“No one should face threats, intimidation or assault simply for doing their job. We need a coordinated approach across Government, the Met and the NHS to ensure staff are safe, reporting is easy and meaningful, and offenders face real consequences. Without this, we risk a growing culture of fear that harms staff wellbeing and undermines patient care.”

The ECMWF weather model shows temperatures on the morning of April 9 could drop as low as -2C – creating the conditions for wintry showers.

Advanced weather modelling maps show a surprise blizzard will soon move across Scotland from the east and bring snow to several major cities.

The ECMWF weather model shows temperatures on the morning of April 9 could drop as low as -2C – creating the conditions for wintry showers.

At 6am, the weather maps show snow building to the east, with rain moving across the country at first. Snow should be confined south of the border in the Pennines around this time, although over the subsequent hours it could hit several low-lying areas.

The maps show snow falling in parts of Scotland by midday, as the ‘Beast from the East’ storm makes progress. Across the UK, only Northern Ireland looks set to miss out on the snow entirely.

The Met Office has also suggested snow could impact some parts of the UK next month, reports the Mirror. Its forecast for March 31 to April 9 suggests “high pressure to the southwest of the UK” will dominate our weather during this period.

It adds that “wetter and windier weather can be expected in the north”, whereas southern areas can expect more settled conditions. However, while temperatures are expected to remain “near to or a little above average”, the national weather agency says some colder periods are on the cards – bringing a chance of snow.

The Met Office adds: “Whilst temperatures will be generally near to or a little above average, some colder interludes are possible, especially in the north, where there could be some wintry showers at times.”

BBC Weather says there is a chance of “chillier flows” to the UK next month. The BBC forecast for April 6 to 19 states: “The strongest high pressure anomalies could eventually become positioned at higher latitudes, most likely to the north or north-west of the UK, towards Iceland and Greenland. As a result, there would be a chance of chillier flows from the northerly quarter towards and through mid-April.

“Although a significantly cold outbreak has rather low odds, temperatures should dip near or a little below normal. This realignment could allow low pressure systems to develop closer to the UK, leading to the potential for wetter weather to develop later, at least in the south.

“There is another world in which high pressure could build more towards Scandinavia, and this might promote milder south-east to southerly flows through the middle of April.”

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Life-saving equipment was stolen from one of the fire stations

Residents have been urged to be alert after two Cambridgeshire fire stations were broken into this week. Chatteris fire station was broken into in the early hours of Monday morning (March 23), while Gamlingay fire station was broken into on Tuesday evening (March 24).

At Chatteris, life-saving cutting equipment used at road traffic collisions and other rescues was stolen. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is urging residents living next to or opposite its fire stations in the county to remain alert to suspicious activity following these incidents this week, which have reportedly also happened at other fire stations across England.

Chief Fire Officer Matthew Warren said: “Break-ins to fire stations are happening across the country, and this week we have been victims twice. We are asking local residents to please help be our eyes and ears, to report any suspicious activity and make a note, if possible, of any vehicle details, including registration number, as well as descriptions of any individuals involved.

“Please also save any CCTV or Ring doorbell footage if it has captured any suspicious activity. The incidents have happened when it’s dark, in the evening and early morning.”

Chief Fire Officer Warren continued: “Entry has been forced, so if you hear a noise coming from one of our stations, please do just look and check to see if it is our firefighters, don’t assume it is. This support by our local communities would be greatly appreciated.”

Cambridgeshire Police are investigating the break-ins and has urged anyone with any information to contact them quoting 35/21532/26.

Here’s how the players rated in the agonising penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia

Wales saw their World Cup dream ended by Bosnia-Herzegovina in the most painful of circumstances at Cardiff City Stadium.

Daniel James gave the hosts the lead just after half-time, before Edin Dzeko nodded home a late equaliser.

Extra-time followed. As did penalties, with Bosnia emerging 4-2 winners.

Here is how the players rated on the night.

Karl Darlow 8

Made some brilliant saves, the pick of the bunch being his one-handed effort to keep out Demirovic. Harsher critics might well wonder if he could have done better for the goal, mind.

Neco Williams 7

Defended pretty well. No player made more tackles. Not quite as influential as usual in possession, but a fairly good performance nonetheless. Agony in the penalty shootout.

