Police are appealing for witnesses following an alleged serious sexual assault in Huddersfield town centre in the early hours of this morning.
Officers were called at around 2.30am to Chancery Close to a woman in her 20s reporting she had been sexually assaulted.
The area has been cordoned off by police.
We will bring you developments as we get them.
Meanwhile, there has been a crash on the Elland bypass which is causing severe congestion.
We will also be bringing you updates on everything that's happening across West Yorkshire.
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.
You can also download our app to get news on the go and push notification for the latest breaking stories here .
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
Suicide in prisons 'at record levels'
An all-time record number of people lost their lives through suicide in prisons in England and Wales last year.
Official data published by the Ministry of Justice show that 119 prisoners died by suicide during 2016 – the highest number in a calendar year since current recording practices began in 1978.
The previous high was in 2004, when 96 deaths by suicide were recorded.
Twelve women lost their lives through suicide in 2016 – more than double the number of women who took their own lives during the previous year.
At New Hall women’s prison in Flockton three inmates took their own lives last year compared to none in 2015, one in 2014 and none in 2013.
At Leeds prison four inmates killed themselves last year compared to two in 2015, three in 2014 and two in 2013.
Bin fire at Lindley
Fire crews were called to Lidget Street at Lindley to deal with a bin fire in the kitchen of a flat.
Two fire engines from Huddersfield attended the incident at 1.17pm today. A fire service spokesman said the fire was out on arrival.
There were no reports of anyone hurt.
Man taken to hospital after Elland bypass crash
The crash on the Elland bypass involved a red Mitsubishi Coupe which is believed to have had a tyre blow-out before it collided with crash barriers.
Police said the crash happened just after noon and led to serious congestion as the crashed car had blocked the road.
The man who was driving was taken to hospital but was not thought to have been hurt.
The road reopened at 2pm but there has been congestion around Ainley Top and on the Elland bypass in the hours since the accident.
Photo from the Elland bypass crash
This is the scene from the crash on the Elland bypass earlier. It has caused serious congestion on the bypass and around Ainley Top.
Congestion around Ainley Top
Traffic is heavy around Ainley Top following the earlier crash on the Elland bypass.
Cars coming off the M62 at Ainley Top are also affected by the congestion.
We are still awaiting details of the crash from West Yorkshire Police.
Elland bypass anger
We are still awaiting details from police about the incident on the Elland bypass.
Meanwhile, people on Twitter are saying this:
Elland bypass: Drivers caught in congestion
Drivers have been stuck on the Elland bypass for over an hour. We are still waiting to hear details from West Yorkshire Police and the ambulance service.
It is thought to be a crash involving one vehicle.
Traffic: Elland bypass accident
Traffic congestion on the Elland bypass following an accident. More details as we get them.
Police investigate sex assault in town centre
Police are appealing for witnesses following an alleged serious sexual assault in Huddersfield town centre in the early hours of this morning.
Officers were called at around 2.30am to Chancery Close to a woman in her 20s reporting she had been sexually assaulted.
The area has been cordoned off by police.
Detective Inspector George Bardell, of Kirklees CID, said: “The victim is being supported by specially trained officers and our enquiries are ongoing.
“I would ask for anyone who has any information relating to this incident to get in touch with police, by calling 101 quoting log 0093 of January 26.” Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
IPCC: Decision on Valley Parade 'not taken lightly'
The Independent Police Complaints Commission decision not to investigate the actions of officers was “not taken lightly”, according to IPCC deputy chairman Sarah Green.
She said: “The fire at Bradford City’s Valley Parade Stadium in 1985 was a horrific tragedy that many of us can recall, resulting in the death of 56 people. Mr Fletcher, the complainant, suffered significant loss and trauma himself.
“My decision not to conduct an investigation was not taken lightly; it comes as a result of detailed consideration of both Mr Fletcher’s concerns about the role of the police and documents obtained from West Yorkshire Police, as well as evidence which is publicly available.
“The IPCC’s role in relation to such tragic events is to examine whether there is evidence to suggest the actions of individual police officers potentially amounted to misconduct, criminality, performance issues, or whether there are any organisational lessons to be learnt.
“It is possible, with hindsight, to identify things that the police could have done differently, but I do not consider that there is an indication that any individual officer may have breached the professional standards applicable at the time. Significant learning was rightly identified at the time of the disaster, and formed part of the evolution towards the modern day approach to policing large events.”
IPCC statement on police actions during 1985 Valley Parade fire
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has released a statement to say it will not be conducting an investigation into the actions of police during the fire at Valley Parade on May 11 1985.
