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

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."

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

Image 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.

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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.

Image 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.

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.

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

Image 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."

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

Image 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.

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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.

Image 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.

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

Image 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.

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.

Image 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.

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Local Democracy Reporting Service

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

Image 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.

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

Image 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".

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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.

Image 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.

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

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