A cleaning guru shared her go-to method for deep cleaning an air fryer using two common kitchen items – and there’s no need for scrubbing

Air fryers have established themselves as one of the most beloved kitchen appliances, making meal preparation considerably faster and more straightforward, particularly during hectic weekdays. To maintain the appliance in good working order, it is advisable to clean it after each use.

That said, cleaning can sometimes be neglected, meaning you may occasionally need to carry out a thorough deep clean to preserve its condition and ensure it continues to cook efficiently. A deep clean is particularly effective at tackling stubborn food residue or built-up grime lurking in hard-to-reach areas.

To help restore your air fryer to a gleaming finish, cleaning expert and TikTok creator Chantel Mila (Mama Mila) has shared her preferred technique.

Better still, there’s no scrubbing required whatsoever. You’ll only need two items already found in your kitchen to get the job done, reports the Express.

How to clean air fryers

Begin by removing the basket from the air fryer and placing it in the sink. Chantel applies a generous coating of bicarbonate of soda to the basket, making sure any stuck-on food and grease is thoroughly covered.

Next, drizzle over some washing-up liquid, before pouring boiling water from the kettle over the mixture, washing away the fizzing bicarbonate of soda.

This process helps to dislodge any food that has burnt onto the air fryer basket. Leave the mixture to do its work and soak in the basket for a period of time.

Once you are satisfied that all the stubborn grease and grime has been sufficiently loosened, drain away the dirty water. There should be no need to scrub at all.

While you can simply combine the ingredients and allow them to work in tandem, creating a baking soda paste offers additional benefits for tackling more stubborn areas. The pairing of baking soda and washing-up liquid is particularly effective at breaking down greasy residue, owing to its mildly abrasive properties, making it well-suited for cleaning greasy kitchen surfaces and cookware.

Incorporating washing-up liquid increases the concentration of surfactants — molecules that lower the surface tension between two substances. These surfactants facilitate the mixing of water and oil.

Washing-up liquid also assists in targeting bacteria that baking soda alone may not eliminate, helping to ensure the air fryer remains hygienic and safe for use.

These two common household products work to remove persistent stains and grime by encasing and lifting grease and dirt particles from the affected surface. Baking soda also functions as a natural deodoriser, helping to eliminate any lingering odours following a comprehensive deep clean.

Baking brand Dr Oetker explained the reason baking soda is so good at banishing unwanted odours: “Most nasty smells in the air contain some sort of acid. As an alkali, baking soda reacts with those acids and neutralises them.”

The prolonged hot weather is raising fresh fears of wildfires across the country and placing further strain on emergency services and public health.

A yellow heat alert has been issued by the UK Health Security Agency covering the East and West Midlands, the south-east, south-west, and east of England, as well as Yorkshire and the Humber.

The alert is in place from 9am on Tuesday (July 28) until 9am on Friday (July 31).

When will the next heatwave hit the UK?

Senior meteorologist at the Met Office Dan Stroud said the upcoming heat spell would likely bring a north-south split in weather conditions, with Northern Ireland, Scotland, and northern England experiencing cloud and rain.

Meanwhile, southern parts of England are expected to once again meet heatwave criteria, with temperatures forecast to reach 32C or 33C on Wednesday (July 29) and Thursday (July 30).

He said the hottest weather would be “almost a blink and you miss it,” with temperatures expected to return closer to seasonal averages by the weekend.

Meteorologist Marco Petagna said that as the climate continues to warm, the definitions used for heatwaves will also need to change.

Mr Petagna said that heatwave thresholds for some counties were raised by one degree four or five years ago.

Mr Petagna said: “Going forward they’ll need to be adjusted to take into account… current climate, otherwise we’re going to more frequently go into heatwaves. “It’s a moveable thing, really, as we go through a warming world.”

The heat is being compounded by exceptionally dry conditions.

Southern England has recorded just one per cent of its average July rainfall to date.

England as a whole has received only five per cent, while the UK overall is at 20 per cent of typical July totals.

