Motorists in some parts of England are being urged to only travel if “absolutely essential” after freezing weather led to dozens of road accidents.
Avon and Somerset Police received more than 100 reports of road-related incidents in the space of just five hours last night – with treacherous conditions causing most of them.
Between 6pm and 11pm, a total of 53 collisions were reported to the force, and seven of these incidents reportedly resulted in injuries.
Superintendent Mark Runacres said: “If travel is necessary, we ask the public to take extreme caution and allow additional time to travel.
“We have seen a significantly higher number of road-related collisions and incidents in the past 12 hours, which has increased the demand on police resources.”
Yesterday, the UK Health Security Agency issued a level three cold alert in response to “severe winter weather” – and according to the Met Office, the whole of England will continue to experience low temperatures until 9am on Friday.
A yellow warning for ice is in place across southern England until 10am today – with an additional yellow warning for snow in force across Devon and Cornwall.
Meanwhile, a yellow warning for snow and ice across Northern Ireland, North West England and Wales will expire at 12pm – and came to an end for Scotland at 9am.
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Britons are being urged to keep warm and check in on family and friends who may be more vulnerable to the effects of cold weather.
The UK Health Security Agency fears the plummeting temperatures could have a “serious impact” on people’s health – especially older people and those with pre-existing health conditions.
“If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over the age of 65, it is important to try and heat your home to at least 18C if you can,” the UKHSA’s Dr Agostinho Sousa said.
For people struggling to afford heating bills, Simple Energy Advice provides free advice on energy efficiency and national grants that are available.
A woman has suffered life-changing injuries after being stabbed by a member of the public at the accident and emergency department where she was working.
The victim – believed to be a nurse in her 50s – was attacked at Royal Oldham Hospital in Greater Manchester, where she is now being treated.
It is understood she was injured with a bladed article or a sharp instrument – and not by a knife.
Officers were called at 11.30pm on Saturday.
A 37-year-old man is in custody after being “swiftly arrested at the scene” on suspicion of attempted murder, Greater Manchester Police said.
Detectives are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and say there is no threat to the wider public.
Jim McMahon, the Labour MP for the area, described it as a “senseless attack”.
He posted on Facebook: “We are all shocked at the senseless attack on a nurse in the A&E department of the Royal Oldham Hospital.
“Our thoughts are with the nurse, family and friends as we wish a full recovery.”
Detective Sergeant Craig Roters said it was a “serious incident which has left a woman in a critical condition”.
The victim’s family and colleagues will be supported, he added.
The local community can expect to see an “increase in police presence” while enquiries are carried out, Mr Roters said.
“We know that news of this nature will come as a shock, and if you have any concerns or anything you would like to share, please speak to [officers].”
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Timesthe properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.