Putin’s shadow fleet sailors may be able to claim asylum if Britain seizes their ships in the English Channel, ministers have warned.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood are understood to have raised concerns to this effect, according to The Telegraph.

It is feared apprehending the Russian tankers could allow sailors brought ashore by British forces to make use of the UK asylum system, according to Whitehall sources. 

Many of the seamen onboard are mercenaries hired by the Kremlin who could argue they were at risk of persecution if they returned to Russia or their home country.

Foreign nationals arriving in Britain are eligible to claim asylum if they are at risk of persecution, including because of the ‘political situation’ where they come from. 

These rules also apply to small boat migrants, who are often rescued by the RNLI or Border Force in the Channel and brought ashore to have asylum claims processed. 

If the shadow fleet sailors had their claims rejected, they could appeal the decision under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which can take years. 

It is thought Russia may have placed spies on the tankers in hopes the vessels will be intercepted and the agents brought onto UK shores. 

It is feared apprehending the Russian tankers could allow sailors brought ashore by British forces to make use of the UK asylum system, according to Whitehall sources. Pictured: The US Coast Guard pursues and seizes Russian tanker Bella 1 in January 

Many of the seamen onboard are mercenaries hired by the Kremlin who could argue they were at risk of persecution if they returned to Russia or their home country. Pictured: The US Coast Guard shadows runaway Russian tanker Bella 1 earlier this year 

It is thought Russia may have placed spies on the tankers in hopes the vessels will be intercepted and the agents brought onto UK shores. Pictured: File photo of a tanker 

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has faced increasing pressure in recent days to tackle sanctioned Russian naval traffic passing through British waters. 

He promised last month to ‘go after’ the ships, insisting special forces and officers from the National Crime Agency would board and impound the vessels. 

But despite his assurances, it has been revealed this week a shadow fleet tanker was able to travel through the Channel, escorted by a Russian frigate. 

Three more sanctioned tankers then sailed through the British waterway the following day. 

The Royal Navy has not yet seized any ships, on the legal advice of the Attorney General, Lord Hermer, who warned it could breach international human rights law. 

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: ‘A legal system, defended by our lawyer-in-chief Keir Starmer, that allows asylum claims from Russian mercenaries is simply not fit for purpose.

‘We need to put our national interest first and that means leaving the ECHR, because we know, having tried everything else, that nothing else will work to make our borders stronger.’ 

Ms Cooper and Ms Mahmood are understood to be working on a solution to the legal loophole to allow the navy to seize ships without letting crews remain in Britain. 

They first raised concerns in January, when the US seized Russian tanker Bella 1 in UK waters. 

American authorities arrested the captain and first mate – but 26 other sailors were briefly sent to an army reserve centre in Inverness.

The men, variously from Russia, Ukraine, Chile and Bulgaria, were processed by Border Face at the base before being flown out of the UK. 

But officials and government lawyers are concerned any similar arrivals could find a way to legally remain in Britain under immigration laws. 

The US faced claims the capture was illegal – but the White House insisted the seizure was legitimate. No legal action has been brought over the incident. 

British authorities are also understood to be examining how France has dealt with the issue when apprehending tankers in the Mediterranean. 

Government insiders said the Ministry of Defence would need to meet a high legal threshold to be able to start a raid in the Channel. 

Without this, officials would likely face legal action at an international maritime tribunal. 

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (pictured, on a tour of the Gulf this week) has faced increasing pressure in recent days to tackle sanctioned Russian naval traffic passing through British waters 

The Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich (pictured, file photo) was seen accompanying two ‘shadow fleet’ vessels past Britain’s south coast on Wednesday 

Defence Secretary John Healey (pictured in January) confessed on Thursday there was ‘more we can do’ to stop the shadow fleet 

Opponents have claimed Labour has been too slow to act, allowing Russian president Vladimir Putin to transport oil and gas for selling to allies including China and Iran. 

Defence Secretary John Healey confessed on Thursday there was ‘more we can do’ to stop the shadow fleet. 

But he said the Kremlin’s decision to escort tankers with warships showed Britain had successfully diverted Russian resources away from the war in Ukraine. 

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: ‘We will not comment on specific operational planning or give a running commentary as this could compromise our ability to successfully take action against these ships, only benefitting our adversaries.

‘In general terms, any target ship will be individually considered by law enforcement, military and energy market specialists before an operation is executed.’

It comes after the Russian frigate Admiral Grigorovich was seen accompanying two ‘shadow fleet’ vessels past Britain’s south coast on Wednesday. 

