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Summary

  1. Updates on Wednesday 23 March 2016
  2. News, sport, weather and travel updates will resume at 08:00 on Thursday

Live Reporting

By Oliver Wright and Laura Foster

All times stated are UK

Get involved

Our live coverage across the day

That's all for today from BBC Local Live in Sheffield and South Yorkshire.

We'll be back again from 08:00 tomorrow with all the latest news, views, sport, weather and travel updates from across the county.

And please feel free to get in touch with us with your pics and news, just email us here.

South Yorkshire's weather: A cloudy night, rain expected tomorrow

Paul Hudson

Weather presenter, BBC Look North

Tonight will be rather cloudy with some clear spells developing later.

Tomorrow, the day will start dry but it will rain in the afternoon.

Also feeling breezier than it has been this week.

BBC Weather
BBC

Doncaster Rovers looking to sign Norwich keeper

BBC Radio Sheffield

BBC Radio Sheffield understands that Doncaster Rovers are trying to finalise the loan signing of Norwich City goalkeeper Remi Matthews.

Matthews could be the second of three new signings before tomorrow's deadline after Rovers added Garry McSheffrey earlier today.

Drew Review: 'Things are improving' - South Yorkshire Chief Constable

South Yorkshire's Chief Constable says a newly-published review into the force's handling of child sexual exploitation (CSE) should reassure people it's on the right track.

South Yorkshire Police's handling of CSE was "inadequate" and the force "regularly missed" opportunities to tackle the problem, the report has found.  

David Crompton
BBC

But David Crompton (pictured) says Professor John Drew's review acknowledges the force is now heading in the right direction.

He says: "Things are improving, the culture is changing, the treatment of victims is better, the attitude of managers is very much more focused on dealing with child sexual exploitation.

"I'm the first person to acknowledge we're coming from a low baseline, we've got a long way to go, but everybody's throwing their weight behind that."

Sheffield trees row: Lifting of injunction 'absolutely not end of campaign'

More on the news that council tree-felling in Sheffield can resume after a High Court decision to lift a temporary injunction.

Tree in Sheffield with 'Save Me' sign attached
BBC

Sheffield City Council says it won't resume the programme until a court ruling, but it will chop down trees which it deems to be dangerous. Campaigners want a judicial review into the £2bn Streets Ahead programme under which more than 3,000 trees have been felled since 2012.

The judge, Mr Justice Gilbart, is expected to deliver a ruling in the near future.

Campaigner Dave Dillner has told BBC Radio Sheffield he "can't hide" his disappointment at the lifting of the injunction, but says he retains "a measure of confidence" over the High Court's final decision.

"It's absolutely not the end of the campaign. We wait with interest Mr Justice Gilbart's final judgement."

Professor John Drew's Review into South Yorkshire Police: What we know now

Professor John Drew
BBC

Returning to today's main story in South Yorkshire, here's a reminder of the findings of Professor John Drew's newly-published and critical report into South Yorkshire Police's handling of child sexual exploitation since the late 1990s - and reactions to his findings:

  • The force's handling of child sexual exploitation was "inadequate" and the force "regularly missed" opportunities, the report claims
  • Senior officers ignored reports of abuse in favour of pursuing other crimes
  • A top-down culture meant "little value" was attached to information from grassroots officers
  • South Yorkshire's Chief Constable has welcomed the report, but says there's more to be done
  • The county's Police and Crime Commissioner is "reassured" the force is in a "different place"
  • Delays in police watchdog IPCC's probe into force are criticised, though IPCC says investigation is of "highest priority"

Latest headlines: Report says sexual exploitation victims let down by police and court lifts injunction on Sheffield tree-felling

The top stories in Sheffield and South Yorkshire today include: 

  • South Yorkshire police badly let down victims of child sexual exploitation, a new independent report suggests
  • Controversial tree-felling in Sheffield can start again after the High Court lifted a temporary injunction
  • A rapist who forced two female walkers to have sex with him by threatening a group of children is given a life sentence

Thieves steal horse-riding equipment from Rossington charity

Oliver Wright

BBC News Online, Yorkshire

South Yorkshire Police are investigating after a charity-run riding school in Rossington was burgled last night.

