Amy Fenton

Three masked men repeatedly ram-raided a jewellery shop on Warner Street, Accrington, using a grey Volvo estate. CCTV shows them attempting to smash through the frontage, eventually gaining entry and stealing a small amount of jewellery while causing extensive damage. The vehicle was later found burnt out in Oswaldtwistle. Lancashire Police are appealing for witnesses and footage and have launched an investigation.

Hermione Taylor of Darwen died after suffering Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis, rare and potentially fatal conditions that can cause severe blistering and skin loss, often following a medication reaction. Her family described her as brave, kind and joyful and announced funeral arrangements. A fundraising campaign is supporting SJS Awareness UK to increase awareness of the conditions and provide information and support to those affected.

Coby Keogh, 13, and Joey Gregory, 19, died after suffering hypoxic brain injuries in a house fire on Redcar Road in Blackpool, which investigators believe may have started when an e-bike battery exploded. At separate opening hearings, Blackpool Senior Coroner Alan Wilson raised concerns about modified e-bikes, particularly batteries altered to remove speed restrictions, and warned that storing them inside homes may pose a significant fire risk. The deaths may be investigated jointly and final inquests are expected in November or December 2026. The case is being compared with a 2024 Blackpool-area fire that killed Josh Pearson and Danielle Bamber and was also attributed to an electrical fault in e-bike batteries. Joey's organs were donated to recipients following his death.

Lee Mercer, 45, from Skelmersdale, died at HMP Wymott on 14 July 2026 while serving a four-year-and-seven-month sentence imposed after he admitted strangling and assaulting his former partner, threatening to kill her and her children, and causing criminal damage. The attacks occurred over four days in October 2024 while Mercer had been drinking alcohol and using cocaine. His former partner described severe ongoing psychological trauma, including PTSD and fear for her children. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman has begun an independent investigation, with its final report expected after the inquest.

Stuart Tallis, 27, and William Hutchinson, 31, from Preston, were separately reported missing in June and were later found dead inside William’s blue Peugeot 106. Police enquiries indicated they may have been together, leading specialist search officers to locate the vehicle in thick undergrowth off the A584 Preston New Road near Newton-with-Clifton on July 4. Their families have described both men with affection and paid tribute following what they called a devastating tragedy.

Donna Pope, 47, was jailed for 38 months after pleading guilty to fraud by abuse of position. She used her Ormskirk employer's company credit card to spend about £50,000 on holidays, personal bills, shopping, clothing from Shein and Zara, and other expenses, including radiators and personal-training services. She denied wrongdoing for months before leaving the company, while the employer said the fraud caused continuing financial and emotional damage.

Morrisons is trialling Instacart’s Caper smart trolleys at its Preston store, making it the first UK retailer to introduce the technology. The AI-powered trolleys automatically recognise products, weigh fresh produce, support bagging while shopping, display a running total, recommend products and apply Morrisons More Card savings. Customers can complete payment by scanning a barcode at a dedicated checkout lane. Morrisons and Instacart executives say the trial is intended to make grocery shopping faster, easier and more personalised.

Lancashire Police are investigating the unexplained death of 29-year-old Hannah Eidann Fry, who became unwell at an address in Longridge on 13 July and later died in hospital. A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after initially being detained over alleged coercive and controlling behaviour, while a 23-year-old man was also arrested in connection with the incident; both were released on bail with conditions. Lancashire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and has urged the public to avoid speculation. Fry’s family described her as a devoted mother, loving daughter and vibrant friend.

A coroner indicated that the inquest into the death of murdered toddler Preston Davey is likely to resume once an ongoing safeguarding review by Oldham Council concludes in early 2027. The hearing may be designated an Article 2 inquest due to possible failures in the adoption process and missed opportunities to protect the child, who died in 2023 after abuse by adoptive parents Jamie Varley and John McGowan-Fazakerley. Multiple councils, the hospital, and family representatives attended the pre‑inquest review, where the coroner outlined expected timelines and confirmed no public inquiry had been announced. Further procedural hearings are planned for later in the year.