Gavin Bevis
BBC News

News that Derbyshire police dog Axle had been stabbed four times while assisting officers at a disturbance in Riddings on 4 July prompted an outpouring of anger and sympathy.

Hundreds of well-wishers contacted Derbyshire Police and the BBC via social media, external, anxious for news about the seven-year-old German shepherd's condition.

A few days later came the announcement he was recovering well enough to be discharged by vets.

Image source, Derbyshire Police

After a few weeks of recovery he was well enough to return to police duties - albeit with a large shaved area where he had been injured.

However, there was anger that under current laws, his attacker could only be charged with damaging police property.

A new law offering more protection to police dogs and horses is progressing through parliament after being delayed by an MP's objection.

Nick Smith
BBC News Online

Fewer than a third of people in the East Midlands feel confident enough to help in a first aid emergency, according to a study.

A British Red Cross study found that 68% of people were concerned they would make matters worse, with just 3% knowing first aid skills and being willing to use them.

Tracy Taylor, from British Red Cross, said: “If someone is unresponsive and they’re not breathing, in the worst situation we can think of, just pushing up and down in the centre of their chest will keep the blood pumping round their body and buy them time while the ambulance is on the way.”

Image source, PA

Samantha Fisher
BBC News Online

A man has admitted stabbing a police dog and threatening to kill three people.

PD Axle was injured while assisting police in High Street, Riddings, Derbyshire, on 4 July.

The dog was treated at a vets in Derby after the attack and was back with his handler, PC Dean Allen, less than a week afterwards.

Image source, Derbyshire Police

Matthew Stretch, 28, of Plantation Road, Keyworth, Nottinghamshire, will be sentenced on 4 October.

He admitted three counts of making threats to kill, two counts of damaging property - police dog Axle and a police car - common assault, having a knife, and breaching a restraining order.

Nick Smith
BBC News Online

Jeremy Corbyn has been in Leicester today.

The Labour leader came under fire from former Prime Minister Tony Blair today, who said Mr Corbyn represents an "existential threat" to the party.

Mr Corbyn said: “We put forward policies which are actually very popular with the people of this country.

“We’re in tune with this wish of people to live in a society which is more equal.”

He visited Abbey Pumping Station today, where he talked about the party's plan to nationalise the water industry.

"Thank you to volunteers at Abbey pumping station in Leicester for showing me around this historic site, from a time when water was used for public good, not private profit," he said

"Labour will bring water into public ownership so it works for customers, not shareholders."

Nick Smith
BBC News Online

Three men have been charged in relation to an alleged plot to traffic cocaine and heroin into Derbyshire.

They are accused of conspiring to supply Class A drugs between October 2017 and January 2018.

It follows the seizure of a quantity of Class A and B drugs, as well as cash, during an investigation by police.

The men appeared before Derby Magistrates' Court yesterday, where they were remanded into custody ahead of an appearance at Derby Crown Court on 4 October.

A 30-year-old woman was also arrested in connection with the allegations but has been released while inquiries continue.

Image source, Google

Ben Truslove
BBC News Online

I'm sure this will grease the wheels of the Tour of Britain in Nottinghamshire...

Maybe 'Crisp' Froome will stop by in Keyworth for a wheelie tasty meal.

Image source, The Plumtree Fish and Chip House

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

Police believe three break-ins in Leicestershire last month were carried out by the same motorbike-riding burglars, external.

The first break-in happened in Station Lane, Cropston, on 9 August and the second was at a house in Humble Lane, Cossington on 27 August.

The same men have also been linked with a third burglary in Cossington Lane, Rothley, on 30 August.

Leicestershire Police said a 26-year-old man been arrested on suspicion of burglary and released on bail.

Image source, Google

Marks & Spencer is to recruit 1,000 temporary jobs at its distribution centre in Castle Donington.

The additional workers will support with picking and packing online orders and preparing home and store deliveries this Christmas.

In early 2019, M&S plans to hire up to 100 permanent roles at the Castle Donington site.

