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THUGS are taking over the streets of London’s most popular tourist hotspots snatching £50million worth of phones last year.

Data obtained by The Sun reveals the worst hit areas across Greater London, with one popular tourist hotspot hit by as many as 37 mobile thefts daily on average.

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Almost 80,000 smartphones were stolen across Greater London last year[/caption]

The Metropolitan Police has warned that gangs are pocketing millions, with phone thefts “on an industrial scale”.

Almost 80,000 handsets were stolen last year – that’s up by about 16,000 on 2023.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, tourist hotspots tend to rank highest, which is especially worrying for anyone planning on venturing into the capital over the summer.

However, hundreds of incidents were reported in typically residential areas up and down Greater London, too.

We are seeing phone thefts on an industrial scale, fuelled by criminals making millions by being able to easily sell on stolen devices either here or abroad

Met Police

The data from the Met Police is broken down in wards and includes both robbery offences and theft offences.

It doesn’t include areas represented by the City of London Police.

Among these, the West End comes out as the worst place for phone thefts, with a staggering 13,578 cases logged – the equivalent to 37 handsets every day on average.

St James’s – which covers areas around Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and all the way along the famous Stand – ranked second with some 6,693 recorded incidents.

Bloomsbury, Holborn & Covent Garden, Borough & Bankside, as well as Waterloo & South Bank also clocked up more than 1,000 reports in total.

Other popular areas to be targeted include Hyde Park with 550, Stratford Olympic Park with 865 and Camden Town with 906.

The Met Police told The Sun that criminals behind the problem are making millions by being able to easily sell on stolen devices either here or abroad.

“We are seeing phone thefts on an industrial scale,” a Met Police spokesperson told The Sun.

“In response, we have increased patrols in hotspot areas while officers are using phone-tracking data and intelligence to pursue those responsible.

“By intensifying our efforts, we’re catching more perpetrators and protecting people from having their phones stolen in the capital.

“The Met is also working with other agencies and government to tackle the organised criminality driving this trade and calling on tech companies to make stolen phones unusable.

“We are reminding victims to report their phone as stolen as soon as possible to maximise the chance of catching the perpetrator, too often thefts are reported hours or days later.”

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Criminal gangs are believed to make £50million a year from stolen phones[/caption]

TAKE ON THE PHONE THEFT GANGS

There are many obvious ways to avoid falling victim to phone snatching gangs, such as being aware of your surroundings and putting your phone away when you’ve finished using it.

But there are settings on your mobile you need to switch on.

Primarily, you should have location tracking activated to help police pinpoint where your mobile is.

On iPhone, it’s known as Find My and on Android it’s Find My Device.

You can find these within the settings.

There’s also another important trick to try available on Android.

It may not result in you getting your phone back, but can prevent thieves causing more devastation by raiding through your banking apps to steal money.

Theft Detection Lock cleverly uses motion sensors to pick up on the sort of movements associated with a phone being snatched and whisked away.

When it’s detected, your phone automatically locks so criminals can’t dig around your device.

While iPhone doesn’t have the same feature, there is Stolen Device Protection.

This kicks in when you’re away from familiar locations like your home and work.

It means that if someone steals your device while you’re out and about after seeing your passcode, they can’t make “critical” changes.

So accessing your stored passwords and credit cards will require Face ID or Touch ID. There’s no option to use a passcode instead.

And there’s also a Security Delay feature.

So if you want to change your Apple Account passcode, you’ll have to wait an hour and then perform a second Face ID or Touch ID scan.

To turn it on, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and turn Stolen Device Protection on.

PAUL O’CONNELL admitted he felt sorry for Portugal as Ireland ran in a record-breaking 16 tries in Lisbon to register their biggest Test win in the first encounter between the two nations.

Connacht pair Hugh Gavin and Shayne Bolton went over twice on their debuts and there was also a brace each for club-mate Cian Prendergast and Leinster wing Tommy O’Brien.