The sustained dryness has led to low water levels.

North Wales and the Upper Severn became the first part of the UK to be officially declared in drought status on Thursday.

The latest Met Office data, used by Natural England and Natural Resources Wales, indicates that any fires that do start are likely to become “exceptionally severe” on Wednesday in pockets of the east, south, and south-east of England.

The Fire Severity Index considers factors such as recent rainfall, temperature, and humidity to assess how intense a fire could become if it breaks out.

It does not predict the likelihood of wildfires starting, only the potential seriousness of those that do.

Risk of more wildfires as temperatures rise in UK again

At the peak of the third heatwave in mid-July, fire crews in England and Wales were tackling 19 significant blazes at once, underscoring the scale of the threat posed by the prolonged hot and dry conditions.

Recent weeks have already seen large blazes break out in Wales and Scotland.

Some fires have been severe enough to force evacuations from homes.

There have been wildfires in the UK, such as on the side of Bangor Mountain, in Gwynedd, Wales (pictured) (Image: Nigel French/PA Wire)

A spokesman for the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said: “With the Met Office warning that a fourth heatwave could develop this week, bringing another period of very hot weather to parts of the UK, fire and rescue services remain on alert and are continuing to prepare for renewed wildfire risk.

“Most wildfires are preventable and we are asking everyone to play their part in helping to protect our communities, wildlife and natural spaces, while easing the pressure on firefighters who have already faced an exceptionally challenging summer.”

The risk is not confined to the UK, with wildfires causing massive disruption in mainland Europe.

Some 220,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in south-west France.

A further 116,000 have been evacuated in Spain.

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The heatwave comes during what is shaping up to be one of the UK’s hottest Julys on record.

Provisional data from the Met Office indicates temperatures are running three degrees above the July average.

This could make it one of the three or four hottest Julys ever recorded.

How hot has it been this summer where you live? Let us know in the comments.

Four people, including a baby, have died after a car crashed into trees on a busy dual carriageway in Derby.

Emergency services were called after a red Hyundai car left the A38 and crashed into trees – between the A50 Toyota Island and the A516 – at about 23:00 BST on Saturday.

Derbyshire Police said the passengers, two women, 18 and 30, and a man, 36, died at the scene. The baby girl was taken to hospital where she died shortly after.

The force said the driver, a 33-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was subsequently taken to hospital for serious injuries.

Police said all those involved were from Leeds in West Yorkshire, adding their relatives have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

“Our thoughts are with them at this most distressing time,” a spokesperson said.

In a statement, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said three crews attended the scene following a 999 call to its control room.

The fire service added: “Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this terrible incident, the deceased and all of the emergency services who responded to the scene.”

The carriageway was closed for several hours while emergency services dealt with the crash, but it has since been reopened.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has any dashcam footage has been urged to contact police.

Two lanes of traffic have been closed on part of the M60 following a crash this morning.

Long delays are building on the M60 clockwise as a result.

The lane closures are in place between junctions 16 at Pendlebury and 17 at Prestwich.

Traffic is tailing back to junction 13 at Worsley, while queues are also affecting the M61 southbound approaching the M60.

There are also delays on the anticlockwise side approaching the crash scene.

Firefighters are in attendance following the incident.

Further details about the incident are yet to be confirmed.

Mayo 1-20 Kerry 1-17

For 75 years they carried it like an unwanted inheritance.

One generation passed it to the next. Fathers handed it to sons. Grandparents told stories about 1951 because there was nothing newer to celebrate. Eleven All-Ireland final defeats. Two draws. Countless journeys home from Croke Park with the same hollow feeling in the pit of the stomach.

The curse.

Forget the ghosts. Forget the funerals in Foxford. Forget the talk of fate and destiny and all the nonsense that grew around Mayo football because nobody could explain how one county could suffer so often and survive.

Well, now they can.

Because the curse is over.

Dead.

Buried somewhere beneath the Hogan Stand where, on an unforgettable afternoon, a team too young to care about history ripped it apart with football that was fearless, furious and utterly irresistible.

