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Updates for Friday 28 December 2018
Chris Waring
BBC News
Drone footage released by Derbyshire Police shows the River Derwent "looking more like an ocean".
A major incident has been declared in the county as emergency services work to deal with the aftermath of Storm Christoph.
Some homes and businesses in the Bakewell area have been flooded, and the centre of Matlock is impassable.
Alex Regan
BBC News
More than 300 crimes linked to Covid-19 have been recorded at Co-op stores across central England, the company has said.
The food retailer said some customers have threatened to cough on workers and "give them coronavirus".
Staff have also been threatened because people have had to queue to enter stores, a Co-op spokesman added.
It comes as the retailer said instances of verbal abuse to staff had increased by 167% over 12 months, assaults had increased by 35%, and threats had increased by 16% compared to the same period in 2019.
Other examples highlighted by Co-op include a staff member in Leicestershire being threatened with a wrench for refusing to sell an energy drink to a customer, with another colleague in Leicester knocked unconscious after a robbery in July.
Image source, Co-op Central EnglandCo-op loss prevention manager Craig Goldie said the statistics were "a sad reminder of the terrible abuse and crimes that our colleagues had to face during 2020".
The company recorded a total of 1,963 crimes committed in its central England shops, with 312 of those "related directly to Covid-19".
It said it is working with other retailers, police and crime commissioners and MPs to push the government to crack down on those who abuse or attack shop workers.
The ford in Nottinghamshire is the location of some of the highest number of flood rescues in England.
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Simon Hare
BBC East Midlands
The clean-up has begun in Bakewell, which has taken the brunt of the flood water in Derbyshire.
People living here near the River Wye were affected, but they have been praising the efforts of the district council who were quick to act.
They battled through the night to try and stop the water entering homes, with the local flood warden praising the spirit of the community as people helped out their neighbours.
Sadly, some water did get into some houses, but the feeling is that it could have been a lot worse.
The feeling around here now is that of relief and the hope that the worst of it is over for this part of Derbyshire.
Leicestershire sign South Africa all-rounder Wiaan Mulder as an overseas player for the 2021 season.
Read MoreAlex Regan
BBC News
The A6 at Crown Square in Matlock and at Rowsley has been closed due to flooding.
Derbyshire County Council is warning people to only travel if their journey is essential, after a major incident was declared in the county.
Full details of all road closures are available on the county council website.
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Heidi Booth
Journalist, BBC Radio Derby
The river is running quite ferociously in Matlock and the level has increased overnight.
There is a substantial amount of water on the Bakewell Road and many cars are turning around.
Yesterday we were talking about six flood warnings across Derbyshire - this morning there are at least 38 in total.
A flood warning means flooding is expected and immediate action is required. To add to that, there are still 32 flood alerts in place, meaning flooding is possible.
These warnings span right across our area, from the River Trent in Swarkstone right up to the River Derwent at Chatsworth.
In fact, the River Derwent at Chatsworth went up to just over four metres at 01:00 - the river levels are now going down there.
But that is moving down to Matlock, where we're currently reaching a peak of 3.8m - yesterday it was 2.4m.
There are several road closures across the region, including the B5057 at Darley Bridge, the A6049 between Tideswell and Millersdale, the A6 at Buxton, Heage Lane at Etwall, Engleby Lane at Milton, Bargate Lane at Willington and Watery Lane at Bretby.
A full list of road closures is available on the Derbyshire County Council website.
Storm Christoph brought heavy rainfall across the region last night, but the amber and yellow warnings for rain have now been lifted.
Flood warnings remain in place however, meaning flooding is expected.
The day should be mainly dry and cloudy, with highs of 8C and lows overnight of 0C.
Image source, Environment AgencyDerbyshire currently has 40 flood warnings and an additional 32 flood alerts in place.
Nottinghamshire has six flood warnings and 18 flood alerts, and Leicestershire has 16 flood warnings and 22 flood alerts.
Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online
There are now 11 flood warnings in place in the Derbyshire Dales after more rain in the last 12 hours.
A number of agencies are working to deal with flooding at Bakewell's Wye Bank.
Five more warnings were confirmed overnight for the River Derwent at Matlock Bath, Churchtown and Northwood, Whatstandwell, Rowsley and Grindleford.
Image source, Derbyshire PoliceHigh river levels at Matlock Bath
It is thought up to 20 properties in Churchtown and Northwood could be at risk.
The A6 at Cromford along with Whatstandwell Caravan Site could also be affected, the Environment Agency warned.
Another caravan park at Frogatt is also threatened and residents have been advised to move possessions and turn off utilities like gas and water.
The Environment Agency said in some places the flood water could be deep and fast flowing, and therefore pose a risk to life.
David Pittam
BBC News Online
A "major incident" has been declared in Derbyshire with some evacuations possible as river levels continue to rise.
The county council took the step to allow it to access emergency funds and work closely with other agencies like the police and fire service.
Flood warnings are in place at Whaley Bridge, Litton Mill, Ashford in the Water, Bakewell, Darley Dale and Ambergate.
Council leader Barry Lewis said it was likely a small number of households would have to be evacuated tomorrow morning, when river levels are expected to peak.
He said whether flooding would be as severe as in November 2019 would depend on tonight's weather, and organising a response was made more difficult by Covid-19.
