A man has been charged with murdering a 66-year-old woman who was stabbed to death in north London.
Jalal Debella, 22, is accused of killing the woman at around 11.50am on Thursday, in Edgware.
The woman died of stab injuries, police said.
Officers were called to reports of a stabbing in Burnt Oak Broadway and were joined by members of London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance, the Metropolitan Police said.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services, the woman died at the scene, near the junction of Limesdale Gardens.
Her family has been informed.
Debella was arrested on suspicion of murder in the nearby Colindale later the same day.
Image: Flowers left at a bus stop near the scene. Pic: PA
The suspect is due to appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Saturday charged with murder and possession of an offensive weapon.
A social enterprise that hopes to train young people to protect the ocean has expanded to the UK.
The Sea Rangers Service is now running from Port Talbot, after first launching in The Netherlands in 2016.
They hope to restore one million hectares of ocean biodiversity by 2040, while training 20,000 young people, mainly from coastal areas, into maritime careers.
Its founder, Wietse Van Der Werf, told Sky News that inspiration for the scheme “originated from the idea that, on the one hand, we need to better protect the oceans and the environment. And on the other hand, in many coastal areas, there’s high unemployment. And it would be amazing to create jobs in these regions.”
To that end, applicants must be aged between 18 and 29, and, before being selected, take part in a gruelling boot camp run by Royal Navy veterans, designed to test their teamwork and motivation.
Successful recruit Selena, said being paid to be a Sea Ranger was an amazing opportunity to protect the environment in her local area – which crucially didn’t rely on qualifications.
“I finished school, I did art in college and was really searching around for what I wanted to do.
“Eventually I decided on something in marine conservation, but there wasn’t much… The closest thing you could get was whale watching in North Wales, and that’s miles away.
“But then I found this and – literally like 10 minutes later – I signed up.”
Read more from Sky News: Two women in their 80s target Magna Carta Northern Lights visible in England and Wales
For fellow Ranger Isaac, his family were “amazed” that “something like this was available to someone like me”.
He beams as he tells Sky News he’s “found a real passion”.
The work they’ll do, Van Der Werf explains, involves “anything from scrubbing the deck, cleaning the toilets, preparing food, but also preparing the navigation of the various journeys we take”.
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“But once we have an assignment that really involves all types of environmental monitoring, surveying, environmental research,” adds Mr Van Der Werf.
“And we work directly with government agencies to ensure that that work is also meaningful and impactful.”
After launching in Port Talbot, he hopes to expand the scheme to Portsmouth and Grimsby.
A cut in VAT and a new levy on arena and stadium tickets are urgently needed to stop grassroots music venues from closing, MPs have said.
A report by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee said artists are facing a “cost-of-touring crisis”, with venues stopping live music or closing entirely at a rate of two per week.
The cross-party inquiry heard from the Music Venues Trust (MVT), which said 2023 has been the most challenging year for the sector since the organisation was founded in 2014, while Creative UK said the grassroots music sector took a “battering”.
In total the number of grassroots music venues (GMVs) declined from 960 to 835 last year, a net decrease of 13%, representing a loss of as many as 30,000 shows and 4,000 jobs.
The closures come against a backdrop of spiralling costs due to rising rents and energy bills, while audiences are cutting back on expenditure due to the economic climate.
There has also been a behaviour shift among younger people, who are spending less on food and alcohol.
The report calls for a temporary VAT cut based on venue capacity to “stimulate grassroots music activity and help the sector through the current closure crisis”.
The committee has also recommended a widespread voluntary levy on arena and stadium tickets to be in place no later than September, which should be used to create a support fund for venues, artists and promoters and not be passed on to music fans.
MPs said that if there is no agreement by September or if it fails to collect enough income to support the sector, the government should step in to introduce a statutory levy.
‘Music faces a bleak future’
Dame Caroline Dinenage, chairwoman of the committee, said: “We are grateful to the many dedicated local venues who gave up their time to take part in our inquiry.
“They delivered the message loud and clear that grassroots music venues are in crisis.
“The ongoing wave of closures is not just a disaster for music, performers and supporters in local communities up and down the country, but also puts at risk the entire live music ecosystem.
“If the grassroots, where musicians, technicians, tour managers and promoters hone their craft, are allowed to wither and die, the UK’s position as a music powerhouse faces a bleak future.”
