
BREAKING NEWS Boy, four, is killed after being 'crushed by falling gravestone'
The incident occurred in Rawtenstall Cemetery in Burnley Road, Haslingdon at 1pm on Saturday afternoon and emergency services were called to the scene.
Despite the best efforts of Lancashire Police to save the little boy, he tragically died, Lancashire Telegraph reports.
Police have confirmed that the four-year-old boy's death is not being treated as suspicious and information will be passed to the coroners' office 'in due course'.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: 'We were called to Rawtenstall Cemetery at 1pm today (July 5) following reports a gravestone had fallen onto a child.
'Tragically, and despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the boy sadly died. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this devastating time.
'His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be passed onto HM Coroner in due course.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
30 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Welcome to Crack Alley: Desperate locals call high street a 'no-go zone' with 'more tents than Glastonbury' as homeless drug addicts leave them terrified
It was once the the wool capital of the world and the richest UK city outside London. Now, parts of Bradford have become Britain's latest no-go zone, where drug-fuelled chaos and violence have left locals scared to walk the streets and businesses are going to the wall. Fed-up traders and shoppers say parts of the once-thriving city centre are overrun by rough sleepers camped out in tents, using the street as their personal drug den and toilet. One of the worst-hit spots is Rawson Square, where heroin and crack cocaine are smoked openly and fights break out daily. Tattoo shop, The Crow & Cartridge, said their staff face aggressive behaviour, public vomiting and broad daylight drug use outside their door. Manager Philippa Leach, 32, said: 'We see them smoking drugs, injecting themselves. Drinking, fighting, urinating. You name it, we've seen it. 'There are ambulances called quite often because they're passed out on whatever they're on. 'There's up to 20 or 30 of them there at a time, just doing what they like and seemingly with very little consequence. 'We've got female staff members who are quite young and they don't want to go outside on their own. 'It is really intimidating and it's round-the-clock. It's when you come to work, it's when you leave work. 'It's hurt our trade because people just don't want to walk up here because they don't feel safe'. Trainee tattooist Jasmin Stevens, 21, added: 'I'm usually the second person here in the morning and I hate waiting outside. 'You get accosted by the crackheads and it's really intimidating.' Signs of drug abuse were everywhere when MailOnline visited the square this week. Outside a former Wilko store, two men were huddled in a fire exit clearly dealing drugs with little concern of who was watching. Another man kept lookout as addicts queued up for their next fix. Nearby, a used crack pipe was obvious among the littered cans of high-strength lager and pool of vomit on the pavement. And a woman could be seen paying for pills with pound coins as children walked by. Subhan Abnan, 21, who runs barbers Hairology, said Bradford council's efforts to move on the rough sleepers were not working. He said: 'The council's been coming and taking the tents, but the next morning there's five or six more. 'By the evening, they're all back again. It's full of tents - it's like Glastonbury but without the fun. 'There'll be 30, 40 of them gathered here. It's like their community centre. People avoid the area. They see it and just keep walking. 'We've had one of them screaming, "I'm going to burn the shops down." Why should we have to hear that? We're just trying to run a business. 'It's affecting our business. People are scared to come down here. We've actually cleaned up the litter ourselves, but by the next day, it's worse. It feels pointless. 'You don't even feel safe leaving the shop in the evening. We literally stay inside because we don't want to get caught up in something. 'We promote our business on social media, but new customers always ask: "What's going on outside? Who are they?' How do you even explain it?" 'You see young girls, 24 or 25, sat on benches surrounded by men touching them up, doing all sorts. Who wants to see that? Especially when you're bringing kids around here.' The chaos, locals say, was made worse by a recent city centre revamp which displaced many rough sleepers and addicts - pushing them into the northern area of the city centre. A workman in a high-vis jacket, who recalls Bradford's status as Britain's 2025 City of Culture, said: 'Twenty years ago, it was beautiful around here. Now look at it. 'City of Culture? It's shocking.' Shooing off a beggar, Sheryn Leech, 36, told how she had been scalded when a drug-addled man turned violent when she refused to add extra food to his order at her chip shop in the city. She said: 'He ordered a scallop but then demanded that I give him the chips for free. 'When I said no, he threw the scallop at me, burning my wrist. It was piping hot with oil. This was six weeks ago and it's still healing. 'I've been threatened with a knives so crackheads can get food for free. I've come home with bruises. I've had a tub of salt thrown at my eyes. I've had all sorts and I'm fed up with it.' 'It really is disgusting. The businesses are dying. Nobody's coming down here anymore. 'I only come to this part of town because I've got work. It's just become a complete no-go zone.' Sheryn's mother-in-law, Marilyn Atkinson, 52, added: 'I feel so anxious when Sheryn is coming home from work. I panic until I know she's safe. 'It's scary coming to town. You're scared of getting robbed.' 'Look at me - I'm hiding my bracelets because you've got junkies just walking about like zombies. 'I can't run if someone tries to rip my bracelet off. 'I've grown up in Bradford. I remember when it was safe. Now, I fear for my kids coming to town.' Jamie Telford, 36 pointed to a two-year 'pocket park' built with Lottery funding opposite his Northgate Bistro coffee shop. He said: 'When they were redeveloping it, all the druggies and drinkers had to move on. 'As soon as it was built, they were back. Now they've got a nice new place to loiter at the expense of everyone else. 'There's a camera there that goes straight to the police, but no one ever seems to do anything. 'Don't get me wrong, the homeless need help. Everyone needs help, but when they're up here, they are just permitted to do what they want. 'Which isn't helping anyone and certainly not them.' West Yorkshire Police said it was 'committed to making Bradford city centre a safe and vibrant place to live and work.' Chief Inspector Nick Haigh insisted: 'Those who are committing offences will be dealt with appropriately.' A spokesperson for Bradford Council said 16 people were reviewed for causing 'serious nuisance' in 2024. This led to interventions such as acceptable behaviour contracts and final warnings. Seven of the most serious offenders received criminal behaviour orders from the courts. A council spokesperson added: 'We work very hard to tackle anti-social behaviour by collaborating with police, partners, and stakeholders to address issues while supporting individuals to make positive changes. 'These challenges are common to big cities and Bradford is no different in that regard. 'We are aware of the issues in Rawson Square and are visiting the site daily to progress case files against ASB perpetrators and offer relevant support.'


