Business

Arrest over missing peregrine falcons and eggs

by Charles
written by Charles

A 34-year-old man has been arrested after three falcons and their eggs were found missing after a break-in.

Two peregrine falcons and a peregrine lanner falcon hybrid, along with several peregrine eggs, were found to have been stolen or escaped from aviaries near Shaftesbury.

The force said officers who gathered evidence at the rural property after the break-in, which occurred between 22:00 on 13 April and 07:00 BST on 14 April, suggested the birds had "suffered terribly".

The man from Shaftesbury, arrested on suspicion of burglary and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, has been released on police bail as officers continue their investigation.

Dorset Police Rural Crime Team
At least three peregrine eggs, similar to the one shown, were reported as stolen from the artificial nest at the aviaries near Shaftesbury

WARNING: This story contains details some may find distressing

Dorset Police said officers were working to find the remaining birds and their eggs so they could get the medical attention they needed to prevent further suffering.

PC Sebastian Haggett, of the Dorset Police Rural Crime Team, said: "Evidence gathered at the scene of this incident suggests that these birds have suffered terribly, with one of them having their primary feathers removed causing injury, while another bird died after its head and legs were removed."

The force added the bird's owners were "heartbroken" by what had happened.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the force.

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Global Trade

Food and drink festival returning to market town

by Hunter
written by Hunter

A food and drink festival is returning to an East Yorkshire market town.

The event will take place in Pocklington town centre over the weekend of 26 and 27 April.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council said stalls would feature street foods, bars and craft and there would also be live music, comedy and children's entertainment.

Helena Moss, the head of regeneration and funding at the authority, said the "feastival" was an opportunity for local businesses to reach new audiences.

The aim of the festival is to promote the local food and drink scene and it is being delivered by events company Market Square Group Ltd, in partnership with the council.

Stalls will line Market Place leading to a stage and seating areas in St Peter's Square.

It will run on the Saturday from 09:00 to 18:00 BST and on the Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00.

Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Soundslatest episode of Look North here.

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Tech

'Better deal' ahead with EU and 'winter fuel U-turn'

by Bella
written by Bella

The Times leads on an interview with the prime minister, with the headline "Starmer hails Brexit reset". According to the paper, Starmer will announce his EU youth mobility plans when he welcomes European leaders to London on Monday, as part of a wider deal with the bloc.

The Conservatives and Reform UK have warned the scheme, under which young people could move for up to two years, would bring a return of free movement. The prime minister has told the paper that isn't the case.

In an interview with the Guardian, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves suggests the government is looking for closer ties with the European Union. It's headline reads: "UK on path to deeper EU relationship." Reeves is quoted as saying Monday's UK-EU summit would not be a one-off.

Prime Minister Starmer is prepared to make a U-turn on his plans to cut winter fuel payments, according to the Daily Express, which has "Finally some sense" in its headline.

The Daily Mirror also welcomes "new hope on winter fuel". It says the prime minister has refused to rule out making more people eligible for the allowance.

Parking fines could "rocket" to more than £120, according to the Daily Mail. The paper says ministers are reviewing the cap on tickets issued by councils in England and Wales, in what it calls a "major blow for millions of hard-pressed motorists".

The Financial Times says the pharmaceutical firm, Novo Nordisk, has fired its chief executive. Shares in the company – which makes the obesity drug, Ozempic – have halved in the past year, according to the paper. Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen told the FT that he didn't regret his decisions as head of the company.

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Economy

Acid attack victim dies in hospital

by Levi
written by Levi

A man who was attacked with acid in his own home has died in hospital, police have said.

Danny Cahalane, 38, who was described as an "outstanding father and son", was at home with his daughter when he was attacked in Lipson Road, in Plymouth, on 21 February. He died on Saturday, Devon and Cornwall Police said.

Mr Cahalane's family said in a tribute: "As a family, we are struggling to come to terms with Danny's passing. He is well loved by his family and friends and as a family we cherish his love and memories."

Nine people – seven men from London and two women from Plymouth – have been charged in connection with the attack.

Police officers were called to the property on Lipson Road at about 03:55 GMT on 21 February

Six of the men and both women have been charged with conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to kidnap.

Another man has been charged with applying a corrosive fluid with intent to burn, maim, disfigure or do grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary, possession of an offensive weapon, and drug offences.

Four of the men have also been charged with laundering the proceeds of crime.

Eight of the defendants are due to appear at Plymouth Crown Court on 12 May and another is due to appear before the same court on 16 June.

Mr Cahalane's family asked for "privacy and respect during this time".

Senior investigating officer, Det Supt Ben Davies, said: "Our thoughts are with Danny's family and friends at this sad time."

The investigation remains ongoing.

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Innovation

'I feel that I am not valued as a carer'

by Jason
written by Jason

A woman who looks after both her father and son says she believes she is not "valued as a carer".

Speaking during Carers Week, Becky Pain-Tolin, from Gloucestershire, said the care system was "diabolical" and "incredibly underfunded".

Ms Pain-Tolin, whose 11-year-old son has complex disabilities and whose father has advanced vascular dementia said: "Unpaid carers deserve more, my father deserves more and my son deserves more."

A spokesperson for The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said they understood "the huge difference carers make, as well as the struggles so many face".

They said the government increased the Carer's Allowance earnings threshold by £45 a week to £196, which would benefit more than 60,000 carers by 2029/30.

Ms Pain-Tolin's son needs two-to-one care at all times and three-to-one care when in the community.

