Innovation

Attempted murder arrest after double stabbing

by Faith
written by Faith

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two people were stabbed in Bradford.

Officers were called to Seymour Street, off Leeds Road, at about 22:15 BST on Sunday and two men were taken to hospital, with one man's injuries described as "serious".

West Yorkshire Police said the 36-year-old arrested man remains in custody, with investigations continuing.

The second injured man's injuries were described as not life-threatening, with a damaged vehicle found at the scene seized by officers.

West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds

Economy

Child pulled from canal and taken to hospital

by Heather
written by Heather

A child has been taken to hospital after getting into difficulty in a canal, police have said.

Devon and Cornwall Police said emergency services were called to Clapperbrook Lane East, in Exeter, at about 16:35 BST on Monday, following a "concern for welfare for a child in the canal".

The child was pulled from the water in a serious condition and has been taken to hospital, the force added.

It said a police cordon was put in place at the scene but has since been lifted.

Tech

'Construction firms won't let me work because I'm a girl'

by Addison
written by Addison

A stonemasonry student said companies had told her she could not join the profession "because she's a girl".

Alice, who is 17, was one of the students who took part in a competition for apprentices at Moulton College in Northampton on Thursday.

Industry experts have said 19,750 extra construction workers are needed in the East of England by 2028 to meet government housebuilding targets.

However, some students, like Alice, said they still faced barriers which made it difficult to pursue a career in construction.

The SkillBuild competition, organised by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), tested apprentices and trainees in a variety of tasks, from furniture making to tiling.

Alice, from Weston Favell in Northamptonshire, inherited her interest in architecture from her grandfather and wanted to work on some of the UK's greatest stone buildings – cathedrals.

But she said her journey had not been easy.

"I've tried to contact some companies to get onto that kind of work, but it hasn't really worked out," she told the BBC.

"The main thing is that I'm a woman and a lot of companies have told me 'you can't do this because you're a girl – you're not strong enough, you won't be able to do the heavy labour'."

Kate Bradbrook/BBC
Maizie said people needed to realise the value of careers in construction

Another competitor, Maizie from Bury St Edmonds in Suffolk, wanted to encourage more women to join the industry.

The 17-year-old goes to college in Colchester and said: "In my class it's actually a pretty good mix, but in the industry as a whole, it's definitely a big imbalance.

"People need to realise the value of these industries, and we need to push more young people to go into it. It can be a bit inaccessible at the beginning, especially for young people, since working in these workshop environments can be quite dangerous."

Kate Bradbrook/BBC
Sean believes more apprenticeships are needed for young people

The first obstacle in the competition for Rugby man Sean, 18, was having to "scavenge" for the right tools to make a porch roof, having brought the wrong ones.

The bigger issue for him, generally, was the lack of opportunities for young people.

He said: "There's not enough apprenticeships – it took me two years to get here, and I feel like that's one of the biggest problems.

"The amount of houses they're trying to build; they definitely need more apprenticeships."

Kate Bradbrook/BBC
CITB's Robert Smith said the construction industry needed to make itself more attractive

A CITB report published this month said 19,750 new workers were needed in the region.

Robert Smith, from the CITB, said "we really need to make that attractive so that they know there are jobs for the future, secure opportunities and great career pathways".

The figures suggest there is a long way to go before there is a gender balance in the industry.

According to The Office for National Statistics, women comprise just 15.8% of the construction workforce and only 2% of workers onsite.

There is some hope, though, with the number of women as a proportion of the overall construction workforce increasing by 36.9% since 2012.

The government said construction would be one area to benefit from a "record-breaking £3bn apprenticeship budget".

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Business

Government would support knife arches in schools

by Nathan
written by Nathan

Installing metal detecting knife arches in schools and nightclubs would be supported by the government if they were "appropriate", the policing minister has said.

Diana Johnson, however, said those decisions should be "made locally".

She was speaking during a visit to Coventry as part of Knife Crime Awareness Week.

The West Midlands Police area recently saw a drop in the number of knife crime incidents – meaning it no longer has the highest rate of knife crime in the country.

The minister discussed how the government would be working with the force to help meet a national target of halving knife crime over the next decade.

Policing Minister Diana Johnson visited Coventry city centre to see what police were doing to tackle knife crime

Asked about installing knife arches in nightclubs and schools after several incidents involving young people in the region over recent years, she said: "I'm open to looking at anything that keeps the public safe.

"I think in schools, if schools if head teachers think that's appropriate then I would support them in that.

"But I think it is very much down to what actions are most appropriate for the setting you're talking about."

Pupils at St Gregory's Primary School in Coventry took part in a virtual reality knife crime session run by police

It was recently announced that the number of weapon surrender bins in the West Midlands is to double.

People are able to dispose of knives and weapons in the metal containers, with 1,705 weapons surrendered in the West Midlands Police area between January and March, which were later destroyed.

That equates to 142 weapons deposited each week, or more than 20 per day.

