Belfast Violence: Police And MP Injured

Sectarian tension in Belfast has spilled over into violence, leaving 23 police officers and an MP injured.

Democratic Unionist Party MP Nigel Dodds, who had been near the police lines talking to officers, was taken to hospital after being struck on the head by a brick during the fighting, a party spokesman said. His condition is said to be stable.

Officers were pelted with masonry, bottles and other missiles during clashes with loyalists in Woodvale Road.

The Police Federation for Northern Ireland said 23 officers had been injured in the north Belfast disturbances as they dealt with "serious public disorder".

Water cannon were deployed and around 20 non-lethal rounds known as Attenuated Energy Projectiles fired.

Officers were hit by an array of missiles including sticks and fireworks

Water cannon were also used by police in east Belfast in response to missiles hurled by crowds of people.

Trouble erupted as the Orange Order protested against the decision to ban a contentious July 12 parade from a north Belfast flashpoint.

Loyalist bandsmen played sectarian tunes at police lines while bricks and bottles were thrown.

At one point a rioter broke down a section of wall and threw it at police shields. Others used sticks and pieces of drainpipe to batter police vehicles, while some danced on top of the force's Land Rovers and tried to rip off protective plating.

Police were enforcing a Parades Commission ban. The ruling stops Orange Order lodges from walking on a stretch of road in north Belfast that separates loyalist and nationalist communities.

Water cannon is used on loyalist protesters

The Parades Commission - the adjudicating body set up after the Good Friday Agreement peace deal - had banned marchers from a 300-metre stretch of the Crumlin Road past the nationalist Ardoyne area.

Three lodges from the Ligoniel area had been able to walk the contested route out, but were prevented from making the return journey.

Trouble also broke out on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast. Bricks and bottles were thrown in both areas.

One man was arrested for disorderly behaviour and another for provocative behaviour.

Serious rioting has erupted after previous Orange Order evening marches in Ardoyne. Last year shots were fired at police, who also came under sustained attack from petrol bombs thrown by republican protesters.

MP Nigel Dodds was taken to hospital after his head injury

Before he was injured, Mr Dodds said: "This sort of situation here creating a bottleneck at this junction, the Parades Commission decision to block it here, this is the inevitable outcome.

"The police were well aware that was the danger the Parades Commission had put them in. I would appeal for everybody to stay calm, not to get involved in violence.

"The Grand Lodge have made it clear they do not want violence and the people who want to engage in violence should desist immediately."

Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly blamed the violence on the Orange Order and unionist politicians.

"Speech after speech at the various (Orange) demonstrations were clearly designed to stir up sectarian tension and have alongside the Orange Order's failure to abide by Parades Commission determinations led directly to the violence in Belfast tonight.

"No amount of hand wringing or denial in the coming days from the Orange Order and unionist politicians can alter that reality.

Twenty-three officers were hurt during the 'serious disorder'

"People had a right to expect better, instead what we got was a very deliberate strategy with the inevitable results being seen on the streets this evening."

The Orange Order has appealed for calm and asked that all parades be peaceful.

In a statement, it said: "The Parades Commission must go, but violence is not the way to achieve it. All protests must be peaceful.

"In support of the Grand Orange Lodge's appeal for calm, the Ligoniel Lodges (north Belfast) have decided to suspend their protest over the determination for the Crumlin Road."

DUP leader and Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson called for calm.

"Violence and attacks on the PSNI and the wider community are wrong, can never be justified and must stop," he said.

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Dartmoor Deaths: Mum And Son Fall From Rocks

Police investigating the deaths of a woman and her young son, who died after falling from rocks on Dartmoor, have discovered a child's body at her home.

A murder investigation has been launched after the 24-year-old woman, named in reports as Katharine Hooper, and her five-year-old son died at Haytor in Devon - one of Dartmoor's most famous landmarks which is popular with walkers and climbers.

The body of a two-year-old boy, also believed to be her son, was later found at her home address in Dukes Close, Paignton.

Neighbour Tracey Cole, told the Western Morning News: "The whole community is feeling utterly shocked and devastated. This is a close-knit community.

The woman's other son was found at home (Pic: Google Street View)

"We always looked after each other, especially because of the kids. With Kat we were always in and out of each other's houses. We would see each other every day.

"I really don't understand what happened. Kat was totally and utterly devoted to her children."

Detective Superintendent Paul Burgan said: "We are keeping an open mind about all three deaths, but at this stage we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

"We are keen to speak to anyone who may have any information or might have been in the Haytor area earlier today, Friday."

An air ambulance, a police helicopter and members of the Dartmoor Rescue Group were called to the scene at 11.50am.

The Dartmoor National Park Authority asked members of the public to avoid visiting the area due to the tragedy.

Tributes were paid to the mother and child by members of the emergency services.

The Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team tweeted: "The team were called to assist at a tragic incident at Haytor today. Our thoughts are with the family."

Post-mortem examinations are due to take place, and police said the next of kin have been informed.

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Heatwave: Mercury To Hit 32C At Weekend

Britain has already been basking in sunshine for over a week but this weekend could bring the hottest day of the year so far.

