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PLANE-SPOTTER FAMILIES FLY OUT Relatives of 12 British plane-spotters accused of spying, including a Tamworth man, have flown to Greece to fight for their release. Wayne Groves, 38, is among the group of 12 who deny charges of espionage. Meanwhile Greek-born easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou said he would act as an expert witness to explain the group's hobby to a court. JUDGES EXAMINE SPOTTER EVIDENCE An assessment of the evidence against a group of plane-spotters, including a Tamworth man, acccused of spying in Greece is to be presented to judges. Wayne Groves, 38, is among the group of 12 who deny the charges of espionage. But group leader Paul Coppin could have his fight for freedom jeopardised by claims he was linked to the Turkish intelligence services. PUPILS TO BENEFIT FROM CASH Nearly 12,000 Stoke-on-Trent pupils are to benefit from a £420,000 lottery grant to boost sports in the city. The North School Sport Partnership is being launched at Fenton Manor Sports Centre with stars from Stoke City and Port Vale football clubs. The money will help 36 schools by increasing after-school activities and employing qualified coaches. BRAVERY AWARD CEREMONY Six Staffordshire police officers and five members of the public are to be rewarded for their bravery. Those being honoured include an officer who helped colleagues disarm a man wielding a Samurai sword in Stoke. The group of civilians pursued a robber. Chief Constable John Giffard is presenting certificates to the group at police headquarters in Stafford. £750,000 PAY-OUT FOR FARMER A Staffordshire farmer hit by the foot-and-mouth crisis has received more than £750,000 in compensation. The Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs pay-out is the biggest compensation figure made in the county. A total of £7.5m has been paid to 190 farmers across Staffordshire. Some 174 compensation pay-outs were made in Shropshire, representing £10.7m. SHOOTINGS LEAVE TWO IN HOSPITAL Two men remain in hospital following separate shooting incidents in Birmingham city centre nightclubs. A 32-year-old was shot in the stomach at Digbeth's Sanctuary club, while a 31-year-old was shot in one of his knees outside Bonds in Hockley. The condition of both men is described as stable. Police said it is unclear whether the two incidents are linked. PHARMACY WORKERS KIDNAPPED Detectives are trying to trace a gang of men who kidnapped two Birmingham pharmacy workers as they were driving home from work. The two women had left a pharmacy in Sheldon when they were forced out of their car and driven away, only to be released a short time later. A West Midlands police spokesman said it was a "very serious crime". FOOTBALL GAME PASSES PEACEFULLY West Midlands Police have reported no "significant problems" among rival fans at the local derby soccer game between Wolves and West Bromwich at Molineux. Officers warned that violent offenders would go straight to court without first receiving a formal caution. A police spokesman said there were no major outbreaks of disorder surrounding the match, which the Baggies won 1-0. SERVICE TESTS SCRUPLES Staffordshire Probation Service is asking criminals to consider right from wrong by playing Scruples, the chief probation officer has said. The service is using the game as part of a national rehabilitation programme for offenders. The county's chief probation officer David Walton said the idea is part of the Enhanced Thinking Skills programme SIX HELD OVER 'GANG FIGHT' Six people have been arrested for alleged violent disorder after a gang fight near Daventry which left a 20-year-old man with head injuries. The violence broke out between two groups of men in Adams Road, Woodford Halse, said a police spokesman. The injured man, from Woodford Halse, was taken to hospital in Banbury where his condition is described as stable. BIRMINGHAM BRIDES SOUGHT FOR TELEVISION SHOW
OPERATION CRACKER Operation Cracker is the latest initiative by Stoney Stanton Road
officers who are determined to do everything possible to ensure that Coventry
people have a carefree Christmas. Targeting known criminals is high on
the list, with officers determined to deter and disrupt their activities
by using both high profile and covert police operations. Inspector Dara
Lloyd said: "We want to send a clear message to would-be thieves that
their activities will not be tolerated. We would also like to enlist the
support of members of the public and urge them to tell us if they spot
anything suspicious and ask everyone to help us help them by taking common-sense
precautions to make themselves and their belongings less attractive to
criminals." . "Last year, vehicle crime started to increase in November
when people began their Christmas shopping, this started to go down in
December when police awareness campaigns began and rose again in January.
