Live: Huddersfield breaking news, M62 and travel news - Wednesday June 13

Missing teenager from Birstall

Police are appealing for information to help find 15 year old girl Haleema Bismillah.

She was last seen at Batley Girls School in Birstall and reported missing at 10:30pm last night.

It is believed she may be in the Leeds area and is described as Asian, around 5ft 2 inches tall, with dark hair which is partly dyed red.

She is thought to be wearing blue ripped jeans with flowers on the side and a white shoulder top also with flowers.

Officers are concerned for Haleema due to her vulnerability.

Anyone who knows of her current location or who has any information which could assist police is asked to contact the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, you can use the live-chat function available via the Contact Us section of the Force website.

Batley crash update

This is what we know so far on the serious crash in Wellington Street, Batley. Here’s another picture from freelance photographer Mike Clark.

Pedestrian injured in crash

We’ve got reports that a pedestrian has been struck by a van at Wellington Street, Batley, near Fox’s biscuits.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance was sent and landed nearby but the victim wasn’t critical and so was taken to hospital by road.

We’ll update you again if more details are released.

New unmarked police cars on patrol

You’d better watch out if you’re speeding or breaking the law as there’s some new unmarked police cars out and about in Kirklees.

http://reg-cms10.birminghammail.co.uk:8080/webservice/escenic/content/14780631

Tomorrow's wind forecast given 'Storm' name

The Met Office says the windy forecast for Thursday has been given an official storm name.

Storm Hector is part of a severe weather alert, as we reported earlier.

Sir Patrick on Parliament activities

Actor Sir Patrick Stewart has just tweeted about an event taking place in Parliament today.

The Mirfield-born star has previously spoken out about issues with dogs and he’s just shared the petition link about breeding of some dogs.

West Yorkshire 4th in stolen vehicle league

A vehicle was stolen every two hours in West Yorkshire last year, data shows.

In 2017, there were 5,343 thefts of a motor vehicle recorded by police in West Yorkshire, one every two hours, a small decrease compared to 2016, when there were 5,611 thefts.

This works out as a rate of 233 thefts for every 100,000 people living in the area covered by West Yorkshire police. It is the highest rate in the country after London, Greater Manchester and Essex.

Here’s some advice on how to protect your vehicle from thieves:

- In order to protect your car from thieves, police suggest fitting an alarm.

- If the car is older than four years, you should consider having an approved immobiliser professionally fitted.

- Never leave keys in the ignition, even for just a few seconds.

- With the new keyless cars, thieves are using relay technology to unlock and start the engine by intercepting a signal from a nearby set of car keys. To protect your car against this type of theft, the police suggest to keep your keys far away from windows and doors so that the signal is harder to pick up, or put your car in a garage.

- Use steering or wheel locks, having car windows security etched and use a car cover, as it will take considerably longer to gain access to the car.

Nationally in 2017 there were 109,469 thefts of a vehicle reported to police, 187 thefts for every 100,000 residents. That corresponds to 12 cars stolen every hour across England and Wales.

Severe weather alert issued, yes really!

Yes, a severe weather alert has been issued.

It relates to strong winds possible in the north of England.

Highways England says: “Road users in the North East and North West of England are being advised to check the weather forecast and road conditions before they travel tomorrow morning, Thursday 14 June as strong winds are forecast.

“As a result of the strong winds Highways England has issued a Severe Weather Alert for users of high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorbikes who are advised to take extra care when travelling due to the increased risk of these vehicles being blown over.

“Highways England, which is responsible for motorways and other major roads in England, is working closely with the Met Office to monitor weather conditions and maintain safe roads and reliable journeys.

“Drivers are advised to plan for their journey before they set out, checking the forecast and road conditions and to leave extra time if travel conditions are poor, and to delay their journey if the weather becomes severe.”

Top stories this lunchtime

Here’s the most read stories on our website today:

1) Here’s why Footasylum may have to remove its Huddersfield store signs four months after it opened - this is a bizarre planning issue, click here to read more

2) Revolución de Cuba set to be one of the biggest bars in Huddersfield - £1m planning revamp for town centre bar

3) Huddersfield house hit by car will have to be demolished - Brockholes family whose home was wrecked by a runaway 4x4 face re-build

4) Kirklees Council confirms school holiday dates for 2019/20 - Here’s your chance to get in early for the best holiday deals

5) Evidence of mine workings on Mirfield housing site is a ‘game-changer’ - Town councillor Steve Benson claims Balderstone Hall Fields are ‘riddled’ with old mine workings

TV sale con in retail car park

Warning: Our photographer was in the B&Q car park around 10.30am this morning when a man pulled up to him in a car and asked if he wanted to buy a cheap Smart 50ins TV.

