Inspectors criticise some aspects of West Midlands policing but praise its crime prevention.

An Environment Agency manager says longer-term solutions are needed to combat rising water levels.

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner has called for MPs across the region to come together to demand more funding for police.

It comes as a report into the force found it needs to improve its management of sex offenders, investigating crime and protecting vulnerable people.

Image source, West Midlands Police

Government inspectors said West Midlands Police had made progress in several areas of policing, but more work is needed to improve its overall performance.

Labour PCC Simon Foster said the report "shows the challenges that are faced" but that he was "pleased to see that Inspectors have recognised West Midlands Police is good at preventing crime, treating the public well and tackling serious, organised criminals".

He said the report should be read in the context of cuts to the force's funding and number of officers.

BBC Radio CWR

Bin collections in Coventry could be suspended this Christmas, because of a dispute between the city council and members of the Unite union.

Drivers have argued they are not being paid enough and have threatened industrial action.

The city council said it is committed to talks to resolve the issue.

BBC Radio WM

A victim of a disgraced breast surgeon who performed years of unnecessary operations has welcomed news that he has lost a bid to challenge his convictions at the Court of Appeal.

Ian Paterson was jailed in 2017 after he was found to have carried out needless operations on his patients.

The Court of Appeal refused an application for permission to appeal the conviction on Tuesday.

Deborah Douglas from Hall Green was operated on by him at the private Spire Parkway hospital in Solihull in 2003

"I am absolutely relieved," she said.

Health and beauty retailer Boots has announced plans to recruit 2,500 people to support its Christmas operations.

Image source, Getty Images

About 1,000 of those jobs are set to be at its distribution centre in Burton-upon-Trent.

"Last year we did 3m orders over the Black Friday period and we go from our off peak period to this very busy Christmas gifting period," said supply chain director, Alan Penhale.

"So we need extra people to help us get those orders out to customers."

Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather

It's a chilly and cloudy start to Wednesday. We could see some brighter intervals this morning before some showers this afternoon. Temperatures are set to reach highs of 9C (48F).

A weather warning has also been put in place ahead of the weekend, where we can expect strong winds from Saturday.

Three women have been arrested after an alleged "shoplifting spree" in Kidderminster on Tuesday evening.

Image source, West Mercia Police

West Mercia Police said the women stole up to £1,000 worth of goods (shown above) after targeting five shops in the town.

Officers allege the group "used pushchairs and their young children as cover" during their offending.

The children were looked after by officers at the police station and later collected by family, the force said.

Welcome to our live service for Wednesday.

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 , externaland Facebook., external

Birmingham City have Ryan Woods sent off but hold high-flying Coventry City to a goalless derby draw at the CBS Arena.

AFC Wimbledon rebound from three straight league defeats with a thrilling victory over Crewe.

The reliability of services has improved to allow some to be reinstated, the operator says.

Freddie the Jack Russell disappeared while on his morning walk.

John Adams, 77, hopes a cure will be found for motor neurone disease for future generations.

That's all from our live coverage today.

We'll be back from 08:00 on Wednesday with more news, sport, travel and weather updates.

Police have made an arrest after a car was stolen at knife-point in Birmingham last week.

The timing of action has been chosen to cause "maximum disruption", the authority says.

BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Birmingham City are still struggling with injuries and a suspension ahead of this evening's game at Coventry City.

Gary Gardner begins a four-match ban after his weekend sending-off, while boss Lee Bowyer is very limited in his defensive and midfield options.

Bowyer may have to turn again to 17-year old Jordan James who played 45 minutes at Hull at the weekend.

Coventry host their Midlands rivals after having been tenants at St Andrews for two season and playing a couple of "home" games against their landlords.

A win for Coventry could see them go third in the Championship.

Kick off is at 19:45 GMT.

Other areas provided cover for Shropshire while the county's vehicles waited to discharge patients.

New RSPCA data reveals the number of hedgehogs admitted to its wildlife centres have already topped 2020 figures.

The RSCPA receive hundreds of thousands of calls from the public about sick, underweight, injured or orphaned hedgehogs, it said.

Image source, Getty Images

In 2020 there was 147 calls received by the RSPCA from the West Midlands.

RSPCA scientific officer Evie Burton said: "A cold snap can be lethal for underweight hedgehogs if it means they go into hibernation before they've put enough weight on.

"If you see a young hoglet that's only about the size of an apple - around 300g - they really need to be rescued and taken to a rehabilitation facility, as they won't have enough fat reserves to last the winter."