Crime & Safety
John Radcliffe Hospital among sites hit by strike disruption
People in Oxfordshire are being urged to choose services appropriately during the industrial action, which started at 7am on Tuesday, April 7.
Strikes have been called by the British Medical Association rejected a government offer for a 4.9 per cent increase in average basic pay from 2026 to 2027.
Disruption is expected to patient appointments and waiting times at A&E until the strike is due to end at 7am on Monday, April 13, Oxford University Hospitals Trust said.
Some appointements and planned inpatient and day case procedures will be rescheduled as a consequence to keep existing hospital patients safe, the trust added.
A spokeman said: “If you have not heard from us by the day of your appointment, please come to your procedure or appointment as planned.
“We are doing everything possible to prioritise patients with the highest clinical needs, and those who have already waited a long time for their treatment.”
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Felicity Taylor-Drewe, chief operating officer at OUH, said: “As always, our top priority during this planned industrial action is ensuring patient safety while maintaining the highest standard of care.
“We are committed to keeping disruption to a minimum, and we have measures in place to ensure the safety and welfare of our patients and our staff.
Felicity Taylor-Drewe is the chief operating officer of OUH (Image: OUH)
“However, with industrial action reducing the number of resident doctors we have working in our hospitals, there will inevitably be a knock-on effect.
“Patients may experience longer waiting times, particularly in our two emergency departments at the John Radcliffe and Horton General Hospitals.
“We will prioritise patients who are in genuine need of emergency care. It is important that patients requiring urgent medical care continue to seek help as usual, especially in emergencies and life-threatening situations.”
She added: “Our staff are working extremely hard during this challenging period – please do treat them with respect. We do not tolerate aggressive or abusive behaviour towards our staff.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting (Image: PA)
Lalitha Iyer, chief medical officer at the newly formed Thames Valley ICB, urged people to choose services “appropriately” to ensure those who need it most get it.
Dr Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, said the government “quietly watered down” the deal on offer to resident doctors.
But health secretary Wes Streeting said the now rejected offer would have left resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, 35.2 per cent better off than four years ago.
The latest strike is the 15th walkout by resident doctors in England since 2023.
Crime & Safety
Asda responds as fuel station shortages hit UK drivers
Last week, shadow transport secretary Richard Holden criticised Labour’s “energy failure” amid growing fears of fuel shortages due to the Iran war.
Mr Holden said: “Labour’s energy failure is wrecking the Easter getaway before families have even packed their bags, grounding holidays and sending air fares into the skies.
“As conflict in the Middle East drives jet fuel prices higher, airlines will pass those costs straight on to British families already being hammered by Labour’s hikes to air passenger duty and airport business rates.
READ MORE: Sainsbury’s issues statement to UK drivers amid fuel shortages
“This is the direct consequence of Labour’s net zero obsession, destroying our energy security with real and tangible consequences for people up and down the country.
“Britain is left exposed, families are left paying, and Labour sit on their hands as the dream of a family holiday vanish.”
Last week, there were reports that Tesco in Banbury was out of fuel, while others have said there has been no diesel at several petrol stations in Oxfordshire.
This newspaper approached several supermarket brands to see how Oxfordshire stores’ petrol stations have been affected.
Asda was one of those contacted, but the supermarket giant refused to comment on the situation at this time.
READ MORE: Morrisons responds on fuel shortages affecting UK drivers
When approached, Morrisons informed this newspaper that MFG owns and operates all of the chain’s fuel stations.
MFG then refused to comment at this time when subsequently contacted.
Sainsbury’s issued a comment, which referred to the stores across the UK as a whole, informing drivers that sites would be resupplied if shortages occurred.
A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said: “For background, we are actively monitoring stock levels in all locations and continuing to resupply sites where needed.
Tesco has also been approached for comment, but has yet to respond.
Crime & Safety
Oxford trains cancelled after dead body found on tracks
The body was found in the Swindon area on the afternoon of Sunday, April 5 having been struck by a passing train.
A Great Western Railway train from Oxford which was due to depart at 6.29pm on Easter Sunday had been cancelled.
The GWR Oxford parkway service due to depart at 6pm was also cancelled.
READ MORE: UK estate agents collapses into liquidation with viewings cancelled
Disruption lasted until the end of the day, it’s understood, while emergency services dealt with the scene.
A spokesman for the British Transport Police said: “Officers were called to the line near Swindon at 2.35pm on Sunday 5 April following reports of a casualty on the tracks.
“Paramedics also attended, however sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”
Great Western Railway added: “A person has been struck by a train in the Swindon area, leading to all lines being blocked. It is necessary to bring all trains in the affected area to an immediate stop.
