West Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has praised the county's Chief Constable, who has announced she's to step down from her role at the end of April.

Chief Constable Dee Collins said she was stepping down shortly due to "health challenges".

Ms Collins joined West Yorkshire Police in 2014 and was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in 2018.

West Yorkshire PCC Mark Burns-Williamson said: "Dee's leadership through a sustained period of austerity has ensured a strong position for her successor and for the people of West Yorkshire.

"Her contribution to policing in West Yorkshire has been exemplary, not to mention her impact on the wider service."

David Harrison
Reporter, BBC Radio Humberside

There've been moving scenes outside Hull Mosque today after members of the local Muslim community left Friday prayers to find a row of people with banners showing solidarity after the Christchurch shootings.

People shook hands and shared food, with some very visibly moved by what happened in New Zealand last week when 50 people were killed during Friday prayers.

There were signs saying "You are my friend. I will keep watch while you pray" and “Stand in solidarity with the Muslim community" a week on from the attacks on two mosques.

Micklegate in York, which was closed when a suspicious item was received at a property on the street earlier, is now open again:

Harry Coates's body was discovered at the crash site in Italy by aviation archaeologists.

This is the scene today in York after streets were cordoned off after a suspicious item was received.

North Yorkshire Police say the temporary closure has affected Micklegate, Priory Street and Toft Green:

Hull's top sports teams are among those who have paid tribute to Libby Squire, after she was found dead yesterday.

Image source, Humberside Police

Police searching for the Hull University student confirmed yesterday that a body recovered from the Humber estuary earlier this week was that of Ms Squire.

Hull City said the thoughts of everyone at the club were with the 21-year-old's friends and family at this "incredibly difficult time".

Meanwhile, rugby league side Hull FC said it was "deeply saddened" after the body recovered from the Humber estuary was identified as the missing student.

Rugby league side Hull Kingston Rovers has also posted a tribute on Twitter after her death was confirmed by police on Thursday evening.

People are being advised to avoid the Micklegate area of York, after a suspicious item was received at a property on the road.

The area has been cordoned off by bomb disposal experts.

Members of the public are being told to stay away from the area while an investigation into the package is carried out.

A man's been jailed for 18-years after being found guilty of seriously assaulting his neighbour with a dumbbell in South Yorkshire.

Image source, Gary Wilson

Gary Wilson, 42, of Crown Avenue, Cudworth, near Barnsley, appeared before Sheffield Crown Court on Wednesday, where he was found guilty of Section 18 wounding.

The court heard how, at about 21:30 on 23 July 2018, emergency services were called to Crown Avenue, where they found a 57-year-old man with life-threatening head injuries.

Police say he was taken to hospital to receive treatment, where he was placed in an induced coma and treated for multiple skull and facial fractures, as well as a bleed on the brain.

PC Kyle Fowler investigating said: “The victim was subject to a brutal and horrific assault by Wilson, one of his neighbours.

“When we attended the scene, multiple witnesses told us Wilson attacked the victim with a dumbbell, striking him several times in the head, before throwing the weight into some nearby bushes.

“The injuries to the victim were so severe this could easily have turned into a homicide investigation and the length of sentence passed today reflects the gravity of this offence.”

Fines of £250 could soon be given to people in York who are indirectly guilty of fly-tipping because they failed to check the waste carrier they hired was properly licensed.

Image source, Getty Images

Previously, anyone committing the offence would be liable for prosecution alongside the fly-tipper themselves.

The new fine, agreed yesterday, allows "a more proportionate penalty and can be reduced to £150 if paid within 10 days of being issued", according to City of York Council.

Offenders who don't pay the fine will be prosecuted and may receive a "significantly higher fine or sentencing by the courts".

Councillor Jenny Brooks, said: “I welcome this more proportionate penalty for householders who neglect, or are unaware of, their duty of care.

"We continue to urge residents and businesses to use only licensed carriers, external.

