Summary

  • Live updates from Monday 12 to Sunday 18 February

  • Click on Related Stories to view stories from your area

  1. Loaded crossbow and drugs found in raidpublished at 14:18 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2018

    A loaded crossbow and what's believed to be the Class B drug "monkey dust" have been found during a police raid.

    Staffordshire Police says it searched a house on Century Street in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, yesterday after a tip off.

    Staffordshire Police carImage source, Staffordshire Police

    A 30-year-old man from the city was arrested on suspicion of drugs supply and has been released while investigations continue.

  2. Homecoming parade for Mercian Regiment troopspublished at 13:56 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2018

    A homecoming parade will be held for soldiers from the Mercian Regiment who have been serving in Iraq for the last six months.

    Members of 2nd Battalion have been training Kurdish and Iraqi troops to fight the Islamic State group.

    Mercia Regiment

    The regiment, which draws troops from the West Midlands, will hold the parade in Chester.

  3. Weather: Mostly dry and brightpublished at 13:47 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2018

    BBC Weather

    This afternoon will be mostly dry with some sunshine and just the small risk of the odd shower. The sunshine could turn hazier later. Highs of 8C.

    More from BBC Weather

  4. Alton Towers reveals new wooden ridepublished at 13:35 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2018

    The ride is called Wicker Man and will appear to "burst into flames", the theme park says.

    Read More
  5. Arrest over man's city centre stab deathpublished at 13:34 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2018

    A 31-year-old is suspected of conspiracy to commit murder in connection with Robert Eacock's death.

    Read More
  6. Rail disruption spreads to other stationspublished at 13:30 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2018

    BBC News Travel

    Services between Birmingham New Street and Rugby affected. CrossCountry services not calling at Coventry.

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  7. Rail disruption to continue through the afternoonpublished at 13:18 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2018

    BBC News Travel

    An incident between Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International is causing disruption to journeys between these stations, the Network Rail website reports, external.

    Disruption is expected to continue until 16:00.

    Services may be cancelled, revised or delayed by up to 40 minutes.

  8. Botched gun murder inquiry to be reviewedpublished at 13:14 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2018

    Staffordshire Police said "justice has not been received" 15 years after Kevin Nunes was murdered.

    Read More
  9. Crewe manager says he wants fans to back the teampublished at 13:14 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2018

    Graham McGarry
    Crewe Alexandra commentator, BBC Radio Stoke

    Crewe manager David Artell says everyone has support each other, as they fight to avoid relegation, including the fans.

    They host Colchester at home tomorrow and Exeter at home on Tuesday.

    David ArtellImage source, Getty Images

    Artell said he understands the fan's frustrations, but that "we've all got to stick together, because we need everyone".

    Quote Message

    They have been terrific. Last Saturday they probably got as frustrated as what I did, but we don't want them to get anxious."

    David Artell, Crewe Alexandra manager

  10. Baby in hospital four months after firepublished at 13:04 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2018

    The blaze also claimed the life of the baby's six-year-old sister and the children's mother.

    Read More
  11. Trains running through Birmingham may be cancelledpublished at 13:03 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2018

    Emergency services are dealing with an incident.

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  12. Rights of way campaigners unhappy at wood closurepublished at 13:02 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2018

    Rights of way campaigners say they are disappointed at the recent closure of Langdale Woods.

    The Three Counties Agricultural Society, which says it has made the move to carry out a "full safety review" following recent storm damage, disputes their claim for public access.

    Right of way sign

    The society also explained it has to close the wood for "essential maintenance work" sometimes, as it works to restore the land, which was once a military training area with trenches.

    It recently had a bid to build 50 holiday lodges rejected by Malvern Hills District Council and the campaigners have suggested the closure was in response to that decision - something the society denies.

  13. Money to improve CCTV cameraspublished at 12:57 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2018

    An extra £135,000 is going to be spent to improve CCTV cameras in south Worcestershire.