The county that had become shorthand for glorious failure finally discovered what glory actually felt like.

Mayo are All-Ireland champions.

And somewhere tonight, every man, woman and child who had spent a lifetime waiting can finally exhale.

They didn’t edge Kerry. They didn’t steal it.

They overwhelmed them. They wore all white and for the first 15 minutes played like Spurs and then for the remaining 55 impersonated Real Madrid.

They hunted in packs, tackled like demons and shot almost every time the opportunity presented itself. It was football played at breakneck speed, with conviction, with courage and, above all, without fear.

At the heart of it all was a forward line that Kerry simply could not contain.

Kobe McDonald.

Darragh Beirne.

Ryan O’Donoghue.

Together they produced 1-11 and enough moments of brilliance to ensure this day will be remembered long after the scoreboard has faded from memory.

If this truly was McDonald’s farewell before swapping Crossmolina for Melbourne and St Kilda, then he could scarcely have scripted it better.

Every touch crackled with danger.

Every run dragged defenders into places they never wanted to go.

He played like a young man who had absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Fearlessness has become an overused sporting cliché.

Not here.

Not today.

McDonald demanded the ball in impossible places, turned experienced defenders inside out and lit up Croke Park in a way only the very special footballers can.

Australia may be getting a remarkable athlete.

Mayo have just witnessed the perfect goodbye.

Ryan O’Donoghue, meanwhile, was everything a leader should be, Mayo’s best player, scorer of 0-7 and creator of Darragh Beirne’s goal.

The scores came, naturally.

They always seem to these days.

But it was his composure when chaos threatened that separated him from everyone else.

When Kerry surged into that early lead, O’Donoghue steadied Mayo.

His two pointer on 24 minutes cut in to Kerry’s lead. His second two-pointer eight minutes from time put them five up.

When they needed to create something, he did that too – his surging run on 39 minutes leading to David McBrien having the awareness to tap the ball to his right into open space.

Waited for it, Darragh Beirne produced perhaps the finest finish of his young career, gliding into space and finishing with the authority of a man completely untouched by the enormity of the occasion.

Suddenly questions were asked that Kerry never answered.

Mind you, the Kingdom came roaring from the traps.

They usually do.

David Clifford looked determined to remind everyone why he remains the finest footballer of his generation.

He was magnificent.

One goal.

Six points.

The sort of performance that would have won countless All-Irelands in another era.

But football remains the ultimate team game.

And while David dazzled, too many of his team mates never did.

That mattered.

Massively.

Mayo had clearly studied every second of Kerry’s Championship.

They knew Donegal had shown the blueprint.

Don’t allow Paudie Clifford time to lift his head. Eoin McGreal forced him deeper and deeper.

Yes, Paudie still scored two points from play. But with the Cliffords it is about damage limitation.

Instead of spraying passes into dangerous areas, Paudie found himself turning backwards, sideways, anywhere except towards Mayo’s goal.

It contained – to an extent – Kerry’s greatest creative weapon.

And with few others in green and gold stepping up to the plate, the Kingdom looked strangely ordinary.

David still burned brightly.

But even superstars need ammunition.

Mayo’s intensity without the ball bordered on ferocious.

They tackled as though every turnover was worth two points.

Sometimes it probably was.

Every loose ball was chased.

Every mistake punished.

Every Kerry attack felt like hard labour.

Then, when possession changed hands, there was no hesitation.

Shoot.

Shoot again.

Shoot from everywhere.

They dropped seven attempts short and hit nine wides.

Yet they didn’t allow their heads to drop.

This was football played by a team convinced history belonged to them.

Andy Moran deserves enormous credit.

He inherited expectation and inherited baggage.

He leaves this season as the manager who finally smashed both.

Throughout the Championship he spoke about improvement instead of history.

His players believed him.

More importantly, they believed in themselves.

They kept losing kick-outs in the first quarter so they addressed this issue by getting Jack Livingstone to angle his shots to the sidelines.

