Major Blaze Hits Nottingham University Campus

Around 60 firefighters have brought a major blaze under control at Nottingham University.

The "significant incident" began at approximately 8.30pm on Friday at the GlaxoSmithKline building on the Jubilee Campus.

Witnesses said they have heard loud explosions from the building, which is under construction and unoccupied.

No one was injured and no other buildings were affected as fire crews fought to gain control of the fire while it tore through the timber-framed building, sending burning debris into the sky above.

Nottingham Fire and Rescue group manager Joanne Wooler-Ward said: "No other buildings have been affected, fortunately no people were involved in this fire and we've had 12 crews here, that's over 60 firefighters.

Smoke has been billowing from the university campus. Pic: Sam Bradley

"Credit to those firefighters who pulled out all the stops to prevent this fire spreading.

"When we arrived, the fire was a significant size - it could be seen from quite a distance - and there was a smoke plume spreading towards the campus area so we sent out a message for people to keep doors and windows closed.

"The firefighters have worked hard to contain that fire and stop it from spreading to any other buildings."

The building is under construction and is unoccupied. Pic: Sarah Armes

In a statement, university registrar Dr Paul Greatrix said: "Thankfully, there have been no casualties as this is a building that was still under construction."

The carbon-neutral building, which was due to be opened early next year, cost £15.8m and would have had enough laboratory space for more than 100 researchers.

Some eyewitnesses on Twitter have claimed that the complex has been "completely destroyed".

Dr Greatrix added: "(Saturday) we are due to welcome prospective students and their families to Nottingham for our Open Day and we would like to stress that this is still going ahead as planned."

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Manchester Dogs' Home Fire Fund Tops £1m

More than 110,000 people have donated £1m to an online appeal following the devastating blaze at Manchester Dogs' Home in which more than 50 animals died.

Police are continuing to question a 15-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of arson after the outbreak of the fire which prompted a huge response from local people who came out to try to rescue the dogs and provide support.

A member of staff at the dogs home told Sky News it was "like something out of a horror film".

Colin Ballance, the liaison officer for Manchester Dogs' Home, in the Harpurhey area of Manchester - one of the country's largest kennels - said the scene was "horrendous" with flames up to 20 feet in the air when he arrived on Thursday night.

A woman saves a dog from the fire. Pic: @manchesterfire

Mr Ballance managed to rescue two dogs from the building complex before thick black smoke stopped him.

"You could hear them screaming but the thing was, you couldn't do anything," he said.

Mr Ballance said: "It was unbearable, it was like something out of a horror film. Something I don't want to remember if you know what I mean, but I will never forget it."

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jones, from Greater Manchester Police, said a youth from the local area was detained within an hour of the fire being reported just after 7pm.

Residents reported hearing "dogs yelping" as the fire spread through the buildings.

There were reports of people risking their lives by running into the burning building to save animals.

Mr Ballance says he will never forget what happened

Part of the roof of the single-storey kennels collapsed and 30 firefighters battled the flames, said Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service station commander Paul Duggan.

Outrage and shock at the blaze resulted in several fundraising campaigns being launched, which raised hundreds of thousands of pounds within a few hours.

On its Twitter page, Manchester Dogs' Home said: "Words are not enough. Thank you everyone, you have touched our hearts and surrounded us with love and we are truly grateful.

"We are overwhelmed with the offers of help, support and money. Grateful and humbled."

Anna Stansfield, manager of the home's sister facility, Cheshire Dogs' Home, described the fire as "soul destroying".

Firefighters said 150 dogs were rescued. Pic: Manchester Fire

She said all the 150 dogs rescued by the fire service would be transferred to its site in Grappenhall, Warrington.

The blaze provoked an angry response on social media, but police warned people not to "take matters into their own hands".

A JustGiving site set up by the Manchester Evening News with the aim of raising £5,000 had secured £500,000 by 11.30am. It hit the £1m mark at about 7.15pm. 

The home has cared for more than one million dogs since it was established in 1893.

