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 Huddersfield and the rest of West Yorkshire.
We'll also 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.
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Burglary:
Detectives are appealing for information following a burglary at Co-Op in Ripponden.
The incident happened at the store on Oldham Road today (28 March) at around 3:45am.
The suspects arrived outside the premises in a dark grey Land Rover Defender and proceeded to damage the door to the ATM cash machine and attempted to steal money from inside the machine.
They were unable to get any money and made off from the scene in the Land Rover towards the motorway.
Police are particularly wanting to speak to the occupants of three white vans which were parked in the car park of the premises shortly at 3am that morning. These vehicles left the scene several minutes before the incident.
Anyone with any information about this incident, or saw the Land Rover in the area or driving away, is asked to contact Halifax CID via 101 quoting crime reference number 13180145613 or information can be passed to independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
M621 update:
Heavy traffic due to earlier Police incident on M621 Westbound at J7 A61 (Stourton) in which a man was reported to have fallen from a bridge. All lanes have been reopened.
Air ambulance:
We’re getting reports of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance have landed on the Holmbridge Football Field off Woodhead Road:
Read the full liveblog here: https://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/live-huddersfield-breaking-news-m62-14449810
M621 Update:
Police are investigating the apparent fall of a man from a bridge in the Leeds area.
Two lanes closed, heavy traffic and entry slip road closed due to the incident on M621 Westbound at J7 A61 (Stourton).
The incident occurred just after 5pm and the road was blocked until 5.40pm. Lanes one and two (of three) are closed.
Affecting traffic heading into Leeds.
Read our full liveblog here: https://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/live-huddersfield-breaking-news-m62-14449810
Breaking News:
West Yorkshire Police say the incident on the M621 Westbound at J7 A61 (Stourton) was reported to them at 5.05pm.
A spokeswoman said: “We received reports that a man had fallen from a bridge.”
Police are investigating and one lane of three is currently closed with motorists advised to find alternative routes.
Police incident:
Slow traffic and one lane closed due to police incident on M621 Westbound at J7 A61 (Stourton).
Lane one (of three) is closed.
Councillors have debated a plan to secure devolution for almost all of Yorkshire.
The region has been struggling to get a devolution deal after an initial offer to the Leeds City Region area – which includes Kirklees – was pulled by government ministers.
Afternoon tea:
Staff at Manor House in Lindley say they are now full booked for Afternoon Tea on Good Friday.
However, we do have just a few tables left on Saturday and Sunday, so they recommend booking quickly so you don’t miss out.
Price: £25 per person or upgrade with champagne available. Includes a selection of sandwiches, delicious cakes and scones.
To book, call 01484 504 000 or email hello@manorhouselindley.co.uk If you can’t make it this weekend, don’t panic.
Afternoon Tea will be a permanent fixture at Manor House every day between 1.30pm - 4pm from Monday, 2 April.
The former children’s home in Lidget Street has undergone a £4.5m conversion into a top-notch wedding venue and is set to be THE place in Huddersfield to get married.
Manor House, formerly Fieldhead, a Grade II listed Georgian period property will boast 11 individually designed guest rooms, bars and boutique restaurant open to the public, landscaping, roof terrace and a large car park.
Airport shock:
Holidaymakers face rising costs to be dropped off at the region’s biggest airport.
Manchester Airport is axing its free drop-off lanes, dubbed ‘kiss and fly’ lanes.
Pub news:
The owner of the popular real ale pub the Shoulder of Mutton at Lockwood, Huddersfield businessman, Ian Roger, has decided not to sell it after all and has taken it off the market after just a few weeks.
It was for sale for £250,000. The pub is one of Huddersfield’s best-known hostelries and, according to local legend, film star Cary Grant used to sup there when he was stationed in Yorkshire during the war.
Apparently, Labour Party’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, who has family in Holmfirth area is known to drop in there occasionally too.
Ian has a new landlady, Elenora Floyd.
Appeal from Huddersfield Mission
Can you help with this appeal for items for local homeless people?
Organisation Huddersfield Mission need donations of:
New knickers - sizes 6, 8, 10 & 12 only
Women’s clothing - sizes 6, 8 & 10 only
Mens jeans - Waist sizes of 28”, 30” & 32” only
The charity also need a shopping trolley bag. Anyone who can help is asked to contact them via Facebook.
Google celebrates origins of Yorkshire pudding
If you’ve seen the Google doodle today, you’ll notives it homage to the good old Yorkshire pudding.
The doodle pays tribute to Hannah Glasse, the person credited with changing the delicacy’s name from dripping pudding to Yorkshire pudding, despite not actually being from Yorkshire herself. Glasse was a cookery writer from Northumberland in the 18th century and is best known for her book The Art of Cookery made Plain and Easy.
"A bunny is for life..."
The RSPCA are pleading with animal lovers against buying bunnies for Easter.
Officers are concerned about the number of rabbits that get abandoned after owners realise they can’t look after them. So far in 2018 there have been 198 rabbits abandoned since January.
Dr Jane Tyson, RSPCA rabbit welfare expert, said: “Bunnies may look cute but their needs are very complex and it’s important to do lots of research before buying or adopting pet rabbits to ensure that you can meet all their needs.”
Pets At Home have already said they are banning sales of rabbits at its stores over the Easter bank holiday.
Local rapper taking part in knife crime campaign
Huddersfield rapper Zeeno Shortz has lent his name to a social media campaign tackling youth knife crime.
The Lives Not Knives campaign is aimed at teenagers and young adults to raise awareness of the dangers of carrying a knife. Zeeno, whose real name is Zishaan Faridi, has collaborated with Leeds grime artist Graft on a song called Knife High, produced by Leeds-based Black Health Initiative, which discusses the issue.
