Helicopter Fell 'Like A Stone Out Of The Sky'

Eyewitnesses have described the "terrifying" moment when a police helicopter spun out of control and plunged into a bar which was hosting a live music gig.

Grace MacLean was in The Clutha in Stockwell Street, Glasgow, and said people became aware of the crash only when the ceiling of the venue started to cave in.

She told Sky News: "There was a band on, they were quite loud, and we just kinda heard a whoosh and some smoke.

"We looked around and no-one really knew what was going on. Everyone just carried on listening to the band.

Emergency services at the scene

"And then we kind of looked again and the roof was gradually coming down.

"Someone started shouting and the band cut the music ... and then all of a sudden this cloud of dust came.

"You couldn't breathe for inhaling a mouthful of dust. You couldn't see anything. You were clawing at the walls to see where the exit is.

"No-one had a clue what was going on. There was no loud noise.

"People were helping each other out. Everyone started helping people who were hurt. People had some head injuries. Lots of people were covered in dust. There were lots of people shocked.

"No-one knew it was a helicopter crash until people told you."

Labour's international development spokesman Jim Murphy happened to be driving past the pub immediately after the crash.

Firefighters on the roof of the pub where the helicopter crash-landed

"I jumped out and tried to help," he said. "There were people with injuries. Bad gashes to the head. Some were unconscious."

He described how a human chain formed to help pass unconscious casualties out of the pub so that "inch by inch, we could get the people out".

Scores of passers-by in the area ran to the venue after seeing or hearing the aircraft go down.

Connor Gillies, from Radio Clyde News, told Sky News of the "scenes of chaos" and "continuous stream of sirens" in the area on Friday evening.

Mr Gillies described seeing "blood on the shirt" of Mr Murphy, who he said was "clearly very shaken, very upset by the whole thing".

Wesley Shearer, who posted pictures on Twitter of the scene, said there had been "talk of fatalities", but this has not been confirmed.

"This is unbelievable," he tweeted shortly after the crash. "Just spent 20 minutes pulling people out of the bar."

MP Jim Murphy helped people out of the venue

Jan Hollands, who also tweeted pictures from the scene, said she heard the crash and described it as "scary".

At 7am, one worried man was waiting at a police barrier hoping to hear of news about his father, who was in the pub on Friday night.

"My dad was sitting there with his lady friend. She went to the toilet and boom, it came straight through the roof … right on top of the spot where they were sitting.

He added: "That was the last I heard. I'm going to stay here … It cannot get much worse."

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Glasgow Helicopter Crash: Deaths Confirmed

Firefighters have been working through the night to try to rescue people from the wreckage of a pub hit by a police helicopter.

The aircraft came down on The Clutha in Stockwell Street at 10.25pm which was packed with more than 100 people at the time listening to the band Esperanza.

Sky News sources have confirmed there have been fatalities and earlier Scotland's First Minister had told people to prepare for the worst.

Police Scotland's Deputy Chief Constable Rose Fitzpatrick said it was "too early at this stage to provide any details around why the helicopter came down".

Two police officers and one civilian pilot were on board the helicopter

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said "a number of casualties" with "multiple types of injury" had been taken to hospital, while crews worked to stabilise the "very unsafe building" and free others who remained trapped inside.

The Police said a crew of two officers and a civilian pilot were on board the helicopter, but added the force was "not in a position to confirm any details regarding injuries".

Firefighters said they had made contact with people trapped inside the Clutha bar but said it was difficult to tell how many were inside because the building was "very unsafe".

Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay said: "We've had some contact and we're working away just now to make sure that the building is safe in order to get people out.

"We are determined that we are going to get the building stable and we will be in there to carry out those rescues."

Glasgow Royal Infirmary said nine people were being treated at the hospital, but gave no further details on their condition.

Others injured were taken to the Western Infirmary and the Victoria Hospital.

Those inside the pub gather outside after the crash Pic: Paul Agnew

Emergency services confirmed search and rescue dogs were assisting police and 125 firefighters at the venue.

One image of the crash on social media sites showed the dark blue helicopter on the roof with yellow "Police" insignia on part of the wreckage.

First Minister Alex Salmond said that given the scale of the Glasgow helicopter crash, "we must all prepare ourselves for the likelihood of fatalities".