It is said to care for more than 7,000 stray and unwanted dogs each year.

Police were asking people with donations of bedding, food or bowls to take them to Central Park Police Station.

Reverend Mike McGurk from the nearby Christ Church said they had received donations of dog food and blankets throughout the night.

"People have come from York, Derby and even Stevenage to donate supplies. It's been incredible how strong the support is and how generous people have been," he told Sky News.

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Dozens Of Animals Dead In Dogs' Home 'Arson'

More than 40 animals have been killed in a suspected arson at one of the country's largest dogs' homes.

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of arson following the blaze at Manchester Dogs' Home.

Greater Manchester Police said the fire was under control.

Residents reported hearing "dogs yelping".

Twitter user @Hoyles10 said: "Big fire at Manchester Dogs Home, apparently the building has collapsed, too late for the animals by all accounts ... Heartbreaking."

Fellow user @MostonRedDevil wrote: "Manchester dogs home is on fire with all the dogs yelping."

A woman saves a dog from the fire. Pic: @manchesterfire

There were reports of residents risking their lives by running into the burning building to save animals.

At least 40 dogs were confirmed by police to have died, with "numerous" other animals having to be treated for injuries, the Greater Manchester force said.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service station commander Paul Duggan confirmed that part of the roof of the single-storey kennels collapsed.

Outrage and shock at the blaze resulted in a fundraising campaign that has raised more than £100,000 in less than six hours.

Anna Stansfield, manager of the home's sister facility, Cheshire Dogs Home, described the fire as "soul destroying".

The dogs' home was established in 1893. Pic: @StacyHilton

She said: "I cannot describe what we have seen tonight. It's soul destroying.

"We are so grateful to the people of Manchester and Greater Manchester who have come to support us but we need to get the roads clear so we can get the dogs out."

She said all the 150 dogs rescued by the fire service would be transferred to its site in Grappenhall, Warrington.

TV presenter and singer Jodie Prenger, one of the home's patrons, tweeted: "All my thoughts are with you guys. It's broke my heart to hear such sad news."

The blaze provoked an angry response on social media, but police warned people not to "take matters into their own hands".

Manchester Fire said 150 dogs were rescued. Pic: Manchester Fire

Superintendent Marcus Noden said: "We would ask if anyone was in the area and remembers seeing anything suspicious around the dogs' home that they call police and tell us what they know.

"As a dog owner myself I understand that many people will feel angry and upset about what has happened, but I would ask that they let the police carry out their investigations and not take matters into their own hands."

The home has cared for more than one million dogs since it was established in 1893. It is said to care for more than 7,000 stray and unwanted dogs each year.

A spokeswoman for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home said staff were "incredibly saddened" to hear of the fire.

Police are asking for people with cash donations to take them to Central Park Police Station later today, between 11.30am and 2.30pm.

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New Poll Gives 'No' Small Lead In Scotland Vote

The Better Together campaign in Scotland is retaining a marginal lead, according to a new poll that puts No on 52% and Yes on 48%.

The YouGov poll of 1,300 people on the issue of Scottish independence for The Sun and The Times was taken over Tuesday to Thursday.

It covered a period when the leaders of the three main parties all visited Scotland and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown stepped up his involvement in the drive to keep the union.

Thursday was considered a good day for the No campaign as several independent heavyweights expressed their concerns if Scotland was to vote to become a separate country.

Asda and John Lewis said the increased costs of operating in an independent Scotland would inevitably be passed on to the consumer, leading to higher prices.

RBS, which has been based in Scotland since 1727 and employs 11,500 people there, also confirmed it would be moving its headquarters to London if Scotland voted for independence.

Shoppers were warned that independence could mean higher prices

The International Monetary Fund (IMF), meanwhile, said a vote for independence could have a negative effect on the markets in the short-term because of "uncertainty".

The Yes campaign, led by Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond, had been buoyed at the weekend with one YouGov poll putting it marginally ahead of former Chancellor Alistair Darling's Better Together.

