Detectives are appealing for information following the report of a distraction burglary in the Stockmans Lane area of Belfast yesterday morning, Thursday 30 October.

It is reported that sometime between 7.30am and 11am two unknown females entered the home of man, aged in his 80’s claiming they were from Social Services. After the females left it was discovered that a savings book had been stolen.

Appealing for information, Detective Sergeant Andrew Madden said: “I would appeal to anyone who witnessed this incident or who saw these women in the area yesterday morning to contact Detectives at Woodbourne Police Station on the non-emergency number 101. Or if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.

“I would also like to remind people of the importance of looking out for elderly and vulnerable neighbours. There are also some crime prevention steps that can be taken to guard against this type of incident.

“Firstly, please remember that any genuine caller to your door will have identification which you have every right to ask for and check. Genuine tradesmen and reps from utility companies should carry a photographic identification card. Check this carefully. If you are unsure, telephone QuickCheck on 0800 013 22 90.

“Furthermore, before answering the front door, make sure the back door is locked. Please also use your chain and spy hole or look out of the window to see who is there before opening the door.

“And lastly but importantly, if you are not convinced of the identity of the caller, don’t let them in. Ask the caller to come back later and arrange for a friend, relative or neighbour to be present on their return.”

Murder investigation launched after man shot dead – Openshaw from Crime and Justice on Vimeo.

A man has died after being shot in Openshaw.

At about 6.20pm on Friday 31 October 2014, police were called to Manchester Food Traders on Wood Street, Openshaw, following reports of a man with a gun.

Armed officers and response patrols attended and on arrival discovered a man, believed to be 35, with two gunshot wounds to his abdomen and chest.

He was taken to hospital but sadly died as a result of his injuries.

A murder investigation has been launched and detectives are appealing to anyone who has information to come forward.

Detective Superintendent Jon Chadwick said: “This tragic incident is only a few hours old so it is far too early to go into exactly what has happened and why.

“All we can say for certain is that a man has tragically died after being shot and his family are absolutely devastated. Our thoughts are with them and we will be providing them as much support as they need at this very difficult and upsetting time.

“Again, it is far too early to speculate about what has happened and why and that will be the subject of our inquiries over the next few hours.

“I would appeal to anyone who has information to come forward and there will be a large police presence in this area in the next few hours and days so if you either have information or any concerns then please approach an officer.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, 0800 555 111.

Detectives are investigating the murder of a woman and the death of a man in Ilford.

Police were called at around 1730hrs on Friday, 31 October, to reports of a woman stabbed in the street in Valentines Road, Ilford.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended. The woman was taken to hospital, but was pronounced dead upon arrival.

At 1902hrs, police were called to a man found collapsed in the street in Auckland Road, Ilford.

The man was taken by London Ambulance Service to an east London hospital. He died shortly after arrival.

Officers believe they know the identity of both the deceased but await formal identification and confirmation that all next of kin have been informed.

The man and the woman are both believed to be aged in their 20s. They were not related, but were known to each other.

Post-mortem examinations will be held in due course.

Both deaths are being investigated by officers from the Homicide & Major Crime Command based at Barking.

The death of the woman, who had suffered multiple stab wounds, is being treated as murder.

At this early stage, there is no evidence to suggest that the death of the man is suspicious.

Enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances.

Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious or has information that may assist the investigation should call the incident room on 020 345 1570. To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A murder investigation has been launched following the death of an 18-year-old man in Southwark.

Police were called at 14:28hrs on Friday, 31 October, to reports of a stabbing in Pilgrimage Street, SE1.

Officers, London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended. An 18-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene at 15:13hrs.

Officers believe they know the identity of the deceased, but await formal identification. Next of kin have been informed.

A post-mortem examination will be held at Greenwich Mortuary on Saturday, 1 November.

Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating.

There has been no arrest. Enquiries continue.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact police via 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

An Army Cadet suffered minor burns to his face after he was attacked just minutes after selling poppies for Remembrance Day.

It happened at about 6pm on Saturday 1 November 2014 as the 15-year-old boy was waiting at a bus stop next to the Manchester Gallery opposite George Street.

The teenager was wearing his camouflaged uniform having spent the day in the city centre selling poppies and collecting money to commemorate Remembrance Day.

As he was looking down Princess Street for his bus, he was approached by a black man who, without warning or provocation, produced an aerosol can and a lighter which he used to spray lit fumes in the direction of the unsuspecting teenager.

Shocked at what had happened, the Cadet suffered minor reddening to his face and singed hairs on his face and right forearm.

Without saying a word, the offender walked off. He is described as being black or Asian, 5ft 8in tall and wearing a dark hooded top. He appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and was staggering.

Police are now appealing to anyone with information to come forward.

