The findings relate to plans to expand digital applications for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which helps people with long-term health conditions or disabilities cover extra living costs.

Data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) suggests:

• PIP registrations rose by 22% in the first year of the trial
• Successful claims increased by 7% in the first 19 weeks

The report concluded that digital applications were less stressful and more convenient than phone or paper applications.

Some applicants reported that phone applications required them to be “in the right headspace”, while paper forms were considered “daunting”.

We are closing two outdated benefits today

Income Support and income-related Jobseeker’s Allowance have been replaced by Universal Credit, which opens up a range of support to help people move closer to or into work

Find out more https://t.co/C4xnK5DWGk pic.twitter.com/FW8Xn4GUkA

— Department for Work and Pensions (@DWPgovuk) March 31, 2026

Digital applications, on the other hand, were given the following feedback:

• More flexible
• Easier to complete
• Less anxiety-inducing

The trial indicates that online applications could make PIP more accessible to people who may have struggled with traditional methods. But, there is no ‘one size fits all’ method to any application process.

Recommended reading:

How to apply for PIP online

Applying for PIP online is now straightforward and can increase your chances of a smooth claim. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Check eligibility

2. Visit the official PIP website

3. Create a Government Gateway account

4. Fill in the online form

   • Provide personal details, medical history, and information on how your condition affects daily life.

5. Attach supporting evidence

6. Submit and track

7. Assessment

Helen Whately, shadow work and pensions secretary, warned that all PIP assessments should remain face-to-face: “The last thing we need is DWP encouraging online assessments – opening up a benefits Pandora’s box with ever easier access.”

The government trial suggests online applications reduce barriers but also increase overall claim numbers, which has raised political debate about the cost of benefits.

Judge Jo Kidd described Ryan Bird’s offending as one of the “most grotesque” cases with which she has dealt.

The court heard the Ferryhill offender boasted on the dark web about his sick offending, taking sexual gratification at the distribution of images of his activities, in the hope of receiving similar images in return.

Bird was caught after communicating with an undercover police officer posing as a like-minded paedophile.

Some of the offenders locked up at Durham Crown Court in March (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said Bird sent images of his abuse and disclosed details of his sexual activity, telling the officer he had to crop his face out of the images so he would not be recognised.

Police arrested him in July last year seizing his phone which was analysed.

Mr Dodds said the defendant was co-operative pointing out where his phone was and giving the officers the pin code.

He told the officers: “I’m going to prison” admitting that his victims did not deserve what he had done, adding: “I need help”.

Despite those apparent admissions no plea was taken while the defendant underwent psychiatric examination to assess his fitness to plead.

Having been considered fit to plead, he denied the offences until the date of his trial, in January, when he changed pleas and made admissions, as one of the young victims was on standby to give evidence that day.

Ryan Bird (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Among the offences admitted by 30-year-old Bird, of Kitchener Street, were six of rape, one of attempted rape, two of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one of sexual assault, plus offences of taking indecent images and possessing prohibited images of children.

The judge said it was the most grotesque set of facts in a case she has ever had to read.

She said the defendant’s use of the dark web was an attempt to conceal his activities and to enable him to converse with like-minded paedophiles.

The judge said she had come to the conclusion the defendant poses a serious risk of serious harm, particularly to young children.

Imposing the total 27-year extended sentence she said the defendant must serve at least 18 years behind bars before being eligible for consideration for release by the Parole Board.

But he may have to serve the full 27 years before being released.

Upon his eventual release he will be subject to eight years’ extended licence period.

He will also be subject of Sexual Harm Prevention Order and registration as a sex offender, both “indefinitely”

Restraining orders were put in place relating to each abused child, also indefinitely.

John Andrews

A County Durham paedophile is back behind bars after downloading sickening images of children from the internet.

It also emerged that digger driver John Robert Andrews, with a username “Big John”, tried to engage in online conversation with a child abroad last year, in breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

John Andrews (Image: Durham Constabulary)

The 40-year-old defendant appeared before the court on March 3 after previously admitting breaching the SHPO.

Three further charges relating to the downloading of indecent images of children, in all three categories of severity, were also admitted by him.

Judge Kidd said it appeared to be the defendant’s third conviction relating to images of child abuse, after offences in both 2016 and in 2020, after which he received a 12-month prison sentence, in 2021.

Lucy Todd, prosecuting, confirmed that was the case.

She told the court Andrews was made subject of a ten-year SHPO as part of the 2021 sentence.

The order put restrictions on his online activities, but in July 2024 he was arrested on suspicion of downloading an indecent image of a child.