The ‘senior service’ was only able to rustle up a support ship to watch them head for the Black Sea.

Last month, Sir Keir gave approval for Britain’s commandos to board and halt shadow fleet vessels as they pass through UK waters. 

The move came as part of his commitment to pursuing the sanction-breaking ships ‘even harder’.

But according to The Telegraph, RFA Tideforce, an auxiliary tanker armed with only light defensive weapons, simply followed the flotilla past Dover without intervening.

It came as the prime minister was branded ‘all mouth and no trousers’ on defence by Tory leader Mrs Badenoch.

She accused the PM, who went on a tour of the Gulf this week, of posturing on the world stage over the Middle East war while failing to rearm Britain.

Fears have been raised in recent weeks about the state of the Navy, after Iran hit an RAF base in Cyprus in retaliatory strikes following attacks by the US and Israel. 

Officials were only able to rustle up a single ship to send to the Mediterranean to protect the country – and it arrived three weeks late.

Mrs Badenoch said: ‘At a time of war in Europe and war in the Middle East, at a time when those conflicts are affecting every family across Britain, at a time when Britain’s place in the world is in flux, our Government literally doesn’t have a plan.’

Two teenagers have died after a car plunged off a bridge and crashed into a minibus on the motorway below.

Emergency services attended the scene of the collision on the M1 near junction 20 in Leicestershire yesterday afternoon.

The two teenagers were in a blue car driving on Gilmorton Lane towards Lutterworth at around 1.30pm when it crashed off a bridge and into traffic travelling below, Leicestershire Police said.

The car collided with a white Fiat Ducato driving southbound on the M1.

Four people in the minibus were taken to hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver, a man, has been discharged, but the passengers, three women, remain in the hospital.

Both teenagers were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Drivers were held in hours of traffic on Friday and are expected to face further delays on Saturday as the road remains closed while police carry out forensic work.

The force has urged anyone with information or dashcam footage to contact police.

Leicestershire Police said: ‘The road is likely to remain closed for a number of hours yet while forensic work continues to be carried out.

‘Leicestershire Police would like to hear from anyone who was driving on Gilmorton Lane or on the M1 in the area of junction 20 – in both directions – at around 1.30pm on Friday afternoon.

‘Anyone with dashcam footage or who car either vehicle before the collision is asked to contact us.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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У березні 2026 року щодо лютого 2026­го індекс споживчих цін становив 101,7%, за період січень — березень 2026 року — 103,4%, за період січень 1998 року — березень 2026Кроку — 2615,6%.

Індекси споживчих цін на товари та послуги були такими:

                                                                                                            (відсотки)

By JOHN-PAUL FORD ROJAS, DEPUTY BUSINESS EDITOR

Published: 18:29 EDT, 10 April 2026 | Updated: 19:18 EDT, 10 April 2026

North Sea oil prices have surged to a record high – piling pressure on Labour to abandon Ed Miliband’s ‘mad ideology’ and allow lucrative drilling.

The jump in prices caused by the Iran conflict means the UK is sitting on increasingly valuable resources, but can’t cash in on them unless the Energy Secretary stops his attacks on fossil-fuel firms.

Forties Blend – a benchmark for North Sea oil for immediate delivery – jumped to an all-time high of nearly $147 a barrel on Thursday.

Even before the recent price surge, industry body Offshore Energies UK estimated that North Sea oil and gas was worth up to £385billion to the UK economy.

It comes as European airports warn that they face shortages of jet fuel if the Strait of Hormuz – the key chokepoint for oil and gas supplies through the Middle East – is not open within three weeks.

The Government has banned new drilling and extended ‘windfall’ levies, meaning fossil-fuel firms pay taxes of 78 per cent on profits. Experts believe that rolling back windfall taxes would revive the industry, resulting in jobs, growth and extra annual tax revenues of £25billion.

Mr Miliband is being urged to reverse course and back two projects, Rosebank and Jackdaw, which hold oil and gas resources worth more than £80billion.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said: ‘Drilling our oil and gas in the North Sea isn’t just energy security, it’s financial security and national security. With oil prices hitting record highs… it makes it even more nonsensical that Keir Starmer continues to let Ed Miliband’s green zealotry hold our country back.’

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is being urged to reverse course and back two projects which hold oil and gas resources worth more than £80billion

Oil prices have surged since the conflict in the Middle East choked off supplies, leaving vast quantities stranded in the Persian Gulf.

