Recent efforts target knife crime among young peopleAuthor: Adam SmithPublished 4 hours agoLast updated 4 hours agoKnife crime incidents in Cheshire have decreased by 12 per cent compared to the previous year, with 508 serious offences recorded in 2025, according to Deputy Police Commissioner Gemma Southern.Southern shared the update at a recent meeting responding to queries from the police and crime panel, which monitors the work of the commissioner’s office.The panel had raised questions about the current strategies the commissioner’s office is deploying to address knife crime, particularly among young people.Southern noted Cheshire ranks as having the 11th lowest knife crime rate per 100,000 population in the UK.Recent CampaignsA week-long national campaign aimed at reducing knife crime last month resulted in the recovery of over 250 knives and bladed articles across Cheshire.”This year’s campaign saw a particular focus on children and young people,” Southern said.Authorities and community partners visited 38 schools and youth organisations across Cheshire, delivering educational sessions and demonstrations on the dangers of knife crime and gang culture.Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.
Author: admin
Knife crime drops by 12% in Cheshire, says deputy commissioner
Operating theatre staff to strike over overtime pay cut
Operating theatre staff to strike over overtime pay cut
By Lee Peart
08 June 2026
Operating theatre staff at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have voted to strike over a cut in overtime payments.
c) Niek Verlaan/Pixabay
UNISON said the trust’s move to standard bank overtime rates from the previous agreement to pay staff time and a half beyond their 37.5 hours a week will leave workers around £120 out of pocket per shift.
Elaine Inacio, a senior theatre assistant at Bedford Hospital, said: ‘Staff aren’t asking for anything extra, just the pay we were on before.
‘It’s already stressful enough working in operating theatres, but morale has absolutely plummeted since this pay cut.
‘Nobody wants to go on strike, but we’ve been left with no choice.’
A spokesperson for Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: ‘We value our theatre teams enormously and fully recognise the skill, commitment and pressure involved in their roles. We are sorry that some colleagues feel distressed by the recent changes, and we are continuing to meet with staff and trade union representatives to listen to their concerns and to ensure they have all the correct information in relation to the changes.
‘Earlier this year, the trust standardised overtime and additional‑hours payments for theatre staff so that all colleagues are paid consistently and in line with national NHS Agenda for Change arrangements.
‘This followed a lengthy and formal consultation process, including individual discussions with affected staff and engagement with trade unions and ACAS. These changes were not made lightly. They were introduced to ensure fairness across our workforce, to bring legacy local arrangements in line with trust‑wide standards, and to support the long‑term sustainability of our services. We remain committed to working constructively with UNISON and our theatre teams, and we hope to avoid any industrial action. Our priority is always to maintain safe, high‑quality care for patients while supporting our staff as much as possible.’Beverley Knight tour to be ‘world’s first’ with Auracast dates available
Six dates on Beverley Knight’s ‘Born to Perform’ tour will have Bluetooth’s Auracast available, in what’s being described as “the world’s first live music tour” to offer the technology.Unlike standard pairing, Auracast allows for an “unlimited” number of compatible devices – including hearing aids, headphones and earbuds – to connect to one audio broadcast.
The assistive listening technology has already been installed at the National Theatre and Sydney Opera House, and trialled at Bristol Temple Meads station and Frankfurt Airport.
It’s estimated that over a million venues will offer “inclusive listening experiences” with Auracast by 2029.
The “Shoulda Woulda Coulda” singer and theatre star – whose mother is a cochlear implant user – shared the news in a post to her Instagram account on Monday, in which she wrote that she is “excited to see the possibilities of this new technology”.
She said: “Over the years my mum lost the ability to hear, and now wears a cochlear implant. Following along to conversations in everyday life and listening to gigs has proved to be a challenge.
“I spoke to my Sound engineer Adam Waller who did some thinking, and I am proud to say that along with his company Open Door Audio I am able to present a series of shows on my Born To Perform tour which are suitable for a brand new technology called Auracast.
“It allows folks with hearing devices such as cochlear implants to experience a gig with a clarity that was until now unimaginable.”
The first Auracast-enabled show of the tour will take place on Tuesday in Bath, with the technology also available for performances in Bristol (19 June), London (21 June), Southend-on-Sea (23 June), Cardiff (27 June) and Wolverhampton (30 June).
Open Door Audio added: “Open Door Audio is proud to partner with Beverley Knight’s Born to Perform tour to become the world’s first live music tour to offer Auracast broadcast audio at selected venues.”
Fans attending the six Auracast-enabled venues are invited to register their interest in the technology via a Google form, with those going to dates where Auracast is not yet available also encouraged to submit a response.