It's thought the burglary was carried out sometime between 16:30 on Tuesday and 07:30 this morning.

The burglars took money and riding equipment such as saddles and saddlecloths. A safe containing about £600 in donations was also ripped off the wall.

The items belong to the Northern Racing College’s Riding for the Disabled centre.

Tour de Yorkshire: Lizzie Armitstead aims for record £15,000 prize

BBC Sport

British world champion Lizzie Armitstead will race for the most lucrative prize in women's cycling at next month's Tour de Yorkshire which will visit South Yorkshire.

Lizzie Armitstead
AP

This year's winner will get £15,000 from a £50,000 prize fund. Last year's winner Louise Mahe received £1,000.

The 135km ride from Otley to Doncaster takes place on Saturday 30 April, with the second stage of the men's three-day race starting later on the same course.

It is West Yorkshire-born Armitstead's first race as world champion in the UK.

Farmer 'sickened' by Hatfield sheep attack

A farmer says he feels sickened after six of his lambs were shot and killed at his farm near Hatfield.

Tom Brooke
BBC

The animals were killed during an attack on Tom Brooke's farm overnight between 21 and 22 March. Two more lambs were badly wounded and had to be put down.

Mr Brooke has told BBC Look North: "Nothing has happened like this before. We've had sheep stolen in the past but nothing like this. It's just sickening and these people need catching."

South Yorkshire Police are investigating the shootings. 

Police investigate following Barnsley assault

Laura Foster

BBC Look North

South Yorkshire Police are investigating after reports a 27-year-old man assaulted in Barnsley town centre last weekend.

View more on twitter

It happened at about 11:30 on the morning of Saturday 19 March on Wesley Street.

Police want to hear from anyone who may have seen what happened.

Sheffield to host fact-finding mission for Chinese delegates

Sheffield Telegraph

Sheffield Telegraph

Sheffield will be hosting a major delegation from China today hoping to build on its relationship with one of the world’s biggest economies. The delegation will visit for a fact-finding mission and to develop closer relationships with the city.

Latest headlines: Report says sexual exploitation victims let down by police and court lifts injunction on Sheffield tree-felling

The top stories in Sheffield and South Yorkshire so far today include: 

  • South Yorkshire police badly let down victims of child sexual exploitation, a new independent report suggests
  • Controversial tree-felling in Sheffield can start again after the High Court lifted a temporary injunction
  • A rapist who forced two female walkers to have sex with him by threatening a group of children is given a life sentence

Sheffield temporary tree-felling injunction lifted

Gina Bolton

BBC Radio Sheffield News

Controversial tree-felling in Sheffield can resume after a High Court judge lifted a temporary injunction.

'Save Me' sign attached to tree
BBC

A ban on felling was imposed in February after an application by campaigners opposed to a £2bn project which has seen 3,388 trees removed since 2012.

However, speaking after the ruling, Sheffield Council said it would halt work on all but those trees it deemed to be "dangerous" until the court rules on claims it did not fully consult and failed to assess environmental impact before starting the programme.

The judge, Mr Justice Gilbart, finished hearing evidence on the matter earlier and is expected to deliver a ruling in the near future.

Rovers sign McSheffrey on loan

Doncaster Rovers have signed winger Gary McSheffrey (centre of picture) on loan from Scunthorpe United until the end of the season.

Gary McSheffrey
PA

McSheffrey has scored 15 goals in 91 appearances for the Iron in all competitions since signing for the League One side in January 2014.

The 33-year-old has featured in 28 games this season, but is out of contract at Glanford Park in the summer.

'Loathsome' Doncaster rapist jailed over sex attacks on walkers

A "loathsome" rapist who forced two female walkers to have sex with him by threatening a group of children has been given a life sentence.

Paul Eames
South Yorkshire Police

Paul Eames, 40, of Redbourne Road, Bentley, attacked the women on the Trans Pennine trail in Bentley on 10 September 2015. 

He threatened to harm five children who were with the women if they did not comply with his demands, police said. 

Eames will serve a minimum of 10 years and six months after pleading guilty at Sheffield Crown Court.  

