Christmas Day online shoppers are predicted to set a new spending record splashing out an estimated £636m today.
Shoppers are expected to make 142 million visits to retail sites today - a 25% increase on last year.
Research by Experian and online retailing trade association IMRG found Britons will spend around £441,000 a minute.
"The ease of shopping online via connected devices raises the prospect of a very large amount of shopping activity on Christmas Day itself," said Experian general manager of consumer insight Giles Longhurst.
Dominic Trigg, managing director for Europe of digital advertising technology company Rocket Fuel, said: "Shopping online on Christmas Day is now a normal part of UK consumers' holiday experiences every year.
Video:The Year In Retail
"It is clear that UK consumers now see shopping from the comfort of their own home, following Christmas Day dinner, as much of a tradition as a turkey and ham dinner."
Shoppers have already been enjoying heavy discounting as some stores began their traditional Boxing Day sales up to two days early.
Britain's retail sector has already been celebrating a record-breaking year as official figures are projecting an all-time high for sales in 2014.
Video:Annual Retail Sales To Reach £342bn
The forecast from the Office of National Statistics shows that sales for the year are expected to reach £342bn - a £48bn increase since 2010.
Pre-Christmas sales are up by 5.2% compared with last year.
More needs to be done to highlight the dangers of loom bands after a number of children got the popular children's accessory lodged in their noses.
Four children were treated at a Scottish hospital in just one week after the rubber bands became stuck, according to an article in the Journal of Laryngology & Otology.
But in a paper entitled Loom bands and young children - a tragedy waiting to happen? staff from the ENT Department at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie, said there had been a surge in the popularity of the bands recently, and urged people to be aware of the potential risks.
The report's authors said: "Although the four cases presented were resolved without the need for general anaesthetic, the ever-soaring prevalence and popularity of loom bands necessitates a degree of caution and vigilance from parents, retailers and manufacturers alike.
"We believe there is an urgent need for greater public awareness of their potential hazards."
There is a risk of inhalation when objects become stuck in nasal passages, obstructing the airway, they added.
Loom bands are small loops of elastic in different colours that can be linked together to create jewellery such as necklaces and bracelets.
The Duchess of Cambridge and pop star Harry Styles have been seen wearing them - leading to an increase in popularity.
Earlier this year The Entertainer removed loom band charms from its shelves after they were found to contain the chemical phthalates, which can disrupt hormones in children.
The chemicals, which are used to soften plastics, have been banned in toys on sale in the European Union for several years.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has been forced to cancel his annual Christmas Day sermon after coming down with a heavy cold.
Lambeth Palace said the Most Rev Justin Welby has been suffering from a "severe cold" for several days and decided this morning that he was too unwell to speak at the annual Canterbury Cathedral service.
A Lambeth Palace spokesman said the Archbishop "is suffering from a severe cold and will, with great regret, no longer be preaching the sermon at Canterbury Cathedral this morning.
"The Dean of Canterbury, the Very Rev Robert Willis, will deliver a homily."
The Archbishop had been due to talk about how the true spirit of Christmas cannot be captured in fairytale endings, using the example of the First World War Christmas truce in 1914.
The Archbishop had been due to say: "The truce illustrates something of the heart of Christmas, whereby God sends his Son, that vulnerable sign of peace, to a weary war-torn world.
"The problem is that the way it is told now it seems to end with a 'happy ever after'.
"Of course we like Christmas stories with happy endings: singing carols, swapping photos, shaking hands, sharing chocolate, but the following day the war continued with the same severity.
"Nothing had changed; it was a one-day wonder.
"That is not the world in which we live, truces are rare."
Written By Unknown on Rabu, 24 Desember 2014 | 18.55
Comedy writer Jeremy Lloyd, who created sitcoms including Are You Being Served? and 'Allo 'Allo!, has died aged 84.
His agent said he died in a London hospital on Monday evening from pneumonia.
Alexandra Cann said: "Jeremy was a great wit and always a mass of original ideas. He had a wonderfully original mind and will be greatly missed."
Lloyd, who was married three times including to Joanna Lumley, created a string of hit shows with his writing partner David Croft.
