Racist graffiti has appeared at a number of locations in the town while two homes have been attacked

Holywood residents have said recent racist graffiti and attacks in the town do not represent the friendly, diverse and welcoming community that live there.

Since the beginning of July there have been a number of racist incidents in the popular Co Down seafront town that have caused concern to local residents, businesses owners and representatives.

These include racist graffiti being written at numerous locations along the seafront path and on properties in the town, along with two properties being attacked which has led to the families leaving the area.

The graffiti featured a series of racist slogans such as ‘blacks out’, ‘white power’ and messages in support of Hitler and Enoch Powell. Pro-IRA graffiti and graffiti targeting the care service and social workers was also found in the area.

Belfast Live spoke with a number of local residents and businesses owners who said the incidents were not representative of the community in the town which is proud of how welcoming, friendly and diverse it is. They said it is not how they want the town to be represented and hoped the issue would be addressed by the authorities.

Local business owner Joe MacGowan said: “From my experience of working here in Holywood this doesn’t represent the area and I think that it is probably just kids up to no good.

“Holywood is a really friendly and multicultural town and this graffiti is not what the town is about.”

Alliance Party Alderman Martin McRandal highlighted three seperate racist incidents that have taken place in the town since July 11, saying that the police have pledged to take any further issues seriously.

He said: “We, we’ve had a couple of houses attacked, a few weeks ago, of Syrian families, but as well as that we have had a spate of, incidents of, racist graffiti, so there have been three separate spates.

“So five weeks ago, further down the coastal path, we, we had graffiti scrawled with, sort of messages about Enoch Powell and, pro Hitler messages and things like that. That was dealt with quickly and then just about two weeks ago we’ve had, more racist graffiti being scrawled on the community murals.

“So, we’re working with DFI to have those reinstated and then just in the past weekend, we’ve had more spates of, racist graffiti appearing, in various parts of Hollywood including down at Sea Park where, blacks out was scrawled on a footpath along with crosshairs.

“So very threatening, vile graffiti which, I think most of the community in Hollywood are really shocked about, you know, it’s not the sort of place we expect something like this to happen.”

He continued: “Most people in Hollywood, as I say, appreciate living in what they see as being a welcoming and diverse community, and they really it’s a mixed town. People really appreciate sort of living in a sort of open mixed community.

“The police are now taking this very seriously. They’ve told us that they’ve upped their patrols in the area, so I think anybody that continues with this, hopefully we’ll be caught.”

UUP councillor Stephen Holywood took to social media earlier this week after being sent images of racist graffiti that had appeared in the town. He condemned the incident saying: “Just been sent this. It’s really dispiriting to see racism raise its ugly head again in this town.

“There can be no excuses for it. Whoever is responsible does not speak for the people of Holywood. The overwhelming majority of residents want a community where people of every race, nationality and background can live, work and raise their families without fear.”

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Kim Kardashian and boyfriend Lewis Hamilton put on a loved-up display as she shared more intimate snaps from their lavish tropical getaway. 

The 45-year-old SKIMS founder, who recently posed with the F1 racer for a steamy bikini photo, jumped to her main Instagram page on Wednesday to give fans a closer glimpse into the relaxing trip. 

The couple as well as the reality star’s other family members appeared to whisk themselves away on the vacation in celebration of Kylie Jenner‘s 29th birthday. 

In one image, Kardashian could be seen standing in front of Hamilton, 41, as they both lovingly looked into each other’s eyes. 

The mom-of-four wore a fitted pink skirt as well as a light pink cardigan that had a plunging neckline on the front. 

She carried a pink purse over her shoulder while her dark locks flowed down in light waves behind her. 

The SKIMS founder jumped to her main Instagram page on Wednesday to give fans a closer glimpse into the relaxing trip

Hamilton went shirtless as he easily carried a pair of white sneakers in his hand while a folded top was placed in the crook of his right arm. 

A black cap was placed on top of his head and he also sported a flashy chained necklace. 

The pair stood on a patch of green grass that was near a dirt path with the scenic ocean directly behind them. 

Kardashian and Hamilton later jumped into a four-wheeler as they raced along a dirt path. 

The All’s Fair actress filmed a quick selfie video as the lovebirds flashed cheerful smiles for the camera. 

She shared another snap as they posed during a lighthearted paintball match, with the media personality donning a black bikini top. 

Kardashian showed off her pink outfit in an additional slide as she also held up a pink flower towards the side of her head. 