Labour's international development spokesman Jim Murphy, who was among those helping the wounded out of the pub, tweeted: "Terrible here in Glasgow Helicopter crashed into roof of pub".

He told Sky News: "I just saw dozens and dozens of people coming out of the pub. It is a horrible, horrible scene."

Gordon Smart, editor of the Sun's Scottish edition, saw the crash from a multi-storey car park nearby.

The Clutha is situated in Stockwell Street in Glasgow

He told Sky News: "I thought it was a plane that was going to crash. I looked up at the sky and I could see the helicopter falling, tumbling ... and then there was an eerie silence for the last part of the fall.

"But the thing that was disturbing and shocking was there was no explosion. I couldn't understand why a helicopter would fall from that height and not explode. To see the angle, the speed and the trajectory of the fall ... it was a horrific sight."

Members of the band, Esperanza, all escaped from the wreckage unharmed. They posted on their Facebook site: "Thank you for all the kind wishes, messages and texts! Our only concern now is for the safety and welfare of those less fortunate than ourselves.

"Best wishes to everyone from tonight...Hope everyone who got out managed to get home or somewhere safe to stay. To everyone who was injured...please get fixed soon. And please please please let us know of the people who we haven't heard from yet...hope they're found ok.

"Thanks for all the messages. I've just spoken to Jake and Jason. It seems that the band are all OK. Not so sure about everyone else."

Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "My thoughts are with everyone affected by the helicopter crash in Glasgow - and the emergency services working tonight."

Vic Emery, chairman of the Scottish Police Authority, said: " My thoughts, and those of all in the Authority, are with the relatives of all those affected by this very serious incident."

Glasgow Central Mosque, located close to the pub on the opposite side of the Clyde, tweeted: "Have told emergency crew that we r on standby & can make available mosque & volunteers to assist in any way to aid injured & emergency crew."

A full probe involving the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) and the emergency services is under way.

Members of the public concerned about relatives who may have been involved in the crash can call an emergency helpline on 0800 092 0410.

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Drink-Driving: Most Brits 'Unaware Of Rules'

By Nick Martin, Sky News Correspondent

More than one million motorists have driven while over the legal alcohol limit in the last two years, new figures reveal.

In most cases drivers got behind the wheel the morning after drinking alcohol because they were not aware how long it takes for alcohol to leave the body.

According to official guidelines, it takes about an hour for the body to break down one unit of alcohol, although alcohol tolerance depends on a number of factors including the person's age, weight, gender and metabolism.

Close to half of drivers (46%) said they did not know how long they needed to wait after drinking before they were safe to drive, research by car insurance company LV found.

Drivers who consumed an average of seven pints of lager or six glasses of wine would have to wait around 15 hours for the alcohol to clear the body.

In Greater Manchester, the annual drink-driving awareness campaign encourages abstinence rather than restraint.

Called None For The Road, it stresses the safest option is to not drink at all.

Inspector Matthew Bailey-Smith, of the Serious Collision Unit, told Sky News: "Most people don't know how long it takes for alcohol to return to legal levels for driving.

"We see people after lunchtime, who had been drinking the night before, well over the legal driving limit.

"That's potentially very worrying and means people will be prosecuted if they are stopped and produce a positive breath test result."

Alexia Techner's partner James Roberts was killed in a car crash in 2009 by a driver who was three times the legal drink-driving limit, despite having stopped drinking 12 hours beforehand.

"If you know you have to drive the next day, don't drink," she said.

"It's just not worth the risk. Even a few beers can stay in your blood the next day and that can affect how you drive."

John O'Roarke, managing director of LV, said: "It's easy to assume that after a good night's sleep you will be sober enough to drive the next day but depending on how many units you've had, you may not be fit to drive.

"The key to enjoying the festive season is to plan ahead and don't drive if you are not within the legal alcohol limits."

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Football Match Fixing Claims: Six Arrested

Six people have been arrested on suspicion of fixing British football matches, including at least three current footballers.

Police are investigating an Asian betting syndicate, with the National Crime Agency arresting the six men in the last two days.

One of the people arrested is understood to be a former Premier League footballer who now works as an agent.

The investigation follows an undercover investigation by the Daily Telegraph newspaper, which recorded one alleged fixer offering to rig two games.

