In the last few years, some of the UK’s biggest cultural institutions have experienced major threats to their security. A report by the public accounts committee (PAC) has warned that such incidents have exposed serious weaknesses across the sector but that the government has failed to devise a strategy to prevent them. This has left Britain’s cultural institutions open to similar future attacks.

We live in a time when digital systems underpin everything from ticketing to surveillance and building access. Sidelining cybersecurity leaves museums vulnerable to attacks that could threaten both their finances and their collections.

If the UK wants to avoid major attacks and thefts, it needs to learn a lesson from the recent Louvre heist where €88 million (£78 million) of jewels were stolen. An audit conducted just weeks before the incident exposed the Louvre’s spending priorities that left them vulnerable to theft. The report found that €169 million was spent on artwork and exhibitions but only €26.7 million on all forms of maintenance, including security.

The likely thinking of cultural institutions is that to remain financially resilient they have to spend more on money-making attractions, like artwork and exhibitions. However, this means that security sometimes becomes a low priority – less money is spent and less thought given to the importance of keeping it up to date. However, the financial loss from theft affects financial resilience by eroding emergency cash reserves and driving up insurance premiums.

As the Louvre’s audit shows, the museum could have perhaps avoided the theft had it taken its findings more seriously.

The issue of outdated security measures at the Louvre goes back to at least 2017. An audit at the time found that “certain workstations [had] obsolete operating systems (Windows 2000 and Windows XP) which no longer guarantee effective security”. Security updates for Windows 2000 ceased in 2010, and Windows XP in 2014.

Three weeks after the heist in 2025, the Louvre was criticised by France’s Court of Auditors for not taking the audits seriously and spending money on art instead of security in the years before the theft.

Similar weaknesses in investment priorities as the Louvre’s were exposed in a report made by The British Library in March 2024 into their cyber-attack.

In October 2023, The British Library experienced a severe cyber-attack. The library’s systems were infiltrated by hackers who locked out all network users and demanded a ransom of 20 Bitcoin (approximately £590,000). The ransom was not paid and the stolen data was auctioned and then leaked on the dark web.

The library’s report into the attack acknowledged that it happened because it had muddled through with a historical mixture of old systems from many sources, which didn’t have a recovery plan. This meant it took the British Library months to restore the most basic tool – the online catalogue. And even now, five major services, including the catalogue of illuminated manuscripts, remain unavailable.

The cultural institutions, government and even the PAC make the classic mistake of divorcing cybersecurity from physical security.

The report by PAC does mention “bringing together chief digital information officers and chief information security officers” and separately it praises the “National Museum Security Group”. However, there is no mention of encouraging dialogue between the groups.

This divide is very common, and is often built into organisational system. The most junior person responsible for both physical and cybersecurity is often the CEO, or possibly a chief operating officer (COO). This structure worked in the days when physical security did not rely on computers. However, today, when so much physical security relies upon technology, it just does not make sense. There should be someone further down the chain, such as a “chief security manager” or equivalent.

As the report by Apolo Security into the Louvre attack found: “this case highlights another growing challenge: the convergence between operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT). When camera, climate or access control systems are connected to the network, any digital divide can have immediate physical consequences.”

This false split between standard IT cybersecurity (the domain of the chief information security officer), operational technology (the unnoticed computer-enabled devices that keep things working like electronic doors or intruder alarms) and physical security is far from unique to the scope of PAC’s report.

A classic example is the cyber-attack on the Colonial Pipeline in 2021 – an American energy system that connects 29 refineries and serves major airports, military bases and more than 50 million Americans. Only the classic IT systems (billing) were attacked, but management shut down the entire operation as they feared the attack spreading to the operational devices on the pipelines themselves. This stopped all pipeline operations leading to flight alterations, panic buying and over 10,000 petrol stations running dry.

A more integrated approach was exhibited by the train operator Go-Ahead in 2022 in the UK, which had a similar attack on its systems. The company was able, however, to keep the trains running and deal with the source of the attack instead of halting all their operations.

It would be good to think that the UK culture sector would also learn these lessons. But alas, neither the evidence the government gave PAC nor the final report give us any reason to believe that things will become more connected when it comes to a joined-up view of security and stopping future attacks.

The force received a record-breaking 152,000 contacts from the public, the highest ever recorded in a single month.

