Parents arrested for complaining about school in WhatsApp group
Read our privacy policyA couple have criticised police after they were arrested for making complaints about their daughter's primary school. They told The Times they were fingerprinted and searched before being left in a police cell for eight hours. The couple said the arrest came after their nine-year-old daughter Sascha’s school, Cowley Hill Primary School, in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, raised objections over them sending multiple emails and raising criticisms on a parents’ WhatsApp group. They said this meant they were not allowed to attend Sascha’s parents’ evening or her Christmas performance. Cowley Hill Primary School told The Times: “We sought advice from the police following a high volume of direct correspondence and public social media posts from two parents, as this was becoming upsetting for staff, parents and governors.
Source:The Times
March 29, 2025 16:48 UTC
Police arrest parents who complained about daughter’s primary school in WhatsApp group
The parents of a nine-year-old girl were arrested by police after they complained about their daughter’s primary school in a WhatsApp group. The arrest of the couple, on Jan 29, reportedly came after the school complained about Mr Allen and his partner sending numerous emails and making “disparaging” comments on a parents’ WhatsApp group. A month later, Jackie Spriggs, who chairs the governors at the school, allegedly wrote to parents saying that the school would take action against anyone who caused “disharmony”. Mr Allen said that he and his partner expressed their outrage over the warning in a private WhatsApp group. Shortly afterwards, the school reportedly banned the couple from visiting the school premises.
Source:The Times
March 29, 2025 15:19 UTC
Moment father who complained about teacher recruitment process in parents' WhatsApp group is arrested for 'harassment', led away by six police officers and interrogated for 11 HOURS
The parents of two young children were locked in a police cell for eleven hours after complaining on WhatsApp about the teacher recruitment process at their daughter's primary school. CCTV shows six uniformed police officers descending on their suburban home before they were led away in front of their crying daughter. Mr Allen, 50, branded the police action 'dystopian' and a 'massive overreach', and accused Cowley Hill Primary School in Borehamwood, Herts, of trying to 'silence awkward parents'. Mr Allen and Ms Levine were later banned from the school's premises for 'casting aspersions' on Mrs Spriggs. Hertfordshire County Council said Louise Thomas was appointed interim head of Cowley Hill School for one term before a proper recruitment process was carried out, adding it was 'fair, transparent and timely'.
Source:The Times
March 29, 2025 14:03 UTC
Partial solar eclipse 2025: how to watch safely in the UK and US
Weeks after a lunar eclipse gave us a “blood moon”, the next astronomical spectacle is on upon us: a partial solar eclipse. Here’s everything you need to know today — from the key timings to how to watch safely:At 10am GMT this Saturday, it will begin. A tiny bite will begin to be taken out of the sun. Slowly, over the course of the next hour, the bite will get bigger and bigger as this phenomenon — the only partial solar eclipse visible in the UK this year — progresses. With only a maximum of a third of the sun obscured, though, if you want to witness one of the great astronomical events of the year you will need some apparatus.
Source:The Times
March 29, 2025 13:53 UTC
The Times names Oxfordshire pub and hotel among best in UK
With several lists recently released by the national newspaper, highlighting the best stays in the country, a local spot has made the cut. A statement from The Times said: "An overnighter at many of this year’s Best Places to Stay can be surprisingly good value for money. READ MORE: Take an inside look around 'the best hotel in Oxford'Inside The Bull in Charlbury. The hotel is praised for its trendy style as well as its star-studded guest list, including comedian and actor Jack Whitehall. READ MORE: The best Cotswolds hotels according to National GeographicUnlock unlimited local news subscribe today and save 40 per cent off an annual subscription.
Source:The Times
March 29, 2025 13:18 UTC
Protesters create ruckus at Mamata Banerjee's keynote talk at Oxford
'YOU KILLED...': Mamata Banerjee BOOED At Oxford University: Unseen Video Shows FIERCE Clash In UKLONDON: Two groups of protesters disrupted West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s speech at Kellogg College , Oxford, on Thursday night, causing the event, which was meant to be the highlight of her UK trip, to descend into chaos. Please don’t do politics here, it is not a political stage, you can do it with me in my state, not here,” Banerjee pleaded from the stage. Don’t behave like this” she shouted. “You are misbehaving.”The event was by now in chaos with the entire audience facing the two groups of protesters and many screaming at them to leave.“Anyone for Hindus,” asked Patel. Don’t mention one caste only,” Banerjee shouted.After some time security officials from the proctor’s office arrived and made the protesters leave.No one searched Patel’s bag so he brought in three placards.
Source:The Times
March 29, 2025 11:04 UTC
British career criminal with a history of violence 'is behind series of million-pound art heists across Europe'
A violent British career criminal is believed to be behind a series of million-pound art heists across Europe. Police found a book with information on Chinese objects held in European museums when they stormed properties linked with Kelly. A number of foreign holidays the 46-year-old embarked on coincided with burglaries at art galleries, museums and jewellers. Prosecutors are hoping to link him to a series of heists across Europe. On Monday, the trio were found guilty of conspiracy to murder Paul Allen, who was convicted of a £54m cash robbery from a Securitas warehouse in Kent - the biggest in British history.