Ch Supt Paul Joyce said West Midlands Police had been successful in reducing gang-related knife crime

The recent haul included hundreds of flick knives, zombie knives, kitchen knives, knuckle dusters, machetes and even firearms.

Ch Supt Paul Joyce, who is responsible for policing across the whole of Coventry, told the BBC that part of the success was down to working with schoolchildren and tackling gang-related crime.

He said: "We've got really good processes in place to identify gang members and proactively target them to ensure that they are not a risk to each other and to the wider community."

Industry

Vandals damage 1980s train in 'mindless attack'

by Lily
written by Lily

Vandals have caused up to £30,000 in damage to a "beloved" train, a heritage railway in Kent has said.

The Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells said the "mindless attack" on its Class 207 DEMU 1317 happened on Sunday.

General manager Jonnie Pay told the BBC fixing the historic train, which will need completely stripping and repainting, was something volunteers at the railway "really didn't need to do".

"It is very demoralising," he said, adding that they had preserved the train in 2004 after it went out of service in 1985.

Spa Valley Railway
Kent Police said it would visit the site on Wednesday as part of an investigation

Mr Pay said the train was "only one of this type left" and had a "huge historic connection" to the town.

The Spa Valley Railway operates steam and heritage diesel trains between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge, with stops at High Rocks and Groombridge.

It hosts various days out and educational events. which Mr Pay warned could be cancelled now the train was being repaired.

He said the vandalism was a "sheer disappointment".

"We've not only put thousands of volunteer hours, but thousands of pounds into restoring that train."

Kent Police confirmed the vandalism had been reported.

It said it would visit the site on Wednesday as part of an investigation.

No arrests have been made, it added.

Global Trade

Ban on disposable vapes welcomed by NHS body

by Leo
written by Leo

The ban on the sale of single-use disposable vapes has been welcomed by a health body.

The ban is aimed at protecting children's health and the environment and it means shops and supermarkets will no longer be able to stock them.

Claire Parker, director of strategy and development at NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, said: "It's a really good opportunity to raise the discussion about vaping and smoking and quitting."

She said she would urge the government to go further though, and "think about more restrictions around things like flavours".

Disposable vapes have been cited as a key driver in the rise in youth vaping and Ms Parker said her colleagues in Shropshire "regularly see an increase in children and young people vaping".

"Many children try it once or twice and don't stick with it, but many children do," she said.

The impact of the disposable vape ban

The flavours of vapes were a concern to her, because she said they were "often marketed to target younger people".

The ban on disposable vapes will not affect rechargeable or refillable devices, so she added she did not expect it to affect people moving to vapes as a means of quitting cigarettes.

Ms Parker said the health service would continue trying to move tobacco smokers on to vapes, because they do not produce carbon monoxide or tar.

But she said it was still unclear what the full effects of vaping were, so encouraged people not to start vaping if they did not already smoke.

Retailers in England breaching the ban face a £200 fine for the first offence with potentially unlimited fines or jail for those who repeatedly re-offend.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have introduced their own bans, timed to coincide with England's ban.

Economy

Four men charged with woman's 2022 shooting murder

by James
written by James

Four men have been charged with murdering a woman who was shot to death in her own home two and a half years ago.

Jacqueline Rutter, 53, was shot in the chest on Meadowbrook Road, Moreton, Wirral, on 30 October 2022.

Simon Allen, 54, James Byrne, 23, Barrie Glynn, 46, and David Harrison, 58, are due to appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Thursday charged with her murder.

They are also charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

A fifth person – Anna McGinn, 25, of Birkenhead – has been charged with assisting an offender.

Merseyside Police warned the public that criminal proceedings against all five were now active so it was "extremely important" there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice proceedings.

Detectives urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward.

The charges in full:

  • Simon Allen, 54, of no fixed abode, is charged with murder, possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life or enable another to do so
  • James Byrne, 23, of no fixed abode, is charged with murder, possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life or enable another to do so
  • Barrie Glynn, 46, of Westway in Heswall, is charged with murder, possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life or enable another to do so
  • David Harrison, 58, of Old Meadow Road in Pensby, is charged with murder, possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life or enable another to do so
  • Anna McGinn, 25, of Frankby Stiles, in Birkenhead is charged with two counts of assisting an offender
Business

'I finished last in the 2024 London Marathon. I can't do any worse this year'

by Stephanie
written by Stephanie

"I can't do any worse than last year."

These are the words of the man who finished last in the 2024 London Marathon and hopes to avoid the same fate this year – despite not being able to train.

Fred Tomlinson, from Doncaster, made headlines when he crossed the line in 13 hours and 23 minutes, finishing after midnight.

The 76-year-old will take on his 33rd consecutive London Marathon on 27 April to raise money for the Rainbow Trust Children's Charity in memory of his daughter Claire, who died just before her 15th birthday.

