Vital cables have been stolen from an electricity substation in Rotherham, police say.

Image source, Google

It happened between 16:00 and 17:00 on Tuesday, when thieves broke in to the Northern Powergrid substation at Rawmarsh (pictured) and took earthing cable.

Insp Caroline Bakewell said: "People who attack substations are not only breaking the law, they are putting the safety of people, including themselves, at risk.

"High electricity voltage runs through these sites and there is a real risk of electrocution.“This type of crime can also have a major impact on the community, including hospitals, who could be left with no electricity supply if cables are stolen."

Anyone with information about the theft is being asked to contact South Yorkshire Police.

A 19-year-old spoken word poet describes the racism she faced growing up in Sheffield.

One dog died and another was left seriously ill following a suspected poisoning in North Yorkshire earlier this year, police have just revealed.

The two spaniels fell ill in April following a walk near Pateley Bridge, with one later dying after being taken to a vets for treatment.

Police believe the pets may have been poisoned after a cocktail of pesticides was found in their bodies.

The same concoction has been involved in the death of two red kites and a buzzard in Nidderdale since 2016, North Yorkshire Police said.

Insp Matt Hagen, said: “The fact we have seen this same combination of chemicals, the 'Nidderdale cocktail' as it is sometimes known, also cause the death of birds of prey in this same location would indicate the poisons have been deliberately left in a place where they could be found by wildlife and, unfortunately in this case, domestic pets.

“Pesticide abuse of any kind will not be tolerated and we are doing everything we can to try and find those responsible.”

Police are appealing for information about how the two dogs and the birds came to be poisoned.

Campaigners say they are considering taking legal action over the decision to close the Sheffield Cathedral Choir.

Last week, Sheffield Cathedral announced its 400-year-old choir would be disbanded amid a need for "significant change" in its music department and choir.

The move was aimed at better serving its "mixed urban community", the cathedral said.

Cathedral Dean Peter Bradley said it was part of "a thoughtful long-term approach to our music".

However, the announcement was criticised by some choir members and now campaign group Save Sheffield Cathedral Choir says it is seeking legal advice about the closure decision.

It said: “The approach taken by the Dean and Chapter to close Sheffield Cathedral Choir has proven reckless, short-sighted and opportunistic.

"We are considering a legal challenge to the decision on the basis of unfair dismissal on three grounds: lack of clear reasons given; spurious claims around diversity and inclusion; and the cynical timing of their announcement, without sufficiently notifying employees, during the choir holidays and in the middle of a global pandemic.”

Roads have been closed and homes evacuated in Leeds city centre after an object was found in the River Aire earlier.

The "rusty metal object" was discovered in the river near Canal Wharf, with people living nearby asked to leave their homes for the moment.

People have been asked to avoid the area:

Arriva Yorkshire says its 117/118 services are currently being diverted and avoiding Neville Street because of the incident:

Barnsley will be allowed to make their views known in Wigan's appeal against their 12-point penalty for going into administration.

Two police cars have been set on fire and destroyed in an arson attack in Barnsley.

A marked Ford Kuga police car, which was in a locked car park in Kendray, was set alight at about 23:30 on Saturday 18 July, according to South Yorkshire Police.

The fire then spread to a nearby Peugeot 308, with both cars subsequently suffering "extensive" damage and having to be written-off.

No-one was hurt in the blaze, police say.

Insp Matthew Wood says: "After reviewing CCTV footage, we have no doubt this fire was started deliberately.

"This reckless act has resulted in two operational police cars being removed from the roads, meaning we now have less resources to respond to people when they need us."

Anyone with information about who is responsible is being asked to contact South Yorkshire Police.

RSPCA inspectors are appealing for help to find the owner of a runaway iguana spotted sunning itself on a roof in Leeds.

Image source, RSPCA

The reptile was found soaking up the sunshine on the roof of a house in Cross Flatts Grove on 18 July.

RSPCA inspector Paula Clemence said exotic pets like snakes and lizards "can be talented escape artists" and urged owners to make sure their enclosures are secure, especially during warmer weather.

The iguana is now being cared for by a local specialist.

Anyone who recognises it is asked to contact the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

The number of people being diagnosed with coronavirus is likely to go up in Sheffield with the introduction of new testing sites, according to the director of public health in the city.

Image source, PA Media

Three new walk-in test centres are being opened in the city as the council pushes to get more people to get tested.

The first centre is opening in Sharrow today with anyone with symptoms being asked to go and get a test.

It comes as figures for infections last week showed Sheffield has the 26th highest infection rate in the country, with 16.6 cases per 100,000 - up from 11 the week before.

Greg Fell, the director for public health for Sheffield, said: "What we're essentially doing is uncovering what was already there and appropriately intervening as early as we possibly can and that breaks the chain of transmission.

"So what I'm expecting to see is a rise in the infection rate in the next couple of weeks, until we really get to grips with the what I'm calling the stubborn tail of the infection and that will start to fall again."

Ryan Clarke has been at a forensic psychiatry unit in Hull after being admitted in hospital in 2006.

Robots that can clean door handles and seats are being trialed at a Yorkshire airport to see if they can help in the fight against the coronavirus.

Image source, SELF-REPAIRING CITIES

The University of Leeds has been using the machines at Leeds Bradford Airport and in Leeds city centre where they spray objects with a mist of diluted alcohol.

The robots use artificial intelligence to identify objects that need regular cleaning, like seats, bike stands or doors.

They then work together to avoid crashing into things or people.