Examination of the phone revealed 21 indecent images, one in the most serious category, had been downloaded by him at some stage.

She said that while Andrews was “under investigation” over those images allegations, police received information in June last year that in an online account, bearing the defendant’s date of birth and with the “Big John” username, an attempt had been made to engage in chat with a “non-UK minor”.

Andrews, of Inchcape Terrace, Horden, was again arrested and denied the allegation as he said he believed the person in that conversation was not of such a young age.

Miss Todd said as part of an unrelated investigation Andrews was said to have downloaded Snapchat onto his device, in April last year, but when his phone was examined, it had been deleted, which was in breach of the defendant’s notification requirements as a sex offender.

The court heard the defendant has been in full-time employment recently as a digger driver for a construction company and has been in a long-term relationship with a partner of 11 years.

Judge Kidd said an assertion that the defendant was not interested in images of pre-pubescent children did not hold water as the images recovered in the 2024 investigation featured youngsters being abused aged between two and 12.

She said his latest offending was against the background of his previous convictions from 2016 and 2021, after which he was made subject of the ten-year SHPO.

“I take the view that whatever has been in place previously hasn’t been sufficient to deter you from your interest in indecent images of children, and children per se.

“So, the only way to deal with you is by way of an immediate sentence of imprisonment, as previous attempts to set you on the right path have been insufficient and failed to deter you from further breaching the SHPO.”

Imposing prison sentences totalling 20 months she also made the defendant subject to a new ten-year SHPO.

He will also be subject to a further ten years’ notification as a sex offender.

Mark Burton

A paedophile ex-Darlington councillor has been jailed for 12 years for sexually assaulting a boy.

Former Harrowgate Hill councillor Mark Burton was jailed for 22 months in 2012, for sexually assaulting a girl, and for having indecent images of children.

But he has now been locked up again, for a string of sex offences on the boy, which the court heard probably pre-date him being jailed in 2012.

The court was told the latest set of offences only came to light following a more recent complaint.

Mark Burton (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Burton, 57, who was once chair of the council’s Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee, still denies four counts of sexual assault, two of sexual activity with a child and one of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, despite being found guilty by unanimous jury verdicts in January.

The court heard the defendant’s “relevant” conviction for offences committed in 2011 led to him being made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), plus registration as a sex offender for ten years.

Burton, now of Littleburn Lane in Langley Moor, near Durham, was barred from serving as a councillor after the 2012 conviction.

The court was told the defendant, who initially denied the allegations, before, near the trial, making admissions, remains in denial of the latest offending.

Judge Nathan Adams, who presided over the trial in January, told Burton that when he was convicted in 2012 for offending in 2011, “what was not known was that there was another victim, which only came to light later”.

The judge said the offences were “similar in nature”, but with a different victim, so had they been dealt with all together, in 2012, Burton would have received consecutive sentences.

Judge Adams added that, given his continued denials, he has showed no remorse or empathy with his victim.

Imposing the 12-year sentence, the judge said Burton must serve at least two-thirds of it, eight years, behind bars, before his release on licence.

Judge Adams said the indefinite SHPO remains in force from the 2012 conviction, but he also now made Burton subject of registration as a sex offender for life.

Steven Kay

A man has been jailed for a vodka bottle attack, ‘battering’ one victim.

When police arrived at the Peterlee address, they found a “confused” scene and spoke to some of those present who refused to provide statements.

The court heard that a woman told police that defendant Steven Kay, of Peterlee, had “just battered my friend” and tried to hit someone else.

Steven Kay (Image: Durham Constabulary)

But one of the males at the scene said he had “smashed him (Kay) to bits” when he tried to leave, having been the initial aggressor.

Kay was said to have then used a glass vodka bottle to strike some of those present and two people were found to have bloodied facial injuries.

Martin Towers, prosecuting, said the defendant also had “a significant cut” for which he was taken to hospital for treatment.

The 32-year-old defendant, of Sunny Blunts, was charged with wounding and two counts of assault causing actual bodily, all of which he denied, but his guilty plea to affray on the day of trial was considered an acceptable alternative by the prosecution, given the witness evidential difficulties.

Mr Towers said the offence took place on May 19, 2024, and the defendant has a subsequent assault on an emergency worker, committed in the aftermath of the incident, when he was found hiding behind a bush as police were leaving the scene.

Among previous offences of violence on his record, the defendant was said to have served a two-year prison sentence for grievous bodily harm in 2020 when he struck someone with a piece of wood in a neighbour dispute.