He was given an OBE for services to comedy in 2012.
Lloyd enjoyed a screen career of his own before devoting himself to providing the funny lines for others.
He made his film debut in School For Scoundrels and had minor roles in the Beatles films Help! and A Hard Day's Night, as well as classics such as Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines.
Lloyd and Croft had worked together on the Billy Cotton Band Show, contributing sketches, and were brought together again for a short-lived sitcom It's Awfully Bad For Your Eyes Darling, which starred Lumley.
'Allo 'Allo stars Francesca Gonshaw, Gordon Kaye and Vicki Michelle (L-R)
The two writers went on to work up an idea based on Lloyd's past experiences working at Simpsons of Piccadilly, which became Are You Being Served?, set in the fictional Grace Brothers store. Its run spanned 13 years.
'Allo 'Allo!, which starred Francesca Gonshaw, Gordon Kaye and Vicki Michelle, ran for over a decade from 1982.
It was set in a small cafe in Nazi-occupied France during World War Two.
Lloyd and Lumley were married for less than a year. Writing about the marriage, the actress said: "He was witty, tall and charming - we should have just had a raging affair."
His third marriage, to interior designer Lizzy Moberly, took place in central London this June.
He said his third bride, who was 49 when they tied the knot, was "beautiful, clever and sent from heaven on mission impossible".
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Video:2014: A Year In Video
The past 12 months have seen some major news events. Sky News looks back at some of the stories that have been most popular with our digital audience over the period.
JANUARY
:: Weather
As January began, the subject on the minds of the vast majority of the UK was the weather, as heavy rain that had begun at the start of winter caused flooding in several parts of the country.
Hundreds of flood warnings were put in place as the ground surrounding rivers and low-lying areas became submerged and coastal regions were threatened by tidal surges caused by storms sweeping over Britain.
1/30
Gallery: How Well Have You Been Following The News In 2014?
Q1: The hotly anticipated iPhone 6 was released in September 2014. What was the unexpected 'glitch' found on the model?
A: The phone bent when worn in tight trousers
]]>
Q2: What did the Hong Kong protests held by pro-democracy activists also become known as?
]]>
]]>
Q3: Where did Benedict Cumberbatch announce his forthcoming marriage to Sophie Hunter?
]]>
:: Michael Schumacher
One of the most popular stories of early January was the condition of Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher who was left in a coma after hitting a rock while skiing in Meribel.
The former driver was critical for some time, but gradually made progress and later in the year was able to leave hospital and go home.
:: Mikaeel Kular
A huge search in Edinburgh for missing three-year-old Mikaeel Kular turned into a police investigation when his body was found. His mother was later charged with and then convicted of his killing.
FEBRUARY
:: Floods
In February, the weather continued to dominate the headlines as climate change was blamed for what was becoming one of the wettest winters on record.
Hundreds of homes went underwater around the Thames as the river burst its banks and the Environment Agency and the government blamed each other for a lack of flood protection.
:: Philip Seymour Hoffman
Hollywood was shocked by the death of Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, who was found dead at the age of 46 in his Manhattan apartment from a heroin overdose.
:: Neknomination
People in Britain and Ireland were warned about the dangers of a new online drinking game called Neknomination after a number of deaths.
MARCH
:: MH370
March saw the start of a very bad period for Malaysia Airlines when one of its planes, flight MH370, disappeared from radar screens and was thought to have come down in the Indian Ocean.
Furious relatives hit out as an international effort combed the seas for clues about where the jet could have gone, but its eventual resting place remains a mystery and the world is still wondering how a jet with 239 passengers on board could have vanished.
:: Ukraine
Another of the biggest stories of the year stepped up a gear when Russia sent troops into Crimea, leading the way to the peninsula's annexation after a controversial referendum.
The events caused a diplomatic stand-off that led to claims that Russia was ready to invade Ukraine when it pushed troops up to the country's eastern border where fighting later broke out between soldiers and pro-Russian separatists.
:: Pistorius trial
The trial of the century got under way in Pretoria, South Africa, when Paralympics star Oscar Pistorius was tried for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, whom he had shot dead the year before.
