The UK Foreign Office has issued a statement as the search for Lancashire-born teen Jay Slater continues.
The 19-year-old from Oswaldtwistle went missing after a night out in Tenerife last week and was last heard from around 8am on Monday morning.
Slater had attended the NRG music festival over the weekend and his last known location is said to have been near the Rural de Teno Park in the northwest of the island, according to a location pin sent to his friend Lucy, informing her that he was lost in the middle of the mountains with no clear landmarks.
A spokesperson for the government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has now issued an update, stating that they are “providing consular support to the family of a British man who has been reported missing in Spain and are in contact with the local authorities.”
Jay’s friends contacted the British Embassy in Tenerife yesterday (Credit: Zak Slater (via Facebook)/Instagram).
Speaking to local outlet The Lancashire Telegraph, Lucy said “I have never been so worried in my life”, adding that it is very out of character for him to wander off on his own.
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He told her he had initially tried to catch a bus from the apartment where he had been staying but ultimately had to walk instead. She had spent all day trying to find him and now his mother and brother have flown out to try and help with the search.
The pin location indicating his last known whereabouts disappeared after his phone battery died; Lucy went on to add that “he might have a cut on his leg as he mentioned he hurt his leg on his cactus”.
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Local police also informed her that they intended to send mountain rescue to find the missing Lancashire teen but hadn’t heard any new information from them. Slater is slim with brown hair and blue eyes and was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, trainers and a black bag.
Family and friends are sharing this poster with crucial contact details for anyone with information on the missing Lancashire teen.
Keeping his loved ones up to date in a Facebook group created to help find him, Jay’s sister-in-law Jessica Rogers said there have sadly been “no updates” as yet.
Another person wrote: “Hoping Jay is found soon, every mother’s worst nightmare.”
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Rural de Teno National Park where his location last pinged is popular amongst hikers and fortunately features live 24-hour webcams, which may help in locating him.
Our thoughts go out to all of his friends and family during this difficult time, and we hope he is found safe and sound soon.
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Danny Jones -
18th June 2024 