Calum McNicholas, for Kay, said he suffered two large gash wounds to the head in the incident for which he required emergency hospital treatment.

Mr McNicholas said the defendant clearly suffered injuries before any of the others present that day.

“He was the first person to use violence that day but was also the first to receive injuries.”

Judge Jo Kidd told Kay a pre-sentence Probation Service report concludes he poses a high risk of causing serious physical and emotional harm relating to potential future violent offending.

She said this was against a background of repeated convictions for violence over the years.

Judge Kidd imposed an 18-month prison sentence which she said would have been two months longer but for the defendant’s late guilty plea to the affray charge.

Connor Bradley

A child rapist is back behind bars after breaking into two houses just months after his release.

Connor Bradley was described as having an “inappropriate interest” in young girls and his crimes were branded “abhorrent” by his own barrister when he was jailed for ten years in 2015 for the rape of one child and abusing another.

He was released in June last year, but the 32-year-old was back in custody by December after his arrest for two house burglaries.

Connor Bradley (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Durham Crown Court was told he broke into houses in Darlington, shortly after midnight on December 3, and in Consett, in the early hours of December 7.

The court was told the first was at a house in Bracken Road, Darlington, where a mum and daughter were at home.

Bradley took a rucksack containing a phone, four bottles of vodka, £35 in cash and a bank card, with a total value of £405.

He then used the card to spend £20.25 at the Shell garage on Woodland Road and on vending machines in Darlington Memorial Hospital, in the early hours that morning.

Bradley was recognised from doorbell camera footage.

While still at large, Bradley went to a property on Fifth Street in Consett in the early hours of December 7 and climbed onto an upturned recycling bin to try to get in via an open bathroom window.

Miss Parkinson said he was disturbed by the householders and left empty-handed but was seen fleeing and his fingerprints were found at the scene.

He was also spotted on CCTV in the area.

Police were called and he was arrested.

Bradley, of Bessemer Street in Ferryhill, formerly of Spennymoor, admitted two counts of burglary, plus fraud by false representation, from his use of the stolen bank card.

Penny Hall, in mitigation, told the court he had “struggled to adjust in the community after serving the long sentence imposed in 2015, and turned to alcohol as, “a coping mechanism”.

Imposing a two-year prison sentence, Judge Kidd said a pre-sentence report prepared for the court, “does not make for happy reading”, with mention of, “a consistent pattern of poor compliance”, in Bradley’s dealings with the Probation Service.

Jonathan Stuart

A Bishop Auckland paedophile has been put behind bars after he was caught wiping his internet history in breach of a court order.

Jonathan Stuart, 36, had only been released on licence from a previous prison sentence for breaching the Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), on January 22, when his latest offence came to light on February 17.

The court was told that on a routine home visit, his police risk offender manager examined Stuart’s phone and discovered its history went back no further back than the previous evening.

Jonathan Stuart (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Upon being arrested, the defendant claimed his phone froze while playing an online game and so he performed a factory re-set, wiping his history of internet use.

This was in breach of the SHPO, imposed in August 2023 when he was convicted for attempted sexual communication with a child.

Charlie Thompson, prosecuting, said the defendant’s five convictions for nine offences are primarily for breaching the SHPO, following the original offence.

As a result of the latest breach the defendant was recalled to prison to serve the remaining unserved part of his previous sentence and will not be eligible for release until January 24 next year.

Stuart, of Richardson Avenue, Bishop Auckland, admitted the latest breach of the SHPO when he appeared before magistrates the following day.

Judge Kidd said the latest offence was committed little more than three weeks after his release from prison from his previous sentence.

“Given your antecedent history you were more than aware of what your conditions were.

“You seem incapable of following the terms of that order and there are now six breaches of the SHPO, which was only imposed in August 2023.”

Imposing a further one-year prison sentence, the judge told the defendant if he continues to fail to abide by the terms of the order he will only continue on the cycle, of prison, release and re-arrest.

Matthew Fox

A man was jailed following a ‘persistent’ assault on a neighbouring resident in shared accommodation, after accusing him of stealing tobacco.

Matthew Fox was in another resident’s room playing a computer game at the accommodation complex in Spennymoor, when the offence took place in October, 2024.

The court heard that when the eventual victim went into the room, Fox made the allegation that he had stolen some of his tobacco.

As the other man left the room and was heading along the corridor he was followed by Fox.

Matthew Fox (Image: Durham Constabulary)

They went into the other man’s room to “sort it out”, but once inside, the man accused of taking the tobacco said he did not want to fight.

Fox ignored his comment and threw a punch, knocking him to the floor, where he then kneed him in the face and stamped on his head, telling him to: “Get up and fight”.