They were 1-4 to 0-1 behind after 15 minutes so they changed tactics again. Kobe dropped deeper. O’Donoghue followed him.

And from there they started running at Kerry’s defenders. And those greybeards started showing their age. Others, such as Gavin White, showed the effect of injury-affected seasons.

They outscored Kerry 1-19 to 0-13 over from the 15th minute onwards – Carney kicking a couple of two pointers, eight different players getting on the scoresheet.

When the final whistle sounded, the years collapsed into one glorious explosion of noise.

Supporters who had travelled the country for decades without ever seeing this moment hugged complete strangers.

Grown men cried.

Children stared in disbelief.

Some simply stood motionless, perhaps wondering if this was finally real.

It was.

The wait had ended.

Seventy-five years.

Gone.

And perhaps that’s the greatest lesson from all of this.

History feels impossibly heavy until somebody finally decides to ignore it.

Mayo ignored it.

Then they defeated it.

At long last, the county that became famous for losing an All-Ireland final knows what it feels like to win one.

And doesn’t that sound infinitely better?

TikTok star Rebecca Luna has died at age 49.

The content creator, who documented her experience living with early-onset Alzheimer’s, turned to Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) to end her life.

The sad news was shared via a post shared on her account on Saturday. 

It was announced: ‘Rebecca passed away July 25th at approximately 1:15 p.m. surrounded by her loved ones. Thank you for your support and privacy.’

Her symptoms appeared in her late 40s and included blacking out mid-conversation, losing her keys, and forgetting to turn the stove off.

Luna built a following of more than 47,000 after revealing her diagnosis on TikTok in April 2025. 

The content creator, who documented her experience living with young-onset Alzheimer’s, turned to Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) to end her life

The viral post, which collected hundreds of thousands of likes, prefaced her journey in which she shared doctor’s appointments and unveiled her choice to pursue MAID.

She provided resources for people interested in learning about their end-of-life options.

A single mom living in British Columbia, she also fielded questions about the legal aspects of turning to MAID.

Her efforts and visibility led to her meeting Lily Allen, after she declared that taking a photo with the singer was a bucket list item. 

‘I told her that it was [on] my bucket list to meet her,’ Luna later shared in a video, calling it ‘the best experience.’

On July 22 she announced that her death date was rescheduled from early August to July 25 at 10 am.

In her final TikTok post, she explained, ‘Prior to the dates changing, for the last year and a half has been legally and medically not my choice. But for the last two weeks I’ve been making the decision.

‘And it’s a hard decision to make, because I’m living in a body that doesn’t feel comfortable, safe, good, nothing. It feels terrible. And so the idea of waiting two weeks felt like too much.’

The sad news was shared via a post shared on her account on Saturday

Luna said, ‘This is when I get to prioritize myself, and I haven’t done that my whole life.’

She pointed out the struggles she’s faced throughout her life, adding, ‘I’ve suffered enough in this world.

‘But at the same time, the suffering has brought me to this place of, I really know who I am and I really know that I have a good f***ing heart.’

Early-onset Alzheimer’s makes up a small subset of the roughly seven million Americans with Alzheimer’s. 

People with this type of disease often see sharper cognitive decline over a shorter period, and a life expectancy from diagnosis of about eight years.

It was announced: ‘Rebecca passed away July 25th at approximately 1:15 p.m. surrounded by her loved ones. Thank you for your support and privacy’

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In a GoFundMe, Luna described the toll the illness brought to her family as she sought financial support due to her inability to continue working.  

‘I have been diagnosed with a rare form of Alzheimer’s, called Young Onset Alzheimer’s Disease. I am 48 years old,’ Luna wrote. ‘This all started when I was 46. I am a single mother to two beautiful children. I have a lovely life that has sadly taken a very tragic turn. 

‘My neurologist has given me a 5-7 year expectancy. I will be leaving behind a loving family, children and mother. We are devastated. I am no longer able to work but still responsible to provide for my family. 

