Five stories you might have missed in Peterborough

A couple from Peterborough have rescued a puppy they found trapped in a hole in a jungle in Mexico

A misconduct panel heard how Peterborough police officers joked about a murder victim in a WhatsApp group, while a local couple rescued a puppy found trapped in a hole in the jungle in Mexico.

Here's five stories you might have missed.

Murder victim jokes in police officer WhatsApp chat

The WhatsApp group ran for about two years from February 2020

Six police officers were involved in a WhatsApp group involving jokes about murder victims and where messages "read like a grotesque carnival of discrimination and abuse", a misconduct hearing was told.

The group, named BDA, was uncovered in 2024 and involved Cambridgeshire Police officers based in Peterborough.

Within the 40,000 messages were jokes about George Floyd - who was killed by a police officer in the US in 2020 - and a domestic murder victim who was kicked to death.

Unity at heart of city's Black History Month event

Bernadetta Omondi (centre) said the event was an opportunity to celebrate Peterborough's multi-culturalism

The city centre will come alive on Sunday with the vibrant sounds of African beats and flavours of the Caribbean, as the community marks Black History Month.

Hundreds of people are expected in Cathedral Square, which will feature dozens of stalls offering diverse food, arts and crafts, alongside live entertainment.

Organisers hope the event will help "celebrate each other and unite a divided community".

Couple rescue 'Ferrari' dog from Mexican jungle

Dennis was about three months old when he was found stuck in a hole in a Mexican jungle

A couple have spent thousands of pounds bringing a feisty puppy from Mexico to the UK after finding him stuck in a deep hole in a jungle.

Kathryn Grace and her husband David Brudnell, from Peterborough, were volunteering at an animal sanctuary in the jungle in Yucatan when the cries of a small dog were heard.

They rescued the three-month-old and quickly "bonded" with the dog, who they named Dennis - later finding out he was part Australian cattle dog which they were told is a "bit like getting a Ferrari as your first car", said Ms Grace. He is now getting used to life in Peterborough.

Bronze medal para-athlete aiming for 'gold, baby'

Lydia Church now has her sights set on gold in Los Angeles in 2028

A bronze medal-winning para-athlete said she was "buzzing" after coming third in the shot put and was now aiming for "gold, baby".

Peterborough thrower Lydia Church won bronze in the women's F12 shot put, with a throw of 12m 60cm at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi on Saturday.

The F12 category is for visually impaired athletes and this was Church's first global competition since injuring her back. Her sights are now set on the Paralympic games in Los Angeles in 2028.

Hungry seals rescued from river returned to sea

Daffodil was rescued last month and has since been released back to the sea

Two seals which found themselves stranded in a river about 40 miles (64km) inland have been rescued.

Seals first appeared in a stretch of the River Nene in Peterborough in about 2022 and since then more than 300 sightings have been recorded of four of the creatures along that stretch.

The fate of two is unknown, but the remaining females, named Daffodil and Trifle, have been taken to the RSPCA's East Winch centre in Norfolk.

The week in politics

It could cost £1.3m to sort out the pest infestation and water ingress in Peterborough's unfinished Hilton Hotel

Would you be happy for your Council Tax to rise higher than 5% to help council services? A budget consultation for the 2025-26 financial year will open next week.

There was positive progress on the Station Quarter Redevelopment. The government confirmed funding would be released later this year. Work should start this autumn.

The decision by Peterborough City Council to sell the Hilton Hotel has been "called in". Three opposition Conservative councillors said the decision required more scrutiny, so a meeting will be held on 20 October to discuss it. The council gave a loan of £15m to the developers who subsequently went into administration. The building is now suffering from water damage and a pigeon infestation.

And plans for the new "Sports Quarter" should progress in the coming week. Councillors will discuss how to proceed with ideas for a 25-metre pool and fitness centre after the closure of the Regional Pool.

The week in sport

Darragh MacAnthony took over as Peterborough owner in 2006 - and became sole majority shareholder again in 2023

Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony says he has to give Darren Ferguson more time to turn the club's fortunes around. Posh remain bottom of League One following their 2-1 defeat at Bolton.

Phil Brown recorded his first victory as manager of Peterborough Sports with a 2-1 win over his former side Kidderminster Harriers.

Peterborough United Women are through to the first round proper of the Women's FA Cup after a 5-1 win over Notts County.

In ice hockey, Peterborough Phantoms bounced back from losing against rivals MK Lightning with an overtime win against Swindon Wildcats. Ashley Tait's side have won four of their opening five games.