Despite the surge in demand, officers attended 14,991 Grade 1 emergency incidents across the region, achieving an average response time of just seven minutes and 54 seconds.

Steph Parker, assistant chief constable, said: “July was the busiest month in GMP’s history, and I would like to thank every officer, member of staff, and volunteer who worked tirelessly to serve the people of Greater Manchester during this unprecedented period of demand.

“From our frontline officers and neighbourhood teams to detectives, custody staff, FCCO colleagues, and the many police staff working behind the scenes, everyone played a vital role in keeping our communities safe.

“I would also like to thank the public for their patience and assistance.”

Officers made an average of 200 arrests per day during the month.

Crimes ranged from serious offences such as murder and robbery to persistent neighbourhood issues like shoplifting, theft, and anti-social behaviour.

Ms Parker said: “Despite the significant pressures we faced throughout July, the resilience shown across GMP ensured we continued to deliver for the people of Greater Manchester when they needed us most.”

In order to respond to each call, the force relied on various different members of staff to ensure the safety of the public.

Frontline officers responded to emergencies, while colleagues in Force Contact, Crime Operations (FCCO) answered calls, assessed risk, and dispatched resources.

Detectives continued investigations and supported victims, and neighbourhood officers focused on building community confidence and tackling anti-social behaviour.

Police staff, including intelligence teams, analysts, administrators, and custody teams, kept the force running behind the scenes and managed the high number of detainees following arrests.

Ms Parker said: “From our frontline officers and neighbourhood teams to detectives, custody staff, FCCO colleagues, and the many police staff working behind the scenes, everyone played a vital role in keeping our communities safe.”

The month tested the force’s systems and personnel, but police say it demonstrated the professionalism and commitment of its workforce.

Neighbourhood policing teams continue to deal with lower-level crime and community concerns, helping to build public trust while detectives concentrated on serious offences and supporting those affected by crime.

Police staff provided essential support in areas like intelligence, investigation, and administration, while custody staff processed and managed detainees and Ms Parker thanked the public for their cooperation during the month.

The Evercheck system, developed by technology company Everseen, will be installed in 200 stores during the first phase of the supermarket’s rollout.

It uses real-time computer vision to compare scanned items with those visibly placed in a customer’s basket and alerts shoppers on-screen if it detects a potential missed item.

The system is intended to improve efficiency at self-checkouts by reducing interruptions and wait times and the need for staff intervention in cases of routine scanning errors, reports What’s The Jam?

Morrisons is introducing new AI technology to self-checkouts at 200 of its stores (Image: Jam Press/Morrisons/Quadrient)

Morrisons to launch new AI technology in 200 stores

Everseen said self-service checkouts had become increasingly popular among Morrisons customers but needed to remain “frustration-free” to deliver the expected convenience.

Morrisons makes the move following a successful trial of the system.

Francesca Bezoari, store support office director at Morrisons, said: “Our new partnership with Everseen enables us to provide the fast and seamless checkout experience our customers want, while simultaneously equipping our colleagues to maintain the exceptional service that Morrisons is known for.”

In a LinkedIn post, Everseen said: “Self-checkout has become an increasingly popular way for shoppers to pay, but fast and convenient only works if it’s frustration-free, too.

“Using real-time computer vision, Evercheck simplifies the checkout process by helping shoppers self-correct missed items with gentle on-screen prompts, keeping queues moving and freeing store teams to focus on customer service.”

Everseen confirmed the technology does not use facial recognition and is focused solely on the transaction rather than identifying or profiling individuals.

Joe White, chief executive of Everseen, said: “Morrisons recognise that the best AI solutions deliver measurable results without compromising the customer experience.

“Our Vision AI platform enables Morrisons to improve its satisfaction scores, proving that operational performance and customer service aren’t competing priorities.

“We’re proud to bring our experience from deploying across thousands of global checkouts to support Morrisons’ transformation.”

Everseen said its technology already operates in more than 150,000 checkouts across 10,000 stores worldwide.

Morrisons operates approximately 500 supermarkets, meaning the initial rollout could cover around two-fifths of its larger-store estate.

The supermarket has not yet revealed which stores will receive the technology or when the rollout will be completed.

Do you think this new AI technology will make your shopping experience easier at Morrisons? Tell us in the poll above or the comments below.

