
Schools in areas at risk are closed to save staff, parents and pupils having to travel in high winds.
Some 15,000 customers in the country are without power already, with warnings that the number is likely to increase as the winds become more fierce.
In Wales, 750 homes are without power because of the strong winds.
Four flood warnings are also in place for rivers in mid-Wales, along with nearly 30 flood alerts in place.
The gale force winds and heavy rain come during a week of severe weather in the principality, which has included snow, giant hailstones and a tornado.
In England, high winds and heavy rain all along the south coast of England have caused significant delays for rail travellers on lines operated by South West Trains and South Eastern Trains, with trees and flooding blocking the tracks.
Drivers are being urged to prepare for bad weather in the coming days.
Assault charges against West Ham United midfielder Ravel Morrison have been dropped at Manchester Crown Court after CCTV proved the central allegation was false.
The 21-year-old, currently with West Ham United, was accused of hitting Reah Mansoor, 19, and her mother Parveen, 39, after a night out at a Manchester nightclub last July.
A trial was due to take place later this month but the charges were dropped on Thursday and Morrison - who was not in court - was found not guilty.
Prosecutor Guy Mathieson said Morrison's defence team had recovered CCTV footage of the first alleged assault outside the One Central nightclub.
The footage showed that Morrison had not hit his ex, as was alleged, and she had "slumped" to the floor on her own.
She also withdrew her statement alleging he later assaulted her outside her home. Her mother was also reluctant to proceed with the alleged assault on her, the court heard.
The sentence given to a former religious studies teacher who walked free from court after being found guilty of repeatedly having sex with a 16-year-old pupil is to be reviewed by the Attorney General.
Stuart Kerner, 44, of Aylesford, Kent, was given a suspended 18-month sentence at Inner London Crown Court.
Jurors heard the victim was "obsessed" with him and that he took her virginity on a yoga mat on the floor of a store room at Bexleyheath Academy in the same week his wife miscarried their second child.
He also drove her to his home where they had sex, kissed and cuddled.
Judge Joanna Greenberg QC said it was clear the young victim had been "obsessed" with Kerner.
"(The victim) pursued you," the judge told him. "If grooming is the right word to use, it was she who groomed you, (and) you gave in to temptation."
But the victim was also young and vulnerable, the judge said, and Kerner was in a position of trust: "The law demands that you are the responsible adult and that you show restraint, and we know that you failed to do so."
Kerner was found guilty last month of two counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust.
The Attorney General's Office (AGO) tweeted: "AGO have received complaints about Stuart Kerner's sentence and will consider whether to refer to Court of Appeal under ULS (unduly lenient sentences) scheme.
"Stuart Kerner's sentence will be considered. Decision due by 11 February."
The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was at the sentencing on Wednesday.
Judge Greenberg described her as an "intelligent and manipulative" girl who had been known to make up far-fetched stories.
Kerner's name will go on the sex offenders' register. The court heard his wife has been sent on enforced leave from her job.
He was cleared of four other counts of the same offence, and acquitted of two counts of sexual activity with a child which related to alleged behaviour when the victim was 15.
Edward Ellis, defending, said that on the night the jury gave its verdict Kerner was in such a state of shock that mental health specialists were called in.
In a video interview with police, played in court, the victim said: "It felt special. But, I dunno, it wasn't really. And admitting that does kind of hurt."
Jon Brown, of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, said: "Teachers have a duty of care to their pupils and Kerner should have taken steps to distance himself from the girl rather than encouraging her behaviour."
BP has cut 300 North Sea oil jobs as its looks to save costs amid the plunging cost of oil.
Of those to be laid off, 200 are BP workers with the others affected in contractor roles.
BP briefed workers in Aberdeen today on its plans, which it had previously said would result in $1bn (£630m) of restructuring costs this year.
BP is keen to ensure its business in the North Sea remains competitive and sustainable for the long term as Brent crude costs hover below $50 per barrel - down from $115 last June.
Trevor Garlick, regional president for BP North Sea, said: "We are committed to the North Sea and see a long- term future for our business here.
