Summary

  • Live updates from Monday 12 to Sunday 18 February

  • Click on Related Stories to view stories from your area

Live Reporting

  1. Noel Coward show on at theatre

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  2. Scene of evacuation near theatre

    Police cordoned off roads near the Rep theatre in Birmingham.

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  3. No confirmation on number of people evacuated

    Jessica Labhart
    BBC News

    Birmingham REP holds 1,014 people. Symphony Hall holds 2,262.

    No confirmation yet as to how many people were evacuated in total.

  4. BBC cameraman at the scene

    Cameraman David James is near the scene of the evacuation filming for BBC Midlands Today.

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  5. Police cordon near theatre site

    Westside Business Improvement District earlier shared these images on Twitter of the police cordon near the Rep.

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  6. Businesses open as normal

    Police in Birmingham say all businesses in the Broad Street area are open as normal, after an explosion in the Rep Theatre.

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  7. Murder inquiry as attack victim dies

    Christopher Messenger, 36, died in hospital after an attack at a house in Birmingham.

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  8. Jury convicts football coach of sex abuse

    The BBC's Danny Savage reports on the guilty verdicts on sex abuse charges against former football coach Barry Bennell.

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  9. Our live coverage across the day

    Andy Giddings
    BBC News

    We'll be back with the latest news, sport, travel and weather from 07:00 on Wednesday, but keep an eye out here for more updates this evening and into the morning.

  10. Restored WW2 bomber to be flown to India

    A fully restored World War Two aircraft, currently based at Coventry Airport, is going to be flown to a new home in India.

    The C-47 Dakota, similar to the one pictured below, has been bought by the Indian Air Force which plans to use it in historic aircraft displays.

    DakotaGetty Images

    The aircraft was given a certificate of airworthiness after a six-year restoration.

  11. Whole Crewe Alexandra team 'hurting' at poor results

    Graham McGarry
    Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

    Crewe Alexandra midfielder Harry Pickering says the whole squad is hurting as a result of their poor run of form.

    Harry Pickeringcrewealex.net

    The Alex head to Accrington tonight without a win in their last five games and just three points above the League Two relegation zone.

    It is hurting everyone involved with the club but hopefully we can get some results and get higher up the table. Just got to stay positive and keep trying to play the right way."

    Harry Pickering, Crewe Alexandra midfielder

  12. Plans to shut two level crossings

    Two level crossings in Shropshire could be removed under plans drawn up by Network Rail.

    The crossing at Harlescott, Shrewsbury, could be completely closed to vehicles.

    Level crossingGoogle

    The crossing at Harlescott, Shrewsbury

    Meanwhile, the crossing in Craven Arms could be replaced with a bridge as part of a scheme to expand the nearby industrial estate.

  13. Here's a look at tonight and tomorrow's weather

    Charlie Slater
    BBC Weather presenter

    Some showers around today in the West Midlands, let's look now at what weather's in store for us tonight and tomorrow.

    The BBC Weather website has latest forecasts for all parts of the West Midlands if you need an update at any other time.

    Charlie Slater

  14. Warning of 'significant risk' from drug after two men die

    Joan Cummins
    Midlands Today reporter

    A warning's been issued to people across the West Midlands about an illegal psychoactive drug which police say could be linked to two deaths in Rugby.

    Packaging of the drugWarwickshire Police

    The men, both in their 20s, were found at a house in the town at the weekend and Warwickshire Police say post mortem examinations and toxicology tests will take place.

    But they warn the drug could be available across the region and have released images of the packaging of the drug.

    They could be elsewhere in Rugby or the wider West Midlands area. If they are taken by anybody then there is a significant risk to those people's health. From what I'm told, they are cheaper to get hold of than the traditional recreational drugs."

    Det Insp Jonathan Belcher, Warwickshire Police

  15. West Brom sack chairman & chief executive

    West Bromwich Albion sack chairman John Williams and chief executive Martin Goodman.

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  16. 'Papers in boot' police chief faces sack

    Anti-terrorism officer Marcus Beale left top secret documents in his car, which were then stolen.

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  17. Work to start on new train station

    Tom Edwards
    Reporter, BBC Hereford & Worcester

    Construction work is about to start on a new multimillion-pound train station at Norton in Worcestershire.

    It has taken decades to get the Worcestershire Parkway project agreed, but the county council has now finished clearance work at the site.

    Worcestershire Parkway planWorcestershire County Council

    The station is due to open next year and will have two platforms and a 500-space car park.

  18. Pancake battle for cathedral choristers

    The annual Shrove Tuesday pancake challenge takes place at Worcester Cathedral

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  19. Top police officer faces dismissal

    A senior counter-terrorism officer faces being dismissed from West Midlands police after a top secret document was stolen from his car.

    Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale admitted breaching the Official Secrets Act in a criminal hearing in November and was fined £3,500. He's been suspended on full pay since then.

    Marcus Beale

    A disciplinary panel today decided to recommend dismissal, with its chairman Corinna Ferguson saying there had been a "serious breach of protocol" and that it was necessary to "retain public confidence and the reputation of the police".

    A final decision will now be made by West Midlands Chief Constable David Thompson in the next few weeks.