The immersive VR sessions place young people at the centre of realistic scenarios involving knives and gangs, helping them understand the dangers and long-term impact of their decisions in a safe environment.
“Our young people are exposed to the same influences and risks as their peers, and some are already engaging in risky behaviour that could escalate into violence if left unchecked.
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“It’s vital we intervene early to break the cycle.”
“Through this important work, we will stop serious violence and knife crime from gaining a greater foothold in our communities.”
The programme uses VR headsets and accessories, with a £4,500 contribution from the PCC funding the Virtual Decisions licence and VR accessories including headphones, alongside match funding from Durham Action Against Crime (£2,000), housing provider Livin (£2,000), and The Cornforth Partnership (£2,200).
Additional funding will allow the Newton Aycliffe Rotary Club, which runs the scheme, to expand delivery across more schools and youth groups.
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So far, the project has reached 1,194 students in primary, secondary, and special educational needs schools across the area.
Virtual Decisions, the award-winning VR programme in use, has already reached more than 20,000 young people nationwide.
Evaluation shows that after taking part, 91 per cent said they were more likely to consider the consequences of knife crime, while 96 per cent agreed that carrying a knife is more dangerous than not carrying one.
Ms Allen said the programme builds on awareness sparked by the arrival of the Knife Angel sculpture in the region last year.
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She said: “The visit of the Knife Angel monument last year provided a platform to initiate difficult conversations about knife crime and to show young people what really is at stake by carrying knives to inform their future decisions.
“This project has built on the momentum of this work, allowing young people to immerse themselves in situations that explore the dangers and potential consequences of carrying knives so they can ‘feel’ the emotional impact of their decisions in a safe environment.
“It goes back to prevention – an approach to community safety that lies at the foundations of my plan – and sparing families the pain and devastation of losing people they cherish to violence by changing behaviour before it’s too late.”
Ms Allen has made tackling serious violence a core priority within her Police, Crime and Justice Plan, pledging to address its root causes in partnership with other organisations.
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She has also committed to promoting education as a key protective factor, focusing on improving school attendance and reducing exclusions to help keep young people safe.
Alongside the VR scheme, the PCC and members of the County Durham and Darlington Serious Violence Prevention Partnership have continued to fund other education and intervention programmes.
One such project is delivered by the Foundation of Light, the official charity of Sunderland AFC.
It offers an intensive 12-week intervention for young people aged nine to 15 who are not currently involved in criminal activity but are considered at risk.
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The programme aims to improve educational engagement, decision-making, and awareness of the consequences of serious violence.
It targets individuals through schools, youth groups, and community organisations in the Peterlee area.
A woman suffered serious injuries after a car crashed into a wall and metal gates. Emergency services were called to the A141 Heath Road, near the headquarters of Manchett’s logistics, near Warboys.
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A silver Skoda Octavia crashed into a wall and metal gates. No other vehicles were involved.
A woman from Brampton, who was a passenger, was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with serious, but not life-threatening injuries. The driver, a 54-year-old man from Brampton, was also taken to Addenbrooke’s but with minor injuries.
Sergeant Duncan Hall said: “I would like to hear from the driver of a dark Ford Fiesta, which was not involved in the collision, but didn’t stop at the scene as they could have vital information. I would also like to hear from any other witnesses or dashcam footage of either the collision itself or the moments before.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101 or report it online and quote incident 98 of July 2.
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A 50-day summer event at a popular National Trust site has been given the go-ahead. Back in May, the National Trust’s WimpoleEstate submitted plans to hold a 50-day “summer of play” event in the front park of the estate.
These plans have now been approved. As part of the plans, the estate proposed to put up four temporary medium-sized bell tents for “various play and recreational activities for families and children”.
In its application, a National Trust spokesperson said: “Whether it’s spending time in nature, getting messy with arts and crafts or dressing up and putting on a show, there are plenty of exciting ways for families and little adventurers to experience this year’s Summer of Play.
“Kicking off in July and taking place over the summer holidays, our Summer of Play will have a family-festival feel and will be jam-packed with games and experiences at 145 places we care for.”
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Across the 50 days, the estate will hold “structured and free-play activities suitable for children and families”. These will include nature-based learning, physical games, creative crafts, storytelling sessions and sensory play.
The National Trust said its Summer of Play event will support “public health and social cohesion, particularly by providing accessible opportunities for play and community engagement during school holidays”.