Video:19 Dec 2014: Oil City Price Fears
"However, given the well-documented challenges of operating in this maturing region and in toughening market conditions, we are taking specific steps to ensure our business remains competitive and robust, and we are aligning with the wider industry.
"Whilst our primary focus will be on improving efficiencies and on simplifying the way we work, an inevitable outcome of this will be an impact on headcount and we expect a reduction of around 200 staff and 100 contractor roles.
"We have spoken to staff and will work with those affected over the coming months."
It made its announcement 24 hours after the governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, warned that falling oil prices represented a "negative shock" for the Scottish economy - but a "net positive" for the UK as a whole, given benefits for consumers.
The North Sea oil and gas sector employs over 400,000 people.
Holyrood's energy minister has called for UK Government action, saying the employment threat had produced the "the most serious jobs situation Scotland has faced in living memory."
In addition to the cuts at BP, Shell and Tullow Oil have been among other oil firms scaling back their investments worldwide.
Tullow, which has a focus on Africa, reported on Wednesday that its gross annual profits were expected to fall by more than half on 2013, it was taking a writedown of $600m due to asset revisions and cutting 2015 investment by $200m.
It also raised the prospect of major job losses - warning that: "A major internal review of Tullow's organisation is ongoing which will lead to substantial long-term cost savings and efficiencies across the group."
Tullow added that it expected to announce the details at its full-year results on 11 February.
Its share price rose 3.2% in early trading when markets opened for business on Thursday while BP saw a 2.3% boost.
Mining and energy stocks generally recovered some ground following sharp falls on Wednesday.
Unions however warned of the potential for long-term damage to the country's energy capacity as a result of falling investment.
The RMT claimed tens of thousands of jobs were at stake.
Its general secretary, Mick Cash, said: "In the wake of the current price slump, RMT is demanding that Westminster and the Scottish Parliament adopt a crisis management approach to ensure sustained production, maintenance of infrastructure, retention of skills, and a robustly regulated regime in the future.
"If immediate action isn't taken then we risk turning today's crisis into longer term damage that would threaten the very core of our offshore industry.
"This is no time for playing politics when the security of UK energy supplies is on the line."
Hundreds of firefighters have been tackling three major blazes in South Oxfordshire, as police arrested a man on suspicion of arson.
The 47-year-old is being held in connection with the fires, including one that has devastated the South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Council offices.
Twenty-seven fire crews were sent to separate infernos at a thatched home in Rokemarsh and a funeral parlour and the council offices in nearby village Crowmarsh Gifford - all reported within less than 10 minutes of each other, just after 3am.
A bomb disposal officer at the council offices
A witness described seeing a burnt-out car in the foyer of the council headquarters, while aerial images show a collapsed section of roof on the charred remains of the building.
An army bomb disposal team is on the scene amid fears over unexploded gas canisters at the site.
Video:Council Office Fire From The Air
Howard Chadwick Funeral Service and the council offices are next to each other in Benson Lane and the funeral director suggested the blazes had been started deliberately.
Neil Cox, 73, told the Oxford Mail: "I live right next to the funeral home and at about 3.15am I heard a noise so I came out and saw a car drive away quickly, down into the council building.
"The offices of the funeral home were on fire, so I phoned the owner, Howard, called the fire service and we tried putting it out with fire extinguishers.
"My understanding is they broke the window in the front door, popped the cap off a gas canister and threw a match in there."
Mr Cox's son and co-owner of the funeral home, Alistair Cox, said: "I think it's a case of mistaken identity, they probably thought the home was a gatehouse to the council. I've got no idea why they set fire to the council building."
Video:Thatched Cottage Up In Flames
Another co-owner, Sandra Chadwick, told the Oxford Mail "no funerals have been cancelled and no bodies of the deceased have been damaged" as a result of the fires.
Thames Valley Police that it was "believed that a vehicle collided with" the council offices before the fire started there.
"At this stage the police investigation is focusing on all three fires being linked and are believed to be suspicious," the force said.
"This is being investigated as a criminal act and is not thought linked to any terrorist activity. There are cordons in place at all three scenes and residents and motorists are asked to avoid the area.
