Police target sexual harassment and assault on trains
A campaign from the British Transport Police has encouraged passengers to report sexual offences in hopes that it will help convict offenders.
A survey conducted by BTP showed that over a third of women have been victims of sexual offences while commuting on a train or Underground.
It is hoped that the campaign, called 'Your Piece of the Puzzle', helps victims speak up and hold offenders accountable.
A1 crash blocks lanes with long delays near York
An accident on the A1M is causing delays at rush hour in North Yorkshire.
Live motorway traffic cameras show long delays as two lanes are shut southbound from Junction 44 to Junction 43.
Sheffield United vs Brighton & Hove Albion match report: “If we go down, we go down fighting” was clearly taken too literally
Brighton & Hove Albion delivered a commanding 5-0 victory against bottom of the league Sheffield United, leaving the struggling squad in disarray.
In Friday’s press conference, Blades boss Chris Wilder stated that he has embedded the mentality of “if we go down, we go down fighting” into every player.
Despite Wilder's optimistic pre-match sentiments, stating the positive mood within the club in recent weeks, the match took a dramatic turn in the 13th minute. Mason Holgate's reckless challenge on Kaoru Mitoma earned him a straight red card, drawing criticism from pundits like Jamie Redknapp, who labelled it 'scandalous.'
Wilder said in his post match interview that Holgate has now apologised to his team and understands the call. He labelled him [Holgate] "an experienced pro who simply got it wrong."
This set-back set the stage for Brighton's dominance, as they asserted control with 79% possession and excelled in duels, both on the ground and in the air.
The first half witnessed Facundo Buonanotte opening the scoring from a corner, followed by Danny Welbeck's swift goal just four minutes later. Sheffield United's Ben Osborn had a goal controversially disallowed for offside on the stroke of half-time, compounding their woes.
Brighton continued their onslaught in the second half, capitalising on Jack Robinson's own goal and Simon Adingra's precise finish within a two-minute span.
Adingra's late deflected effort marked Sheffield United's 65th goal conceded this season, setting a Premier League record for most goals conceded after 25 games.
The defeat pushed Sheffield United seven points adrift from safety, while Brighton climbed to seventh in the league.
Seagulls’ manager Roberto De Zerbi attributed the game-changing moment to Holgate's red card, suggesting that without it, the match would have posed a more significant challenge.
The gloom deepened as Sheffield United's defensive vulnerabilities came to the forefront, with this match seeing The Blades concede 20 goals from the last five home matches.
Chris Wilder's 'fighting spirit' mantra faced a severe test, and the prospects of avoiding relegation looked increasingly bleak.
As the final whistle blew, Sheffield United faced the stark reality of their predicament, while Brighton celebrated a comprehensive victory that showcased their prowess.
The aftermath of this defeat will undoubtedly prompt soul-searching at Bramall Lane, with questions arising about the team's resilience, decision-making, and their ability to mount a late-season survival bid.
Notably, young prospect Oli Arblaster, recently recalled from a successful loan spell at Port Vale, remained benched despite pre-match assurances from Wilder.
Wilder had expressed confidence that Arblaster would feature in Premier League matches this season, with talks of a long-term contract being tabled for the players consideration, but the harrowing defeat evidently wasn't the opportune moment for the promising midfielder.
After the match Chris Wilder said: "we've got no excuses, and no where to hide" after being critical of his own decisions and the performances of his team, whilst still being full of praise of the job De Zerbi is doing and the strong Brighton side.
Chris Wilder and Roberto De Zerbi's initial reactions to the red cards can be seen below.
Sheffield cat café struggles with hefty emergency vet bills as prices soar
A Sheffield cat café has launched an appeal for donations after being straddled with over £4,000 worth of vet fees.
Tabby Teas, located in Highfield, has eight in-house rescue cats including Ziggy and Nyx, in need of various medical treatments.
Café co-owner, Charlotte Pickering, 37, said: “We were paying around £300 beforehand and now we are paying, judging by the last vet bill we had, £620, so vet bills have gone up dramatically.
“It is always a worry and we don’t really have a safety net because the cats aren’t really insured here, so every vet bill is a hit.”
One cat was cured of Feline Infectious Peritonitis, a common but often fatal virus for cats if mutated, after receiving public donations.
British Veterinary Association president, Malcolm Morley, said in a 2023 Times report “soaring inflation and the cost-of-living crisis is impacting both pet owners and business, including vet practices”.
The GoFundMe appeal has raised over £2,000 towards the medical procedures for the cats from the community so far, much to the co-owner’s surprise as Ms Pickering claims that this is the largest appeal they have launched.
“Although I know people like the café I never realised how much it really means to certain people, so it’s lovely,” she said.
“But it shows when stuff like this happens and we ask for a bit of help that people are willing.”
Cat rescue charity ‘Cat-CHING’ founder and CEO, Lauren James-Thompson, explained that the rise of veterinary bills is an impacting factor on the increasing financial pressure put on rescues from the demand.
Figures from the charity show that nearly 60% of their spending in 2023 went towards vet treatment.
The rescue has seen an increase in the numbers of cats through their door going from 1,325 in 2022 to 1,515 in 2023.
Ms James-Thompson said: “People as individuals are also struggling more than ever due to the cost-of-living crisis and although willing, people are unable to donate as much to charity as they'd like.
“Our costs have been high from the outset, however prices continue to go up and up and we often find ourselves struggling. The cost of caring for so many cats is immense but it is worth every penny.”