The event will be free to National Trust members. The front park where the event will be held forms part of the Wimpole parkland.
It’s occasionally used for livestock and has historically been used for events. It’s mainly made up of grass and accessible by footpaths to and from the main visitor car park.
LAKE GENEVA, Wis. (AP) — Three people died and seven others were rescued Friday after a boat capsized in Geneva Lake as a strong storm passed through southern Wisconsin, an official said.
Many injuries were reported in Wisconsin’s Walworth County after the storm toppled trees, knocked down power lines and damaged buildings, said Tom Hausner, undersheriff for the Walworth County Sheriff’s department.
Hausner said he did not know any other information about the people who died and those rescued.
Police in the city of Lake Geneva are investigating, Hausner said. Officials there didn’t immediately respond to an email and voice message from The Associated Press seeking more information.
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Lake Geneva Mayor Todd Krause declared an emergency and said that one person had minor injuries after being struck by a falling tree. Several areas of the city were experiencing power outages, he said in a statement.
Hausner said county authorities received multiple 911 calls reporting damage and people trapped in buildings and seeking help. He said deputies responded immediately but were delayed by downed power lines and trees blocking streets.
“Power lines are all over the place. We are urging people to stay away,” he said.
Hausner said his agency asked for help from law enforcement in nearby counties and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
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Geneva Lake, in southern Wisconsin, attracts tourists from the Chicago area and other parts. The population in Walworth County, where the lake is located, nearly doubles during holiday weekends, Hausner said.
The storms that rolled through the Midwest on Friday afternoon and evening prompted multiple cities to cancel holiday festivals and reschedule fireworks displays.
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, saying the forecast showed heavy rain Friday with lingering showers into Independence Day and a continued chance of showers and thunderstorms throughout the weekend.
Manchester United need to replace Casemiro this summer but the hunt for an elite midfielder is proving difficult.
Manchester United are not even halfway through the summer transfer window and they have already been dealt two major blows. After the relatively smooth purchase of Ederson from Atalanta, United have hit a wall as they set their sights on an elite Casemiro replacement.
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The first name on their radar was Elliot Anderson. Nottingham Forest were keen to stick to their valuation of the midfielder but his £116m transfer fee was not the only problem for United. It was a case of deja vu for the Reds as, like Antoine Semenyo before him, Anderson had his heart set on Manchester City.
Realising a move for Anderson was off the table, the Reds changed tack. Mateus Fernandes was next on the list, with the West Ham midfielder destined to leave following the Hammers’ Premier League relegation. While they were keen on Fernandes, the Reds were deterred by his price tag.
West Ham needed to sell, so his £85m valuation looked open to negotiation. That was until Tottenham swooped in and met the Irons’ asking price. Unlike Bryan Mbeumo the season prior, Fernandes gave no reassurances that he only wanted United.
As such, a move across the capital was agreed and the Reds were back at the drawing board. United’s next move now needs to work. Next week, the Reds return to pre-season training and while it will be a depleted group thanks to the World Cup, the Reds would have hoped to have their Casemiro replacement decided.
United have a long list of players they are watching. One of those is Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba.
Towards the end of last summer’s window, United enquired about signing Baleba. Brighton responded with a £100m asking price.
That figure was not plucked out of thin air. Baleba’s 2024/25 season was measured in comparison to Moises Caicedo’s before him. Brighton managed to squeeze £115m out of Chelsea for Caicedo, so nine figures was deemed a reasonable demand.
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The Reds chose to bide their time. Besides, Casemiro was still around for another year and, by 2026, Baleba’s valuation could have dropped.
United’s decision not to move for Baleba looked to be vindicated as he struggled last season. Links to United persisted throughout the campaign as head coach Fabian Hurzeler attempted to protect his player.
“I saw a Carlos Baleba who stepped up,” the Brighton boss told Sky Sports prior to their trip to Old Trafford in October. “These were good actions and good behaviours he showed, but he has to make habits out of those good behaviours.
“That’s the next step in his development, to bring consistency to his performance. Carlos won’t get better if he only gets compliments and claps from outside.
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“I think he will get better if he has a safe environment, but also honest feedback where he knows what he needs to improve. That’s where we try to support him and make him better.”
Brighton have not indicated they have lowered their asking price for Baleba and if that is not reason enough for United to steer clear of him, Hurzeler’s comments are. Were Baleba to join United, he would not be afforded a ‘safe environment’ to mature.
