![Police investigating death of woman in Grimsby's Freeman Street on New Year's Day - man remains in custody]()
This is Grimsby --
DETECTIVES are continuing to investigate the sudden death of a woman in Freeman Street on New Year's Day.
A 33-year-old man was arrested in an upstairs flat where the woman was discovered by ambulance and fire crews.
She was Louise Fothergill, 33, who formerly worked at Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital, Grimsby.
The 33-year-old man is still in custody after police applied for additional time to question him in connection with Miss Fothergill's death.
Grimsby Magistrates granted an extension for a further 36 hours.
An inquest was opened yesterday by Grimsby and North Lincolnshire coroner, Paul Kelly, who heard the cause of death was hanging.
A post mortem examination was carried out by a Home Office pathologist and the inquest was adjourned for a date to be fixed.
Humberside Police were called to the upstairs flat of a man shortly after 1am on New Year's Day.
Miss Fothergill was discovered in the property – where it is believed she had lived – although the address given in the inquest was for another property in Grimsby's Farebrother Street.
Outside the Freeman Street property was a deflated bouncy castle which had been used by residents and regulars of Cottee's bar on Christmas Day for an impromptu street party.
A Humberside Police spokesman said police officers were called at shortly after 1am on New Year's Day following reports that a woman at an address in Freeman Street, had serious injuries .
He said: "The 33-year-old woman was taken to hospital where she sadly died.
"A 33-year-old man was arrested at the address and is assisting police with their enquiries. He remains in police custody. The man and woman were known to each other."
A cordon was placed around the entrance to the flat while police continued their enquiries to establish how she sustained her fatal injuries.
A resident told the Grimsby Telegraph he had seen Humberside Fire and Rescue and East Midlands Ambulance Service attend the scene at about 1am.
He said he saw paramedics treating her at the scene for around 30 minutes.
The neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "We looked out of the window and saw the fire, ambulance and police services parked outside the flat.
"The firefighters ran in and then came out again and got hold of what looked like a set of bolt croppers.
"They dragged the bouncy castle outside from the flat.
"About 20 minutes later a woman was taken out on a stretcher. Paramedics were giving her CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) for about 30 minutes and then they drove off."
He said the woman was dressed in a cream top with black jeans.
The eye-witness said police led a man away shortly afterwards.
He added that he had regularly spoken to the couple.
He said: "Everyone is still in shock, especially when something like that happens on your doorstep.
Another neighbour recalled the woman "storming off" after the bouncy castle was inflated in Freeman Street on Christmas Day.
He said: "She was normally a quiet woman. We saw the police come round three times to ask why the bouncy castle was still on the pavement.
"It should have been stored in a shop or packed away, not left lying around. It is a hazard."
Another neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "No one can believe what has happened. It is shocking. They have been together for quite a while. They provided the bouncy castle for us when we had a party in Freeman Street on Christmas Day.
"Normally they use a generator and put it in the yard at the back. But it was quiet so we had it in the street.
"The bloke (from the flat) gives it to groups when they are having a party or anyone having a celebration."
Reported by This is 20 hours ago.
This is Exeter -- Devon and Cornwall police have been called to 30 reports of paranormal activity since 2010, new data has revealed. The figures released by 17 forces in England and Wales show that hundreds have called 999 to report supernatural activity. Logs show 277 requests for urgent assistance because of "extra-terrestial" or "paranormal" activity in the last three years across the UK. In Exeter a woman reported she was 'being terrorised by witchcraft' and in Exmouth police attended a man who claimed "There were three children who wanted coffee but the ghosts wouldn't make it for them." *See a full list below* Most complain of ghosts or spirits which have possessed someone. One train passenger said there were witches and warlocks travelling on a train from Edinburgh to London. A caller in Hertfordshire told officers their partner was "some kind of vampire". One unfortunate man believed there was a ghost in his house and had found blood on the bathroom door. It later turned out his friends had played a prank. A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said that officers had responded to calls where there were concerns about the wellbeing of callers. He said: 'Police would not attend an incident for the report of paranormal activity. An officer will however attend if there is concern for welfare for either the caller or another individual or where there is reason to believe an offence may have occurred.' *Full Data for Devon and Cornwall Police:*
Reported by This is 10 hours ago.
This is Surrey -- POLICE are hunting for a man who escaped from a secure hospital unit near Horley on Friday. Luke Elsmore, 23, disappeared from Farmsfield Hospital, Farmsfield Drive, Hookwood yesterday morning and has not been seen since. He had been detained under a section 37 Mental Health Act order and requires various medication. He also has a history of violence but police say there is no indication of any direct threat to the public. Mr Elsmore is described as white, around 6ft 2ins tall, of stocky build with short black hair. He was wearing a navy blue jumper, jogging bottoms and black trainers when he was last seen. Officers are growing increasingly concerned for the welfare of Mr Elsmore, who has connections to the Worthing area of Sussex Police are carrying out extensive enquiries and anyone who believes they may have seen Mr Elsmore are urged not to approach him but to phone police immediately. Call police on 101 with information or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Reported by This is 3 hours ago.
This is Scunthorpe -- A MAN has been arrested after police negotiators were called to an apparent stand-off in Barton. Police said they received a call at 9.09am today reporting a woman had sustained an injury at an address in Providence Crescent, Barton. A force spokeswoman said: "Police remained in attendance at the scene where a man known to the injured woman had locked himself inside the property. "Negotiators worked to bring the incident to a conclusion and at 12.23pm arrested the man on suspicion of criminal damage and assault. "The woman was taken by ambulance to Scunthorpe General Hospital for treatment to a non- life threatening laceration to the head." Up to 12 police vehicles were at the scene and the police helicopter was also deployed. Fire crews were also at the scene. The garden of the property is littered with clothing and broken furnishings. *More to follow. Stay logged on for updates* *Follow us on Facebook and Twitter*
Reported by This is 3 days ago.
This is Staffordshire -- MORE than 5,000 people have been drug tested by police over the past two years with over a quarter returning positive results. Staffordshire Police tested a total of 5,290 suspects as part of its Test on Arrest operation since January 2012. A total of 1,424 positive results were logged. The examinations involve taking mouth swabs from suspects held in the police cells to look for traces of Class A drugs – found 26.9 per cent of those people tested, tested positive. Over the past 24 months, police have seen a fall in the number of criminals who have taken drugs and they have now vowed to continue with the crackdown. Staffordshire Police Inspector Asha Kaur said: "We are now two years into drug test on arrest at the Northern Area Custody facility and looking back, there are some very positive messages coming out of the statistics. "There are deprivation issues in the north of the county, there is a prevalence of a high level of unemployment and there are still some issues around the users of drugs and alcohol and even mental health sufferers. "But Test on Arrest is a very powerful initiative because the courts take it seriously." The test results show that in the 18 months from June 2012 to November 2013: 815 people arrested for burglary, attempted burglary and aggravated burglary were tested, with 140 (17 per cent) recorded as positive Out of 300 people tested who were arrested for drug offences, 144 (48 per cent) gave positive results Thirty six out of 181 people arrested for robbery gave positive drug tests in custody A total of 2,328 people arrested for theft and handling were also tested, with 607 (26 per cent) of those returning positive results A total of 174 people arrested for taking without consent were tested with 27 people (15 per cent) having taking drugs. And out of 110 people arrested for fraud who were tested, 13 (12 per cent) were found to be positive. Inspector Kaur added: "Almost one in every three people who have been arrested for an offence and brought into custody is drug tested, which tells us we have clearly got some issues around drugs across Stoke-on-Trent. "In relation to the people who are arrested for a drug offence, it seems one in two of those tested are being found positive, which is an alarmingly high figure. "What we are trying to do now is further our partnership arrangements with those organisations who provide the treatments to people who use drugs, because we want to help bring normality into what are sometimes chaotic lifestyles by providing offenders with that support once they leave custody." Staffordshire Police works with social care and health charity CRI as part of its Test on Arrest operation. CRI deputy director, Shirley Riley, said: "When Staffordshire Police refer people to us, we assess them to look at their substance use and the possible causes of their behaviour. "People can start offending and using drugs for a number of reasons, so we work with them to look at the social, school and family lives. We support behaviour change by offering volunteering and employment opportunities. "CRI works very much in the community – visiting people where they are to gain a real understanding of their situation. This approach is often very successful in supporting them to live positive lives and to break the cycle of offending."
Reported by This is 2 days ago.
This is South Wales --
This is South Devon --
This is Scunthorpe --
This is Leicestershire --
This is Staffordshire --
This is Dorset -- A LOCAL man and woman were arrested following an altercation outside a Broadstone pub. The disturbance happened at around 1am on Sunday 29 December at the Blackwater Stream public house on Lower Blandford Road. The incident began inside the premises before moving outside into the street. Two men, a woman and a police officer were assaulted and some minor injuries were sustained. A white Yamaha motorbike was damaged when the altercation moved into the car park at the rear. Detective Constable Ben Morgan, of Bournemouth and Poole CID, said: "There were a number of people at the pub when the offences were committed. I am appealing for anyone with information concerning the disturbance to contact Dorset Police in confidence. "I am also keen to speak with anyone who may have witnessed the altercation that occurred outside the pub to help me establish exactly what happened." The man and the woman, both in their twenties, have been released on police bail until the end of January 2014. Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101, quoting incident number 29:023. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.
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This is Exeter -- An Exeter man is due to appear in court today following a six hour stand-off involving riot police in the early hours of New Year's Day. Karl Willis, aged 27 of Thursby Walk has been charged with harassment and obstructing a police officer following an incident in Pinhoe in the early hours of 1 January 2014. Residents of Thursby Walk reported a heavy police presence in the area including 'riot police, dogs and ambulance'. Police left the area shortly after 8am and have since carried out reassurance patrols in the area.
Reported by This is 2 days ago.
This is South Wales -- POLICE have launched an investigation following a burglary and arson attack in Swansea. Police believe an intruder set a fire in a room in property after the break-in, and are urging anyone with information to come forward. A Dell laptop computer and pieces of luggage were among the items taken from the shared student house on Brunswick Street, off St Helen's Road. The alarm was raised at around 4.40pm yesterday, when the emergency services were called to a fire in a second floor bedroom. A South Wales Police spokesman said: "Officers were alerted to the incident following reports of a fire at the property. "Upon arrival at the scene it was also discovered that there had been a burglary which happened sometime between 4.20pm and 4.40pm at the same flat within the building. "Police are treating the fire as arson and are also investigating the burglary where a Dell laptop computer and some items of luggage were among the stolen items." Firefighters spent around 30 minutes at the incident, and the blaze was contained to one bedroom of the property. Detectives are appealing for anybody who was in the area at the time, or anybody with information about the burglary and arson, to come forward. *Can you help? Call South Wales Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111*
Reported by This is 2 days ago.
This is Grimsby --
This is Devon -- Police pursuits will now only be conducted by highly trained specialists, the Devon and Cornwall force has confirmed. The force said its change in policy, with pursuit driving restricted to tactical pursuit and containment (TPAC) trained officers, did not relate to an inquest after which a coroner recommended it review its guidelines. Chief Superintendent Jim Nye said the area was "very high risk" but stressed the change in policy would make "no difference" to its ability to "bring pursuits to a safe resolution". Guidelines from the Association of Chief Police Officers outline how a police officer is considered to be "in pursuit" if the person they are attempting to stop knows that is their intention, but drives on. Under the old policy, all officers trained to national driving standards could initiate a pursuit but they would have to call for TPAC trained officers to bring it to an end. In Devon and Cornwall, only TPAC trained officers, whose number will be increased, will now be able to pursue drivers. Chf Supt Nye said the decision followed "a period of review into our policy on training for pursuit". He added: "This is a very high risk area of business for us and one we are determined will continue to be delivered by highly qualified and trained staff. "This decision makes no difference at all to the force's ability to bring pursuits to a safe resolution and all of the tactics we train for are still at our disposal. "We still have the same number of officers in the same locations undertaking the same roles as before and the final resolution of pursuits is unaffected in any way. "Our officers will still be able to respond and undertake their normal duties as before so the public will see no difference at all to our levels of service. "The only difference is our approach to the initial phase of response and the decision was made and is an interim position. "In these times of austerity it is incumbent on all organisations to ensure we invest in the training of our staff wisely and in a way that meets demand ensures maximum benefit is reaped from the investment." In November, an inquest jury heard taxi driver Marek Wojciechowski corrdrove into a car carrying a family from Ireland on Hamelin Way, Torquay, after leaving a four-page suicide note. Police were treating him as a high-risk missing person at the time, and a police car with its siren on and blue lights flashing had been speeding to catch up with him and signal him to stop. Sixteen-month-old Oisin Twomey was killed in the accident on July 6 and his mother Elber lost her unborn daughter. Elber's husband Con Twomey, 39, died 10 months after the crash after suffering serious injuries. all corr The 26-year-old Polish taxi driver died from multiple injuries on the day of the crash. Coroner Ian Arrow said the police officer involved had acted in "exemplary fashion" and followed police guidelines. However, Mr Arrow said he would be writing to the Association of Chief Police Officers calling for changes in the way vulnerable, suicidal drivers are dealt with.
Reported by This is 18 hours ago.
This is Exeter -- Police pursuits will now only be conducted by highly trained specialists, the Devon and Cornwall force has confirmed. The force said its change in policy, with pursuit driving restricted to tactical pursuit and containment (TPAC) trained officers, did not relate to an inquest after which a coroner recommended it review its guidelines. Chief Superintendent Jim Nye said the area was "very high risk" but stressed the change in policy would make "no difference" to its ability to "bring pursuits to a safe resolution". Guidelines from the Association of Chief Police Officers outline how a police officer is considered to be "in pursuit" if the person they are attempting to stop knows that is their intention, but drives on. Under the old policy, all officers trained to national driving standards could initiate a pursuit but they would have to call for TPAC trained officers to bring it to an end. In Devon and Cornwall, only TPAC trained officers, whose number will be increased, will now be able to pursue drivers. Chf Supt Nye said the decision followed "a period of review into our policy on training for pursuit". He added: "This is a very high risk area of business for us and one we are determined will continue to be delivered by highly qualified and trained staff. "This decision makes no difference at all to the force's ability to bring pursuits to a safe resolution and all of the tactics we train for are still at our disposal. "We still have the same number of officers in the same locations undertaking the same roles as before and the final resolution of pursuits is unaffected in any way. "Our officers will still be able to respond and undertake their normal duties as before so the public will see no difference at all to our levels of service. "The only difference is our approach to the initial phase of response and the decision was made and is an interim position. "In these times of austerity it is incumbent on all organisations to ensure we invest in the training of our staff wisely and in a way that meets demand ensures maximum benefit is reaped from the investment." In November, an inquest jury heard taxi driver Marek Wojciechowski corrdrove into a car carrying a family from Ireland on Hamelin Way, Torquay, after leaving a four-page suicide note. Police were treating him as a high-risk missing person at the time, and a police car with its siren on and blue lights flashing had been speeding to catch up with him and signal him to stop. Sixteen-month-old Oisin Twomey was killed in the accident on July 6 and his mother Elber lost her unborn daughter. Elber's husband Con Twomey, 39, died 10 months after the crash after suffering serious injuries. The 26-year-old Polish taxi driver died from multiple injuries on the day of the crash. Coroner Ian Arrow said the police officer involved had acted in "exemplary fashion" and followed police guidelines. However, Mr Arrow said he would be writing to the Association of Chief Police Officers calling for changes in the way vulnerable, suicidal drivers are dealt with.
Reported by This is 19 hours ago.
This is North Devon -- POLICE are searching for a man in his twenties following an alleged armed robbery in a Holsworthy shop. The man pulled out two large kitchen knives and demanded the cashier opened the till inside the Bazaar shop in the square. Police received a call at 3.20pm yesterday following the incident. Philippa Thompson, a spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said the female cashier refused to open the till. She said: "She refused to give the money, she began to scream. The offender was spooked, turned and fled from the store. "He had taken Lynx body spray and some tobacco." Nobody was injured following the incident. Dog handlers, police helicopter and officers on foot and in cars helped in the search yesterday. Officers continue to search for the suspect who was of slim build and around 5ft 8. He was wearing a green jacket and a cap. He was last seen running past McColl's at 3.40pm yesterday afternoon. Investigations and enquiries are continuing to find the suspect. If anyone has any information contact the police on 101 quoting reference number CH/14/2.
Reported by This is 18 hours ago.