Metro
35 minutes ago
- Metro
Boy, four, killed after being crushed by falling gravestone
A four-year-old boy has died after a gravestone toppled onto him in a cemetery yesterday afternoon. The child was crushed in the tragic incident at Rawtenstall Cemetery in Haslingdon, Lancashire, at around 1pm. Emergency services tried to help him, but he could not be saved. A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: 'We were called to Rawtenstall Cemetery at 1pm on July 5 following reports a gravestone had fallen onto a child. 'Tragically, and despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the boy sadly died. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this devastating time. 'His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be passed onto HM Coroner in due course.' We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of a young child at Rawtenstall Cemetery today. Our thoughts are with the family at this devastating Borough Council is working with all relevant agencies to understand the circumstances of this incident. — Rossendale Borough Council (@RossendaleBC) July 5, 2025 Rossendale Borough Council said: 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of a young child at Rawtenstall Cemetery today. More Trending 'Our thoughts are with the family at this devastating time. 'Rossendale Borough Council is working with all relevant agencies to understand the circumstances of this incident.' According to the website of the cemetry in Burnley Road, it holds over 21,000 burials and covers around 17 acres, with a chapel seating 40 people. The cemetery caters for Catholic, Church of England, Non-Conformist and Muslim burials. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Underrated UK village is a foodie heaven with three Michelin-starred restaurants MORE: Teacher charged with sex abuse and murder of adopted baby MORE: Unassuming UK village is a surprising must-visit for foodies with 'exceptional' restaurants


Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Muslim charity boss delivered sermon on killing Jews six days after Oct 7
The charity regulator has issued an Islamic charity with an official warning and banned one of its trustees after he was accused of encouraging violence against Jews after the Oct 7 Hamas attack. Harun Abdur Rashid Holmes, a leading figure with Nottingham Islam Information Point (NIIP), has been barred from acting as a charity trustee for three years after delivering a sermon in which he stated that Muslims would kill Jews until they 'hide behind a rock'. Holmes was accused of anti-Semitism and incitement to violence after delivering the sermon on the charity's premises in which he stated: 'The hour will not begin until the Muslims fight the Jews and the Muslims will kill them until a Jew hides behind a rock or a tree. And the rock or tree will say 'Oh Muslim... there is a Jew behind me. Come and kill him'.' During the same sermon, Mr Holmes is understood to have offered prayers for the 'mujahideen' – a common Islamic term for fighters – in Palestine. Holmes delivered the sermon just six days after Hamas launched its attack on southern Israel in 2023, killing more than 1,200 Jews and taking 251 hostage. The Charity Commission found that Holmes's words were 'inflammatory and divisive' at a time when conflict was setting communities against each other. It found he did not act in accordance with his duties as a trustee, despite the charity receiving previous guidance when he was its chairman. Following a 20-month investigation, the regulator has now disqualified Mr Holmes from serving as a trustee or holding any senior management position in a charity in England and Wales for three years. It also issued NIIP with a formal warning over its failure to put effective policies in place to manage its affairs and those who speak in its name. The commission told The Telegraph that its investigation into NIIP was one of more than 300 regulatory cases it had opened in the last 18 months involving groups supporting different sides of the Middle East conflict. It has so far issued formal statutory guidance to charities in about 100 of these cases, and has made more than 70 referrals to the police where it considered that a criminal offence might have been committed. Stephen Roake, assistant director of investigations and compliance at the Charity Commission, said: 'In times of conflict, people expect charities to bring people together, not to stoke division. In this case, we found due consideration had not been given to the words and rhetoric used. The sermon was inflammatory and divisive, and we acted robustly and disqualified the trustee who gave the sermon. We also issued the charity with a formal warning.' During his sermon, Mr Holmes also called on attendees not to 'busy yourselves with politics and voting', which the commission found could be interpreted as encouraging people not to vote or to disengage from the democratic process. The commission said some of the content of the sermon had been taken from a specific 'Hadith', a narration of historical events ascribed to the prophet Mohammed but it was delivered without the appropriate context and 'as such was inflammatory and divisive'. It found that Mr Holmes, a former care home assistant manager, lacked the good judgment expected of a trustee. Mr Holmes, who was not a qualified Iman at the time he delivered the sermon, told the regulator that, in hindsight, he accepted the Hadith was sensitive, and he did not give sufficient context to it. The investigation concluded that the sermon did not further