Brent crude, a global oil benchmark, has climbed from $72 a barrel before the war to nearly $120. Yesterday it was trading at $97.

The crisis has prompted a scramble by refineries – which turn crude oil into petrol, diesel and jet fuel – to find new supplies, paying a premium to obtain it immediately, from regions such as the North Sea. That is why the Forties benchmark is trading at a higher level than Brent crude.

Even the Tony Blair Institute think tank has urged Mr Miliband to begin drilling. Institute energy expert Tone Langengen said: ‘In times of geopolitical stress… locally available production becomes more valuable. It underlines the long-standing importance of maintaining a domestic energy base.’

Some argue that the tax revenues from new North Sea drilling could be used to ease the pressure on households and businesses that are seeing their fuel and energy bills soar.

Tory energy spokesman Claire Coutinho said: ‘It’s only Ed Miliband’s mad ideology that is stopping us drilling in the North Sea.

‘He is turning his back on £25billion of extra tax revenue – money that we would use to cut every family’s bills. Instead of using our own resources, we are losing good jobs in Britain and having to import dirtier and more expensive fuel from abroad.’

Andy Mayer, energy analyst at the Institute of Economic Affairs think tank, said there was ‘no excuse for Miliband and Starmer to still be sitting on their hands when they could be approving access to domestic resources’.

Pictured: The BP ETAP (Eastern Trough Area Project) oil platform in the North Sea

He added: ‘The Rosebank and Jackdaw fields were respectively discovered in 2004 and 2005. Both should already be producing, and could be by year end, if approved today. The public want it, the renewables industry want it, the Chancellor wants it, and even Tony Blair wants it. Pragmatic voices that understand this crisis and difficult choices have no issue with reopening the North Sea.

‘Ranged against them is a militant tendency of virtue-signalling climate purists, so wedded to ‘leaving it in the ground’ that they are prepared to increase global emissions through more imports.’

Offshore Energies UK said Rosebank was expected to produce 69,000 barrels of oil a day at its peak. Jackdaw could supply around 6 per cent of the UK’s future gas demand, enough to heat 1.4million homes.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: ‘We are taking action to bear down on the cost of living, including taking £117 off average energy bills this month and supporting de-escalation in the Middle East.’

Space exploration may be at the forefront of the news cycle following the Artemis II mission, but for one Alberta teen, it’s always been his main focus.

Sixteen-year-old Thomas Toombes has been chosen as the 2026 Western Canada delegate to attend the International Space School in Houston this summer.

He’ll be joined by 50 other students from 25 countries. Together they will be sorted into teams with the task of designing a mission to Mars.

The teens will be responsible for calculating everything needed to simulate what it would take to bring society to the red planet.

“We’re planning to our best ability, in every single way, a Mars habitat,” said Thomas, “How to get humans there and any variable. We’re expected to cover, for example, food, water, trash, down to the electricity.”

Over two weeks, the teams cover specific departments. Some students will be assigned to do math for rocket launches whereas others will look into more civic duties.

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“As part of our mission, I want to make sure we have good medical systems on board,” said Thomas, who recalled the Artemis II team learning zero gravity CPR as part of their preparation.

The Western Canada delegate at the space school will represent Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon and the Northwest Territories.

Applicants must be aged between 15 to 19 to apply. However, a strong application and a deep interest in advancing space exploration and spaceflight is needed.

The Hangar Flight Museum in Calgary is responsible for selecting the delegate, a role that isn’t taken lightly.

“There’s so much hope with the space industry and I think that can get people really charged up and we’d love to see a ton of applications come in next year,” said Lauren Maillet, the interim executive director of the Hanger Flight Museum.

“If you are too young for the program right now, keep your eye on the ball because Thomas knew before he was old enough to apply and spent his (time) preparing. And that’s what made him successful.”

The young Cochrane local has also had an encounter with NASA with its civilian science program, helping categorize Martian clouds into a database for the organization.

Thomas intends to study mechanical engineering at university and hopes a future career in space science is in his stars.

9:40
‘So proud of how well Jeremy and his crew has done’: Chris Hadfield on the Artemis’ return home

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A British pensioner has been killed after a tourist bus taking holidaymakers to the airport plunged 30ft into a ravine on the Canary Island of La Gomera, leaving dozens more injured.

The crash happened at about 1.30pm on the GM-2 near San Sebastian, with emergency services including helicopters scrambling to the scene.

Passengers were left trapped inside the wreckage and had to be freed by firefighters, who also secured the bus to stop it sliding further down the ravine.