Detective Inspector Liam Boden said: “This is an absolutely appalling attack on a young man who was raising money to help remember all those who gave their lives fighting bravely for their country.

“At this stage of our inquiries, we’re keeping an open minded as to what motivated the offender to commit such an act.

“Given the initial description we have of the offender, it may be that he was under the influence of something but whatever his motivation, his violent actions could have scarred this young man for life. Although he has suffered some minor injuries, it is pure luck that he did not sustain more serious burns to his face and body.

“Understandably both he and his family are in a state of total shock and cannot believe someone would do this.

“We need to find whomever is responsible for this crime and I would therefore appeal to anyone who has information that could help. This happened at a very busy time in the city centre, near a main bus route, and there could be lots of people who saw this man staggering around.

“If you do have information then please come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Police have released CCTV footage of a man they would like to speak to after a woman was assaulted in the female toilets at a Coventry leisure centre.

The woman was assaulted by a man in a cubicle in Mercia Park Leisure Centre in Foleshill around 1.30pm on Sunday 16 February.

Since the assault was reported police have trawled CCTV, spoken to the centre’s users and staff in a bid to identify the man they want to speak to, but have been unsuccessful, so they are now turning to the public to help trace him.

The man is described as light coloured and Asian with a small chubby build, aged around 29 and 5 feet 4 ins tall with a bald head. He was wearing a light grey hooded top with light blue jeans and a gold ring on his left hand.

PC Leon McIntosh is investigating the assault. He said: “Although this incident happened a few months ago, we have been making every effort to identify the offender. We are now seeking help from the public to bring him to justice.”

Anyone with information is asked to call PC McIntosh on 101 or alternatively information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A probationary officer has been charged over extreme pornography.

PC Jack McGillivray, 24 (21/07/1990) was charged yesterday, Tuesday 4 November with publishing an obscene article, namely an extreme pornographic image on 31 July contrary to Section 2 (1) of the Obscene Publications Act 1959.

PC McGillivray is currently a probationary officer in training. He has been suspended pending the outcome of his court appearance.

He has been bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 11 November.

A former force chaplain is due to appear in court today (Wednesday November 5) charged with making and possessing indecent images and perverting the course of justice.

Stephen Talbot, 62, of Main Street, Little Downham, who was previously based at force headquarters, is due to appear at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court today.

He resigned from his role supporting the force on Wednesday, October 1 and was arrested the same day.

Two men have been charged with attempted murder following an incident in Bury St Edmunds.

Police were called at approximately 6.45pm on Monday, 3 November to reports of a disturbance on Ridley Road.

On arrival, police found a man suffering from chest and facial injuries. He was taken to West Suffolk General Hospital for further treatment.

Two men were located shortly afterwards, arrested and taken to the Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

Richard McClenaghen, aged 47 years of no fixed abode Bury St Edmunds and Jamie Turner, aged 43 years of Caie Walk, Bury St Edmunds have both been charged with attempted murder and will appear before Bury St Edmunds Magistrates’ Court this morning, Wednesday 5 November.

Two men will appear in court today (5 November) charged with the murder of Wolverhampton man Joshua Price.

David Watkins, 24 of Parkview Road, Bilston and Jake Henson, 19 of Wellington Road were arrested this week and were charged in the early hours of this morning.

They will both appear at Wolverhampton Magistrates court today (Wednesday 5 November).

Joshua Price, 21, was found collapsed in Treynham Close, Stowlawn, on the evening of 27 September and was pronounced dead at the scene having suffered a fatal stab wound to the chest.

Detectives continue to appeal to anyone who was in the Treynham Close area of Stowlawn on the night of the murder to call Detective Inspector Warren Hines or one of his team on 101. Alternatively people can leave information anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers the independent charity on 0800 555 111.

A man has been charged in connection with burglaries and will be appearing at court today, Wednesday 5 November.

Nicholas Gallagher, aged 43, of no fixed abode but the Newmarket area was arrested on Monday 3 November and questioned at the Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre.

Gallagher will appear at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates’ court charged with a burglary at an address in Freckenham on 31 October, two burglaries at addresses in Rous Road and Duchess Road in Newmarket on 3 November and an attempted burglary at an address in Saxton Street Road, Cheveley on 23 August.

Police have released an image of a woman they would like to speak to for help with their enquiries after two bank cards and a driving licence were stolen from a purse in Abbots Langley.

It is believed they were stolen in the Woodside Road area between Thursday, August 7 and Friday, August 8.

One of the stolen bank cards was then used to withdraw cash from a branch of Nationwide in Edgware.

Police are keen to speak to the woman pictured as she may have information which could assist the investigation.

If you know who the woman is, or have any other information about the incident, please contact PC Sarah-Ann Feeney via the Hertfordshire Constabulary non-emergency number 101, quoting crime reference C2/14/1711.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers, the independent charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

At around 6:44am on the 2 November police were called to an incident at McColls on Old Chester Road, Great Sutton.