Dylan Lawlor 8 – STAR MAN

Read the game so well throughout. So confident on the ball, and carried possession through the lines brilliantly. Points to a very bright future on a disappointing night.

Joe Rodon 8

Made a brilliant sliding challenge to deny Memic in the first half. No player won more in the air all night.

Jay Dasilva 7

Made a couple of decent challenges and got himself into some good positions in extra-time in possession. Just didn’t have the quality to finish. Made more clearances than anyone else.

Ethan Ampadu 7

A decent showing on a night where he captained the side again. Competed well in midfield and played some key passes at times.

Daniel James 8

Pace caused all sorts of problems for the Bosnians. Scored a superb goal, and could have had a second were it not for the crossbar. Subbed.

Harry Wilson 8

Unlucky to have been denied by the post in the first half. Worked hard and was once again the man Wales looked to for inspiration.

Jordan James 6

Industrious in the middle of the park all evening. Mopped up well in midfield but was a little too untidy in possession at times. Subbed.

David Brooks 7

Was given a bruising night by the Bosnians. Deserves immense credit for sticking to the task, though, and linked up pretty well with others. Also produced some really useful driving runs. Subbed.

Brennan Johnson 5

Another difficult night in what’s been a difficult season for the forward. Snapped at a shot but otherwise couldn’t quite get into the game. A traumatic penalty miss too.

Subs:

Liam Cullen (on for Jordan James 56) – A little too chaotic in possession, but did well defensively – 6

Mark Harris (on for Brooks 74) – Got himself into some good positions that he should have made more of – 6

Sorba Thomas (on for Dan James 84) – Put in cross after cross in extra-time. Deserved more on what was a lively cameo – 7

In a pre-sentence report, Spence told a probation officer that he accepted his guilt over the incidents and said he was “sickened over his behaviour”, adding that he was “out of my head on alcohol and drugs”

A sentenced Co Antrim prisoner who tried to hijack two cars in Belfast city centre was handed a 50 month jail sentence on Thursday.

Andrew Bradley Spence, 23, of Madigan Park, Carrickfergus, had previously pleaded guilty to two attempted hijackings, two counts of criminal damage and one of possessing an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence.

Belfast Crown Court heard that during the first incident at around 9.45 pm on March 9, 2024, a man was sitting in his black Hyundai car parked in Royal Avenue.

Prosecution barrister Emma McIlveen said Spence approached the driver’s side of the car, opened the door, put a “sharpened piece of metal” towards the victim’s face and told him to get out of the vehicle.

The victim got out and Spence climbed in, stealing £70 in cash from the dashboard.

“The victim tried to re-enter the vehicle but the defendant used the sharpened piece of metal to threaten him and also damaged an interior door panel.”

Spence got out of the car and fled on foot in the direction of Belfast City Hall.

Belfast Recorder Judge Philip Gilpin heard that at around 10pm that same evening, a woman was sitting in her red Ford Focus car in a car park in Bankmore Street.

Said Ms McIlveen: “This defendant opened the driver’s side door and told his victim: ‘I have a knife and I am going to f***ing stab you’.

“He then pulled his victim out of her car at which point she attempted to fight back. She shouted for some assistance from a group of pedestrians who were nearby.

“When they became aware of the defendant, he returned the car keys to the victim and he walked off in the direction of Bedford Street.”

Spence was subsequently arrested by police and was found not to be wearing an electronic tag which he had forcibly removed.

He denied involvement in both attempted hijackings and became verbally abusive and agitated towards interviewing police.

In a pre-sentence report, Spence told a probation officer that he accepted his guilt over the incidents and said he was “sickened over his behaviour”, adding that he was “out of my head on alcohol and drugs”.

He also extended an apology to his victims.

The probation officer said Spence was not assessed as posing a danger to the public but was a high likelihood of reoffending.

Judge Gilpin said the victims in the case “will have endured a frightening experience”.

The female said in a Victim Impact Statement that at the time of the incident she “genuinely feared for her safety”.

She said that the emotional and psychological toll was both “significant and ongoing”.

She wrote that travelling or driving “fills me with dread” and felt “a sense of shame and guilt” that she should have done things differently that evening.

“It has affected my ability to relate to others, in particular men. I have become more defensive or guarded and less trusting.

“The impact of the incident has left true and lasting harm on me,” she wrote.

