The University of York is offering up to £500 for housing, food, travel and technology costs.

A council boss in North Yorkshire says government emergency funding allocated during the coronavirus outbreak is millions of pounds short of what will be needed.

Councillor Keith Aspden, who runs City of York Council, says he's written to the government asking for more help "swiftly".

The council says during the pandemic it's prioritising resources to support "residents, businesses and vulnerable residents".

But it's raised concerns about whether the funding announced by the government so far will cover the "essential actions being taken" to respond to the outbreak.

The council says York's share of government emergency funding is less than £5m.

It estimates the increased demand on services, additional activities and loss of income will be "in the region of £20m".

Councillor Aspden said: "The scale of this crisis means the funding allocated to York, and other councils, is insufficient to support our communities’ and business needs over the coming months.

"It's quite clear we require significantly more funding swiftly."

Police are trying to identify a man they want to speak to in connection with the shooting of a 12-year-old boy in Sheffield earlier this year.

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

The boy was seriously injured when he was shot in the leg on Sunday 12 January in the Arbourthorne area.

The boy wasn't believed to be the intended target of the shooting, police said at the time.

A picture has been released of a man officers want to speak to in connection with the shooting.

Anybody who recognises the man is asked to get in touch with police.

Three men have been charged with firearms offences in connection with the incident and have all been remanded into custody pending further court appearances, police added.

Halifax’s historic Piece Hall is closing its gates – at least for now – to help the fight against coronavirus.

Image source, LDRS

The Piece Hall Trust made the announcement on Tuesday night and said the action was being taken to help the frontline services cope with impacts of the pandemic.

The Grade I-listed former 18th Century cloth hall is building a reputation as a world heritage site since re-opening in August 2017 following a £19m refurbishment, attracting millions of visitors.

Piece Hall Trust chief executive Nicky Chance-Thompson, has added her own thoughts in a social media post on Twitter.

Ms Chance-Thompson said: “This is the most difficult decision I’ve had to make but we have to put people first in all things.

“The Piece Hall is going in for a sleep and we will wake her up soon.”

These pictures show almost entirely empty city centre streets in York this lunchtime:

Parliament Street (below) is usually one of the city's busiest and would normally be full of shoppers and tourists.

On Monday, the prime minister outlined strict new measures to tackle the spread of coronavirus, including a ban on public gatherings of more than two people.

He said people should leave home only to exercise once a day, travel to and from work where "absolutely necessary", shop for essential items and to fulfill any medical or care needs.

Today people in the city appear to be heeding the government's call to stay indoors.

It is believed the 26-year-old victim had been involved in a fight prior to his death.

Some drivers in North Yorkshire are taking advantage of the roads being quieter than usual due to the coronavirus outbreak and breaking the speed limit, say police.

Image source, North Yorkshire Police

North Yorkshire Police is warning people to "stick to the rules of the road" after witnessing some drivers travelling at "highly excessive speeds".

Assistant Ch Con Mike Walker said: “We've seen some motorists using roads irresponsibly, with highly excessive speeds recorded on key routes and other dangerous offences, such as using a handheld phone while driving.

“These actions can have fatal consequences which tie up emergency service and medical resources at a time when they are needed most."

Road users are being told not to waste "valuable police or NHS resources by committing dangerous but preventable” offences such as speeding, handheld mobile phone use, drink or drug-driving and not wearing a seatbelt.

Police have launched a murder investigation after the death of a man who was found seriously hurt in Sheffield city centre street yesterday morning.

Image source, Google

The 26-year-old man was found injured and unconscious at the junction of Union Street and Charles Street at about 03:30 on Tuesday morning.

He died at the scene from a head injury, police say.

Officers are now appealing for witnesses to come forward if they saw a fight between two people in the same area early on Tuesday.

They believe the man was involved in a fight with someone he knew.

Det Ch Insp Mark Oughton said: "I would like to reassure the public there is no wider risk to the community following this incident.

"My priority at this time is to hear from anyone who might have been in the Union Street area of the city centre between 01:20 and 01:40 on Tuesday morning.

"Did you witness a fight between two people, hear a disturbance or witness anything suspicious?"

Worker say online retailer Pretty Little Thing's site is not safe during the coronavirus outbreak.

People in West Yorkshire are being urged not to use public transport unless their journey is "essential" during the coronavirus shutdown.

Image source, Google

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority says it wants people to follow the government’s guidelines to stay at home.

Councillor Kim Groves said: “We are urging everyone to stay at home and avoid non-essential use of the public transport network to help slow the spread of coronavirus, protect the NHS and save lives.

“This is vital to protect key workers who depend on these vital bus and rail services."

Three men have been arrested after two teenagers were found with injuries following a car crash in Dewsbury at the weekend, police say.

Image source, PA Media

The crash happened between a white Seat Arona and a black Ford Focus on Headfield Road, Thornhill Lees, at about 17:00 on Saturday.