There had been fears that a poor performance by David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg, who all travelled north of the border on Wednesday, could result in Yes gaining further ground.

It was also not known how Mr Brown's intervention, in support of the No campaign, would go down with the electorate.

The former premier spoke to Sky News on Sunday and made a speech on Monday setting out an alternative timetable to give the Scottish Parliament more control over finance, welfare and taxation, in the event of a No vote.

RBS will be moving its headquarters to London if there is a Yes vote

Asda CEO Andy Clarke said on Thursday: "If we were no longer to operate in one state with one market and - broadly - one set of rules, our business model would inevitably become more complex. We would have to reflect our cost to operate here.

"This is not an argument for or against independence, it is simply an honest recognition of the costs that change could bring."

Former prime minister Gordon Brown said Mr Salmond could not continue to ignore the warnings of retailers, oil companies and the financial services sector.

Mr Salmond attacked a Treasury leak that resulted in RBS's plans being announced in the press of Wednesday night, before the official announcement the following morning.

He wrote to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood demanding to know how the leak had occurred and calling on Mr Cameron to explain the Treasury's conduct.

Yes campaign leader Alex Salmond demanded an investigation into a leak

A Treasury source responded on Thursday night, telling Sky News: "It's nonsense - desperate distraction tactics."

Sir Jeremy responded that the Treasury had simply been confirming what the situation was after reports had appeared elsewhere in the media and there was no breach of the Ministerial Code.

Scotland's Clydesdale Bank also confirmed it would be re-registering in England if voters opted for independence, and Standard Life, which employs 5,000 in Scotland, said it would move some operations south of the border.

A poll released on Thursday, by Survation, found 53% were expected to vote No, and 47% yes. This was unchanged from August 28.

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David Cameron Love-Bombs Voters: Analysis

By Faisal Islam, Political Editor

Precision love-bombing was the Prime Minister's aim, the target the Scottish people. An emotional Prime Minister issuing a plea to voters not to break up the Union and his heart.

In front of an audience of workers at Scottish Widows, he talked of what the UK had done together: defeat Hitler, the enlightenment, and build the NHS.

A soft audience yes, but the PM had a frank assessment of his own party's image and problem in what is still at least for now a part of the UK.

"Sometimes people can feel like it's a General Election ... you make your decision and five years later you can make another decision ... if you're fed up with the effing Tories you can give them a kicking ... this is a decision about the next century," he told the polite audience.

Speaking first to Sky News after his speech, Mr Cameron told me his head and heart strategy would not stretch to the heavy lifting of the last week of campaigning.

No debate with Alex Salmond, he told me: "It wouldn't be the right approach, because this is a debate about two different visions for Scotland.

"Alex Salmond wants a debate between the First Minister of Scotland and as he put it 'a Tory from England'. It's not the debate that's relevant for two competing visions for Scotland."

John Prescott meets voters in Scotland

The Labour Party heavyweights were in Glasgow, but it was no easier for them.

"Now I'm here to talk particularly to Labour voters," said the former Deputy Prime Minister before being heckled and then telling the heckler to shut up.

Around a third of Labour voters are turning to independence. Inside the Labour leader wooing those vital party faithful tempted by a vision of a kind of People's Republic of Caledonia, a Scotland never again ruled by Tory Westminster.

His answer was Gordon Brown's accelerated plan for new powers for Holyrood over taxation, welfare and transport.

And the Deputy Prime Minister chose safer ground in the borders region, but did not escape yes voters.

"It's not only, of course, a momentous decision for Scotland but it is for the UK as a whole, and I'm convinced that as a united kingdom where we rip up the bonds that bind us together will be weaker and less secure," he said.

Back in Edinburgh, at the back door, a crowd had gathered for a word with the PM. After all, Alex Salmond had been posing for selfies.

But the PM slipped by - it was a missed opportunity for Mr Cameron.