"Nobody is reported injured as a result of these fires, however following the fires the structures of the buildings are being examined.
Video:First Pictures Of Oxfordshire Fire
"A 47-year-old local man has been arrested on suspicion of arson and is currently in custody."
Karl Mitchell-Shead, who filmed footage of the council office fire, earlier told Sky News: "The roof has collapsed in places and the other half is well and truly alight.
"I got there pretty early in the operation. Police weren't really there. You can't get anywhere near it now.
"The funeral parlour is the last house to the main entrance to the council site. The thatched house is about a mile away."
Journalist Marcus Chippendale told Sky News: "There are still some flames coming from the building.
1/20
Gallery: South Oxfordshire District Council Fire
Fire crews have been tackling three major fires in South Oxfordshire, including one at the district council offices in the village of Crowmarsh Gifford. Pic: Karl Mitchell-Shead
One of the fires was at a thatched house in nearby Rokemarsh. The other was at a funeral parlour next to the council office
Written By Unknown on Selasa, 13 Januari 2015 | 20.14
The annual rate of inflation has hit a 15-year low as oil costs continue to fall and supermarkets engage in a price war.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) measured consumer price inflation (CPI) at 0.5% in December - its joint lowest level on record - slowing from a rate of 1% in the previous month.
The figure represents a further easing in the cost of living as wage growth is boosting consumer spending power and easily outpacing rises in costs.
The ONS said falling petrol prices and lower gas and electricity bills compared with a year earlier were the biggest factors pushing inflation down last month.
The cost of Brent crude is currently at six-year lows - trading on Tuesday at $45-per-barrel.
Video:Sub-£1 Petrol Boss Denies Gimmick
It represents a fall of more than half since last summer on a supply glut and fears for world economic health.
Flat household gas and electricity tariffs over the month - compared to a period last year when they were raised sharply - also made a major contribution to the drop in CPI.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages were 1.7% cheaper in December than the same month a year ago - driven by the intense price war between the major supermarkets under pressure from discounters Aldi and Lidl.
Core vegetable costs were over 7% lower.
Motor fuels fell 10.5% year on year with the price of a litre of petrol tumbling 13.6p between December 2013 and last month, with diesel 15p lower.
The plunge in CPI to below 1% triggers a letter of explanation from Bank of England governor Mark Carney to George Osborne because it is more than 1% off the Bank's 2% inflation target.
Video:Chancellor Welcomes Inflation Drop
But the Chancellor is unlikely to be worried that, ahead of May's election, prices are falling following a tough six years for voters in the wake of the financial crisis.
Price growth could ease further this month as energy firms begin to cut standard tariffs - with no sign of a rebound in oil and gas costs.
The Bank had previously said it expected CPI to fall below 1% and remain there for months to come.
But the sharpness of the decline brings the UK uncomfortably close to the scenario in the eurozone, where there are fears of a damaging deflationary spiral after inflation fell to -0.2%.
Deflation, which dogged Japan for more than 25 years, is seen as dangerous economically because consumers and businesses hold off on purchases on hopes goods and services will be cheaper in future.
Mr Osborne said: "Inflation is at its lowest level in modern times.
Video:Will Inflation Drop Help Consumers?
"We have family budgets going further and the economic recovery starting to be widely felt.
"We will always remain vigilant that we have lower inflation for the right reasons and today is yet further proof our long term plan is working."
Shadow Treasury minister Shabana Mahmood said: "Plummeting global oil prices are the reason why the rate of inflation is falling here in Britain.
"But wages continue to be sluggish and the squeeze on living standards since 2010 means working people are £1,600 a year worse off under this government."
A consortium is to be stripped of its contract to clean up western Europe's largest nuclear waste site at Sellafield following criticism of its performance.
Nuclear Management Partners (NMP), made up of US engineering group URS, British firm AMEC and French energy firm AREVA, was awarded an extension to its deal in 2013 despite accusations of delays and cost over-runs.
But the Government confirmed NMP, which employs 10,000 workers, will have its contract terminated.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) will instead assume responsibility for the work to allow a "simplifying" of its relationship with the Sellafield project.
