13/08/2013 BBC News at One

rate for seven years. There's been a sharp increase in

first time buyers and prices have jumped in recession-hit areas

according to the latest figures. We will be looking at what is behind

Also this lunchtime: Rail commuters in England face another big fare

rise despite a fall in inflation. Questioned at the airport in Peru -

police release footage of the two British women arrested on suspicion

of drug smuggling. I was forced to take these bags in my luggage.

Concern over the number of prescriptions handed out for

children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

And reaching its peak - the perseid meteor shower treats sky watchers to

a glorious display. On BBC London Cole The Met chief is backing an

enquiry into the death of Uzzell Rodney. Arsenal comes under pressure

to sever its links with a Vietnamese House prices are rising at their

fastest rate for seven years across much of the UK. The Royal Institute

of chartered surveyors says prices have jumped in areas outside London

that have been badly hit by the recession, and there has been a rise

in the number of first-time buyers. But it is also suggested prices in

Scotland and Northern Ireland have fallen slightly.

It is a headline estate agents have been dreaming of, buyers are

returning to the market in their biggest number for four years. In

all part of the country, not just London and the south-east, there is

a rise in activity and the fastest growth is in areas that were worst

hit by the downturn. What was encouraging is the West Midlands and

the North East are perhaps two of the regions that saw the biggest

fall during the crisis. It is encouraging to see those areas,

including the North West and others, East Anglia, getting going. More

buyers means rising prices. For the fourth month in a row, house prices

have increased and they are growing at their fastest rate since 2006.

What is behind it? Record low interest rates have helped. They

have meant cheaper mortgages for most. But new government initiatives

to help first-time buyers have pushed up demand. More than 10,000

buyers of new-build properties have applied for financial assistance

from the government's help to buy scheme, since it was launched in

April. It will also apply to the sales of existing homes, and it has

given a boost to the housing market as a whole. We are seeing 320 new

thousands built -- new houses built in Alaska blog years. We want these

houses built so more people can get into their first home. But critics

say it has limited impact and fails to address a wider problem dash that

there is not enough supply of new houses to meet the demand. People

are locked out of home ownership because they cannot get a mortgage.

That is why we need action now, action by the government to invest

in the building of affordable homes. There are fears that cheap loans and

soaring house prices could inflate a new housing bubble. And with

first-time buyers are now paying more than four times their annual

earnings just to get on the housing ladder, to date's housing boost

could be short lived. With me is our chief economics

correspondent. On the face of it, there is good news for the housing

market? It depends on where you are in the housing market. Yes, if you

are trying to sell a property and move, it is good mood -- news. If

you are an estate agent, good news. If you are a house-builder, also. If

you are trying to get on the ladder as a first-time buyer, it is going

to be frustrating. There is still a lot of people who feel house prices

are too high. Then there is the issue of the government policy, the

helped to buy initiative, trying to boost house-building. Yes, they have

had 10,000 registrations under the scheme. But critics say it will

stoke up another boom, which is what we don't want. House-builder saying

it is a shot in the arm the economy. The official house price figures

show the UK house prices rose by 3.1% in the year to June. But

England and Wales were up, Scotland and Northern Ireland down slightly.

The biggest rise was in London. This is the issue, this boom is beginning

to happen in the South East. Rail fares are to rise by an average

of 4.1% for commuters in England, despite a fall in inflation. The

increase will come into effect in January next year on all regulated

fares, including season tickets. Trade unions have organised protests

at stations around the company and called for the rail network to be

returned to public ownership. Our reporter is at Euston station.

rise is a little less than was predicted, and a little less than

last year. But somehow I doubt it is much comfort to a lot of the people

coming through this station. A lot of these people will be paying an

extra �200 or so for their yearly ticket to come to work. This is the

11th consecutive year it is going to happen. There is little wonder that

in a passenger survey, only a third of commuters thought they were

getting value for their ticket. It is the same routine every

morning. Like thousands of other, Jennifer, takes the train to work.

She pays �5,600 for a season ticket between Wellingborough and London.

That means she is working for three months of the year just to pay her

travel costs. If this happens every year, in the next couple of years, I

will have to decide if I can continue doing this in a job I

enjoy, or I change my life. This will be the 11th, above inflation

rise in a row and it covers all the fair is controlled by the

government. These regulated fares account for all half train tickets,

and include most seasoned and off-peak intercity fares. They will

go up by an average of 4.1% next January, but passengers could be

paying more than twice that amount, rail companies are allowed to

increase some fares by a lot more, as long as they cut similar tickers

elsewhere. Commuters are not an easy target. We increased -- plan to

increase tickets by the RPI, but we change that. There is a cost of

living crisis going on. The government is out of touch if they

think people can carry on affording to pay an extra 9.1% when their

wages stagnant or only increasing by much less than inflation on average.