The defendant then left the room, with the victim bleeding from the nose.

It was reported to support staff and the victim was taken to hospital for treatment for a laceration to the right side of the forehead, plus bruising to the left side of the face and an eye.

Fox made no comment when arrested and while on bail he was involved in a disturbance at the home of his now ex-partner in Seaham to which police attended after a 999 call in the early hours of September 2, last year.

Fox, who smashed his then partner’s mobile phone after the call was made to police, left the property, but was found in a bush by police attending the address.

The 36-year-old defendant, formerly of Clarence Street, Spennymoor, but more recently of Davison Terrace, Sacriston, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and criminal damage.

Jonathan Crawford, for Fox, said he has made expressions of remorse and, while in custody, since his arrest in Seaham last September, he has had time to “reflect on his behaviour” and to “get clean” of drugs, which he hopes to continue into the future.

Judge Kidd described the assault as “persistent”, including stamping on someone on the ground, causing injuries which required stitches.

She imposed a 16-month prison sentence and told Fox she “sincerely hopes” he uses his time in prison to continue to address his misuse of drink and drugs, which has been at the root of his offending.

Megan Gibson

A Newton Aycliffe woman who knocked out a bouncer, mowed down a pregnant woman, and sank her teeth into a police officer was jailed at the court on March 19.

Megan Gibson, 26, was already known to police, having offences of violence on her record from her teens, before the spate of incidents, between 2023 and August last year.

The court heard it began with a joint assault, with a male co-accused, after they were escorted from a boxing event at The Big Club in Newton Aycliffe, at 10.30pm on April 14, 2023.

Megan Gibson (Image: Durham Constabulary)

Gibson shouted: “Watch what happens now”, before the pair ran back in, half-an-hour later, when she approached and attacked a female member of door staff, punching and stamping on her several times, knocking her unconscious.

Bystanders ran to the aid of the victim who suffered head aches, pain and nausea afterwards.

While on bail over that incident, Gibson was driving her car in Shildon, on August 15, 2023, when she spotted a woman passenger in a passing car, with whom she had a previous online row.

While approaching a roundabout on Spout Lane, Gibson gestured to the other woman to get out of the car she was travelling in, which she did.

As she stood on a grass verge, the defendant drove at her, knocking her to the ground, before speeding away.

The victim, who was in the early stages of pregnancy, was taken to hospital suffering back pain and other injuries to her knees and the rest of her body.

It left her traumatised, fearing for the health of her unborn child, to whom she has since safely given birth.

Gibson was arrested days later and taken into custody.

But, having again been granted bail, she failed to attend a subsequent court sentencing hearing for the club attack and was made the subject of a bench warrant.

Mr Dodds said police attended a reported disturbance at a house in Darlington, on August 21, last year and the defendant was found hiding under a bed in an upstairs room.

The court heard she refused to come out, threatening police, claiming to be armed with ammonia spray, a petrol bomb and a knife.

When officers began to pull her from under the bed she bit the hand of one of them, but it did not pierce the skin due to the gloves he was wearing.

Gibson, of Clanny Road, Newton Aycliffe, was before the court for three offences of assault causing actual bodily harm, one of which was with the intention of resisting arrest, and for dangerous driving, all of which she admitted.

She was said to have seven past convictions for 12 offences, including battery and common assault as a youth offender.

The court heard the defendant had previously abused drink and drugs, but is now clean of both having spent several months on remand in HMP Low Newton awaiting the resolution of the court case.

Judge Kidd said Gibson’s behaviour at the boxing event, at which teenagers were present, was “disgraceful”, while, referring to the roadside incident in Shildon, she told the defendant: “You deliberately drove a vehicle at someone in the street, the equivalent of using a highly dangerous weapon.”

Imposing a total 25-month prison sentence, she also banned Gibson from driving for two years, upon her release from custody.

She must pass an extended re-test if she is to lawfully drive again following expiry of the ban.

Craig Jackson

A man remains in denial over a drink-fuelled domestic assault in which he repeatedly banged his partner’s head off a wall.

Despite maintaining his innocence, Craig Jackson was convicted of assault at trial in February and is now starting a 30-month prison sentence.

Craig Jackson (Image: Durham Constabulary)

He was said to have snapped while in drink and repeatedly thrust his partner’s head off a wall at the bottom of the stairs at their home, on the evening of March 20, 2022.

The court heard that he used such force that it made a loud banging noise.

He was said to have paused the attack and flung his partner onto the stairs, but then grabbed her again and began hitting her head off the opposite wall, also, “with significant force”.

