Source: UK Health Security Agency published on this website Wednesday 29 October 2025 by Jill Powell

The UK Health Security Agency has today published its evaluation report of the groundbreaking NHS emergency department (ED) opt-out testing programme – an integrated bloodborne virus (BBV) testing programme for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. 

The evaluation findings show the programme has identified thousands of people living unknowingly with bloodborne viruses, with many now being offered life-saving treatment for the first time.  

As part of blood tests taken during emergency care in 34 EDs in areas with the highest HIV prevalence, people are automatically tested for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C unless they opt out. Those who receive a diagnosis are then offered treatment and support.  

The results demonstrate the programme’s significant impact. Over 33 months, it conducted over 7 million BBV tests, representing around 50% of all BBV testing done in these areas during this period. It achieved a high test uptake rate of around 70% among eligible people, demonstrating the effectiveness of the opt-out approach.  

A large number of new diagnoses were identified:   

• 3,667 new hepatitis B (HBV) diagnoses  
• 831 new hepatitis C (HCV) diagnoses  
• 719 new HIV diagnoses  

One in 240 people tested was found to have hepatitis B, highlighting the large number of people who are living with undiagnosed hepatitis B and the benefit of combined opt-out testing for BBVs in EDs. Similarly, one in 1,276 people tested was found to have with HCV and one in 1916 for HIV. Further benefits included care re-engagement including 291 people previously diagnosed with HIV who were subsequently re-linked to HIV care during the programme.  

The report, commissioned by NHS England, evaluates the first 33 months of the programme from April 2022 to 1 January 2025.  

 Dr Sema Mandal, Consultant Epidemiologist and Deputy Director of the Blood Safety, Hepatitis, STI and HIV Division at UKHSA, said:  

“The pioneering NHS opt-out testing programme in emergency departments is helping us reach thousands of people who did not know they were living with HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C.  Many of these individuals might never have been tested otherwise – missing the chance to access life-saving treatment.  

“What we’re seeing is a clear and urgent need to do more to tackle these serious infections. The high number of new diagnoses across all three conditions – particularly the consistently high hepatitis B numbers – shows just how many people are living with undiagnosed bloodborne viruses. We must improve awareness, expand testing and diagnosis and ensure people are supported into care and treatment. Early diagnosis can help prevent years of ill health and save thousands of lives.”

Over 60% of people tested had no record of previous BBV testing, indicating the programme successfully reached populations who may not have been diagnosed in other healthcare settings.   

Source: Department of Works and Pensions published on this website Wednesday 15 October 2025 by Jill Powell

Pensioners are being warned to look out for Winter Fuel Payment text message scams following a surge in activity from opportunistic criminals ahead of next month's payments.

New data from HMRC shows reports of scam texts more than doubled in the last week of September when compared to the previous week

These scams – which see fraudsters exploit pensioners by posing as government officials processing Winter Fuel Payment applications – had begun to drop off after a peak in June but are now increasing again ahead of payments being made next month.

This warning comes as the DWP ramps up its social media campaign in partnership with Action Fraud to raise awareness of these scams across Facebook and Twitter. This is alongside DWP’s continued work with trusted partners and charities such as Independent Age to ensure accurate and timely information is available.

Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically, and the government will never ask for bank details by text. Anyone who receives a text message inviting them to apply for a payment should not engage with it and instead forward it to 7726.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said:

“If you get a text message about Winter Fuel Payments, it’s a scam. They will be made automatically so you do not need to apply. These despicable attempts by criminals to target people are on the rise. We are raising awareness to make it harder for fraudsters to succeed. If you receive a suspicious message about Winter Fuel Payments, don’t engage - forward it to 7726 and delete it immediately.”

Source: Cambridgeshire Police published on this website Friday 17 October 2025 by Jill Powell

A former priest who claimed allegations against him were “nonsense” has had his sentence for historic child sex offences extended by 11 years.

Dennis Finbow, 77, was convicted in early 2023 for sexually abusing a child in the 1980s while offences in the most recent case date back to 1974.