APRIL
:: Russian jets
As tensions in Ukraine increased, the RAF was forced to chase away a pair of Russian jets which were spotted off the coast of Scotland.
:: Peaches Geldof
The shock death of Peaches Geldof left her family and friends devastated but also confused as it was initially unexplained. It was only later revealed that heroin was likely to have contributed to her death.
:: Ann Maguire
Much-loved teacher Ann Maguire was stabbed to death in the classroom while giving a lesson at a school in Leeds. One of her pupils, Will Cornick, who was 15 at the time, was later convicted of her murder and jailed for life.
MAY
:: Cat saves boy
Another of the most-viewed videos of the year was the hero cat which ploughed into a vicious dog that was attacking a four-year-old boy outside his home, saving the youngster from serious injury.
:: Beyonce's sister
CCTV footage emerged that appeared to show Beyonce Knowles' sister Solange physically attacking Beyonce's husband Jay-Z in a lift. All three later released a statement saying they had "moved forward" and that the pair had apologised to each other.
:: UKIP election result
UKIP's rise was underlined when Nigel Farage told the main three parties he would "see them in Westminster" following a surge in the party's support that resulted in it making significant gains in local elections.
JUNE
:: Rik Mayall
The entertainment world paid tribute to comic "genius" Rick Mayall, one of the founders of the alternative comedy movement, after he died at his home aged 56.
JULY
:: MH17
Despite claims it was not active in the conflict engulfing eastern Ukraine, Russia had questions to answer when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot out of the sky above the war torn region, killing 298 people.
As evidence mounted that Russia was transferring troops and equipment across the border into the areas around Luhansk and Donetsk, calls mounted for tougher sanctions to be levied on the Moscow regime of President Vladimir Putin.
:: Rolf Harris jailed
A two month trial came to an end when entertainer and TV personality Rolf Harris, 84, was jailed for five years, nine months, for sexually abusing four girls and young women.
:: World Cup
The most awaited sports event of the calendar may have started with riots and endured a biting controversy in the middle, but it ended with a party that only a Brazilian World Cup could have hosted after Germany beat Argentina in the final.
AUGUST
:: Robin Williams
President Barack Obama led the tributes for comedian and film star Robin Williams, who committed suicide at his home in California.
:: Cliff Richard
Live TV coverage of a police raid on the empty home of pop star Sir Cliff Richard - who was in Portugal at the time - sparked controversy, forcing a later apology from the South Yorkshire force as others leapt to his defence.
:: James Foley
The civil war in Syria, which had been ongoing for more than three years, regained its place at the head of the news bulletins when Islamic State militants beheaded the first of five Western hostages it had been holding captive.
US journalist James Foley was murdered by a militant who became known as Jihadi John because of his apparent English accent. The murders of American journalist Steven Sotloff, and British aid worker David Haines came in the months following.
SEPTEMBER
:: Oscar Pistorius
Oscar Pistorius was released on bail after being convicted of manslaughter for shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, prompting her parents to say that the verdict was "not justice" for their daughter. The athlete was later jailed for five years at the end of the seven month trial.
:: Joan Rivers
One of the American comedy circuit's most outrageous yet successful performers died a week after undergoing a medical procedure aged 81.
:: Scottish Referendum
The future of Great Britain looked as if it was on a knife edge as Scotland went to the polls to decide whether it should stay part of the UK or go independent. In the end, by some margin, it voted to stay.
OCTOBER
:: Ebola
Another story that had been getting a lot of coverage for many months, the massive outbreak of Ebola became the heightened focus of attention as the US discovered its first case and the United Nations said it was at risk of being overwhelmed.
:: Alan Henning
Taxi driver turned aid worker Alan Henning became the fourth hostage to die at the hands of IS militants, prompting a wave of outrage. Later the extremist group murdered US aid worker Peter Kassig.
NOVEMBER
:: Rosetta probe
A spacecraft launched in 2004 caught up with a comet travelling at more than 34,000mph after travelling more than four billion miles. It then successfully sent down another craft to land on the surface of the celestial body and sent back data about what it found.