He would be arriving with United looking for him to make an immediate impact and help United compete on four fronts, including in the Champions League. That is not a ‘safe environment’ for a player to develop.
At £100m, United need to be signing the finished product, not a player who still has room to grow. Baleba could develop massively this season but right now he is an expensive risk the Reds can’t afford to take.
The singer-songwriter exchanged vows with the NFL star during a star-studded ceremony at New York’s Madison Square Garden on Friday evening.
Swift’s publicist confirmed the wedding in a statement reported by the Associated Press.
Fans line up outside of Madison Square Garden ahead of a reported wedding between singer Taylor Swift and National Football League player Travis Kelce on Friday, July 3, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Ryan Murphy) (Image: Ryan Murphy)
The couple opted for a ceremony without bridesmaids or groomsmen, although there were plenty of famous faces in attendance. Actor Adam Sandler officiated the wedding, while Kelce’s brother Jason served as best man and Swift’s brother was her man of honour.
A huge billboard outside the iconic venue displayed the message “JUST&T MARRIED” after the ceremony.
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Both Swift and Kelce wore Christian Dior Haute Couture, with custom-made Christian Louboutin shoes completing their wedding-day looks.
The couple had kept details of their plans largely under wraps, with guests remaining quiet on social media as celebrations got under way.
Among those spotted arriving were Hugh Grant, Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis and actor Ethan Hawke, while reports suggested guests could also include Selena Gomez, Ed Sheeran, the Haim sisters and Gigi Hadid.
Taylor Swift during filming for the Graham Norton Show (Image: PA Wire)
Outside the arena, crowds of fans gathered hoping to catch a glimpse of the celebrations. Photos showed the venue decorated with peach-coloured roses and illuminated by pink lighting.
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For many UK fans, the wedding marks the latest chapter in one of pop culture’s biggest romances. Swift and Kelce began dating in 2023 after the Kansas City Chiefs player revealed on his podcast that he wanted to meet the singer – something Swift later described as a “wild, romantic gesture”.
The pair announced their engagement last year in a joint Instagram post that jokingly read: “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.”
Ahead of the wedding, Swift and Kelce donated 26 million dollars (£19.4 million) to 20 charities, including food banks, children’s hospitals and education programmes.
The wedding took place over America’s Independence Day weekend – a holiday Swift has often celebrated with lavish parties over the years – bringing a fairytale ending to a love story that has captivated fans on both sides of the Atlantic.
With it comes intensifying pressure — and in some places, stifling heat.
The second round of the knockout stage commences Saturday with Canada facing Morocco in the opener in Houston, while powerhouse France and Kylian Mbappé will meet Paraguay in the nightcap in Philadelphia.
There will be two games per day over the next four days to determine the eight quarterfinalists.
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Mbappé has been one of the hottest players in the World Cup as he chases the career goals record currently held by Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
In Philadelphia, Mbappé, his teammates and Paraguay will play in sweltering conditions at Lincoln Financial Field.
The game coincides with a heat wave that’s expected to bring temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 Celsius). More than 68,000 fans are expected to endure those conditions, which could drain the energy of Mbappé and every other player on the pitch.
Mbappé scored his 17th and 18th World Cup goals in France’s 3-0 rout of Sweden last weekend in East Rutherford, New Jersey, when it was 90 degrees for the 5 p.m. kickoff.
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“I’m looking forward to the changing room and the AC,” Mbappé said as he came off the field.
For the July 4 game, misting fans will be available for fans approaching the stadium, and cooling tents will be available to fans within the stadium footprint at the fan experience.
All fans are allowed to bring one disposable, plastic water bottle into the stadium, as they are at any match in this World Cup in the U.S. and Canada. Water fountains are available in nine sections on the concourse.
Heat should not be a factor for the other match on Saturday in Houston because NRG Stadium has a retractable roof that will remain closed. That’s good news, considering temperatures outdoors could reach 95 degrees with high humidity.