This year Operation Cracker has been launched in November and we are hoping
our efforts will pay off and people will not find their hard earned cash
and presents disappearing into the hands of criminals," said Insp Lloyd.
By taking common sense precautions you can make a difference:
BOGUS CALLERS NOT WELCOME There should be 40 less victims of distraction burglary thanks to a new and innovative voice alarm system which prompts elderly people of the need to ask callers for identification. Coventry Building Society, on Coventry Road in Sheldon, has donated 40 alarms worth over £500 to local police. Crime reduction officer Constable John Pritchett said the alarms would be warmly welcomed by elderly people who have been victims of bogus officials in the past. "We are absolutely delighted with this donation," he said. "The 40 alarms will be given to victims of crime and vulnerable people in the area. This is a fantastic piece of machinery which is about the size of a smoke alarm. It's battery operated and can record messages up to 20 seconds long - asking people whether they are expecting anyone and prompting them to ask who's at the door and to use a door chain if they have one." The alarm is activated when someone is within a few meters of it and can be placed near the front door in bogus caller situations. Police will visit past victims and carry out a crime survey ensuring they have the appropriate security in their homes. It's hoped the use of the 'memo minders' will eradicate incidents of distraction burglaries. Eleanor Eales, community representative at Coventry Building Society, said: "We were pleased when officers from Stechford contacted us to enlist our support for their campaign. Through our TLC in the Community programme, the society is always delighted to support initiatives within the communities it serves and the memo minder for vulnerable people scheme is an excellent way of doing this." It's hoped other local partners will consider supporting similar initiatives in the future. PENSIONER'S BODY FOUND IN POOL The body of a 75-year-old man who went missing from his home in Stoke-on-Trent has been found at a Staffordshire beauty spot, police confirmed. Michael Finn, who came from the Meir Heath area of the city, had not been seen since Saturday. The body was recovered from the fishing pool at Moddershall. Police are not treating the death as suspicious. PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO RECIEVE £21m Primary schools in the West Midlands are to share £21m in Government funding to help boost literacy and numeracy. The region's 14 local education authorities have been allocated a total of £21,738,046 to spend on raising standards in schools in 2002-2003. Schools minister Cathy Ashton said: "This means more investment in our drive to raise standards in schools." TENANTS VOTE FOR COUNCIL Council tenants in Dudley have voted to keep their homes under council control, rejecting proposals to transfer their properties into a housing partnership. More than 56% of those who voted had opted to remain with Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council. Almost 44% said they favoured plans to transfer council properties to the Quantum Housing Partnership. TREE INSPIRED GALLERY TO OPEN A new gallery is to open in Staffordshire focusing on work inspired by trees and the countryside. The Guelder Rose Gallery at the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas is also designed to give artists opportunities to display their works. Croxall artist Helen Pilgrim, whose paintings have been on show since May, will open the new venue this weekend. POST-MORTEM PROBE ON TEENAGER A post-mortem examination into the suspicious death of a Staffordshire teenager is due to take place. Christopher Betts ,17, was pronounced dead on arrival in hospital after emergency services were called to an address near Stoke-on-Trent. An 18-year-old man has been arrested and released on police bail, pending further inquiries. ANTI-BULLYING SCHEME LAUNCHED Education chiefs in Birmingham are renewing their efforts to eradicate bullying from the city's schools. Two new posters, one targeting parents and the other for schools, address the various forms bullying takes and raise awareness to help spot victims. The partnership is between Birmingham Education Service and agencies including Childline and the NSPCC. 