When the attack ended, he said nothing, but went into the kitchen for food, which he came back chewing, while laughing, before spitting it out over his distressed partner’s face.

The incident only came to light two years later and Jackson was arrested in June 2024.

Miss Horton said he was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm in April last year and pleaded not guilty on his first court hearing weeks later.

The now 43-year-old defendant, of Buckingham Crescent, West Rainton, near Durham, maintained his guilty plea at trial but was found guilty by magistrates, who committed him to the crown court for sentence.

Judge Kidd said, given that he doesn’t accept his ex-partner was telling the truth at trial, he lacks insight into the offending.

Jennifer Coxon, for Jackson, said the defendant maintains that his lifestyle is now significantly different from what it was in 2022, when alcohol was a “significant factor” in his previous relationship.

She said at the time having previously separated, he had been allowed back into the family home, where there was, “clearly a lot of emotional upset between him and his partner.”

Judge Kidd described the assault as both “prolonged and persistent”, from which the victim suffered, “serious psychological harm”.

Imposing the 30-month prison sentence, the judge said there would be no discount for a guilty plea, due to the defendant’s continued denials.

She also put in place a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting his ex-partner directly or indirectly for an indefinite length of time.

With holidays booked for many of us this summer, more and more people have been following social media trends that promise to make travelling as stress-free as possible.

But one pilot-approved viral hack that uses an AirTag to help avoid lost luggage could in fact have the opposite effect, experts at Travelbag have warned.

Popular TikTokers, The Pilot Twins, have shared a video showing how putting an Apple AirTag in your check-in luggage could save you from losing it while travelling, thanks to the device’s handy tracking feature.

However, travel experts have warned against using this pilot-approved travel hack.

Experts from Travelbag said: “While this hack is done with the best intentions, the tracking abilities of Apple AirTags and other GPS tracking devices are not always suited to air travel.

“This could leave passengers feeling a false sense of security when leaving their luggage in the hold.

“Overall, while tracking devices in your luggage may work if you are in close proximity, if you are travelling longer distances, then they may not.

“To avoid being without your precious items this year, make sure to take any important objects in your hand luggage to avoid them getting lost.”

Recommended reading:

They added: “Not all countries allow Apple AirTags to track within their airspace due to their individual data laws, meaning that this well-intentioned hack may no longer work when you arrive at your destination.

“In popular destinations such as South Korea, Apple tracking is not enabled. So, any AirTag will not be updated once you enter the country by air.

“As a result, if a passenger loses their luggage in the country, it cannot be tracked by an Apple AirTag. So, travellers must take extra care of their luggage to ensure it is not lost.”

Major change to UK passport fees

In its original announcement, the government said the new prices needed to be approved by Parliament as it released the proposed prices.

Here are the new prices:

Standard online application:

• For adults – £102 (up from £94.50)
• For children – £66.50 (up from £61.50)

Standard postal application:

• For adults – £115.50 (up from £107)
• For children – £80 (up from £74)

A Premium Service (one day) application made from the UK will cost £239.50, up from £222.

A standard online application that’s applied for from overseas will cost £116.50 for adults (increased from £108) and £75.50 for children (up from £70).

If you apply from overseas for a new standard passport by post, you can expect the price to jump from £120.50 to £130 for adults and from £82.50 to £89 for children.

A man has died after his BMW crashed into four other cars following a police chase, leaving two other people seriously injured.

The 23-year-old died at the scene after speeding away from officers when they tried to stop him, and ran into the other cars.

He was killed on the A21 in Robertsbridge, east Sussex, on Saturday evening, with more police rushing to the scene after the crash.

Seven people in the other cars were taken to hospital while two are being treated for serious injuries. 

Sussex Police said in a statement: ‘The driver of the BMW – a 23-year-old man from Hailsham – was sadly declared deceased at the scene. His next of kin have been informed.

‘Two passengers in another vehicle were taken to hospital with serious injuries, while five other people involved suffered minor injuries requiring hospital treatment.

‘The BMW had been involved in a police pursuit shortly before the collision, and a referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct who have declared that they will conduct an independent investigation.’

DS Andy Wolstenholme said: ‘This was a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the family of this young man and all those affected.

‘An investigation is underway to understand the full circumstances and there will be increased police activity in the area while this is ongoing.

‘I would like to thank the public for their patience during the emergency response and for their understanding as our enquiries continue.

‘Anyone who has any information that could help the investigation, or relevant dashcam or CCTV footage, is asked to contact police online or via 101, quoting Operation Drummer.’