He could - and perhaps should - have stopped the car, got out and chatted to a young Yes T-shirt wearer. As it was it seemed as if he was only comfortable talking to financiers.

Doesn't it show something that the PM can't go into the streets and campaign in Scotland?

"I've done everything I can, been in people's homes, been into people's businesses - but it's not just me making the case," he told me.

There was a spot of fear-bombing over currency, financial firms quitting Scotland and pensions. Head and heart.

Mr Salmond has performed a type of sumo move on the No campaign - neutralised the threat of the confusion over currency vagueness.

A majority of Scots polled by YouGov believe Mr Salmond's assertion that the Westminster parties are bluffing in the refusal of a currency union.

Mr Salmond has then attacked the Labour vote using an amorphous threat to the NHS as his "wedge" issue.

So yes, the love-bombing came with more fear-bombing. Big businesses joined in.

The hope for No, that voters, when they enter ballot boxes in a week's time, reach a "cliff edge", and realise the risks.

A poll at the end of the day provided some respite for No. Among decided voters, No was back ahead by six points at 53%. Who knows what the Westminster armada will do to such numbers.

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RBS Plans London HQ If Scotland Leaves Union

The Royal Bank of Scotland is drawing up plans to relocate to London if Scotland votes Yes in the independence referendum next week.

Lloyds Banking Group, which includes Halifax and Bank of Scotland, also has plans to set up new "legal entities" in England just a week before the vote.

And pensions and insurance firm Standard Life has also advised investors it is "planning for new regulated companies in England to which we could transfer parts of our business if there was a need to do so".

A spokesman for the Treasury confirmed that RBS had been in contact over its plans and added Lloyds' contingencies were "understandable".

David Cameron has hit the campaign trail in Scotland

The spokesman said: "As you would expect, RBS have also been in touch with us and have similar plans to base themselves in London.

"Lloyds' contingency plan to relocate to London in the event of a yes vote is understandable.

"As a general matter, the Government believes any company should be free to choose where to locate its base, in the light of what best suits the stability and competitiveness of its business."

The latest poll shows Alex Salmond's Yes campaign is lagging behind again

A spokesman for Lloyds - which also includes Scottish Widows where David Cameron made a plea on Wednesday for Scotland to remain within the Union - said concerned customers and stakeholders had contacted it about its plans.

The spokesman said: "While the scale of potential change is currently unclear, we have contingency plans in place which include the establishment of new legal entities in England.

"This is a legal procedure and there would be no immediate changes or issues which could affect our business or our customers.

The referendum takes place on September 18

"There will be a period between the referendum and the implementation of separation, should a Yes vote be successful, that we believe should be sufficient to take any necessary action."

First Minister Alex Salmond, who leads the Yes campaign, said the idea that Standard Life would leave an independent Scotland was "scaremongering".

RBS, which has its headquarters at Gogarburn in Edinburgh, employs around 12,000 people in Scotland.

With just a week to go until the referendum, the latest poll has suggested the No campaign has experienced a resurgence.

The Survation poll of decided voters, published by the Daily Record, gave the No campaign a six-point lead with 53% of the vote.

It comes as Westminster heavyweights David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg hit the campaign trail across Scotland.

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Call For New Law To Oust Under-Fire Police Boss

Senior MPs are calling for the Government to look at introducing emergency legislation so police and crime commissioners such as under-fire Shaun Wright can be sacked.

Appearing before the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, Mr Wright said he intended to stay in his job, claiming that resigning would have been the easy option.

South Yorkshire's police and crime commissioner has resisted demands to quit in the wake of a damning inquiry into child abuse in Rotherham spanning 16 years, including five where he was in charge of the town's children's services.

Those calling for him to step down include Prime Minister David Cameron, Home Secretary Theresa May and Labour leader Ed Miliband as well as his deputy, Tracey Cheetham, who stepped down herself in protest at his failure to go.

Keith Vaz MP, chairman of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee

Now, committee chairman Keith Vaz is writing to Ms May "because it is unsatisfactory in our view that someone should be able to say to the public who elected them 'I'm just carrying on'".