David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

With Munster fly-half Jack Crowley landing 12 of his 15 conversion attempts — Ireland were also awarded a penalty try — the margin of victory eclipsed their previous biggest win when they scored 13 tries in an 83-3 defeat of the USA in 2000.

Interim boss POC told Virgin Media: “I feel sorry for Portugal but we were very clinical and took our chances.

“It is a unique summer tour given the Lions tour is on at the same time but I am very happy with how our squad applied themselves.”

O’Connell was without 17 players — who are all on tour with the Lions — but his new-look side ruthlessly exposed the chasm between them and their hosts.

The former lock made six changes following last week’s 34-5 win against Georgia in Tbilisi and his men went over for FOUR converted tries in the opening 14 minutes.

Centre Stuart McCloskey touched down in the corner after full-back Jimmy O’Brien’s break straight from the kick-off and fellow centre Gavin stormed over for his first debut try in the ninth minute.

Tommy O’Brien finished off another scything break in the corner and opposite wing Bolton sprinted in after breaking clear for a try on his bow, with Crowley adding his fourth conversion.

Portugal full-back Nuno Guedes had a try disallowed for a forward pass before the Wolves were dealt another blow when captain Tomas Appleton was carried off on a stretcher due to an ankle injury.

Crowley sent Tommy O’Brien in for his second try and prop Tom Clarkson bulldozed through a tired tackle for Ireland’s sixth touchdown in the 33rd minute.

Bolton out-sprinted Portugal’s defence to touch down Craig Casey’s kick ahead and the latter’s pass after hooker Gus McCarthy’s break sent Gavin over for his second score.

Crowley landed his seventh conversion to put Ireland 54-0 ahead at the interval.

Scrum-half Casey followed up Bolton’s break to go in under the posts 90 seconds after the restart and Prendergast barged over for an unconverted score to extend Ireland’s lead to 66-0 in the 51st minute.

The struggling Portuguese were given some respite when centre Vincent Pinto’s offload set up flanker Nicolas Martins for a converted try but the green giants hit straight back.

Replacements Calvin Nash and Ciarán Frawley touched down soon after stepping off the bench and Prendergast then notched his second try.

And when debutant flanker Alex Kendellen went over for another converted score in the 73rd minute, Ireland moved 92-7 ahead.

Replacement scrum-half Ben Murphy’s try nudged Ireland nearer to triple figures.

And Portugal’s misery was complete when they conceded a penalty try in the final play of the game for bringing down a maul.

O’Connell added: “It is great to get some guys capped and scoring tries and training in an international environment.”

SCORERS — Portugal: Tries, Martins; con, Aubry.

Ireland: Tries, McCloskey, Gavin 2, T O’Brien 2, Bolton 2, Clarkson, Casey, Prendergast 2, Nash, Frawley, Kendellen, Murphy, penalty; cons, Crowley 12.

VETERAN goalkeeper Scott Carson hopes to carry on playing after leaving Manchester City.

The former England No 1, whose contract ended last month, collected medals galore as the third choice between the sticks during a six-season spell at the Etihad.

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Scott Carson wants to carry on his playing career after leaving Man City this summer[/caption]

The Times

Carson hasn’t played since 2022[/caption]

And despite a severe lack of playing time over that period, the 39-year-old is now looking to get off the bench and back in goal for another season.

Carson has his eyes on ideally returning to action in the Championship.

The former Derby and Liverpool stopper has been limited to emergency cover during his six year stint at City.

In fact, since first making a move to the Etihad in 2019, Carson has played just TWO GAMES – last taking to the pitch for a 17 minute cameo against Sporting Lisbon in a Champions League game in 2022.

He has earned himself a trophy cabinet that would be the envy of most players in that time too, getting his hands on the Champions League, four Premier League titles, two League Cups, one Uefa Supercup and the Club World Cup.

Carson started his career back in 2003 at Leeds United and went on to play for the likes of Aston Villa, West Brom, Bursaspor and Wigan.

