Police will be able to cross-reference data with crime reports to see if offenders were in the area.

Bea Jones has been left "distressed" by the similarities with the murder of her daughter Moira in 2008.

It is impossible to find out how she died, a pathologist tells the trial of her alleged murderer.

Rural bus services in the West Midlands are being given £2m by the government, to help them become more "innovative".

The money is being split between Staffordshire County Council, which will receive £1,038,090 and Warwickshire County Council, which will get £1,020,000.

Image source, Getty Images

Staffordshire plans to use the money to pay for on-demand minibus services for Leek, Ashbourne and Buxton.

Warwickshire County Council plans to buy four vehicles to serve Kenilworth and in rural Warwick.

In total, eight people face modern slavery and theft charges following an investigation, police say.

Wallace and Gromit star, Shaun the Sheep, helps the environmental project mark a new milestone.

Azam Mangori says Lorraine Cox took drugs at his flat before she died, a court hears.

The latest news and updates from across the West Midlands and south Cheshire.

An MP says the University of Manchester's guidance on inclusive language is "wokery gone mad".

Under-fire Education Secretary Gavin Williamson tells heads how he has dealt with personal pressure.

Hundreds have complained about the "rotten egg" odour coming from the site at Silverdale.

Phoebe is found seriously ill in a field at the age of 22 but has a special reunion in her final hours.

BBC Weather

Early showers, with hail in places, should clear away to leave a mix of sunny spells and scattered showers. High: 9C (48F).

Turning cloudier tonight with wet and windy weather forecast which could see some heavy outbreaks of rain. Low: 4C (39F).

You can keep up-to-date at the BBC Weather website.

The Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police, Gareth Morgan, has announced he will retire in June after four years in the position.

He has been a police officer for 33 years and said: "I am looking forward to rediscovering many of the interests I’ve not had time to pursue of late and to volunteering."

Image source, Staffordshire Police

Paying tribute, the Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis said: "Gareth has led the force through a huge period of change and a challenging financial landscape over the last few years and not least over the last 12 months with the pandemic."

Cheshire Chord Company is made up of 70 women who use the group to both sing and support each other.

After BBC News reported on a woman who spends Friday evenings litter picking, others got in touch.

Jacob Marshall died when his mother left him with her boyfriend to go to the hairdressers.

Cheshire Chord Company, made up of 70 women, use the group to both sing and support each other.

Pupils at Huxley CofE Primary School in Cheshire can opt for home schooling two days a week.

BBC Weather

A very windy start to Thursday with gales in some places but the winds should ease a little through the day with sunny spells mixed with scattered showers. High: 10C (50F).

Image source, BBC Weather Watcher Tippytoes

Those showers should slowly fade away this evening leaving clear spells overnight which will make it quite chilly. Low: 3C (37F).

You can get a latest forecast for your area at any time by going to the BBC Weather website.