Temperatures on Friday are expected to reach 27C (80.6F) in some places but it is Saturday that looks like the scorcher.

Sky's weather producer Joanna Robinson said 32C (89.6F)  is possible in southeast England.

In July 2006 Wisley, Surrey, saw the mercury rise to 36.5C (97.7F) after a fortnight-long hot spell.

Although temperatures in London will soar, Robinson said most other places will be a few degrees cooler with isolated thunderstorms expected over northern England and the East Midlands.

The Met Office has said there is a 70% probability of heatwave conditions between 12pm on Friday and 8pm on Sunday.

It has set its watch level to two, out of four possible levels, which warns the public to be alert and prepared for the sun and heat.

In August 2003 temperatures hit 38C (100.4F) and the Department of Health estimated there were 2,000 to 3,000 more deaths than usual in England.

It provides guidelines on how to stay safe in a heatwave, including having cool baths and showers, wear loose clothing and identify the coolest room in the house to seek sanctuary in.

It also reminds people to look after the very young, very old or those with chronic diseases.

The heat will be welcomed by those attending the T In The Park festival in Kinross-Shire, Scotland, this weekend and for the final few days of the Ashes first Test match at Trent Bridge.

Temperatures are expected to stay in the high-20s going into next week too.

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Packed Lunches May Be Off The Menu At Schools

By Siobhan Robbins, Sky News Reporter

Packed lunches may be banned by some schools as the Government tries to get more children to eat school dinners.

The Department for Education is pledging £16.1m to help make the meals they provide more popular.

Head teachers will be responsible for improving take up.

That could include some schools in England stopping pupils bringing in food from home, cutting the price of cooked dinners or making children stay on-site at break time.

The changes follow a year-long review aimed at ensuring pupils eat healthier lunches.

An estimated 20% of children are already obese when they leave primary school.

Currently 57% either bring in packed lunches or buy something from outside school costing parents around £1bn a year.

The Government said these meals often contain too many sweets, fizzy drinks and fatty foods and the money would be better spent on healthy school lunches.

Announcing the plans, Education Secretary Michael Gove said: "What I'd like to see is a greater take up of school food.

"As a result of this; more children eating school lunches and fewer having packed lunches, more children being healthier and more energetic throughout the day, and the nation, as a result, benefiting from improved brain power."

Cooking classes will also be compulsory for all under-14s.

Critics are concerned this interferes with decisions which should be made by parents and could make extra work for already over-stretched teachers.

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Wimbledon Queue Rape Claim: Police Investigate

Police are investigating claims a woman was raped in the overnight queue for the Wimbledon final.

Dozens of tents were set up in Wimbledon Park as hundreds of tennis fans waited to buy tickets to see Andy Murray on Centre Court on Sunday.

Scotland Yard said a 30-year-old man was arrested and bailed over the alleged attack.

A spokesman said: "Police are investigating an allegation of serious sexual assault in Wimbledon Park, off Church Road, in the early hours of Sunday July 7.

"A 30-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident and has been taken into custody at a south London police station.

"He was bailed until early September pending further enquiries."

The spokesman said the 34-year-old victim was being cared for by specialist teams.

He added: "Inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of the incident."

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Taser Death: Man Dies In Manchester

A man has died after police shot him with a Taser, Greater Manchester Police have said.

The 23-year-old suffered a "medical episode" and died after police fired at him with the stun gun.

Police were responding to a disturbance in Beard Road, Gorton, at about 8.15pm where a man was armed with a knife.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said: "Officers were dispatched immediately and arrived in eight minutes.

"On arrival, a Taser was discharged to detain a 23-year-old man.

"At this time it is unclear what happened but at some point afterwards the man suffered a medical episode.

"Paramedics performed first aid on the man at the scene before he was taken to hospital where he sadly died."

Mr Shewan said help has been provided for the man's family.

"Specially trained family liaison officers are supporting his family during this very difficult time," he said.

The man's death has been reported to the coroner and to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

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John Terry's Father Charged Over 'Racist Row'

Footballer John Terry's father has been charged with racially aggravated assault following an argument in London.

Ted Terry was arrested earlier this year following the incident on Fenchurch Street, near the Square Mile, on March 22.

When answering bail at Bishopsgate police station on Tuesday, the 59-year-old, of Grays, Essex, was also charged with racially aggravated fear of violence.

He has been charged alongside two other men, Tudor Musteata, 47, of London, and Stephen Niland, 36, of Romford, Essex.

All three are due to appear before magistrates on July 23.

City of London police would not give further details to Sky News.

Former England captain John Terry, 32, was cleared in court of racially abusing fellow player Anton Ferdinand last year.

The Chelsea player denied making the comments during a match against QPR in 2011.

However, the Football Association ruled he had insulted Ferdinand and gave him a four-month ban.

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Two Killed In Flat Fire In West London

Two people have died after a fire tore through neighbouring flats in Heston, west London.

Some 58 firefighters and officers were called to the blaze, which broke out above a shop in New Heston Road, in the London borough of Hounslow, at around 1.40am.

Three people are believed to have jumped from the burning building before fire crews arrived.