Old Henderson's Relish bottle found on WW1 battlefield

Sheffield Star

A old Henderson's Relish bottle has been discovered on the sight of the Battle of the Somme. The discovery was made by Tim Thurlow, from Solihull, during a visit to Guillemot Road Cemetery, in Belgium.

Henderson's Relish bottle
Henderson's Relish/Tim Thurlow

MCC v Yorkshire: Ian Bell hits half-century to help MCC to victory

BBC Sport

Ian Bell found some form ahead of the new county season as his 66 helped the MCC to a four-wicket win over Yorkshire in the Champion County match.

Ian Bell
Getty Images

The new Warwickshire captain, who has said he wants his place back in England's Test side, struck 10 fours in his 134-ball innings as the MCC chased down a target of 256 in Abu Dhabi.

Earlier, Yorkshire, who resumed on 239-7, were bowled out for 299.

Six lambs shot dead in Hatfield farm attack

A police investigation has been launched after six lambs were shot dead at a farm in Hatfield.

South Yorkshire Police said the animals were targeted at Stoupers Gate Farm overnight between 21 and 22 March. Two more animals had to be put down.

Ch Insp Adrian Brown said the incident has "shocked the farming community".

"This act of violence is concerning and it’s vitally important we identify the person or people responsible for this incident," he added.

No decision in Ched Evans rape appeal

The Court of Appeal will not give its decision on an appeal by former Sheffield United player Ched Evans against his conviction for rape until April, judges have said.

Ched Evans
North Wales Police

The Wales international was jailed in 2012 for raping a 19-year-old at a hotel near Rhyl, north Wales.

The judges at the two-day hearing reserved their judgement after hearing submissions from Evans' legal team.

Evans, 27, was released from jail in 2014 after serving half of his five-year term.

Latest headlines: Report says sexual exploitation victims let down by police and 'vile' rapist jailed for walker attacks

The top stories in Sheffield and South Yorkshire so far today include: 

  • South Yorkshire police badly let down victims of child sexual exploitation, a new independent report suggests
  • A rapist who forced two female walkers to have sex with him by threatening a group of children is given a life sentence
  • A farmer from South Yorkshire says he feels sickened after six of his lambs were shot and killed

South Yorkshire's weather: A cloudy but generally dry afternoon

Owain Wyn Evans

Weather presenter, BBC Look North

It'll be a cloudy afternoon to come across South Yorkshire.

A weak weather front will spread eastwards later, introducing a few patches of rain but it'll remain dry for most.

There'll be light to moderate westerly winds, and highs of about 10C (50F).

Weather map
BBC

Professor John Drew's Review into South Yorkshire Police: What we've learned

As we leave coverage of Professor John Drew's critical report into South Yorkshire Police's handling of child sexual exploitation to turn to other news from across Sheffield and South Yorkshire, here's a recap of what we now know:

  • The force's handling of child sexual exploitation was "inadequate" and the force "regularly missed" opportunities, the report claims
  • Senior officers ignored reports of abuse in favour of pursuing other crimes
  • A top-down culture meant "little value" was attached to information from grassroots officers
  • South Yorkshire's Chief Constable has welcomed the report, but says there's more to be done
  • The county's Police and Crime Commissioner is "reassured" the force is in a "different place"
  • Delays in police watchdog IPCC's probe into force are criticised, though IPCC says investigation is of "highest priority"

Drew Review: Police must strive to convince victims of progress made by force

Following the publication of his review of South Yorkshire Police's handling of child sexual abuse, Professor John Drew says the force must work to convince victims of abuse of the progress it's made.

Porfessor John Drew
BBC

Speaking at a media conference, he said: "Survivors of abuse and their families are more cautious about these changes, so satisfying these groups must remain the ultimate objective of this force.

"This force has more to do to convince these people, many of whom have been very, very badly let down in the past."

Drew Review: Rotherham MP 'more than frustrated' by IPCC delays

An Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation into South Yorkshire Police must conclude before the force can really move forward, Rotherham Labour MP Sarah Champion has said.

Sarah Champion
BBC

Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield Ms Champion said she was "more than frustrated" at the delays highlighted in Professor John Drew's review of the force's handling of child sexual exploitation which has been published today.