The vehicle was carrying 28 British tourists and a driver at the time of the crash. A brake failure may have been to blame for the crash, reports claim.

A spokesperson for the Civil Guard told the Daily Mail that a 77-year-old man died and at least 27 people were injured.

Health officials said four people were critically injured. 

Two men – aged 73 and 42 – were airlifted to hospital, while two others were taken by ambulance to the Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Hospital.

According to tour operator Holiday Property Bond, the group of tourists – understood to be mostly Brits – were being driven to the airport to return home at the time of the accident. 

A British holidaymaker has been killed after a tourist bus plunged into a ravine on the Canary Island of La Gomera, leaving dozens more injured

Many of the passengers were trapped and had to be released by the fire brigade who have also secured the bus to prevent it from rolling further down the ravine

Rescuers work at the scene of a bus crash near in San Sebastian de La Gomera, in Spain’s Canary Islands, Friday, April 10, 2026

The firm said in a statement: ‘The Holiday Property Bond is aware of a serious coach incident on the island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands today involving some of our Bondholders and guests. The coach was transferring holidaymakers to the airport, to return home.

‘Our immediate focus is on the safety and wellbeing of everyone affected. We recognise this is an extremely distressing situation for those involved, as well as for their families and loved ones, and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.’

The bus came off a narrow mountain road near a tunnel and a sharp hairpin bend high above rocky terrain.

Dramatic images show the crumpled vehicle laying on its side after plunging down the slope.

Several ambulances from the Canary Islands Emergency Service, a medical helicopter, a GES helicopter and police resources were operating at the scene.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has said her thoughts are with those affected by the ‘tragic’ bus crash in the Canary Islands and the Foreign Office is ready to support the British tourists involved and their families. 

The Foreign Office confirmed that the man involved in the crash was a British national.  

La Gomera is one of the prettiest Canary Islands but has a network of high and potentially dangerous roads.

Tourists who visit the island say ‘it’s like taking your life in your hands’ when crossing from one part of the island to the other side.

San Sebastian is the most popular holiday hotspot on La Gomera.

According to the first information, the driver of the vehicle lost control at a critical point on the road, which caused the bus to cross the road and end up falling down the embankment.

The magnitude of the accident forced the immediate mobilisation of an unprecedented emergency device in the area. 

The accident happened at about 1.30pm and the emergency services, including helicopters, are at the scene on the picturesque island of La Gomera

Emergency staff gather at the site of the crash

The 112 Canarias activated the helicopters of the Emergency and Rescue Group (GES) and an aerial medical unit to facilitate the evacuation of the most seriously injured to various hospitals.

The orography of the terrain has complicated the rescue work, forcing the Civil Protection, Environment of the Cabildo de La Gomera and Volunteer Firefighters to secure the structure of the vehicle to prevent further displacements.

The Civil Guard has cordoned off the area to allow air resources to land and guarantee the safety of the intervention teams.

Although the investigation by the Civil Traffic Guard is already underway, it is still too early to determine the exact causes that led the bus to leave the road.

The authorities are collecting testimonies from the occupants who are in mild condition and analysing the brake tracks on the asphalt.

By PHILLIP NIETO, US POLITICAL REPORTER

Published: 11:47 EDT, 10 April 2026 | Updated: 14:58 EDT, 10 April 2026

Donald Trump has warned Iran that it should strike a deal within a day or he’ll end the ceasefire and launch a new wave of strikes. 

‘We’re going to find out in about 24 hours. We’re going to know soon,’ Trump told the New York Post after dispatching Vice President JD Vance to Pakistan to lead peace talks.

It’s his latest salvo in a string of ultimatums against the Islamic Republic that has defined the President’s handling of the war.  

‘We have a reset going. We’re loading up the ships with the best ammunition, the best weapons ever made – even better than what we did previously, and we blew them apart,’ he said.

‘And if we don’t have a deal, we will be using them, and we will be using them very effectively.’

The upcoming peace talks are expected to center on Trump’s demands that Iran surrender its stockpile of enriched uranium and fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping.

In a Truth Social post later on Friday, Trump said the Iranians ‘don’t seem to realize they have no cards, other than a short term extortion of the World by using International Waterways. The only reason they are alive today is to negotiate!’

Tehran, meanwhile, is pushing for immediate relief from US sanctions, continued control over the strait, and compensation for wartime damages.