The cost of making the site, on the Cumbrian coast, safe has been put at almost £80bn over 120 years.
Sellafield was used in the 1950s to make plutonium for nuclear weapons before the country's first nuclear power station was built there.
NMP was handed a 17-year contract worth £9bn in 2008.
Energy secretary Ed Davey said: "Sellafield is the biggest and most complex nuclear site in Europe, so it's right that we keep the way it's being managed under constant review.
"We have seen great examples of how this approach can work with Crossrail and the Olympics - and I'm confident we'll see similar results at Sellafield."
Amec said the NMP contract would be terminated at the end of 2016, adding that the NDA had confirmed it was not performance-related.
Its statement said: "It is vital that the lessons learned and the progress made since NMP were awarded the contract in 2008 should not be wasted.
"NMP has to date generated £650m of efficiency savings and met 96% of its targets last year while Sellafield's safety performance is now the best ever."
Gary Smith, national officer of the GMB, questioned the Government's role in the contract process.
He said: "We believe NDA wanted to terminate the contract in 2013 following a report it commissioned, but was overruled by ministers.
"Over £2bn has been spent with NMP since they extended the contract.
"Who is going to be held to account for extending the contract? GMB members, the community and taxpayers need to know."
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Former PM Tony Blair will face the Northern Ireland Select Committee
By David Blevins, Ireland Correspondent
Tony Blair will today face questions from MPs investigating the scheme established to resolve the issue of "on the runs" during the Northern Ireland peace process.
The controversial distribution of "letters of comfort" to alleged fugitives, stating they were no longer wanted for past crimes, sparked uproar last year when it resulted in the collapse of the Hyde Park bomb trial at the Old Bailey.
John Downey, who denied murdering four soldiers in the 1982 bombing, had received a letter in error informing him he was no longer being pursued in Northern Ireland or elsewhere.
The case against John Downey collapsed
During his trial, it emerged that 187 people had received similar assurances - the majority of them republicans who had never been charged or who had been convicted but then escaped.
Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, those convicted of terrorist offences were released from prison early but those who had gone "on the run" were not considered eligible.
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Gallery: Hyde Park Bombing: July 1982
A police forensic officer examines the remains of the IRA car which contained the Hyde Park bomb
Images of dead horses and wrecked cars added to the shock for people reeling from the human cost of the atrocity
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Wrecked cars are removed from the scene
]]>
The flag-draped coffin carrying Lt Anthony Daly, the Blues and Royals officer killed in the bombing along with three other soldiers
]]>
A memorial stone marks the location of the 1982 bombing
]]>
In 2006, after an attempt to establish a formal scheme for "on the runs" failed, Mr Blair wrote to Gerry Adams outlining plans to resolve the issue, "expediting the existing administrative procedures".
The scheme had been reported publicly but victims' families said they felt "devastatingly let down" by the collapse of the Downey case - and Northern Ireland's First Minister threatened to resign.
Lady Justice Hallet, who conducted the first inquiry, concluded that the letters were not an amnesty and that the scheme was lawful but called Mr Downey's letter a "catastrophic mistake".
The Northern Ireland Select Committee, which is carrying out its own inquiry at Westminster, first invited Mr Blair to appear last March - then voted unanimously to summon him in December.
1/9
Gallery: IRA Suspect Amnesties: Key Players
Following the Good Friday Agreement and the release of 400 loyalist and republican paramilitary prisoners, the question about what to do with on-the-run IRA suspects, wanted for crimes before April 10, 1998, continued to needle the Tony Blair Government
In 2006, Mr Blair wrote to Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams telling him the Government was working on a solution for dealing with the suspects in question
]]>
In his letter to the former Prime Minister, chairman Laurence Robertson MP said: "The committee was particularly disappointed at a lack of response since its members have noted that you have been in the UK regularly over the past few weeks, but you have not been able to find an hour or so to meet us. The committee felt this was extremely disrespectful to the House."
Democratic Unionist MP David Simpson, a member of the committee, said: "Despite Mr Blair's best efforts to assist republicans, this shameful scheme has now come to a close and those in receipt of letters have been very publicly warned that no comfort can now be drawn from them.