While he also earned four caps for England, doing so between 2007 and 2011.

Although Carson has been unable to strut his stuff on the pitch very often, City’s players and staff have often lauded him for being a crucial member of the dressing room during their period of prolonged success.

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Pep Guardiola previously said of the gloveman: “The best advice I could give to the young players is to stay around Scott Carson as much as possible in the locker room and on the pitch.

“It would be better than being with me. If they spend a lot of time [with him], listen to him and pay attention, that is the best advice and learning they can get about their future careers.

“Every second he is training and every minute you get on the pitch and in the changing room [with Carson], you value.

“It’s like the young actors have to be with the old actors on the set. They are wiser and have the values of the profession.”

His influence away from the pitch could go some way to explaining the handsome figure of £8.5MILLION that he has pocketed during his time with City.

Those earnings mean Carson has banked £4.25m per game and over £350,000 per touch.

A MAJOR search operation is underway after two people went missing at a Spanish holiday hotspot hit by torrential rains.

Rescuers fear that both people were swept away by the Foix River in Cubelles near Barcelona amid heavy storms.

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Two people were missing in Catalonia on Saturday after much of the region in northeast Spain was hit by torrential rains[/caption]

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The river is said to have burst its banks after floodgates on the dam were opened due to heavy rain[/caption]

Shutterstock Editorial

DANA has caused catastrophic flash flooding in Catalonia near Barcelona[/caption]

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A car remains submerged in water due to heavy rains on July 12[/caption]

The river is said to have burst its banks after floodgates on the dam, which had accumulated a lot of water from the storm, were opened.

According to the Fire Department, the missing people were crossing the river on a footbridge when the current swept them away.

Footage shows rescuers in a helicopter looking for the missing people over the river.

Torrential rains have hit Spain’s Catalonia – sparking a red alert from the weather department.

Train service was suspended in Catalonia on Saturday, as much of the Spanish region was placed on high alert over possible torrential rains, officials said.

Spain‘s weather service Aemet said that 90 millimetres of rain could fall in the space of an hour later on Saturday near Barcelona and the Tarragona region.

Calling the situation “extraordinary”, the weather service warned that torrential rains could cause flooding and urged residents to follow authorities’ instructions.

Meanwhile, a hospital in Barcelona was flooded and had to refuse patients.

Roads were blocked, and a plane that took off from Barcelona for the United States had to turn back after its nose was damaged by hail.

Other regions of the north, such as Aragon, were also hit by heavy rain on Saturday.

It comes as Storm DANA has caused the weather agency to activate red, orange and yellow warnings across dozens of Spanish regions.

AEMET forecasted orange-level warnings on Saturday for severe storms in Huesca, Teruel and Zaragoza, Barcelona, Girona, Lleida and Tarragona, and Castellón.

These regions have been battered by extreme rainfall and potential flash floods, which could disrupt holidays and cause huge damage to neighbourhoods.

The Military Emergency Unit (UME) was deployed to several towns in Zaragoza to help relieve the damage caused by the brutal rainfall.

Local rescue teams reported over 30 flood-related incidents, including fallen trees and blocked roads, but no casualties.

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A flooded road near the village of Grisen, Aragon, northeastern Spain[/caption]

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Floodwater flows as it rains in Igualada, Spain[/caption]

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A firefighter extracts water from the Hospital Comarcal de l’Alta Penedés, which remains without electricity and water[/caption]

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People cross a street during a rainfall in Barcelona, Catalonia, eastern Spain[/caption]

Shocking footage showed cars being swept away under the waves as intense rainfall pummelled Spanish streets.

Hailstorm was seen pelting the pavements as locals took shelter from the dangerous weather.

There will also be storm warnings in several other regions, including Alicante and Valencia, the Ribera del Ebro in La Rioja and the Iberian Rioja, and Álava, among others.

Spain’s national forecaster said that unstable air was moving across the north and east of the Iberian Peninsula, bringing heavy showers, thunderstorms, and in some places, torrential downpours.