He had one in bubble wrap on the back seat. Don’t be tempted. It may be a ‘fresh air’ con where they then say they have others in boxes but when they’ve gone you discover it’s just a weight such as bricks in there. Or the TV he has may no longer work.

Flockton traffic problems meeting

A public meeting about traffic issues in Flockton will include the MP, councillors and police.

The meeting, at St James the Great Church in Flockton takes place on Friday, June 15 at 6.30pm.

It’s to discuss the issues on Barnsley Road, and comes after a petition garnered thousands of signatures callihng for a bypass for Flockton.

You can find out more about the history of residents’ calls for a bypass by clicking here

Man, 35, arrested after 'punish a Muslim' posters sent

A man has been arrested in connection with posters urging people to ‘punish a Muslim’. Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing North East (CTP NE) arrested a 35-year-old man from South Lincoln in connection with an ongoing investigation into offensive communications.

He is currently being questioned at a West Yorkshire police station.

Hate-fuelled letters, sent to people in west Yorkshire and elsewhere in March, encouraged people to assault, torture and ‘butcher’ Muslims and ‘burn or bomb’ a mosque.

A spokesperson for the North East Counter Terror Unit said the main had been arrested on suspicion of three things: sending a hoax noxious substance under section 114(1)(a) and (3) of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001; sending letters/communications/articles conveying a threatening message contrary to section 1(1)(a) and (4) Malicious Communications Act 1988; and conspiring and soliciting to commit murder contrary to section 4 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. Searches have taken place at a residential property in South Lincoln and an office building in the city centre by Lincolnshire Police.

The spokesperson added: “We understand that people may be concerned following this activity. However, we would like to reassure communities that this activity is a result of an ongoing, intelligence led investigation and was not in response to an immediate threat.”

Issues on the trains

Due to a signalling fault trains will be running at reduced speeds between Halifax and Hebden Bridge.

It means train services may be delayed by up to 15 minutes.

Northern say it’s set to last until around 10am.

Fire in Batley town centre

Chemicals put in a waste bin set it on fire - and it spread to a nearby building.

Dewsbury firefighters were called to premises on Commercial Street in Batley town centre at 1.15am on Wednesday morning after a fire started in a large, commercial waste bin.

But it had quickly spread to a nearby building due to the items thrown away.

Watch Manager Mark Hemingway, of blue watch at Dewsbury Fire Station, said: “It started as just a fire in a bin, but due to the nature of the chemical products the fire spread. “It took some investigation to work out what the chemicals were, we had to call the keyholder out to double check while we were putting the fire out. “It did cause some damage to the building, mainly superficial damage to the guttering. “We were there for two and a half hours, just to make sure the building was safe and it wouldn’t flare up again.” Two appliances from Dewsbury attended the incident.

Appeal for missing Katie

Police are concerned for the welfare of a 15-year-old girl who has been reported missing from home in Cleckheaton.

Katie Wickham was last seen in Turnsteads Avenue, Cleckheaton, at 10.30pm on Monday, 11 June and was reported missing on Tuesday morning.

She is described as white, 5ft 7ins tall, of slim build, with dyed red hair which she usually wears in a ponytail. She was last seen wearing a black Adidas top, black leggings and a nose ring.

It is believed that she is in the Batley and Spen area.

Anyone who has seen Katie or with information about her whereabouts is asked to call Kirklees District CID via 101, quoting log 244 of 12/06. Information can also be given via the Live Chat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website.

Weather watch

Jink alert: it’s a lovely, sunny day (so far).

Pollen and UV both high, however.

Wednesday is set to be a fine with sunny spells. It will feel especially warm during the afternoon with sunny spells, though sunshine turning hazy later in the day. Maximum temperature 22 °C.

Tonight will remain dry for much of the evening, but winds will strengthen overnight with some occasional rain arriving from the west. Potentially very windy by Thursday morning, especially in the west. Minimum temperature 13 °C.

Travel round-up

Here’s the latest on the roads, mostly moving swiftly so far:

A62 Mirfield:

Usual slow traffic on A62 Leeds road Westbound at A644 Wakefield Road (Cooper Bridge Roundabout).

M621:

Delays on M621 inbound from M1 J43 (Belle Isle) to Leeds City Centre. Travel time is seven minutes.

It's Wednesday!

Morning all, Joanne here with today’s live blog of breaking news, travel, local news and more.

Stay with us throughout the day for updates.

It’s a sunny day so far, fingers crossed it stays like that.