Read more: At least one grassroots music venue closing per week Warning of closures as venues face price hikes Is this the death of the big night out?
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On top of immediate financial help through a levy-funded support fund and a targeted temporary VAT cut, the report says a comprehensive fan-led review of live and electronic music should be set up this summer to examine the long-term challenges to the wider live music ecosystem.
The UK music industry brings billions of pounds into the economy, attracting both domestic and international tourists to live events.
Image: British popstar Adele started out in grassroots venues. Pic: AP
But festivals, electronic music venues, academies and arenas “are not insulated from the impacts” of the crisis and “promoters are less able to put on shows or make them financially viable”, MPs warned.
The report was welcomed by industry figures, though Mark Davyd, chief executive and founder of the MVT, said it has “taken much longer than any of us would have liked to get the positive change we all wanted to see”.
The trust – which represents more than 900 grassroots music venues across the UK – has previously voiced concerns that emerging artists with the potential to be the next Ed Sheeran or Adele – both of whom started out playing in grassroots venues – could find their careers cut off at ground level, never realising their full potential.
No deportation flights to Rwanda will take off under a Labour government, Sir Keir Starmer has told Sky News.
The Labour leader told Sky News political editor Beth Rigby “there’ll be no flights” as he wants to “scrap the scheme”, which aims to send asylum seekers entering the UK illegally from a safe country, such as France, to Rwanda.
Earlier in the day Sir Keir confirmed Labour wanted to get rid of the Conservatives’ flagship scheme to reduce illegal immigration but a party spokesman said they would not stop flights already planned.
Follow latest: Starmer sets out small boats plan
But Sir Keir told Sky News: “There’ll be no flights. I want to scrap the scheme so that means the flights won’t be going.
“There will be no flights scheduled or taking off after the general election if Labour wins that general election.
“No flights, no Rwanda scheme, it’s a gimmick, it’s very expensive, it won’t work.”
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0:30
Migrants arrive in Dover
Sir Keir earlier announced his plan to tackle small boat crossings, which also included a new Border Security Command with “hundreds of specialist investigators”, new counter-terrorism powers to target people smugglers, hopes for a new Europol partnership and a rules-based asylum system.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called Sir Keir’s plan “rank hypocrisy” and said everything the Labour leader announced today “are all things that we’re already doing”.
“Punching through the backlog, having more law enforcement officers do more, that’s all happening already,” he said.
“We’ve announced all of that more than a year ago. The question for Keir Starmer if he cares so much about that, why did he vote against the new laws that we passed to give our law enforcement officers new powers?
“They’ve now used those to arrest almost 8,000 people connected with illegal migration, sentenced them to hundreds of years in prison.
“And if it was up to him, all those people would be out on our streets so I think it’s rank hypocrisy of his position.”
Analysis: Ruthless Starmer has spoiled Sunak’s moment
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Sir Keir revealed Labour’s plan at a speech in Dover alongside his newest MP, Natalie Elphicke, who defected from the Conservatives.
Her defection has been met with outrage by some Labour MPs as she was seen to be on the right of the Tory Party, especially with her views on immigration.
She also faced criticism for supporting her ex-husband, former Dover MP Charlie Elphicke, after he was convicted of sexually assaulting two women. She has now apologised for supporting him.
Sir Keir said accepting Mrs Elphicke into the party shows it has changed and shows how the Conservatives are “no longer the party that can take our country forward”.
Image: Sir Keir said Natalie Elphicke’s defection shows the Tories are no longer the party to govern. Pic: PA
Asked if he was ruthless, he said: “Yes, I’m ruthless in trying to ensure we have a Labour government who can change this country for the better.
“Not ruthless for my own ambition, not ruthlessness particularly for the Labour Party.
“I’m ruthless for the country.”
He added that the only way to bring about change in the UK is “if we’re ruthless about winning the general election and putting in place a government of public service”.
Ruthless Starmer spoils Sunak’s moment
“I am ruthless.”
That was Sir Keir Starmer’s account of himself and his decision to let Natalie Elphicke into the Labour Party on our trip to Dover on Friday to unveil his plan to stop the small boats. Because for all the controversy her arrival on the Labour benches caused this week, for Sir Keir it was worth it.