The court heard Spence had 64 previous convictions, including an entry for hijacking in March 2023.

Defence solicitor Paul Dougan said that in 2025 Spence was sentenced at Downpatrick Crown Court for the hijacking offence and driving whilst disqualified and received a total sentence of eight years and two months, which was divided equally between custody and probation.

Mr Dougan said in relation to the ‘Downpatrick case’, Spence was granted High Court bail in the lead up to Christmas 2023.

But when he was arrested over the ‘Belfast case’, his bail was revoked and he was remanded in custody.

He said that if the two cases had been dealt with together at Downpatrick Crown Court, the judge would have had to take into account the principle of totality in sentencing Spence.

Mr Dougan added that Spence’s release date for the ‘Downpatrick case’ was October 10, 2027.

In his sentencing remarks, the Belfast Recorder said: “The exercise for this court is to determine how much more of a sentence would the defendant have received if Downpatrick Crown Court had also dealt with the offences I am dealing with today.”

Judge Gilpin said he would take into account the principle of totality and handed down a 50 month sentence.

However, Judge Gilpin said the 50 month sentence would run concurrently to the sentence imposed in the ‘Downpatrick case’ which would not interfere with Spence’s release date in 2027.

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The incident occurred on Knowsley Street at around 8:45pm.

Police and firefighters attended and it is thought no one was injured in the crash.

The front of the car was damaged, leaking coolant onto the road (Image: Dan Dougherty)

Mark Robinson, who saw the incident from McDonald’s, said: “I heard the bang.”

The damage to the side of the bus (Image: Dan Dougherty)

The bus had significant denting to its side, and the front of the car was badly damaged, with two deep impressions on its front end.

It was not able to drive off due to the damage, and was leaking coolant over the road.

TV favourite Alex Scott and Lionesses icons are being tipped for glory ahead of this year’s glitzy Women’s Football Awards on May 7, hosted by Gabby Logan and Jamie Carragher

Television favourite Alex Scott and a host of Lionesses legends are being tipped for success ahead of this year’s glamorous Women’s Football Awards.

The beautiful game is set to meet serious showbiz glamour when the ceremony takes place on May 7.

The former England international-turned-presenter leads a star-studded shortlist filled with household names and global superstars as the biggest night in women’s football makes its return.

The ceremony will be presented by Gabby Logan alongside Jamie Carragher, with Sir David Beckham also lending his support to the awards as the women’s game continues its remarkable growth.

Becks said: “It’s been so incredible to see the growth of the women’s game over the years and we love cheering on the Lionesses in our house! These awards celebrate the very best in the game both on and off the pitch.”

The Women’s Football Awards – now the largest celebration of its kind in Europe – will once again unite elite players, celebrity supporters and industry leaders to recognise those pushing the game forward.

Past winners include Alessia Russo, Mary Earps and Alex Scott herself – and with Lionesses stars dominating the shortlist once more, the competition is fiercer than ever.

Global fashion powerhouse Shein returns as headline partner, with the brand taking centre stage when it comes to the glamour. It will also play a crucial role in styling football stars and grassroots female footballers for the high-profile occasion.

Shihong Liu, Director of Europe Markets at Shein, expressed: “We are incredibly proud to continue our partnership with the Women’s Football Awards. Women’s football is one of the fastest-growing and most exciting sports in the world, and it plays such an important role in inspiring the next generation. We’re honoured to support the game and celebrate the incredible athletes and community behind it.”

Children’s commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza and Department for Education scientific adviser Prof Russell Viner have reviewed the latest evidence, finding that long periods of time spent on screens alone can affect children’s sleep and physical activity, which are key to their development.

President Donald Trump has publicly claimed Antony Blinken supported his attacks on Iran but the former secretary of state has denied that happened.

Blinken, who served during former President Joe Biden’s term, scrutinized comments that Trump made during a Republican fundraising dinner Wednesday night.

“I’ve heard that today Blinken made a statement that he should have done it. Thanks a lot Blinken, I appreciate it,” Trump said. “But he came out with the statement that they should have done it, they made a mistake.”

Blinken took to X Thursday, writing Trump “cited me as supporting his attack on Iran and expressing regret we didn’t do it during the Biden Administration. Except I didn’t.”

