Underwater teams join search for missing woman last seen at petrol station
Rachel Booth, 38, from Northwich, Cheshire, was reported missing after being last seen by her family in the Barnton area.
She was seen one final further time at around 3.50am, five miles away, at the Sandiway garage on the A556 road.
Police believe she may have travelled to the Oakmere area of Delamere, where police officers, underwater search teams and Cheshire Search and Rescue are currently conducting enquiries.
A water park in Delamere, less than two miles away from the petrol station, said it was closed on Sunday due to a police investigation in the surrounding area.
Ms Booth is described as 5ft 9ins, of a slim build, with blonde hair and is believed to be wearing black leggings and a black top.
Superintendent Paul Hughes said: "We are currently following a number of inquiries to trace Rachel and we are becoming increasingly concerned for her welfare.
"Investigators are following all lines of inquiry and anyone who has seen Rachel since she was reported missing is asked to contact us," he added.
"The same goes for anyone who has any information on her whereabouts.
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Telegraph
30 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Violent criminals denied freedom in apparent parole crackdown
Around 700 further dangerous criminals have been denied release from jail in an apparent toughening of approach by the Parole Board. Official data show that three-quarters of prisoners who sought parole in 2024/25 had their applications rejected by the board – the highest proportion for at least five years. It represents an equivalent increase of 700 in the number of prisoners who would otherwise have been previously freed from jail. Among high-profile criminals refused parole requests were the former pop star Gary Glitter, 81, who was jailed for 16 years for sexually assaulting three schoolgirls, and Ronald Evans, 83, known as the Clifton rapist for his sex attacks on women in Bristol. He is one of Britain's longest-serving prisoners, having spent over 50 years in jail. Glitter, whose real name is Paul Gadd, was judged to be a continued risk to the public after being recalled to prison for breaching his licence conditions by viewing downloaded images of children. Evans raped and murdered Kathleen Heathcote in 1964 before committing numerous sexual attacks in Bristol in the late 1970s. He was refused parole in December, having been released in 2018 only to be jailed again in 2023 for sexually assaulting a woman in London in 2022. The Parole Board is a quasi-judicial body responsible for deciding whether prisoners serving a life sentence or imprisonment for public protection can safely be released at the end of their 'tariff', the minimum period in custody set by the trial judge. It also decides whether fixed-term prisoners who have been recalled to prison for breaching their licence conditions are safe to re-release. Data published in the board's annual report showed it rejected nearly 13,000 applications by prisoners for parole last year – the highest number for at least five years. The 75 per cent rejection rate was up from 70 per cent in the previous year and the highest proportion in any of the past five years, according to publicly available data. Of the 17,165 decisions made by the Parole Board in 2024/25, 3,872 (23 per cent) were to release the prisoner, 501 (three per cent) were to recommend a transfer to open conditions, and 12,790 (75 per cent) were that he or she should remain in custody, according to the figures first revealed by Inside Time, the prisoners' magazine. The Parole Board has come under pressure from successive justice secretaries to take a tougher approach towards the release of offenders. The apparent hardening in its decisions contrasts with moves by the Government to allow thousands of prisoners on fixed-term sentences to be released early. It follows scandals including its decision – subsequently reversed – to release the black cab rapist John Worboys, and to free the double child murderer and rapist Colin Pitchfork, who was recalled to prison after breaching the terms of his licence. Lawyers specialising in parole cases suggested changes by Dominic Raab, the former justice secretary, could have played a part in the increasing rejection rate. He made the release test tougher for some prisoners, gave the secretary of state powers to block individual release decisions, barred probation officers and psychologists from making recommendations regarding releases and appointed more former police officers to the Board. Whilst some of the reforms have since been reversed, others are still in place. In a letter to the Ministry of Justice, sent in May 2022, the Parole Board said Mr Raab's changes would be likely to lead to fewer releases. In a warning that now appears prescient, it said: 'If our release rate reduced from 25 per cent to 20 per cent, it would increase the prison population by approximately 800 places per year.' One senior solicitor with experience of representing prisoners at parole hearings told Inside Time that Mr Raab's reforms may have had a 'chilling effect' on the willingness of the Parole Board to take a risk by releasing prisoners in borderline cases. The Parole Board denied it had become more risk-averse. The solicitor said the backlog of cases in the Crown Court may also be having an impact, because it means that more prisoners are facing parole hearings with unproven allegations hanging over them, making a release decision less likely. He added: 'There has been a huge amount of new Parole Board members in recent times, and they are just always more risk-averse when they start out.' A second solicitor who specialises in parole cases said other factors could include Government moves to increase the involvement of victims in the parole process. They suggested the 'crumbling' state of the probation service could also be to blame, as parole panels might be sceptical that there was adequate supervision in the community. A shortage of places on offending behaviour programmes in prisons could also mean prisoners are appearing before parole panels without having completed courses seen as essential to lower the risk they pose.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