“If you are onboard one of the services in this incident and have been affected by this incident or know someone else who needs support, there is always someone to talk to.
“Contact a Samaritan on 116 123 for free, any time, on any phone. Help is only a phone call away.”
Crime & Safety
Fire Stick users issued warning after Amazon blocks free app
Downloader is an app that helps users download files onto devices, including Fire TV, Google TV, and Android phones and tablets.
The popular free app, which was created by Elias Saba (AFTVnews), has been downloaded more than 658,000 times on the Amazon Appstore.
It has even been described as “one of the most popular and long-standing apps on the Amazon Appstore” by the tech experts at Cordbusters .
Amazon removes Downloader from Appstore
Despite its popularity, Amazon removed the Downloader app from its Appstore late last month.
However, the move was only temporary, with the popular app reinstated just days later.
The app’s creator, Elias Saba, via her site AFTVnews , said: “The app was temporarily suspended a couple of days ago for violating Amazon’s policy that doesn’t allow third party browsers.
“Evidently, Amazon is fine with apps that have a built-in browser, but they just cannot declare themselves as browsers to the operating system.”
A new v2.0.2 update of Downloader, which is “identical to the previous suspended version”, is now available to download, with Saba having made a “tiny change” to solve the previous issue, which saw it removed from the Amazon Appstore.
Downloader is back in the Amazon Appstore for Fire TVs and Fire Tablets https://t.co/Y4gxBeWJgt
— AFTVnews (@AFTVnews) March 30, 2026
Saba added: “If you sideloaded Downloader from another source while it was unavailable, I strongly recommend you uninstall it and install the version from the Amazon Appstore, because the sideloaded version will never receive updates.”
Fire TV Stick users issued new scam warning
It appears scammers have taken advantage of the temporary removal of Downloader, creating fake versions of the popular app.
One app named ‘Downloader for Fire, Browser…’ tricks users into paying US$6.99 (around £5.29) per week, according to Saba.
The Downloader creator warned users to “NOT install the app” and instead “help get it removed” by reporting it as a scam to Amazon.
Thousands warned about use of ‘dodgy’ Fire Sticks as enforcement intensifies
Meanwhile, the ongoing crackdown on the use of ‘dodgy’ Fire Sticks in the UK continues to intensify.
Illegal TV Fire Sticks and/or ‘dodgy boxes’ are streaming devices that have third-party software installed in them, allowing users to watch premium content from providers such as TNT Sport, Sky, Disney+ and Netflix for free.
The use of these devices is a “serious crime”, and police forces across the UK and Ireland, as well as organisations including Crimestoppers and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), have been attempting to stamp them out.
People who access illegal TV streaming services are potentially liable to prosecution for criminal offences, including under Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006.
FACT is continually intensifying enforcement targeting users of illegal streaming devices/services.
Thousands of individuals across the UK were contacted recently and warned to stop using illegal IPTV services immediately or risk criminal prosecution.
This action followed joint investigations with police that uncovered details of customers who had purchased access to so-called “loaded” Fire Sticks, Android, or Kodi devices.
While FACT’s latest campaign to disrupt illegal streaming networks and protect consumers from the risks associated with illicit online content targeted eight areas across the UK :
- London
- South West
- North West
- North East
- Scotland
- Wales
- Yorkshire and Humber
- West Midlands
The likes of Sky and Amazon are also working on ways to prevent the use of ‘dodgy’ Fire TV Sticks in the UK.
The dangers of using illegal streaming devices
“Illegal streaming services are increasingly operated by sophisticated criminal networks, often involved in other types of crime,” BeSteamWise explained.
People who access illegal TV streaming services are potentially liable to prosecution for criminal offences. (Image: Getty Images)
Meaning those who use illegal streaming devices run the risk of “letting criminals in”, resulting in:
- Viruses and malware
- ID theft, scams, and fraud
- Inappropriate content
Around 39% of illegal streamers in the UK have suffered financial losses due to cybercrime linked to piracy, according to BeStreamWise.
The average amount stolen through illegal streaming is £1,680, while one in ten have lost more than £5,000.
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What is the penalty if caught with a ‘dodgy’ Fire TV Stick?
Not only can the use of illegal streaming devices leave users open to ID theft, fraud, and viruses, but it can also result in fines and jail time.
Those caught using or selling a ‘dodgy’ fire stick/box and streaming premium content without paying are in breach of Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006.
It says a person will be in breach if they obtain services “without any payment having been made for or in respect of them or without payment having been made in full”.
A person found guilty of this kind of offence could be fined or face a jail sentence of up to five years.
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