The star flaunted her toned figure in a skimpy black bikini as well as low-waisted black leggings and a black lace cardigan. 

The mom-of-four wore a fitted pink skirt as well as a light pink cardigan that had a plunging neckline on the front

Kardashian and Hamilton later jumped into a four-wheeler as they raced along a dirt path

She shared another snap as they posed during a lighthearted paintball match, with the media personality donning a black bikini top

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Kardashian showed off her pink outfit in an additional slide as she also held up a pink flower towards the side of her head

The star flaunted her toned figure in a skimpy black bikini as well as low-waisted black leggings and a black lace cardigan

Kardashian further showed off the swimsuit and gold body chain as she snapped a mirror selfie inside a spacious bathroom

The businesswoman later took a dip in the shallow water of the ocean as the sun shone in the sky

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She struck a confident pose as her long hair was parted in the middle and cascaded down past her shoulders in light waves. 

Kardashian further showed off the swimsuit and gold body chain as she snapped a mirror selfie inside a spacious bathroom. 

The businesswoman later took a dip in the shallow water of the ocean as the sun shone in the sky. 

She opted for a pastel pink bikini and patterned headscarf while taking another selfie before a day by the water. 

Kardashian lounged on a wooden deck and also spent quality time with loved ones including her nieces and nephews. 

Lastly, the TV personality opted for a cropped white shirt and gray sweatpants that partially concealed a pink swimsuit. 

She took the picture while standing on a balcony that offered views of the greenery surrounding her. 

In the caption of the latest photo series, Kardashian simply penned to her followers: ‘Aloha.’ 

The Daily Mail has reached out to reps for Kardashian for comment, but has yet to hear back.  

She opted for a pastel pink bikini and patterned headscarf while taking another selfie before a day by the water

Kardashian lounged on a wooden deck and also spent quality time with loved ones including her nieces and nephews

Lastly, the TV personality opted for a cropped white shirt and gray sweatpants that partially concealed a pink swimsuit

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In the caption of the latest photo series, Kardashian simply penned to her followers: ‘Aloha’

Her younger sister Kylie Jenner also recently uploaded Instagram snaps as she rang in her 29th birthday with her loved ones at a tropical destination

Just one day earlier, Kardashian had also shared images to fans from the lowkey summer getaway which additionally featured Hamilton

Her younger sister Kylie Jenner also recently uploaded Instagram snaps as she rang in her 29th birthday with her loved ones at a tropical destination.   

Just one day earlier, Kardashian had also shared images to fans from the lowkey summer getaway which additionally featured Hamilton. 

One romantic photo captured the couple strolling along the sandy shore as they draped their arms around each other. 

They also fell into a sweet embrace as the F1 racer sweetly wrapped his arms around the reality star. 

Kardashian also took a quick mirror selfie as Hamilton stood close behind her and placed a hand on her waist. 

‘Somewhere over the rainbow,’ the SKIMS founder typed out.  

Hamilton and Kardashian have known each other for years before recently sparking up a romance.

Back in late January, the stars were seen checking into an upscale hotel in the Cotswolds.

One romantic photo captured the couple strolling along the sandy shore as they draped their arms around each other

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Kardashian also took a quick mirror selfie as Hamilton stood close behind her and placed a hand on her waist

Shortly after, the pair were spotted at another hotel in the city of Paris before they grabbed dinner together at Aqua Kyoto.

In February, Kardashian and Hamilton sat next to each other while attending Super Bowl LX.

The pair also spent time together in Tokyo in March ahead of Hamilton taking part in the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix. The couple also made an appearance at the Coachella Music Festival soon after. 

Kardashian and Hamilton were spotted kissing for the first time as they took a dip in the ocean in Malibu in April.

A few months later in June, the star supported the professional racer as he competed during the F1 Monaco Grand Prix. 

The couple have also featured each other on their social media pages in recent months amid their romance. 

And last month in July, Hamilton made a rare comment about his relationship with The Kardashians star. 

While at the Silverstone Circuit racing venue in England, a fan said: ‘You’ve been a happier man recently, why’s that? Could that be a girlfriend?’

Hamilton replied: ‘Yeah, that’s a good one!’ before later adding: ‘Of course, of course, it’s Kim.’ 

Hamilton and Kardashian have known each other for years before recently sparking up a romance

Hamilton has also met the star’s four children whom she shares with ex-husband Kanye West: North, 13, Saint, 10, Chicago, eight, and Psalm, seven

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Hamilton has also met the star’s four children whom she shares with ex-husband Kanye West: North, 13, Saint, 10, Chicago, eight, and Psalm, seven.

