Police have releasing an image of a man officers would like to speak to in connection with a theft investigation in Milton Keynes.

The image release relates to an appeal into a theft in the Furzton area of the city in which a washing machine was stolen outside a house in the area on 21 May.

On the day in question, a man left a new washing machine outside his home in Blackmoor Gate due to him not having time to take it into his property.

A man rang the doorbell at around 8.30am, asking the victim whether it was for scrap. The victim told the man it was not scrap or for sale, and the person left.

At just after 9.45am on the same day, the victim was again alerted on his phone of another person ringing the doorbell, asking if they could have the washing machine. The victim again said it was not for sale.

The machine was then stolen. The men left in separate vehicles, one of which is believed to be a white Ford Transit.

Thames Valley Police have released an image of a person they are seeking to speak with as part of their appeals.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Sarah Lucas of the Milton Keynes Assessment and Investigation Unit said, “I am releasing this image of a man who I believe may have important information that may assist this investigation.

“If this is you, or you know who this is, I would urge you to contact Thames Valley Police, either by making a report online or by calling 101, quoting reference 43250249726.

“Similarly, if you have any information that could assist my investigation, please get in touch with us.”

MK Dons have signed striker Rushian Hepburn-Murphy from Crawley Town for an undisclosed fee.

The forward, who turns 27 in August, has signed a contract of undisclosed length at Stadium MK and is the Dons’ second new signing ahead of the 2025-26 season, following the signing of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.

MK Dons confirmed that the deal to sign Hepburn-Murphy was agreed before the first of the summer 2025 transfer window’s two deadline days, which closed yesterday (10/06) as a window primarily set up for teams preparing to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup later this month.

Hepburn-Murphy joins after scoring 11 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions for a Crawley side that were ultimately unsuccessful in their attempts to stay in League One last season.

The striker began his career in the academy of Aston Villa, before having loan spells with Cambridge, Tranmere and Derby, then having a two year spell in Cyprus with Pafos before spells with Swindon and Crawley.

Hepburn-Murphy is a figure who has scored against the Dons in the past, having scored all 3 goals for Tranmere at Stadium MK in a 3-1 win in November 2019, which turned out to be MK Dons’ final game under the management of Paul Tisdale.

Hepburn-Murphy referenced this hat-trick in his arrival interview with MK Dons and told the club’s website he was looking forward to working with the Dons’ boss Paul Warne.

He said, “I can’t wait to get going! It’s a great project to be involved in and I’m looking forward to the upcoming season.

“The gaffer is brilliant; the first few conversations we had made me want to play for him. For me, this club should never be in League Two, who wouldn’t want to play here and get back up the leagues as quick as possible.

“I like to try and entertain, getting at defenders’ one-on-one and scoring goals. Fun fact! I scored a hat-trick at Stadium MK so hopefully I can do that again!”

Warne added that he felt Hepburn-Murphy represented a high quality acquisition for the club.

He said, “Rushian is a player I have watched over many seasons, and I like the qualities he can add to this team. I like to have pace, I like to have a goal threat at the top of the pitch and he’s a versatile forward, who can play in one of the three positions across the front line.

“He’s familiar with a few of the lads in the dressing room which will help with his integration. He’s somebody who wants to kick on with his career, he will be an exciting addition for now and in the future. We look forward to greeting him alongside the rest of the squad in pre-season.”

Silverstone will be opening a new go-kart track adjacent to their main race circuit later this year.

Backed by investment from the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC), Kart Silverstone will feature as part of the new Silverstone complex.

The 1,377-metre track boasts six different configurations, allowing for everything from elite-level race meetings to casual sessions for families and children from the age of six.

The track will include building on the Bridge and Priory corners that used to form part of the full Grand Prix circuit between 1991 and 2009.

Kart Silverstone will play host to full karting events as well as more casual affairs like corporate events, team-building days, and group activities.

The infrastructure is part of recent developments at Silverstone, which includes the building of hotels and the Escapade resort.

An official opening date has not yet been confirmed, with Silverstone confirming the plan to open the track in the autumn.