Because the BMW was being pursued by police before the crash happened, the incident has also been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

A spokesperson for the IOPC said the body is investigating Sussex Police’s involvement in the crash.

They added: ‘Our investigation will look at police actions prior to the fatal collision.

‘After being notified by the force, we sent investigators to the police post incident procedures to begin gathering evidence and declared an independent investigation.

‘Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Capture season 3 finale.

The Capture season 3 could well be one of the best TV moments of 2026. Frustratingly, not enough people will ever find out.

The BBC thriller returned with a whimper one Sunday morning, with no major rollout or fanfare, despite being by far the smartest scripted show the broadcaster has produced in years.

Its finale may be the most exciting standalone episode of any police drama in recent memory – perhaps aware that, without the recognition it deserves, this could be its swan song, and that it needed to pull out all the stops: big twists, major deaths, and finally some respite for its tireless hero, Rachel Carey (played by Holliday Granger).

Going into the closing hour, Captain William Walker (Killian Scott)’s game was up. Carey had him cornered, forcing him to reveal the truth – confirming what she had suspected all along: that he shot Home Secretary Isaac Turner (Paapa Essiedu) on the orders of the elusive ‘Simon’, whose messages have appeared on various throughout the series.

Simon, it turns out, is an AI dictator capable of predicting the future. It foresaw Turner being handed the keys to Downing Street – an event that would ultimately trigger war.

Walker had also been ordered to kill Carey, but Simon knew he wouldn’t. Instead, he was used as an unwilling pawn to destroy her reputation. Knowing his squad would kill him at the first opportunity, he surgically removed the device connected to his heart, accepting a slow and painful death sentence.

He entered the finale as a misunderstood hero, but it wasn’t to last. During the inquiry into Correction and the exposure of SO15, former Home Secretary Sir Rowan Gill (Andy Nyman) alluded to a female spy within the force. That spy was Gemma Garland (Lia Williams), whose real identity – Jacqueline Goldcross – had been leaked, forcing her to testify at the inquiry herself.

En route to save Carey, who had been ambushed, tortured and held hostage by his former squad, Walker received one final order from Simon: to kill Garland. He stormed the inquiry and shot her dead.

Walker then continued his mission to save Carey, underestimating her loyalty to Garland. In a Shakespearean twist, Carey gunned down her would-be saviour – a moment that perfectly concluded the complex relationship between hero and villain, the latter proving not to be so villainous after all.

In the end, Carey’s hands were tied. She finally succumbed to the logic of Correction: the only way to prove she was right about Turner’s killer was to manipulate CCTV footage of the shooting.

As a result, Carey was promoted to Commander of SO15. With her newfound authority, she chose to overlook DSI Tom Kendricks’ (Nigel Lindsay) betrayal, after he altered CCTV footage to undermine her case against Walker on Simon’s orders.

In the closing moments, Carey’s steely composure finally cracked. She broke down in her sister’s arms, asking her to move into her soulless central London apartment and help make it a home. After taking a selfie, Carey noticed Garland’s reflection in the image – a chilling reminder of the show’s central question: can we trust anything we’ve seen?

The Capture has never been stronger than it is in its third series, and remains an underrated jewel in the BBC’s crown of police thrillers. If this is indeed its final episode, it delivers a landing that few shows ever manage to pull off.

Line of Duty returns later this year after a finale that severely damaged its legacy. Following The Capture, it will need to be much smarter and far more innovative than where it left off.

The Capture has been bold enough to make real sacrifices, with the deaths of Frank Napier and Garland lending genuine jeopardy to its characters – something many police dramas are reluctant to embrace.

It’s been a long time since a finale has genuinely shocked me. Television has become safe, yet audiences crave that gut punch – and The Capture understands that better than most.

It’s no easy feat to wrap up such a complex concept with plausibility, heart, and even moments of humour, but The Capture executes all three perfectly.

God I hope there’s more to come, because The Capture is the BBC at its very best – and deserves to be recognised as the triumph it truly is.

The Capture is available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.

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Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “We know the buildup to this game next week, what the narrative will be against Arsenal. People will be saying ‘City are gonna catch you’, there seems to be this joy of watching Arsenal collapse. They’ve got to try and basically swim against the tide this week.

The Oldest Sweet Shop in England, located on the High Street in Pateley Bridge, has been trading continuously since 1827, a milestone officially recognised by Guinness World Records in 2014.

The business operates from a building that dates back to 1661, making the premises themselves more than 360 years old.