It allowed him to take the fight on migration directly to the frontline, Dover, and stand next to the now Labour MP, Ms Elphicke, telling the cameras that Mr Sunak had “failed to keep the borders secure” and “can’t be trusted”.
As a piece of political theatre, it was ruthless. And the timing was ruthless too, coming on the day the UK had come out of recession.
Rishi Sunak had wanted the television bulletins to lead on turning the economic corner and “sticking with the plan”.
That’s not what he got.
Read Beth Rigby’s analysis after her interview with Sir Keir Starmer in full.
The latest polling, carried out by Survation and published on 9 May, has Labour winning the next general election with a landslide victory of 486 seats – 45% of the vote, with the Tories 19 points behind on 26%.
Taking an average of the most recent polls from each major pollster, Labour is set to win with 43.5% of the vote, with the Tories taking 23.5% and the Liberal Democrats 9.7%.
Sir Keir said he does not know if he can win a majority but he hopes so.
In May 2023 he ruled out any sort of deal with the SNP if he did not win a majority but would not rule out a deal with the Liberal Democrats.
On Friday he said: “I’m ruling out any sort of deal with the SNP before or after the election.
“Am I going for a majority Labour government? Yes, I am.
“That depends on whether we can earn the trust and confidence of voters across the country.”
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When pushed on whether he would do a deal with the Lib Dems, he again refused to rule it out, saying: “I’m going for a majority.
“That’s the answer I gave you two years, a year ago, it’s the same answer I gave you then.”
Sir Keir Starmer has said he has no doubt the government will get flights off the ground to Rwanda but Labour would “cancel the scheme straight away” if they win the next general election.
The Labour leader, announcing his party’s policy on illegal immigration in Dover, said the government’s flagship policy of sending asylum seekers to Rwanda will not work.
“They will get flights off the ground, I don’t doubt that but I also don’t doubt it will not work,” he said.
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When asked by Sky News political editor Beth Rigby if that means he would stop any deportation flights to Rwanda on day one of a Labour government, he said: “We will scrap the Rwanda scheme.
“I said that to you when we last met last week, the time before last and you know, that means ending the scheme.
“Absolutely. Flights and all.”
He added: “We will cancel the scheme – of course that means we won’t operate the scheme at all, it’s a gimmick, I won’t flog a dead horse.
“We’re going to get rid of the policy straight away.”
Labour later clarified the party would not stop any flights already planned but would not schedule any further.
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1:32
‘Small boat crossings is one of the greatest challenges we face’
The government’s Rwanda scheme, aimed at deterring asylum seekers arriving in the UK in boats over the Channel, has been stalled by legal arguments but last month was pushed through to become law. However, no flights have yet departed.
The scheme means any asylum seeker entering the UK illegally from a safe country such as France, could be sent to Rwanda where their asylum claims would be processed. They would not be allowed to apply to return to the UK.
As Sir Keir announced Labour’s plans to stop small boats coming across to the UK, Sky News witnessed a Border Force boat with about 70 migrants, including at least one child, disembarking in Dover after being picked up in the Channel.
In the speech in Dover alongside new Labour MP Natalie Elphicke, Sir Keir insisted “our asylum system must be rebuilt”.
As part of Labour’s plan, he announced:
• A new Border Security Command with “hundreds of specialist investigators” from the NCA, Border Force, CPS, MI5 and Immigration Enforcement
• Hopes for a new partnership with Europol and new intelligence-sharing networks
• New counter-terrorism powers to close bank accounts, trace movements and shut off internet access of people smugglers
• A rules-based asylum system with fast-track reforms and an enforcement unit.
Will Labour’s new plan woo voters?
By Darren McCaffrey, political correspondent
Given the impressive GDP figures released this morning, Labour needed a counter narrative to Conserative crowing.
And so it was to Dover and migration for Sir Keir Starmer to put some flesh on the bones of what a Labour government would do to tackle the small boats crisis.
More money, hundreds of more specialist investigators and the involvement of counter terrorism are all part of the plan – funded by savings from abandoning the Tories Rwandan scheme.
It’s fascinating that Starmer now feels confident enough, not only talking about illegal migration (not traditional Labour territory) but taking the government head-on, on an issue that he feels is up for grabs.
It demonstrates Starmer’s strength inside Labour but also the Conservatives perceived weakness on illegal migration.