‘Kim’s very selective when it comes to the people she allows around her kids,’ a source recently told People.

The insider added that the media personality is ‘very protective’ of her kids and ‘doesn’t take new introductions lightly.’

‘The fact that Lewis has spent time with the kids reflects how much she trusts him.’

Marcus Rashford has sent a message to Manchester United legend Gary Neville after his return to his boyhood club.

Rashford’s time in Manchester appeared to be up when he joined Barcelona on loan last summer, a deal that was expected to be made permanent in a £26million deal.

The 28-year-old had made no bones about his desire to extend his stay at the club, but the Catalan giants instead decided to pursue a deal for Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon.

And while an exit from Old Trafford still seemed the likely outcome earlier in the summer, a lack of serious suitors prepared to meet United’s £40m asking price means the Englishman has now rejoined Michael Carrick’s squad.

Rashford came off the bench for a brief cameo against AC Milan last weekend, and could be in line to feature in United’s first Premier League encounter against Hull City on Saturday.

In a trailer for an upcoming episode of Stick To Football, Neville was already keen to discuss the 28-year-old, but was quickly shut down by fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.

‘Marcus Rashford, what do we think? Last question,’ Neville said before Carragher quickly interjected: ‘Oh f*****g hell, can we do a podcast without mentioning Rashford? Stop it! Oh my god.

‘It’s like the Trent and Rashford – there was like a little part of the podcast – the Trent part or the Rashford part. He’s just a good player for Man United!’

And responding to the video on X, Rashford made it clear he would appreciate Neville and others giving him some time to settle into the season back at United.

‘Thanks, Jamie. It would be great to be able to get my head down and play football without my name being mentioned every day,’ he wrote.

Rashford has only been back with Carrick’s squad for a short period, but the United head coach said he was already impressed by what he has seen in training.

‘He’s a very good player, and I think if you’re going to have a career over 10 or 15 years, there’s going to be times when things go in a direction and maybe a different direction,’ Carrick recently said.

‘I think there are ups and downs, and that doesn’t judge you as a one-off kind of judgment. It’s what happens over time, and now we’re in a positive place as a group, and Marcus can offer us so much.

‘He has done, and he can do again, so in that respect, it’s quite exciting.

‘He came in, he’s trained really well. I’ve known him a long time, like I’ve known some of the others a long time, so I don’t treat him any different to anybody else, but it’s been good to have him around the group again this week. So I’m really positive with that.’

Elsewhere, former Red Devils captain Wayne Rooney believes Rashford must show the right ‘hunger’ to get his United career back on track.

Speaking on Stick To United, Rooney said: ‘For me, has he got the hunger, does he want to play for Manchester United? You have to rebuild the relationship with the fans and the easiest way to do that is work hard and work on your body language.

‘You could have a bad game, you could give the ball away and make mistakes, but if the fans see you working hard and putting in a shift for the team, they’ll accept that to a certain point.

‘I think Marcus’ body language, even when he came on, it isn’t great. He might have to work with someone to make his body language look better.

“I think his work rate has to improve. If he wants to be at the football club, he just has to knuckle down. He’s the one player that could go and get my goalscoring record.’

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The partnership between the entertainment giant – which represents stars including Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and Kendrick Lamar – and the group’s company, Apple Corps Ltd, will see UMG manage the rock band’s physical and digital merchandise, licensing and e-commerce on behalf of the band.

By SHANNON MCGUIGAN, NEWS REPORTER

Published: 19:00 BST, 19 August 2026 | Updated: 21:03 BST, 19 August 2026

A British gold medal-winning sprinter who won two medals at the Commonwealth Games has been jailed for ten months amid allegations he sexually assaulted a minor.

Leon Baptiste, 41, was thought to be missing as of yesterday after going on a trip to Morocco two months ago. 

UK Athletics, where he worked as a consultant sprinting coach, did not know why Baptiste was out of contact – nor did those he worked with.

The coach, who was training top athletes ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Games, told a group of them that he would be absent ‘for a while’, the BBC reported. 

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No further explanation was given to those he coached after that message in May of this year. 

A brief email, sent on behalf of the sprinter, who won the 200m at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, was sent on Tuesday. 

In the correspondence to the athletes he coached, it was announced that Baptiste had resigned, laying blame on unspecified ill health. 