Source:The Times
March 29, 2025 10:13 UTC
‘Jaws’ Broadway play coming to the Island
The Broadway play “The Shark Is Broken,” a comedy drama based on the making of the movie “Jaws,” is coming to the Vineyard this summer in celebration of the film’s 50th anniversary. The play is currently touring the U.K. and Ireland, after showing from August to November 2023 on Broadway in New York’s John Golden Theatre. It will be on the Vineyard amid the height of events commemorating the premiere anniversary of “Jaws” on June 20. He told the Times this week that showing the play on-Island has been his goal since joining the production in 2019 before its first premiere. Though the younger Shaw played his father in the Broadway production, he will not play that role on-Island as he is touring the play in the U.K.
Source:The Times
March 29, 2025 07:28 UTC
Times letters: Trump’s grab for Ukrainian oil and minerals
Write to letters@thetimes.co.ukSir, The extreme transactional view the Americans are taking in talks on a ceasefire in Ukraine (“Trump makes $100bn grab for Ukraine’s oil and mineral wealth”, Mar 28) is utterly sickening. If ever there was a reason for a united European response to one aspect of the talks between the White House and President Putin this is it; to say with deafening clarity that conditions of this kind must not be a precursor to peace in a devastated country fighting for its life. The original rare earth minerals proposal was one thing but this additional set of terms, demanded not by Putin but by President Zelensky’s supposed ally, the US, is shameful and abhorrent. The nations of Europe must say
Source:The Times
March 29, 2025 00:11 UTC
Tesla sales are plummeting — so why is the UK bucking the trend?
Motorists across Europe may be turning their back on Tesla after Elon Musk’s foray into politics, but in the UK we can’t get enough of his electric vehicles. Figures released this week by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association show that Tesla sales plummeted 40 per cent in Europe in February compared to a year earlier, despite a 26 per cent rise in sales of battery electric vehicles over the same period. Yet the UK has bucked the trend, with Tesla sales up 20 per cent in February. Here, the Model Y and Model 3 are the two most popular EVs after the Mini Cooper, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Sales for March, to be released by the SMMT next week, are
Source:The Times
March 28, 2025 22:58 UTC
Prince Harry’s charity the subject of watchdog ‘fact-finding’ mission
The Charity Commission is on a fact-finding mission to establish how Prince Harry’s charity could descend into chaos. On Wednesday, the Duke of Sussex and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho issued a joint statement saying that they were “truly heartbroken” but had decided to step down as patrons of Sentebale, the charity they founded in 2006. Several trustees also resigned at the same time after failing to oust the charity’s chair. Harry and Seeiso said: “With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as patrons of the organisation until further notice in support and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same. Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho BRIAN OTIENO/GETTY IMAGES“These trustees acted in the best interest of the charity in asking the chair to step down, while
Source:The Times
March 28, 2025 22:02 UTC
‘This is embarrassing to watch’ – Fans can’t believe the crowd for Jake and Logan Paul event in New York’s Times Square
JAKE and Logan Paul's recent promotional event in New York was surprisingly poorly attended. 3 Jake and Logan Paul held a promotional event for their 'Paul American' docuseries at Times Square Plaza Credit: X3 But the social media sensation's fans didn't turn out in force Credit: XThe YouTubers held a promotional event in Times Square Plaza this week to promote their Max Documentary, 'Paul American'. Organisers were expecting the plaza event to be well attended. Another said: "Jake & Logan Paul's Times Square event flops. The Paul brothers likely won't care about their detractors' comments on the Times Square crowd size.
Source:The Times
March 28, 2025 20:41 UTC
World War III on the horizon? Why European nations are preparing for war—And what it means for the world
A War Nobody Wants, But Everyone Fears(You can now subscribe to our(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channelThe prospect of World War Three no longer feels like distant speculation. European nations are openly preparing for war, urging their citizens to stockpile food, water, and emergency supplies. But with US commitment to European defence uncertain, some nations are discussing an independent European nuclear deterrent . The UK and France are the only European nations with nuclear weapons, and French President Emmanuel Macron has suggested extending France’s nuclear umbrella further east. NATO is bracing for the worst, while European citizens are being told to prepare for a crisis.The echoes of the past are impossible to ignore.
Source:The Times
March 28, 2025 18:11 UTC
Chaitra Navratri 2025: Avoid Buying These Items During The Festival
Chaitra Navratri date and timingsRules for Navratriavoid eating and buying non-vegetarian foodavoid buying electronics or new appliancesbuying black is frowned uponsharp objectsFood to avoidEvery year Hindus across the world celebrate Navratri in the devotion of Maa Durga. From Maa Shailputri to Skandmata, devotees worship different forms of Maa Durga and ask for her blessings.See More: Chaitra Navratri 2025: Avoid Buying These Items During The Festival In 2025, Chaitra Navratri will start on Sunday, March 30, and will go on till April 7. Why?Well Navratri is a time dedicated to Shakti, the divine feminine, and people pray and meditate in her name. And during this time, it is important for the mind to be clean, calm, and devoid of any heavy energies. It keeps you feeling light and energised, and thus gives your mind ample space to meditate and pray.See more: Navratri Colours 2025 | 9 Navratri Colors Full List: Nine colours of Navratri and their significance Another rule that many people follow during Navratri time is that they.
Source:The Times
March 28, 2025 18:04 UTC