A 16-year-old boy was found with serious hand and face injuries, with a 19-year-old also being found injured.

Three men, aged between 17 and 21, have been arrested in connection with the investigation, according to West Yorkshire Police.

Any witnesses to the crash or anyone with information about the incident is being asked to get in touch with police.

West Yorkshire-based supermarket chain Asda says it's put special measures in place in its stores to help reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus and keep people "safe".

Image source, ASDA

The company, which has its HQ in Leeds, says it's introduced 2m apart floor markings in stores and says where necessary, the number of customers will be limited so social distancing can be observed.

Asda says: "All of our colleagues will be supplied with hand sanitiser and gloves and pharmacy and optical colleagues will also be provided with face masks."

A spokesperson said there were also plans to introduce perspex screens at checkouts and kiosks to protect customers and staff.

A webcam showing peregrines that nest on a university building in Sheffield has seen an upsurge in interest as people look to keep in touch with the natural world.

Image source, University of Sheffield

The camera has been in place on the University of Sheffield's St George's Church for the past few years.

Martin Abrams, a former University of Sheffield student, is self-isolating in a flat in London.

He said: "It really is proving to be a really nice escape for myself and having just introduced the peregrines to my almost-three-year-old little boy, I'm really trying to encourage him to be interested in birds and wildlife.

"It's because at moments like this, even the briefest glimpse looking at what's around you is really, really important.

"Having an outlet from the madness that is this Covid-19 crisis is proving to be really helpful for me and hopefully others."

Image source, University of Sheffield

Support networks set up during the East Yorkshire floods are helping people during the pandemic.

People are being warned not to click on links in text messages which have been sent from what claims to be Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Image source, HMRC

Text messages telling people about government refunds have been circulating - something the government has said is a scam.

During the coronavirus outbreak, scammers have looked to take advantage of people who might be unemployed or on a reduced income.

But the government says texts and emails saying people can apply for tax breaks or relief are fake.

It said: "Do not reply if you get a text message claiming to be from HMRC offering you a tax refund in exchange for personal or financial details. Do not open any links in the message."

There are concerns for the welfare of a 17-year-old girl missing from Bradford.

Image source, West Yorkshire Police

Cody Benecke (pictured) was last seen at about 22:15 on Monday, according to West Yorkshire Police.

She's believed to have been wearing a black Parka-style jacket and dark blue jeans.

Officers say Cody has brown hair which she normally wears tied up.

Anyone who sees her is asked to contact police.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A Sheffield-trained teacher living in China has spoken about the coronavirus lockdown and says she has a clear message for people back in the UK – stay at home.

Image source, Rachel Ford

Rachel Ford (pictured left), originally from Chesterfield, moved to Malaysia in 2015 and later married fellow teacher Suresh Dass (pictured right) in 2019, moving to China in August for work.

She said: "We had to finish our two weeks quarantine and, unlike the UK, it was compulsory. The accommodation services put a sticker on your door and if this ripped you would have to start all over again.

On the situation in the UK, Rachel has a clear message: "People need to wise up and listen to what the government is saying.

"Right now people need to stay indoors. It’s completely selfish people are ignoring the warnings. I saw the news back home of people heading out and I couldn’t believe it.

"It’s frustrating when I watch the news in the UK, that people are complaining the government has left it too late, but when they say don’t go out I see people flocking to crowded areas.

"Proper lockdown will come, but I don’t know if the UK could enforce it like China has. "

People in York appear to be heeding the government's call to stay indoors.

This was the eerily quiet scene at the city's railway station at 09:00 this morning, with deserted platforms and an empty car park.

On Monday, the prime minister outlined strict new measures to tackle the spread of coronavirus, including a ban on public gatherings of more than two people.

He said people should leave home only to exercise once a day, travel to and from work where "absolutely necessary", shop for essential items and to fulfill any medical or care needs.

All but a few visitors have been banned from hospitals in Hull from today in a bid to protect staff and patients during the coronavirus outbreak.

Image source, Google

The new rule is now in force at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital.

The Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trusts says there will be some exceptions, but they will require the approval of senior ward staff.

Trust chief executive Chris Long said: “In light of the government’s instruction over social isolation and the need to stop all but essential travel, we have no alternative but to cease all visiting at our hospitals.

“This is not a step we take lightly, but it is a step we must take if we are to have any chance to protect our staff and patients from the virus.

"Exceptions include end-of-life care, birthing partners when a woman is in labour and one parent only for children in paediatric wards and neonatal intensive care unit."

Popular Sheffield artist Pete McKee is to run a series of online cartoon workshops to help occupy families forced to stay at home as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Mr McKee, who is well known around the city for his work, often featuring images of working class life, said he planned to post a new video on YouTube every Wednesday at midday, external.

Writing on Twitter he said he hoped people would have as much fun watching them as he did making them.

Image source, Graham Hogg/Geograph