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Breaking News: Vera Baird: Officers "did not adequetly risk assess" murderer Phillip Westwater

JournalLive — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:31:00 GMT

NORTHUMBRIA'S Police Commissioner has said her officers did not "adequately risk assess" a murderer who went on the run in Newcastle.Commissioner Vera Baird has produced her own report into what went wrong when Phillip Westwater, known dubbed the Black Dog Strangler, escaped from St Nicholas Psychiatric Hospital in February.In a hard hitting export the former solicitor general said the police have started to treat frequent missing person calls from the hospital as "routine".She also makes clear that the first call from the hospital itself was on the 101 number, crucially delaying a response.As a result it was given only cursory scrutiny by senior officers.But, her report says, the nurses made clear he was a potential threat and officers appeared to Westwater was a prisoner.The force will now review the alert process for missing patients.The killer escaped from staff at St Nicholas’ Hospital in Gosforth by saying he was going to the toilet before fleeing.Westwater, 44, originally from Newcastle, left a man paralysed after slashing him across the throat with a shard of glass in a pub fight in 1989.

UK & World News: World in Pictures, May 23, 2013: Solar plane takes off and The Saturdays in London (GALLERY)

JournalLive — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:00:00 GMT

TODAY’S World in Pictures features photographs of Solar Impulse taking flight during the second leg of the 2013 Across America mission, from Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix and The Saturdays arriving for the European premiere of The Hangover Part 3, at the Empire Leicester Square, London.

UK & World News: Morning news headlines for May 23, 2013

JournalLive — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:54:00 GMT

THE Government’s emergency response committee, Cobra, will reconvene today after a soldier was butchered in broad daylight; Mark Bridger, the man accused of abducting and murdering April Jones will resume giving evidence today and climate advisers have said investing in low-carbon power in the 2020s instead of gas would save consumers tens of billions of pounds.

Today's News: Newcastle University students near top of 'drug taking' league table

JournalLive — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:20:00 GMT

NEWCASTLE University students are among the most likely in the country to experiment with drugs, a new survey claims.

Today's News: North East £80m property deal will see thousands of jobs created

JournalLive — Thu, 23 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

AN £80m property deal will see more than 2,500 jobs created as land previously held by a North East quango is sold on to a private firm.

Breaking News: Nissan recalls Micra cars due to steering wheel problem

JournalLive — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:43:00 GMT

CAR giant Nissan is recalling about 841,000 vehicles worldwide because of a problem with the steering wheel, it has been reported.

Today's News: Newcastle MP hits out as North East misses out in free schools list

JournalLive — Thu, 23 May 2013 06:00:00 GMT

EDUCATION Secretary Michael Gove has announced plans to pay for 102 new schools creating 50,000 pupil places – but none of them are in the North East.

Today's News: Legacy of Hexham dancer Emma Newton opens doors for others

JournalLive — Thu, 23 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

TWO years after her death, the legacy of schoolgirl dancer Emma Newton is opening the way to bright futures for her contemporaries.

Today's News: Divers search River Tyne in hunt for missing student Jason Fyles

JournalLive — Thu, 23 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

DIVERS were yesterday searching the River Tyne as they continue to hunt for missing Newcastle University student Jason Fyles.

Today's News: Police commissioner Vera Baird says her financial interests are public

JournalLive — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

NORTHUMBRIA Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird last night said she had nothing to hide after MPs demanded a register of interests.

Today's News: Berwick maternity unit to reduce its hours after consultation

JournalLive — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

A DECISION has been made on the future of maternity services at a unit in Northumberland.

Today's News: Boulmer Volunteer Rescue Service base hit by thieves

JournalLive — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

ANGER has erupted in a close-knit seaside village after a thief raided the headquarters of a dedicated band of volunteer lifesavers.

Today's News: North East police sergeant reveals experiences of violence on the beat

JournalLive — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

ATTACKED 21 times in his first three years on the beat, one North East sergeant has revealed the violent disorder regularly faced by officers.

Today's News: Duo inducted as Freeholders of Newbiggin in ancient "dunting" ritual

JournalLive — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

AN ancient ritual was enacted yesterday as an exclusive group of North East landowners welcomed their latest new members in time-honoured fashion.

Today's News: TV favourite Carol Malia to compere LOVE Northumberland awards

JournalLive — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

TV favourite Carol Malia is to host an awards programme linked to her own favourite county – Northumberland.

Today's News: Hexham MP throws his weight behind new regeneration plan

JournalLive — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

MP GUY Opperman is throwing his weight behind an action plan to revitalise Hexham.

Today's News: Famous faces in multi-million pound appeal to back The Sage Gateshead

JournalLive — Wed, 22 May 2013 23:00:00 GMT

AMULTI-million pound appeal to ensure the continued cultural contribution of The Sage Gateshead has received high-profile backing from the worlds of arts, business, education and sport.

UK & World News: World in Pictures, May 22, 2013: Giro d'Italia cyclists and Vin Diesel in LA (GALLERY)

JournalLive — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:00:00 GMT

TODAY’S World in Pictures features photographs of the pack pedalling through mountain landscape during the 16th stage of the Giro d'Italia and Vin Diesel arriving at the LA Premiere of Fast & Furious 6 in Universal City, California.

UK & World News: Morning news headlines for May 22, 2013

JournalLive — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:49:00 GMT

NICK Clegg will insist he and David Cameron are “absolutely committed” to governing in coalition through to 2015; the PM faces a fresh bout of Tory strife today after plans to introduce gay marriage cleared the Commons and Mark Bridger, the man accused of murdering five-year-old April Jones, will take the stand.

Breaking News: Four arrested in drugs raids on Tyneside and in County Durham

JournalLive — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:39:00 GMT

FOUR men have been arrested after a series of early morning raids.

Today's News: Bishop of Newcastle criticises offender rehabilitation scheme

JournalLive — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:20:00 GMT

GOVERNMENT plans to provide support for prisoners on a pay-for-results basis have been criticised by a North East bishop.

Today's News: North East nature charities call for action on wildlife species decline

JournalLive — Wed, 22 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

NATURE charities in the North East have issued an urgent call for action after a survey of wildlife in the UK revealed huge declines in native species.

Today's News: North East beaches win sought-after Blue Flag award status