:: Phil Hughes
Australia's cricket captain was left in tears after the death of his teammate Phillip Hughes, who died after being hit on the head by a ball during a match.
DECEMBER
:: Sydney siege
Seventeen people were taken hostage in a cafe in Sydney by an armed man who ordered an Islamic flag to be displayed at the window. The gunman Man Haron Monis was later killed along with two hostages as police went in to carry out a rescue after shooting was heard.
:: Pakistan school attack
Militants killed 141 people, including at least 132 children, in an attack on a school in Peshawar, Pakistan.
:: Gorge deaths
A police hunt for a mother who went missing from a hospital with her newborn baby ended in tragedy when the woman and her four-day-old were found in the Avon Gorge, below Clifton, Bristol.
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Breaking News: Clashes As Black Teen Shot Dead By Police
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High Street Sales To Reach £342bn In 2014
Glasgow: Woman Saw Daughter And Parents Killed
Former US President George Bush Snr In Hospital
The Headlines In 2014: Review Of The Year
We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.
Video:2014: A Year In Video
The past 12 months have seen some major news events. Sky News looks back at some of the stories that have been most popular with our digital audience over the period.
JANUARY
:: Weather
As January began, the subject on the minds of the vast majority of the UK was the weather, as heavy rain that had begun at the start of winter caused flooding in several parts of the country.
Hundreds of flood warnings were put in place as the ground surrounding rivers and low-lying areas became submerged and coastal regions were threatened by tidal surges caused by storms sweeping over Britain.
1/30
Gallery: How Well Have You Been Following The News In 2014?
Q1: The hotly anticipated iPhone 6 was released in September 2014. What was the unexpected 'glitch' found on the model?
A: The phone bent when worn in tight trousers
]]>
Q2: What did the Hong Kong protests held by pro-democracy activists also become known as?
]]>
]]>
Q3: Where did Benedict Cumberbatch announce his forthcoming marriage to Sophie Hunter?
]]>
:: Michael Schumacher
One of the most popular stories of early January was the condition of Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher who was left in a coma after hitting a rock while skiing in Meribel.
The former driver was critical for some time, but gradually made progress and later in the year was able to leave hospital and go home.
:: Mikaeel Kular
A huge search in Edinburgh for missing three-year-old Mikaeel Kular turned into a police investigation when his body was found. His mother was later charged with and then convicted of his killing.
FEBRUARY
:: Floods
In February, the weather continued to dominate the headlines as climate change was blamed for what was becoming one of the wettest winters on record.
Hundreds of homes went underwater around the Thames as the river burst its banks and the Environment Agency and the government blamed each other for a lack of flood protection.
:: Philip Seymour Hoffman
Hollywood was shocked by the death of Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, who was found dead at the age of 46 in his Manhattan apartment from a heroin overdose.
:: Neknomination
People in Britain and Ireland were warned about the dangers of a new online drinking game called Neknomination after a number of deaths.
MARCH
:: MH370
March saw the start of a very bad period for Malaysia Airlines when one of its planes, flight MH370, disappeared from radar screens and was thought to have come down in the Indian Ocean.
Furious relatives hit out as an international effort combed the seas for clues about where the jet could have gone, but its eventual resting place remains a mystery and the world is still wondering how a jet with 239 passengers on board could have vanished.
:: Ukraine
Another of the biggest stories of the year stepped up a gear when Russia sent troops into Crimea, leading the way to the peninsula's annexation after a controversial referendum.
The events caused a diplomatic stand-off that led to claims that Russia was ready to invade Ukraine when it pushed troops up to the country's eastern border where fighting later broke out between soldiers and pro-Russian separatists.
:: Pistorius trial
The trial of the century got under way in Pretoria, South Africa, when Paralympics star Oscar Pistorius was tried for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, whom he had shot dead the year before.
APRIL
:: Russian jets
As tensions in Ukraine increased, the RAF was forced to chase away a pair of Russian jets which were spotted off the coast of Scotland.
:: Peaches Geldof
The shock death of Peaches Geldof left her family and friends devastated but also confused as it was initially unexplained. It was only later revealed that heroin was likely to have contributed to her death.
