A woman at the heart of a murder probe in Rochdale has been identified. Keeley Aspinall, affectionately known as Kiki amongst mates, was discovered deceased at a flat on the Freehold estate on Monday afternoon (May 25).

Police responded to a welfare concern at the property near Tweedale Street at approximately 4pm. Greater Manchester Police confirmed a woman was located at the flat. Tragically, she was declared dead at the scene.

Keeley, 44, has now been formally identified and named by relatives, who are receiving support from specialist officers at GMP.

Her family paid tribute, saying: “Gone too soon.. we can’t believe you are gone. We will always love you and miss you, love all your family xx.”

One friend, speaking to the Manchester Evening News in remembrance of Keeley, described her as ‘like a sister’, stating: “She was the best friend anyone could ask for. I’m going to miss her so much, she will always be in my heart.”

A man in his 30s has been detained on suspicion of murder. He continues to be held in custody for questioning on Tuesday (May 26).

Police maintained their presence on the estate throughout the afternoon. A flat at the Hartlebury block was sealed off, with officers positioned outside.

Detectives were observed conducting door-to-door inquiries, while forensic specialists were also present at the scene. GMP confirmed there would be an increased police presence in the vicinity as investigations progress.

Temporary Detective Chief Superintendent Jamie Daniels, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, stated on Monday: “We appreciate this incident is likely to cause some distress amongst the public and local community. I would like to reassure you that we believe this to be an isolated incident, which does not pose any further risk to the wider public.”

He continued: “We understand the severity of events such as this, and whilst we are in very early stages, our officers will work tirelessly to establish the full details of this tragic death.

“A scene will remain in place at this time, and there will be an increased police presence in the area over the coming days. Thank you for your patience as our investigations continue.”

Social media has been inundated with tributes for Keeley. Naomi Parkinson wrote: “Oh this is heartbreaking I knew Keeley from my younger days x condolences to all her family xx.”

Anna Feeney commented: “When meeting you in Rochdale u was Such a lovely girl sending so much love and condolences to your family. rip Kiki a beautiful girl.”

Paul Ashi shared: “Lovely girl full of fun never a dull moment with her around.” Eleanor Smith remarked: “She was so lovely r.i.p keeley. so sad she was such a beautiful person to get to know condolences to her family xxx.”

Janine Wolstenholme expressed: “RIP keeley absolutley heartbreaking xx”

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Cole Palmer could potentially be sold by Chelsea in the summer transfer window, with his asking price and Champions League comments putting interested parties on red alert

Chelsea star Cole Palmer would reportedly cost at least £80million for either Manchester United or Manchester City to tempt Xabi Alonso’s side into negotiating a sale this summer. The Blues talisman, after being left out of England’s World Cup squad, looks set for months of uncertainty surrounding his future after his side failed to qualify for any form of European football next season.

In the midst of a turbulent campaign, links over a move to Old Trafford emerged with Palmer a boyhood United fan. However, those rumours died down somewhat with Michael Carrick and Co focusing on additions in other positions.

Interest from United could be reignited though with his asking price coming to light and some telling comments resurfacing that suggest he could leave. According to The Sun, £80m would be the starting point for any negotiations.

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Chelsea are not exactly in a strong position for any potential talks however, with defeat to Sunderland last weekend seeing them finish 10th and outside of any European qualification spots. Palmer made quite the Champions League claim prior to Chelsea’s run of one league win in five games.

He told TNT Sports: “Hopefully [I can achieve my ambitions at Chelsea]. I believe in the club, they spoke to us as players. Hopefully I, and we, can win a lot at Chelsea. If we’re not in the Champions League, everything changes. We need to finish in the Champions League.”

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Having finished third, United are back in Europe’s top club competition but could face competition from another Champions League side in Manchester City. Reports in Spain have gone as far as stating an £86million offer is on the table.

While that seems a tad far-fetched, a return to Etihad Stadium for Palmer is not out of the equation especially with his former manager Enzo Maresca set to replace Pep Guardiola.

The latter took charge of his final game as City boss last weekend and he is expected to be replaced by former Chelsea head coach Maresca, who had a stint as Guardiola’s No2.

The Italian, who arguably got the very best out of Palmer, departed Stamford Bridge earlier this year after he and the club’s hierarchy fell out with Liam Rosenior coming in as his replacement.

He was sacked just a few months into his tenure with Xabi Alonso, who was strongly linked to City, confirmed as their manager for the 2026/27 season.

United also looked set to be in the managerial market this summer but made the decision to stick with Michael Carrick permanently after he guided the club to a third-placed finish.

Midfielders are the priority for United but Palmer could be considered a unique market opportunity given Chelsea’s failings.

You unlock your phone with your face, your fingerprint sends your laptop whirring into action, you pass airport security by glancing at a camera. Biometric technology has become so woven into the daily routine that for many people, it barely registers any more.

