Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Murder victim's aunt warns against Labour's plan to release prisoners

‘If the system cannot deal with those people being released into the community, then those people are not going to be supervised adequately’

Murder victim's aunt warns against Labour's plan to release prisoners

THE aunt of Zara Aleena, who was murdered by a man out on early release, has issued a stark warning to Labour as the government prepares to announce plans to release prisoners after they have served just 40 per cent of their sentences.

This move, aimed at easing overcrowding in jails, has sparked fears over public safety, with critics arguing that inadequate supervision could lead to increased criminal activity.


Prime minister Keir Starmer defends the proposal, citing overcrowded prison conditions as necessitating urgent action.

Zara Aleena was raped and murdered while walking home from a night out in east London in June 2022.

The killer, Jordan McSweeney, who had been released from prison on licence just nine days earlier, was sentenced at the Old Bailey to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 33 years for the killing and sexual assault of the 35-year-old law graduate.

"If the system cannot deal with those people being released into the community, then those people are not going to be supervised adequately. And when people, perpetrators, even thieves are not supervised adequately, crime can escalate. It doesn't always escalate, but it can," Aleena's aunt Farah Naz was quoted as saying by the BBC.

"Then we've got unsupervised people because of a poor probation service in the community and people become emboldened – 'well I can do what I like if nobody is supervising me' – and that's what happened in our situation.

"It was a man that was emboldened because he was not supervised, he was not assessed, he was constantly allowed to do what he wanted to do, and therein lies a dangerous gamble with public safety with this move right now."

Naz claimed that the probation service had failed to provide adequate supervision or respond promptly when McSweeney violated his licence conditions.

According to Labour plans, 20,000 inmates could be released early in the next few months.

At the NATO summit, Starmer stressed the severe issue of overcrowded prisons, blaming the previous government for failing to provide adequate facilities. He added that the urgent need to address the imbalance between prisoner numbers and available spaces, calling it a predictable yet shocking problem.

Metropolitan police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley acknowledged the challenges, describing early prisoner releases as the least undesirable option to prevent prisons from reaching full capacity. He pointed out the risks of a strained system impacting courts and public safety.

Meanwhile, a government spokesperson warned of dire consequences if prisons ran out of space, including overflowing police cells and delayed court proceedings, jeopardising public safety.

Police sources echoed concerns, predicting rapid cell overcrowding and its potential impact on law enforcement capabilities. They stressed the necessity to avert such a crisis to maintain public order.

Experts in the criminal justice field feared that releasing prisoners prematurely could lead to increased crime, including looting and breaches of bail conditions, further complicating the situation.

Former Tory justice secretary Alex Chalk criticised Labour's proposed plan as a short-term fix, while Tory MP Neil O'Brien voiced skepticism about the safety implications of releasing a large number of prisoners.

More For You

Minouche Shafik

Shafik served as deputy governor for markets and banking at the Bank of England between August 2014 and February 2017.

Reuters

Starmer appoints Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser in reshuffle

Highlights:

  • Minouche Shafik named chief economic adviser to Keir Starmer.
  • Darren Jones moves into Downing Street role; James Murray replaces him.
  • Wider reshuffle includes changes in Starmer’s private office and communications.
  • Appointment comes ahead of a budget expected to include further tax rises.

Prime minister Keir Starmer has named Minouche Shafik, a former deputy governor of the Bank of England, as his chief economic adviser. The appointment comes as he looks to strengthen his team ahead of what is expected to be a difficult end to the year.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi putin

Before their formal meeting, Putin offered Modi a ride in his Aurus limousine.

X/@narendramodi

Six key takeaways from the SCO summit

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi met Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

Modi pressed for ending the Ukraine conflict at the earliest, reaffirmed India’s long-standing ties with Russia, and discussed trade and border issues with Xi.

Keep ReadingShow less
Afghanistan earthquake

Afghan volunteers and Taliban security personnel carry an earthquake victim evacuated by a military helicopter from the Nurgal district of Kunar province onn September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

Afghanistan earthquake kills more than 800, thousands injured

A MAJOR rescue operation was underway in Afghanistan on Monday after a powerful earthquake and several aftershocks destroyed homes in a remote mountainous region, killing more than 800 people, according to Taliban authorities.

The quake struck just before midnight and was felt as far as Kabul and in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ganpati festival

The Ganpati festival celebrates Ganesha as the god of new beginnings, and the god of wisdom and intelligence. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Hindu community centre in London damaged in fire after Ganapati Visarjan event

A HINDU community centre in east London caught fire on Saturday evening, causing major damage to the building. The London Fire Brigade brought the fire under control and confirmed that no injuries were reported.

The incident took place at the Shree Sorathia Prajapati Community Centre on Cleveland Road in Ilford, which had been decorated for a Ganapati Visarjan event attended by members of the Hindu community.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi ,Xi & Putin

Narendra Modi talks with Vladimir Putin and Xi jinping ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit 2025 at the Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Centre in Tianjin on September 1, 2025.

Getty Images

SCO declaration slams Pahalgam attack, calls for united action on terror

Highlights:

  • SCO condemns terror attack in Pahalgam and echoes India’s stance on “double standards”.
  • Leaders call for justice for perpetrators of attacks in Pahalgam and Balochistan.
  • Declaration criticises Israeli military strikes in Gaza causing civilian casualties.
  • SCO stresses UN’s central role in global counter-terrorism strategy.

THE SHANGHAI Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Monday condemned the terror attack in Pahalgam and agreed with India’s position that “double standards” in tackling terrorism are not acceptable.

Keep ReadingShow less