Local Democracy Reporting Service

A 200-mile area of Shropshire was covered by just one PCSO for several days and for three of those days she did not have a car.

Deputy Chief Constable Julian Moss has apologised for the officer shortage and said new recruits would soon become available to fill gaps in the rota.

Image source, Getty Images

He was responding to a question from Police and Crime Panel member and Shropshire councillor Dave Tremellen, who said the local inspector and police constable had both been away and one of the two community support officers was off sick, leaving the other one alone.

Worcester News

Here are three stories from the Worcester News:

• Three young girls approached by men in car, external
• New craft beer and organic wine bar opens, external
• Crash between motorcycle and cyclist, external

Football clubs have been speaking about their disappointment after plans to allow fans back into games were postponed.

The return had been penciled in for 1 October, but the government said with coronavirus cases rising it could not allow it to go ahead,

Image source, Getty Images

Nine English clubs, including Shrewsbury Town, hosted games in front of a limited capacity of 1,000 last weekend.

Crewe manager David Artell said the postponement was disappointing for everyone and added: "I think even the politicians want to have football fans back in the stadium because it shows they're doing their jobs properly."

New rules to curb the spread of coronavirus would risk losing some "iconic and well-loved" pubs and restaurants, a Birmingham business manager has said.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to say that all pubs, bars, restaurants and other hospitality venues in England must have a 22:00 closing time from Thursday.

Julia Robinson, Southside Business Improvement District manager described the government as "scapegoating the hospitality sector," and called on them to provide "urgently needed support."

“Having faced devastating closures at the start of the pandemic, and despite many being unable to access financial support, our businesses have collectively invested thousands of pounds to ensure that they are Covid-secure," she said.

“There is no question that we collectively have to do everything we can to protect lives and safeguard the NHS, but UK Hospitality has already highlighted government data which suggests just 5% of infections are linked to hospitality venues," she added.

A motorcyclist has been seriously injured after a crash on the A500 in Staffordshire.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said it was called at 09:24 to a stretch of the road near the A5271 junction. close to Newcastle-under-Lyme.

It described the man's injuries as "potentially life-changing".

Lee Tatton, who was in a series about officers responding to emergencies, admitted five offences.

Wolverhampton could face more restrictions if the measures introduced today fail to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Public health consultant Dr Ankush Mittall said "great efforts" have been made to control it up until now, but they haven't been enough and said "you can't take anything off the table."

But he added: "At the moment the evidence doesn't suggest that we are seeing many outbreaks in workplace settings or leisure settings or entertainment venues."

Investigations are under way into two crashes involving lorries on the M40 in Warwickshire.

The first, at 23:00 yesterday, involved four lorries and a car and happened between the junctions for Gaydon and Warwick.

The driver of one of the lorries suffered what were thought to be "life-changing" leg injuries.

The second crash involved three lorries and a car and happened nearby, just an hour later.

A northbound stretch of the motorway between junctions 12 and 13 remains closed.

North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson has said he will become more involved in suicide prevention after the death of his wife, Rose.

An inquest today confirmed she had taken her own life and Mr Paterson said it was "absolutely tragic for me, our family and all who knew her".

Image source, Getty Images

"We were married for 40 very happy years. Rose will be remembered as a devoted, loving wife, mother and grandmother as well as a most successful professional in her varied careers in the arts, charity and racing."

Twenty-nine people failed to turn up for coronavirus tests which they'd booked at Stoke-on-Trent's Fenton Manor centre yesterday.

The city council said it was "so disappointing" and that while it had been able to fill some of the slots, some were left unused.

Image source, Getty Images

Last week 70 of the first 500 booking slots in Stoke-on-Trent were no-shows.

BBC Radio Stoke Sport

Michael O'Neill has said he isn't worried by Stoke City's lack of goals so far this season.

They've scored only once in their four games, but O'Neill said: "We believe we've got enough options in the attacking end of the pitch to be a threat."

Image source, Getty Images

He added he felt his team was still adapting and the new players would need time to settle in.

A man is set to appear in court later charged with attempted murder over a stabbing in Oldbury.

A 31-year-old man was taken to hospital with serious injuries following the incident at a property on Kempsey Close at about 20:20 on Sunday.

West Midlands Police says the accused, a 26-year-old Tipton man, is due to appear at Dudley Magistrates' Court later.

West Brom manager Slaven Bilic is charged with "improper conduct" during Saturday's defeat against Everton by the Football Association.

Some 93 of its properties have such connections, a new report commissioned by the charity shows.

Shropshire Star

Here are three stories from the Shropshire Star today:

• Medic's plea as coronavirus hospital admissions start to rise, external
• Men in court over knifepoint robbery, external
• Building contractor set to create jobs, external

A temporary drive-through coronavirus testing site, exclusively for essential frontline workers, is set to open in Worcestershire.

Those eligible to use the service include GPs, healthcare and social care workers, police, firefighters, school staff and those working directly with children.

Image source, Getty Images

Worcestershire County Council said problems with capacity meant many frontline workers had struggled to get tested.

New coronavirus restrictions have come into force in Wolverhampton this morning to prevent households mixing.

The decision was taken after a five-fold increase in the number of cases in a fortnight.

Image source, Google

People will no longer be able to meet other households in their homes or private gardens.

The same restrictions are already in place in Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull, with more areas across England joining Wolverhampton today.

BBC Weather

We're forecast more sunshine today, once the mist clears, and temperatures could reach 23C (73F) in parts of the West Midlands.

But we're expecting rain on Wednesday and Thursday.

Image source, Triggy Stardust

Andy Giddings
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Tuesday.

We'll be bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather for the West Midlands.

We love to hear from you so share your news, thoughts and photos of the area with us via email, Twitter, external and Facebook., external

Manchester City hold off a second-half Wolves comeback to begin their quest to regain the Premier League title with a win at Molineux.