Mr Vaz called for Mr Wright's "immediate resignation", and the chairman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, Nick Alston, told Sky News "his position was untenable".

The Jay Report outlined how at least 1,400 children had been subjected to trafficking, rape and other sexual exploitation between 1997 and 2013.

It also said their plight had been ignored by range of agencies, including police, councillors and council officials.

Twenty-five more victims have come forward since the report was published last month.

Former South Yorkshire chief constable Meredydd John Hughes

Mr Wright told MPs the problem of child sexual exploitation was not flagged up to him as a significant issue during his time as a councillor with responsibility for Rotherham's children services from 2005 to 2010.

But Mr Vaz responded by saying: "We don't accept you didn't know."

Mr Wright told the MPs: "I basically think that resigning would have been, perhaps, the easy option given the last fortnight with the various criticisms that have been made and the effect that that's had on both myself and my family."

He said it was his responsibility to the people of South Yorkshire to continue in his post and said no one had raised any questions about his conduct since his 2012 election - a suggestion rejected by Mr Vaz.

David Crompton admits things should have been done differently

Earlier, a former South Yorkshire police boss admitted he had "no idea" about the scale of child abuse in Rotherham while he was in charge.

Meredydd John Hughes, who was chief constable between 2004 and 2011, told MPs he was "embarrassed" at the failure to act to stop it.

Appearing before the same committee, he faced some tough questioning from MPs who said child exploitation "on an industrial scale" had taken place on his watch.

There were heated exchanges with Mr Hughes, who told the committee: "I can say with honesty that at the time I was both deputy and chief constable, I had no idea of the scale and scope of this type of organised crime."

He said he had not seen three of four reports being examined by their inquiry until recently.

He said: "Some of those reports ... I frankly felt sick last night when I read them. I am not immune to the ideas that this is a hideous crime and I am deeply embarrassed."

But he was rebuked by Mr Vaz, who told him his denials were "impossible to believe" in the face of "evidence of the most compelling nature" to the contrary.

After a 32-year career with the police, Mr Hughes said he had "singularly failed the victims of these victims".

His successor, Chief Constable David Crompton, was also questioned and told MPs: "I accept things should have been done differently in the past."

But he also told the committee: "Things are better now than they used to be."

Mr Vaz had taken the unusual step of requiring the witnesses to swear an oath before the hearing started.

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Man Arrested Over Mum-Of-Five's Fatal Stabbing

A man has been arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of a mother-of-five from the New Forest.

Police say the 36-year-old man is in custody, where he is being held on suspicion of Pennie Davis' murder. He was arrested in Southampton shortly before 8pm.

The 47-year-old was tending her two horses in a paddock off Hatchet Lane, near Beaulieu, when she was killed.

She suffered multiple stab wounds and her husband Pete later found her body in the field.

Mrs Davis, from Blackfield, worked in a supermarket and married just four months ago.

Police believe it is possible she may have been followed from her workplace to the field.

A 22-year-old man previously arrested on suspicion of murder and a 37-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender have both been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

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Man Faces Child Sex Charge Over Missing Girls

A man has been charged with child sex offences in connection with the alleged abduction of three girls.

Vejuhadin Ghorbani, from the Clifton area of Rotherham, is accused of causing or inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity and child abduction.

The 37-year-old has been remanded in custody and is due to appear at Rotherham Magistrates' Court.

Three girls, two aged 11 and one 13-year-old, were reported missing from the Rotherham area at 10.20pm on Saturday.

Their disappearance sparked a major police hunt, with officers from across the South Yorkshire force drafted in to help.

A man was arrested at his home address in the Clifton area shortly after the girls' safe return home.

Police say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the matter.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident number 1220 of 6.9.14 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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Fast-Track Care For Workers With Stress

Mental illness cost the UK economy up to £100bn last year prompting calls for speeding up care through the health system.