    It follows an agreement by West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion to give £65,000 a year to Wychavon District Council, with the remaining money spent on running costs.

    CCTV camerasImage source, Getty Images

    The council has been responsible for the cameras for the last 18 years and says more than 700 requests were made for footage of incidents in 2017.

  14. 'Front desk' police stations to remainpublished at 12:43 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2018

    Communities which could lose their police station will still have a front desk service, a police boss says.

    Twenty-four buildings could be sold-off in a bid to save £5m a year, protecting 100 jobs with West Midlands Police force.

    Solihull and Sutton Coldfield stations are among those listed for closure, but police and crime commissioner David Jamieson says residents will still have a place where they can speak to officers.

    Sutton Coldfield police stationImage source, Google Maps

    There are 10 contact stations where people can raise issues in person with the police and Mr Jamieson says that number will remain the same, despite the sell-off.

  15. Woodland closed for full safety review after storm damagepublished at 12:31 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2018

    The owner of Langdale Woods near Malvern has closed it off to the public, saying it needs to carry out a full safety review.

    The Three Counties Agricultural Society says it's necessary because of recent storm damage to the trees.

    Trees

    Campaigners have been trying to establish a right of way for walkers through the wood.

    Quote Message

    The Society, like other landowners, is entitled to close its property to the public. On this occasion the area is closed for a full safety review. We have significant duty of care concerns and do not want to take a risk with people’s safety."

    Three Counties Agricultural Society

  16. Further arrest over Hereford murderpublished at 12:18 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2018

    Another man has been arrested in connection with a stabbing in Hereford.

    Robert Eacock, who was 33, died in hospital on 29 January after being stabbed in Commercial Street the previous day.

    Crime scene

    A 31-year-old man from Dudley, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, is being held in police custody.

    Anthony Boyd, 22, from Willenhall, has been charged with Mr Eacock's murder and is due to appear at Worcester Crown Court on 5 March.

  17. Nunes review 'an important development'published at 12:09 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2018

    The review of police handling of the Kevin Nunes murder case is an "important development", Staffordshire Chief Constable Gareth Morgan has said.

    He also said the review would determine if there are grounds to the case to be re-investigated.

    Gareth MorganImage source, Staffordshire Police

    An IPCC report in October 2017 found "significant failures" in the investigation led to the unsafe convictions of five men.

    Kevin Nunes was shot in 2002. Five men convicted of murder were released on appeal in 2012.

    Quote Message

    After the publication of the IPCC’s report in October 2017 and my acknowledgement of the failings evident in the original investigation into the murder of Kevin Nunes, I personally met Kevin Nunes’ family to apologise and to explain that I would explore opportunities to review the case."

    Chief Constable Gareth Morgan, Staffordshire Police

  18. Police building sell-off to protect postspublished at 11:46 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2018

    Police buildings could be sold off in a bid to save £5m a year in a bid to protect 100 officer posts, a police boss says.

    The sales, which have yet to be agreed, would see 24 police properties sold.

    Two of the buildings which could be sold are currently open to the public, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield.

    Since 2010 more than 3,000 staff and officers have left their posts due to cuts at West Midlands Police.

    David Jamieson

    In the plan, put forward by West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson, police would also share space in four West Midlands Fire Service buildings.

    The proposals will be discussed on Tuesday before a final decision in March.

  19. Kevin Nunes: Murder victim's family feel let downpublished at 11:36 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2018

    Phil Mackie
    File on 4, BBC News

    Kevin Nunes's partner Leanne Williams and her family still feel badly let down by Staffordshire Police.

    Initially they were pleased a successful prosecution was brought in 2008, but as details emerged of how the force had mishandled a key witness and failed to disclose details during the criminal trial, they lost faith.

    Gareth Morgan has kept the promise he made when he became chief constable last year which was that the case would be reviewed and the family kept informed.

    They have welcomed today's announcement but remain cautious - saying they're worried what effect it will have on Kevin Nunes's son, who is now 15, if his father’s killers aren't caught