Sky News understands the investigation involves clubs in the English Football Conference, the level below the Football League.

In the undercover filming, the alleged fixer says: "So I talk to them. Double confirm. I also tell them, I tell ... this (is) what I want …Because simple I commit myself and they commit.

"So you tell me how many goals … Give me at least five. Ok I do need five. Either 3-2, 4-0, 4-1, I will say I do it for that, for me four is enough."

In another part of the secret filming the alleged fixer claims that the footballers are not difficult to persuade.

"What the players want … they want the money," the man says.

"So for 90 minutes I pay them £7,000 ... definitely they take."

The cost of fixing games in England is "very high", the man in the video adds, saying that the usual rate to bribe the players is £70,000.

The Daily Telegraph says the alleged fixer backed up his claims by correctly forecasting the outcome of three matches by the same team.

"I know what they're going to do ... I know because they all tell me every time," the man reportedly said.

The six people arrested are being held under the Bribery and Fraud Acts at a Midlands police station.

The National Crime Agency said the focus of its investigation is "a suspected international illegal betting syndicate".

Gambling on the matches is thought to take place on Asian-based betting services and so far investigators to do not believe British betting markets are involved.

The Football Association told Sky News: "The FA has been made aware of a number of arrests in relation to a National Crime Agency investigation.

"We have worked closely with the authorities in relation to the investigation.

"The FA will make no further comment due to it being an on-going investigation."

Sky News Sports Correspondent Paul Kelso said fixers were likely to target the lower leagues because the players do not get paid large sums.

"Such is the scale of the betting markets, particularly in Asia - where they are unregulated and often illegal - there are huge profits to be made, even from these small games," said Kelso.

"Rumours around the targeting of lower league games have been rife for a long time," he adds.

"In February this year the FA wrote to all the clubs in the Conference - the fifth tier and below of English football - reminding them of the betting rules because there were suggestions from within the gambling industry that huge amounts of money relatively, hundreds of thousands of pounds, were being gambled on games played in front of a few hundred people."

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Children Being 'Failed' Over Gang Sex Abuse

By Jason Farrell, Sky News Correspondent

Children are suffering "sadistic levels" of sexual abuse by gangs, but services designed to protect them are still woefully inadequate, a new study has found.

The research for the Children's Commissioner found that only 6% of Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) are fully complying with key parts of Government guidance on tackling sexual exploitation.

The report stated: "Whilst 98% of LSCBs told the inquiry that Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a strategic priority, almost half were unable to tell us how many victims had been identified during 2012 in their local area.

"During site visits we also continued to hear references to children 'putting themselves at risk', rather than the perpetrators being the risk to children."

The report went on: "Too many people who should be protecting children are in denial about the realities of CSE and therefore do not believe what children may tell them. One young person told us 'They made me feel like it was my fault'."

In a long list of failings, the report says agencies are "failing to engage" with children, that there is a "lack of leadership" and "limited or no strategic planning".

It also emerged that one chair of a Children's Safeguarding Board did not even know there was a set of Government guidelines on the issue.

The Deputy Children's Commissioner, Sue Berelowitz, told Sky News the panel had been shocked by the lack of action being taken.

She said: "There is no doubt that children are still falling through the net because of some serious failings.

"It was of great concern to us to identify that of the top 15 requirements that Local Safeguarding Board must comply with to protect children, only 6% are doing what they should be doing.

"So the vast majority of them have a long way to go before they are doing what they should be doing in law to protect children."

The study found victims of gang sexual abuse could be as young as 11 years old and the offenders as young as 12 years old.

The children also have younger siblings who are on the fringes of being at risk.

Ms Berelowitz added: "I have worked with many children who have been victims of sexual violence, but I have never before encountered the levels of sadism and cruelty that I have during this inquiry.

"The sheer degree of depravity that has been enacted on children, sometimes by other children, has been truly shocking."

A two-year study by the University of Bedfordshire was released alongside the report.

They spoke to 188 young people living in gang-affected areas and found that gang sexual violence was not confined to inner cities, or even deprived areas, but was a countrywide problem.

The report author Jenny Pearce told Sky News: "Thirty four per cent said multiple rape was commonplace among gangs.

"Rape was used as a form of weaponry.

"Initiation to a gang might be through raping a girl. A young man might have his girlfriend raped as a form of punishment. Someone might be raped for failing to perform a task."