The chief medical officer said there has been a 24% increase in the number of working days lost to stress, depression and anxiety since 2009.

Professor Dame Sally Davies said around 70 million working days were lost to mental illness in 2013.

In her latest annual report, Dame Sally said more needed to be done to help people battling mental illness to remain in work.

She said: "The costs of mental illness to the economy are astounding. Through this report, I urge commissioners and decision-makers to treat mental health more like physical health.

"Anyone with mental illness deserves good quality support at the right time.

"One of the stark issues highlighted in this report is that 60-70% of people with common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety are in work, so it is crucial that we take action to help those people stay in employment to benefit their own health as well as the economy."

Dr Peter Carter, chief executive and general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, said: "The treatment gap for people with mental health problems can no longer be ignored.

"Not only are people with mental health problems in need of better support for their mental health conditions, but there is an unacceptable and preventable level of correlation with physical ill health."

Stephen Dalton, chief executive of the NHS Confederation's Mental Health Network, added: "We welcome this bold report and its important contribution to a long overdue national debate."

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Doctors To Decide If Ashya Should Fly To Prague

Five-year-old Ashya King could be flown to the Czech Republic today for specialist proton treatment on his brain tumour.

Doctors in Prague are expected to decide whether to send a private medical jet with appropriate equipment to transport the little boy from Spain.

The Proton Therapy Centre said documentation from the Materno Infantil hospital in Malaga, where Ashya is being treated, will be reviewed before he can travel.

Iva Tatounova, the centre's director of strategy, told Sky News: "Monday morning at 8 o'clock, in Motol Hospital, the best doctors and oncologic paediatricians will sit down to review this document, and therefore will be able to say, yes, he's capable of travelling to Prague.

Ashya has been ruled fit to travel to Prague by the courts

"We have to follow the standard procedures, which, if he comes on Monday night or Tuesday night or even Wednesday night, this doesn't make any harm to him, and the family can feel ok.

"Proton therapy will be part of his treatment. If he receives chemotherapy or not, this decision has to be made by Motol clinical oncologists, we don't do chemotherapy here."

Ashya's parents Brett and Naghmeh King were arrested and held in custody in Spain after they took him from Southampton General Hospital on August 28 without the permission of doctors.

They were released when prosecutors withdrew a European arrest warrant.

Portsmouth City Council, which has responsibility for Ashya's welfare, launched family court action against his parents.

Mr Justice Baker, at a hearing in the Family Division of the High Court on Friday, ruled Ashya could be taken to the Czech Republic.

Juan Isidro Fernandez Diaz, a lawyer for the family, said Ashya was "in perfect condition to travel" and was playing with his toys and his parents and brother.

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Search For Alice Gross: Two Men Arrested

Two men have been arrested separately in connection with the murder of missing teenager Alice Gross.

Officers have stressed the disappearance of the 14-year-old schoolgirl, who was last seen on August 28, remains a missing persons inquiry.

But a search area has been expanded as specialist police divers continue examining the Grand Union Canal near her home in Hanwell, west London, where she was last seen.

On Sunday, a 51-year-old man was arrested in Hanwell on suspicion of Alice's murder.

Divers and sniffer dogs have been searching the River Brent

That followed the arrest of a 25-year-old man from Ealing on Saturday for the same offence. Officers have said the two men are independent of each other.

Both men remain in custody at a west London police station.

Alice, who suffers from anorexia, went missing 12 days ago after failing to return home.

She was last seen by her family at 1pm on August 28, and was spotted on CCTV at 4.23pm on the same day walking along the Grand Union Canal.

Police want to speak to cyclists seen near Alice before she disappeared

Officers have released new pictures of five cyclists seen riding along the canal at the same time Alice went missing.

The images show three cyclists passing the Trumpers Way Canal Bridge in Hanwell, just before Alice walked past.

They are followed by two more cyclists who pass under the bridge.

Alice is white, 5ft 2ins tall, of very slim build and with shoulder length, light brown hair.