The Rwanda scheme though, is in principle popular with lots of the public, so if Labour is to abandon it, with this frankly less eye-catching alternative announced today – it leaves one big question – will their plan cut it with voters?
The Labour leader said: “We will restore serious government to our borders, tackle this problem at source and replace the Rwanda policy permanently.”
He said turning a blind eye to people smuggling was “not a progressive or compassionate position” as he outlined his plans to tackle small boat crossings.
He said “our asylum system must be rebuilt and our borders must be secured,” and accused the Tories of being driven from a serious party of government “onto the rocks of their own delusion” in their pursuit of “gesture politics” over immigration.
“Our rules-based system should align with global rules that protect individual human rights,” Sir Keir added.
“That is in our interests and the right thing to do.”
Reacting to Sir Keir’s announcement, Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “Labour have no plan to stop the boats.
“Labour have an illegal immigration amnesty, Labour blocked of the deportation of violent sexual offenders and Labour voted over 130 times against tougher legislation to stop the boats. They will create a haven for criminal gangs, not stop them.
“Even Labour MPs are saying Labour can’t be trusted to stop the boats which shows you nothing will change.
“If people can apply for asylum from outside the UK then unlimited claims can be made, many of which will have to be accepted under the law and even then, many of those declined will then get on a small boat anyway.”
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A seven-mile stretch of the M25 is set to shut in both directions from tonight for the second of five planned weekend closures.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the area of the closure – between junctions 9 and 10 in Surrey – from 9pm on Friday to 6am on Monday morning.
Drivers have also been urged to stick to the planned 19-mile diversion route, which will send vehicles through parts of Surrey and Greater London.
It is the second of five planned closures of the motorway, and comes after a section between junctions 10 and 11 was shut in March.
On that occasion, fears diversion routes would become overwhelmed proved unfounded, as traffic levels were more than two-thirds lower than normal after a widespread awareness campaign.
However, National Highways senior project manager Jonathan Wade says there is a “very real” risk that the lack of disruption in March means some motorists will not heed warnings to replan journeys this weekend.
“We’ve upped the amount of correspondence that we’ve been sending out to try and counter that, but it remains an issue,” he says.
Image: A map showing the M25 closure and the diversion route between junctions 9 and 10 in May 2024
Those set to be those travelling to, from and between the UK’s two busiest airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, are expected to be affected as National Highways has warned it expects long delays.
Other stretches of the M25 will also be disrupted this weekend due to ongoing work to retrofit additional emergency stopping areas on smart motorway sections.
What are the diversion routes?
Diversion route clockwise for all but over-height vehicles:
Leave M25 at junction 8, A217 (Reigate). Follow the A217 London, Sutton, (A240) Kingston. After 3½ miles turn left onto the A240 Epsom, Kingston. After 3 miles at the Esso roundabout, turn right onto the A24 (A240) Kingston. Continue for 3 miles and turn left onto the A3 Portsmouth, Guildford. Continue for 9½ miles to the M25 and re-join the motorway at junction 10.
Diversion route anticlockwise for all but over-height vehicles:
Leave M25 at junction 10 to join the A3 towards London. After 9½ miles at the Hook interchange leave the A3 turning right onto the A240 Epsom, Reigate. Continue for 3 miles to the Esso roundabout and turn left onto the A240 Reigate. Continue for 3 miles then turn right onto the A217 Reigate, M25. After 3½ miles turn left to re-join the M25 motorway at junction 8.
Meanwhile, Mr Wade warned drivers will be subjected to London’s ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) rules if they move off official diversion routes during this weekend’s M25 closure.
National Highways said anyone ignoring diversion signs in an attempt to find shorter alternative routes will be liable for the £12.50 daily Ulez fee if their vehicle does not meet minimum emissions standards.
Failure to pay the charge when required can result in a £180 fine, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days.
Diversion routes will take cars on a 19-mile journey on A roads, crossing from Surrey into London’s ULEZ area.
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National Highways senior project manager Jonathan Wade told the PA news agency: “Although the (ULEZ) cameras will be active, no enforcement action will be taken.
“However, if you ignore the diversion signs and do your own thing, then if your vehicle’s not compliant you do run the risk of getting caught.
“You’ll be perfectly safe as long as you follow the diversion routes.”