'BATMAN' JAILED OVER ATTACK A Birmingham nightclubber who viciously attacked a fellow reveller at a fancy dress party while dressed as superhero Batman has been jailed for five years. David Gordon's victim suffered a broken jaw and fractures to his eye sockets and nose, Worcester Crown Court heard. Gordon, 32, of Wagon Walk, West Heath, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Ted Perry. DELAY IN PLANE-SPOTTERS CASE The group of plane-spotters held in Greece, which includes a Tamworth man, may have to wait days for judges to meet to discuss evidence against them. Yannis Zacharias, the Greek lawyer representing the group, said the judges will now meet in private this week, but he may not even be told when. Wayne Groves, 38, was among the group arrested in Greece on November 8. STUDY SHOWS RECRUITMENT CRISIS More and more West Midlands firms are facing a recruitment crisis despite a rise in hourly wages, new figures show. The research carried out by Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and the city council found 58% of firms had experienced problems recruiting staff. The study found the hardest recruitment problems were in the secretarial, clerical and support staff sector. POLICE URGE CAR OWNERS TO BE VIGILANT Wolverhampton police are asking residents in the City to keep a closer watch on their cars after a spate of car crime over the weekend. Incidents in Penn Fields and Merry Hill on Friday and Saturday nights from 8.00pm onwards until the early hours resulted in over 25 cars being damaged. Sergeant Bal Mand, from Wolverhampton West operational command unit's community safety burea, said: "This number of attacks is very unusual in these areas and has resulted in mindless damage, we would ask people to be on their guard and if they have a garage they should use it." Police urge anyone who may have seen any incidents of car crime in these areas to come forward with any information by calling Wolverhampton's Bilston Street police station on 0845 113 5000. BID TO BOOST AMBULANCE SERVICES West Midlands Ambulance Service has announced a package of measures intended to improve patient care. The measures include the introduction of emergency nurse advisers to take low-dependency 999 calls and primary care ambulances for urgent GP cases. The initiative also includes electronic notice boards to warn staff of patients in a life-threatening condition. POLICE NAME MURDER VICTIM Police in the Black Country have named a murder victim who was gunned down near a pub in Wolverhampton. Paul Victor Chambers, 37, of Bilston, was pronounced dead at New Cross Hospital after paramedics had been called to the Talisman pub, Underhill. Police said inquiries were on-going and a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death will be carried out. WATCHDOG RAPS 'VOODOO' CLAIMS A Birmingham man described as an African spiritual healer has been told not to repeat claims he could help with black magic and "love voodoo". Calling himself Mr Saikouba, the man said in a leaflet distributed in the city he could unite loved ones. The Advertising Standards Authority told him not to repeat the claims because they cannot be justified. MP BACKS ANIMAL WELFARE CALL Stourbridge MP Debra Shipley has backed a charity's campaign for tighter legislation to ensure the welfare of animals which are kept tied up. The Labour MP said she wholeheartedly supported the RSCPA's plea, which was issued after a rising toll of deaths and injuries among tethered animals. The charity said there is little it can do at present to prevent tethering. MAN 'FROZE' TO DEATH A Birmingham man whose body was found less than five hours after he was released from police custody froze to death, post-mortem tests have shown. Stephen Medley, 52, of Chelmsley, was discovered next to a bench by officers on patrol in Nuneaton Road, Bedworth. The matter has been referred to the independent Police Complaints Authority who will supervise an investigation. CHURCH UNVEILS POSTER CAMPAIGN The Church of England's diocese of Birmingham has pressed ahead with a controversial poster campaign designed to appeal to young people. A series of four adverts put up throughout the city refer to illegal drugs, body piercing and the television sitcom, Friends. The aim is to advertise its Website and target the 16 to 24-year-old age group. HEATHER ACCUSED 'SLEPT ROUGH' A Tamworth man accused of killing teenager Heather Tell told police he had spent two days sleeping rough and wandering up a towpath, a jury heard. Michael Chidgey, 46, claimed to have spent two nights on the Tamworth path, returning on the day Heather's body was found, Stafford Crown Court was told. Chidgey denies murdering dance student Heather on Friday, August 25 last year. PROTEST OVER SPY CASE DELAYS UK officials have protested to Greek authorities over delays in the spy case against 14 plane-spotters, including a man from Tamworth. Lawyers for the 14 had hoped a report would be considered by judges this week and could have led to the release of at least some of the group. Wayne