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100mm of rain reportedly fell in juts one hour in Tarazona, Spain[/caption]

PERUSING the offerings on sale, Kiki Delichte weighs up her options.

A nice vintage one-off for £3,451 that would need a little restoration work, or she could fork out another £700 for a larger piece with fewer flaws.

Jam Press/@gucci.spice

Kiki Delichte moved acros the world and bought a 17-room home for just £23,000[/caption]

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The house is hidden in the historic Italian town of Mussomli[/caption]

Jam Press/@gucci.spice

Kiki says that buying this home was the only way she was going to get on the property ladder[/caption]

But Kiki isn’t perusing eBay for a vintage designer bag but rather she’s house-hunting for her dream home in Italy.

The 28-year-old moved across the world to renovate a 600-year-old medieval home – because house prices in her hometown had “sky-rocketed”.

Kiki was stunned by the local property market when she came across the tiny Italian town of Mussomeli online where historic homes were going for “the price of a handbag”.

The 28-year-old snapped up a 17-room pad for just £22,800, (€27,000) – a fraction of the estimated £367,000 ($500,000) one closer to home would have cost, and has been restoring it ever since.

Despite involving a move across the world to a place she doesn’t know a soul, Kiki is embracing the challenge full-heartedly, throwing herself into renovations.

“It started as a bit of a wild idea,” Kiki, who works in fashion PR, says .

“I had always seen news stories about cheap homes but never seriously considered it.”

Kiki, who is originally from Canada, had been living in LA and quickly found the city overwhelming.

“I’d been living in the city for years, surrounded by constant pressure to chase a version of success that didn’t actually fit me,” she says.

“Life felt expensive, overstimulating, and still a little soulless.

“I experienced a lot of loss and pain, and eventually, when I finally picked my head up and really looked around, I realised I wasn’t living in a way that felt true to me, and I wasn’t even sure why.

“Then I came across this tiny Italian town where you could buy a historic home for the price of a handbag.

“It wasn’t some carefully calculated life plan, it was a gut feeling that there was a richer, more grounded way to live.”

Kiki soon found her future home, which she says cost just a fraction of the price of what a house would cost in the US – playing a huge role in her decision.

Kiki says: “I’d been living in LA for over a decade and the real estate market there is laughable.

“Even in Canada, prices have skyrocketed.

“I was working hard, doing well, but owning a home, let alone a dream home, always felt just out of reach.

“I couldn’t justify spending half a million dollars on something that didn’t feel special.

Jam Press/@gucci.spice

She had been living in LA and says that city life became overwhelming[/caption]

Jam Press/@gucci.spice

The house will need a lot of work but it will still cost her far less than buying in the US[/caption]

Jam Press/@gucci.spice

Her property boasts incredible views over the town[/caption]

“Then I realised that for a fraction of that I could own a literal piece of history.

“The math just started to make sense in a way that North America never did.”

At some points she was paying £1,830, ($2,500), a month for a one-bedroom apartment.

She explains: “That didn’t include parking or peace of mind.

“Nor with castle views and cobblestone charm.

“Rent felt like a monthly punishment for staying somewhere I wasn’t thriving.

“It wasn’t sustainable long-term, financially or emotionally.”

But it was not only the price that influenced Kiki who was looking for a change of pace when it came to her lifestyle.

She says: “In LA, everything felt like a rush — fast food, fast fashion, fast success.

“In Mussomeli, time feels expansive.

I don’t need to pay to escape chaos, I just step outside and I’m in a 14th-century fairytale

Kiki Delichte

“I’ll be cooking more, walking more, talking to neighbours, hosting dinners instead of scrolling.

“My daily life will be rooted in connection, creativity, and calm.

“I’ll still be working and creating, but from a place that nourishes me. It’s not about slowing down completely, it’s about being intentional.”

So far she has spent £42,185 (€50,000) on renovations to the 600-year-old pad.