‘All funds will go towards rent/food and medical expenses until I pass. Any funds left will go directly to my two beautiful children. I am terrified to leave them, for them to be alone, but also to be alone with no financial security. Any and all help is received with immense gratitude. 

‘If you can’t donate, if you could share the page that will be equally as helpful. I wish you all the best that life can give you. Please hug your loved ones.’

If you or someone you know needs help, please call or text the confidential 24/7 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the US on 988. There is also an online chat available at 988lifeline.org. 

Ofsted identified that “young children are left for periods of time with nothing to do” in a report with mixed feedback on the nursery

Staff at a nursery in Huntingdon have been warned that multiple areas assessed “needs attention”. Little Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School on Medway Road, where children are described as “happy and settled”, has been praised for staff’s “positive relationships” with the children.

The report, published on Monday, July 20, said children “do not always benefit from high-quality learning opportunities as staff do not organise activities well enough”. It added: “For example, young children are left for periods of time with nothing to do and limited learning taking place, particularly during changes in routines. This impacts on children learning and progress.”

Young children “do not achieve as well as they could to help them progress well enough in their learning” at the nursery, the report said. The education watchdog said they “do not consistently benefit as well as older children from the learning intentions as they are not always implemented effectively”. However, Ofsted highlighted that children engage in conversations about their day “at some points”.

The nursery was judged as ‘needs attention’ in three areas and ‘expected standard’ in the other three areas. The areas where Little Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School ‘needs attention’ includes: achievement, curriculum and teaching and leadership and governance.

According to Ofsted, the nursery caters to children aged through one to four with a total of 36 spaces. Part of the report from the inspection on May 6 said: “Leaders have a clear intent for the curriculum, however, there are inconsistencies in staff implementation.

“Staff do not use every opportunity to teach and extend children’s skills and this impacts on children’s understanding and progress. For example, staff do not help children achieve the learning intention, such as using tools and manipulating play dough. Instead, young children wander around the room not knowing what to do.”

Inspectors praised the nursery for keeping parents well informed of their child’s learning. Staff were also praised for their “positive relationships” with the children who “look to them for cuddles and reassurance if they are upset”.

The report added: “Through warm and responsive relationships, children feel safe in their surroundings and are happy to explore. Children enjoy playing with their peers and share ideas that support their make-believe play.”

Since their previous inspection, leaders have recruited new staff members. They have provided training and a full induction plan to help staff to understand and follow the setting’s policies and procedures, Ofsted said.

A spokesperson for Little Munchkins Nursery & Pre-School said: “We’re proud that Ofsted recognised our children’s positive attitudes to learning, strong wellbeing support, and inclusive care, noting that ‘children are happy and settled’ have ‘positive relationships with staff’ and how our ‘Children with SEND make more progress, particularly with their personal and social development due to higher staff ratios’.

“We know curriculum and leadership are areas to strengthen, and under new management we’re already taking clear steps to improve. Little Munchkins remains fully committed to providing a safe, nurturing space where every child can thrive.”

The suspect in the Berlin Pride attack has reportedly been shot and killed during a police operation at a garden complex following an alleged Islamist terror attack on the parade

The alleged perpetrator of the Berlin Pride attack has reportedly been shot dead during a police operation at a garden complex, following what is believed to be an Islamist terror attack.

According to Bild, the suspect, Abdul Ballout, 21, engaged in a shootout with the police.

The gunfight occurred in the Spandau district of Berlin. Iris Spranger, Berlin’s Interior Senator, expressed her gratitude: “I am grateful to the security authorities for finding the attacker so quickly. That is a tremendous achievement.”

Ballout, a German citizen of Lebanese descent, was known to the police and had previously attempted to join the Islamic State group.

Abdul Ballout, a German citizen with Lebanese roots, was killed following a search that lasted nearly 24 hours after the attack in downtown Berlin. Berlin prosecutors said the suspect had previously sought to join the militant Islamic State group.

Berlin Police have released a statement about the events which led to the shooting of Abdul Ballout.