Groves, 38, and the rest of the group deny spying charges. OPEN MEETING FOR COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE LESBIAN AND GAY FORUM - WEDNESDAY 12 DECEMBER The next open meeting in a series designed to break down barriers and prejudices in relation to lesbian and gay communities has been has been organised in Coventry. Chaired by the vulnerable victim officers from Chace Avenue, Little Park Street and Stoney Stanton Road police stations, the meeting will begin at 7.30pm on Wednesday 12 December. The business issues of the Forum will be followed at 8.30pm by a general discussion and members and guests are welcome to attend and contribute. WPC Nadine Whiteford, based at Little Park Street, said: "The forum have now devised their objectives and various members have agreed to help promote and establish these for the lesbian and gay communities in the Coventry and Warwickshire area. "Police officers from both West Midlands Police and Warwickshire Constabulary are members, as are representatives from Coventry City Council, Warwick Council, Victim Support, the Terrence Higgins Trust, Friend, Action Against Crime and community safety officers to name just a few." A forum website plus credit card style cards and leaflets are currently being planned, together with a new logo. Members of the forum hope people will take this opportunity to come to the meeting, view the draft copies and make constructive comments and suggestions. All the meetings will take place in the Rainbow Club in Short Street, Coventry. "A number of reporting centres have been set up in Coventry where victims of homophobic crimes will be able to make their reports and seek support and advice. And Warwickshire Constabulary are in the process of setting up a Homophobic Harassment helpline which is due to go live this month, " said WPC Whiteford. The reporting centres are: The Rainbow Club, Terrence Higgins Trust, Friend, Victim Support, Coventry For further information, please contact WPC Whiteford at Little Park Street, WPC Jane Smith at Stoney Stanton Road or PC Trevor Irwin at Chace Avenue. CRIME FIGHTERS WELL RECEIVED More than 300 officers who are involved in crime fighting teams across the West Midlands have helped change the way vulnerable neighbourhoods are policed. First introduced in April last year, the Government's Crime Fighting Fund pays for additional officers. The West Midlands Police has bid for and received funding for more than 300 officers. These have now started to make a significant contribution to tackling drug related crime, reducing local problems of crime and disorder, reducing youth offending and increasing trust and confidence among minority ethnic communities. Chief Superintendent John Scott, head of Community Services, said feedback from the community about the work being carried out was very encouraging. "The teams are there to tackle problems which need a longer term solution, often involving other agencies such as the council and community groups. It's problems such as graffiti, litter and vandalism that effect people's lives and those same communities also suffer higher incidents of robbery, burglary and drug offences. The officers are having a real impact on these problems and communities can see police officers where they want them - on their street, road or avenue." Some examples of good work include the Wicked Cricket tournament organised by the Lozells crime fighting team. Police held coaching courses and designed the tournament especially for local children under 12. Working with the youngsters helped break down barriers and keep them off the streets. Officers on the team in Hillfields, Coventry, have also made an impact in their area. One initiative involves prostitutes talking to the police about issues in a confidential manner. This enabled officers to gather intelligence about suspect 'punters'. As a direct result a man was arrested and convicted for a series of rapes in the area. In West Bromwich, drug users in the gardens of the local registry office were identified as a real problem for the police and local community, with pedestrians being robbed to fund their habit. Officers liased with the local college and arranged for the gardens to be redesigned, resulting in a 48 per cent drop in robberies compared to the previous year. "These examples show the determination of officers to work differently and make a difference," added Chief Supt Scott. "There is no quick-fix solution - it will take a while but we're confident in time communities will start to see real changes in their areas. Many of the teams are made up of officers specifically chosen for their belief in the approach and their desire to make things better. POLICE