He added: "My message to people is make sure you are accessing all the information you need.
"For those travelling, do not go through flooded roads."
Joe Whitchurch, 16, died on 29 December after being stabbed on Boxing Day.
Read MoreDavid Pittam
BBC News Online
There are now 11 flood warnings in place across Derbyshire and Leicestershire as some rivers start to burst their banks.
Storm Christoph is bringing high water levels across the region, in places such as the River Wye, which has spilled on to the footpath as it runs through Bakewell.
Image source, Environment AgencyFlood warnings mean the Environment Agency expects flooding and immediate action is required.
Such warnings are in force in:
PA Media
Only a fraction of a £100m fund to support zoos through the pandemic has been successfully claimed, the industry has warned, as the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) announced a four-week extension for applications.
The fund opened in August to support zoos and aquariums needing extra support to care for animals following a drop of income caused by lockdowns.
Only 28 zoos out of more than 300 licence holders in England have benefitted from the fund, with just 5% of the money handed out, according to the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA).
It said zoos and aquariums cannot get money from the fund until they are down to 12 weeks of reserves, which excludes the vast majority of organisations who care for animals.
Dr Sharon Redrobe, chief executive of Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire, said they've "lost millions of pounds in income", adding the Zoo Animals Fund "has failed" to provide support.
Animal Welfare Minister Lord Goldsmith said he recognises the "extremely tough time" zoos have faced, and said the government is "committed to ensuring the sector can deliver the best possible care for its animals".
Image source, Twycross Zoo
Amy Woodfield
BBC News
There are nine flood warnings in place for the East Midlands as Storm Christoph hits the region.
The Environment Agency warning means immediate action is required.
Leicestershire:
Derbyshire:
Measures are being taken to stop homes and businesses from flooding.
In Matlock, the Bentley Brook pumping station is operational and flood gates have been positioned at Hall Leys Park.
Image source, @PaulReevesEASeveral roads have been closed due to flooding including the bridge at Darley Bridge (B5057) where Derbyshire Council Council says river levels are "very high".
Image source, Derbyshire Dales District Council
Anna Church
Weather Presenter, BBC East Midlands Today
We've had an amber weather warning in place from the Met Office since Tuesday and some might be wondering why.
There has been some disruption, but so far we've not seen lots of flooding.
The warnings are there for a reason. The latest data we have shows a third of the average rainfall we would expect for all of January in Nottinghamshire has fallen in the last 48 hours.
This has fallen on already saturated ground with high river levels.
And we are expecting more.
Image source, Met OfficeThe Environment Agency is warning the impact will be felt here in the East Midlands between Wednesday and Friday.
If that comes then we will need to be prepared. And that's why we have weather warnings.
The vaccines will be offered to existing high-priority groups and hospital staff on night shifts.
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BBC Radio Nottingham
A retired GP and his daughter are among several volunteers who are vaccinating people from Nottinghamshire against Covid-19.
Dr Andrew Parkin, from Newark, responded to the call for retired medics to help out.
His daughter Emily Wong, a practice nurse, is vaccinating people on her days off.
Dr Parkin, who is vaccinating people in Newark, said the response from people receiving the vaccine was "absolutely amazing".
He said: "I thought this was an amazingly important thing which I could make a small but positive contribution to."
Image source, Dr Andrew ParkinMs Wong, who is vaccinating people in Gainsborough, said: "It's just lovely to be able to play a tiny part in what seems to be a quite successful roll-out of the vaccine."
She is expecting to join her father at the Newark vaccinations hub next week.
The nurse and mother added she had seen "quite a few people crying" with joy after receiving the vaccine.
Dr Parkin said some patients were even getting dressed up for the occasion.
"I had a lady last night who had a very chic white jacket on, and when we took the sleeve out of her jacket, she had a strapless ball gown underneath," he said.
Two weather warnings have been issued as Storm Christoph continues to hit parts of the UK.
An amber warning for rain is in place between 06:00 today and 12:00 tomorrow, and a yellow warning for rain is in place between 00:00 today and 12:00 tomorrow.
Flooding is expected across the region, with several warnings in place.
Image source, Environment AgencyIn Nottinghamshire 18 flood alerts have been issued, which means flooding is possible.
There is one flood warning in place at Zouch, on the Nottinghamshire/Leicestershire/Derbyshire border.
In Leicestershire, the Environment Agency has put three flood warnings in place, and 20 flood alerts.
Derbyshire has three flood warnings and 32 flood alerts.
There will be highs of 12C and lows overnight of 2C.
Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online
Two flood warnings have been put in place in Derbyshire after more rain fell overnight.
One is for the River Goyt at Whaley Bridge and the other for the River Wye at Litton Mill.
Image source, Environment AgencyThe warning means flooding is expected and immediate action should be taken.
The Environment Agency also said the A6 at Buxton could be affected.
The agency and Derbyshire Dales council said they had staff on standby to help deal with problems.
Warnings remain in place in Leicestershire, around the River Soar, at Zouch, the River Wreake at Hoby, Thrussington, Ratcliffe and Frisby and the River Sence at Sheepy.
Large parts of northern and central England are expected to face sustained heavy rain from Tuesday.
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