It reads: “Around 6 pm, the suspect in yesterday’s attack in the Großer Tiergarten was located in an allotment garden facility in Spandau.

“According to current findings, he is said to have rushed toward our emergency forces with a stabbing weapon, after which police firearms were used by our SEK Berlin.

“Despite immediate resuscitation measures initiated by the Berlin Fire Department, he died at the scene.”

According to police, a white van drove into the Tiergarten park around 10 p.m. and hit several people before colliding with a tree. T

The closing party at the Pride festival, known as Christopher Street Day, was ongoing at the time next to the Brandenburg Gate, a short distance away. The party followed a parade with some 80 trucks that had made its way through downtown Berlin earlier in the day.

The attack did not occur at the festival, along its route or at the closing party. Rather, the violence took place a few hundred meters away on a track in the Tiergarten park. The van drove into a crowd that was likely a mix of festivalgoers and other locals or visitors.

Police said a woman was killed.

On Sunday afternoon, hundreds of mourners gathered at a memorial at the iconic gate. They hugged each other and laid down flowers, candles, rainbow flags and homemade signs, including a cardboard one that said: “the only thing more powerful than hate is love.”

Hundreds of thousands had come to Berlin to celebrate on Saturday, though it’s unclear how many were still at the festival by late evening. It’s one of Europe’s largest LGBTQ+ celebrations.

“We are simply stunned by what happened,” said Andre Lehmann, a top official with the main national LGBTQ+ association, LSVD+. “This suspected attack hits the heart of the queer community.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What’s On newsletter

Ashley Bennett has officially launched Zoomies Dog Soft Play in Shildon on Saturday (July 25) after spending six months transforming an empty industrial unit into a private indoor play space for dogs.

Ashley Bennett with her two dogs Lily and Pickle, Ashley has just opened up Zoomies Dog Play in Shildon (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The new facility, based at Dabble Duck Industrial Estate, has been created to provide a safe and controlled indoor environment where dogs can play, explore and exercise whatever the weather.

The opening comes after delays pushed back the original launch.

Here is a first look inside the brand new business:

Zoomies Dog Play in Shildon (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Zoomies Dog Play in Shildon (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Zoomies Dog Play in Shildon (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Zoomies Dog Play in Shildon (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Zoomies Dog Play in Shildon (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Zoomies Dog Play in Shildon (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Zoomies Dog Play in Shildon (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Zoomies Dog Play in Shildon (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Zoomies Dog Play in Shildon (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Plans for the business were first revealed in January, with 50-minute exclusive sessions allowing owners private use of the play area.

The venue also features two separate play spaces, with staggered booking times introduced to reduce the chances of dogs seeing one another.

Now, with work complete, Ashley says she is ready to welcome customers through the doors.

Zoomies Dog Play in Shildon (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

She said: “After months of hard work, determination, and overcoming countless challenges, I’m incredibly proud to announce that Zoomies Dog Soft Play is officially open on.

“This is more than just the opening of a new business – it’s the beginning of a completely new chapter in my life.

“I’ve been a hairdresser since I was 15 years old, so making the decision to leave a career I’ve loved for so many years and start something completely different has been both exciting and terrifying.

“Owning a dog soft play centre has been a dream of mine for a long time, and I’m so proud to finally say I’ve made that dream a reality.

“The last six months have tested me in ways I never imagined. From transforming an empty industrial unit into a safe, welcoming space for dogs and their owners, to navigating all the challenges that come with starting a business, it’s certainly been a journey.

“Looking back, every obstacle has been worth it to reach this moment. As a small independent business, community support means everything.

“Every booking, recommendation, and social media share really does make a difference. I hope people will come along, support a local business, and enjoy everything Zoomies has to offer.

“Zoomies has been created as a fun, safe, and private indoor space where dogs can play, explore, and spend quality time with their owners, whatever the weather.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has encouraged and supported me throughout this journey. Their belief in me has helped me keep going, and I can’t wait to welcome everyone through the doors.”

