Local Democracy Reporting Service

Just 0.1% of asymptomatic Covid tests on school pupils in Lincolnshire - tests which are carried out on children who aren't showing any symptoms of the virus - have come back positive, health bosses have confirmed.

Image source, Reuters/Phil Noble

About 17,000 lateral flow tests were carried out among school children in the county last week – with around 17 of those showing as Covid-positive, according to Andy Fox, Lincolnshire County Council’s assistant director of public health.

The numbers from schools are starting to feed into the national data, meaning case numbers could rise slightly - but infection rates are expected to vary in the weeks ahead as more people get vaccinated.

“Schools are experts at this now due to the system of controls the Department for Education has put in place to reduce transmission,” said Mr Fox.

“We will still see some cases, though I’m sure younger people will hopefully be asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms, and we might see some outbreaks and transmission in schools as we did last year.

“But the aim for symptomatic testing, along with the excellent work all the schools are doing, should give us a chance of minimising it," he added.

More hand-washing to prevent the spread of infection has left children with sore and cracked hands.

A Met police officer is due to go on trial in the autumn accused of the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard.

The 33-year-old marketing executive, who was originally from York, vanished as she walked home alone in Clapham on 3 March. Her body was found a week later in Kent woodland.

Wayne Couzens, 48, of Deal, appeared at the Old Bailey via a videolink from Belmarsh Prison.

The judge set a plea hearing date for 9 July and a provisional trial for 25 October.

In the short hearing, Mr Couzens spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

An inquest into the death of Ms Everard is likely to be opened later this week, Kent County Council has said.

Boston Stump is now open again for public acts worship after being closed when coronavirus infection rates were high.

Services will also still be available on Zoom, according to church staff.

However, fundraisers such as the shop, tower climb and Lego build remain closed.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

People in Rotherham are being asked to help identify suspected fly-tippers as part of a council crackdown on rubbish being dumped in the area.

Image source, Rotherham Council

As part of its #GetRidReyt campaign, Rotherham Council has released CCTV footage of people tipping rubbish, external.

The footage on the council’s website shows one man dumping old cannabis plants in Whiston while another shows two men throwing a number of bags from a white van in Munsborough.

A third video is of two men tipping rubbish in a lay-by in Hoober from an unregistered van, before returning to a different lay-by half an hour later to dump more waste.

Image source, Rotherham Council

Councillor Emma Hoddinott, Rotherham Council’s cabinet member for community safety, said: “We want to make sure people know that if they fly-tip in Rotherham they will get caught and they will get fined.

“The videos being released have been investigated by our officers, but they’ve hit a dead end with their inquiries.

"That’s why we want residents to help us and see if they can identify those responsible for tipping their waste at different sites across the borough.”

Anyone who recognises any of the individuals dumping rubbish in the videos is being asked to get in touch with Rotherham Council.

William Alvey School in Sleaford wants to raise £800 to buy medals given to ex-pupil Charles Penson and his father.

Shamaz Ali also admits assault with intent to resist arrest and being over the drink-driving limit.

Do you recognise the two men in the pictures below? Police in Louth say they want to speak to them about the theft of lead in the town.

Image source, Lincolnshire Police

It happened on Tattershall Way on 5 March, according to Lincolnshire Police.

Image source, Lincolnshire Police

Anyone with information about what happened, or who knows the identities of the two men pictured, is being asked to contact the Lincolnshire force.

BBC Radio Bradford

People in poorer areas of Bradford have less access to green space than those in more affluent areas, a study has found.

Image source, Google

The research as part of the Born in Bradford project suggests the disparity means people in the city who are members of South Asian communities have access to fewer places like parks.

The green space provision in more deprived areas of Bradford tends to be of poorer quality, the study has found.

There's concern this could contribute to other health inequalities, with fewer people using "poor quality" spaces, the study says.

Rosie McEachan, director of Born in Bradford, says: "Safety was a key issue. Some parts of green space across the district are 'no-go areas'.

"There's not much point in having a green space if you don't use it and we know that families are less likely to use green spaces if they're scared about going to those spaces or if those spaces are poorly maintained."

The victim dies six days after being brought out of a flat above burning shops

The search is on to find a contractor to restore Hull’s last remaining 20th Century Scotch Derrick crane, it's been confirmed

Image source, Hull City Council

A contractor is needed to "dismantle, restore and relocate the crane as a safe structure, retaining its historical details and significance", according to The Hull Maritime project.

Hull councillor Daren Hale said: “We’re looking for a company to repair and restore this disused crane so it can become a visitor attraction in its own right.

“The 20th Century Scotch Derrick crane is a key symbol of recent maritime past and it's vital it is retained as a heritage feature to tell its fascinating story.”

Work to dismantle and remove the 18-tonne crane is expected to start in the spring.

An online vigil for Sarah Everard is due to be held by students in Lincoln tonight.

The 33-year-old marketing executive, originally from York, vanished as she walked home alone in Clapham, London, on 3 March.

Her body was found a week later in Kent woodland.

Serving Met Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, has been charged with her murder.

Today's vigil in her memory is being organised by the Students' Union at the University of Lincoln and is due to be held online at 19:00.