REFORMS WELCOMED Staffordshire's Deputy Chief Constable has given a warm welcome to the Government's proposals for a radical reform of the police service. David Swift said Home Secretary David Blunkett's announcement looked set to result in more resources to pay for staff, police officers and wardens. He added: "It should result in a massive increase in resources." UK AWARDS TO STOP BRAIN DRAIN A prominent scientist is returning to the UK to join the University of Warwick as part of a research award which aims to reverse the brain drain. Professor Peter Taylor is returning from University of California to take a professorship in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Warwick. Some 13 scientists are in the Royal Society-Wolfson Research Merit Awards. EVIDENCE FOUND ON MURDER TAPE The owner of firm New Fingerprints left six of his own on tape used to "entomb" his cousin and dump the body in a canal in Smethwick, a jury has heard. Police found Nirmal Singh Gill's prints on tape used to wrap up Sarjit Singh Chauhan before the body was dumped in a canal, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard. Gill, of Wigston, Leicester, denies murdering father-of-two Mr Chauhan, 55. STRAW 'HELPING' PLANE-SPOTTERS Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has insisted the Government is taking all possible steps to help the plane-spotters being detained in Greece. He said: "We have been doing a very great deal to secure the release of the 12 detained Britons" - one of whom is Wayne Groves, 38, of Tamworth. "They are subject, whether we like it or not, to Greek law," Mr Straw added. SOCCER REFEREE WINS RACISM CASE A Wolverhampton football referee, who claimed he was overlooked for promotion because he is Asian, has won a tribunal claim against the Football League. The Commission for Racial Equality, which has backed Gurnam Singh's case, said the tribunal had found that he was the victim of racial discrimination. The Football League was also found to have unfairly dismissed Mr Singh. 100 JOBS CUT AS PLANT CLOSES Packaging group David S Smith has said it will be cutting 100 jobs as three plants close including a packaging manufacturing plant in Stoke. The London-based firm is taking jobs out across eight distribution centres in the UK run by the Spicers wholesale office products business. Jobs are also set to go at two small plants in Hastings. TRADE RESUMES WITH NEW YORK Businesses from the West Midlands are to embark on their first trade mission to New York since the atrocities at the city's World Trade Centre. The Midlands World Trade Forum said the mission is an opportunity to strengthen links between America and Britain. The forum is a joint venture between Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Black Country Chamber. SINGLE GUNSHOT KILLED PUB MAN A murder victim who was gunned down in a pub car park in Wolverhampton died from a single gunshot wound to the back, detectives have confirmed. Paul Victor Chambers, 37, of Bilston, was pronounced dead at New Cross Hospital after paramedics had been called to the Talisman pub, Underhill. Police said a post-mortem examination showed a handgun was probably used. MISSING TEENAGER GONE SIX DAYS Police in Northamptonshire are keen to trace a teenager who has been missing from home for almost a week. Jessica Rodwell, aged 14, from Daventry, was last seen on November 29 outside the New Look shop on Bowen Square, Daventry. She is dark European in appearance and wearing blue jeans, with slit fronts, and a cream jacket with a furry collar. MP SLAMS 'HEADTEACHER CLAIMS' The Mid-Worcestershire MP has hit out at a fellow MP's claims headteachers are demanding extra funding while building up schools' cash reserves. Tory Peter Luff said Labour's Mike Foster, who represents Worcester, was wrong to say headmasters were hypocrites with an underspend of £11m. Mr Luff claims headteachers have fought "for a fairer deal for their schools". BRITISH POLICE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE The British Police Symphony Orchestra will be hosting their 10th anniversary appearance at Birmingham's Symphony Hall on Saturday. The anniversary concert, being hosted by celebrity Christopher Biggins, will feature popular classics including a 'last night of the proms' type event. Concert organiser, Police Constable Alex Roe, based at Bournville Lane police station, said: "We are looking forward to a spectacular event including an appearance from the Stafford Choral Society and a special effects extravaganza. There will also be a surprise item in remembrance for victims of the September 11th attacks." Tickets for the concert are available from the box office on 0121 780 3333. Prices are