"They must check the carriers are properly licensed, otherwise if the householder’s waste is fly-tipped, they themselves will be liable for this new £250 fine."

The travel firm is cutting more than 300 roles as it closes 21 stores across the country.

The University of Hull says it's "feeling the loss of Libby Squire deeply" and has created a space for students to leave tributes and messages.

Police searching for Ms Squire confirmed yesterday that a body recovered from the Humber estuary earlier this week was that of the missing student.

Writing on Twitter, the university invited the community to come together and support each other after 21-year-old philosophy student was found dead:

West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Dee Collins previously spoke about her breast cancer treatment.

Disruption is expected at Dewsbury rail station as all lines are currently blocked due to a police incident.

Image source, Google

Emergency crews were called to the station at about 10:25.

Train operator Northern says lines to Brighouse, Leeds and Manchester Victoria will be affected until at least 12:30.

A driver whose car rolled when it hit a roundabout in Shiptonthorpe is due before magistrates.

Prayers and a minute's silence will be held at Hull Minster following the "devastating news" of Libby Squire's death.

Image source, Geograph/David Dixon

Police searching for Ms Squire confirmed yesterday that a body recovered from the Humber estuary earlier this week was that of the missing Hull University student.

Prayers will be offered for Ms Squire's family and friends at midday followed by a minute's silence.

The church will also be available for the lighting of candles, it's been confirmed.

The "vast majority" of emergency patients will still be treated at Northallerton's Friarage Hospital despite the temporary closure of A&E and intensive care services, health bosses say.

Image source, LDRS

The temporary suspension of some critical care services at the hospital is due to begin next week.

Dr James Dunbar, clinical director of the Friarage, is due to take questions at a public meeting later in Northallerton to discuss the decision.

Dr Dunbar says: "In terms of patients' access to health care, people self-presenting with minor injuries and illness will still be able to come to the urgent treatment centre.

"It's just the very unwell people arriving in an ambulance that the change will affect.

"There will just be a tiny number of people who it's obvious will need intensive care support who we'll divert to other sites."

West Yorkshire's Chief Constable is to step down from the role after 32 years in policing, she's announced.

Dee Collins, who joined West Yorkshire Police in 2014, said she would be retiring early due to "health challenges".

She added she wanted to "manage it in private, rather than as Chief Constable".

"I have very mixed emotions about retiring as I have loved my job, loved serving our communities and loved working with so many fantastic people."

Ms Collins will step down at the end of April, she says.

A motorcyclist has died after a crash with a lorry on the A616 Stocksbridge bypass yesterday.

The man suffered fatal injuries on the stretch of the road, between Tankersley roundabout and the slip road for the M1.

His female pillion passenger remains in a critical condition in hospital.

South Yorkshire Police were called at about 10:10 to reports of an incident involving a grey motorcycle and a blue articulated lorry.

The road was closed for several hours to allow investigations to take place.

Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.

A church in Hull will open today to hold special prayers for the family and friends of Libby Squire.

It comes after police confirmed a body recovered from the Humber Estuary is that of the missing student.

Image source, Humberside Police

Hull Community Church, on Newland Avenue, is usually closed on a Friday.

However, today it will hold a special service for the 21-year-old.

The church says it will be open between 10:00 and 14:00 "for anyone to come in for a coffee, to chat or sit in silence, or to light a candle".

It will have a minute of silence at 12:00 followed by prayers for the University of Hull student's family and friends.

A pedestrian has died after being hit by a car in North Yorkshire, police say.

Image source, Google

It happened on Wednesday between Strensall, on the outskirts of York, and Sheriff Hutton.

Nicholas Carpenter, 38, was walking towards Sheriff Hutton at 13:15 when he was hit by a silver Kia Sportage 4x4 travelling in the same direction.

Officers say Mr Carpenter was carrying a clipboard and a pair of binoculars at the time.

They want anyone who was in the area and who saw the vehicle or Mr Carpenter prior to the collision to contact them.