Summary

  • Live updates for Friday 16 October

  1. 'Police will enforce the law' - South Yorkshire PCCpublished at 12:42 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    Police officers in South Yorkshire will enforce the new coronavirus rules, the county's Police and Crime Commissioner has said.

    A police car

    Since Wednesday, people living in South Yorkshire can't socialise with people they do not live with indoors, including homes and pubs.

    Dr Alan Billings, the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, said: "The police have been rightly asked to enforce these new laws.

    "This is not something they will enjoy doing, any more than we enjoy having our social lives and liberties curtailed, but no one should doubt that they will enforce the law.

    "Fortunately, the law is the same across all districts in the county."

  2. What are the restrictions for York?published at 12:08 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    It's been announced that from Saturday York will move into the second tier of the government's coronavirus alert system.

    2m signImage source, Reuters/Molly Darlington

    On Monday, it was placed in Tier 1 - which is medium - meaning there were some restrictions on who people could meet and where.

    However, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has now said it will be in Tier 2 - which is high - from 00:01 on Saturday.

    Tier 2 is triggered when a rise in transmission cannot be contained through local responses.

    Downing Street says the rules for people living in those areas are:

    • People must not meet anybody outside their household or support bubble in any indoor setting
    • This includes both homes and indoor public places
    • People must not meet in a group of more than six outside, including in a garden or other space
    • People should aim to reduce the number of journeys they make where possible
    • If they need to travel, they should walk or cycle where possible, or plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport

    You can find out more about restrictions in each tier here.

  3. Steelbacks, Foxes & Sharks into last eightpublished at 12:06 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    Northants, Leicestershire and Sussex secure the last three T20 Blast quarter-final places in the final round of group games.

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  4. York to move into 'Tier 2' on coronavirus alert systempublished at 11:54 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    People living in York will have further restrictions placed on them because of the city being moved into a higher tier of the coronavirus alert system.

    YorkImage source, PA Media

    The three tier system was brought in by the government earlier this week in response to a rising number of coronavirus cases.

    It's hoped the national system will make it easier for affected people to understand the rules.

    On Monday, York was placed in the Tier 1 category - which is medium.

    However, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced it's now being moved into Tier 2 from Saturday - with restrictions on meeting people inside.

    It joins South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire, which are also in Tier 2 - which is defined as high.

    The coronavirus tier system

    York's coronavirus rate per 100,000 people in the week to 11 October was 258.3, an increase from 195.6 the week before.

    York was the first place to have confirmed coronavirus cases in January after two people tested positive for the virus after staying at the Staycity apartment-hotel.

  5. Pictures show 'side of life that has disappeared'published at 11:32 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    Christopher Pratt started to take pictures in Bradford in 1900 when he would have been 12 years old.

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  6. Barnsley Hospital halts non-essential visitingpublished at 11:03 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    Barnsley Hospital has stopped all non-essential visiting because of a rise in coronavirus cases in the district.

    A NHS nurseImage source, Getty Images

    The hospital said it was a "difficult and important decision" designed to protect staff and patients.

    "Virtual visiting" is being used by the hospital to allow people to see patients without having to go into hospital.

    People receiving end-of-life care will be allowed visitors, as well as birthing partners and parents of children.

    In the week to 4 October, the area recorded 368 positive tests.

    That number increased to 671 in the week to 11 October.

    The latest week's cases give a rate per 100,000 people of 271.8.

    Barnsley Hospital’s director of nursing Jackie Murphy, said: “In light of the increased numbers of cases of coronavirus across our region, we feel we have to take action now to protect our patients, staff and local community.

    “Suspending non-essential visiting is a difficult decision to make however, given the current situation in our communities, it is the right one if we are to reduce the spread of coronavirus and take care of our most vulnerable patients."

  7. Sentimental items in stolen wallet sought by policepublished at 10:46 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    A wallet containing sentimental items including photographs and a lock of hair was stolen from an elderly shopper in Pontefract earlier this week.

    MorrisonsImage source, Google

    Police say the victim was shopping in Morrisons on Tuesday when he felt someone nudge him.

    When he got to the tills, he noticed his wallet was missing.

    Staff stepped in to pay for the man's shopping.

    CCTV showed two men follow the victim, before one took the wallet from his pocket.

    An appeal has been launched to find the wallet, which contains a lock of hair from his late wife.

    Photographs of children and one of the man when he was in the Army are inside, West Yorkshire Police said.

    The wallet is black leather effect with brass corners.

    Anybody who finds the wallet or its contents are asked to get in touch with police.

  8. Yorkshire scientists included in £109m research fundingpublished at 10:23 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    PA Media

    Yorkshire scientists involved in developing virus-resistant crops and investigating the use of artificial intelligence are among 101 of the UK's "most promising" researchers being backed by £109m of government funding.

    Scientist looking through microscopeImage source, David Davies/PA Wire/PA Images

    The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) said the investment would back solutions for issues such as climate change, food supply, cancer diagnosis and dementia treatment.

    Scientists in Yorkshire being supported through the funding include:

    • Dr Yoselin Benitez-Alfonso, at the University of Leeds, who's working to make UK crops resistant to viruses and the effects of climate change.
    • Dr Mauro Vallati, at the University of Huddersfield, who aims to create an artificial intelligence-driven, autonomous traffic management system to reduce traffic congestion.
    • Dr Jennifer MacRitchie, at the University of Sheffield, who will lead a study looking to combine technology and easy-to-use musical instruments to improve the mental, physical and emotional well-being of people with dementia.