between £4 and £16.50. Doors open at 7.30pm. CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR ANTI-DRINK/DRUG DRIVE MESSAGE FROM WEST MIDLANDS POLICE High-profile roadside checks are to be carried out by West Midlands Police officers who are determined to crack down on those who continue to drink and drive or take drugs and drive. The initiative will start on 11 December and is designed to complement the nationwide campaign, which will be launched on 18 December. As ever the Christmas and New Year campaign will attempt to reduce the amount of deaths and injuries suffered on our region's roads. Checks will be staged across the force at various times during the day and night and motorists suspected of drinking or taking drugs and driving will be directed to a coned-off area and asked to take a test. Chief Inspector Martyn Thomas, head of the Road Policing Unit, said: "Officers are targeting the hard core minority who continue to flout the driving laws and therefore endanger the law abiding majority. "Only those suspected of driving under the influence of drink or drugs need be concerned. Our objective is to create a very visible police presence at the roadside to spread the message that West Midlands Police are taking a proactive stance to detect and deter those involved." Our message is always the same, drinking and driving or drug taking and driving is always a lethal cocktail - don't do it. We actively support the seasonal crackdown but as a force we see this as an on-going problem and maintain a continuous campaign to deter those motorists who risk the lives and limbs of themselves, their families and others by not driving safely on our roads." CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO CRIMINALS
FARM PAIR SENTENCED OVER DEATH A farmer and one of his employees are to be sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on charges relating to the death of a motorcyclist. Richard Fletcher, from Warwickshire, died in a collision with an unguarded spike on the front of a tractor. Edward Muntz, of Tamworth-in-Arden, and Thomas Marchant, of Hockley Heath, denied the charges but were convicted. 'SPY' EVIDENCE PASSED TO JUDGES A report compiling evidence against the British plane-spotters, including a Tamworth man, accused of spying in Greece is to be passed to judges. British authorities were told the report had been completed and could be handed to a panel of three judges. Supporters of the group including Wayne Groves, 38, of Tamworth, hope judges will free some of the Britons. NEW APPEAL OVER CRASH DEATH Traffic police in Wolverhampton have issued a fresh appeal for witnesses after a road accident in which an elderly man suffered fatal injuries. West Midlands Police said officers investigating the death of 89-year-old William Wilde were anxious to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident. Mr Wilde, from the Lanesfield area of the city, died in hospital. THREE MEN CHARGED WITH MURDER Three men are due to appear in court charged with the murder of a homeopathic doctor who was gunned down near a Wolverhampton supermarket. The men are appearing at the city's magistrates' court charged with killing 55-year-old Baldev Khrisan Yadev. Mr Yadev, of Wolverhampton, was shot dead as he walked to his car in the Parkfields area of the city. PILOT SCHEME OFFERS NHS CHOICE A scheme in the Midlands is to offer patients waiting months for surgery the choice of treatment at an NHS hospital, in the private sector or abroad. Health Secretary Alan Milburn said that from July 2002 the scheme will benefit patients waiting for heart surgery. It is hoped that by 2005 the scheme will give all patients the choice of where their treatment is carried out. MG ROVER IN BATTLE OVER CAR Birmingham-based MG Rover and racing car specialists Lola have begun a High Court battle over ownership of property rights on the MG ZR touring car. A QC for MG Rover argued that it had paid Lola Cars a total of £2.7m for developing a racing version of its car. It was agreed the cars should be returned to MG Rover with the company providing a £250,000 bank guarantee. LORD IRVINE LAUNCHES SERVICE The Lord Chancellor Lord Irvine is visiting Birmingham to launch a service aimed at settling legal disputes without the need for court hearings. The service, launched at the Civil Justice Centre, has been developed by District Judge Robin Sankey. Judge Sankey said it would offer people a prospect of resolving their disputes during informal discussions. WETLAND CREATED FOR RARE BIRDS Rare birds are being encouraged to return to the heart of England with the creation of a new habitat near Evesham. Money from a Government-backed scheme has enabled Howard Dawes, of Craycombe