Summary

  • Bradford imam arrested on suspicion of Pakistan murder

  • Service marks Bradford City fire disaster anniversary

  • Investigation into damage to Whitby Swing Bridge

  • Former Respect party leader to contest Bradford West seat

  • Plans approved for £12m university campus in Doncaster

  • Missing Castleford boy found 'safe and well'

  • Nuisance bikers tackled in West Yorkshire

  • North Yorkshire's Atlantic-beating mums up for 'role model' award

  • Catweazle actor Bayldon dies aged 93

  • Updates on Thursday 11 May 2017

  1. Dr Who star backs Brabin for West Yorkshire mayorpublished at 20:18 British Summer Time 9 October 2020

    Jodie Whittaker offers her support for MP Tracy Brabin and says women need their "voices heard".

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  2. Saints come from behind to beat Wakefieldpublished at 19:34 British Summer Time 9 October 2020

    St Helens are forced to come from behind to beat Wakefield at Headingley as they win their eighth Super League game in a row.

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  3. Three guilty of beating man to deathpublished at 19:31 British Summer Time 9 October 2020

    Three men are convicted of murdering a man found fatally beaten in his flat.

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  4. 'Use common sense' over attending A&E - Health bosspublished at 17:54 British Summer Time 9 October 2020

    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    People are being warned not to go to Calderdale Royal Hospital’s A&E department unless their condition is "serious or life-threatening" due to increasing pressure on the service caused by Covid-19.

    Calderdale Royal Hospital A&E entranceImage source, Google

    The call has come from Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust which says people who are Covid-19 positive have been turning up at A&E, which is extremely dangerous for both patients and NHS staff.

    In a statement, the trust says there's also recently been a rise in the number of people visiting A&E with very minor injuries which could have be treated quicker by other health and care services.

    If a person feels unwell and requires medical advice, they should call 111, their GP or in an emergency, 999, the trust says.

    Helen Barker, the trust's chief operating officer, said the hospital's A&E department was for the treatment of serious and life-threatening injuries and conditions only.

    She said: "These can include persistent and severe chest pains, burns, loss of consciousness and the symptoms of stroke, and severe bleeding that can’t be stopped.

    “Please use common sense and ask if you need to go to A&E," she added.

  5. 'School streets' pilot scheme comes to Bradfordpublished at 17:29 British Summer Time 9 October 2020

    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    A scheme to ban traffic from outside schools during drop-off and pick-up times will be trialled in 10 Bradford primaries, it's been confirmed.

    School keep clear markingsImage source, Google

    There have long been calls for Bradford Council to implement “school streets” in the district, and the authority has now announced that two schools in each of the district's constituencies will be part of the pilot scheme.

    An attempt to reduce pollution levels around schools and encourage more families to walk or cycle, the pilot will see traffic on a number of roads around the schools limited at morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times.

    There are already numerous School Street projects in neighbouring Calderdale.

    Bradford Council has yet to name which schools will be involved – saying they are currently in talks with schools and local councillors.

    The trial is likely to begin later this year, and if a success, School Streets could be rolled out to schools across Bradford.

    A council spokesman said: “For those who can’t avoid driving their towards their child’s school, it is hoped they will park some distance away from the school gates and walk the rest, providing them with an easy way to get more exercise and help make schools safer and reduce harmful car exhaust emissions in the air around the schools.”

    Access arrangements will be made for people living on the affected streets and for businesses, while some vehicles, such as the emergency services, and people with mobility issues, will be exempt from the restrictions.

  6. ‘It felt like a 44-tonne weight on my shoulders’published at 17:18 British Summer Time 9 October 2020

    Former soldier Daniel Walker, who has PTSD, is trying to help others with their mental health.

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  7. Businesses closed after breaching coronavirus rulespublished at 17:09 British Summer Time 9 October 2020

    Three businesses in Kirklees have been ordered to close for breaching Covid-19 regulations and hosting weddings with more than 15 people present, the council has said.

    2m signImage source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire

    Two banqueting halls in Dewsbury and a hotel in the Liversedge and Gomersal area have been closed after council officers and police visited them "on a number of occasions".

    The venues were found to be holding wedding receptions for between 50-150 people, breaching the government’s national restriction of no more than 15 guests due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    The necessary Covid-19 safety measures were also not being followed at each venue, with a lack of social distancing, especially at arrival and departure, the council adds.

