Daily roundup 15 March: Smoking, knives and happiness

Police in England and Wales have been unable to enforce a new law banning smoking in cars with children inside because there are no tickets available to them to issue. The BBC reports that the Police Federation said there is no physical ticket to issue people who break the law, which should result in a penalty fine of £50.


Amazon is selling knives without checking they are safely delivered to adults, it has been claimed. The Guardian reports that Home Secretary Theresa May met with retailers yesterday, including Amazon, to discuss how better to enforce age restrictions on the sale of knives.


Schoolgirls in England are less satisfied with their lives than boys and feel more pressure to succeed at school, according to research by the University of Hertfordshire. A study by the university found that, on average, girls rated their happiness at 81 per cent aged 11, falling to 55 per cent by the time they were 15. This compares with 81 per cent of boys aged 11 and 74 per cent of boys at the age of 15.


A youth jail at the centre of abuse allegations is planning to install phone lines in every bedroom, so children can call counselling helplines and their families. Kent Online reports that phones are set to be installed in all 76 bedrooms at Medway Secure Training Centre.


“Clear signs of progress” are being made at Buckinghamshire County Council’s children’s services department, the government has said. Buckingham Today reports that a letter by children’s minister Edward Timpson said he recognised “the significant efforts” being made to improve the service.?


A consultation has been launched by Derby City Council over plans to hand over seven children’s centres to schools. The Derby Telegraph reports that the move would save the council £300,000 a year and see 10 remaining centres still run by the council.


Childhood bereavement charity Winston’s Wish has teamed up with Macmillan Cancer Support to produce a book for parents who are nearing the end of life to broach the subject with their child. The book aims to help adults in their efforts to get children to understand death and to prepare them for the potential death of a family member. ?