The BBC has learned some women are refusing to be given information that could warn them about a violent partner.

Clare's Law was introduced in the wake of the murder of Clare Wood by a man with a history of violence.

Using it, women - and men - can apply to see their partner's criminal record and take action if it suggests they're at risk. Or police can proactively offer to show it to them.

But some women have a raft of reasons why they don't want to hear it.

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BBC Newcastle

North Shields musician Sam Fender is on the shortlist for the Critics' Choice prize at next year's Brit Awards.

The artist will find out on 7 December if he has won the gong, which has previously been awarded to singers including Adele, Emeli Sande and Sam Smith.

He is up against Lewis Capaldi and Mahalia.

Fender, who writes about subjects of social and generational significance, has been on the road touring and recently released his debut EP, Dead Boys.

He said: "I've been watching the Brits since I was a child, and my brother would let me stay up and watch them live; so to be nominated for the Critics' Choice award is crazy, what an honour."

The Brits, to be broadcast live on ITV, take place on 20 February.

The Shields Gazette

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Teesside plans to become the UK's first free port, offering customs-free imports and hoping to bring back manufacturing jobs.

A free port, sometimes called a free trade zone or special economic zone, is normally an area of a country where its taxes and tariffs do not apply - so you can import goods, store them and re-export them without bothering the tax collectors.

And these days they go further, allowing firms to import raw materials, make finished goods and then export them, with none of the border taxes that the rest of the country has to pay.

Under current EU rules that is not possible, but it will be after Brexit.

Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen described it as "just common sense" for Teesside to become a free port.

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Hartlepool Mail
Newspaper

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A stretch of the route between Bowes and Penrith is affected.

Abbie Dewhurst
Weather Presenter, BBC Look North

There will be strong winds, with a A Met Office yellow warning in place until this afternoon.

Rain throughout the morning, and a scattering of heavy showers during the afternoon, but it will be mild, with temperatures up to 13C (55F).

We've got all the news, sport, travel and weather through the day.

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Father of student who died after initiation says future ceremonies should mean expulsion.

Many women are refusing information from police that could save their lives - why?

Systems to spot potential victims are failing to identify people over 60, an academic is warning.

Can free ports spark a post-Brexit manufacturing boom? Jonty Bloom reports from Teesside, which plans to become the UK's first free port.

The long-running dispute was about passenger safety and service, says the union.

Autumn McAllister, whose mum also had retinoblastoma, is just one of 60 diagnosed each year in the UK.

Our live updates here have finished for the day - thank you for joining us.

Any breaking news, sport or travel will appear here automatically.

You can stay up to date online, on BBC Newcastle, BBC Tees and on Look North.

We'll be back with more live updates from 08:00 on tomorrow.

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There is a yellow warning for wind 03:00 until 1400 on Thursday.

The rain will clear this evening to leave it mainly dry for a lot of tonight with clear spells, but cloud and spells of rain are expected to push up from the south later in the night. Windy and mild.

Minimum Temperature: 5 to 8C (41 to 46F).

Mitesh Patel denies murdering his wife Jessica so he could live abroad with a male lover.

A campaign has been launched by Durham Police to highlight the effects of drink and drug driving over the festive period.

Using the hashtag #noemptychair it urges people not to be the reason why someone’s loved one is not there at Christmas.

Insp Darren Bresli, from Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit said: “We hear all the excuses but there is no excuse for getting behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“Drink drug driving robs people of their loved ones, it causes catastrophic injuries and it wrecks peoples’ lives and livelihoods. No matter who you are, or the situation you’re in, there is no justification."

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