:: Ann Maguire
Much-loved teacher Ann Maguire was stabbed to death in the classroom while giving a lesson at a school in Leeds. One of her pupils, Will Cornick, who was 15 at the time, was later convicted of her murder and jailed for life.
MAY
:: Cat saves boy
Another of the most-viewed videos of the year was the hero cat which ploughed into a vicious dog that was attacking a four-year-old boy outside his home, saving the youngster from serious injury.
:: Beyonce's sister
CCTV footage emerged that appeared to show Beyonce Knowles' sister Solange physically attacking Beyonce's husband Jay-Z in a lift. All three later released a statement saying they had "moved forward" and that the pair had apologised to each other.
:: UKIP election result
UKIP's rise was underlined when Nigel Farage told the main three parties he would "see them in Westminster" following a surge in the party's support that resulted in it making significant gains in local elections.
JUNE
:: Rik Mayall
The entertainment world paid tribute to comic "genius" Rick Mayall, one of the founders of the alternative comedy movement, after he died at his home aged 56.
JULY
:: MH17
Despite claims it was not active in the conflict engulfing eastern Ukraine, Russia had questions to answer when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot out of the sky above the war torn region, killing 298 people.
As evidence mounted that Russia was transferring troops and equipment across the border into the areas around Luhansk and Donetsk, calls mounted for tougher sanctions to be levied on the Moscow regime of President Vladimir Putin.
:: Rolf Harris jailed
A two month trial came to an end when entertainer and TV personality Rolf Harris, 84, was jailed for five years, nine months, for sexually abusing four girls and young women.
:: World Cup
The most awaited sports event of the calendar may have started with riots and endured a biting controversy in the middle, but it ended with a party that only a Brazilian World Cup could have hosted after Germany beat Argentina in the final.
AUGUST
:: Robin Williams
President Barack Obama led the tributes for comedian and film star Robin Williams, who committed suicide at his home in California.
:: Cliff Richard
Live TV coverage of a police raid on the empty home of pop star Sir Cliff Richard - who was in Portugal at the time - sparked controversy, forcing a later apology from the South Yorkshire force as others leapt to his defence.
:: James Foley
The civil war in Syria, which had been ongoing for more than three years, regained its place at the head of the news bulletins when Islamic State militants beheaded the first of five Western hostages it had been holding captive.
US journalist James Foley was murdered by a militant who became known as Jihadi John because of his apparent English accent. The murders of American journalist Steven Sotloff, and British aid worker David Haines came in the months following.
SEPTEMBER
:: Oscar Pistorius
Oscar Pistorius was released on bail after being convicted of manslaughter for shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, prompting her parents to say that the verdict was "not justice" for their daughter. The athlete was later jailed for five years at the end of the seven month trial.
:: Joan Rivers
One of the American comedy circuit's most outrageous yet successful performers died a week after undergoing a medical procedure aged 81.
:: Scottish Referendum
The future of Great Britain looked as if it was on a knife edge as Scotland went to the polls to decide whether it should stay part of the UK or go independent. In the end, by some margin, it voted to stay.
OCTOBER
:: Ebola
Another story that had been getting a lot of coverage for many months, the massive outbreak of Ebola became the heightened focus of attention as the US discovered its first case and the United Nations said it was at risk of being overwhelmed.
:: Alan Henning
Taxi driver turned aid worker Alan Henning became the fourth hostage to die at the hands of IS militants, prompting a wave of outrage. Later the extremist group murdered US aid worker Peter Kassig.
NOVEMBER
:: Rosetta probe
A spacecraft launched in 2004 caught up with a comet travelling at more than 34,000mph after travelling more than four billion miles. It then successfully sent down another craft to land on the surface of the celestial body and sent back data about what it found.
:: Phil Hughes
Australia's cricket captain was left in tears after the death of his teammate Phillip Hughes, who died after being hit on the head by a ball during a match.
DECEMBER
:: Sydney siege
Seventeen people were taken hostage in a cafe in Sydney by an armed man who ordered an Islamic flag to be displayed at the window. The gunman Man Haron Monis was later killed along with two hostages as police went in to carry out a rescue after shooting was heard.