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Round of 16 schedule
Saturday, July 4:
— Canada vs. Morocco, 1 p.m. EDT in Houston (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)
— Paraguay vs. France, 5 p.m. EDT in Philadelphia (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)
Sunday, July 5:
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— Brazil vs. Norway, 4 p.m. EDT in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)
— Mexico vs. England, 8 p.m. EDT in Mexico City (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)
Monday, July 6:
— Portugal vs. Spain, 3 p.m. EDT in Arlington, Texas (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)
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— United States vs. Belgium, 8 p.m. EDT in Seattle (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)
Tuesday, July 7:
— Argentina/Cape Verde winner vs. Egypt, noon EDT in Atlanta (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)
— Switzerland vs. Colombia/Ghana winner, 4 p.m. EDT in Vancouver, British Columbia (Fox/Telemundo/Peacock)
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Canada looks to avenge loss to Morocco in 2022 World Cup — with stakes much higher
Morocco and Canada will meet in a second straight World Cup, but this matchup will have much higher stakes.
Morocco beat Canada 2-1 in the group stage in 2022, when it went on to become the first African team to reach the semifinals.
Canada looks to continue to make history after notching its first-ever knockout win, a 1-0 triumph over South Africa on Sunday.
“We’re excited for the moment,” Canada coach Jesse Marsch said. “We wanted to get to a point in the tournament where we were playing against some big opponents and Morocco is exactly that.”
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Morocco dispatched the Netherlands in a penalty shootout to reach the Round of 16. With a win Saturday, the Atlas Lions would become the first African team to reach the quarterfinals more than once.
Canada’s Alistair Johnston said his team embraces the challenge of facing Morocco.
“We’ve created so much new history, so many firsts,” Johnston said. “Now this is the chance that we wanted. To make sure that we got to the point in the tournament where we’re going to get to play a Goliath, and that’s what the Moroccan team is.”
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said his team has a great deal of respect for Canada.
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“It will be very important for us to play at our level. The level that we have shown the last few games will not be enough,” Ouahbi said. “It’s going to be the most important game in this World Cup and the most challenging one. It’s not about being tentative about our approach. We’re playing a Round of 16 match and if we’re not good enough, we’re going home.”
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, at 41 years and 147 days, became the oldest player to win Player of the Match in a World Cup knockout game. The next oldest was Olivier Giroud of France at 36.
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___
AP Sports Writers Dan Gelston and Kristie Rieken contributed to this report.
It’s a love story, and Donald Trump just couldn’t say yes.
The President, from his seat aboard Air Force One traveling to South Dakota, launched a fresh troll job at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce just minutes after they tied the knot at Madison Square Garden, New York City.
The White House‘s official X page shared an image of the pink billboards outside the arena that the couple used to announce their nuptials, with the AI-edited message ‘Trump is your president’.
Swift and Kelce announced their marriage on Friday night by flashing ‘JUST&T MARRIED!’ across the billboard in front of MSG.
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‘IT’S HAPPENED!!!’, the White House said in their post shortly after the couple tied the knot inside the arena.
Hollywood actor and comedian Adam Sandler officiated the ceremony in front of 1,000 guests, who poured into the Big Apple for the extravaganza.
Instead of the superstar, however, it contained pictures of Trump, as well as former presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
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The White House shared the image of the altered billboard after the two tied the knot inside the arena
Trump boarding Air Force One on Friday night just before the two wed
‘It’s been a long time coming…,’ the post on X was captioned, a nod at Swift’s line used to promote her tour.
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Trump’s Friday night meme jab was just the latest moment in a long history of bad blood between the president and the superstar singer.
Despite posting niceties about Swift around 2012 when she was selected to co-host the Grammys nomination special and even cheering her on after her breakup with Conor Kennedy, Trump lashed out at the mega star once she waded into politics.
In 2018, during the midterms of Trump’s first term, Swift endorsed the Democratic opponent to Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn.
Swift had said that Senator Blackburn was just ‘Trump in a wig.’
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Once Trump caught wind of her dig, he told reporters at the time: ‘Let’s just say I like Taylor’s music about 25 percent less now, okay?’
Years later, when pressed on Swift’s relationship with Kelce, Trump threw some shade at the couple.
‘I wish the best for both of them,’ he said. ‘I hope they enjoy their life, maybe together, maybe not — most likely not.’
In 2024 during the presidential campaign, he declared that there was ‘no way’ Swift could endorse Biden since Trump ‘was responsible for the Music Modernization Act for Taylor Swift and all other Musical Artists.’
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One of the billboards that announced their marriage is seen here
The couple are seen here in May of this year in New York City
Swift later went on to endorse former Vice President Kamala Harris, shocking Trump, who wrote on social media soon after: ‘I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!’