‘We’re going to find out in about 24 hours. We’re going to know soon,’ Trump told the New York Post

The aftermath of an Israeli strike in Lebanon. Iran claims a ceasefire in Lebanon is key to peace talks with the regime and US

JD Vance is heading to Pakistan to meet with the Iranian delegation 

Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad ​Baqer Qalibaf warned that peace talks were not going well, accusing the US of already violating the terms of the ceasefire.

Qalibaf said two key measures previously agreed upon have yet to be carried out, including a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, and the release of frozen assets.

Trump on Thursday pressured Israel to slow down attacks on Lebanon as the strikes threatened to thwart peace talks with Iran.

The President admitted that he’d told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ‘to be sort of a little more low-key’ as Vance and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff lead negotiations in Islamabad.

US and Israeli officials described Trump’s phone call with Netanyahu on Thursday as ‘tense’, according to CNN.

An Israeli source said that Netanyahu believed if he did not immediately call for direct talks with Lebanon then Trump would simply declare a ceasefire on his behalf. 

Shortly after the call, Netanyahu announced he would engage with Lebanese authorities in peace talks.  

US officials are concerned that Israel’s campaign against Lebanon could crumble the fragile three-day-old ceasefire before the peace talks even begin.

US and Israeli officials described Trump’s phone call with Netanyahu on Thursday as ‘tense’

The President’s rising unfavourability appears to have been driven in part by surging gas prices after the strait’s closure, with the national average climbing to $4.10 per gallon

According to the latest Daily Mail/JL Partners poll, American voters were ‘relieved’ that the President decided to take the off-ramp instead of escalating the war.

The survey found that 33 percent of voters view the deal as a good outcome for the United States, compared to 18 percent who see it as a bad one.

Another 28 percent of respondents said they feel neutral about the agreement, while 20 percent remain unsure, underscoring the public’s mixed but measured reaction.

The President’s falling approval appears to have been driven in part by surging gas prices after the strait’s closure, with the national average climbing to $4.20 per gallon.

Prince Harry is being sued for defamation by a charity he co-founded, court records show.

Sentable, which was founded by the British roal in 2006 to help young people with HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana, has lodged a defamation complaint.

Harry had resigned as patron in March 2025 after a falling out with chair of the board Dr Sophie Chadauka.

Former trustee Mark Dyer has also been named in the claim, according to the High court record made public today.

On the first episode of a gripping two-part series documenting Ukraine’s new fibre optic drones, award-winning foreign correspondent Richard Pendlebury joins the elite Charter Brigade to become the first reporter to witness the ‘wonder weapons’ in combat.

Fibre optic kamikaze drones are inflicting heavy casualties on Russian forces along the Kharkiv frontline. What sets them apart from conventional attack drones is devastatingly simple, they cannot be jammed.

With the addition of a gossamer thin fibre optic cable running from the drone to its operator, the devices are completely unaffected by enemy electronic warfare systems.

While the cabling limits their range, the drones are piloted by specialist soldiers who live and operate from dugouts deep underground, launching deadly strikes before vanishing back beneath the earth.

Fibre optic kamikaze drones are inflicting heavy casualties on Russian forces. What sets them apart from conventional drones is devastatingly simple, they cannot be jammed

Award-winning foreign correspondent Richard Pendlebury joins the elite Charter Brigade to become the first reporter to witness the ‘wonder weapons’ in combat

Before meeting these pilots in their underground bunkers, Pendlebury explained what makes the drones so innovative.

He said: ‘The Charter Brigade are at the forefront of the use of a so-called wonder weapon, the fibre optic kamikaze drone, which first appeared on the battlefield in the autumn of 2024.

‘Ordinary first person kamikaze drones have dominated the Ukrainian battlefield for at least two years. They are controlled by radio signals, which can be jammed by an enemy’s electronic warfare equipment.

‘Fibre optic kamikaze drones are instead controlled by a thin cable attached to a pilot’s handset up to 40 kilometres away. The signals which pass through it are immune to electronic jamming.

‘They are like deadly kites, ones which, unlike ordinary drones, can lie on the ground and wait for a passing victim.’

Pendlebury spent days underground with three drone pilots, known only by their military call signs, Puma, the team leader, Kush and Umbrella.

Pendlebury spent days underground with three drone pilots, known only by their military call signs, Puma, the team leader, Kush and Umbrella

One of the drone pilots, Puma, shows Pendlebury how to construct a fibre optic drone, revealing another of the weapon’s key strengths

The drone can be assembled in as little as 30 minutes, with the fibre optic cabling adding only 10 minutes to the normal build time

Their commanding officer told the reporter of a recent Russian push into Ukrainian territory to illustrate the lethal effectiveness of the new weapons.