She was last seen wearing dark blue jeans and a dark green lacy cardigan and carrying a dark rucksack. The bag was recovered last week.

The teenager has not been seen since August 28

She could have been wearing denim blue Vans shoes and tartan-framed glasses.

Officers have urged anyone who befriended Alice at a song-writing workshop at the Camden Roundhouse to contact police.

Last week, Alice's mother Rosalind Hodgkiss, said: "We'd like to say to Alice first of all that we miss her, that we love her and that she's not in any trouble, and we want to know that she's safe. We just want her to come home.

"We're also appealing to anybody who might have seen her or who may have made contact with her or who may know something about her whereabouts to contact police or Missing People, and to just get in touch because we're really concerned about her well-being."

Anyone with information can call police on 020 8358 0100, Ealing Missing Persons Unit on 020 8246 1018 or the charity Missing People on 116000.

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Missing Teenager Alice Gross: Man Arrested

Police hunting for missing schoolgirl Alice Gross, 14, have arrested a man on suspicion of murder, Scotland Yard say.

The 25-year-old suspect was arrested in the Ealing area at around 5pm on Saturday and is currently in custody at a west London police station.

His arrest follows information detectives received on Saturday.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "All lines of enquiry are still open at this time and this remains a missing person investigation at this stage."

Alice was spotted on CCTV before she vanished

Alice, who suffers from anorexia, disappeared from her home in Hanwell, west London, on Thursday 28, August.

She left her home at around 1pm and was captured on CCTV an hour later on the Grand Union Canal towpath near Brentford Lock, walking towards the River Thames.

She was later filmed again at 3.45pm along the towpath heading back to her home.

The footage showed her wearing dark blue jeans, a dark green lacy cardigan and denim blue Vans shoes. She may also have had tartan-framed glasses.

Newly released CCTV images of cyclists spotted in the area

Earlier, the Met Police released new pictures of cyclists riding past the spot where Alice was last spotted, shortly before her disappearance.

The grainy footage show three cyclists riding along the towpath by the Trumpers Way Canal Bridge in Hanwell, moments before Alice walks past at 4.23pm.

They are followed by two more cyclists who pass under the bridge on the Grand Union Canal.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Chalmers from the Homicide and Major Crime Command said: "I would urge everyone to take a good look at the pictures released today to see if it jogs any memories of the day Alice went missing."

A large social media campaign has been under way since the teenager went missing and hundreds of posters have been distributed around the area.

A social media campaign was launched after the 14-year-old went missing

Alice's mother Rosalind Hodgkiss appealed to her daughter directly on the Facebook page Find Alice Gross, saying: "Alice if you can see this, please know sweetheart that all of us love you and miss you desperately.

"You may be sad, you may be angry, you may be hurt, you may be scared too. I just want to hug and hold you. Know that we love you and are there for you whatever you are going through.

"My love please get in touch and let someone know you are safe. Alice please come home. Mum."

Alice is described as white, 5ft 2ins tall and of slim build, with shoulder-length light brown hair.

Anyone with information can call police on 020 8358 0100; Ealing Missing Persons Unit on 020 8246 1018 or the charity Missing People on 116000.

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Girl, 11, 'Sexually Assaulted' At Picnic Site

Police have increased patrols near Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight after an 11-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted during a family visit to a picnic site.

The girl was at Fort Victoria on Saturday morning when she was approached by a man who assaulted her before walking away, Hampshire Police said.

Detective Sergeant John Stirling said: "This was a rare but very serious incident against a child, during the day in a busy picnic site.

"We would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious in the area or who recognises the man from the description."

The man was said to be white with pale skin, aged in his 50s, with grey hair and was clean shaven. He was around six feet tall, of average build and with a deep voice.

He was wearing a short-sleeved shirt with dark blue and light blue stripes and blue jeans.

The force said a man arrested on Saturday was released and no further action is to be taken against him.

It said patrols had been stepped up in the area over the weekend to reassure the local community.

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