    However, a pub in Huddersfield which was instructed to close on 25 September has now been able to reopen after making necessary improvements, the authority says.

    Councillor Rob Walker, cabinet member for environment, says: "Our aim is to support local business by giving praise where due, providing advice when required, challenging poor practices and behaviour, and only taking stronger action where necessary."

  8. Witness appeal after man glassed in Sheffield pubpublished at 16:43 British Summer Time 9 October 2020

    An appeal for witnesses has been launched after a man was glassed in a Sheffield pub's beer garden.

    The Nursery TavernImage source, Google

    A 34-year-old man received injuries to his face in the attack while he was sitting at a table in the garden of the Nursery Tavern pub at about 21:00 on Saturday 12 September, police say.

    The man was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries.

    A 30-year-old man has been interviewed in connection with the assault and has been released while an investigation is carried out, according to South Yorkshire Police.

    A force spokesperson said: "The beer garden was busy at the time the incident occurred and officers want to hear from anyone who witnessed the assault."

  9. Warning over 'drug-laced sweets' in North Yorkshirepublished at 16:16 British Summer Time 9 October 2020

    An "urgent" warning has been issued to parents after "drug-laced sweets" were seized in a North Yorkshire town.

    Seized packetsImage source, North Yorkshire Police

    The discovery was made after four teenagers were arrested in Ripon on Thursday afternoon on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, money laundering and weapons offences.

    Among the items seized by police were "carefully disguised sweets" which officers "strongly believe" are laced with controlled drugs, according to the North Yorkshire force.

    Anyone consuming items similar to these could be at risk of serious harm and parents are now being urged to be vigilant, police say.

    Sweet packetsImage source, North Yorkshire Police

    Police say: "These so-called 'edibles' pose a risk to young people across York and North Yorkshire."

    Three of the arrested teenagers have since been released under investigation and a fourth has been bailed while inquiries continue, officers say.

  10. Delivery driver jailed for raping 'vulnerable' womanpublished at 15:45 British Summer Time 9 October 2020

    A delivery driver who raped a vulnerable woman in the back of his van in East Yorkshire after offering her a lift has been jailed for 12 years.

    Richard RamseyImage source, Humberside Police

    Richard Ramsey, 34, attacked the woman after picking her up as she was walking towards Driffield on 25 November.

    Humberside Police said Ramsey had passed her once before circling back and asking her if she wanted to get in.

    He suggested she could accompany him while he made his deliveries and a short time later asked her to assist him at the back of the van where he then raped her.

    He then took her to Driffield and drove off, leaving her "upset and confused".

    Det Con Paul Tyrer said: "This was a targeted attack on a vulnerable young woman, who Ramsey took advantage of for his own gratification."

    Ramsey, of Ings Lane, Bedale, was convicted of two counts of rape after a trial at Hull Crown Court.

  11. Delivery driver jailed for raping vulnerable womanpublished at 15:30 British Summer Time 9 October 2020

    Richard Ramsey, 34, attacked the woman in his van after stopping to offer her a lift.

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  12. Father's transplant plea after 'drugs mistake'published at 15:28 British Summer Time 9 October 2020

    The NHS says Ben Wolfenden does not meet the nationally set criteria based on his current health.

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  13. Coronavirus outbreak at ambulance call handling centrepublished at 15:08 British Summer Time 9 October 2020

    A coronavirus outbreak has been confirmed at a 999 call handling centre in West Yorkshire.

    Yorkshire Ambulance Service call centreImage source, Google

    The Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) centre in Wakefield has confirmed that cases of Covid-19 have been detected.

    A source at the union Unison said it was understood that about 19 staff had tested positive, but YAS would not comment on the numbers.

    The service said it had assistance for 999 call handling from a centre in York and other ambulance trusts.

    YAS said callers would be asked the same questions and where an emergency ambulance was required in the Yorkshire and Humber region it would be dispatched from Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

    A Unison source said the only information available to them was that there had been around 19 people who had tested positive for the virus, but there were no figures provided for the number of people working at the site or how many other staff were self-isolating.

  14. Appeal after boy, 12, pushed off bike on busy York roadpublished at 14:34 British Summer Time 9 October 2020

    A 12-year-old boy was left injured and "shaken" after being pushed from his bike into oncoming traffic in York earlier this week, police say.

    Road junctionImage source, Google

    It happened between 16:40 and 17:00 on Wednesday at the junction of Boroughbridge Road and Beckfield Lane in Acomb.