It has since emerged the athlete had been arrested in Marrakech last May, a source from the Moroccan Ministry of Justice told the broadcaster. 

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Leon Baptiste, 41, (pictured winning England Athletics Coach of the Year in 2023) has been jailed in Morocco amid allegations he sexually assaulted a minor

As of yesterday, the 41-year-old (pictured in 2010) was thought to be missing after going on a trip to Morocco two months ago

He was later convicted and is now behind bars in Al-Oudaya prison, the insider added, saying the reports of him being missing were ‘inaccurate’. 

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They added the former athlete was ‘not subject to any disappearance or unexplained absence’, and was in good health. 

‘He is currently being held at the local prison in Marrakech, where he is serving a custodial sentence following his conviction by the competent judicial authorities in connection with a misdemeanour case,’ they said.

Morocco’s Public Prosecution Office confirmed his sentencing as well as the crime for which he was convicted to the broadcaster. 

A spokesman said a British national is serving a prison sentence in a local Marrakech prison after a court judgment against him.

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Baptiste had been in the North African country alongside three other ex-British athletes, all of whom have returned to British soil, a source said. 

It is understood the athlete’s family are aware of Baptiste’s custodial sentence.

Many top British sprinters, such as Olympic bronze medallist Charlie Dobson and Zac Shaw, who won silver in the Paralympics, have been left without a coach. 

Relay coach Martyn Rooney and European gold medallist Adam Gemili are said to have stepped up to aid sportspeople who have been affected by the former sprinter’s sudden departure. 

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A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: ‘We are supporting a British national who is detained in Morocco and are in contact with the authorities.’

The Daily Mail has approached UK Athletics for comment. 

The US, meanwhile, has been asking for a number of concessions from Canada, including removing its remaining retaliatory tariffs on American autos and adjusting its dairy quotas to allow greater access for US cheese producers.

It has also asked for the ban on US alcohol sales, imposed last year by most Canadian provinces in retaliation to Trump’s tariffs, be removed.

Asked on Wednesday if the latest deal will include significant concessions on dairy, Minister LeBlanc said that Canada’s dairy supply management programme – which sees production quotas, set pricing, and import quotas on dairy, eggs, and poultry – will remain “entirely intact”.

Polls suggest that a majority of Canadians would be unhappy if the Carney government made significant concessions to the US, with 56% surveyed by polling firm Leger, external saying they want Canada to take a hardline approach.

But business organisations from both sides of the border have urged for a deal to be reached, cautioning that additional tariffs between the two major trading partners would be harmful for both countries.

Dennis Darby, president of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters and a member of Carney’s advisory committee on Canada-US trade, told the BBC that he is optimistic a finalised deal is on the horizon.

“The committee was informed this morning that the negotiations continue and that and we’re close, and that’s more positive than we’ve seen in some time,” Darby said.

He added that businesses hope this will be the first step towards a return to the terms set under the North American free trade agreement, known as USMCA, with most goods flowing tariff-free through Canada, the US and Mexico.

“Let’s hope that whatever they have to negotiate gets us closer to that,” he said.

The crime drama is set in Cambridge, but doesn’t always film there

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Professor T is back for season four, two years after the last series aired in the UK.

Death in Paradise star Ben Miller will return to his role as Jasper Tempest in the ITV favourite when it makes its comeback on Wednesday, August 19.

The new series will pick up from season three’s heartbreaking cliffhanger, which saw DS Lisa Donckers tragically struck in a hit and run.

Speaking about where his character is at the start of season four, Ben said: “He’s almost gone back to square one in terms of his OCD. We’ve previously seen him trying to take the gloves off, literally and metaphorically, but he ended up pulling them back on after Lisa’s death.

“For whatever reason, he didn’t comfort her as she was dying. The darker side of his nature took over, and he’s carrying a lot of guilt from letting her die like that. He wanted to change before, but he’s really determined to change now. He can’t let that happen again.”

The crime drama is based on a Belgian series and is very much an Anglo-Belgian production, with lots of filming taking place in Belgium.

For season four, nearly all of the college interiors were filmed at a former international boarding school for girls, now known as The Winter Garden of the Ursulines.

Meanwhile, the Château de La Hulpe doubled as the interior of Jasper’s office, while the lecture theatre was filmed at the academiezaal Sint Truiden.

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Speaking about working with the crew in Belgium, Barney White, who plays Dan, said: “We film in Belgium and so we do spend a lot of time together as we’re not going home every night.