In the summer of 2025, he piled on the singer again while praising actress Sydney Sweeney.
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‘Just look at Woke singer Taylor Swift,’ Trump wrote. ‘Ever since I alerted the world as to what she was by saying on TRUTH that I can’t stand her (HATE!) She was booed out of the Super Bowl and became, NO LONGER HOT.’
‘Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the ‘HOTTEST’ ad out there,’ Trump noted.
Though when asked about Kelce and Swift’s engagement in August 2025, the President softened his tone.
‘I think he’s a great player, I think he’s a great guy, and I think that she’s a terrific person, so I wish them a lot of luck.’
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The reminder from the White House comes as Trump travels to Mount Rushmore aboard Air Force One to kick off America’s 250th Birthday festivities.
It’s a love story, and Donald Trump just couldn’t say yes.
The President, from his seat aboard Air Force One traveling to South Dakota, launched a fresh troll job at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce just minutes after they tied the knot at Madison Square Garden, New York City.
The White House‘s official X page shared an image of the pink billboards outside the arena that the couple used to announce their nuptials, with the AI-edited message ‘Trump is your president’.
Swift and Kelce announced their marriage on Friday night by flashing ‘JUST&T MARRIED!’ across the billboard in front of MSG.
Advertisement
‘IT’S HAPPENED!!!’, the White House said in their post shortly after the couple tied the knot inside the arena.
Hollywood actor and comedian Adam Sandler officiated the ceremony in front of 1,000 guests, who poured into the Big Apple for the extravaganza.
Instead of the superstar, however, it contained pictures of Trump, as well as former presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.
Advertisement
The White House shared the image of the altered billboard after the two tied the knot inside the arena
Trump boarding Air Force One on Friday night just before the two wed
‘It’s been a long time coming…,’ the post on X was captioned, a nod at Swift’s line used to promote her tour.
Advertisement
Trump’s Friday night meme jab was just the latest moment in a long history of bad blood between the president and the superstar singer.
Despite posting niceties about Swift around 2012 when she was selected to co-host the Grammys nomination special and even cheering her on after her breakup with Conor Kennedy, Trump lashed out at the mega star once she waded into politics.
In 2018, during the midterms of Trump’s first term, Swift endorsed the Democratic opponent to Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn.
Swift had said that Senator Blackburn was just ‘Trump in a wig.’
Advertisement
Once Trump caught wind of her dig, he told reporters at the time: ‘Let’s just say I like Taylor’s music about 25 percent less now, okay?’
Years later, when pressed on Swift’s relationship with Kelce, Trump threw some shade at the couple.
‘I wish the best for both of them,’ he said. ‘I hope they enjoy their life, maybe together, maybe not — most likely not.’
In 2024 during the presidential campaign, he declared that there was ‘no way’ Swift could endorse Biden since Trump ‘was responsible for the Music Modernization Act for Taylor Swift and all other Musical Artists.’
Advertisement
One of the billboards that announced their marriage is seen here
The couple are seen here in May of this year in New York City
Swift later went on to endorse former Vice President Kamala Harris, shocking Trump, who wrote on social media soon after: ‘I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!’
In the summer of 2025, he piled on the singer again while praising actress Sydney Sweeney.
Advertisement
‘Just look at Woke singer Taylor Swift,’ Trump wrote. ‘Ever since I alerted the world as to what she was by saying on TRUTH that I can’t stand her (HATE!) She was booed out of the Super Bowl and became, NO LONGER HOT.’
‘Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the ‘HOTTEST’ ad out there,’ Trump noted.
Though when asked about Kelce and Swift’s engagement in August 2025, the President softened his tone.
‘I think he’s a great player, I think he’s a great guy, and I think that she’s a terrific person, so I wish them a lot of luck.’
Advertisement
The reminder from the White House comes as Trump travels to Mount Rushmore aboard Air Force One to kick off America’s 250th Birthday festivities.
Sausages are a staple in many households, but cooking them can be a bit tricky. Here’s how to ensure they’re perfectly crispy and juicy every time using one simple method.
Sausages can be savoured at breakfast as part of a full English fry-up, in a muffin sandwich, or at dinner alongside mash, or even as a hot dog during barbecue season. Like most people, you might believe you already know the proper technique for cooking sausages. You’ve been preparing them for years and are perfectly satisfied with the outcome.
