Worcester News

From the Worcester News today:

• Worcester employee stole £29,000 from company that 'put food on his table', external
• Five injured in crash on City Walls Road in Worcester, external
• PICTURES: Remembrance Sunday in Worcester, external

Staffordshire Police is asking parents and carers to have conversations with young people about knife crime as part of a national campaign week.

The county has seen an overall reduction in knife crime, but the issue has still not gone away, despite restrictions under coronavirus, the force says, highlighting the Ditch the Blade message.

According to police, 124 young people were victims of knife crime last year, and 110 young people committed a crime while carrying a knife.

Image source, Getty Images

A Shropshire brewer said he fears for his job after the latest lockdown closed England's pubs.

Eric Berril, head brewer at St Anne's Brewery, outside Shrewsbury, says the future for the industry looks bleak.

He says he has been left with "loads" of beer, much of which will end up being poured down drains.

Image source, Getty Images

"I don't know what is going to happen tomorrow," he said.

"From being secure in my little job, I don't know if I am going to have a job next week and I am in limbo."

Incredible Surplus says it has helped almost 85,000 people in the past six months.

Shropshire Star

From the Shropshire Star today:

• Shrewsbury hotel once more offering shelter to the homeless during lockdown, external
• Whitchurch man caught growing cannabis in 'daddy's shed' must repay almost £7,000 , external
• Preparations under way to deliver Covid vaccine in Shropshire , external

West Midlands Police said it was called to a series of house parties across the region at the weekend, and issued a number of fixed penalties.

England's second lockdown came into force on Thursday, with this weekend the first under those restrictions.

Incidents saw officers dispersed to the Caldmore area of Walsall after reports of loud music from a flat.

They found about 40 people - including a number of children - at a birthday party.

Image source, Gett

The force said most people adhered to the new restrictions which have seen non-essential shops and hospitality businesses closed, and a ban on household mixing indoors.

BBC Midlands Today

An events company has diversified to produce "visitor pods" for those wanting to visit family and friends in care homes.

Showplace, in Warwickshire, normally produces exhibition trailers but this has been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

The company, which at first furloughed nearly all its staff, has now recruited extra workers to keep up with demand.

Dr Joost Van Delft, owner of Swimbridge House Nursing Home where the pods have been used, said: "It has been a real joy to see families reunited after being apart for so long, and it has brought many smiles to all of us.”

Express and Star

From the Express and Star today:

• Black Country and Staffordshire councils in race to get ready for mass Covid vaccine delivery, external
• Call for electrification of West Midlands rail lines, external
• Signed photos of Wolves' Steve Bull to go under the hammer for the NHS, external

BBC Radio WM

The mayor for the West Midlands said he found self-isolation hard after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19.

Andy Street said he didn't leave his home for two weeks and said it was important for people to look after each other during the second lockdown.

BBC Midlands Today

A new social media drive is being launched today to attract new recruits to Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service.

It says it wants to find new candidates to replace staff who are retiring over the next twelve months.

As well as people of a certain level of fitness, the service says it also needs people who have "compassion, empathy, good teamwork skills" and "a certain level of courage".

A challenge to run seven consecutive marathons for charity begins today.

Jack Pickett, 19, from Ellesmere, Shropshire, is taking on the challenge for Cancer Research UK and Omega the National Association for End of Life Care, a small end of life charity in honour of his grandfather, who is undergoing cancer treatment.

Image source, Omega

Thomas Memery, director of Omega, said Mr Pickett was "remarkable".

Remembrance Sunday was marked yesterday.

Restrictions due to coronavirus meant many events were cancelled, but thousands were able to watch a virtual event broadcast from the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire.

Image source, PA Media

The arboretum's honorary chaplain Rev Vic Van Den Bergh drew comparisons between the fight against the virus and armed conflicts.

"There is an obvious parallel between past conflicts and today's pandemic," he said.

Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather

Some early mist and fog will lead to heavy showers later. A milder day, with temperatures rising to 16C (60F)

Sophie Madden
BBC News

Welcome to our live service for Monday.

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 with us via email, Twitter, external and Facebook., external

The latest news, sport, travel and weather across the West Midlands and south Cheshire.

Thousands of people watch a virtual service from the National Memorial Arboretum on social media.

Second-half goals from Anita Asante and Ramona Petzelberger secured Aston Villa's first WSL win of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Emily van Egmond earns West Ham their first Women's Super League win this term after Birmingham's Claudia Walker scores at both ends.

Llanymynech, straddling Shropshire and Powys, will see half emerge from lockdown and half shut down.

Ismailia Sarr scores the winner for Watford for the second successive game as they beat Coventry at Vicarage Road.