The man suffered serious injuries

A man was rushed to hospital with serious injuries after being hit by a car a busy Cambridge road. Emergency services were called to Chesterton Road in Cambridge just after 10.40pm on Thursday (August 6).

The crash involved a man and a car. The East of England Ambulance Service took the man to hospital.

An ambulance spokesperson said: “We were called just after 10.40pm yesterday to a collision between a pedestrian and car on Chesterton Road in Cambridge. Two ambulances and an ambulance officer were sent to the scene.

“The pedestrian, an adult man, was transported to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for further treatment.”

Cambridgeshire Police also attended the scene and said the man suffered “serious injuries”. A police spokesperson added: “We were called at 10.45pm yesterday by ambulance to a report of a man being struck by a car in Chesterton Road in Cambridge. The driver of the car stopped and spoke to officers at the scene.”

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The pair took the migrant into their home after his tent burned down at a refugee camp in Lesvos.

An American couple who took in an Afghan migrant now accused of killing a Scottish charity worker and putting her body in a suitcase in Greece have told of their devastation following his arrest.

Elisabeth-Jane Ross, 38, known as Lisa, was found dead by a homeless man in a derelict building in the Kypseli area of Athens on Saturday, July 18. Sharif Ahmadzai, 26, appeared in court in the Greek capital on suspicion of killing the aid worker, from Edinburgh, along with weapons offences and robbery charges.

The Christian husband and wife allowed then teenager Ahmadzai to live in their home for almost two years on the Greek island of Lesvos, where they were doing humanitarian aid work in the Moria refugee camp.

The pair, who chose to remain anonymous, ‘adopted’ Ahmadzai, aged 16, after his tent burned down in a fire that broke out amid ‘fighting’ amongst the migrants, reports the Daily Mail.

The adoptive mum said: “When I heard the news, I couldn’t imagine it to be true. Not in a million years.

“It doesn’t feel real at all. I keep thinking I’m gonna wake up and it was a nightmare, and it’s over.

“I’m heartbroken. I can’t make any sense of it.

“It’s a heartbreak that you can’t understand. It’s like I have the heart of a mother for that now adult-sized boy.”

The Afghan started calling the couple mum and dad and along with with their two now-adult sons, who became his family.

The mum helped Ahmadzai learn English, helped with other schoolwork and he shared photographs online of the Christmas gifts his new family bought him.

The couple eventually returned to their home in Atlanta two years later and last saw Ahmadzai while visiting Europe in 2019.

The husband insisted there were never any red flags that Ahmadzai was capable of murdering someone.

Ahmadzai appeared in court in Athens yesterday to face charges. It is understood he denied murdering the charity worker and claimed he had found Lisa already dead on the bathroom floor.

The court complex is located on the city’s Evelpidon Street, a short walk from the derelict building where her body was found. Floral tributes have been placed on the ground next to the structure, with one card containing the words “Elisabeth-Jane Ross. Rest in peace” written in Greek.

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Cops said the suspect was detained for questioning after investigators reviewed surveillance camera footage recorded nearby. After allegedly killing Ms Ross, Ahmadzai is accused of sending a series of messages from her phone to her friends and family before switching off the device.

He is then said to have bought another phone and texted her friends in Athens, including his wife, impersonating an unnamed jihadist saying he had killed the Scot because of her religion, Greek newspapers Proto Thema and Ta Nea reported. The newspapers said his wife, a US citizen named Alaina Hall, told the police she suspected her husband’s involvement in the killing when she woke up to find he was not in their apartment and tracked his phone to where Ms Ross was staying.

Ms Ross is believed to have died a number of days before she was found, during which time temperatures reached 36C. Authorities were able to identify her using fingerprints.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “Our thoughts are with Elisabeth’s family during this difficult time. We are providing consular support and are in contact with the local authorities.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware of the death of a Scottish woman in Athens and are liaising with authorities in Greece. Officers are providing support to her family in Scotland.”

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Emmerdale fans were delighted earlier this week when Lawrence Robb revealed that he’d be competing for the glitter ball trophy after signing up to take part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The Mackenzie Boyd star, a firm favourite with viewers of the ITV soap since his debut in 2020, said that joining the BBC’s dance competition is a ‘dream come true’.

‘I can’t quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time!,’ he exclaimed. ‘It’s a dream come true, and I can’t wait to bring my all to ballroom.

‘Wish me luck, and any advice is very welcome – trust me, I’ll need it!’