She says: “This is a historic home, the kind of place that reveals new surprises behind every wall.

“To me, this isn’t just a house, it’s an experience, an art project, a home base for my future, and a way to live life a little differently.

“So I’m more than happy with the investment.

“I’m building a spa with a jacuzzi and sauna, and full bar, because if you’re going to bring a home back to life, why not make it a little magical?”

Kiki estimates that the total will land somewhere around £101,250 – £118,140, (€120,000 – €140,000).

She adds: “I want it to feel like the ultimate home for peace and tranquillity.

“A place where I can bring all my loved ones together and experience something special and rare.

“It is the kind of place that feeds your soul and makes you feel at home the second you walk inside.

“I’m also building a library as an homage to the home’s previous owner, a Sicilian scholar and professor.

“It felt only right to preserve that legacy and create a space where books, ideas, and conversation are front and centre.”

Kiki now splits her time between Sicily, LA and Canada while renovations continue, but she is almost ready to move in full-time.

She estimates it’ll save her around £2,200, ($3,000 a month) once renovations are finished.

She says: “Rent alone is already eliminated.

“Groceries, utilities, dining out, everything is more affordable here.”

And she’s not wrong, according to local prices you can expect to pay around £3.40 for a pint, less than most supermarket sandwiches.

Kiki says that another benefit is that she no longer has to pay for holidays.

“I don’t need to pay to escape chaos, I just step outside and I’m in a 14th-century fairytale,” she says.

“This house felt like a chance to take something forgotten and make it beautiful again.

“There’s a kind of romance to that.”

And to anyone else looking to take a leap of faith, she says that “life doesn’t have to follow the script”.

She got the keys to her new home in January, started renovating in March and is moving in next month to do the finishing touches.

Kiki, originally from Winnipeg, Canada, says: “You don’t need a five-year plan, a perfect timeline, or anyone’s permission to build a life that feels good.

“I bought an old, crumbling house in a tiny Sicilian town with no real plan beyond: this feels right.

“And it’s led to more freedom, joy, and community than I could have imagined.

I’m just healthier mentally, physically, and spiritually than I ever was in North America

Kiki Delichte

“The life I’ve built here feels amazing.”

For work, as of now – she is continuing her career in fashion PR.

She adds: “But once my home is completed I plan to start a business here.

“What business exactly, I’m not entirely sure, but I have a few ideas that I’m working on.

“I’m just healthier mentally, physically, and spiritually than I ever was in North America.

“It’s truly remarkable what this town has given me, and the version of myself I’ve been able to return to because of this journey.”

Jam Press/@gucci.spice

She has never felt more happy and healthy since making the big move[/caption]

MANILA, Philippines — A fishers’ group on Sunday decried the low retail price of “tawilis” (Sardinella tawilis), which had dropped to P100 per kilogram from the usual P250 per kg, amid reports that the bodies of the missing “sabungeros” (cockfighting enthusiasts) have been dumped in Taal Lake. In a statement, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya

Here’s The Complete List of Specifications, Features, & Price of the TCL 40 T The TCL 40 T was officially announced in the fourth quarter of 2023. The budget smartphone is fueled with a Li-Ion 5000 mAh battery + 18W wired charging. Body & Display: The dimension of the phone is 167.91 x 76.50 x ... Read more

The post TCL 40 T Full Specs, Features, Price In Philippines appeared first on PhilNews.

A MUM-of-two who has racked up tens of thousands of followers with her money-saving tips has revealed her ultimate summer saving tips.

From 200 free attractions to Universal Credit discounts, Lianne Macfarlane, who posts under @mortgagefreeleigh, has shared how you don’t have to break the bank this summer.

Lianne Macfarlan

Lianne Macfarlan, who runs the ‘mortgage-free mum’ account, share her ultimate summer saving tips[/caption]

With a following of 46,000, the 39-year-old mum-of-two, from the North West, began her budgeting journey after getting pregnant with her first child.  