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Innovation

Seven appear in court over acid attack on man

by Avery
written by Avery

Seven more people have appeared in court charged over an acid attack which left a man seriously injured.

The victim was at home with his daughter in Lipson Road on 21 February, Plymouth Magistrates Court heard.

Ria Park, prosecuting, said two men broke in and threw acid at him, "causing significant injuries to him".

The defendants, six men from London and a woman from Plymouth, were all charged with conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to kidnap.

Jenna O'Grady, 38, from Plymouth, is charged with conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to kidnap

Ramarnee Bakas, 22, of Bethune Road, London, Abdulrasheed Adedoja, 22, of North Circular, London, Arrone Mukuna, 24, of Werrington Street, London, Jean Mukuna, 23, of Werrington Street, London, Brian Kalemba, 22, of Estbury Square, London, Jenna O'Grady, 38, Ernesettle Green, Plymouth, and Isanah Sungum, 22, of Stirling Way, Edmonton, London, were charged with conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to kidnap.

Mr Bakas, Arrone Mukuna, Jean Makuna and Mr Adedoja were also charged with laundering the proceeds of crime.

The defendants spoke only to confirm their names, addresses and dates of birth and were all remanded in custody to appear at Plymouth Crown Court on 12 May.

Arrone Mukuna, 24, from London, was among seven who appeared in court

Israel Augustus, 25, of Pulford Road, north London, who appeared at Plymouth Magistrates' Court earlier, was charged with applying a corrosive fluid with intent to burn, maim, disfigure or do grievous bodily harm.

Mr Augustus, who was also charged with aggravated burglary, possession of an offensive weapon, and drug offences, was due to appear before Plymouth Crown Court on 16 June.

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Industry

Town seeks ambassadors to 'reshape' its image

by Stephanie
written by Stephanie

A campaign has started to find ambassadors to help "reshape" the image of a town in Nottinghamshire.

The Destination Mansfield brand initiative was launched at the town's Palace Theatre on Tuesday.

Bosses said the aim of the project was to recruit businesses, community organisations and residents to promote the town and surrounding district in new ways.

New branding for the town has also been unveiled along with a new website.

Mansfield District Council hosted the launch, which is part of a wider two-year £715,000 project funded jointly by the authority and from a £12.3m Towns Fund grant from the government.

Mansfield District Council
The Gaia art installation is on display at the Palace Theatre until Sunday

Destination Mansfield spokesperson Michael Fisher, who is one of the new ambassadors, said they would "raise the profile of the area to help put it on the map, change perceptions, and drive investment".

Mr Fisher added: "This journey is a long journey, and like anything that develops it needs to be nurtured well and more importantly loved by people in and around the area."

The council said the campaign to rebrand the town, known for its industrial heritage and its proximity to Sherwood Forest, would be backed by a number of events to attract people to the town.

They include the unveiling of a 6m (19.7ft) artwork globe, called Gaia, which can be visited without charge at the Palace Theatre until Sunday.

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Market

Cycle hub plan dropped due to lack of interest

by Heather
written by Heather

Plans to introduce a cycle parking hub as part of regeneration efforts in an area of Sheffield have been shelved because of a lack of interest.

The idea to build the hub at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park in Attercliffe formed part of a major scheme to encourage active travel in the area.

The aim now is to use £30,200 of the £17m Levelling Up Fund project budget to design up to 100 cycle parking spaces and associated infrastructure.

Rather than a big cycle hub, like the one at Sheffield railway station, this will comprise sets of street bike stands near the Olympic Legacy Park and tram stops.

These are known as Sheffield stands because the idea to use metal piping bent into a square arch shape to create low-cost bike racks apparently came from the Steel City, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A meeting of the council's finance and performance committee heard that as well as a lack of interest, any plans to lease a building for a hub would not be possible as Levelling Up funding pays for capital projects and not rents.

Major plans for Attercliffe include building a NHS children's health research centre being developed by Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust at the Olympic Legacy Park.

Other works include the redevelopment of the former steel production site Spartan Works as the Attercliffe Waterside community, including more than 1,000 homes and the creation of an arts complex, based at the old Adelphi cinema.

South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds

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Economy

Biker in his 70s dies in collision with van

by Audrey
written by Audrey

A motorcyclist aged in his 70s has died after the bike he was riding was involved in a collision with a van on the North Yorkshire border with Lancashire.

The white BMW motorbike and a Peugeot Partner van collided on the A65 near Ingleton at about 13:00 BST on Tuesday, North Yorkshire Police said.

The biker died at the scene despite the efforts of members of the public and the emergency services, the force said.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who had dashcam footage from the scene, was urged to contact police.

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Innovation

CCTV watches over nesting swans in town centre

by Lillian
written by Lillian

Measures to protect swans in a town centre after two were attacked last year have been reintroduced.

Fencing and CCTV were put in place in April 2024 following a number of incidents where bottles were thrown at two birds.

The safety measures have again been put in by Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue (CWR) to protect two nesting birds on the River Freshney in Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire.

The swans, in the same spot as last year, have laid two eggs and CWR is monitoring the video footage to ensure their safety.

Security measures have been reintroduced to protect swans on the River Freshney

CWR volunteers were granted a licence by North East Lincolnshire Council to put in the fencing and CCTV.

The rescue group said the safety measures were considered a success last year, with disturbance of the nest dropping from an average of four a day to fewer than four over the entire incubation period.

They have asked people not to feed the swans on or near the nest as it attracts predators, which puts the birds at risk.

Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds latest episode of Look North here.

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