More patrols will be carried out in North Yorkshire this weekend in a bid to prevent non-essential travel during the coronavirus outbreak, the county's police force has said.

Image source, North Yorkshire Police

Over previous weekends, North Yorkshire Police says there's been an increase in the number of people making unnecessary journeys into and around the region and so it will be increasing patrols on key routes.

Over 350 fines have been issued by the force since lockdown legislation was introduced in March.

Speaking about some of the more recent fines, Assistant Ch Con Mike Walker said: "I do not believe a group of friends travelling from West Yorkshire to climb the Yorkshire Three Peaks is essential.

"Nor do I believe a group travelling into the Yorkshire Dales from Bradford for a day out is essential.

"Exercise can be, and should, be taken locally following the government guidelines, which have not changed since the day they were issued," he added.

The force says people who are not making journeys for food, medication or to support a vulnerable person should stay at home.

A pet parrot was killed and two people were threatened with an axe during a burglary at a house in a West Yorkshire town earlier this week, police say.

Image source, Google

It happened in Brighouse on Monday between 21:35 and 21:45, when two males entered the house on Rayner Road.

One of the men was carrying an axe and threatened the two occupants, a woman in her 60s and a man in his 30s, before demanding cash, according to West Yorkshire Police.

While leaving the property, the suspects fatally injured a pet parrot which was in the house before leaving through the back door and onto a cobbled street behind Rayner Road.

One of the suspects is described as white, slim, 5ft 7ins tall and wearing a blue bandana across his mouth and nose. He's believed to have been in his early 20s.

The second suspect who was was wearing a red bandana across his face and carrying an axe is described as a slim, white male, about 5ft 8ins tall, believed to be in his early 20s.

Anyone who witnessed two males acting suspiciously in the area at the time of the incident, or who saw them leaving the property, is asked to contact police.

A book of condolence has been opened for a police officer who died while on duty in South Yorkshire earlier this week.

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

PC Matt Lannie died in a crash between his police motorcycle and a car in Ecclesfield, Sheffield, on Tuesday.

The 40-year-old had been responding to reports of a silver BMW failing to stop for other officers.

Friends, former colleagues and members of the public are being invited to send their messages of condolence to South Yorkshire Police, external which will then be passed on to PC Lannie's family.

Messages from people who have already paid tribute to PC Lannie have "offered great comfort to those who are coming to terms with the loss of a much loved colleague and friend", the force said.

Hospices in Yorkshire urge people to consider their future support amid major gaps in fundraising.

A schoolboy from Bradford has created his own mosque at home to help celebrate Ramadan.

Eight-year-old Yahya and his family built the structure from cardboard, fairy lights and sweet wrappers.

The closure of mosques due to the coronavirus pandemic meant that Yahya was inspired to create somewhere peaceful at home.

Here's Yahya to show you around:

Several were stopped and given £50 fines for riding through a pedestrianised area of York.

Hosting the World Snooker Championship without spectators in Sheffield could cost the local economy up to £2m, a university expert has said.

Image source, Rui Vieira/PA Media

The championship, which has been postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, has been rescheduled for dates in July and August.

However, if social distancing has to continue, organisers could be forced to host the event with few fans, if any at all.

Richard Coleman, a specialist in the economic impact of major events from Sheffield Hallam University, said if the matches are played with few or no spectators, it would cost the city between £1.8m-£2m.

He said: "[Spectators] would spend on accommodation for the overnight stays. They'll spend on food and drink in local restaurants, bars and cafes.

"There may be some local travel and retail in there. If the tournament is on but there are no spectators, clearly they're not going to come and spend that kind of money."

"Dominating, violent sex offender" Junior Chester Bryan targeted girls as young as 14 over 20 years.

York-based housebuilder Persimmon has confirmed it will restart operations on its sites as construction firms return to work in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

Image source, Reuters/Darren Staples

A "phased re-opening" of its sites will start from Monday to help complete new homes under construction, the firm said.

It comes a day after rivals Vistry Group and Taylor Wimpey announced their own plans to return to work.

Persimmon shut down its construction sites, sales offices and moved non-site staff to work from home on 25 March.

David Jenkinson, Persimmon chief executive officer, said: "The government has been very clear on the importance of the construction sector to the UK economy and its desire to see activity continue through the current period of crisis, provided appropriate public health measures are adopted.

"Nothing is more important to us than the health, safety and well-being of the public, our colleagues, sub-contractors and suppliers.

"Having spent the last month developing and testing new site protocols that incorporate the necessary social-distancing and protective measures, we believe we are now able to return to site safely and support the UK's economic recovery from the pandemic."

The firm said that although 30% of its workers have been unable to work during the shutdown period, the company has continued to pay them in full.

A thank you note has been painted onto a Hull road to thank medical staff who are fighting coronavirus at a city hospital.

Image source, Hull City Council

The markings have been painted outside the entrance to Hull Royal Infirmary and at the entrance to the hospital’s car park.

