Detectives in Stoke-on-Trent are questioning two men held in connection with a robbery at a shop on Old Hall Street.
The two 22-year-old men were arrested a separate addresses in Shelton last night (September 2) after the raid at the Gold=Cash store at 3.45pm yesterday.
Detective Inspector Rob Thompson from Stoke-on-Trent CID said “We still need to speak to anyone who was in the Old Hall St, Hillchurch Street and Linfield Road areas of Hanley yesterday afternoon.  They may have information which could help our investigation.”
Anyone with information can call Stoke-on-Trent CID …

By Matt Bowling: Arson in Stoke-on-Trent is still above the national average.
While statistics obtained by StaffsLive show that the number of arsons in the area is slowly falling, it is still higher than in other parts of the country.
Arson costs the economy £53.8 million each week in England and Wales, and is occurring in Stoke-on-Trent at a rate of three a day.
As days get longer over the summer period, the risk of arson increases as under 17’s, who are the main pulpitrators of the offence stay out longer and take …

Thieves have taken more than £3,000 worth of roof tiles from Longton Fire Station.
Staff at the station only realised the theft had taken place when it rained overnight on April 27 and they were faced with flooded rooms the next morning.
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Area Commander for Stoke-on-Trent, Wayne Bowcock said: “We are extremely disappointed that anyone would do this to any building, let alone a building that’s sole purpose is to serve the community. We hope someone will come forward with information to help trace the culprits.”
The theft …

EXCLUSIVE
By James Truswell: A stunned pensioner says he was told by his insurers to check the mileometer of his burning car before it blew up – to help the firm value it accurately!
Richard Talbot, 65, and his wife Susan, 61, have made over 120 calls in a month since his Mercedes B150 was decimated by fire outside their Penkhull home.
He told StaffsLive that he and his wife “would have been completely incinerated” if he had been near the car during the blaze.
The couple were going to bed just before midnight on April 15 …

By Ben Lowe: TV comedian Nick Hancock has set off on his charity climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of a Staffordshire children’s hospice.
Hancock – one of Stoke City’s most famous fans – is hoping to raise £100,000 for The Donna Louise Children’s Hospice with Potters boss Tony Pulis, who came up with the idea Kili 4 Kids after running last year’s London Marathon.
Speaking to StaffsLive, local celebrity Hancock knows climbing Africa’s highest mountain will be the toughest physical challenge of his life.
“Admittedly I haven’t trained as well as I …

By James Montgomery: A new weekly stroll is set to take place in the South Staffordshire village of Brewood to encourage more people to stay healthy.
The events are the latest of South Staffordshire Council’s popular Health Watch Walks.
The first walk will be on May 21, starting from The Mess Bistro in Market Place, Brewood, and will last around 45 minutes.
Councillor Roger Lees, Deputy Leader of Community Services at South Staffordshire Council said: “These local walks are a great opportunity to get some gentle exercise out in the fresh air …

By Leanne Kirtley: Over 2,000 Staffordshire Brownies will celebrate their centenary at Churnet Valley Railway this weekend (May 15 and 16).
The ten-and-a-half mile stretch of railway will play host to the girls as they take part in a variety of activities.
Railway spokesman Nigel Shaw said: “We have many exciting things going on for the girls as they take a memorable trip down the track.”
Brown Owl Brenda Colclough told StaffsLive more:

By Matt Bowling: Stoke City Council is pumping more than £5 million into the former Spode Works site to stop private developers buying it.
The 18th century site is to under-go a massive re-development as part of a multi-million pound regeneration project paid for by the city council.
The council approved proposals to fight off private investment and buy the land at a secret council meeting on Wednesday night.
Plans are rumoured to include converting the buildings into luxury apartments, business space and opening a Potteries museum.
The nine-acre site on Church Street, Stoke, has …

By James Truswell: A BNP councillor has appeared on an anti-BNP website holding a Union Jack flag – standing next to three men doing a Nazi  salute on a War Memorial in Stone.
Cllr Steve Batkin, who has served the Bentilee ward since 2003, has said he was attending a funeral and he has not had contact with the men since.
Maurice Cousins is the Deputy Editor of ‘Nothing British’, where the image is currently appearing:
“We thought this was disgraceful considering the British National Party dresses itself up in the flag …

EXCLUSIVE by Rebecca Clark: A Staffordshire student has won his second big money TV quiz show prize – and plans to celebrate by taking his parents on holiday.
Over the past two years, Rob Jeffries has won £20,000 after appearing on TV shows, with his most recent success coming on the BBC’s Who Dares Wins.
The 20-year-old Staffordshire University sports journalism student and his quiz show partner split their winnings of £20,000.
But while other young winners might think of sports cars and holidays to Las Vegas, Rob’s planning to spend his money …