She added: "Only one in 12 said they would report a rape, and of those most would only tell peers.

"They won't go to the police. That's something we need to address."

To coincide with these two reports, London Metropolitan University has studied young people's attitudes to rape and sexual consent.

Young people were given rape scenarios and asked whether they felt consent had been given.

Dr Maddy Coy, who conducted the study, said: "There is a sense that young women's actions are always under scrutiny.

"If they have accepted a drink, or worn a top that flatters their breasts, that is seen as an invitation to have sex and they are blamed for what happens next.

"The focus is always on those giving consent, but not enough focus on getting consent. Young people are not aware of what getting consent looks like."

Dr Coy added that only a "minority of young people we spoke to felt that consent should be negotiated".

The Children's Commission is now calling for the Department of Education to review the guidance on child sexual exploitation and to ensure that local services are complying with what has already been set out.

It suggests problem-profiling of potential victims, offenders and gangs needs to take place - along with a greater emphasis on relationship and sex education by trained professionals for children and young people.

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Sandy Hook Gunman Obsessed With Columbine

The gunman who carried out last year's Connecticut school shooting was obsessed with mass killings, investigators have said.

Twenty children and six adults were killed by Adam Lanza on December 14, but his motive may never be known conclusively.

State Attorney Stephen Sedensky III said there was no clear indication why the 20-year-old gunman chose Sandy Hook Elementary as his target other than the fact that it was close to his home.

Police at first thought there could have been several gunman

The summary of the investigation said Lanza had an obsession with mass murders, in particular the April 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado.

He also had significant mental health issues that affected his ability to live a normal life and interact with others, but did not affect his mental state for the crimes.

He "was undoubtedly afflicted with mental health problems", Mr Sedensky wrote.

The shooting rampage sent shockwaves around the world

"Yet despite a fascination with mass shootings and firearms, he displayed no aggressive or threatening tendencies.

"Some recalled that the shooter had been bullied, but others, including many teachers, saw nothing of the sort."

The mother of slain teacher Victoria Soto said in a statement that nothing could make sense of the shooting.

Donna Soto said: "Yes, we have read the report, (but) no, we cannot make sense of why it happened.

Twenty children and six adults were killed in the shooting at Sandy Hook

"We don't know if anyone ever will. We don't know if we will ever be whole again, we don't know if we will go a day without pain, we don't know if anything will ever make sense again."

Lanza killed his mother inside their Newtown home before driving to Sandy Hook Elementary and carrying out the killings.

He then committed suicide as police arrived.

A timeline released with the report indicated that nearly six minutes passed between the arrival of the first Newtown police officer and the time officers entered the school.

Demolition of the elementary school began in October

The report said law enforcement officers were operating under the belief there may have been more than one shooter.

Mr Sedensky released his report amid an ongoing court battle over the release of the 911 tapes associated with the shooting.

The withholding of the recordings, which are routinely released in other cases, has been the subject of a legal battle between The Associated Press and Mr Sedensky before the state's Freedom of Information Commission.

A Connecticut judge said on Monday he would listen to the tapes before ruling whether they could be publicly released.

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Domestic Violence: 'Clare's Law' Set To Widen

A scheme that gives people the right to ask police if their partner has a history of domestic violence is expected to be widened.

"Clare's Law" has been trialled by four police forces and is named after Clare Wood, who was strangled and set on fire by her ex-boyfriend George Appleton in 2009.

Police run checks and speak to agencies such as the Prison Service, the Probation Service and Social Services.

'Facebook fugitive' George Appleton strangled Clare Wood in 2009

If a risk is discovered, information about an abusive partner may be disclosed to whoever is best placed to help - but the disclosure must be "lawful and proportionate".

Clare's Law has been running in Gwent, Wiltshire, Greater Manchester and Nottinghamshire, and ministers are expected to tell Parliament that it should be extended.

As well as the potential victim, a third party such as a parent, can also apply for information under the initiative - which is officially called the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme.

Miss Wood, 36, a mother-of-one, had met Appleton on Facebook, unaware of his history of violence against women, including repeated harassment, threats and the kidnapping at knifepoint of one of his ex-girlfriends.

Recent television adverts have highlighted domestic violence

At the inquest into her death, the coroner said women in abusive relationships should have the right to know about the violent past of the men they were with.