Designed with input from BRDC figures including President and former F1 race winner David Coulthard and former F1 driver Anthony Davidson, the track will be fully licensed to host FIA international kart events and is expected to welcome over 160,000 visitors a year. 

The centre will also feature a rooftop deck with views across the circuit as well as a pizza place, bar and food & drink options.

Stuart Pringle, CEO of Silverstone said, “This commitment by our owners, the British Racing Drivers’ Club, marks a significant milestone in Silverstone’s transformation into a world-class, year-round motorsport and leisure destination. Kart Silverstone supports the BRDC’s mission to nurture new talent while also enhancing our visitor experience and expanding our product range.” 

Davidson added, “Karting is where every racing journey begins. To see Silverstone and the BRDC invest in something of this quality is truly exciting. I’ve no doubt it will inspire the next generation and maybe even lead some drivers to the very F1 circuit that surrounds it.” 

Current F1 star George Russell also praised the look of the site, with the Mercedes driver revealing he had been given the chance to tour the complex.

He said, “I visited Silverstone recently and had the chance to tour the future karting circuit. It’s incredibly impressive – I am confident it will become one of the premier karting facilities in the world, and a venue that all of British motorsport can be truly proud of. I am excited to get out on the track once it is open and support the next generation of young racers just starting out and chasing their motorsport dreams, just as the BRDC has done for me.”  

The Patch MK has unveiled a new art attraction by an internationally-renowned sculptor featuring nine sculptures depicting endangered species.

Set against the backdrop of 500,000 sunflowers and over 50 million wildflowers, The Last Footprint by sculptor Erik Schmitz features nine large-scale sculptures crafted entirely from sustainable and reclaimed materials.

Each piece of the exhibition represents a species which is considered to be vulnerable to extinction in the wild. In total there are nine giant sculptures including the iconic Giant Panda, Asian Elephant, Lowland Gorilla and Black Rhinoceros.

There is also a focus on lesser-known endangered species including the Californian Condor, European Eel, Amur Leopard, Green Sea Turtle and Giant Pangolin. The sculptures form a moving tribute to the fragile beauty of the natural world and the impact each life leaves behind.

Material made for the exhibition includes timber from the Gurney family farm in Milton Keynes and off cuts donated by Linnell Bros Timber Merchants in Towcester.

In a statement, the Patch MK said, “The Last Footprint brings a new dimension to The Patch MK, a farm attraction created by Joe and Rosalyn Gurney, fourth-generation farmers who have transformed part of their land just outside Milton Keynes into a vibrant, family-focused destination.

“Each year, the couple strive to bring a unique attraction to their flower fields and this year decided to combine their passions for art and wildlife by designing the unique sculpture exhibition.”

Rosalyn Gurney said the inspiration was to create meaningful art against the backdrop of the sunflowers that have been The Patch MK’s hallmark.

Rosalyn said, “We’ve always wanted The Patch to be about more than just a fun day out. It’s about creating meaningful memories, and this installation is exactly that. It’s beautiful, yes, but it’s also thought-provoking and deeply moving. We are looking forward to seeing these imposing sculptures against the backdrop of our gorgeous sunflowers as they go through their lifecycle from bud to bloom.”

Since opening just a few years ago, The Patch MK has grown into one of the region’s most loved seasonal experiences, home to millions of flowers each summer and thousands of pumpkins in the autumn. Visitors can explore flower fields, get lost in sensory-rich maize mazes, and now, reflect on conservation through this extraordinary new installation.

Joseph added, “It’s a quiet call to notice, to remember, and to act. We were delighted to team up with Erik and see our vision brought to life. We sincerely hope it sparks meaningful conversations in every family that visits.”

The Last Footprint is the first exhibition by artist Erik Schmitz to be hosted in the United Kingdom. The German-born Spanish-raised sculptor has unveiled a litany of artworks over the years across the world.

Schmitz said, “This is more than an exhibition, it’s a moment of reflection on how precious our natural world is and all of the resources on earth. Each sculpture invites you to pause and think about what we stand to lose, and what footprints we want to leave behind.”