An injured woman found in the street was subsequently pronounced dead, while two men, aged 18 and 37, are being treated for multiple injuries at St Mary's Hospital in central London.

Firefighters found the body of another person during a search of the flat.

London Fire Brigade sent eight fire engines to the scene

The names of those killed in the fire, which was spotted by police officers during a routine patrol, have not yet been released.

A man who was in the building at the time told Sky News: "I heard a loud bang. When I opened the window, I saw some shattered windows on the ground and I thought there had been a car crash. That's when I realised there was a body on the floor."

The cause of the blaze is under investigation by police and fire officers and is being treated as unexplained.

It is thought to have started inside one of the flats before spreading to neighbouring properties, damaging half of the roof of the building and parts of the second floor.

Around 50 people who were evacuated from their homes were taken to a nearby village hall.

The local council is attempting to find emergency accommodation for anyone unable to return.

Road closures are also in place while firefighters investigate the blaze.

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Barry Island Missing Teen: Sea Search Stopped

Sea rescue teams have called off their search for a schoolgirl who went missing after getting into difficulty in the sea at a busy resort in Wales.

Holly McClymont, 14, from Glasgow, was visiting Barry Island with her family when she went missing on Sunday afternoon.

Police say friends saw the schoolgirl struggling in the water in an area of Whitmore Bay which can be prone to strong tidal currents.

But a delay of up to an hour before concerns were reported left open the possibility she had reached dry land and then disappeared.

As a result South Wales Police have been carrying out parallel land inquiries as a low water shoreline search continued.

David Jones, the duty watch manager at Swansea Coastguard, said the operation had effectively become a police missing person search.

"Basically, at the moment, the coastguard has completed the low water search so from our point of view we have now suspended searching and formally handed over to South Wales Police," he said.

"We have exhausted efforts searching the sea. There is nothing to suggest that she was in the water and nothing to suggest she was not in the water.

"As far as we are concerned the sea search element of the operation is complete."

He added: "We just hope that if she is found it will be alive and on land. It is now a police missing persons investigation."

It is believed she may have been in trouble up to an hour before the first emergency call was made at about 3.45pm.

Police have appealed for help from anyone who saw Holly

The coastguard has expressed disbelief that the alarm was not raised sooner when the girl disappeared.

"We are dumbfounded that something wasn't said to us earlier and are investigating but our main priority is the search," Steve Jones, rescue centre manager for HM Coastguard Swansea, said.

Police say Holly is white, 5ft 7in tall, of average build, with long black hair dyed red.

She was last seen wearing a multi-coloured floral dress, described as short at the front and longer at the back.

Superintendent Marc Lamerton, based at Barry Police Station, has appealed for information from the public.

"Our last sighting of Holly is at around 2.45pm in the sea, in the part of the bay nearest the Island Leisure Amusement arcade, Western Shelter, Barry Island," he said.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen Holly yesterday.

"Barry Island was extremely busy and we would appeal for anyone with information to contact South Wales Police on 101.

 "This is obviously a very worrying time for Holly's family and we are keeping them updated."

Despite the search, hundreds of holidaymakers were not deterred from going back in the sea off the same beach.

Barry resident Sue Voss said locals were aware of the potential dangers of the sea and knew that tides could be treacherous.

"The tides are dangerous here, you can get pulled out to sea. That is why you should always stay between the red and yellow flags," she said.

"If you are from somewhere inland it is easy to think that there is no danger. On a sunny day it all looks so inviting."

She said a friend lost her dog several years ago when it went into the sea at nearby Knap beach and was washed away by currents.

Whitmore Bay is part of an enclosed stretch of coastline although the tidal range - the difference between high and low tide - is one of the highest in the world.

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One In Four Police Stop And Searches Unlawful

One in four people stopped by police officers are searched unlawfully, according to an independent watchdog.

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) examined thousands of stop and search records and found that in 27% of cases there were insufficient grounds to justify the use of the powers.

It warned the practice has become "habitual" and said the way it is monitored has "slipped" since the results of an inquiry into the murder of teenager Stephen Lawrence were published in 1999.

The inquiry highlighted the disproportionate use of stop and search among members of black and Asian communities and called for all searches to be properly recorded.

Tom Winsor, chief inspector at HMIC, said: "The police service in the UK is almost unique in investing its lowest-ranking officers with its greatest and most intrusive powers. These include those of stop and search.

"The lawful and proper use of the powers is essential to the maintenance of public confidence and community acceptance of the police, without which the British model of policing by consent cannot function.

"It is therefore crucial that police officers can show, with the greatest transparency, that they use these powers with the utmost lawfulness and integrity at all times."

More than one million stop and searches are recorded every year, taking up more than 300,000 hours of police time.

However, just 9% of searches lead to an arrest.

The results of the HMIC inspection come after Home Secretary Theresa May launched a public consultation into the use of stop and search powers, amid fears the practice has become a "dreadful waste of time".

The Government is expected to respond to both the report and the consultation before the end of the year.

A spokeswoman for the Home Office said the Government "supports the ability of police officers to stop and search suspects within the law".

"If stop and search is being used too much or with the wrong people, it is not just a waste of police time, it also serves to undermine public confidence in the police," she added.

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