Friday, January 14
People who say 'Fri-yayyyy' should not be tolerated....Here's your round-up of news and nonsense from across Notts.
Face-recognition technology being introduced by Nottinghamshire Police
Persistent offenders are being warned they are likely to be arrested as Nottinghamshire Police launches new technology that can recognise their faces.
The tool uses high-tech software to cross reference any new video or photographic evidence linked to crime with existing mugshots that are legally held on record.
By comparing the images officers will then be told of any suspected matches found on the system – making it both easier and quicker to track down people wanted in connection with incidents.
The scheme is reliant on the quality of the image obtained as well as key facial attributes such as eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth and overall face outline.
Detective Inspector Leslie Charlton was part of the team responsible for bring the new software to Notts.
He said: “We have always relied upon circulating images through our social media channels, our website and internally to help catch criminals or find wanted people but now thanks to this technology officers will be able to potentially identify suspects quicker.”
Greggs brings back much-loved Sausage, Bean & Cheese Melt to Notts stores
Greggs has delighted fans with the return of its popular Sausage, Bean and Cheese Melt.
The much-loved pastry has now returned to the shop's menu across Notts.
The bakery and food chain made the announcement via Twitter yesterday.
A spokesperson for Greggs said: “The return of our popular Sausage, Bean & Cheese Melt will no doubt delight our customers nationwide. The product is exceptionally popular across the UK and we’re excited to be bringing back another customer favourite to our range.”
But there’s bad news for vegans - their version of the melt isn’t coming back just yet.
The brand confirmed on Twitter: ‘Our Vegan Bean Melt is having a well-deserved rest. But watch this space – our Retail Team are always taking customer feedback on board, and this may not be a permanent decision!’
Next to slash sick pay for self-isolating unvaccinated staff
Next has become the latest big-name retailer to cut sick pay for unvaccinated staff who are required to self-isolate.
The popular fashion and homeware giant has announced that staff who are unvaccinated but are told they must self-isolate could be cut to the Statutory Sick Pay minimum rate of £96.35 a week, unless their are mitigating circumstances.
The company – which employs over 44,000 people – has however stressed that unvaccinated workers who test positive for COVID-19 would still receive its full rate of sick pay.
At present, people who had had at least two doses of a COVID vaccine are not required to self-isolate if they have been in close contact with someone infected – but by law, people who are unvaccinated and are contacted through the government’s ‘Test and Trace’ system must self-isolate for 10 days.
“It’s highly emotive but we have to balance the needs of the business with those of workers and shareholders,” a spokesperson for Next said on the matter.
Next is following in the footsteps of IKEA this week.
Four police officers assaulted at QMC
Four police officers were assaulted at the QMC after arresting a suspect and taking him for treatment due to his level of intoxication.
The 41-year-old was arrested in Broxtowe on suspicion of assaulting a prison officer while he was serving a jail sentence at HMP Nottingham last year.
He appeared to be heavily under the influence of drink and drugs and officers took him to the Queen’s Medical Centre to be treated for injuries consistent with him falling over.
While at the hospital, the suspect attacked four police officers. Two female officers were punched – one in the face and the other in the back of the head. A male officer was bitten on the arm and another male officer was placed in a headlock and punched repeatedly in the back of the head.
The suspect was subsequently further arrested for assaulting four emergency workers.
The officer assaults happened in the A&E department shortly after 11pm on Wednesday night. The suspect was seen by medical staff before being taken into custody. He was questioned yesterday.
Sergeant Sharonjit Powar, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This is not just part of the job and this type of disgusting behaviour won't be tolerated.”
M&S rebrands Midget Gems after claims the name is offensive to people with dwarfism
Marks and Spencer has announced it is to rename its popular Midget Gems after claims it was offending people with dwarfism.
The retailer, which has stores across Notts, has decided to give the retro sweets the new name of ‘Mini Gems’ following a campaign by Dr Erin Pritchard – a lecturer in disability studies at Liverpool Hope University.
Dr Pritchard has a condition that stunts growth called achondroplasia – where she raised concerns about the use of the word “midget” having its roots in Victorian freak shows.
M&S is the first retailer to show support for her campaign
It said it was “committed to being an inclusive retailer” as it rolled out the changed labelling.
A spokesman for M&S said: “Following suggestions from our colleagues and the insights shared by Dr Erin Pritchard, we introduced new Mini Gem packaging last year, which has since been rolled out to all of our stores.”
Tesco has also said it will be reviewing the name of its product.
Today: A cold and frosty morning with areas of mist and fog. These generally clearing through the morning, but some patches may linger all day, most likely across western parts. Otherwise, it will be dry and largely sunny, with light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.
Tomorrow: A chilly, murky and largely cloudy day, with areas of mist and fog. Gradually improving into the afternoon with a few bright spells possibly developing later. Maximum temperature 5 °C.
The myth that lemmings throw themselves off cliffs is thought to have originated from Arthur Mee, a former editor of the Nottingham Post who included the incorrect information in an edition of his ‘Children’s Encyclopedia’, published from 1908 to 1964.