That invisibility is part of the point. These systems are usually fast, convenient and feel secure. Unlike a password, you can’t forget your face. But that doesn’t mean they are without risk.

Biometrics fall into two broad families: physiological (fingerprints, faces, irises, even nailbed patterns) and behavioural (how you walk or type, the rhythm of your speech, the angle you hold your phone).

Both forms are already being widely used – you just may not realise it. Many banks and retailers now monitor how you interact with your device – from swipes, taps and scrolls to the angle you hold your phone, the rhythm of how you move between fields, and the pressure of your touch. If someone else picks up your unlocked phone and tries to access your banking app, this can automatically trigger a fraud alert.

My research with colleagues even shows it’s possible to infer a user’s name and native language from the timing patterns of their keystrokes.

The graphic below shows the full extent of biometric technologies. Those marked dark green are in widespread commercial and government use today – including less-familiar examples such as the veins in your hand and other bodily vein patterns.

Physiological and behavioural biometric systems:

Gait analysis – reading how you walk – is already used for security and surveillance purposes, from venue access to detecting potentially suspicious behaviour. You can wear a mask, pull up a hood, avoid looking at a camera – but you can’t easily change how you walk.

China’s authorities have been using this technology for nearly a decade. And in 2023, the UK’s Biometrics and Forensic Ethics Group flagged gait recognition for ethical guidance. This is usually a sign that operational use isn’t far behind.

A number of other biometric technologies (marked light green), ranging from skin texture and ear shape to micro-expressions and hand-grip patterns, are being actively researched for use in the near future. A further group (marked red) have so far only been demonstrated in the laboratory. But even body odour and breath signatures are further along than their novelty might suggest.

What once felt like science fiction is now embedded in our everyday lives. You can’t always see this technology, and you can’t always opt out. But knowing it exists is the first step to understanding how much of yourself you’re already sharing.

V is for vulnerability

In April 2026, financial security expert Li Chang showed Chinese TV viewers how AI tools could extract a celebrity’s fingerprints from a single selfie. The culprit? The classic V-sign, finger pads pointed straight at the lens.

This built on work by Japan’s National Institute of Informatics which in 2017 showed that usable fingerprints could be lifted from photos taken up to three metres away. And phone camera technology has only got better since then.

In the UK, police have made at least two arrests based on fingerprints lifted from photos: one from a WhatsApp image of a hand holding ecstasy pills, the other when a drug dealer was identified from a photo of him holding a block of Stilton cheese.

This technology can work in the other direction too. In the Chinese city of Hangzhou in July 2025, criminals reportedly tried to unlock a smart door using a photo the homeowner had posted online with his fingers visible. The attempt failed but the intent was clear.

While this kind of targeted, technically demanding attack is still unusual, there are some precautions I would advise taking as the use of biometric technology grows.

How to protect yourself

First, be selective about when you agree to share biometric data – fingerprints, face, iris, voice, all of it.

Most modern smartphones store biometric templates in a secure chip that never leaves the device. But third-party apps and workplace systems rarely offer the same guarantee.

In July 2024, US tech giant Meta paid the state of Texas US$1.4 billion (£1.1bn) after running facial recognition on users without consent. This followed a class-action settlement with TikTok’s parent company ByteDance in Illinois for US$92 million over similar allegations.

So, try to keep track of which apps have access to your camera and microphone. On both iOS and Android, this takes about two minutes. And don’t use biometrics as the only layer of security – make sure there’s a second step.

Three potential biometric weakpoints

Voice: This is probably the most casually surrendered biometric. AI voice cloning requires only seconds of audio to produce a convincing replica, and it’s being used in fraud calls impersonating family members. This is a far more realistic – and terrifying – version of the virtual kidnapping scam that’s been around for years. Establishing a safe word with the people closest to you for any unexpected financial request is a simple and underrated defence.

Eyes: Iris recognition is considered robust because this coloured eye muscle has around 250 measurable features – far more than a fingerprint – and remains stable throughout your life. But the quiet expansion of eye-tracking data collected through VR headsets, for example, is going unnoticed. Check the privacy settings on any VR device you use, and be aware that gaze data is increasingly treated as a commercial asset by platforms that collect it.

Fingerprints: Beyond being careful what you point at the camera, know where you’ve enrolled your fingerprint. Workplace access systems and payment terminals vary widely in how they store and protect data – and unlike your phone, they’re not legally required to tell you.

None of this means biometric systems are broken. For most purposes, they are more secure than the passwords they are replacing. The question is not whether to engage with these systems – they’re already too embedded to avoid. It’s whether we’re engaging with our eyes open – eyes that are, of course, already regularly being scanned.

The Westminster Hall debate, due to take place on Thursday, June 4, will focus on concerns surrounding recent changes to school transport eligibility, accessibility and affordability introduced by North Yorkshire Council.

