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Cliff-top homes evacuated over collapse fears
Residents in the seaside village of Hemsby, Norfolk, were forced to leave their homes yesterday as coastal erosion and severe weather endangered properties. The county is covered by a yellow weather warning issued by the Met Office and 10 properties are affected, with five properties at highest risk.
Chris Batten, from Hemsby Inshore Rescue Service, said that one house was “teetering on the edge of the cliff and it wouldn’t take much for it to start to fall into the sea”. Stephen Chadwick told BBC News: “I bought it for sea views, beautiful sea views, and now the sea’s taking it away. I woke up this morning, had a cup of coffee at half past seven, the back door, and I felt ... it was like an earthquake, and the cliff just went. I’m just in total shock. Watching people taking my house apart. I don’t think I’ll be here tomorrow.”
The village has been vulnerable to coastal erosion before. In December 2013, some residents watched their cliff-top homes disappear into the sea during a tidal surge. Five bungalows fell into the water as the high
tide eroded the cliff below.
On Saturday night, Norfolk Police said: “A total of 10 homes at risk from coastal erosion evacuated in Hemsby today in multi-agency response. Thanks to local businesses who offered help and support to those affected.”
Pubs facing ‘triple whammy’ of taxes, says Camra
At least 18 pubs are being lost each week according to the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), which says that urgent action is needed to cut the tax burden placed on bars.
It says that pubs are being hit by a “triple whammy” of one of the highest rates of beer duty across Europe and that a third of the cost of a pub pint is now made up of various taxes.
Colin Valentine, Camra’s National Chairman said: “Pubs are now facing a crippling tax burden, exacerbated by the perfect storm of the last business rates revaluation and a high level of beer duty. From these new pub closure figures, it is clear that a fundamental change is needed if the British pub is to survive for future generations.”
Man injures several people after driving 4x4 into nightclub
A man was arrested yesterday on suspicion of attempted murder after a car was driven into a busy nightclub in Kent. It is believed the driver had been asked to leave Blake’s in Gravesend following an altercation, Kent Police said.
Footage posted on social media showed a black 4x4, headlights still shining, on a chequered dance floor inside a marquee at the club. The incident is not being treated as terror-related. Shocked clubbers fled out onto the street as the emergency services arrived.
Other footage showed police cars, fire engines and ambulances lined up outside the venue. Sonny Powar, a witness who was in the club, said he saw two people get hit by the car before the driver was pulled from the vehicle. Details on the conditions of those injured have not been released and the incident is not being treated as terrorism.
Family pays tribute to mother and daughter shot dead
Relatives of a mother and daughter shot dead in their home have paid tribute to two “beautiful people that filled our family with laughter”. Heather Whitbread, 53, and Michelle, 32, were fatally wounded during the attack on Bexhill Road in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, on Friday night.
A 35-year-old man who was known to the victims has been arrested on suspicion of murder. In a statement issued through Sussex Police, their grieving family said: “Heather and Michelle were both beautiful people that filled our family with laughter. They were both special, generous and kind people who loved life, but most of all their family.”
Officers were called to the house at 7.43pm on Friday, leading two other women – including one who is pregnant – to safety. Two hours later the suspect was arrested and taken into custody, where he still remains, police said. A firearm was also recovered.