Two by-elections have spelt bad news for the ruling Conservative Party ahead of the next general election.

Mid Bedfordshire has elected its first Labour MP since the 1930s, and Tamworth also swung towards the Labour Party.

Both by-elections were triggered by the resignation of their respective Conservative MPs.

Violent crime statistics are down by 28 percent.

The decline is driven by a fall in criminal damage and fraud offences.

However, shoplifting and knife crimes are on the rise.

A late Italian Prime Minister has seen his art collection mocked by leading art critics.

Silvio Berlusconi, who died in June aged 86, bought around 25,000 paintings and sculptures over the years, ranging from Titian and Rembrandt to more recent ones from late-night telesales.

But top art critic Vittorio Sgarbi, says perhaps six or seven of them are of any artistic value.

UK correspondent Gavin Grey joined Jason Pine.

LISTEN ABOVE

Two by-elections have spelt bad news for the ruling Conservative Party ahead of the next general election.
Mid Bedfordshire has elected its first Labour MP since the 1930s, and Tamworth also swung towards the Labour Party.
Both by-elections were triggered by the resignation of their respective Conservative MPs.
Violent crime statistics are down by 28 percent.
The decline is driven by a fall in criminal damage and fraud offences.
However, shoplifting and knife crimes are on the rise.
A late Italian Prime Minister has seen his art collection mocked by leading art critics.
Silvio Berlusconi, who died in June aged 86, bought around 25,000 paintings and sculptures over the years, ranging from Titian and Rembrandt to more recent ones from late-night telesales.
But top art critic Vittorio Sgarbi, says perhaps six or seven of them are of any artistic value.
UK correspondent Gavin Grey joined Jason Pine.
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.