These rises are set by ministers, but the train companies are often

accused of cashing in. How do they answer those accusations?

average season ticket on Chiltern Railways is �3000. I can understand

why it seems a lot of money to spend as one transaction. But each season

ticket holder makes 16,000 miles worth of travel. They'd be made that

travel by car, you could not do it for �3000. Passengers in Scotland

would be better off with season tickets capped at the rate of

inflation. There is no rise planned in Northern Ireland. This is not the

last of it. Ministers want to cut the amount of tax used to run the

Railways, said passengers will keep on paying more.

The big question, people have asked, when will it end? We do not know. We

do know there will be this rise in 2014. We know there will be another

above inflation rise in 2015, then there is a general election. Beyond

that, we have no idea. Police in per room have released

footage showing two women who have been arrested on suspicion of drug

smuggling being stopped by customs officials at the airport. Michaella

McCollum Connolly, and Melissa Reid were trying to board a flight from

Lima to Madrid. They said the bags contained drugs with an estimated

street value of �1.5 million. Appearing fairly calm considering

their plight, this was Michaella McCollum Connolly and Melissa Reid

being questioned on arrest at Lima airport.

What is your name? Michaella McCollum Connolly. What is your

nationality? Irish. But the next Ansa by Melissa Reid makes it clear

she is aware of how serious the situation is. I was forced to take

these bags in my luggage. You know it contained drugs? I did not know

that. These are the bags the police claimed were found in their luggage.

Disguised, it is claimed they contain a street value of �1.5

million of cocaine. They had been working in third macro, and when

Michaella McCollum Connolly had not been in touch for a few days, her

friends tried to trace her. They flew to prove for a visit, . I was

found with a kilo of cocaine in my stomach. There were more than 30

British nationals in prison in Peru who had been convicted of drug

smuggling. The Home Office made a video to warn of the dangers.

arrested with 1.9 kilos of cocaine and I still regret it. It is

different to being imprisoned abroad. If they found guilty, they

will face substantial jail sentences, but these are still early

days their ordeal. At least 44 people have been shot

dead at a mosque in north-east Nigeria. A large number of people

opened fire during prayers on Sunday. It is thought the militant

Islamists group carried out the attack. The group, which is linked

to Al-Qaeda is fighting to impose Islamic law across the country.

The number of prescriptions issued for drugs to treat attention deficit

hyperactivity disorder in children and young people has gone up by more

than 50% in six years. The figure comes from the health care

Inspectorate England. It says the use of medicines should be

monitored. Our health correspondent should -- is here with me now. Do we

know what is behind the rise? don't, these are prescriptions given

in a GP setting. Year on year over the last six years there has been a

steady and significant increase. It raises questions about the level of

modification given to children with ADHD. It is thought up to 9% of

children have it in some degree, but medication is only meant to be used

for the one to 2% who have severe symptoms. So that means whatever

they are doing, they are hyperactive, constantly on the go,

cannot concentrate and find it difficult to focus on anything. Also

they are very impulsive. It is only when symptoms are so severe children

are meant to have the medication. So this does warrant looking at to see

if some are given medicine when they could be given other help for milder

symptoms. The trial of a restaurant worker

accused of strangling a teenager and dumping her body almost 13 years ago

has entered its second day. 19-year-old Rachel Manning died in

2000, her body was found at a golf club later. Her boyfriend was

convicted of her killing, but the conviction was overturned in 2008.

Sian Lloyd is at Luton Crown Court. This case has a 13 year history. An

innocent man has seen his conviction for murder quashed. Rachel Manning,

with her boyfriend, Barry White, on the night she was last seen alive at

a fancy dress party. Rachel left the party in the early hours of the

morning. The court heard she was alone. Two days later, police

searched a section of woodland at an exclusive golf course in Woburn.

Rachel's body was found in this area. She had been strangled and her

face disfigured by 17 separate injuries. The weapon used bash a

steering wheel lock was found nearby. In 2002, Barry White was

convicted of his girlfriend's murder. Five years later in the

court of appeal, that conviction was quashed and he was acquitted at a

later trial. He had been an innocent man. The prosecution say this man

killed Rachel. The court heard DNA from the 41-year-old chef was found

on the steering lock used to hit the teenager. The jury was told a

previous trial this year was inconclusive. He denies murder. When

Rachel was killed 13 years ago, had parents lost a much loved daughter.