Discussing his race strategy, Mr Tomlinson said he planned to "just put my head down", adding: "I can't do any worse than last year."

The former police officer said his marathon preparations had been hampered by knee replacement surgery in November.

With one week to go, his training had so far consisted of "just walking up and down" but he hoped any pain on the day would be temporary.

"When you are in the hospital ward and there's children dying it hits home – it still does now," said Mr Tomlinson.

"What you do is over and done with in a few hours, they just carry on and can't have a day off."

Fred Tomlinson crosses the alternative finish line in 2024 with support from a team of tailwalkers

The repeat marathon runner has raised thousands for the Rainbow Trust, which supports families that have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness.

His main goal remains fundraising for the organisation but he also hopes to finish this year's event in under eight hours – and avoid the alternative finish line for slower runners.

"Helping the families and the children, that's my motivation," said the grandfather of six.

"I'll be doing it until [the Rainbow Trust] get fed up of me."

The charity's chief executive Zillah Bingley said Mr Tomlinson's dedication was "truly remarkable".

"[It] reflects his deep, personal understanding of the challenges families face when a child is seriously ill," she said.

Mr Tomlinson has run the London marathon in a variety of fancy dress outfits over the last 32 years, cheered on by his wife, Vanessa.

"It's a brilliant event and it seems to get better every year," said Mr Tomlinson. "The crowds are phenomenal."

He said he planned to take a bath after crossing the finish line, adding: "I might get a breakfast because it will be breakfast by the time I have done."

South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds

Global Trade

Céline Dion sends message to Eurovision as favourites Sweden qualify

by Austin
written by Austin

Céline Dion made a rare appearance during the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest with a brief, pre-recorded message.

The star won the contest for Switzerland in 1988, and it had been rumoured she would take the stage as the ceremony returns to the country this year.

"I'd love nothing more than to be with you," she said in a video, apparently ruling out that possibility. "Switzerland will forever hold a special place in my heart. It's the country that believed in me and gave me the chance to be part of something so extraordinary."

The semi-final saw 10 acts qualify for Saturday's grand finale, including Swedish entrants KAJ, whose song Bara Bada Bastu is the runaway favourite.

Sarah Louise Bennett
KAJ – whose name is an acronym for their first names, Kevin, Axel and Jakob – are favourites to win the 2025 contest

Their song, an accordion-led comedy number whose title translates to "let's take a sauna", has a 40% chance of winning, according to bookmakers.

If the prediction comes true, it would be Sweden's eighth Eurovision title – making them the most victorious country in the contest's history (they are currently tied with Ireland, on seven wins each).

Fifteen acts performed at Tuesday's semi-final in Basel's St Jakobshalle. These are the ones who made the cut.

  • Norway: Kyle Alessandro – Lighter
  • Albania: Shkodra Elektronike – Zjerm
  • Sweden: KAJ – Bara Bada Bastu
  • Iceland: VÆB – RÓA
  • Netherlands: Claude – C'est La Vie
  • Poland: Justyna Steczkowska – GAJA
  • San Marino: Gabry Ponte – Tutta L'Italia
  • Estonia: Tommy Cash – Espresso Macchiato
  • Portugal: NAPA – Deslocado
  • Ukraine: Ziferblat – Bird of Pray

That means that the Eurovision dreams of Azerbaijan, Belgium, Cyprus, Croatia and Slovenia have all ended for 2025.

Of those, the biggest surprise was Belgium's Red Sebastian, whose rave anthem Strobe Lights had been predicted to finish among the top five.

His disqualification came on the day of his 26th birthday.

Ten more acts will progress to the main competition after Thursday's second semi-final.

The "Big Five" countries, who contribute the most financially to the competition (France, Germany, Spain, the UK and Italy) qualify automatically, as do last year's winners, Switzerland.

Global Trade

Cycling in City of London rises by more than 50%

by Jennifer
written by Jennifer

Cycling in the City of London has increased by more than 50% in the past two years, according to official counts.

October 2024 saw a record 139,000 people cycling a day across 30 locations – up from 89,000 in 2022.

The City of London Corporation said the more than 50% increase was the largest jump since recording started in 1999.

London's walking and cycling commissioner, Will Norman, said he was excited about the increase of cycling in the Square Mile.

'Air quality improving'

According to the corporation, people cycling now make up 56% of all traffic in the peak commuting hours.

And dockless bicycles now account for one in six bikes on City streets.

The changes in traffic mean the City of London Corporation has hit three key targets six years ahead of schedule.

Since 2017 cycling has increased by 70% – the target was 50% by 2030.

Over the same timeframe motor traffic has reduced by 34% – the target was 25% by 2030. And freight traffic is also down 21% – the target was 15% by 2030.

Chairman of the planning and transportation committee at the corporation, Shravan Joshi, said air quality was improving.

"When we first published our strategy in 2019, 15 locations across the City exceeded our air quality objective for toxic nitrogen dioxide," he said. "Last year this figure was down to two."