“The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has decided that, as there is no indication of potential misconduct by individual police officers, it will not conduct an investigation into the actions of West Yorkshire Police during the fire at Bradford City’s Valley Parade football stadium on 11 May 1985 or the subsequent investigation.
“The decision follows a detailed assessment of a referral from West Yorkshire Police following allegations from Martin Fletcher – a survivor of the fire – relating to the conduct of police officers during and after the incident.
“The IPCC has made a recommendation to West Yorkshire Police, as a result of this assessment, that it should consider making more of its records relating to its original investigation into the causes of the fire publicly available.”
Stolen Range Rover recovered
I posted a story earlier about Huddersfield police warning Land Rover owners to be vigilant after a spate of thefts in the Holme Valley and the Colne Valley.
A little further afield...a stolen Range Rover has been recovered. One person arrested. Good work cops.
Coroner's appeal
Coroners in Huddersfield are appealing for the relatives of Stephen McGloughlin to get in touch.
Mr McGloughlin, 59, died of natural causes on January 13 at a care home in Edgerton.
Any relatives are asked to contact Rod Holmes at Huddersfield Coroner’s Office on 01274 471 439.
Police incident near McDonald's in the town centre
Police have confirmed that they are investigating an incident which happened in the early hours near McDonald’s in John William Street.
The area has been cordoned off by police.
More details as we get them.
Reports of police activity in town centre
We are getting reports that part of the town centre has been cordoned off by police. We will bring you more information as we get it.
We have contacted West Yorkshire Police for a comment.
M62: Recovery of truck after fire
The truck involved in the fire this morning on the M62 westbound, between Chain Bar and Gildersome, is now being recovered.
One lane remains closed.
Video: Manic squirrels...
Thanks to Chloe Dabbs for sending us this clip of squirrels in Huddersfied. What ARE they up to?
Police appeal: Can you name this man?
Do you know this man?
Police in Kirklees have released the picture in connection with the theft from a shop on Monday, January 23.
Call police on 101 and quote reference KD323.
Traffic: Busy on Manchester Road
It does look busy on Manchester Road. It’s a bit of a bottle neck as you approach Longroyd Bridge.
Here’s what it looks like this morning.
Nuisance Meltham biker in court
Residents have praised police for taking a Meltham youth to court after he rode this bike around the village.
Police said the youth had been fined and given a community order for “anti-social use of a motorcycle in the village.”
The bike was confiscated.
Residents posted comments on Kirklees Rural police’s Facebook page.
One said: “Great news that the bike has been taken off him.”
Another said: “Can you catch the one in Marsden please?”
Traffic: M1 rolling road block
There’s queueing traffic on the M1 northbound between junction 40, Ossett, and junction 41, Carr Gate, following an earlier accident.
A rolling road block was put in place to allow damaged vehicles to be moved into a lay-by.
Traffic was released at 8:30am.
Police warning: Spate on Land Rover thefts across Huddersfield
Police in Huddersfield are warning Land Rover owners to take extra precautions following a rise in thefts in Denby Dale and the Holme and Colne valleys.
Thieves are taking the prized vehicles as the value of 4x4 vehicles has soared.
Kirklees Rural officers have urged people to fit a security device such as a tracker.
Police have also urged people to be careful what they post on social media so that only trusted friends can see when you are on holiday.
Land Rover owners are also urged to declare modifications to their insurer to ensure you are covered in the event of a theft.
A police spokesman said: “The selling of second hand Land Rover parts is a very lucrative business and some 4x4s are stolen purely for this purpose.
“Next time you go to an Auto jumble, take an extra minute to examine the parts you are purchasing as there’s a possibility they may have been stripped from a stolen 4×4.”
Traffic: Lorry blocking road in Rastrick
Traffic near The Sun Inn, Rastrick, is slow due to a broken down lorry on the B6114 Dewsbury Road at Crowtrees Lane/Clough Lane.
The road is partially blocked and traffic heading from Elland towards Rastrick is being affected.
M62: Truck fire
Be aware that this fire-damaged truck is still awaiting recovery on the M62 westbound between 26 (Chain Bar) and 27 (Gildersome). It means one of the ‘Smart’ motorway lanes won’t be in operation.
Looks like the fire happened a couple of hours ago. Traffic was held up as the West Yorkshire Fire Service dealt with it.
And here’s another image:
Traffic: M62 'slow'
There are reports of slow traffic on the M62 Eastbound at Ainley Top, Huddersfield, this morning.
And traffic is already heavy on the M62 eastbound at Chain Bar, which is junction 26.
Traffic is also heavier than normal on the M62 at Milnrow, with congestion to junction 22, Rishworth Moor.
Welcome to Thursday's live blog
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.
You can also download our app to get news on the go and push notification for the latest breaking stories here .
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 .