She said: "We need reassurance things have moved on. The Drew Report is great, it's trying to draw a line under what's gone on in the past and look forward. But for me, until the IPCC acts, until we know if there are any rotten apples, or we remove the allegation from those officers trying to do a good job we can't go forward."

Abuse victim says police 'did not act on evidence'

A victim of child sexual exploitation has spoken to the BBC about the abuse she suffered and how she says South Yorkshire Police failed to follow up on her case.

The Drew Review in numbers: Referrals and offences

Professor John Drew's review of South Yorkshire Police's handling of child sexual exploitation has found referrals have more than doubled since 2013, from 437 to 911:

datapic
BBC

The number of offences identified include 194 of rape and attempted rape, 151 of causing or inciting sexual activity and 135 of sexual activity with a child.

Professor Drew said the conversion of referrals into identified offences illustrates the scale of the challenge facing South Yorkshire Police and its partners in combating child sexual exploitation.

Drew Review: Praise for woman's work to raise issue of child sexual exploitation

The woman who ran Sheffield's Sexual Exploitation Service, a branch of Sheffield City Council's Social Services Department, for 15 years is one of the few people praised in Professor John Drew's newly-published report into South Yorkshire Police's handling of child sexual exploitation.

Ann Lucas
BBC

Professor Drew's report praises her "personal drive and resilience" in trying to explain to the force the threat being faced and trying to get officers to engage with the issue.

Speaking to the BBC this morning, she says: "What's good in the report is there's been an acknowledgement that senior officers in South Yorkshire Police didn't see exploitation as a priority. And it is commented on in the report that their priorities were burglary and car crime. 

"It also shows, I think, that senior officers are still maintaining they didn't know the nature and scale of the sexual exploitation across South Yorkshire. But the report clearly says that if they didn't know they should've known."

Watchdog's investigation into South Yorkshire Police has 'highest priority'

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has defended itself against criticism over delays in its investigation in to South Yorkshire Police.

Professor John Drew's new report into the forces handling of child sexual exploitation says the slow progress made by the IPCC is having a "harmful impact" on officers and victims alike.

IPCC logo
BBC

The IPCC, which is looking into more than 200 complaints against more than 60 officers, says the investigation has the "highest priority" within the organisation.

Rachel Cerfontyne, the IPCC's deputy chair, says: "The public demand - and the victims deserve - a rigorous and thorough investigation into the police response. We will be analysing Professor Drew's report with interest to see if it identifies any matters we're not already aware of and which may require investigation. 

"These are complex investigations and we are keen to conclude our work as quickly as we can, but we also recognise that we are dealing with a significant number of complainants and police officers, and allegations relating to events that spanned a number of years."

Police and Crime Commissioner 'reassured' force has moved on

Mark Ansell

Reporter, BBC Look North

South Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner has given his reaction to today's publication of Professor John Drew's review of how South Yorkshire Police handled child sexual exploitation.

Doctor Alan Billings says he is "reassured" that South Yorkshire Police is now in "a very different place".

Doctor Billings was speaking at a media conference following the publication of Professor Drew's critical review.

Doctor Alan Billings and Prof John Drew
BBC

Drew Review: The report's key findings and reaction

Here's what we've learned from Professor John Drew's independent review of South Yorkshire Police's handling of child sexual exploitation which has been published today:

  • Police response was "inadequate" and opportunities were "regularly missed" 
  • Senior officers showed a lack of "professional curiosity" and prioritised other crimes
  • Report makes 11 recommendations for improvement
  • Police watchdog criticised for delays in investigation
  • South Yorkshire's Chief Constable "welcomes" report

Drew Review: Eleven recommendations made to South Yorkshire force

At the end of his review of South Yorkshire Police's handling of child sexual abuse, Professor John Drew makes 11 recommendations to help the force build on its "determined progress since 2013".

Professor Drew says: "In the main, the task for the police now is to maintain that trajectory of advance, particularly in its attempts to get contact with victims and survivors right first time.

"However, I believe there are some refinements that could be made that would enable the force to build on this improvement."

Datapic
BBC

Drew Review criticises delays in watchdog's investigation of South Yorkshire Police

Professor John Drew's critical report of South Yorkshire Police's handling of child sexual exploitation, which has been published today, criticises the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) for its slow progress in investigating the force.