They will now sit through a fourth trial which is expected to last six

it to the suspect ten years after Rachel died when he was arrested and

convicted of eight sexual assault on a young woman. He denies murder and

the case here at Luton Crown Court continues. Thank you. Our top story

this lunchtime. House prices have risen at their fastest rate for

seven years. There has been a sharp increase in first time buyers and

prices have jumped in recession hit thieves have wrecked a priceless

out if they can have a positive to win two world championship

titles. Christine Ohuruogu won the 400m final in Moscow in a dramatic

photo-finish last night by four one-thousandths of a second. Her

time of 49.41 seconds also broke the British record which had stood for

nearly 30 years. Afterwards she said the race was like putting her body

through war. This morning it was Mo Farah's on the track to qualify for

the 5,000 metres and his chance to take a second championship gold. Our

sports correspondent Andy Swiss is in Moscow. Andy. Yes, Sophie, Mo

Farah looks in good form here this morning but what an extraordinary

drama we saw inside the stadium last night. Christine Ohuruogu is famed

for her late bursts of speed but what she produced in the 400 metres

final really was something else. She is the world champion after one of

the most nail-biting finishes you could ever wish to see. On top of

the podium, and on top of the world. Even Christine Ohuruogu could

scarcely believe it, rarely has victory been so emotional and so

extraordinary. It'd seemed utterly implausible fold up her rivals

looked out of sight but steadily, stunningly, Christine Ohuruogu

reeled them in. One of the most dramatic finishes in athletics

history. It was impossibly close. Only a photo could separate them but

Christine Ohuruogu's dipper done it by a whisker of a whisker, 4000 of a

second, she was world champion. agonising waited been worth it. I

always thought, if only it could be me, it comes up first, and it did.

It's been a hard three days and I thank you to everybody at home

wishing me well. This morning, Mo Farah was back on the track. The

5000 metre heats. The aim is to qualify with a minimum effort and he

did precisely that. Fifth. In Friday 's final, though, he will go out for

an all-out famous double. It would mean a lot to me and my family and

the people of help me. I want to do the best I can for my country and

hopefully make everyone proud. were other encouraging British

performances this morning. Robbie Grabarz qualified first in the high

jump and Katarina Johnson Thomson once again showed her potential

lifetime bests in the long jump and javelin. She is now fifth with one

event remaining. A world medal at the age of just 20. It could yet be

hers. Yes, she goes in the 800 metres roundabout 5:10pm, but she

looks a real star of the future. Also this afternoon, the semifinals

of the 400 metres hurdles, Dai Greene in the men's event and Perri

Shakes-Drayton in the women's event. You can see it live on BBC. Thank

you. Thieves in Devon have stolen decorative oak panels that date back

to the 15th century from a church in Torbryan. The painted panels showing

saints have been described as being of national importance. A third

panel has been damaged. Sarah Ransome is at the church now.

the church which is in a quiet corner of the English countryside.

Holy Trinity Church, home to what experts believe to be one of the

best preserved medieval screens in England. It used to separate the

public from the priests, but today, it's an unlikely crime scene. Here

you can see where two of the panels have been ripped out from the

screen, a third has been damaged. Let's just show you what they used

to look like when they were in situ. There were 40 panels likeness of a

number of saints, painted on beautifully decorated canvas. It

goes the whole width of the church but to tell us more about this,

Doctor Neal Rushmore. Just how important is the screen? It's a

international importance. The 15th century artistry is of an extremely

high standard and it is unique and priceless and irreplaceable. But no

security here, no CCTV, nothing? How can that be when it's so important?

Our churches are open to the public, visitors, we want people to

come in and enjoy this fantastic works of art. CCTV is only partially

successful. We will carry out a security audit on the back of this,

for sure, but there's only so much we can do as a small organisation.

Thank you very much indeed. There will be a security audit. The police

had taking away the remaining bits and pieces which were left on the

floor. What's not clear is whether these were stolen to order or it was

an opportunity to stick theft. -- opportunistic theft. Sarah, thank

you. The England Captain, Alastair Cook has urged his team to seal a

4-0 Ashes series win following their dramatic victory in Durham last

night. England beat Australia by 74 runs at Chester le Street to clinch

the fourth Test and seal a third consecutive Ashes series victory.

Stuart Broad was the key-man for England, he took six wickets as

Australia, chasing 299 for victory, collapsed from 168-2 to 224 all out.