The former secretary of state then shared a clip of him discussing the U.S.-Iran conflict dating back to the Obama years, which he suggested Trump may be referring to instead. Blinken served as former President Barack Obama’s deputy secretary of state from 2015 to 2017.

“When the Obama administration came along, we looked very hard at this problem. And we decided that the best way to engage it was through the diplomatic agreement that we ultimately achieved,” Blinken said at an event for the Institute of Politics at the Harvard Kennedy School.

He was referring to the so-called Iran Nuclear Deal, which Iran signed in 2015 and Trump withdrew from in 2018.

The deal restricted Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of nuclear-related sanctions, but Trump argued during his first term, “the deal allowed Iran to continue enriching uranium and — over time — reach the brink of a nuclear breakout.”

“Of course, we looked at other ways of doing this, including, if necessary, taking military action, but we concluded at the time that if you took military action, the danger was that in the first instance, Iran might respond to that in ways that we’d have to control for,” Blinken said.

“But also, that eventually, we might buy some time, but it would probably rebuild what it had, put it deeper underground in places that we couldn’t get to,” he added.

The Independent has reached out to the White House for clarification on Trump’s comments about Blinken.

More than 1,900 people in Iran have been killed and nearly 1,100 in Lebanon, home to the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, in military strikes that the U.S. and Israel started last month, according to the Associated Press. Thirteen U.S. service members have died.

In an update Wednesday, Admiral Brad Cooper, the leader of U.S. Central Command, said American forces have hit more than 10,000 military targets in Iran.

“We’ve now destroyed 92 percent of the Iranian Navy’s largest vessels,” Cooper said in a video posted to social media. “Iran’s drone and missile launch rates are down by more than 90 percent.”

Despite reports of the U.S. looking to enter a peace deal with Iran, the end of the war is nowhere in sight.

Independent operators John Tate and John Hewitt have submitted plans to create a three-screen cinema in the site of the Original Factory Shop in Fishergate.

If approved by North Yorkshire Council, it would be Ripon’s first cinema in since the closure of the Curzon Cinema in North Street nearly three years ago.

Mr Tate and Mr Hewitt are both members of the Executive Board of the UK Cinema Association, and run cinemas in Ilkley and Wetherby.

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Curzon cinema in Ripon announces closing date in July

The factory shop, which has traded in the city for around 40 years, is due to close on Sunday, if not before.

The closure of the 10,000 sq ft three-storey retail outlet was announced in February.

Mr Tate told Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon blog; “Ripon is one of the few places of its size in the north of England that is without a cinema and we have been looking for an opportunity there for six years, as we believe that it is a city on the up and with great potential.

“By strange coincidence, I discovered during my research on Ripon that my grandfather and namesake, John Henry Tate, was born at a house on North Street in October 1883 and I take this as a lucky omen

“We are delighted to have signed a lease, subject to planning, for a change of use from retail unit to cinema on 14–16 Fishergate and hope to secure the necessary permission to proceed as soon as possible.”

The site of the former Curzon Cinema (Image: Northern Echo)

Mr Tate added: “We will be showing a wide range of films, including the latest blockbusters 🍿 and current releases, alongside Event Cinema, National Theatre Live, Royal Opera House productions, cinema stage musicals, documentaries and independent foreign-language films.

“We will also have schemes for the over 60s, families with babies, and film-lovers of all ages will be able to enjoy food and drink in the comfortable lounge area or in the auditorium while watching a film or performance.”

Ripon BID, who broke the story of the planned cinema, has offered its strong support for the scheme.

Ripon BID Manager Lilla Bathurst said: “We will do everything within our power to support the application, which will add substantially to the city’s retail and leisure offering.”

“This is phenomenal news for Ripon and is a further sign of the confidence that investors have in the historic Cathedral City of the Dales 🕍

“Our post‑covid recovery puts us high on the list of UK locations where independent businesses want to be — and importantly, places where people want to visit.”

Lilla added: “I believe that this £1.25 million investment will be the catalyst for further inward investment in our thriving city.”

Robert Sterne, director of Sterne Properties Ltd, which owns the former Curzon site in North Street told Ripon BID that it was too late to get Curzon to re-open on the site.

He also told Ripon BID he welcomed the proposed cinema use on Fishergate and his company remained “fully committed” to returning the Curzon premises to use as a family leisure facility.