Professor John Drew
BBC

Professor Drew (pictured) says delays in the IPCC investigation, which is not due to be completed before 2017 "at the earliest", have the potential to "breed cynicism in the public that the police cannot be held to account".

He says: "I cannot emphasise too strongly the harmful impact that this is having on victims and survivors, on police officers and staff, and on public confidence in policing."

Drew Review: 'Damning insight' into repeated failure to act

Michael Buchanan

Social Affairs Correspondent, BBC News

Today's report by Professor John Drew gives us a damning insight into why South Yorkshire Police failed repeatedly to act on the intelligence pouring into force.

South Yorkshire Police HQ
Google

The callous attitude that senior officers displayed towards the young victims is extraordinary.

Faced with allegations that children were being drugged, raped, abused and trafficked, they decided to do nothing. 

What today's report describes as "a lack of professional curiosity" was more simply put to me by one former officer as "they ignored it". 

Drew Review: Rotherham MP 'saddened' at lack of protection for child abuse victims

Rotherham Labour MP Sarah Champion says she believes South Yorkshire Police's handling of child sexual exploitation, which has been criticised in a new report by Professor John Drew, still requires improvement.

Sarah Champion
BBC

Speaking a short time ago on BBC Radio Sheffield, Ms Champion said: "The report says protection for children from sexual abuse is adequate, but for me adequate still requires a big improvement.

"We have to recognise however that we were starting from a low base, so South Yorkshire Police have come a long, long way from where they were. But it still saddens me that children for decades were not getting the support that they needed."

Drew Review: South Yorkshire force lacked 'professional curiosity' into abuse problem

Professor John Drew's newly-published report says South Yorkshire Police's slow response to child sexual exploitation was in part a result of a "lack of professional curiosity" and the "distorting impact of national priorities".

Police jacket
Getty Images

He found the force was more concerned with dealing with burglary, robbery and car crime, and said the officers working during the 2000s said a "top down organisational culture" meant little value was attached to information coming from "the grassroots of policing".

Professor Drew's report says former Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police, Meredydd Hughes, who ran the force from 2004 to 2011, had disputed the suggestion, though Professor Drew says he believes he was "alone" in that view.

Drew Review: Sex abuse victim calls for police officers to face prosecution

A victim of child sexual exploitation in Sheffield has called for police officers to face prosecution saying South Yorkshire Police "did not care" she was being abused.

Silhouette
BBC

The woman, now in her 20s, was abused for three years from the age of 13. She's told the BBC that police officers knew "everything" but failed to act.

Her call comes on the day Professor John Drew's report is published which says the South Yorkshire force's handling of child sexual exploitation (CSE) was "inadequate".

Asked about the claims, South Yorkshire Police said tackling child sexual exploitation was an "absolute priority".

Drew Review: 'More to be done' says South Yorkshire Police

South Yorkshire Police says there's "more work to do" to combat child sexual exploitation in the region but highlight a number of recent successes.

Responding to Professor John Drew's critical report of the force which has been published today, Chief Constable David Crompton says that since August 2014 more than 120 people have been charged with offences relating to child sex abuse and resources had been "heavily focused" on the issue.

South Yorkshire Police sign
BBC

Mr Crompton says: "We note the report’s recommendations and accept that there is more to be done. 

"Alongside the Police and Crime Commissioner, our partner agencies and forces across the country, we will identify best practise and continue our commitment to protect children from sexual exploitation and harm."

South Yorkshire Police 'welcomes' review of force's handling of child sexual exploitation

South Yorkshire Police has responded to Professor John Drew's newly-published report on the force's handling of child sexual exploitation, with Chief Constable David Crompton (pictured) saying he welcomes its findings.

David Crompton
South Yorkshire Police

Mr Crompton says: "We welcome Professor Drew’s report today and I'm pleased it recognises a huge amount of effort has gone into ensuring that we deal with the mistakes of the past and learn the lessons.

"I want to stress that tackling child sexual exploitation is an absolute priority for South Yorkshire Police, a finding that Professor Drew makes clear in his report."