Joe Wilson is at the ground now. or two of the England players have

been here this afternoon to pick up their cars, and I think it's fair to

say there were some serious celebrating going on last night. For

England to say there were some serious celebrating going on last

night. For England B 3-0 up in an Ashes series it's uncharted

territory. The way the bowlers tore through Australia yesterday evening,

that will live long in the memory. No fifth day play at Durham. A test

match being dismantled. No target to chase all wickets to take about an

afterglow. Monday evening 's cricket still amazes. Did England really

take all the wickets to win the match and the Ashes? They didn't

also won a series in India over the winter. You might consider it an

outstanding error. England would urge restraint. We don't sit in the

dressing room and talk about the side as being a great side. That's

for other people to judge. We talk about how to win against certain

opposition. It works. Australia left last night with the emptiest of

feelings. Ryan Harris was exceptional but the batsmen

collapsed. Their coach can speculate about changes but the captain

accepts there is no one else to blame. Can I drop some other is no

one else to take their spot? You got to keep the face and encourage them

and get the best out of them. -- keep the faith. It would be nice if

the captain scored more runs as well. Fundamentally, England didn't

believe they could beat Australia. As Durham once again demonstrated,

the boot is now on the other foot. It's totally on the other foot. In

the 1990s, England barely won a test match let the series and this is

remarkable. England had to go away, assess their game, rebuild it, and

that is where Australia are now because I can't see this changing

for a while. England have made it clear they want to win the final

test at the Oval to take the series 4-0 as Alistair Cooke put it,

England are breeding and that's the last thing Australia want to hear.

The next test is next week and 4-0 in the Ashes would be history for

England. Joe, thank you very much. There were up to 100 shooting stars

an hour last night as the Perseid meteor shower reached its peak. It

happens every year but last night's was particularly impressive as our

science correspondent Pallab Ghosh reports.

Around this time each year, the sky is lit up by shooting stars. And

with clear skies and a new moon, and the shower at its peak, last night

was the perfect night to watch it. I joined some amateur astronomers to

see for myself. We have seen the first few meteors, an amazing site

blazing across the sky. At its peak, there will be one every minute

providing natures own firework display. It's been great, we've seen

about 20. In the last couple of hours. I've never seen so many.

it what you expected? It's better, some of them are really big. It's

caused by debris from a giant comet which orbits the sun like the Earth.

Its orbit is at an angle which means that every year, between July and

August, the Earth drifts into its trail. And it showered with meteors.

As far as meteor showers go, there have a relatively high number so

likely to see them. They have a lot of fairly bright pieces in them. And

also they are in the Somerset people like to be out and seeing them,

rather than in the winter and the skies tend to be clearer, as well.

These are pictures sent in to the BBC from people enjoying the view

across the country. A very long explosion capturing several meteors

and a self-portrait from James Birchall near Rugby. They could be

seen over brightly lit towns. And this one, from Paul Williams, shows

one streaking across the skies over Manningtree. There are records of

the spectacle dating back thousands of years. And it will be on show

again tonight. Let's see if you will be able to see any more tonight.

few at the skies are clear. As far as tonight is concerned, it's across

more eastern areas of the UK where skies will be clear.

Northumberland, Lincolnshire, the Midlands, East Anglia, the skies

will be clearer, and you have a chance of catching them shooting

stars streaking across the skies. This afternoon, quite bright out

there but we do have some spots of rain around so by no means is it a

dry day. It's not that bad. The sickest cloud of across western

areas. Eastern areas so far have had the best of the areas -- thickest.

Milky, hazy sunshine. This is the UK right now. We start to the north of

the UK, some across Scotland, sunny spells coming and going. Remember I

talked about spots of rain appearing anywhere across the north-east of

the UK. Then we go down towards Yorkshire and the Midlands. It's a

broken sort of area of cloud, so temperatures around about 17-18 in

the shade. Temperatures could get up to 22, but one or two spots of rain

here and there. Not a bad day. Now, through the course of this evening,

what is going to happen, we will start to see very murky, cloudy,

drizzly weather coming in from the south-west, the start of quite warm

and wet period across the UK. Towards the south-west of the

country, this is what we will focus on. Drizzly weather affecting Wales,

Northern Ireland, the Irish Sea, and tomorrow, definite splits across the

UK. Edinburgh, Newcastle, Norwich, warm and sunny. In Belfast, Cardiff

and Plymouth, cloudy and drizzly. As far as the football international

goes, the one in Wembley, Windsor Park and Cardiff, more or less the

same. Cloudy skies with temperatures in the high teens. I talked about

the wet and warm period. Thursday, a lot of rain across the UK but look

at the winter from the south-west. It's a warm direction. Yes, there

will be a lot of cloud and some rain, particularly across the hills,

western parts of the UK, but despite that, the temperatures could