The Oldest Sweet Shop in England, located on the High Street in Pateley Bridge (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Many of the original features remain intact, contributing to what reviewers describe as an atmosphere “as rich and layered” as the sweets lining its shelves.

The historic setting has become a key part of the shop’s appeal, drawing visitors from across the UK and further afield.

Over the years, the North Yorkshire shop has attracted significant national and international attention. It has featured on television alongside Paul Hollywood on BBC One, Nigel Slater on the BBC, Alan Titchmarsh on ITV and Robbie Coltrane on ITV. It has also appeared on programmes including BBC Breakfast and Yorkshire: Great and Small.

Its reputation has extended beyond television, with coverage in publications such as National Geographic, The Times, The Guardian and Good Food Magazine.

Inside, shelves are stocked with jars of traditional confectionery, offering a range of sweets that span generations.

Many of the products are still made using 19th-century recipes, with the owners stating that sweets are boiled in copper pans “the way sweets should be made”.

An original pre-decimal cash till, once used for pounds, shillings and pence, remains inside.

Visitor reviews frequently highlight the sense of nostalgia associated with the experience.

One Tripadvisor reviewer wrote: “A lovely old shop with ‘old-fashioned’ sweets that children born in the 1960s and onwards will fondly remember.

“Luckily, there are still shops selling sweets from yesteryear.”

Another said: “Sherbet pips and jazzies, need I say more? Jars for all tastes and desires, loved the shop.”

Other visitors have commented on the atmosphere as much as the confectionery itself.

One reviewer said: “Old and dusty it might be, but it has atmosphere.

“Great selection. Worth a visit.”

Another aptly described it as “a sweet experience”.

The beach cafe at Hunmanby Gap near Filey has been described as a “hidden gem” by visitors, often raved about for its “stunning” views and “fabulous” treats.

In fact, one has even hailed it the “best” cafe on the North East coast, while another shared it is somewhere you “must visit” when in the area.

Hunmanby Gap’s beach cafe which has an impressive 5/5 food hygiene rating at the time of writing, has also been praised for its standout foodie options including “tasty” full English breakfasts, and Victoria sponge cakes said to “easily beat all the others”, according to a customer.

Just one of the new menu additions this year is the gourmet scotch eggs provided by BriggsBakes & Makes.

They can be served on their own as a mid-beach walk snack or enjoyed as part of a sit down lunch with salad and chips.

The coastal eatery which offers impressive sights of Filey Brigg and Bempton cliffs is dog-friendly and opened for the 2026 spring and summer season at the end of March.

It recently had a shoutout from a local travel content creator thanks to its quirky sandcastle buckets filled with chips.

‘Hidden gem’ North Yorkshire beach cafe serving chips in sandcastle buckets

On Instagram, @littlevikingsyorkforkids which describes itself as an “insider guide to the best of York for kids” visited the beach cafe and commended it as a “hidden gem and one of our favourite places on the coast for a simple lunch”.

The social media account shared it’s “the only place we know that serves chips in a bucket you can keep, and we always seem to end up there at the end of summer.”

It added: “The chips are delicious and a bargain for £3.50, but we didn’t have room for the incredible looking ice cream in a bucket.

“It’s all good fuel for a walk along one of North Yorkshire’s most beautiful and unspoilt beaches, which are even nicer outside the busy holidays.”

Over on Tripadvisor, the beach cafe at Hunmanby Gap currently has a “good” 4.1/5 rating based on 200 reviews – 112 of which are rated as “excellent”.

This visitor commented: “Can’t believe I’ve only just discovered this wonderful place.

“Great service, great value lunch and beautiful views. Walked along the beach from The Bay.”

A second person wrote: “What a hidden gem this cafe above the beach is.

“Friendly polite staff and the most amazing tasting fresh strawberry victory sponge very reasonable price too.

“Highly recommended and will visit again definitely. Stunning views beautiful scenery.”

Another shared: “The most beautiful setting overlooking the sea.

“Stunning views with fabulous treats in store. Had a tasty breakfast followed with a piece of Victoria sponge!

“The sponge was the absolute BEST I have ever experienced, light and delicious!

“I have tasted Victoria sponge all over the UK and THIS easily beats off ALL the others!

“Imagine? Finding the most delicious cake in such a fabulous setting?

Is a Victoria sponge your go-to sweet treat? (Image: Tripadvisor)

“Well, you won’t be disappointed. Fresh strawberries! Fresh, thick cream with a light dusting of icing sugar on the top of the sponge.

“So good, had to have a second slice. Please try this special cafe; you won’t be disappointed.”