Clare's father Michael Brown told Sky News he was "delighted" at the prospect of the scheme being extended.

"Why these lads can go through in a little underworld of their own, moving from partner to partner, and causing the trail of devastation that they leave and get away with it - because data protection says you can't tell - I thought it was nonsense," said Mr Brown.

"I'm delighted for the ladies it will protect in the future."

One woman who used Clare's Law to uncover her partner's abusive past said she was glad she took action.

Clare Wood's father is 'delighted' the scheme looks set to expand

She told Sky News: "I found out that my previous partner was abusive, some physically, but mostly emotionally and mentally, which made me feel very uncomfortable.

"I'd started to feel that way myself, so by having that confirmed to me it does help you feel a little bit stronger."

The charity Refuge has in the past raised doubts over Clare's Law, saying most abusers are not known to police and urging that instead more should be spent on improving the police response to domestic violence and keeping refuges open.

It is difficult to accurately know the extent of domestic violence in the UK.

However, a 2011/12 survey by the Office for National Statistics found 1.2 million females and 800,000 males reported experiencing domestic abuse over a 12-month period.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: "These new measure that the Government has been piloting will help us to be able to support victims more, to deal with perpetrators and to constantly try to stop this terrible crime of domestic violence that takes place all too often."

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Payday Loans To Be Capped By Government

The cost of payday loans will be capped under new laws, the Government has announced.

The industry has been criticised over the affordability of the loans and the way they are marketed, with critics claiming the firms take advantage of vulnerable people.

The Competition Commission is currently investigating the industry and an Office for Fair Trading (OFT) report in September said there were "deep-rooted" problems in the way the loan companies operate.

New financial regulator the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will now be forced by the Government to cap the loans.

A Treasury spokesman said: "The Government has always kept the case for a cap under review as the market has evolved. 

The Labour leader has also heavily criticised the industry

"With growing evidence in support of a cap and emerging lessons from other countries - especially the cap on costs introduced in Australia this year - the Government believes it is right to use the opportunity of this legislation for Parliament to be clear on its intention."

The Government will amend the Banking Reform Bill currently going through Parliament to formally establish the cap.

Labour leader Ed Miliband has also spoken out over what he called the "Wonga economy".

Earlier this month he said payday loan companies were "running riot through our communities".

"They are responsible for a quiet crisis of thousands of families trapped in unpayable debt," said Mr Miliband.

The payday loan industry is worth £2bn

Mr Miliband has also called for a ban on payday advertisements during children's television shows, accusing the companies of using "cartoon characters, trendy puppets or cute plasticine figures" to attract children.

The Competition Commission investigation into the £2bn industry is due to reveal its findings next year.

It will be looking at claims that firms are emphasising the speed of the loan over cost and are "skimping" on affordability checks.

There have also been complaints of payday firms unexpectedly draining people's bank accounts through a type of recurring payment called a continuous payment authority.

The Financial Conduct Authority, which will take over regulation of consumer credit from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in April 2014, was already considering new controls before today's announcement.

Critics claim affordability checks are not being properly carried out

Among its proposals are unlimited fines, limiting to two the number of times a payday loan can be rolled-over and compulsory affordability checks for all applicants.

Bosses of three payday loan companies, Wonga, QuickQuid and Mr Lender, defended their industry when they appeared in front of MPs earlier in November.

Henry Raine, head of regulatory and public affairs at Wonga, told the Business, Innovation and Skills Select Committee: "Wonga's business is aiming to lend to people who can pay us back, that's how we make money.

"The vast majority of people pay us back on time. We freeze interest after 60 days and 25% of people pay us back early."

Mr Raine said around 3% of loans, equating to around 40,000 of Wonga's 1.25 million customers, go to the 60-day period.

Payday loan bosses defended their business in front of MPs

He said Wonga's record compared favourably with the rest of the loan industry, including credit card companies and banks.

The company also made a film telling the stories of 12 of its customers.

Wonga's chief operating officer told Sky News the film was made because "the silent majority of people using our service was not being heard".

He added: "Generally you hear a lot of criticism about our service out in the media and actually the super positive stories that we see every day from our customer feedback are not being heard, so we wanted to redress that balance and allow their voice to come out."

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