:: Pakistan school attack
Militants killed 141 people, including at least 132 children, in an attack on a school in Peshawar, Pakistan.
:: Gorge deaths
A police hunt for a mother who went missing from a hospital with her newborn baby ended in tragedy when the woman and her four-day-old were found in the Avon Gorge, below Clifton, Bristol.
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Top Stories
Breaking News: Clashes As Black Teen Shot Dead By Police
Breaking News: Coalition Pilot Shot Down And Captured By IS
A bankrupt property tycoon whose body was found impaled on railings did not die in suspicious circumstances, a coroner has said.
Scot Young was discovered in what was described as a "grisly" and "brutal" scene following his death in Marylebone, central London, on December 8.
The 52-year-old had been jailed during a public divorce row over a multimillion-pound settlement because he would not reveal financial records.
After his fatal fall, friends of Mr Young came forward with concerns about a potential "ring of death" in his inner circle - saying four of his reported close friends had died in a similar way.
They pointed out Johnny Elichaoff, Boris Berezovsky, Robert Curtis and Paul Castle all appear to have killed themselves after suffering financial setbacks over the past four years.
But opening the inquest into Mr Young's death, Westminster assistant coroner Angela Hodes said there were no suspicious circumstances.
She said his body was identified by brother-in-law Guy van Ristell, with details supplied to the police by his daughter Sasha.
No members of Mr Young's family or friends were present at the hearing, which was adjourned until January 12.
Speaking after his death, his 30-year-old American model girlfriend, Noelle Reno one of the stars of the Ladies Of London reality TV show, said she was "distraught by the sudden loss of my best friend" and wanted to "grieve in peace".
Mr Young had been locked in a long-running legal battle with his ex-wife Michelle, 50, with whom he had two daughters.
Northern Ireland's political parties have reached agreement on a range of issues that had threatened the devolved government's future.
The "Stormont House Agreement", which has been forged after weeks of talks, has resolved wrangles over the budget and welfare reforms and established new structures to deal with the legacy of unsolved killings during the Troubles.
An Independent Commission on Information Retrieval will help the bereaved and injured obtain information about events during the conflict.
The First and Deputy First Ministers will also bring forward proposals to deal with parades after the General Election, while a commission will be set up to address the issue of flags.
The agreement paves the way for corporation tax powers to be devolved to Belfast as well, after Chancellor George Osborne said he would do so, provided there was progress at the talks.
Prime Minister David Cameron has also agreed to lend the devolved government £2bn to address a shortfall, after Stormont agreed to cushion welfare reform from its own budget.
Mr Cameron said: "I am delighted that a workable agreement has been reached that can allow Northern Ireland to enjoy a brighter, more prosperous future, while at the same time finally being able to deal with its past.
"This historic agreement has been long in the making and I would also like to pay tribute to all those involved - the Northern Ireland parties, the UK and Irish governments and Senator Hart - for getting us to this position.
"We will now all work collaboratively to see this through. The people of Northern Ireland deserve nothing less."
First Minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson said the deal acknowledged that further work was needed.
"Of course every one of us would have liked to have had a more comprehensive and complete agreement but this is as much and more than we have ever been able to do on these issues in the past," he said.
"So it is a very significant agreement."
Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the "remarkable agreement" had the potential to give the Executive a "fresh start".
"And it is a fresh start we need to seize with both hands," he said, flanked by party leader Gerry Adams.
Irish foreign affairs minister Charlie Flanagan, who was involved in negotiations, said: "Today we are building on the hard-won peace on this island with a new agreement which aims to further reconciliation and foster economic growth."
A burglary suspect has died after being shot by a Taser in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Staffordshire Police had been called to a property after receiving reports of a burglary shortly after 1am on Monday morning.
The occupants had left their house, leaving the man inside.
Officers discharged a Taser during the incident, but the suspected burglar became unresponsive after being taken to a police vehicle.
Paramedics from the West Midlands Ambulance Service tried to treat the man, but he died a short time later.
The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
A spokesman for the Staffordshire force said: "A detailed investigation is under way and the scene will remain cordoned off while the investigation continues.
"Local officers will be in the community throughout the day talking to residents."