Zoomies Dog Play in Shildon (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Ashley Bennett with her two dogs Lily and Pickle, Ashley has just opened up Zoomies Dog Play in Shildon (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Bookings at Zoomies Dog Soft Play run in 50-minute sessions, with customers having exclusive use of the play area during their slot.

You can book online HERE.

Separate play zones and staggered booking times have also been introduced to minimise contact between different dogs.

Diversity programmes are costing police forces tens of millions of pounds a year, contributing to cases of ‘two-tier’ justice, a think-tank has suggested.

The Policy Exchange said the Nottingham stabbings, the Southport atrocity and the murder of Henry Nowak were examples where the State failed to properly deal with criminal behaviour due to concerns about being labelled racist.

It said the clamour for police chiefs to chase ‘an equality of outcomes’ amounted to a ‘rejection of policing’s duty to act without fear or favour and the implementation of two-tier policing’.

And it estimates that the amount spent on diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) activities by police forces and Police and Crime Commissioners since the murder of George Floyd in 2020 has cost at least £631million – enough to pay for thousands of frontline officers.

David Spencer, a former Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector and Policy Exchange’s head of crime and justice, said his report revealed ‘the astonishing cost of the police’s DEI obsession’.

He said: ‘Police forces have sought to entrench the radical ideology of “anti-racism” into British policing.

‘In doing so some police chiefs have set policing against its own foundational principle – to act “without fear or favour”.’

He said analysis suggested these policies were driven by police chiefs rather than by politicians.

He said: ‘It is a modern-day tragedy that many of our Chief Constables simply cannot be trusted to resolve this alone. 

‘It’s time to restore the principle of “equality before the law” in policing. Nothing less than the fundamental legitimacy of British policing is at stake.’

According to the report, police forces have been focussing more heavily on DEI measures since Mr Floyd, an unarmed black American man, was killed by a white police officer in America six years ago.

The think-tank suggested police forces across England and Wales are overly concerned about accusations of racism.

The report said: ‘The discussion around the existence of “two-tier” or “differential” policing will no doubt continue.

‘However, what we have uncovered is suggestive that where examples appear to have taken place they cannot merely be put down to either isolated cases or the misplaced decisionmaking of individual police officers.

‘They are very likely the result of the policy-making and decision-making which we show has taken place at the most senior levels of policing over recent years.’

It cites the cases of killers Valdo Calocane, Axel Rudakubana, and Vickrum Digwa as examples where the ethnicity of the perpetrators has impeded judgment.

The report suggests police forces are spending too much time concentrating on diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) measures 

A public inquiry into the Nottingham attacks heard the mental health team assessing Calocane three years before he killed three people considered the ‘over-representation’ of young black men in detention before deciding to release him into the community.

Elsewhere, a social worker accused Rudakubana’s head teacher of racially stereotyping him when she flagged concerns about his behaviour before he went on to stab three little girls to death, and injure several more, at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport in 2024.

And more recently, it emerged Hampshire Police arrested Southampton student Henry Nowak as he lay dying after being stabbed by Sikh man Digwa. He was falsely accused of racism by his killer.

The Policy Exchange report said: ‘Often these circumstances arise because professionals have feared being labelled a racist. The examples are numerous.

‘To date, however, the extent to which cases such as these represent either isolated instances of poor decision making or the outcome of systemic practice and policy has been unclear.’

The report estimates forces have spent at least £631million on DEI measures and the Police Race Action Plan since 2020, based on extrapolated figures from five constabularies in England.

This includes an estimated £431million on the manpower costs of DEI training, £177million on jobs with a DEI element, and £23million on external training and consultancy.

Last night Chris Philp, the Shadow Home Secretary, said the police ‘should cancel all this DEI nonsense and spend the time and money catching criminals instead’.

He said: ‘This is a shocking waste of taxpayers’ money and completely the wrong priority when the public rightly want to see more police on the streets tackling the knife crime, burglary and shoplifting we see every day.’

He said the Tories want to ‘put an end to identity politics in the state, including in policing, once and for all’.