Farm, to convert 27 hectares into wetland next to the River Avon. The new wet pastures will be used for grazing Highland cattle as well as providing a habitat for rare wildlife. POP MOGUL CRITICISES BYERS Coventry-born pop mogul Pete Waterman, who bought his own rail firm, has criticised the Transport Secretary. Waterman said Stephen Byers had "a lot to answer for" over his decision to put Railtrack into administration. The producer, honoured for his work in music by his home city university, said Mr Byers pushed the firm's wind-up through under cover of the US attacks. OAP COUPLE'S HOME SET ALIGHT An elderly couple have had burning paper pushed through their letterbox, setting fire to their home in Redditch. Police said the couple, aged in their 70s, were shaken but unhurt after being alerted by a smoke alarm. The incident, in Sandhurst Close, Church Hill, is being treated as arson with intent to endanger life. Police said there was no apparent motive. CHIEF CONSTABLE TO RECEIVE HONOURARY DOCTORATE FOR 'CONSIDERABLE CONTRIBUTION' TO POLICING Chief Constable Sir Edward Crew will join 1100 students next week to receive an honorary doctorate from Birmingham University for his "considerable contribution" to the standing of the force, both locally and nationally. Sir Edward will be presented with the doctorate from the university's previous Vice-Chancellor, Professor Maxwell Irvine, on Thursday 13 December. The citation for the award praises the Chief Constable for the work he has done to help shape modern policing. Sir Edward, who is Deputy Lieutenant for the West Midlands, said he was proud and delighted to have been chosen to receive the honorary award. "This is a recognition of the hard work and commitment of both police officers and support colleagues. It is their 'considerable contribution' which has helped raise the standing of the force both locally and nationally and I would like to share this award with them," he said. SHOPPERS GET CRIME PREVENTION TIPS Shoppers in Sedgley will get advice on personal security and how to secure their homes and cars so they can enjoy a happy and peaceful Christmas holiday. The community safety information caravan will set up stall on the Safeway car park in the town on Sunday 9 December between 10.00am and 3.00pm. The unit will be staffed by two police officers, PCs David Bridges and Peter Grant, and a member of the local Neighbourhood Watch group. In the run up to Christmas, police are asking people to store presents out of sight in houses and cars to prevent opportunist theft. If they are shopping, motorists should put items in the boot of the car and not on view. Visitors to the caravan will also be able to get their property security marked. Special police officers will also be dropping leaflets through doors as part of their patrols detailing practical crime prevention advice. HIGH POLICE PRESENCE ON THE STRATFORD ROAD Officers on the Sparkhill Crime Team are planning high visibility patrols along the Stratford Road in Sparkhill, Birmingham. Travel West Midlands inspectors will join officers on Tuesday 11 December in a bid to reassure members of the public about travelling on buses. Constable Howard Price said: "Some officers will be travelling on the main bus routes and we'll also be using one of the force's new CCTV vans in and out of city." Operation Reassure intends to heighten crime prevention awareness in the run up to Christmas when many people will be carrying more valuables and become target for thieves. "Officers will be handing out crime prevention advice leaflets and will also mark mobile phones," added PC Price. "We hope members of the public take this opportunity and speak to us about issues of concern and possibly prevent themselves from becoming victims of crime." OFFICERS TO PATROL TOW PATHS Police in Wolverhampton are teaming up with British Waterways to stamp out a recent rise in crime around the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal areas of Pendeford. Patrols will be increased in the areas of Stafford Road and the Pendeford estate with the hope that robbery, burglary and vehicle crime will be reduced. Inspector Andrew Rogers, from Wolverhampton West operational command unit, said: "Officers will work together with British Waterways to act on any suspicious incidents. We have made a number of arrests recently and it is apparent the offenders are using the canal when committing offences. "Officers who already work in the area will now be patrolling the tow paths on mountain bikes." Anyone with information should contact police at Wolverhampton West on 0845 113 5000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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