A legal loophole from 1971 means the ringleader of the Rochdale child grooming gang, released eight years early and rejected by Pakistan, must remain on UK streets under taxpayer‑funded monitoring. Share The release of Shabir Ahmed, the ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang, has sent a shockwave through communities across the UK. Ahmed, now in his seventies, walked out of prison around eight years earlier than the full length of his sentence , despite being convicted of some of the most brutal child sexual offences ever brought before a British court. He was supposed to serve decades. Instead, he is back on British streets under licence, fitted with a GPS tag and placed under curfew, but undeniably free. Shabir Ahmed, and Adil Khan, lost their bid to keep British citizenship after a failed 2017 appeal, yet Ahmed was still released in 2026 despite Pakistan refusing to take him back. Full story and image credit: BBC News . For many, the most disturb...
Government launches Anguilla's first Chip and Seal test road, introducing faster, durable road construction technology to modernise island infrastructure.
The Government of Anguilla has taken a significant step towards modernising the island's road network with the successful launch of its first Chip and Seal test road, marking the beginning of what officials describe as a new era in road construction.
The pilot project, delivered in partnership with Synergy Consulting, was completed on a newly improved stretch of road in Anguilla. The initiative introduced Chip and Seal technology to the island—an innovative method expected to accelerate construction, enhance efficiency, and deliver more resilient road surfaces across the territory.
The newly completed chip‑and‑seal surface stretches smoothly across the roadway, delivering a cleaner, safer finish as Anguilla tests this modern paving method.
The demonstration featured specialised paving equipment capable of applying bitumen and aggregate simultaneously, streamlining the construction process while producing a resilient road surface designed to withstand daily traffic and local weather conditions. The technology is widely recognised as a cost-effective method of road surfacing and is expected to support the Government's long-term infrastructure objectives.
A steel drum roller presses the loose aggregate firmly into the hot sealant, locking the stones in place and forming the durable base layer of Anguilla’s new chip‑and‑seal road surface.
Premier Cora Richardson-Hodge, Parliamentary Secretary Cordell Richardson and Minister of Infrastructure José Vanterpool were among the Government officials on site to witness the demonstration, describing the occasion as an important milestone in Anguilla's ongoing road improvement programme.
The Chip and Seal initiative forms part of the Government's wider commitment to systematically replacing dirt roads with safer, longer-lasting and more resilient roadways. By adopting modern construction techniques, the administration aims to improve connectivity, enhance public safety and provide infrastructure that better serves residents, businesses and visitors alike.
Heavy machinery spreads crushed stone over freshly laid sealant, showcasing the government’s investment in durable infrastructure designed to withstand Anguilla’s climate.
If the trial proves successful, the technology is expected to play a central role in the island-wide Chip and Seal programme, accelerating road upgrades while delivering greater value for public investment. The project reflects the Government's continued focus on building stronger infrastructure to support Anguilla's future growth and development.