“If people register their interest at other venues, we’ll do our very best to extend availability across additional dates on the tour,” the form reads.
Images: Lewis Shaw.
Man denies murdering De Montfort University student near campus
A man has pleaded not guilty to murdering a student near a university campus in Leicester. Harper Dennis, 18, appeared at Leicester Crown Court charged with killing De Montfort University (DMU) student Khaleed Oladipo on 3 February.Oladipo died in hospital after being found in Oxford Street having suffered stab wounds.On Monday, Dennis, of Bath Lane in Leicester, pleaded not guilty to murder, possession of an offensive weapon and failing to comply with a Section 49 notice – specifically failing to disclose his code for his phone.
Cambridgeshire construction company enters liquidation after nearly 19 years
A liquidator has been appointedThe company specialised in construction and civil engineering (stock image)(Image: PA)A Cambridgeshire based company has entered into liquidation after nearly 19 years, according to the London Gazette. D & L Groundworks Limited, specialising in construction and civil engineering, based in Whittlesey, entered liquidation in April.A Winding-Up Notice was published in the London Gazette on April 8. A liquidator has been appointed.The Gazette states that it is a ‘Creditors’ liquidation. Molly Monks of Parker Walsh has been appointed as liquidator of the company for the purposes of the voluntary winding-up.Companies House confirmed that the business is now in liquidation. Documents show that the company, of Peterborough Road, Whittlesey, was registered in June 2007.The company previously traded under the name ‘DLP Groundworks Ltd’. It has two current listed directors: Lesley Jane Page and Darren Michael Page, both of Peterborough Road.A notice on London Gazette states: “At a General Meeting of the Members of the above-named Company [D & L Groundworks Limited], duly convened, and held at Suite C, Victoria House, Bramhall, Cheshire SK7 2BE on 1 April 2026 at 10.00 am the following resolutions were passed by the Members as a Special resolution and as an Ordinary resolution:”That the Company be wound up voluntarily and that Molly Monks (IP No. 19830) of Parker Walsh, Suite C, Victoria House, Bramhall, Cheshire SK7 2BE be appointed Liquidator of the Company.”
Staffordshire County Council encourages residents to celebrate unpaid carers with award nominations
People in Staffordshire are being invited to nominate unpaid carers for this year’s Dignity in Care Awards. Staffordshire County Council is calling on residents to submit nominations to the annual Staffordshire Dignity in Care Awards, which aim to celebrate individuals who go above and beyond to support others.The call for nominations – including for dedicated category recognising unpaid carers – coincides with Carers Week, which runs from 8 to 14 June and recognises carers across the country. The county council revealed that in Staffordshire, around 82,000 people, nearly 10 per cent of residents, provide unpaid care each week, including more than 1,600 young carers. Their contribution is estimated to be worth £2.6 billion a year. Martin Rogerson, Cabinet Member for Health and Care at Staffordshire County Council, said: “Unpaid carers are at the heart of our communities, providing vital support to loved ones every single day. “Carers Week is an important moment to recognise their contribution, but also to highlight the support available to them. “Through the Dignity in Care Awards, we want to shine a spotlight on these everyday heroes and ensure they feel valued and appreciated.” The Dignity in Care Awards celebrate those who support adults only and all nominations must relate to care delivered to a Staffordshire resident. This includes providers based outside the county, such as those in Stoke-on-Trent or any organisation delivering care to a Staffordshire resident.
advertisement
Carers Week is a national campaign raising awareness of caring and the challenges unpaid carers face, while highlighting their vital role in communities. The county council ahas also directed unpaid carers towards local support available through Staffordshire Together for Carers, which works with partners to provide advice, information and practical help to adult and young carers across the county. Support can include short breaks, counselling, opportunities to meet other carers and advice on benefits carers might be entitled to. Nominations for The Dignity in Care Awards close on 1 July and applications can be made here.
Transfer news LIVE: Barcelona & Liverpool eye Darwin Núñez as Real Madrid join Fernandes race
June 8th©IMAGO
The summer transfer window is approaching quickly on the horizon and clubs are already busy working on deals to acquire their top targets. For most clubs, planning will already be complete and they will have identified which players they want to sign, and which players they want to sell.
Managers will be constantly assessing their squads with sporting directors and recruitment staff scanning the market for potential deals this summer. The rumour mill is still gathering pace and we’ve collated some of the biggest current transfer stories – you can access the full rumour mill below.
Today’s biggest transfer storiesLiverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona are all weighing up a move for Darwin Núñez this summer, according to reports in Spain. The Uruguay international is unhappy at Al-Hilal after several disagreements and wants a return to European football.