Hull City Council painted the thank you message, with contractors donating their fees to the NHS.

International music star Louis Tomlinson has recorded a special message to people in his home town of Doncaster as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

The South Yorkshire-born singer, a former member of One Direction, recorded the message thanking people for their work in the town.

He asked people to keep listening to official government advice about the pandemic and also consider volunteering if possible.

In a video posted on the council's Twitter account, external, he said: "I hope you're looking after yourselves, I hope you're looking after each other and staying at home.

"So, please stay well, keep safe and listen to the advice."

He added it was great to see the "Yorkshire grit" from Doncaster as people worked to tackle coronavirus.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A second road has been closed in Calderdale following damage caused during Storm Ciara earlier this year.

Image source, Google

Rastrick Bridge on the A643 in Brighouse will be closed "for the foreseeable future" as a precautionary measure after structural issues were found, according to Calderdale Council.

Although the damage causes no immediate safety concerns, the bridge is now closed to all vehicular traffic, the authority says.

Elland Road in Brighouse also remains closed for repairs.

The closure of Rastrick Bridge aims to protect users and prevent any further damage, said Councillor Jane Scullion cabinet member for regeneration and resources.

“We apologise for the inconvenience this closure may cause, particularly as we’re still in the process of making repairs to the flood damage on Elland Road," she said.

“We’ll do all we can to repair the bridge as soon as possible and thank residents for their patience."

Construction work is classed as an essential service throughout the Covid-19 lockdown period, she added.

Key repair and maintenance work on roads in Calderdale is continuing to go ahead where safe working procedures can be followed, including social distancing and hygiene measures.

Free tablet computers have been given out to vulnerable or disadvantaged people in Sheffield to help them stay connected to people during the coronavirus lockdown.

Image source, Hayley Nelson

The devices have been handed out by Sharrow-based enterprise Learn for Life who teach language and functional skills to communities in the city.

Free data and tablets, which were donated by BT, have been given out to those who have been identified as being isolated during the coronavirus outbreak.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Residents in a North Yorkshire care home have been moved out so it can instead be used to treat patients recovering from coronavirus.

Image source, Google

A total of 30 beds have been made available at Springfield Garth in Boroughbridge.

North Yorkshire County Council, which runs the home, said families had been consulted and its five residents had been moved to another home.

The home is now operating as a "step-up" facility, with people being admitted there from hospital while community support is arranged.

It is the first care home in North Yorkshire to be used in such a way, as part of the government's goal to free up 30,000 beds nationally to support the NHS.

The council said one of the reasons the home was chosen was due to its central location to hospitals in York, Ripon and Harrogate - including the NHS Nightingale, which opened at the Harrogate Convention Centre on Tuesday.

Football stadiums in South Yorkshire were bathed in blue light last night in tribute to NHS workers during the coronavirus pandemic.

It was the fifth week in a row that people across the UK have shown their appreciation by opening their windows and going to their front doors to celebrate carers and key workers with the "clap for carers":

Women say the uncertainty during the coronavirus outbreak is "making a stressful situation harder".

A man's been arrested on suspicion of murder following the discovery of another man's body in Batley, police say.

Image source, goo

The body of a 61-year-old man was found on Hyrstlands Road at about 21:00 last night.

A 64-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody, according to West Yorkshire Police.

Det Ch Insp Marc Bowes said: “Inquiries remain ongoing into the incident and any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call the police.”

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A West Yorkshire doctor involved in the world's biggest coronavirus treatment trial has described it as a "ray of hope".

Bradford Royal Infirmary is one of about 170 hospitals taking part in the Recovery Trial involving more than 7,000 patients across the UK.

As part of the trial, patients with Covid-19 are given one of four drugs - or a placebo - to test how effective they are in treating the virus.

Dr Dinesh Saralaya, a consultant respiratory physician in Bradford, said: "There are times when we feel completely helpless, when we see the patient deteriorating before our eyes.

"It's so crucial to do these trials so that we can actually find a treatment for these patients - the Recovery Trial has been like a ray of hope."

People over the age of 18 who are admitted to hospital with coronavirus have been recruited into the trial, known as Recovery - short for Randomised Evaluation of Covid-19 Therapy.

There are currently 57 patients in Bradford participating in the trial, which is being co-ordinated by the University of Oxford.

A car park at a South Yorkshire airport is the latest site for a drive-through coronavirus testing facility.

Image source, Doncaster Sheffield Airport

The car park at Doncaster Sheffield Airport is part of a network of 27 testing centres across the UK which operate on an appointment-only basis for NHS staff during the pandemic.

Those who test negative after swab tests are taken can return to work as soon as possible, while those who test positive are being asked to self-isolate while they recover.

The outdoor test centre is separate from existing buildings at Doncaster Sheffield Airport and "independent of ongoing operational activity", according to the airport, external.

NHS staff and key workers who have received an invitation to test there will have a dedicated entry and exit approach to the centre and away from airport activity, it adds.