Police give up on thieves as offences 'decriminalised'

Police and prosecutors have been accused of undermining justice as it emerged some forces are not charging any thieves. New data shows that the chances of a theft resulting in a charge have halved to 5.4 per cent and to 1.3 per cent for personal theft. In the most dramatic example, four force areas brought no charges for personal theft in the three months to September 2019 - despite 300 crimes being recorded. As Charles Hymas reports, the Criminal Bar Association warned that effectively theft was being "decriminalised" as police were failing to pursue prosecutions.

Scientists help mummy to talk like an Egyptian

When Egyptian priest Nesyamun died more than 3,000 years ago, his last wish was that he be allowed to speak in the afterlife so he could address his gods and be granted entry into eternity. Now, with the help of science, the holy man has indeed found his voice after death. British academics scanned the mummy of Nesyamum, 3D-printed his vocal tract then played soundwaves through it to create an impression of how the priest might have sounded. Listen for yourself here.

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Gallery: The big picture

Inspiring | A drone sent above Salisbury to picture the city shrouded in dense fog captured the 404ft cathedral spire poking through the clouds as the sun rose. View our picture editor's choice of more striking images.