Finbow claimed all the allegations against him were “nonsense” in police interview, however, he later admitted multiple offences and on Friday (10 October), at Cambridge Crown Court, had his current sentenced extended.

He admitted touching a boy in 1974 at a school where he was teaching, prior to being ordained.

He also abused an altar boy between August 1984 and August 1985, a girl between February 1984 and February 1985, a girl between 1987 and 1991 and a third girl between 1987 and 1988.

Finbow met these victims through his work as a priest in the Catholic Church.

He admitted eight counts of indecent assault of a girl under 14, four counts of indecent assault of a boy under 14, two counts of indecent assault of a girl under 16 and one count of indecent assault on a woman over 16. 

Finbow was also handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

DC Annette Renwick, who investigated, said:

“This has been a long and complex investigation and I wish to commend all of the victims for their patience, understanding and bravery in coming forward and working together with the force to bring Dennis Finbow to justice.  

“Dennis Finbow was a prominent figure within the Catholic Church in Cambridgeshire during the 1980s and 1990s that parishioners looked up to. At the time, he was seen to do a lot of good within the community: running youth social clubs, football clubs and taking part in charity events.

“We never want to entertain the thought that a person in a position of trust would harm a child, yet unfortunately it does happen and Finbow used his role in society to engineer opportunities to offend.

“The Diocese of East Anglia has been instrumental in working with the force by allowing access to their records and taking their own safeguarding actions against Finbow, who said that he was ‘disgusted’ by the accusations when interviewed by police, yet pleaded guilty to 15 counts of child sex offences. His offending was prolific, and over many years.

“I would encourage anyone who has been affected by sexual abuse, no matter how long ago, to come forward and report it.”

You can report sexual abuse through the force website.

Paedophile posed as teenage boy to sexually abuse children online

Source: National Crime Agency (NCA) published on this site Tuesday 6 October 2025

A man who incited and recorded thousands of children engaging in sexual activity online from his Croydon home has been jailed following a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation. 

IT specialist Robert Chown, 49, captured photos and videos of the abuse and shared them with like-minded paedophiles.

He appeared at Croydon Crown Court on 3 October where he was sentenced to 25 years, with seven to be served on licence, having pleaded guilty to 41 charges at a previous court hearing. 

Chown was also handed a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and will be on the sex offender for the rest of his life.

In April 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launched an investigation into a private online messaging forum dedicated to the sexual exploitation of children.

It was named ‘The Sanctuary’.

Chown was identified as a key contributor to the forum and the individual behind the ‘FredHasFiveToes’ username.

Upon joining the group in 2019, his introductory message read:

“Preferences…girls 8-11”.

And: “as soon as I spot teasing, I’m all over them with compliments”.

He went on to share hundreds of abuse images in the forum that he’d captured over years of sexually exploiting children online.

Chown also posted an indecent photo of a 12-year-old girl that he had taken in person. She was identified and safeguarded by the NCA and child protection services.

From his home in south London he masqueraded as a teenage boy online to target thousands of children across the world.

Girls and boys as young as six-years-old were groomed by Chown to live stream sexual acts at his instruction, which he would capture and share with other paedophiles on ‘The Sanctuary’ and the dark web. 

NCA officers arrested Chown at his home address in September 2023 and seized two mobile phones from him.

Across both devices, investigators found over 2,000 indecent images and videos of children in categories A-C.

They also discovered 204 entries into Google Translate of sexual instructions translated from English into Russian and Polish.

These phrases were used by Chown on live streams to incite children around the world to perform sexual acts on themselves.

In interview he admitted to using the persona of a teenage boy online to watch live streams involving children, directing and instructing them to carry out those acts.

NCA Senior Investigating Officer Phil Eccles said: 

“Chown poses a significant danger to children, and our thorough investigation exposed him as a prolific offender who carried out depraved sexual abuse over a number of years. While this case is extremely distressing, we hope it reassures the public of our commitment to unmasking paedophiles who think that can operate anonymously online. Work with our international partners in the FBI and Europol has been key to this investigation. Today’s result is testament to the hard work of our investigative team and it is only right that Chown received a lengthy custodial sentence given the severity of his offending.”