    The boy, who was on his bike, was pushed by an unknown male into the road and suffered an injury to his ankle which needed hospital treatment, according to North Yorkshire Police.

    Anyone who saw what happened, including anybody with dash cam footage of the assault, is being asked to contact police.

  15. Dead animals 'dumped near stream' by fly-tipperspublished at 13:59 British Summer Time 9 October 2020

    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    Dead animals and household waste are among the items being dumped near a stream in West Yorkshire by people fly-tipping.

    Location of streamImage source, Google

    The site, which is an isolated spot alongside Nab Water, near Oxenhope, has seen an increase in rubbish being left there in recent months.

    Yorkshire Water said it had taken steps to prevent rubbish going into the stream but more needed to be done and has submitted an application to build a fence to deter the fly-tippers.

    It told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the rubbish was not thought to have caused any contamination so far.

    The rubbish, which has been dumped there since May, includes multiple sheep heads, 30 goose carcasses, soiled nappies and more than 100 bags of household waste, Yorkshire Water said.

    Deborah Feldhaus, head of Water Quality and Production at Yorkshire Water, said: "The area has had issues with fly-tipping for some time, but this has escalated recently with more waste than normal being dumped and we have concerns this could impact the water going into the beck in future.

    "We've been working with Bradford Council to find a solution and we hope the higher fencing will deter people from discarding waste in future."

    Rebecca Poulsen, Conservative councillor for Worth Valley, said the situation had worsened during the coronavirus lockdown when household recycling centres were closed.

    A decision from the council regarding the planning permission is due in December.

  16. Coronavirus outbreak at 999 call handling centrepublished at 13:56 British Summer Time 9 October 2020

    Yorkshire Ambulance Service declines to comment on the number of staff affected at its Wakefield centre.

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  17. York Crematorium chairs unscrewed after Covid-19 'review'published at 13:19 British Summer Time 9 October 2020

    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    Chairs which had been screwed to the floor at York Crematorium to make sure mourners kept to social distancing guidelines due to the coronavirus pandemic have now been unfastened, it's been confirmed.

    York CrematoriumImage source, Google

    Funeral director Martin Rowley raised concerns about grieving family members being able to hug each other during services after an incident in Milton Keynes when a son was told to move away from his mother during his father’s funeral because of social distancing.

    Mr Rowley asked City of York Council to urgently review its arrangement, which saw chairs screwed to the floor at York Crematorium to prevent them from being moved.

    He said this year has been one of the worst times to lose a loved one and that most venues now allow family groups to sit together.

    City of York Council said the arrangements at the crematorium had been reviewed in light of the incident in Milton Keynes.

    A spokesperson said: “Following a review and in consideration of public health advice, chairs will placed unsecured in the social-distanced format."

    In response, Mr Rowley said: “I’m glad the council has reviewed its position and will now allow those families the right to comfort each other at the service.”

  18. Covid rule changes make job 'incredibly difficult'published at 13:11 British Summer Time 9 October 2020

    Sharon Stoltz says she is "waiting like everyone else" to hear what will happen in the city of York.

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  19. Dead animals 'dumped near stream' by fly-tipperspublished at 12:48 British Summer Time 9 October 2020

    Yorkshire Water is applying for a fence to be built to prevent rubbish going into a nearby stream.

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  20. 'Warm and dry' future for Bradford community arts centrepublished at 12:13 British Summer Time 9 October 2020

    A crumbling community arts centre in Bradford is about to be given a new "warm and dry" lease of life when work to transform it begins next month.

    South SquareImage source, South Square

    South Square in Thornton is made up of a dozen Grade II-listed workers' cottages dating from 1832.

    It currently houses a local history archive, three galleries, 14 artist studios, community and workshop spaces and a vegetarian cafe bar.

    Earlier this year it was handed over by Bradford Council to the charity, which currently runs the centre on a 99-year lease.

    The centre was saved by a community campaign and has since been awarded almost £1m, mostly from lottery grants, for a refurbishment as well as new projects and traineeships.

    South SquareImage source, South Square

    Yvonne Carmichael from South Square said: "The money means we can undertake a three-year heritage activity programme working with local people, schools and care homes.

    "We'll also be able to renovate, which means we'll have a dry and warm building at the end of it."

    The centre has continued projects throughout the coronavirus lockdown, including garden gigs with care homes, Zoom workshops for people shielding, family activity kits and interviewing former residents of the workers cottages.