    Delivered through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the money aims to support the country's "most promising future science leaders" by helping to buy equipment or fund wages.

  9. Fourth person charged with murder after fatal stabbingpublished at 09:51 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    A fourth person has been charged with the murder of a 20-year-old man who was stabbed to death in Hull.

    Abdullah BalouchiImage source, Humberside Police

    Abdullah Balouchi was found seriously injured on Peel Street on 7 October and died later in hospital.

    Humberside Police said Abdul Al-Amudi, 32, of Cambridge Street, has now been charged with Mr Balouchi's murder.

    Three teenagers, who were previously charged with murdering Mr Balouchi, were remanded in custody after appearing at Hull Crown Court.

  10. Boost to South Yorkshire 101 service aims to cut wait timepublished at 09:32 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    Callers reporting non-emergencies to South Yorkshire Police’s 101 number could be in for a shorter wait as a result of a shake-up to the system, it's been confirmed.

    101 call handlerImage source, South Yorkshire Police

    A common complaint from callers is the length of time taken to respond to non-emergency calls, with the latest data showing the average wait time is 12 minutes.

    However, South Yorkshire Police says it now hopes to employ a further 31 members of staff at the force’s Atlas Court call centre in a bid to reduce wait times.

    As well as extra switchboard operators, plans are also now in place to extend the opening hours of the service.

    A digital desk is also being created, which will employ 16 members of staff to receive online reports from members of the public.

  11. Striker Grant set for West Brom medicalpublished at 09:18 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    West Brom close in on the signing of Huddersfield striker Karlan Grant, who is set for a medical with the Premier League club.

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  12. New Harrogate Covid test site to open doors next weekpublished at 08:45 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    Local Democracy Reporting Service

    A new walk-in coronavirus testing centre will open in Harrogate next week, it's been confirmed.

    Covid testingImage source, Reuters/Carl Recine

    North Yorkshire County Council says the testing site at the Dragon Road car park – which has hosted mobile testing units over several months – will open on 21 October.

    Testing at the full-time site will be available seven days a week, the council said, while another facility will also be built in Scarborough.

    North Yorkshire’s director of Public Health, Dr Lincoln Sargeant, said: “We have worked hard to retain and increase the level of testing across the county, so we are pleased our efforts have resulted in the creation of these two sites, which will be up and running shortly.

    "We will continue to lobby for further expansion of testing facilities across the county."

    After an initial pilot period, the centres will open between 08:00 and 20:00.

    Both sites will be walk-through centres, meaning people can arrive on foot rather than having to drive in.

    People must book tests in advance via the NHS website, external or by calling 119.

  13. Yorkshire's Thursday weather forecastpublished at 08:28 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    BBC Weather

    A day of sunshine with occasional showers and a moderate breeze.

    A cool night will follow, becoming cloudy with scattered showers and north-easterly breezes:

    Weather graphic
  14. Council tried to 'avoid scrutiny' over tree-felling schemepublished at 08:00 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    A council published documents in the middle of the night to "avoid scrutiny" over its controversial tree-felling programme, a watchdog found.

    Felled treesImage source, Sheffield Trees Action Group

    Sheffield City Council has been involved in a long-running dispute over the scheme, which saw thousands of trees removed.

    A report by the local government ombudsman said it acted with a "lack of transparency, openness and, on occasion, honesty".

    The council has apologised in response.

    As part of the £2.2bn, 25-year street improvement works, contractors Amey removed trees that were assessed as dangerous, dead, diseased or dying.

    But many residents felt trees were removed unnecessarily, and it provoked scenes with protesters, police and arrests.

    Councillor Mark Jones, member for the Environment, Street Scene and Climate Change, said the council "fully accepts" the report findings.

    The council has developed a new tree strategy, external and the report said the council has been "working hard to restore people's faith".

  15. 'I know pilots who are driving for Sainsbury's now'published at 00:19 British Summer Time 15 October 2020

    Crawley relies heavily on the success of Gatwick. Could the town be facing a long-lasting jobs crisis?

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  16. Stalwart Millington extends Tigers dealpublished at 18:07 British Summer Time 14 October 2020

    Versatile forward Grant Millington signs a one-year contract extension with Castleford, taking him to 10 seasons with the club.

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  17. Child sex abuser phoned victim from prisonpublished at 18:03 British Summer Time 14 October 2020

    Thomas Adams exchanged more than 3,500 calls and nearly 13,000 texts with the victim, a court hears

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  18. More than 1,000 Covid cases at University of Sheffieldpublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 14 October 2020

    Over 1,000 students and staff have tested positive for coronavirus at the University of Sheffield since the start of term, it's been confirmed.

    Student with face covering at University of SheffieldImage source, PA Media

    Figures published on the day Tier 2 restrictions were brought in across South Yorkshire show 1,007 students and 12 staff have contracted the virus.

    Meanwhile, 784 students at Sheffield Hallam University had tested positive as of 11 October.

    Despite the rising number of infections, face-to-face teaching at the University of Sheffield, which is currently suspended, is due to resume from Monday.

    The university, which has about 29,000 students, has said the safety of staff and students is its "top priority".

    It has taken steps to protect the health of staff and students, including reducing the number of people on campus, introducing one-way systems and regular cleaning of frequently used areas.

  19. Murder inquiry after man dies in hospitalpublished at 17:44 British Summer Time 14 October 2020

    Two men arrested at a house in Barnsley are being held on suspicion of murder, police say.

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  20. ‘You just have to hope things improve’published at 17:27 British Summer Time 14 October 2020

    An Otley charity is helping people who feel isolated during the coronavirus pandemic.

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