Manchester United are reportedly considering a move for Marc Casadó. The 22-year-old is expected to leave Barcelona this summer due to a lack of minutes with Monaco currently favourites to sign the midfielder.
Real Madrid are expected to join the race for Mateus Fernandes. Man United, Arsenal and PSG all retain an interest in the 21-year-old, who is certain to leave West Ham United after their relegation to the Championship.
Note:
When you search for something on Google, you’ll see a box with the latest news alongside the usual results. If you set Transfermarkt as your preferred source, our content will appear there more often.Add Transfermarkt as your preferred source here.
Henry Boot sells land in Bedfordshire to housebuilder Persimmon | Financial News
(Alliance News) – Henry Boot PLC on Monday reported a sale by its land promotion and planning arm, Hallam Land, to FTSE 100-listed housebuilder Persimmon PLC. According to Henry Boot, the sale generated an ungeared internal rate of return just shy of 17% per year from acquisition, which will be reflected in 2026 earnings. Further financial details were not provided.Shares in the Sheffield, England-based construction and property development firm were down 0.3% to 164.50 pence on Monday morning in London. Persimmon shares were down 2.3% to 1,043.50p.The 105-acre site is in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, and has permission for 416 residential units, Henry Boot noted. Hallam had entered a planning promotion agreement for the land back in 2017. Its revised planning application was approved in November, following refusal of the initial application in 2023. The 415-unit application makes provision for up to 125 affordable units, and publicly accessible space, required under Section 106 of the UK Town & Country Planning Act.Chief Executive Tim Roberts commented: “This transaction is another strong example of Hallam Land’s ability to both consistently unlock value through the promotion of well located strategic land and subsequently realise that value for shareholders through sales to housebuilders.”By Holly Munks, Alliance News reporterComments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.comCopyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.Directors Dealings Corporate News Construction & Materials Engineering & Industrials Henry Boot Persimmon
Wolves transfer news: Major Bastien Meupiyou update as European giant ‘make proposal’ for defender – Sports Mole
Wolverhampton Wanderers are reportedly in line to receive a major windfall through growing interest in Bastien Meupiyou, specifically from Borussia Dortmund.In August 2024, Wolves spent approximately £4.2m to sign the then-French teenager from Nantes on a long-term contract.However, less than a year later, the centre-back departed for newly-promoted Primeira Liga club Alverca without making a single first-team appearance for the Premier League outfit.That transfer has transformed Meupiyou’s career trajectory, the 20-year-old making 30 appearances for Alverca to help guide them to a surprise 11th-placed finish in Portugal’s top fight.As a result, there was talk of Wolves either activating an alleged buy-back clause or waiting to see what offers arrived for the former France Under-18 international due to their 50% sell-on clause.© Iconsport / Picture AllianceDortmund make big-money offer for ex-Wolves starletAccording to journalist Sebastiao Sousa-Pinto, Wolves do not possess a buy-back clause for Meupiyou, as has been previously reported.Nevertheless, Borussia Dortmund have put forward a proposal worth €12m (£10.37m) plus €5m (4.32m) in add-ons.The same report emphasises that Meupiyou is “very likely” to leave Alverca in the near future, subsequently putting Wolves in a position where they can expect a substantial boost in income.
Theoretically, Wolves are in line to generate an immediate £5.18m, which is a profit on what they originally paid for Meupiyou.With Meupiyou only having two years left on his contract at Alverca and the potential to make several additions to the first-team squad, the assumption is that the Portuguese side will not play hardball over a sale.© ImagoAnother win for Fosun InternationalOwners Fosun International have justifiably received criticism for the players that have been signed for Wolves in recent years.At the same time, though, they deserve more credit for money recouped through player sales, such as with Max Kilman, Matheus Nunes, Pedro Neto and deals such as this one.The issue has more-often-than-not been how they reinvest the money that they receive, but that could be about to change under different faces as they prepare for a season in the Championship.
Proposals set out for ‘loss-making’ historic Beaumanor Hall
Last year, the council appealed to businesses and residents for ideas about how to make more money from the venue and received nearly 900 responses.A report to be discussed by councillors on Wednesday sets out some of the suggestions.They included using the building for murder mystery nights, as well as using the grounds for outdoor cinema showings, music festivals and comedy events.The council was urged to consider using the hall to run “Victorian balls”, based on television shows such as Downton Abbey and Bridgerton, and historical events themed around Beaumanor’s part in code-breaking operations during World War Two.It was also proposed that the hall could offer overnight accommodation for wedding guests.Alternatively, there were suggestions the property should be given to the National Trust or English Heritage to run, or sold to a hotel operator.