Sarah Wakefield
BBC Radio Leeds News

A new cafe which aims to help people suffering from anxiety, depression and stress is going to be opened in Leeds city centre.

The Better Days cafe in the Grand Arcade will open for takeaway drinks in mid-April, but will fully open in May, depending on coronavirus restrictions.

Vicky Fytche, a mental health coach who is behind the venture, says: "There has been a big rise in stress due to people maybe losing their jobs or being on furlough, which has resulted in financial difficulties.

"The demand for well-being workshops has increased during the pandemic. People have been anxious because we are generally unsure about what is going to happen moving forward."

Workshops to be held at the cafe will help people understand the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions, Ms Fytche added.

Coronavirus infection rates in the Greater Lincolnshire area are falling, but progress is slow in some parts, the latest figures show.

North East Lincolnshire is currently in fifth place nationally for its Covid infection rate, while South Holland is in ninth, Boston is in 16th and North Lincolnshire is in 17th place.

The latest stats are a reminder people still need to stick to the rules, public health bosses say.

The latest figures for Greater Lincolnshire are as follows:

• North East Lincolnshire: 149.8 cases per 100,000 people
• South Holland: 132.6 cases per 100,000 people
• Boston: 122.6 cases per 100,000 people
• North Lincolnshire: 122.5 cases per 100,000 people
• West Lindsey: 80.5 cases per 100,000 people
• Lincoln: 79.6 cases per 100,000 people
• East Lindsey: 78.3 cases per 100,000 people
• South Kesteven: 70.9 cases per 100,000 people
• North Kesteven: 50.5 cases per 100,000 people

The current average for England is 58.4 cases per 100,000 people

An 11-year-old boy managed to get away unharmed after a man twice tried to grab him in East Yorkshire, police have said.

Image source, Google

The boy was on a field on Pontefract Road, Snaith, at about 17:45 on Monday when the man attempted to get hold of him on two occasions, according to Humberside Police.

The victim managed to run away unharmed but was left "understandably shaken" by the incident, officers added.

Det Insp Andy Crawforth, said: “It's thought to be an isolated report, but I understand many parents and young people may be worried.

"I would like to offer reassurance that the local team are patrolling in the area and are there to listen to any concerns you may have."

The suspect is described as being between the age of 40 and 45, about 5ft 8ins tall and of medium build. It's believed he was wearing a black bobble hat, navy coat and dark jeans.

A spokesperson for the Humberside force said: "He was last seen on High Street heading towards the Co-op.

"Officers searched the area following the report but unfortunately this search proved negative."

Anyone who recognises the description of the man, or who saw what happened is being asked to contact police.

A man has died after a fire in Sheffield last month, it's been confirmed.

Image source, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue

Firefighters were called to a blaze above a row of shops on Chesterfield Road on 7 February.

A man was rescued from a property but has since died, according to South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The injured man had suffered serious burn injuries and died six days after the blaze, the fire service added.

Police are trying to trace this man in connection with the theft of a wallet in Skegness:

Image source, Lincolnshire Police

Officers say on Tuesday 2 March a male shopper was in the Lidl store on Richmond Drive when he left his wallet unattended near the tills.

Another man who was in the queue next to him is thought to have hidden the wallet with his shopping bags before putting it in his coat pocket and leaving the shop.

Anyone who recognises the man in the picture above, or who has information about the theft, is being asked to contact police.

Flowers and messages have been placed around trees in Sheffield in memory of Sarah Everard.

The body of Ms Everard, 33, who was originally from York, was found a week after her disappearance.

Serving Met Police officer Wayne Couzens, 48, has been charged with her murder.

Messages to Ms Everard have been placed around trees in Devonshire Green after a vigil planned for the city was cancelled on Saturday.

Victoria Baskett (pictured below), 24, went to the site on Monday with her friend Bryony Vince, 25, to pay their respects.

Ms Baskett said: "It's amazing that people are listening, but by no means is this going to go away overnight and I feel that now is the time for change.

"Doing something as simple as coming down is a part of making that change happen.

"It's so frustrating. If you believe that women should be able to walk home without the fear of their life, then now is the time to speak up."

Parents of school pupils in North Yorkshire are being urged to play their part in the fight against the spread of Covid-19 as children return to classrooms across the county.

Image source, PA Media

Health bosses say a raft of measures have been put in place, including enhanced daily cleaning, new rules around face coverings and regular Covid testing for pupils.

But NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CGC) says: "While there are additional procedures inside schools, scientists believe the risk of coronavirus transmission is greater at school gates, when parents congregate dropping off and collecting their children."

The group adds: "It's imperative parents play their part by sticking to social distancing rules and wearing suitable face coverings if they are waiting for their children outside."

Dr Nigel Wells, clinical chair of NHS Vale of York CCG, added: “We cannot let down our guard for an instant. Covid is still circulating in York and North Yorkshire and we all need to continue to play our part to keep cases low.

“If we start to relax now, we risk undoing the excellent progress we've made."

Further information about the steps being taken to keep schools safe can be seen on the North Yorkshire County Council, external and City of York Council, external websites.

BBC Weather

There'll be some rain around in Lincolnshire this morning.

Here's the latest forecast: