Welcome to the Huddersfield Examiner's breaking news service.
Stay with us throughout the day to be the first to know everything that's happening across West Yorkshire.
We'll be bringing you updates on crime, health, sport, politics, education and more live from the Examiner team.
And remember to check back before you travel as during peak times we'll provide you with all of the latest traffic updates on the M62 and roads around the region.
If there's something you've noticed and want us to check out then please feel free to get in touch - you can call us on 01484 437712, email editorial@examiner.co.uk or tweet @Examiner. You can also find us on Facebook here .
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Key Events
Traffic: M62 Manchester way
Reports of two lanes blocked, queueing traffic and long delays due to an accident involving a lorry and two cars involved on the M62 Eastbound between J18 Simister Island and J19 Heywood,
Congestion on M60 to J17 A56 (Prestwich / Whitefield).
Affecting traffic leaving Manchester towards Huddersfield and Leeds.
Traffic: M62 east
There are reports of one lane closed and very slow traffic on M62 Eastbound at Ainley Top.
Lane one is closed.
Wanted Huddersfield man
Detectives are re-appealing for information to trace a Huddersfield man who is wanted on recall to prison.
Ben France, 26, is wanted on recall to prison where he was serving a sentence for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. It is thought that he has links to the Blackpool area.
He also has a previous conviction for burglary and is known to spend time in the Colne Valley area, particularly Golcar and Milnsbridge.
He is described as a white male, 6ft, short brown hair and unshaven.
Kirklees CID would like to hear from anyone who has information about Ben France.
DC Victoria Catania of Kirklees CID, said: “We are urgently appealing to members of the public for any information about the whereabouts of Ben France.
“Members of the public are advised not to approach him directly but instead call the police immediately.
“Anyone with any information as to Ben France’s whereabouts is asked to contact DC Victoria Catania via 101 quoting reference 13160329747 or alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Readers have their say on Clr Amanda Stubley suspension
Our story on Kirklees councillor Amanda Stubley being suspended by the Labour Party has got you all talking online.
Cllr Stubley was temporarily suspended from the Party after footage was shown of her shouting at far-right party campaigners in the run-up to the Batley & Spen by-election.
Helen Kingston commented on Facebook to say: “She did right. Those people stood there and suggest Jo Cox was complicit in the actions of gangs of child molesters. Hat off to anyone who stands up to racism.”
Simon Hill said: “God help us if this is the standard of councillors, no wonder Labour is finished.”
Russell King said of the far-right campaigners: “Don’t like it? Don’t victimise the vulnerable. You might not like the medicine you hand out when it’s applied to you.”
Shoppers put off charity by "chuggers"
Nearly two-thirds of shoppers say being approached by a “chugger” (on-street charity collectors) puts them off donating to the cause, a survey has revealed today.
Some 61% of people across the UK said being approached in the street by a paid fundraiser wearing branded clothing actively puts them off donating to that charity.
What’s your opinion on “chuggers”? Let us know by tweeting us @Examiner or drop us an email at editorial@examiner.co.uk.
Barry Sheerman announces visit to Newsome Mill
Barry Sheerman says he will be visiting Newsome Mill on Saturday.
The MP is keen to talk to residents who live nearby or anyone who has concerns about the mill’s future and the remaining structure after it was demolished following a fire two weeks ago.
Barry will meet residents on the corner of Ruth Street and Naomi Road on Saturday at 3pm.
BREAKING: Kingsgate plan approved
The £14.4m plan to extend Kingsgate Shopping Centre has been approved.
The decision has just been made in a meeting with the Centre’s boss, Examiner reporter Nick Lavigueur says.
The new shopping centre will be open by Christmas 2019 - so only three years to wait!
"Kirklees' most wanted man" arrested after armed swoop
Police say today they have arrested “Kirklees’ most wanted man” after an armed swoop in Dewsbury yesterday afternoon.
Officers backed by a police helicopter made the arrest in the Westtown area. Armed police arrested three men from a property including a man believed to be wanted on a recall to prison. The man wanted on recall was dubbed Kirklees’ “most wanted” and the district’s police commander Chief Supt Steve Cotter turned to social media to commend his officers for their work.
Det Insp Mark Walker, of Kirklees CID, said that the three men arrested remained in police custody.Police declined to go into details about the three men pending interviews and further investigations.
Collision on Dunford Road, Holmfirth
And from one shocking image to another, Holmfirth resident Val Farrar has taken this picture after a car overturned on Dunford Road.
No-one is believed to have been injured. The car overturned after the 24-year-old male driver collided with a wall.
Regional: Shocking CCTV shows bank being robbed at gunpoint
Recognise this man? This shocking CCTV still shows the moment he held a building society up at gunpoint yesterday.
Police have released the image today in a bid to trace him and his accomplice after they robbed the bank in the Crossgates area of the city yesterday.
The two masked men entered the premises at 12.50pm and threatened staff and customers before taking an amount of cash.
They left in a car, believed to be a silver / grey five-door Vauxhall Corsa 59-plate onwards. Anyone with information is urged contact Leeds District CID via 101 quoting log number crime number 13160713378.
35 men requested help to stop viewing child abuse images
A charity has claimed it’s been contacted by 35 men in West Yorkshire requesting help to stop viewing child abuse images.
The numbers are for the past 12 months and were revealed by child protection helpline Stop It Now.
The charity claim they’ve had 620 people from the county view their website over the past year - a 30% rise from the year before. The news comes as West Yorkshire Police hold a conference in Wakefield today to discuss ways of tackling child sexual exploitation on the web.