"It has been a long fight to bring Tony Blair before this committee and now that he has finally been cornered into giving evidence, it is vital that he gives some answers."
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Former PM Tony Blair will face the Northern Ireland Select Committee
By David Blevins, Ireland Correspondent
Tony Blair will today face questions from MPs investigating the scheme established to resolve the issue of "on the runs" during the Northern Ireland peace process.
The controversial distribution of "letters of comfort" to alleged fugitives, stating they were no longer wanted for past crimes, sparked uproar last year when it resulted in the collapse of the Hyde Park bomb trial at the Old Bailey.
John Downey, who denied murdering four soldiers in the 1982 bombing, had received a letter in error informing him he was no longer being pursued in Northern Ireland or elsewhere.
The case against John Downey collapsed
During his trial, it emerged that 187 people had received similar assurances - the majority of them republicans who had never been charged or who had been convicted but then escaped.
Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, those convicted of terrorist offences were released from prison early but those who had gone "on the run" were not considered eligible.
1/12
Gallery: Hyde Park Bombing: July 1982
A police forensic officer examines the remains of the IRA car which contained the Hyde Park bomb
Images of dead horses and wrecked cars added to the shock for people reeling from the human cost of the atrocity
]]>
Wrecked cars are removed from the scene
]]>
The flag-draped coffin carrying Lt Anthony Daly, the Blues and Royals officer killed in the bombing along with three other soldiers
]]>
A memorial stone marks the location of the 1982 bombing
]]>
In 2006, after an attempt to establish a formal scheme for "on the runs" failed, Mr Blair wrote to Gerry Adams outlining plans to resolve the issue, "expediting the existing administrative procedures".
The scheme had been reported publicly but victims' families said they felt "devastatingly let down" by the collapse of the Downey case - and Northern Ireland's First Minister threatened to resign.
Lady Justice Hallet, who conducted the first inquiry, concluded that the letters were not an amnesty and that the scheme was lawful but called Mr Downey's letter a "catastrophic mistake".
The Northern Ireland Select Committee, which is carrying out its own inquiry at Westminster, first invited Mr Blair to appear last March - then voted unanimously to summon him in December.
1/9
Gallery: IRA Suspect Amnesties: Key Players
Following the Good Friday Agreement and the release of 400 loyalist and republican paramilitary prisoners, the question about what to do with on-the-run IRA suspects, wanted for crimes before April 10, 1998, continued to needle the Tony Blair Government
In 2006, Mr Blair wrote to Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams telling him the Government was working on a solution for dealing with the suspects in question
]]>
In his letter to the former Prime Minister, chairman Laurence Robertson MP said: "The committee was particularly disappointed at a lack of response since its members have noted that you have been in the UK regularly over the past few weeks, but you have not been able to find an hour or so to meet us. The committee felt this was extremely disrespectful to the House."
Democratic Unionist MP David Simpson, a member of the committee, said: "Despite Mr Blair's best efforts to assist republicans, this shameful scheme has now come to a close and those in receipt of letters have been very publicly warned that no comfort can now be drawn from them.
"It has been a long fight to bring Tony Blair before this committee and now that he has finally been cornered into giving evidence, it is vital that he gives some answers."
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Nick Clegg is to accuse the Prime Minister of eroding the "freedom of British citizens" with plans to allow intelligence agencies to track people's emails and web activities.
His comments come the day after David Cameron vowed to introduce "comprehensive" legislation to give agencies "robust powers" to protect people from Paris-style attacks.
The Prime Minister said the Conservatives would revive the measures in the so-called "snoopers' charter", which was abandoned after objection from the Liberal Democrats, if they won the General Election.
In a speech later today at the Irish Embassy, Mr Clegg will say: "The irony appears to be lost on some politicians who say in one breath that they will defend freedom of expression and then in the next advocate a huge encroachment on the freedom of all British citizens.
"Let me be really clear, we have every right to invade the privacy of terrorists and those we think want to do us harm - but we should not equate that with invading the privacy of every single person in the UK. They are not the same thing.
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"The snoopers' charter is not targeted. It's not proportionate. It's not harmless."