She shared with Fabulous: “I knew I wanted to take the full 12 months maternity leave entitlement from my job as a public sector worker which meant three months with ZERO pay.

“So, I started to teach myself about budgeting and ways to make and save money.  

“I soon realised there were loads of ways I could put money to more use and I set a goal of mortgage freedom.  

“Since 2020 I’ve overpaid our mortgage by over £22,000.”

Leigh set up an Instagram account to share her experiences and as well as money saving advice, she also helps demystify government schemes like maternity leave to help working parents with the cost of childcare. 

She added: “It’s totally possible to have an amazing summer on very little budget.”

Here are her top tips for saving this summer…

CHILDCARE COSTS 

Plenty of parents work over the whole summer which always throws up issues with childcare.  

Don’t forget tax free childcare doesn’t end when your child leaves nursery. 

It can be used to pay for ‘approved childcare’ which can include some holiday clubs for children up to the age of 11.  

You could end up saving as much as 20 per cent of your summer childcare bill.

DAYS OUT

I love to take the kids on days out in the school break but the costs can quickly add up. There are so many things you can do to keep costs down though. 

Beaches, parks and your local forest are great low-cost days out and there are many museums which are completely free or by donation entry – including the Natural History Museum in London and the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester.  

The Money Saving Expert site has a list of 200 free attractions here.

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Many days out – such as the Natural History Museum – are completely free[/caption]

CHECK OUT FREE ACTIVITIES

Do check what free and low-cost activities your local authority and local libraries are running.  

There are often completely free camps, drop-in crafting sessions, Lego clubs and other activities on offer.  

Be warned, these can be hugely popular and may be means tested depending on your area.

SPEND WISELY

If it is a big family day out you’re looking for, there are still plenty of ways to bring down the cost. 

Look for local attractions that offer free return visits with the price of your one admission. 

Some will offer a free second visit within seven days but the best value for money are those offering a whole year of entry.  

Some examples include The Deep which is a Sealife conservation project based in Hull and Eureka which has sites in Halifax and The Wirral. 

Be sure to get your annual pass set up during your first visit so you can make use of that initial spend for the rest of the year.

CHECK DISCOUNT ENTITLEMENT

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You could visit London Zoo from £3 if you are on Universal Credit[/caption]

Families in receipt of universal credit and some other benefits/credits can take advantage of heavily discounted tickets to various attractions nationwide.  

These include London Zoo entry from just £3 and £1 entry to various RHS gardens.  

You will need to provide proof of entitlement and may need to book online in advance.

MAKE THE MOST OF VOUCHERS

If you have your heart set on a particular venue and you’re struggling to find a discount you can check for promotional packets of cereal, chocolate and handwash for 2 for 1 offers.  

You can get cashback on attraction tickets and if all else fails – Try KidsPass! 

It’s a paid subscription service offering discounts on nationwide local attractions.  

They currently have an offer to try your first month for just 99p and I saved much more than that by signing up.

CHEAP CINEMA TICKETS

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Visit Vue’s Mighty Mornings with tickets from £2.49 per person[/caption]

The unreliable British weather may have you planning a cinema visit and there are a couple of ways to cut the cost of the big screen.  

The first is to use discounted child screenings such as Mighty Mornings from Vue with tickets from £2.49 per person, Movies 4 Juniors at Cineworld and Odeon Kids all at much lower prices than a standard ticket.  

These can be popular so book in advance. 

If it’s a new release that is on your summer bucket list, check your mobile provider, some paid for bank accounts and utilities providers to see if you can take advantage of any offers.  O2 priority currently offer 2 VUE tickets for £9 or 4 for £18 whilst Vodafone customers can claim 2 Odeon tickets for £8 or 4 for £16.  

You might even be able to get completely free tickets depending on what offers you have available.

DON’T FALL FOR FOOD ‘DEALS’

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Asda’s Kids Eat for £1 offer doesn’t require a minimum adult spend[/caption]

Through the school holidays we hear a lot about places where ‘Kids Eat Free’ however it’s often attached to a large adult minimum spend and so it’s only really a good deal if you were already going to be eating there.  