Image: The M25 was closed in March to allow for the demolition of a bridge. Pic: National Highways South-East/X
Image: A view of traffic approaching junction 10 of the M25 prior to the closure in March
Pic: PA
Read more from Sky News: Everything you need to know ahead of the M25 closing Aerial pictures show calm amid M25 gridlock fears
RAC spokesperson Alice Simpson also warned drivers not to rely on their sat navs during the closure.
“Planning ahead is absolutely vital,” she said.
“Rather than relying on a sat nav, check the planned diversion routes ahead of time and be prepared for long delays.
“It’s also a really good idea to check your vehicle’s oil and coolant levels, tyre pressure and tread depth all before setting off to reduce the chances of a very unwelcome breakdown.”
National Highways say this weekend’s closure is to allow for the installation of a new bridge between junction 9 and junction 10.
The previous closure was to allow for the demolition of Clearmount bridleway bridge between junction 10 and junction 11 and the installation of a large gantry.
Three more weekend closures of the M25 are set to take place between August and the end of the year.
The project, due to be completed in summer 2025, will increase the number of lanes and make it easier to enter and exit the M25 at Junction 10, which is one of the UK’s busiest and most dangerous motorway junctions.
Opposite the student union at the University of Leeds, a growing number of tents on the lawn speak to a fault line opening up not just on campus, but in wider society.
Some of the tents are covered in Palestinian flags, while the entrance is plastered with a piece of cardboard spelling out the group’s demands.
Among those requests, student protesters are calling for their university to sever ties with Israeli universities, while ending their connections to BAE systems, an arms manufacturer who are supplying the country’s forces.
As students flit around the camp, Nico, a music student in his second year explains their actions and intentions, telling me the movement is “overwhelmingly peaceful”.
“I can’t speak for everyone, but we are a very diverse group of people and we all have our own experience with different kinds of oppression.
“I think Palestine is an issue a lot of us care about because it resonates with a lot of us, and it’s just not within our student movement.”
Nico is joined by Issy, an English and Classics student who says the protest, which sees around 20 to 30 people a night camp out, is meant to be open to all.
“To students who may feel intimidated by the space that we’ve created. I would remind them that we are a welcoming space. We are an educational space. We want to bring people into the fold and make the community here as inclusive as we possibly can,” she says.
Image: Music student Nico (L) says the movement is ‘overwhelmingly peaceful’ while Issy (R) wants the camp to be ‘inclusive’
Jewish students want to make their voices heard
Later in the afternoon, a few paces across the road came a reminder that the middle ground is hard to find for many campuses across the country.
Joel, a Jewish student wearing a kippah arrives draped in the Israeli flag. He says because of increasing instances of antisemitism he has experienced on campus and in the city, he wants to make his voice heard.
He says that in recent months he had his flat vandalised when his details were shared online and also alleges he has heard antisemitic chants and tropes on campus.
When I ask whether he’s tried to begin a dialogue with the group camped across the road, he says it’s been a struggle.
“Every time I or my friends attempt to have an open dialogue with them, a group of them come and pull themselves away,” he says. “Every time they are not able to answer your question they just walk away.”
Image: Joel, a Jewish student, says he has experienced antisemitism on campus
Joel’s sentiments are also shared by Emma Levy, president of Leeds University’s Jewish Society, who months ago said she had hoped to open a dialogue on campus in her position as the head of a student society.
Now sat in the sun with the camp behind her, she feels the answer now has to come from those in power both at universities and in government.
Read more: Protesters march at Eurovision Jewish students call for action to tackle antisemitism Oxford and Cambridge students set up pro-Palestine camp
“It’s really difficult, because we tried to set up these dialogue groups. And every single time we do something, it’s shut down. I’m hoping that when the war calms down, it will calm down on campus as well, because there’s always a direct correlation,” she said.
Image: Emma called on university vice chancellors to look after students
“I would say [to those in power] take control. Vice chancellors at universities have a responsibility to look after all students.”
In response to the concerns raised by both Jewish students and pro-Palestine protesters, a University of Leeds spokesperson referred us to a statement from Universities UK (UUK), who are representing the higher education sector.
UUK’s chief executive, Vivienne Stern said: “Universities have taken the rise in antisemitism on campuses since October 7 very seriously and will continue to work hard to ensure the safety of Jewish staff and students.
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“The current conflict has raised tensions across many communities and we have been clear there is no place for intolerance on our campuses.