The announcement was met with positivity from his fans and co-stars alike, with Nicky Miligan actor Lewis Cope – who made it to the Strictly Quarter-Final last year – writing: ‘Yes brother!!! I am so excited for you’.

Tracy Metcalfe star Amy Walsh added: ‘Omg omg omg!!!!!!!!!!! Amazing!!!!!!!! ,’ while Matty Barton actor Ash Palmisciano said: ‘yes mate! your gonna be amazing!’

But while fans are eager to see Lawrence strutting his stuff on the dancefloor, some did worry what this announcement means for his future on Emmerdale.

Emmerdale and Coronation Street stars don’t typically remain on the ITV soaps while competing on Strictly so Lawrence’s casting left some fans wondering if an exit could be on the cards for fan-favourite Mack.

However, this does not appear to be the case, with Lawrence having revealed that he’ll be balancing both his work on Emmerdale with Strictly.

Speaking on a video shared on the official Strictly Come Dancing Instagram account, the soap star said: ‘For the next couple of months, alongside strutting my stuff on the Emmerdale fields, I’m going to be strutting my stuff on the dancefloor.

‘It’s very exciting, but I’m terrified’.

Lawrence has had plenty of material to get his teeth into on Emmerdale over the past year after Mack was taken hostage by serial killer John Sugden, who previously shot him with a crossbow.

The character also recently found out that wife Charity Dingle had cheated on her with his best mate Ross Barton. Charity, meanwhile, confided in him that she had been raped by Dr Todd, who Mack subsequently confronted in a heated showdown.

Dr Todd was later confirmed to be dead via a flashforward sequence, so will Mack end up as one of the suspects in the murder?

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8:00pm on ITV1 or stream from 7am on ITVX and YouTube.

If you’ve got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@metro.co.uk – we’d love to hear from you.

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MORE: ‘Guinea pig’ Emmerdale star Danny Miller confirms surprise Strictly update

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MORE: TV soap icon ‘loses part of herself’ as she announces death of father

A historic market town gripped by unrest saw more arrests on a third consecutive night of disorder after angry locals tried to storm homes believed to house asylum seekers. 

Riot police were deployed to guard more properties in Thetford, Norfolk, last night as protests over migrants being housed in a residential street escalated, with crowds chanting: ‘Get them out, get them out.’

Two men were arrested on Thursday evening, Norfolk Police said, following two nights of disorder in the market town.

One was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred in connection with events on Wednesday. The other was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and failing to provide details to police when asked.

Police powers were increased on Thursday evening in the wake of the disorder earlier in the week.

Last night, officers threw a ring of steel around the property as dozens of locals gathered just yards away. Demonstrators also hurled eggs.

The tense atmosphere saw police in full public order gear form a line around the house.

This man was taken away in a third consecutive night of unrest.

Police lined up to protect the houses locals believe belong to asylum seekers in Thetford

Crowds chanted: ‘Get them out, get them out.’

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One man was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred in connection with events on Wednesday. The other was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and failing to provide details to police when asked.

Police say they have been bitten and spat at

Demonstrators gathered outside the property, where asylum seekers are being accommodated, repeatedly shouting: ‘Get them out, get them out.’

One local said: ‘What they have done is shocking. It’s two-tier. We won’t stop until they’re gone. We don’t want them here.’

The latest protest follows two previous nights of disorder in the Norfolk town, during which stones and eggs were thrown at the house and a window was smashed.

A police officer was also bitten during the unrest, while another was spat at.

Frustration spilled out at three properties in Thetford, Norfolk, following weeks of protests at a nearby former military barracks, which has been earmarked to take 1,250 male migrants.

First sparked on Tuesday, the angry scenes continued on Wednesday night and into yesterday.

Two officers needed hospital treatment and three arrests were made.

A Government spokesman said the ‘concerns of communities are central to our immigration reforms’. The chaos on the first night saw five men having to be escorted by police from a property on St John’s Way, prompting the furious protesters to brand the officers ‘traitors’.

Damage caused to a house after locals attacked the property this week

Crowds of up to 100 people stormed three properties amid fears they were being used to house asylum seekers

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On Tuesday a group of young men were escorted away from a property by police

One local claimed the landlord had told them to expect new tenants but didn’t mention they would be asylum seekers.

The occupant of a house in nearby Elm Road is then understood to have been forced out of his home and his phone was stolen.