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While it may seem simple enough to chuck them in a frying pan or slide them into the oven, sausages contain a significant amount of moisture, which can cause them to burst quite readily.
A frequent error many people make is cooking sausages on a high heat, which generates steam inside the meat and causes it to split.
This leads to the loss of precious juices and flavour, leaving you with unappetising, soggy sausages. Fortunately, the professionals at William J. Walter have offered a simple solution to guarantee your sausages stay tasty and succulent throughout cooking.
Rather than placing sausages straight into a scorching frying pan or preheated oven, the sausage-making specialists recommend following one straightforward technique first – blanching.
They said: “We suggest blanching the sausages before frying or baking them so that they remain tender and juicier.”
The initial step is to bring water to the boil in a saucepan, then add your sausages and reduce the heat.
Simmer for five minutes for smoked sausages and 10 minutes for fresh regular sausages.
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Then prepare your sausages however you prefer: in a pan, in the oven, or on the barbecue. They should only require 10 minutes to cook in the oven, and three to five minutes in the frying pan and barbecue.
It might appear odd, but blanching sausages enables them to cook gradually, guaranteeing that both the casing and the interior are cooked uniformly at the same time.
By blanching sausages in advance, the skin contracts, stopping them from splitting during cooking, and it substantially reduces the chance of charring.
Consequently, you’ll have sausages that are not only ideally crispy but also far more flavoursome, as all the juices and fat stay locked inside the skin.
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Many people boost the flavour of the water by incorporating seasonings such as a chicken stock cube, which considerably enhances the taste and produces sausages that are much more intense.
Tallulah Bradford, 18, died after being struck by a vehicle in Southend
Olivia Bridge Reporter in Live News Network and Kirstie McCrum
20:28, 03 Jul 2026
The devastated loved ones of a teenage girl have paid an emotional tribute, saying the loss of her “beautiful soul” has left “a hole in many hearts”.
On Saturday, June 13, emergency services rushed to Chalkwell Park in Southend following reports that a group of individuals had taken unauthorised control of a small articulated loading vehicle. Tallulah Bradford, 18, was struck by the vehicle and heartbreakingly passed away days later on June 19.
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Her distraught mother described the youngster as a “beautiful soul”, reports Essex Live.
In a moving statement, she said: “Tallulah was not only a daughter to me, she was the bestest friend. She was an amazing sister, granddaughter, niece and cousin and was loved by all who knew her.
“She was a beautiful, hardworking, fun and outgoing young girl. Tallulah always lived her best life, had a beautiful soul and life will never be the same without her.”
“Losing Tallulah has left a hole in many hearts that could never be filled but we will forever be grateful for the memories we have made with her. We will miss her eternally.
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“We would like to thank the emergency services who cared for Tallulah when she needed it the most.”
Tallulah’s closest friend, Macie, also offered a heartfelt tribute to the teenager.
She said: “Tallulah was more than just a friend to me, she was my best friend who had been by my side since we met at school at the age of five. Growing up we shared so many secrets, laughter, good times and memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.
“Her craziness and beautiful spirit will stay with me forever and I’m grateful to have had her by my side. She will always be deeply missed and never be forgotten. Love you always, be the brightest star in the sky.”
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Her mate Shannon also remarked: “Tallulah was kind-hearted, caring, generous and most of all the biggest diva. She wasn’t just a friend to me, she was like a sister.
“I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for her. She will forever be missed and loved. I’ll forever cherish every memory that we have together and we will make sure she is forever remembered as the special girl she was.”
Another close friend Mya commented: “Tallulah was more than my best friend, she was family. Thank you for filling my life with laughter and unforgettable memories.
“Her kindness, strength, and beautiful spirit touched everyone who knew her, and I will always treasure the special bond we shared. Life will never be the same without you, and there will always be a space in my heart that belongs to you.
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“Though you’re no longer here, your love and the memories we created together will stay with me forever.”
Essex Police confirmed investigations into the tragedy continue, with an 18-year-old man from Westcliff and a 17-year-old boy arrested in relation to the incident. Both suspects have been released on bail until September.
In an official statement, the force said: “We know there were a large number of young people in the area at the time, and we believe some may have witnessed what happened. We need anyone who has information and who we’ve not already spoken with to come forward.
“If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us. Please quote incident 39 of 13 June.
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“You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our online reporting services.
“If you would like to make an anonymous report you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.”
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