“In line with the sector’s clear commitment to freedom of speech, it is important that universities allow and support students and staff to debate and discuss this crisis, and the challenging issues it raises, but within the law, and with respect and tolerance.”
A man has told how his dream quite literally came true after he discovered he had won the Thunderball jackpot prize of £500,000.
Recently retired British Gas worker Raymond Young, from Edinburgh, initially checked his ticket while half-asleep.
The next morning, the 63-year-old assumed he had dreamt that his numbers had come up – but realised he had indeed won the top prize after checking the ticket with a fresh pair of eyes.
Mr Young, who has used the same Thunderball numbers since the lottery spin-off launched nearly 25 years ago, has already bought himself a new car and a holiday home since pocketing his winnings from the 23 March draw.
Image: Pic: PA
He said: “I had woken up in the middle of the night and randomly decided to check my numbers, which led me to see that I had won the top prize.
“I must have still been half-asleep though as in the morning I genuinely thought it was all a dream.
“So when I decided to have another check in the morning, this time fully awake, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw that I was still a winner.”
Mr Young has bought a static caravan and has chosen a “beautiful spot on the coast” for it.
He added: “I can’t wait to start going there with my family and friends.”
Read more from Sky News: £1m lottery winner to buy home with terminally ill husband Lottery winners reveal what they are spending their money on
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Mr Young bought his winning ticket from the Keystore, known locally as Fordel Services, in Dalkeith, Midlothian.
His winning numbers were 12, 14, 17, 25, 29 and the Thunderball was 14.
Image: Pic: PA
He celebrated his luck with a trip to his childhood holiday destination in Blackpool, which he has visited throughout his life.
Mr Young said: “For me, Blackpool has and will always be a home from home. It holds such special memories and I just love visiting a few times a year.
“I’ve been going there my whole life, from playing on the beach as a kid to staying with friends over the last decade, so it just had to be the place I chose to celebrate my win.”
Police have released CCTV footage of two people suspected of stealing “culturally significant” gold artefacts from a museum.
Ely Museum in Cambridgeshire said the East Cambridgeshire gold torc and a gold bracelet – which date back to the Bronze Age – were stolen in a break-in earlier this week.
CCTV shows two people in hooded tops climbing through a window at the museum.
Image: Pic: Cambridgeshire Constabulary via PA
Footage from a second camera shows two people rushing past, then returning in the opposite direction seconds later, one of them apparently carrying a rucksack.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary said the museum was broken into between midnight and 2am on Tuesday, and it is seeking two people seen on e-scooters close to the venue.
Image: Pic: Cambridgeshire Constabulary via PA
Detective Inspector Kiri Mazur said: “We have released this CCTV, not in the hope someone will recognise the figures, but to try to jog memories and encourage anyone with information to come forward.
“We are focused on identifying the offenders, tracing the items, and returning them to their rightful place and are working closely with staff at Ely Museum to follow all lines of inquiry.
“I am very keen to hear from anyone who may be able to provide information or saw two people on e-scooters in the vicinity of the museum, car park and pedestrian walkways at the back of the museum, the council offices and the Grange Car Park, between 12am and 2am on Tuesday.”
Image: The 3,000-year-old East Cambridgeshire gold torc. Pic: PA
The torc, which dates from between 1300 and 1100BC and was found in a field in East Cambridgeshire by a metal detectorist in 2015, is regarded as the best example found in England in more than a century.
It is made of 730g (1lb 10oz) of almost pure gold and the museum says it is one of the largest ever found in the UK.
The museum acquired the torc, valued at £220,000, in 2017 using grants and donations from the public.
It is described on the museum’s website as its “most prized object”.
Image: The bracelet. Pic: Trustees of the British Museum/Cambridgeshire County Council
The bracelet went on show at the museum in 2010, the Cambridgeshire Times reported, after it was also unearthed by a novice metal detectorist in Fordham.
Before the arrival of the torc, it was described as the museum’s “star attraction”.
Read more from Sky News: Girl’s hearing restored in pioneering trial Mother awarded £575,000 after ‘rushed’ childbirth
Elie Hughes, curator at Ely Museum, said: “We are devastated by the loss to the museum and to the local heritage of the region.
“It is a huge blow after the incredible support from the community in acquiring the torc in 2017.
“As a culturally significant object, it cannot be replaced.
“Our priority now is working with the police to locate the stolen objects.”
