Central UK News

The senior investigating officer in the case of Andrew Heath, who was killed after an arson attack on his home in 2011, has said:

“This landmark in the case means we are nearing the end of what has been a long and complex investigation. It is now more than 18 months since the fire occurred at Andrew’s flat and Martin has finally admitted he is responsible for his death.

“When he was killed, his family asked the police and the public to help them find some answers; I hope this conviction has gone some way to do that. I would like to thank all those members of public who offered statements and came forward as witnesses; their efforts have led to directly to today’s conviction.”

Daniel Martin is due to be sentenced on 26 July.

• UK
• Worcestershire
• Worcester

West Midlands Police have launched a new 'app', which features the faces of crime suspects.

The ‘Facewatch’ application allows smart-phone and tablet users to view CCTV of people wanted by West Midlands Police whilst on the move.

They can then anonymously submit names of people they believe may be involved or other information about the crime.

Almost 200 images have been uploaded to Facewatch during a pilot stage, resulting in nine arrests.

The mobile application is expected to be populated with a growing number of wanted faces as more regional businesses embrace the system.

• UK
• West Midlands

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman confirmed that officers travelled to Lincolnshire last night to carry out searches.

We can confirm that the MPS (Metropolitan Police Service) executed a search warrant at an address in Lincolnshire. This is connected to the ongoing investigation into the murder of a man in Woolwich.

• UK

Lincolnshire Police have confirmed that a property in the county has been searched in connection with the murder of a soldier in Woolwich.

For more on the Woolwich attack click here

• UK

Anjem Choudray tells ITV suspect is called Mujaahid was known as Michael.

ITV News understands he is Michael Adebolajo.

• UK
• London
• Woolwich

A man has pleaded guilty to killing Andrew Heath by starting a fire at his home in Worcester in December 2011.

Andrew Heath, aged 52, was found dead after a fire at his flat in Chedworth Close, Warndon, which happened on 14 December, 2011.

Daniel Martin, aged 24, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Birmingham Crown Court.

• UK
• Worcestershire
• Worcester

England's national parks contribute billions of pounds to the economy through activities within their boundaries, according to a report.

The 10 parks, including the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire, generate between £4.1 billion and £6.3 billion for the economy, equivalent to the UK aerospace industry, the report published by National Parks England said.

• UK
• Derbyshire
• Peak District

A young child has made a disclosure that we are taking extremely seriously. We also are treating it as sensitively as possible due to the nature of the offence and the very young age of the child involved.

Our primary concern is their welfare as well as that of the other children who attend the nurseries. We are working with our partner agencies in the Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Board as part of our response.

The investigation is at its early stages and five men have been arrested as we endeavour to identify the person responsible for the assault.

We fully understand how concerning this disclosure will be to those people whose children attend Bright Eyes Nurseries, as well as the wider community.

All parents and carers who have visited the nurseries today were given a letter explaining, as far as possible, the reasons for our activities, while police staff are available to discuss any immediate worries they may have.

• UK
• Worcestershire

A house on an estate in Saxilby in Lincolnshire is being examined by Metropolitan Police officers investigating yesterday's terror attack in Woolwich.

They are investigating the possibility that one of the alleged suspects could have links to the area.

A police cordon is in place around the estate, closing off all roads to the house currently under investigation.

• UK
• Saxilby
• Lincolnshire

West Mercia Police has launched an investigation after a young child told their family they had been sexually assaulted while at a children’s nursery in Worcestershire.

Last week, a mother contacted police after her child disclosed they had been assaulted by someone while at one of the three branches of Bright Eyes Nurseries, which are in Bromsgrove, Redditch and Droitwich.

An investigation was launched and this morning five men were arrested and six properties were searched, including the three nurseries.

They are currently in custody at Worcester and Kidderminster Police Stations.

• UK
• Worcestershire