Local Democracy Reporting Service
Tom Dare

Police issued five dispersal notices to the same person since the start of lockdown, it has been revealed.

Image source, PA Media

It emerged during a meeting of the Strategic Policing and Crime Board today, in which West Midlands Police shared that in total, 1,755 "directions to leave" notices had been issued.

The notices to leave are not fines in themselves, but can precede a fine's issue, with the further action taken if the person in question refuses the direction.

A total of 475 fines have been issued.

Matching pairs of handcrafted, knitted hearts are being given to hospital patients and families who are distanced by visiting restrictions brought about by the pandemic.

A number of hospitals are taking part in the scheme, including Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust., external

Image source, Alison Mayall

Among those volunteering to make some of the keepsakes is Alison Mayall from Water Orton in Warwickshire.

She got involved after a friend, whose husband is a paramedic, shared a plea for the hearts on social media. Ms Mayall in turn shared some of her creations with us on the BBC Midlands, external Facebook page.

She said it was nice to get involved.

"I would sit out in the garden and do some," she said.

The Police and Crime Commissioner for the West Midlands force area is warning "large numbers" of teenagers could be drawn into crime if secondary schools don't open until September.

The Government has said it wants some primary school pupils to be back in lessons by 1 June, and some "face-to-face support" for secondary pupils who are facing exams in the next academic year.

David Jamieson, Labour, told the region's strategic policing and crime board that teenagers could be "swept up" by criminals if they were not in lessons, and called on the government to look at the situation "urgently".

He also said he was concerned about young men falling into crime after finding themselves out of work when furlough ends.

Coventry Live

Some of the Coventry Live headlines today include:

• Teen pulled over motorists while pretending to be a police officer, external
• Police officers make special delivery after finding vulnerable OAP's fridge empty, external
• Tributes to former Nuneaton MP who leaves incredible legacy on town he loved, external

Eating habits during the coronavirus pandemic are being investigated by researchers at the University of Wolverhampton.

They're surveying people over the age of 18 over the course of a week to monitor their activities, emotions and the links to the food they are eating.

Image source, Getty Images

The researchers want to know how emotions such as frustration, stress and boredom are affecting the way we eat and what we eat.

The survey, which is looking for volunteers, external, will last for a fortnight and the results will be shared with other countries.

Former Australia star Greg Inglis is to come out of retirement to join Warrington on a one-year deal for next season.

A trial of a youth charged with a 17-year-old's murder and kidnapping looks set for 2021 amid delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The accused, who can't be identified because of his age, is awaiting trial over the death of 17-year-old Nasir Patrice in Leamington Spa on 15 January.

The alleged killer, who is from London, has denied the charges against him which also include perverting the course of justice.

He and three youths accused of kidnap and perverting the course of justice were due to stand trial on 8 June, but Judge Andrew Lockhart QC told a hearing today the proceedings would probably be adjourned until February 2021 at the earliest.

Warwickshire appoint Wasps’ Stuart Cain to succeed Neil Snowball as chief executive.

Ben Sidwell
BBC Midlands Today

Theatres across the West Midlands say they could close permanently if they don't get enough government support to help them through the current crisis.

Productions have already been cancelled for most of the year at our major theatres and many say it would be financially impossible to open under social distancing guidelines.

Fiona Allan, chief executive of Birmingham Hippodrome, said times were "bleak" for the whole of the theatre sector.

"We closed suddenly and we thought this might be a 12-week period of closure and now it's become much more apparent that theatres aren't going to be able to open for some time."

A number of train carriages in the region have been put out of action to clean graffiti off them.

West Midlands Railway said it had to divert staff for the clean-up operation, with a spokesperson adding it was "soul-destroying" for employees to face an additional workload just as lockdown was easing and they were trying to put on more services.

This carriage was vandalised while it was in Coventry.

Image source, West Midlands Railway

Carlos Sia, who had Covid-19, is described by Royal Worcestershire bosses as 'gentle and respectful'.

Winger Marcus Watson signs an extended contract with Premiership club Wasps.

Nearly 300 jobs are under threat at the two bases in Swansea and Birmingham.

BBC Hereford and Worcester

A school's keeping its children entertained and in touch with each other during lockdown by releasing bedtime stories online.

Image source, Winterfold School

Pupils and teachers at Winterfold School in Chaddesley Corbett, near Kidderminster, Worcestershire, have taken turns recording their favourite stories for the school's YouTube channel.

Deputy head Ross Mitchell told BBC Hereford and Worcester they've been getting feedback from as far away as Australia.

"One of the most exciting things about it is when you have an idea at the beginning and it explodes into something as exciting as it has done," he added.

Image source, Winterfold School

Businesses near one of Birmingham's re-opened tips say they've been impacted by lengthy lines there.

Queues of up to four hours to get into Sutton Coldfield's recycling centre were reported yesterday.

Mike Gloster - who owns Roland Auto Services - says the huge tailbacks have effectively cut him off from his customers.

Phil Taylor, who owns a plumbing supplies store, described it as "horrendous".

Four boys have been arrested after another was pulled from his bike and robbed, police say., external

Image source, Google

The "nasty" incident happened on Old Church Road, Water Orton, at about 16:10 on Saturday, said Warwickshire Police.

The victim - who was punched and had his bike, phone and keys taken - suffered facial injuries, added the force, which described him as a teenage boy but did not specify his age.

Two 14-year-olds and two 16-year-olds - all from Birmingham - have been arrested on suspicion of robbery.

Nigel Clough stepping down as Burton manager saved an "unbelievable" number of jobs at the club, says new player-boss Jake Buxton.

Dave Humpherson's actions amounted to gross misconduct and he was dismissed without notice.

Worcester News

Here are three stories from the Worcester News today:

• Tribute to third Worcester nurse to die of covid-19, external
• Postman delivers post in fancy dress, external
• Murder trial delayed by coronavirus, external

Work has begun on 300km of roads in the West Midlands that are set to trial autonomous vehicles.

Image source, University of Warwick

The Midlands Future Mobility route will extend from Coventry to Birmingham through Birmingham International railway station and the new HS2 hub planned for the city, says the University of Warwick.

The route has been developed by Transport for West Midlands, external in collaboration with Coventry City Council, Birmingham City Council and Solihull Council.

The first types of vehicle to be tried along the route will be “connected” units that can "talk to each other and warn of traffic, crashes and other hazards," the university says.