Mr Clegg said he agreed it was right for the agencies to have power to access the internet communications of terror suspects and that Britain retained the right to "steam open letters" of those considered a threat.
However, he objected to the part of the now dropped data communications act that meant details of every social media interaction and every website visit of everyone in the country should be stored.
Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme he said that would include the digital footprint of children and grandmothers, who did nothing more than visit gardening websites.
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It comes after the head of MI5, Andrew Parker, warned there was a danger of "dark places" developing online that spies were unable to monitor.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said Mr Cameron's proposals for new powers were necessary because there was "a small but significant number of people we have to monitor the whole time".
He agreed he was "spooked" by the idea of everyone's internet communications being monitored and said he had sympathy with Mr Clegg's concerns over civil liberties.
He told the same programme: "That's why it's important the process should be transparent, it should be accountable and everybody should be able to review what has taken place and decide, in retrospect, whether decisions were rightly made.
Video:More Questions Than Answers
"What I think would be wrong would be to refuse the police access to a huge variety and number of communications now being made using the internet."
He said it should be down to the courts to decide whether intelligence agencies should be allowed to access to internet communications.
Speaking at an event in Nottingham on Monday, Mr Cameron said: "The attacks in Paris once again demonstrated the scale of the terrorist threat that we face and the need to have robust powers through our intelligence and security agencies and policing in order to keep our people safe."
He added: "That is the key principle: do we allow safe spaces for them to talk to each other? I say no, we don't, and we should legislate accordingly."
The next 48 hours could see treacherous driving conditions for most of the UK and Ireland with the risk of ice and snow and then severe gales.
Through Tuesday night and into Wednesday, it'll be cold with showers falling as hail, sleet and snow quite widely, settling across the hills and mountains of the north, but also accumulating at lower levels here.
So by Wednesday morning, untreated roads of Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic, northern England and the north of Wales could see ice and snow, which could cause disruption to travel.
Around four inches (10cm) or more is likely to accumulate on the highest ground.
Further south, the snow is likely to be mostly over the high ground, but a slight covering is possible at lower levels, especially across the moors of south-west England close to the Bristol Channel and through the Thames Valley area.
Icy stretches will also be a widespread problem.
The wintry showers will tend to ease through Wednesday morning, leaving most places dry and sunny for a while, before it turns increasingly wet and very windy from the west.
A deepening area of low pressure will spread heavy rain eastwards across most parts through the day, with snow across Scotland.
The rain will clear through quite quickly, but the main concern will be the strengthening winds.
During the second half of Wednesday and overnight into Thursday, gusts in excess of 70mph are likely in the north, especially across Northern Ireland and Scotland.
To the south of the system, gales or severe gales are expected, with gusts quite widely up to 65mph.
The strong and gusty winds are likely to cause disruption to travel on Thursday morning, with potential damage to power lines and structural damage.
Very large waves could also cause dangerous conditions around coastal areas.
But this low pressure system looks likely to clear eventually to the North East through Thursday night - which should bring a welcome easing of the high winds.
Written By Unknown on Senin, 12 Januari 2015 | 20.14
New severe weather warnings for large parts of the country have been issued by the Met Office, with severe gales and snow expected to hit the UK this week.
Yellow "be prepared" alerts are in place for all of Scotland, parts of Northern Ireland and for northern counties of England. London and the South East may also be affected.
Sky News weather presenter Isobel Lang said: "Be prepared for a rather volatile week ahead. Expect severe gales today, colder air on Tuesday with some snow, with then another storm tracking across northern areas late Wednesday."
The latest bout of bad weather could affect areas already hit by a series of ferocious gales.
In northern Scotland and the Western Isles thousands of homes remain without power for a fourth day after a storm on Friday saw gusts of winds of up to 113mph.
Electricity supplier SSE said around 8,000 homes had still not been reconnected.
The worst-affected areas were the Western Isles, around Wick, Inverness-shire and around Dingwall.
The Red Cross is providing help to those in need. Anne Eadie, who is co-ordinating the response, said: "Our biggest priority was to make sure that people identified as vulnerable because of age, infirmity or some degree of disability were able to withstand this crisis safely.