'Brutal bottle attack' on priest in church before mass 'may be linked to murder fewer than two miles away', police say
A bottle attack on a priest before mass may be linked to a nearby murder, police have said. Police received a report that a man was found dead at an address in the Marian Park area of Downpatrick at about 12pm on Sunday. A man, 30, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is in police custody. Earlier today a priest was rushed to hospital after he was 'bottled by a man who walked into church before mass'. Father John Murray was hit on the head at St Patrick's Church in Downpatrick, Northern Ireland, today. Police chiefs have said today that the incidents, just 1.3 miles away from each other and just under two hours apart, may be linked. In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland said the priest was in a 'serious condition' in hospital after what has been described by detectives as a 'brutal attack'. Fr Murray was believed to have been preparing for one of his last Masses before retiring when the attack took place in the church's sacristy at 10.10am. Superintendent Norman Haslett, district commander for Newry, Mourne and Down, said officers suspect that the murder investigation may be linked to the attack on the priest. 'Inquiries are at an early stage and, at this time, we suspect this may be connected to a serious assault in the St Patrick's Avenue area of Downpatrick on Sunday,' he said. 'I am appealing to anyone who believes they may have information which could assist us with our investigation to contact us on 101 quoting reference number 713 of August 10 2025.' A PSNI spokesperson said: 'It was reported to police at around 10.10am on Sunday, 10th August that a man had walked into the church on St Patrick's Avenue and hit the priest on his head with a bottle before leaving. 'The victim was taken to hospital for treatment of a head injury, where he remains in a serious condition.' Detective Chief Inspector McBurney said: 'This was a completely shocking and brutal attack and has left the priest with a serious head injury. 'Our enquiries are ongoing into this incident, and we are appealing to anyone who witnessed the assault, or has any information to contact Police on 101 and quoting reference 543 of 10/08/25.' The St MacNissi's Parish, in Larne, said Fr Murray had been taken to the Royal Victoria hospital for surgery. Writing on Facebook, a post read: 'Please remember Fr Murray, retiring Parish Priest of Downpatrick who was the subject of an incident this morning in St Patrick's Church, Downpatrick which left him requiring medical care. 'Pray for his speedy recovery both physically and emotionally from this frightening incident.' Sinn Fein MP Chris Hazzard said in a Facebook post that he was left 'shocked and saddened to hear the news' about Ft Murray's attack. 'My thoughts and prayers are with him, and I wish him a full and speedy recovery,' he wrote. 'This cowardly attack is completely unacceptable and I condemn it unequivocally. I urge anyone with information to contact the police.' Cathy Mason, member of the Northern Ireland Assembly, said she was 'horrified'. 'The attack on Father Murray in St Patrick's Church, Downpatrick, this morning is deeply shocking,' she wrote on her Facebook page. 'No one should ever face violence, least of all in a place of worship. This was a shameful act and must be condemned outright. 'My thoughts are with Father Murray and I hope he makes a swift and full recovery.' A post on the Downpatrick Family of Parishes thanked people for their prayers and well wishes. 'Parishioners will be aware of an incident in St Patrick's Church earlier today. Fr Murray is currently receiving medical treatment,' it read. DUP MLA for South Down Diane Forsythe condemned the 'shocking and disgraceful attack on a religious leader in a place of worship'. Of the two incidents, she said: 'There is no place for violent attacks in our society. 'My thoughts and prayers are with the entire community as they process this devastating murder as well as the serious assault earlier today.' Alliance South Down MLA Andrew McMurray said the 'heartbreaking' incidents had left many in the local community 'in shock on what should be a day of peace and rest'. 'First and foremost, my thoughts and sympathies are with the family, friends, and loved ones of the two victims of today's attacks, as well as anyone who's been impacted. 'I want to wish Fr Murray all the best for a hopefully speedy recovery. 'I also want to extend my thanks to the local PSNI officers who acted swiftly and professionally in dealing with the incidents, under what will have been difficult and distressing circumstances. 'Tonight, I will be standing alongside the people of Downpatrick at a special prayer service in response to today's events, and in honour of the victims and their families.' Anyone with information is urged to bring it to the attention of police by calling 101 and quoting reference 543 of 10/08/25 for the assault on the priest, or 713 of 10/08/25 for the murder inquiry. People can also submit a report on the PSNI website or anonymously through Crimestoppers.