the charity's purposes, including to provide relief to those in need, was not in its best interests and amounted to misconduct and/or mismanagement. Mr Roake added: 'Following our intervention, the charity's remaining trustees have taken positive steps to improve their governance. This includes the introduction of a more robust events policy. All charities that host events and speakers should take note of this case and ensure they have sufficient due diligence in place.' NIIP, which showed an income of £59,200 and an expenditure of £47,700 in its last set of accounts, was set up in 1997 to relieve poverty and 'clear up misconceptions on the religion of Islam'. Following Mr Holmes' sermon, NIIP apologised for any offence he may have caused. It stated: 'Mr Holmes is not a qualified Imam and has not formally studied Islam. He was given the responsibility of the sermon at late notice and was not able to provide the necessary explanation to references used in the short timespan available. 'In hindsight he recognises that other references would have been more appropriate. The trustees recognise that certain portions of the sermon may have been construed in a negative light and inadvertently and unintentionally caused offence. We apologise for this.' Mr Homes did not respond to requests for comment. There can be no hiding place for those who use charities to promote hate By David Holdsworth During times of heightened international conflict, global instability, and economic hardship, the work of UK charities is more pressing, and more vital, than ever. Every day, and across every continent of the world, thousands of UK charities relieve desperate need and bring communities together, supporting the most vulnerable and serving as beacons of hope and unity. We should take pride in the work of these charities, the difference they make to countless lives as well as the global projection of the very best of the Great British people. Sadly, however, there are some people who undermine that trust and betray their and other charities' potential for good. Over the past few years, and particularly since the escalation of conflict in the Middle East in October 2023, we have seen charities misused to promote the personal views of those linked to the charity, in some cases inciting hate, or condoning violence. We have also seen examples of charities funding military equipment for foreign military forces. As chief executive of the Charity Commission – which regulates charities in England and Wales – I am clear that such abuse of the special status of charity is unacceptable. We won't hesitate to take firm action to stop such wrongdoing, and, where necessary use our enforcement powers against those responsible. For example, we have this weekend announced our findings in a case regarding Nottingham Islam Information Point, a centre set up to help relieve poverty and explain the religion of Islam. We have issued an official warning to the charity after one of its trustees delivered an inflammatory sermon at the charity's premises. We also used our powers to disqualify the trustee who gave the sermon. This follows an official warning against the Abdullah Quilliam Foundation earlier this month, again for providing a platform for unacceptable, divisive language. We have recently issued an official warning to the UK Friends of the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel's Soldiers after the charity posted distressing footage on social media, and earlier in the year, we gave a similar rebuke to a charity that advances the Jewish religion after it sent funds to an IDF soldier stationed in northern Israel. Over the last 18 months, the commission has opened more than 300 regulatory cases involving charities supporting different sides of the Middle East conflict. We have so far issued formal statutory guidance to charities in about 100 of these cases, and have made more than 70 referrals to the police where we consider that a criminal offence might have been committed. We know some would like us to move further or faster in these types of cases. But we have a duty to carefully follow the evidence and reach decisions in a way that is both fair and legally robust. While trustees, like all of us, have personal rights to freedom of speech, there can be no hiding place for those who seek to use charities to promote hate or harm to others. This is not only to put a stop to fundamentally uncharitable activity, but also to help protect and promote public trust in the wider charitable sector. Research confirms that charities are among the most trusted groups in society, behind only NHS doctors. This status cannot be taken for granted. I see it as the commission's responsibility to do whatever is in our power to uphold the good name of charity. As the regulator of 170,000 registered charities that together generate more than £100 billion of annual income, with about 400 staff, that is no mean feat. We work to enable all well-run, life-changing charities to deliver on their purpose. We do this by providing clear guidance helping volunteer trustees get it right, and by being available by phone, email or in person to those who need help and support along the way. Even when dealing with serious complaints, wherever possible, our default position is to try and get charities back on track to deliver their vital work. But I will not shy away from using the more robust powers Parliament has granted us when that is necessary – and taking action against those who risk undermining the incredible positive impact of charities at home and abroad.