"Our response will wind down as more households are reconnected to the grid, but until supplies are back to normal, our teams will continue to provide whatever help is needed."
The series of storms has been stirred up by an extra-powerful jet stream in the Atlantic, which was triggered by plunging temperatures in the US hitting warmer air from the south.
The bad weather has caused a number of incidents. In the Scottish mountains three people were rescued after being stranded in a blizzard.
A man fell into the Northern Corries on Saturday night and was airlifted to hospital, while two people were trapped overnight following heavy snowfall in the central Cairngorms.
A driver died in Aberdeenshire where weather has been causing problems, and police are investigating if it was a factor.
Two teenagers were also taken to hospital after a car crash involving a gritter in South Ayrshire.
In Brighton, the bodies of two friends have been recovered after they were swept out to sea in severe weather.
A statue on top of the Sunderland Empire toppled over and was left dangling 90 feet up, causing a performance to be cancelled.
In the Solent, engineers trying to stabilise the cargo ship Hoegh Osaka near Southampton have also been hampered by bad weather.
A teenager who stabbed to death a 14-year-old boy emailed pictures of the body to an online acquaintance, a court has heard.
Lewis Daynes, 19, communicated with two of Breck Bednar's friends after he killed the boy, claiming he stabbed him during a struggle and he was dead.
Breck was an air cadet with 135 Squadron and a student at St Bede's school
Daynes then sent three images of Breck's body to an online acquaintance before calling emergency services.
Following his arrest, computer engineer Daynes said: "I should have known better than to go for an artery on a friend."
Daynes has pleaded guilty to murdering Breck, who was found with a fatal neck wound at a flat in Grays, Essex on 17 February 2014.
He is due to be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court later today.
Mrs Justice Cox has lifted reporting restrictions which covered five other counts Daynes faced, including four counts of sexual offences relating to another victim and one of possessing indecent images. Daynes has denied these offences.
Prosecutor Richard Whitham QC said there was no longer a realistic prospect of a conviction for these counts given the conviction for murder and the charges were dropped.
Family members said Breck, from Caterham in Surrey, had left home after arranging to meet a friend online.
Since his death his mother, Lorin LeFave, has launched the Breck Bednar Memorial Foundation to help raise money and awareness to help protect children.
"I'll never stop missing my Breck," she said.
Breck, who was a student at St Bede's School in Redhill, Surrey, was an air cadet with 135 Squadron and attended St John the Evangelist church in Caterham.
The owner of three petrol stations in the West Midlands has cut the price of unleaded petrol below £1-a-litre, as supermarkets announce further reductions.
The decision to sell petrol at 99.7p by Harvest Energy garages in Birmingham, Redditch and Walsall sees sub-£1 pump prices in the UK for the first time in more than five years.
Dr Velautham Sarveswaran, who runs the stations, claims he will still make money from the move.
"The supermarkets continue to make a fortune without passing the price cuts to their customers. It is a scandal. They are cheating people," he told MailOnline.
Unleaded petrol costs hit a five-year low last week of 109.8p - with figures provided by Experian Catalist showing that average costs on Sunday had reduced further to 108.9p.
Diesel stood just below 115p-a-litre.
Analysis showed that with an unleaded price of 99.7p, 57.95p of that figure would go to the Treasury in fuel duty and a further 18.3p would be paid in VAT, with the driver paying just over 20p for the product itself.
Lower petrol prices are a consequence of the plunge in oil costs - with Brent crude losing more than 50% of its value since June last year on a supply glut and fears for the strength of the world economy.
Brent was down at fresh six-year lows of $48.8-a-barrel in Monday trading.
Supermarkets confirmed further reductions to their prices - with Tesco taking 2p off their petrol and diesel costs from Monday afternoon.
Asda and Morrisons confirmed similar moves from Tuesday.
For Asda customers, the latest reduction means they will pay no more than 103.7p-a litre for petrol, with diesel at 110.7p.
While motoring groups welcomed the Harvest price, the AA said it "appears to be a publicity stunt rather than a reflection of general pump prices."