Someone else put: “The best cafe on the east coast ! Beautiful setting , such amazing views , the loveliest staff and food is home cooked and tasty !

“Make sure you have Cash with you . This place is somewhere you must visit when in this area.”

Meanwhile, one happy customer posted: “What a beautiful setting. We had just walked from Speeton to Humamby Gap and were ready for a coffee.

“The beach cafe was just the perfect spot for this.

“Great views, good and friendly service and very dog friendly with bowls of water provided.”

It’s advised customers should have cash when ordering from Hunmanby Gap’s beach cafe and to use the toilets located in the nearby car park.

Have you discovered this “secret” foodie spot near Filey? Let us know in the comments below.

Ralf Little will be taking part in a cook-off when he enters the famous Great British Bake-Off tent.

The actor is the latest famous face to enter the tent to raise money for research into cancer.

He will be joined by Mark Wright, Emmett J Scanlan, Nella Rose, Mutya Buena.

Ralf, who attended Bolton School said earlier this year: “Looking forward to joining British Bake off for The Great Stand Up To Cancer Bake Off in the spring on Channel 4.

“Here’s hoping for a Paul Hollywood handshake.”

Ralf Little who portrays DI Neville Parker, in Death In Paradise

The 2026 series of the celebrity edition of The Great British Bake Off has been airing weekly since March 22, and has seen stars including Molly-Mae Hague, JoJo Siwa and Vicky Pattison compete inside its tent.

The Death in Paradise star will be back in the North West this summer when he the lead role of secret service agent Alec Leamas in the stage adaptation of John le Carre’s The Spy Who Came In From The Cold.

The 45-year-old, known for The Royle Family, has recently appeared in Will And Ralf Should Know Better, which follows him and his Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps co-star Will Mellor navigating life as middle-aged men.

Ralf will front the cast in the production’s UK tour which kicks off in March this year, with shows at The Lowry Theatre.

Set at the height of the Cold War, the novel follows a disillusioned British intelligence officer, who is forced to carry out one last operation in Berlin.

It is the first novel by Le Carre to have been adapted for the stage, having premiered with a sold-out production at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2024 before taking to London’s West End.

Ralf started studying medicine before leaving to concentrate on his acting career.

He’s big break came when he was offered was offered the role of Antony Royle in the BBC sitcom The Royle Family.

The Great Celebrity Bake-off for Stand Up to Cancer airs on Channel 4 at 7.40pm today.

The former Tory peer – who defected to Reform UK last year – accused migrants of “jumping the queues” of public services “to the detriment of local people in our own communities”.

Millionaire Malcolm Offord was branded a “chancer” during the first live TV debate of the Holyrood election campaign tonight.

During a heated discussion over immigration, Greens co-leader Ross Greer hit out at the leader of Reform UK in Scotland after he accused migrants of “jumping the queues” of public services “to the detriment of local people in our own communities”.

Offord, a former Conservative peer, made millions as a merchant banker before defecting from the Tories to join Nigel Farage’s right-wing populists last year.

Greer told a BBC audience in Paisley: “He is an absolute chancer. This is a failed Tory minister who gave the Tory Party £200,000 and then they gave him a seat in the House of Lords and ministerial office – I’m sure that was totally coincidental.

“He was part of that failed Tory government, the former leader of Reform in Wales is currently doing a 10-year jail sentence for taking Russian bribes, they are not the answer to any of the challenges in Scotland.”

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Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also blasted Offord and told the audience he had spent tens of thousands of pounds “questioning my loyalty to my country”.

Sarwar said: “Let’s not fall for the trap that Malcolm Offord wants you to fall into. He wants to use migration not to make our country better, but to play a dog whistle and divide our country.”

He continued: “And let him also own the fact that he spent tens of thousands of pounds questioning my loyalty to my country, Scotland. And when he did that, yes, he attacked me, but he attacked anyone from a migrant background in this country.

“My family came to this country in the 1940s. Scotland has seen his type before and rejected them, and I’ve got no doubt they’ll do the same again.”

Offord previously told the audience in Paisley his party will “challenge the cosy consensus” and pledged tax cuts.

He added: “Reform UK is a new party, it’s a challenger party. We’re here to challenge the cosy consensus, frankly, which is going on in Holyrood, and we want to see real change.

“What do we stand for? Most? We stand for people who work. We stand for people go to work, do the right thing in their community, and feel that they get punished.”

He continued: “The first thing we’re going to do is give you a tax cut so you’re allowed to keep more money in your own pocket, which you’ll invest in your families, in your communities, that will grow the economy and raise a lot more welfare for all the things we’re going to talk about this evening.”

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