Heavy traffic in Sowerby Bridge
Reports of an accident in Sowerby Bridge this afternoon which is causing heavy traffic in the area.
The accident is near the bridge on Wharf Street at Tower Hill. Motorists are being advised to avoid the area.
Strikes planned for day before Good Friday
Passengers who use Northern trains are being reminded of upcoming strikes this Easter week.
People planning on travelling are being urged to plan their journey ahead as there will be strikes on Thursday, which is traditionally one of the busiest travel days of the year.
Northern’s Regional Director Sharon Keith said: “We have planned to provide around 70% of our usual services between the hours of 7am and 7pm. It is vitally important that our customers plan carefully for their Eater getaways on Thursday as we will have few services in the early morning and late evening. Our advice is to plan ahead, allow extra time for travel and check for service updates on our website.”
Police donate to rescue team
West Yorkshire Police has donated £2,000 to Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team.
The Force’s annual donation was presented to the charity’s retiring president, Bob Uttley MBE, by Chief Supt Dickie Whitehead.
Chief Supt Whitehead said: “During the recent cold weather, and significant snow fall, the team have been at the front line in helping motorists and people who have found themselves in difficulty. Their support here, means we can effectively deploy our policing resources where they are needed.”
Teen pregnancies lowest since records began
Rates of teenage pregnancies in Yorkshire are at the lowest since records began, it’s been revealed.
The number of teens becoming parents in the region dropped by 9% over the past year, and has fallen 59% in the past 20 years. The places with the highest rates of teenage pregnancy are Barnsley, North East Lincolnshire and Hull. The lowest is York.
Sexual health charities say however that cuts to sexual health services are jeopardising this.
Natika H Halil, Chief Executive of the sexual health charity FPA, said: “It’s concerning that local authorities in Yorkshire and the Humber are facing such massive cuts to their public health budget, which can then lead to sexual health services closing, or have their staff and funding reduced. These cuts could mean that we see teenage pregnancy rates start to rise again in the coming years.”
National news
Here’s a round up of today’s main headlines:
DECISION TO RELEASE RAPIST JOHN WORBOYS OVERTURNED BY HIGH COURT
A decision to release black cab rapist John Worboys from jail has been overturned by the High Court. Three judges in London ruled on Wednesday that the Parole Board must make a “fresh determination” in the case of the 60-year-old serial sex attacker following a challenge by victims. Parole Board chairman Nick Hardwick resigned ahead of the ruling, according to unconfirmed reports. Sir Brian Leveson, Mr Justice Jay and Mr Justice Garnham said the board should have “undertaken further inquiry into the circumstances of his offending”.
ENGLISH COUNCILS TO INCREASE AVERAGE TAX BILL BY £81
Households will be hit with the steepest council tax hike in 14 years in the new financial year when the average home will pay £81 more. The inflation-busting 5.1% increase on band D properties in England takes the cost up to £1,671. Nearly £2 billion extra will be raised as town halls take advantage of new freedoms to increase bills by as much as 5.99%. Councils leaders said caps on bills since the Conservatives took power had left them with “little choice” but to ask residents to pay more as they struggle to balance the books.
FUNERAL OF COMEDIAN SIR KEN DODD TO BE HELD
Fans have lined the streets of Liverpool to pay their final respects to comedian Sir Ken Dodd. Sir Ken’s funeral will be held at the city’s Anglican cathedral at 1pm today. A horse-drawn hearse, a nod to his father’s job as a coal merchant, will lead the funeral cortege from East Prescot Road at 11am on Wednesday, and residents and visitors have been encouraged to line the route. The much-loved comedian, aged 90, died at his home in Knotty Ash, Liverpool, earlier this month.
Cannon Hall to star in new TV show
Top visitor attraction Cannon Hall Farm is to appear in a new Channel Five documentary.
And the family-run farm will welcome some big names from TV, music and the farming world as part of the programme Springtime on the Farm. Making an appearance will be former JLS star JB Gill, himself a farmer, and actor Kelvin Fletcher who played Andy Sugden in Emmerdale. Read more on this story here.
Oddest litter collected from side of motorway
More than 1,800 bags of litter have been collected from the sides of local motorways in a big Spring clean - and the weirdest items have been revealed.
Settees, push bikes, fridges and a bin full of rubbish have all been collected from the verges and hard shoulders of motorways in Yorkshire, Highways England say.
The government organisation have joined with Keep Britain Tidy to clear rubbish dumped at the side of the M62, M1 and other local highways. Here’s a video of litter being cleared from the side of the M606 near Cleckheaton...
Cash machine blown from Co-op wall
Robbers used an explosive to blow a cash machine from a wall last night.
The thieves stole the ATM at the Co-op on Oldham Road, Ripponden, after pumping gas into the wall and igniting it. Police and fire attended the scene. Luckily there was no fire but crews needed to check the building was still structurally safe.
A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said: “Police received reports shortly after 3.45am this morning of an ongoing incident at the Co-op store on Oldham Road, Ripponden. Officers attended and found damage had been caused to an ATM machine and the cash box stolen. Enquiries are ongoing.”
Tragedy as pair "seen hugging" before falling to deaths
Two people died at Doncaster Rail Station last night after seen “hugging” before falling onto the tracks.
The tragic news was announced by Virgin trains. Services were delayed by 90 minutes following the incident at around 8pm.
A spokesperson for Virgin said: “My heart is broken for all involved in this tragic incident. Services are returning to normal but so much pain will remain. If you have been affected by tonight’s events, please talk to the Samaritans on 116 123.”
Update on the M62
Stop start traffic on the M62 eastbound between Rishworth Moor and Ainley Top this morning.
Traffic is also slow westbound heading towards Greater Manchester between junctions 19 and 18.