Its president Edmund King added: "There remains a postcode lottery out there when it comes to fuel prices.
"Drivers in rural areas are still paying much more than the 109p average price ...It will still take some time to get down to an average of £1 per litre."
Scenarios similar to the deadly terror attacks in Paris will be included in future counter-terrorism exercises by the police and security services, Downing Street has said.
David Cameron has met intelligence and security chiefs to discuss whether further measures are needed to deal with the threat of terror attacks in Britain after 17 people were killed in the French capital.
Following the talks, a Number 10 spokesman said it had been agreed that future exercises, which take place on a regular basis, should seek to learn from events in France.
Mr Cameron, who joined French President Francois Hollande and world leaders for a rally in Paris to remember the victims, stressed the need for the police to be able to call on military help if there is a major emergency.
The PM also emphasised the importance of international co-operation to stop the cross-border smuggling of firearms and other weapons.
Video:Special Report: Paris Attacks
Speaking to Sky News following the march on Sunday, Mr Cameron said it was necessary to "ask ourselves how we would respond to this sort of situation" in Britain.
He added: "In a free country, there's never any way you can guarantee against an attack and the damage an attack can do.
"But what we do have in Britain is brilliant security and intelligence services, very strong counter-terrorism policing, and a way of coordinating the work that they do with special forces and others to make sure that when these things happen, we respond in the best way we possibly can."
The attacks have also sparked a debate about whether UK police officers should be routinely armed.
Norman Brennan, a retired police officer, told Sky News: "It's not really a choice of whether police officers, certainly frontline officers, want to be armed. The time has really come where they should be armed.
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Gallery: France Attacks: Marches Worldwide
London's Tower Bridge is illuminated by the red, white and blue of the French Tricolore in solidarity with the people of France
People in many countries around the world took part in demonstrations of unity with the French people after the attacks in Paris. A large number of people gathered in Madrid
As Britain's terror threat level continues to be at its highest level in several years, the UK's most senior policeman has told Sky News he believes an attack is possible - but unlikely.
In August last year, the Government raised Britain's terror threat level from "substantial" to "severe" because of the threat from militant groups in the Middle East, such as the Islamic State.
In the wake of the Paris terror attacks, Home Secretary Theresa May announced that security would be bolstered at British ports and train stations.
And just days ago M15 chief Andrew Parker warned that the UK faced a threat of "complex and ambitious plots" by extremists.
But in an exclusive interview with Sky, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said the public should remain calm.
Video:Terror: Is Britain Prepared?
"I don't think it's likely but I think we all know it's a possibility - the threat level is severe and so therefore that means a terrorist attack is possible.
"We do our best together with the security services to make sure the terrorists don't succeed and that we keep people safe. To date, that's broadly what we've been able to achieve."
Sir Bernard's primary concern is the hundreds of Britons who have travelled to Syria and Iraq to fight alongside extremist groups, and who could bring that fight back to the streets of Britain.
Video:Al Qaeda Threatens More Attacks
He says families need to work with the police to prevent their children leaving in the first place.
"The task is to get in there before they go, then we can talk to them and talk to the charities who can help them and persuade them of the foolishness of what they're about to embark on.
"There's no structure in these countries. There is no law. So they only law they've got is the gun. That's the sort of country they're going to."
Six people - including two teenagers - have been arrested in connection with the murder of a Chinese restaurant owner in Northern Ireland.
Nelson Cheung was driving home from work when his car was forced off the road by two vehicles in a rural area of County Antrim.
It is believed the 65-year-old's throat was cut, and that he was killed in front of his wife, before being robbed of cash.
Mrs Cheung, 57, suffered knife wounds but managed to escape. She was treated in hospital for her injuries and has since been discharged.
A 14-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl are among the six people detained by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Mr Cheung was the owner of the Double Value Chinese restaurant in Randalstown.
Investigators do not believe the attack was racially motivated.
Detective Chief Inspector Eamonn Corrigan said: "Mrs Cheung has been released from hospital but is understandably anguished following the murder of her husband.
"My thoughts - and the thoughts of my investigative team - are with the Cheung family."