The firm is holding a recruitment day next Saturday.

Image source, M&S

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

Derby County's Tom Lawrence scored Wales's opening goal in their 4-1 thrashing of Ireland last night.

Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Connor Roberts also scored for the hosts in a performance new boss Ryan Giggs described as "magnificent".

Lawrence's fellow Rams, Richard Keogh, Joe Ledley and Harry Wilson, were unused subs in the game.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio Nottingham

Nottinghamshire Police has defended its handling of house burglaries after figures showed more than 80% of the crimes went unsolved in a twelve month period.

The force's figures are the ninth highest out of 44 according to Home Office data. Three quarters of vehicle thefts and just over half of all shoplifting cases were also closed with no conviction.

Chief Constable Craig Guildford said burglary is a priority and all the crimes are investigated thoroughly.

"None of these figures come as a surprise for this specific category of crime; indeed in my professional policing experience these figures appear little changed over time," he said.

"The way suspects are recorded across police systems differs from force to force, and hence a cautionary note is required."

Image source, PA

He added: "Policing locally and nationally has experienced reductions in officer numbers; despite this, Nottinghamshire Police continues to arrest and prosecute a significantly higher proportion of offenders through the court system per officer. This sets us apart within the region."

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

A farm shop in Nottinghamshire has created a huge bike from dozens of hay bales to celebrate the Tour of Britain passing through the county tomorrow.

Ruschliffe Borough Council said staff from Harkers Farm Shop in Clipston on the Wolds used more than 200 bales to create the eye-catching display.

Image source, Rushcliffe Borough Council

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

People have been asked to look out for a 54-year-old man who's gone missing from his home in Nottingham, external.

Peter Beevers disappeared from the St Ann's area of the city yesterday morning.

He was wearing grey jogging bottoms and a blue cardigan when he vanished. Call 101 if you can help.

Image source, Nottinghamshire Police

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

More welcome news from the A42.

Rebecca Telling said she wanted the exhibition to inspire more people to talk openly about breastfeeding.

BBC News Travel

Good news for drivers.

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

North East Derbyshire MP Lee Rowley says he has secured a debate in Westminster Hall on Wednesday to discuss government proposals to loosen the planning rules around fracking.

Under the plans, preliminary drilling could be classed as permitted development - the same law that allows people to build a small conservatory.

The Conservative member said: "Those communities who know fracking the best like it the least. I'll be using the debate to press for a rethink."

Image source, PA

Leicester Mercury

A cricket game came to a halt after a pesky parrot started flying low around the ground before landing on one of the fielders.

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

Drivers have been warned to expect delays this morning as a 100-tonne power transformer is being moved across Derbyshire.

Police said the huge unit was just about to set off from junction 28 of the M1 to Willington via the A50 and the A5132, external.

Image source, Derbyshire Police

Image source, Derbyshire Police

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

A thoughtful comment written on a chalk board outside a cafe in Nottingham has been shared far and wide after being spotted by the deputy leader of The Green Party.

The A-board, which stood outside the Gourmet Coffee Bar & Kitchen at Nottingham railway station, said: "If it's so normal and well-intended, why don't men tell other men to smile?"

Amelia Womack posted a photo of the sign on Twitter which has received more than 40,000 likes and hundreds of comments.

Most responses were supportive of the sentiment, although a few took exception.

Cafe bosses told the Nottingham Post, external the attention the sign had received was "amazing" and "fantastic".

BBC Politics

Derby MP Chris Williamson has said the Labour Party "has never been more united".

Mr Williamson, an ally of leader Jeremy Corbyn, was responding to comments from former prime minister Tony Blair.

Image source, Getty Images

He said he is "not sure it is possible" for "moderates" to take Labour back from the left.

Mr Williamson, pictured, said he was "not sure what Tony is talking about".

"We achieved nearly 13m votes in the last election and we are giving hope to millions of people who had become really cynical about politics and inspiring people in a way that I never witnessed in my 42 years as a Labour Party member.

"So I think the party is going frankly from strength to strength.