The disorder next spilled over to a residence in Bracken Road, which had its windows and front door smashed in. Up to 100 people became involved in the violence, with video capturing one man shouting: ‘They don’t want the white man anymore. They want us all gone, they wanna swap us. It’s predicted by 2050 the f****** white man’s going to be a minority.’

Officers attended another residential property in Clover Way on Wednesday after a large group of people gathered there at about 9pm and tried to gain access. The group became ‘physically aggressive’ with a male officer struck by a rock and a female officer ‘seriously bitten, breaking the skin’.

Assistant Chief Constable Julie Dean said: ‘We will always facilitate and support the right to peaceful protest, and we recognise that people may hold strong views. However, there is no place for violence, intimidation or criminal behaviour.’

The turmoil began at around midday on Tuesday when a group of men were seen moving into the St John’s Way house. 

News of the arrival spread and by 7pm people began arriving with numbers swelling to around 60. The crowd tried to force their way in by smashing a window and breaking a fence.

Dramatic footage shows an officer standing in front of the property and telling the protesters to do so peacefully.

By 10pm, the decision was taken to remove the five men in the property and ten officers surrounded them, some hooded, as they hurried outside and into a police van.

A man in his 30s was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of a public order offence. Local Brian Thompson, 68, has been charged with possession of a weapon, a bat. Another man, in his 40s, is in custody. 

Local MP Terry Jermy said: ‘I utterly condemn this behaviour.’

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BANGKOK (AP) — World shares were mixed Friday after a modest retreat on Wall Street, while the price of Brent crude gained more than 1%.

In early European trading, Germany’s DAX rose 0.4% to 26,253.77, while the CAC 40 in Paris edged 0.2% higher to 8,715.47.

Britain’s FTSE 100 was up 0.1% at 10,879.57.

The future for the S&P 500 rose 0.1% while that for the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.1%.

Selling of computer chipmakers and other stocks linked to the boom in artificial intelligence appeared to taper off a bit as Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 lost 0.1% to 65,606.71.

The Kospi in South Korea dropped 0.6% to 6,258.77 and Taiwan’s Taiex fell 0.4%.

The Shanghai Composite index gained 1% to 3,940.04 after China reported its exports grew at a slightly slower but still robust pace of about 24% in July on strong demand for electronics and other high-tech products. China’s huge trade surplus narrowed last month and imports also slowed.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng picked up 0.5% to 25,668.03.

In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 slipped less than 0.1%, to 9,263.60.

On Thursday, stocks declined on Wall Street as oil prices rose and more company earnings reports rolled in.

The S&P 500 fell 0.2% and the Dow industrials fell 0.9%. The Nasdaq composite fell 0.1%.

The price of Brent crude rose nearly 4% on Thursday as progress toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz, vital to securing stable oil supplies, remained unclear.

Iran has said it is close to a deal with Oman for reopening the strait. U.S. President Donald Trump has also previously said a deal is close, but the conflict has had many starts and stops over the past five months.

Reopening the strait may require a compromise since the Trump administration has ruled out Iran charging fees to ships. But Iran has insisted on some measure of control, saying the strait will not go back to being an international waterway.

As of early Friday, a barrel of Brent, the international standard, was up 1% at $83.33. U.S. benchmark crude oil advanced 0.7% to $77.79 per barrel.

A fifth of the world’s traded oil and natural gas once passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Oil prices have surged as high as $113 due to the war and higher prices have added more heat to inflation by raising the price of gasoline and raising costs for shipping.

Outside of earnings, SpaceX rose 6.1%. More than 911 million SpaceX shares held by early investors and employees became eligible for sale Thursday as a lockup period for the stock expired. That is more than double the shares that were initially offered to the public for sale during the initial public offering for Elon Musk’s company.

SpaceX jumped as high as $225 a share following its market debut in June, but has since slumped below its initial $135 offering price. The stock is currently trading around $115.

The latest monthly jobs report, for July, will be released Friday.

U.S. employment remains strong, but growth in hiring has been easing. A weekly report on Thursday showed the number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week, though layoffs remain in the historically healthy range of the past few years. Employers pulled back on hiring in June, adding only 57,000 jobs.

In other dealings early Friday, the dollar rose to 158.46 Japanese yen from 158.42 yen. The euro fell to $1.1520 from $1.1524.