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
‘Don't share pictures of shoplifters – it breaks data protection rules'
Photographs of suspected shoplifters should not be displayed in stores in case they breach data protection laws, the UK data watchdog has said. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) said putting up images of thieves in a local area, such as in shop windows, 'may not be appropriate' behaviour. Its advice page for shopkeepers on how to tackle shoplifting says retailers 'must only share personal information that's proportionate and necessary to achieve your purpose'. The disclosure comes after The Telegraph revealed that police officers had told a shopkeeper to take down a sign calling shoplifters 'scumbags' because it could cause offence. Richard Tice, the leader of Reform UK, said that shopkeepers should be encouraged to put up photographs of shoplifters. 'We should be letting the general public know of the photographs of people who have a track record of stealing in towns,' he said. Anybody who was against doing so 'is on the side of the criminals and should be ashamed of themselves', he added. 'This highlights the complete insanity of GDPR which is damaging to healthcare, it's damaging to law and order. It's damaging to businesses and our economy,' he told The Telegraph. Mr Tice added that shopkeepers should be able to put up signs and have the right to say 'it's my shop and I determine who comes into it'. Katie Lam, a shadow home office minister, said that she met a constituent last week who was 'plagued by shoplifters', but police told him to take down photographs of the suspects. She wrote on X: 'He gives police CCTV, card details, licence plates. No action apart from a visit to say he must take down pics of thieves 'because of GDPR'. 'Our system should crush the lawless and protect the law-abiding. It does the opposite.' Official figures last month showed that nearly three thefts per minute were being reported in Britain. Retailers have expressed frustration that police have 'abandoned' treating shoplifting like a crime, following an increase of 20 per cent in a year. Last week, The Telegraph disclosed that Rob Davies, a North Wales shopkeeper, had put up a handwritten note in his store following repeated thefts that read: 'Due to scumbags shoplifting, please ask for assistance to open cabinets.' But officers from North Wales Police attended his retro shop in Wrexham and told him to take down the sign because it could cause offence. The ICO said that data protection laws could help retailers tackle shoplifting by sharing criminal offence data 'as long as it's necessary and proportionate'. In a blog post from 2023, the regulator said: 'We want businesses to be able to take action to prevent crime, but we want people who aren't breaking the law to be able to go about their day without unjustified intrusion.' Actions that the ICO recommends as 'appropriate' to retailers include sharing suspect details with the police, or information about the incident with a manager or another store nearby. But under actions that it says 'may not be appropriate', it includes local businesses sharing images between each other on a messaging platform, or in a staff room. It also cautions against 'putting images in the local area, such as shop windows and lampposts. You must only share personal information in a way that's proportionate and necessary to achieve your purpose'. The guidance says: 'Sharing images in this way gives access to those who don't have the appropriate authority to see them or take any action.' The ICO is a non-departmental public body, which is sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology The British Retail Consortium calculates that businesses are losing £1.8bn to theft each year, and an additional £700m is spent on extra security.