Don’t get sucked in by these offers because there are a small number of places where these deals actually are good value. 

The first is Asda who extended their Kids Eat for £1 offer some time ago and it has no minimum adult spend attached. 

Tesco have opened their fantastic Kids Eat Free offers for the majority of the recent school holidays so whilst it hasn’t yet been confirmed, it’s likely we’ll see this return for Summer 2025.  

This sees a child eat for free with any adult purchase from the café which has historically included a piece of fresh fruit from as little as 60p on weekdays. 

Ikea also offers 95p tomato pasta, a drink and piece of fruit for Ikea family card members – which is free to join and you can book kids aged 3 – 10 into one hour of FREE childcare at the Småland Creche whilst you browse the store. 

Some store exclusions apply, check the Ikea website for local store details.

SHOP SMART FOR GROCERIES

When it comes to food, it’s not just eating out that’s a concern.  

Many families are concerned about the increase in their grocery bills over the summer holidays. 

This is where my top tip is to get cashback. 

A new wave of cashback sites will give you instant cashback when you buy e-giftcards for so many retailers including grocery shops.  

Simply buy an e-giftcard for your chosen store and pay on that instead of your contactless and get some of your hard earned money back in your pocket.  

My favourite instant cashback sites to use for this are EverUp, Jam Doughnut and Cheddar.

AN angry homeowner has revealed that his neighbour is refusing to sort out their hideous garden.

But not only is the overgrown garden an eyesore, it’s also home to rats and bugs too. 

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A frustrated man has revealed that his neighbour is refusing to sort out their grim garden[/caption]

And if you thought that was bad, think again, as now, not only these pests, but uninvited weeds, are invading this man’s garden through his fence.

Frustrated and unsure on what to do, the anonymous man took to social media to alert others to the situation, leaving many totally stunned. 

Posting on the r/Milton thread on Reddit, the man, who writes under the username @Feelthematrix, uploaded a snap of his neighbour’s unloved garden and titled the post “Neighbour’s overgrown backyard…” 

He then explained: “I have been noticing some rodents and bugs in my backyard recently and had a few overgrown weeds coming through my neighbour’s fence.

“I decided to take a quick peek and it was horrendous.”

On a mission to fix the issue, he added: “I have tried knocking a few times over the course of last month, with no answer. 

“Haven’t seen anyone come and go in the house either. 

“Left a few notes offering to cut it down for them, if they can’t for some reason, but notes are still there.”

Eager for advice, he asked: “Not sure if anyone has any ideas what I can do about it?” 

Reddit users were stunned by the man’s post and many eagerly raced to the comments to share their thoughts and advice.

One person advised: “Call the city. They’ll send officers and give them warnings, if they don’t do it they will arrange someone to cut the grass and bill the owner for the landscaping service. This was the case a few years ago from my experience.” 

Another added: “If it’s becoming a nuisance, you gotta be that guy that calls it into the city.

“Sometimes, these people only act whenever a fine is imminent.” 

A third recommended: “Call the city. This is ridiculous.” 

Maybe they don’t own a lawnmower?? Help them??

Reddit user

Whilst someone else observed: “That’s a sad back yard.”

But at the same time, another user suggested: “Ask if you can mow it, maybe they don’t have a mower or they do and it’s broken. Seems like a better use of your energy then this.”

Meanwhile, one gardening guru agreed: “Maybe they don’t own a lawnmower?? Help them??”

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THERE was some good news for cancer survivors this week.

The Government said it will progress plans to give them the “right to be forgotten” and end ­barriers to accessing financial products.

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Getty Images - Getty

The Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2025 will ensure cancer survivors can’t be discriminated against when it comes to obtaining certain insurance products, specifically mortgage protection, due to their medical history.