Offender(s) had gained access to the premises and taken an amount of cigarettes as well as a quantity of cash.  The cash which was taken had been marked with a purple security dye and police are asking anyone who comes into contact with the dyed cash or who may have seen someone with dye on their clothing or hands to get in touch with them.

A 40 year old local woman has been arrested for burglary and bailed while police enquiries continue.

If you have come into contact with any of the dyed money or have any information which might assist police in their enquiries please call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 222 of the 2/11/14. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault in North Shields.

At around 4.45pm on Monday, November 3, officers received a report that a man had approached a teenager on Heaton Terrace  and grabbed him by the wrist.

The man is described as having dark hair with grey bits.

Extra officers are on patrol in the area carrying out enquiries and providing reassurance.

Anyone who may have been in the area at the time or has any information is asked to contact police on 101 ext 69191, quoting reference 875 03/11/14, or independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Two 26-year-old men [A and B] have now been arrested in connection to the homophobic attack on two men in Surbiton in the early hours of Saturday, 1 November.

Both were arrested on Tuesday, 4 November on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) and common assault.

They have since been bailed to return to a west London police station in mid December pending further inquiries.

A detective leading an investigation into the activities of a drugs gang in Derry has warned of the lethal capabilities of some of these groups beyond that posed by the drugs themselves.

Detective Inspector Tom McClure commented after two Derry men, 30 year old Gary McPhillips and 28 year old Ryan O’Reilly, were jailed for eight and two years respectively for offences linked to the seizure of drugs and munitions in the city two years ago.

Officers from Organised Crime Branch seized £20,000 worth of ecstasy and methedrone, three firearms and ammunition, two high explosive military specification hand grenades, an electric stun device and a CS gas canister during a search of a property at Hawkin Street in December 2012 linked to McPhillips and O’Reilly.

The search at Hawkin Street was part of a follow-up investigation into the seizure of £800,000 worth of cannabis in the Glengalliagh area of the city in May 2012. One man, Mark McPhillips, was later jailed for seven years and stripped of all his assets after he was caught driving a van loaded with kitchen units containing the illegal drugs.

DI McClure said today: “These items which we recovered at Hawkin Street are worrying. They show a potential to cause serious injury or death, over and above the obvious harm posed by drugs. Thankfully, we have removed them before they can cause any damage.

“But there are worrying similarities to the violent paraphernalia associated with drugs gangs in large inner cities in Britain and Ireland where drugs are peddled for profit but cause nothing but destruction and where violence or the threat of violence are used to enforce these activities.

“We have taken this small arsenal which included a sub-machine gun, two handguns and two high explosive military specification hand grenades off the streets. We will continue to pursue any individual involved in organised criminality and drugs and put them before the courts. The criminal justice system is the only effective way of dealing with this community problem.

“Detectives in Organised Crime Branch will follow all investigative leads to frustrate, disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups involved in drugs with the objective of keeping people safe and putting suspects before the courts. We would continue to ask individuals and groups to work with us to minimise the threat and make our communities safer.”

The sentences are to be served half in jail and half on licence. The court also imposed serious crime prevention orders on both men for five years to protect the community.

A 19-year-old man has been charged today, Wednesday, 5 November, in connection with a stabbing at The Stowage in Deptford on Sunday, 2 November.

Obi Onyia, 19 (dob 28/08/1995) of Stowage, SE8 was charged with attempted murder, making threats to kill and possession of a pointed/bladed article.

He was remanded in custody to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court today via virtual court.

Police can confirm that the man who died in an industrial incident on 3^rd November was Michael Padley, aged 60, of Ford House Farm in Baildon, West Yorkshire.

Police were called at 10:08am to a farm in Kirkby Thore, Penrith, where he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

The family of Michael have released the following tribute:

“Mick was a dairy farmer at Baildon until 2000 when he and Val, his wife, diversified into Bed and Breakfast and equestrian.  Mick loved the role of serving his guests with their breakfast and his humour kept everyone entertained.  He loved rugby and he made numerous friends through his association with rugby clubs at Cleckheaton, Goole, and Ripon.  He also liked football and loved Manchester United football team.

“He loved his work with his long-time friend Charles Payne of Paynes Dairy in Boroughbridge.  Mick had many roles within the company.  He was known affectionately as “Gobby” by everyone he knew and was a true friend.  Mick loved to travel and often visited Asia, Australia and New Zealand.  He recently went to Port Isaac to view the scenes from Doc Martin and sample the great beer.  Mick and Val were married for 32 years.  Val is overwhelmed by the number of cards, flowers, and emails she has received from around the globe.  His loss leaves a big hole in the lives of many.”

His death is not being treated as suspicious and is being investigated by the HSE.