The policy means the council will only provide free school transport to a child’s nearest school, meaning transport is not offered to catchment schools which are not the closest.

Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said he secured the debate because too many families were being negatively affected by the changes.

He said: “I have already been contacted by a significant number of constituents who have outlined how these changes are affecting their children’s ability to get to school safely and on time, and the strain it is placing on family budgets.

“These experiences matter, and they deserve to be heard at the highest level.”

The MP is encouraging affected families to share their experiences ahead of the debate to help highlight the impact of the policy changes.

Campaign group School Transport Action Group welcomed the move and praised Mr Gordon for backing rural families.

A spokesperson for the group said: “We are incredibly grateful to Tom Gordon for the support he has shown rural families on this issue from the very beginning.

“He has worked closely with campaigners, helped ensure our petition reached the Department for Education and, crucially, he has refused to give up on families being left stranded by these policies.”

The group also criticised current national guidance around home-to-school transport, arguing that it leaves rural communities vulnerable to service reductions.

North Yorkshire Council has previously defended the changes, saying the revised policy was designed to create a fairer and more sustainable transport system while helping address rising costs and increasing demand for school transport services.

Council leaders have argued that the authority faces significant financial pressures and that the updated arrangements bring North Yorkshire more closely in line with statutory requirements followed by many other councils.

The authority has also said support remains in place for eligible pupils and that it continues to meet its legal responsibilities for home-to-school transport provision.

The annual event, held in Cumbria from June 4 to 10, is a traditional gathering for the Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller (GRT) communities and attracts visitors travelling through parts of County Durham.

Durham County Council has introduced Temporary Stop-Over Areas (TSOAs) in and around Teesdale and south-west Durham to support safe and respectful travel to and from the fair.

Councillor Dawn Bellingham, the council’s cabinet member for communities and civic resilience, said: “These TSOAs are provided every year, and we would encourage people attending Appleby Horse Fair to use them, as they provide a safe and convenient place to stop.

“We work closely with our partners to ensure that these areas bring benefit to both users and residents living along the routes.”

There are eight TSOAs in place between May 22 and June 25.

The locations are:

• Westerton Lay by, DL14 8AL
• Gurney Valley, DL14 8RP
• Broomielaw Picnic Area, DL12 8TT
• Guide Post Corner, Bowes, DL12 9HU
• Land at Stainton Bank, DL12 8RQ
• Shaw Bank Field, DL12 8TD
• Wackerfield Lay by, DL2 3AP
• Winston Corner, DL2 3RW

The areas are clearly marked with signs and include information on guidance for travellers.

The TSOAs form part of a wider partnership led by the South West Durham and Dales Residents’, Businesses’, and Travellers’ Forum.

The forum includes representatives from the county council, town and parish councils, Durham Constabulary, local businesses and the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller communities.

Council officers and partner agencies will visit the TSOAs regularly and provide support to those staying there.

Those staying in unauthorised encampments will be given advice and support, but will be encouraged to use the TSOAs.

Travellers and members of the public can find more information about the TSOAs on the Appleby Horse Fair website at www.applebyfair.org.

Durham County Council’s Gypsy Roma Traveller Service can also be contacted by calling 03000 260 000 or by emailing grtservice@durham.gov.uk.

The programme will run from August until November and begins with the Haver String Quarter on August 13.

A selection of Scotland’s best musicians will make their way to Low Parks Museum in Hamilton for a special series of events later this year.

‘Music in the Museum’ will give local people an experience they won’t forget, with a variety of quality live music in the 18th-century Assembly Room of the venue.

The programme will run from August until November and begins with the Haver String Quarter on August 13, followed by The Silver Keys on September 10, Trio Brio on October 8, before concluding with Troppos Ensemble on November 12.

A spokesperson for South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture said: “We are really excited about the events and the performances coming to Low Parks.

“It’s a special opportunity to hear top-class musicians from across Scotland performing in a local and familiar setting.

“The Assembly Room is a wonderful venue with exceptional acoustics and sublime surroundings; we can’t wait for people to come and join us for these fantastic performances.”

Further information on the artists, plus ticket prices and performance times, can be found on the South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture box office.

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READ MORE: Police found man “covered in blood” after attack outside shop in Hamilton

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The woman suffered minor injuries in the attack

Police are searching for a suspect after a woman was scratched and bitten in an attack. The woman was attacked at around 2.15am on Friday (May 22) in Clements Close, Haverhill in Suffolk.

The victim, a woman in her 20s, suffered minor injuries in the attack. During the attack, she was scratched, bitten and her head was pulled.

A Suffolk Police spokesperson said: “Police are appealing for witnesses after an assault in Haverhill. The suspect is described as being black and around 5ft 8ins tall. It is believed the victim and the suspect are known to each other.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or report it online and quote reference 37/29086/26.

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