The project, which involves the universities of Leeds and Birmingham, and University College London, was set up in May to look at how robots can help slow the spread of the virus.

Dr Mohammed Shaqura, from the University of Leeds, said: “The aim is to have robots that can regularly disinfect those spaces, doing away with the need for people to clean them and the risks they would face in becoming contaminated themselves.

“We are using machine learning techniques to have the robots fully autonomous, so they "know" which objects need cleaning – and will only require high-level supervision from operators.”

Police are appealing for witnesses after a disabled woman was left "shaken and in pain" after being assaulted in Bridlington.

Image source, PA Media

Humberside Police say as the woman passed three men outside a hairdressers on Lansdowne Road one of the men grabbed her wheelchair and jerked it backwards and forwards several times.

The men, who were white and believed to be in their 40s, then walked away laughing in the direction of Marshall Avenue, the force said.

The incident took place at about 15:00 on Sunday.

The man who grabbed the chair was about 6ft 4ins tall, of large build, with black hair. He wore a dark blue polo shirt, with jeans and shoes which were described as being dark coloured.

One of the other men wore a white or cream top with dark coloured jeans.

Sgt Nick Bunker, from the community cohesion team, said: “This was a cowardly attack on a vulnerable woman who has been left very shaken and distressed.

“These men may have believed it was all a joke, but she certainly didn’t see it that way and neither do we."

Anyone who recognises the men from the description or who witnessed the incident is asked to come forward.

Travellers are determined to take their holidays to Spain regardless of the changing travel advice since a rise of coronavirus cases there.

The Barnsley Chronicle will no longer be printed in its home town for the first time in over one and a half centuries, it's been confirmed.

Sister company Yorkshire Web used to look after the printing side of the business, but after going into liquidation, the paper will now be printed elsewhere.

It's the first time in 160 years that the paper will be printed away from Barnsley, with the loss of 15 jobs.

The paper will now be printed by JPI Media in Dinnington as part of a cost-cutting measure.

Andrew Harrod, editor of the Barnsley Chronicle, said it was "sad news, both professionally and personally".

"Keeping a printing press these days is an expensive business. The last four of five months have brought these things into focus about cost savings," he said.

"We're sort of coping. It's not been easy by any stretch, but we've had a small team of people throughout the pandemic.

"But it's not time to rest on our laurels, we've got to look to build a more sustainable business going forward so we can survive."

Have you seen Denzel Muduma? He's been missing from his home in Pontefract for over a week and police are trying to find him.

Image source, West Yorkshire Police

The 14-year-old was reported missing in the early hours of Tuesday 21 July, however he was last seen in Leeds city centre on Sunday 19 July.

It's thought he may have travelled to Bradford as he has "many links" to the area, according to West Yorkshire Police.

Denzel is described as about 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build, with short black afro hair.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is being asked to contact police.

Dog owners are being reminded to keep their animals under control following two attacks on sheep in North Yorkshire in the past two weeks.

Image source, Getty Images

In one incident, two sheep were injured in a suspected dog attack in the Fairburn area of Selby between the afternoon of Friday 24 July and the following morning.

The sheep survived, but needed medication, according to North Yorkshire Police.

In a separate incident, a lamb was attacked on land near Thruscross Reservoir and later died.

A police officer subsequently spoke to the owner.

The farmer whose sheep died as a result of the second incident has appealed to dog owners: "Please think how your actions affect others. Dog attacks are devastating to farmers."

And Insp Matt Hagen, from North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce, says dog owners must "take responsibility for their animals".

"It’s very important that dogs are kept securely when at home, and on leads and under control when walking near sheep fields."

Phil Wilson, from Chester-le-Street, died while riding in the Yorkshire Dales on Sunday.

There are no coronavirus patients currently being treated in intensive care in hospitals in Doncaster or Bassetlaw, according to the trust which runs them.

Image source, DBTH NHS Foundation Trust

Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said staff are however caring for nine Covid-19 positive patients in other parts of its hospitals.

This is the lowest admission rate since March, it added.

The trust says it's cared for 725 coronavirus patients, with more than 480 of them being discharged.

However, 230 people have died with the virus, it said.

There have been no coronavirus-related deaths since Thursday.

A man who injured a four-year-old girl and her grandfather when he deliberately crashed his quad bike into them has been jailed for two years.

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

Jordan Fisher, 28, drove straight at the 67-year-old man and his granddaughter, causing them injuries to their legs and faces, after shouting abuse at the man's wife as she filmed Fisher on his quad bike.

The incident happened in Selby Road, Askern, on 5 May.

Fisher, of South Street, Doncaster, was jailed on Thursday after pleading guilty at Sheffield Crown Court to dangerous driving and causing grievous bodily harm and assault. He was also disqualified from driving for two years.

Roads Policing Sergeant Matt Duffy said Fisher's "deliberate and foolish" actions "could have resulted in serious injuries".

Details of the sentencing have only just been released by South Yorkshire Police.

Staff working at Halifax's 18th Century Piece Hall are facing redundancy after the venue said it had been "hit hard" by the coronavirus pandemic.

Image source, Dave Pickersgill/Geograph

Chief Executive Nicky Chance-Thompson said its operational income had dropped by about 80% as a result of the outbreak.

She said the former cloth trading hall had managed to "successfully and safely" reopen following lockdown but had been forced to make "short-term decisions to ensure a successful long-term future".

In a statement, external, she said despite now being open and welcoming some customers back "we have begun a redundancy consultation with staff".

In December a report by Bradshaw Advisory, external said the Piece Hall generates about £7m each year for the local economy