He said: ‘The last time we had Russian tanks here, it was on the 15th of May last year.

‘Our side and their side were supposed to be negotiating. The next morning, the Russians launched a big assault in our direction. Six armoured vehicles, two cars and one cannon. All of it was destroyed by our drone units.’

One of the drone pilots, Puma, shows Pendlebury how to construct a fibre optic drone, revealing another of the weapon’s key strengths.

It can be assembled in as little as 30 minutes, with the fibre optic cabling adding only 10 minutes to the normal build time.

This allows the unit to keep multiple drones on standby, ready to replace any that are lost or destroyed in combat.

‘We keep a stockpile,’ Puma said via a translator. ‘We just need to attach a shell, then it’s ready for a mission.’

Watch Pendlebury’s full report from deep underground on the Kharkiv frontline by subscribing to the Daily Mail World YouTube channel.

A man has been arrested after a three-month-old baby girl was mauled to death by a ‘bully type’ dog. 

The infant was attacked by the animal at a property on Hardale Drive in Redcar, North Yorkshire, at around 1.30pm yesterday.

A 45-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control, causing injury resulting in death. He was released on conditional bail following questioning. 

Locals said the baby was being ‘looked after by a friend’ and was just visiting the street when she was attacked. 

Two dogs were involved in the incident, although it remains unclear which one was responsible for the death of the little girl. 

A bully type dog was detained by Cleveland Police and later destroyed, while a grey and white animal of a similar or same breed was shot dead by officers at the scene. 

Both dogs were assessed by a specialist officer, and they have been deemed not to be an illegal breed.

Residents have described the dogs as ‘pocket bullys’- a small breed from the same family of dogs as American Bullys and XL Bullys.  

Pictured: Police cars outside a property on Hardale Drive in Redcar, North Yorkshire, where an  infant girl was attacked by the dog at at around 1.30pm yesterday

Pictured: Floral tribute left outside the scene of yesterday’s dog attack 

A 31-year-old woman also sustained injuries to her arm as a result of a dog bite and received hospital treatment.

Chief Superintendent Rachel Stockdale, Head of Local Policing at Cleveland Police, said: ‘Our thoughts continue to be with the child’s family following this tragic and distressing incident.

‘I want to take this opportunity to request that their privacy is respected during this difficult time.

‘There will continue to be a scene in place at the property alongside a visible policing presence as the investigation is ongoing.

‘I encourage anyone who has concerns to please speak to an officer.

‘We are also appealing to anyone with information, mobile or doorbell and dash cam footage to get in touch.’

Meanwhile, floral tributes have been left outside the home this afternoon while forensic officers have also been spotted close to the scene.

As the terrifying attack unfolded, one resident told Teeside Live that police shouted at residents to ‘get in any cars or houses’ while the animals were running loose.

Scarlett Calvert said: ‘I was on the path behind the police tape when one of the dogs escaped. Police said to everyone just just get in anyone’s cars, houses or gardens,’ she said.

‘Two police officers came up to me and I got put in someone’s garden. The next thing I heard was a gunshot. They had already captured one of the dogs and put it in the van but then the other dog got out through a gap in the fence.’

Police forensics were seen at the scene of the dog attack this afternoon 

Pictured: Police cars outside the scene of the attack. Locals said the baby was being ‘looked after by a friend’ and was just visiting the street when she was attacked

One woman, who witnessed the moment the dog was shot, said: ‘Earlier in the day, my friend had told me that a baby girl had been attacked.

‘I had seen a brindle looking bully type dog running around Hardale and it wasn’t until I saw all the ambulances that I thought, something is going on.

‘Two hours later I came home to find the road was cordoned off and witnessed the grey and white dog get shot.’ 

The neighbour added: ‘They had to do what they had to do, the dog was loose.

‘It was awful, it was distressing, but you just want to know what’s going on.’

Another local who lives on the street where the tragedy happened said: ‘One of the dogs tried to attack a neighbour but she jumped in her car.

‘She heard someone screaming, and she tried to help, but the dog went for her, so she had to jump back in the car.

‘It’s awful, absolutely awful. I don’t know exactly what happened, but I would never leave a baby alone with a dog.

‘It was a baby girl. She didn’t live in the house. She was being looked after by a friend.

‘It’s absolutely tragic.’