To donate visit ‘Tabby Teas’ GoFundMe or Cat-CHING.
Search operation after a two-year-old boy reportedly fell into river
A search operation has been launched following reports of a two-year-old boy falling into a river in Leicester.
The child was with family when he fell into the River Soar.
He hasn't yet been located, according to Leicestershire Police.
The operation is ongoing and will continues with specialist teams this morning.
The force said: “Our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time.
“If anyone has any information or comes across anything that may assist officers, they are asked to contact us immediately.”
Contact police on 999, quoting incident 476:180224.
A ten-month-old baby boy is among three children found dead at home in Bristol
A 10-month-old baby has been found dead at a house in Bristol on Sunday, police have said.
It is believed that there was also a seven-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl found.
The victims, who have not been named by detective, were found inside a property in the Sea Mills area of the city on Sunday morning.
Officers were called to the property in by a member of the public concerned for the welfare of the people inside.
A 42-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder and has been taken to hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
NHS to face ‘significant disruption’ when junior doctors strike for a second time
Junior doctors in Wales are set to walk out for three consecutive days starting on Wednesday morning.
The three day strike will begin at 7am and will mirror their walkout in January.
Teachers get new guidance as ministers ‘ban’ mobile phones in schools
Ministers have moved ahead with the pledge to ban mobile phones in schools.
The guidance, which is non-statutory, instructs headteachers on how to ban the use of phones not only during lessons but during break and lunch periods as well.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan it would provide “clarity and consistency” for teachers.
In a statement, she said: “Schools are places for children to learn and mobile phones are, at a minimum, an unwanted distraction in the classroom.
Roman Kemp steps down from Capital Breakfast show
Roman Kemp has announced he is stepping down from his Capital Breakfast show after 10 years of presenting.
His last show will be on March 28.
Speaking on his morning programme on Monday, Kemp said: “What I can tell you is I’m not saying goodbye right now, I’m not leaving the show today and that’s it, but it’s not far away.
“It will come and that goodbye will come in five to six weeks. It’s not a decision that has come overnight either, it’s massive, I’ve not found it easy at all."
Morning Briefing: Stories to come throughout the day
Here’s a rundown of the top stories appearing on the Sheffield Wire today:
A Team GB Para Ice Hockey player who had his leg amputated after a running accident is fundraising to send his team to the World Championships.
A 20 mph speed zone has been approved in High Green and Fulwood despite significant opposition from the local community.
A pro-Palestinian rally was held outside Sheffield Town Hall to protest the ongoing conflict.
And in sport, the Sheffield Steelkings is fundraising for their upcoming games in Norway.
More to come throughout the day.
Sheffield’s Steelkings are raising money for life-changing opportunity
A Sheffield Para ice hockey club is relying on “crucial” donations to send some of their members to Norway for a global championship.
The Sheffield Steelkings are hoping to raise £2,000 for their players to be able to represent Great Britain in the 2024 World Para Ice Hockey Championships B-Pool.
The club is fully self-funded and relies on crucial charity work and fundraisers to be able to provide this opportunity for the team. When asked what going to Norway means to him, one of the members, Paul Brown, 33, said: “For your family to watch you on telly [...] it’s a massive sense of achievement.
“If it wasn’t for people’s donations, we’d never be able to represent the country.”
Mr Brown joined the Steelkings around a year ago after having one of his legs amputated. He said: “The club as a whole is one of the best things I’ve been involved with.
“Rather than being a club, we are like one big family.”
The club, which was founded in 2014, provides a space for those of all ages with disabilities to get involved in contact sports. Alongside the physical benefits of the game, the club also has a focus on creating a supportive community.
The team regularly go out for meals and always finds the time to help each other. Mr Brown credits the club with aiding him throughout his recovery.
He said: “Without that club, I don’t know where I’d be.”
The club has not only had an impact on its players but also on children in the local community. Mr Brown said he frequently has children come up to him after games asking for photos and signatures.
He said: “To these kids that have got these disabilities, it’s giving them hope, as well, that somewhere down the line this could be them.”
The club is in the process of starting up a kids academy to offer children the chance to get involved in para ice hockey.
Mr Brown’s fundraising page is available here.
Protesters call for University of Sheffield to help student stuck in Gaza
Protesters have been rallying in support of Palestinian student Said Zaaneen who is stuck in Gaza.
They are calling for the University of Sheffield to provide him with financial aid.
The emergency rally out of the University of Sheffield students union was called to reinforce the need for the university to support his student visa and ensure Said's name is added to the Rafah crossing list.
One protester, Hanazalah, spoke passionately about the issue and discussed how these organised events are just the start of their support of the Palestinian people.
The 24-year-old said: "We are here to show solidarity for one of our students , Said Zaaneen, he's a PhD student, Palestinian, who studied at the University of Sheffield who's currently stuck in Gaza.
"Now what I want from the university is for them to work with us to find legal representation for Said and explore all avenues they can to ensure his student visa is submitted and then that they lobby all relevant government bodies and seek out all support that they can publicly and institutionally for his student visa to be accepted and for his name to be added to the Rafah crossing list."
University students across Sheffield have been campaigning in support of Palestine for the last two months and Nathan said that he is "horrified" by the ongoings of the conflict in the Middle East.
Nathan said: "I think that this question of Palestine has become the lightning rod for anger everywhere. People are fighting in solidarity with the Palestinian people but it is a struggle against imperialism and capitalism on a world stage.
"We want this to end. We want this bloodbath to end."