“Ben and I have particularly spent a lot of time together, as we’re now on our fifth series. The show’s become a real fixture in our lives.

“Working with Ben is such a pleasure: he’s so focused and brings brilliant ideas and energy, and we know each other very well now.

“The rest of the cast has changed a lot but Ben and I have been here from the start, and we particularly bonded at the beginning as it was filmed in lockdown. We have this thing where we all go to the same restaurants, and they all know Ben’s order, which is Belgian fries, basically!”

Professor T season 4 starts on Wednesday, August 19 at 9pm on ITV1.

By SHANNON MCGUIGAN, NEWS REPORTER

Published: 19:35 BST, 19 August 2026 | Updated: 20:33 BST, 19 August 2026

Swimmers have been urged to stay away from London‘s first official bathing site on the Thames because it is polluted with toxic algae.  

The Environment Agency has also warned locals against going into water along a broader stretch of the river, which is also likely to have been struck by the algae. 

The regulator, which is also responsible for flood and waste management, stressed it was ‘vitally important’ to keep dogs away from the water. 

It comes as the Ham and Kingston bathing site opened in Kingston upon Thames last May, becoming the first designated bathing water on the Thames in London. 

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And as it opened its doors alongside a tranche of new sites for open water swimming, it became subject to regular water tests until the end of September.

However, the agency has now warned swimmers against bathing at the site due to the presence of blue-green algae, which has toxins harmful to humans and animals.

Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, blooms when warm temperatures, low rainfall and calmer water conditions create the ideal growing conditions for it, officials said.

They produce toxins that can kill wild animals, farm animals and pets, and can also harm people, causing skin rashes and illness if swallowed.

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Pictured: People relax at The Ham and Kingston bathing site on June 23 before the Environment Agency warned people to stay away from blue-green algae

The regulator, which is also responsible for flood and waste management, stressed it was ‘vitally important’ to keep dogs away from the water (An aerial view of the site)

The body said that during drought and prolonged dry weather, it has reported increasing numbers of algal blooms, fish deaths and deteriorating water quality.

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An Environment Agency spokesman said: ‘We have identified blue-green algae on the lower River Thames including the Ham and Kingston designated bathing water.

‘We are working with the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, who have put signage in this location to warn people that it is not safe to swim.

‘An advice against bathing notice has been activated on the Swiminfo website.’

The spokesman also warned that it was likely the section of the River Thames between Hampton and Kingston had also been affected.

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‘It is important that members of the public do not enter the Thames along this stretch. It is also vitally important to keep dogs out of the water,’ they urged.

The Environment Agency is taking water samples along the stretch of river to confirm the extent of the algal bloom.

The UK Health Security Agency and abstractors have been notified, the regulator added. 

Eaglescliffe Beer Festival returns to Eaglescliffe Community Centre for the next Bank Holiday – from Friday, August 28, to Sunday, August 30.

Organised by Stockton-based Three Brothers Brewing Company, the event will feature more than 45 beers and lagers, alongside at least 12 ciders, artisan spirits, wine and prosecco.

The festival will also mark the 10th anniversary of Three Brothers Brewing, with the company telling visitors to “watch this space for a few little extras” to celebrate the occasion.

Three Brothers Brewing Company will bring Eaglescliffe Beer Festival back for 2026. (Image: Three Brothers Brewery)

Visitors can soak up live music on all three evenings while sampling beers from across the North East.

Attendees can also enjoy a selection of street food vendors throughout the weekend.

For those who aren’t beer or ale drinkers, there are plenty of other options, including wine and prosecco, as well as a selection of artisan spirits. 

Three Brothers have also confirmed that low-alcohol drinks will be available, as well as vegan and gluten-free options.

The festival will be supporting the Great North Air Ambulance Service for 2026, with 25 per cent of ticket revenue being donated to the charity.

The brewery also recently announced the first Hutton Rudby Beer Festival in October, and said both of the festivals this year will contribute to fundraising efforts for the charity. 

The festival will run from noon until 11pm on both Friday and Saturday.

Events will conclude at 10pm on the Sunday, with the final day of the festival also set to feature a classic pub quiz at 3pm.

Eaglescliffe Beer Festival. (Image: Three Brothers Brewing Company)

Three Brothers said further details for anniversary celebrations will be announced on their Facebook page ahead of the Bank Holiday festival.

Eventgoers should keep an eye out for vendor announcements.

The brewery is inviting local and national businesses to get involved with the festival through sponsorship opportunities across both of its events.

Tickets are £4 on the door.