Temporary traffic lights
Temporary traffic lights in Middlestown today due to trees being cut down. This is on New Road and may affect traffic from Grange Moor to Horbury.
Ofsted chief links Brexit to North South divide
...and on the Brexit debate: The head of Ofsted has suggested this morning that the vote to leave the EU was connected to “resentment” felt about the education system as a result of the North-South divide.
Sir Michael Wilshaw has said many people in more economically deprived areas in the North felt “alienated”, particularly as the gap between spending in the North and South had widened.
Sir Michael said in his fifth and final Ofsted report that the gulf was felt particularly in secondary schools.
Clr David Sheard suggests people voted Brexit for "straight bananas"
Clr David Sheard has told a West Yorkshire combined authority meeting this morning that people vote Brexit because they want “straight bananas”.
The Kirklees Council co-leader made the suggestion at the meeting with other councils on local jobs in the region, and was told by the Chair Peter Box to “debate properly”, according to BBC reporter Richard Beecham.
Tea party with a twist at Byram Arcade
Interested in a tea party with a grown up twist? Byram Arcade are holding a Winter Wonderland Cocktail Tea Party tomorrow evening.
The event is being hosted by Manchester-based Polly’s Travelling Tea Party, which hosts pop up events around the country. The hosts have teamed up with the Panda’s Kitchen shop in the arcade and will be serving mulled wine and canapés alongside tea and cake.
Nearly 90% of rape allegations against "someone known to victim"
Police have revealed this morning that 88% of rape allegations in the past year were against somebody already known to the victim.
Further to this, the force have revealed one in ten serious sexual offences involved the victim or offender being under the influence of drink or drugs.
The figures have been disclosed as the Force raise awareness that sexual offences are never acceptable in the run up to the Christmas party season.
Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster said: “People have a lot of misconceptions about what rape is and where the boundaries are in terms of consent. I would like to take this opportunity to remind people that stranger rapes are extremely rare. The vast majority of offences occur within a relationship or where the victim and perpetrator are known to each other.
“As well as working with late night venues, we want people to be thinking about their personal safety and the safety of others before they start drinking.”
Masked men at large after trying to rob woman at knifepoint
Police today are searching for two masked men who threatened a woman with a knife in Lindley.
The two men, one wearing a balaclava and the other a plastic face mask, approached the woman in Cadogan Avenue yesterday lunchtime. One of the men pulled out a knife and threatened the woman, demanding cash. The woman screamed and shouted for help and the men panicked and fled. The would-be robbers escaped in a small grey car. Det Insp Mark Walker, of Kirklees CID, said the woman, in her late 20s, was shocked but unhurt.
Today's weather
A much more mild day today than the freezing weather earlier this week. Highs of 8-9 degrees and cloud but no rain luckily.
Ducks and swans on the M62
Reports of ducks and swans on the M62 around junction 31 causing traffic issues.
Police are flocking to the scene and trying to track down any birds that fit the bill.
Congestion on New North Road
Slow traffic on New North Road this morning heading towards town near the Mountjoy Road junction.
Traffic is also slow on Wakefield Road in Mirfield heading towards Cooper Bridge.
Penistone Line not calling at Huddersfield stops
Bad news is you use the Penistone Line service this morning:
Traffic at M62 westbound cleared
Looks like traffic on the M62 has returned to normal following an accident at Ainley Top earlier.
December marks onset of Christmas drink driving campaign
As we hit December, police launch their annual Christmas drink driving campaign. This year, the force are challenging stereotypes that drink drivers are young men.
#NotTheUsualSuspects is a campaign to raise awareness that anyone can be a drink driver if they get behind the wheel after a few drinks, whether or not they think it is safe.
Sgt Gary Roper said: “Statistically, young men do form a large proportion of those whom we stop for drink driving, however we are seeing more and more men, and increasingly women aged over 35 who are drink driving, many with the attitude ‘it’ll never happen to me.’ These are people from all backgrounds, ethnicity and genders. Many of them have professional careers, they may have children and grandchildren and yet they are still choosing to get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.”
A conviction for driving while under the influence of drink and drugs currently carries a punishment of a criminal record, a driving ban of at least a year and a fine up to £5,000.
Headliners announced for Leeds Festival 2017
Muse are set to take the stage once again as headline acts for 2017’s Leeds Festival.
The headliners were announced this morning. Hitmakers Bastille and Major Lazer are also scheduled to hit the main stages, while other acts announced for next year’s event include Glass Animals and At The Drive In.
Muse are said to be “very excited” to be returning to the festival. They last featured in the line up in 2011.
Severe traffic heading into Leeds from M1
Severe traffic on the M621 if you’re travelling to Leeds this morning.
Two lanes blocked with a backlog of congestion coming from the M1.
Man injured in RTC at Ainley Top
An update on the M62 at Ainley Top: Police say one man has been injured following the accident.
The collision was between two vehicles near junction 24 on the westbound carriage. One of the vehicles has been blocking one of the lanes hence causing the traffic disruption.
The man’s injuries are not thought to be serious. We are waiting on an update from police.
Police tweetathon reaches an end
Police this morning have rounded off their 24 hour tweetathon. It’s been an interesting one, as officers have been providing live updates for ongoing incidents and callouts.
Incidents logged overnight have included a mysterious call regarding a suspicious man at the Fox’s Biscuits factory in Batley, a fight that broke out in Scholes and a man walking the streets with a TV on his head (no, we don’t know either)...
M62: Scene at Ainley Top
Here is the scene at Ainley Top this morning - a remind to take an alternative route if possible.