For too long, cancer survivors in Ireland have faced an uphill battle not just in beating the cruel disease but then in rebuilding their lives, particularly when it comes to accessing basic financial products.

Despite being in remission for years, many are penalised for their past ­diagnosis. The legislation was proposed by Fianna Fail’s Catherine Ardagh.

Writing in The Irish Sun on Sunday today, Robert Troy, Minister of State with special responsibility for Financial Services, Credit Unions and Insurance, says a fairer deal for cancer survivors starts now.

THIS week marked a ­significant step forward in our commitment to ­fairness, transparency and compassion in the insurance market.

The Government will bring forward legislation before the summer recess to enshrine in law the ‘right to be forgotten’ for cancer survivors — a reform that will make a real difference in people’s lives.

At the heart of this legislation is a simple principle: if you’ve beaten cancer, your past diagnosis should not define your financial future.

Survivors deserve to move on with their lives — to buy a home, protect their family and access insurance products without being penalised.

Many cancer survivors in Ireland have found themselves excluded or charged unfairly when applying for basic financial protections like mortgage cover.

That’s not right. It’s not reflective of the person they are today, nor is it reflective of the values we aspire to as a country. That’s why this Government is acting.

This is a Bill with broad cross-party support. I must commend my Fianna Fail ­colleague Catherine Ardagh for her work in drafting it.

Her effort over the years has allowed me to introduce it as a Government Bill, speeding up the process and advancing it before the summer recess.

CERTAINTY NEEDED

Her tireless advocacy has helped bring this issue to the fore and push it up the ­political agenda.

The new legislation will start with mortgage protection — following international best practice — and we hope to review the scope of the legislation in future in a careful, informed way, with a view to delivering the most impact for the greatest number of people.

I want to acknowledge the positive steps already taken within the industry.

In 2023, a Voluntary Code of Practice was introduced by Insurance ­Ireland and supported by the Irish Cancer Society.

It was a welcome move that showed what is possible when an industry works with advocates and Government to do the right thing.

However, voluntary codes alone aren’t enough. Survivors deserve certainty. That’s what this legislation will provide.

ADVANCEMENT SHOULD NOT BE PUNISHED

Enshrining this into law means insurance companies are compelled to treat cancer survivors with fairness.

While eight companies signed up to the Voluntary Code, its very nature meant they could withdraw or that new entrants to the market could disregard it. That will not be the case with this law.

This is about removing unnecessary barriers to home ownership and financial ­stability for people who’ve already faced enough.

It’s about making sure our insurance system treats people with dignity, respect and fairness.

And it’s about restoring confidence that the market is transparent and working in the best interests of all citizens.

Cancer is a monumental hill to climb for individuals, their partners and families.

We are fortunate that with advances in medicine survival is more likely than before.

That advancement should not be punished.

Survivors who have been without treatment for seven years, or five if diagnosed under the age of 18, will now have clarity and comfort.

This legislation is also a direct delivery on our ­Programme for Government commitment.

It was included for a reason: because it’s the right thing to do.

REFORM FOR FAIRNESS

The Government has been clear in its ambition to drive a more inclusive and fair insurance landscape. This announcement is a major milestone on that journey.

It was a piece of legislation which I wanted to make real progress on when I took up my role in January and it is my intention that this Bill will be enacted before the end of the year.

It is also important to ­recognise the ongoing work of the Irish Cancer Society whose campaigning and research has been instrumental, and Insurance Ireland, who have constructively engaged throughout and ­managed the Voluntary Code of Practice.

Legislative drafting is underway and we are working closely with colleagues across Government to ensure that amendments are comprehensive, fair, and effective.

We’re also talking with key stakeholders to ensure the law strikes the right balance between consumer protection and market integrity.

We want to send a clear message to cancer survivors: We see you, we support you, and we are changing the law to make your path forward easier.

This reform is not about punishing insurers, it’s about building a market that is based on fairness, transparency, and compassion.

That’s what modern Ireland should be about.

And that is what this ­Government is delivering.