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DRIVE TO CUT TEENAGE PREGNANCY Health chiefs in Birmingham are spearheading a drive to bring down the number of teenage pregnancies through training and education. More than 1,000 girls under 18 fall pregnant in the city each year - the highest number in the country. Birmingham Health Authority said new programmes would teach about sex and relationships and boost confidence. AIR FORCE COMMEMORATION SERVICE A commemoration service is taking place in Alrewas to mark the 60th anniversary of the Royal Air Force Regiment. Up to 300 retired and serving members are expected to gather for the ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. The unit was set up in 1942 to allow the Royal Air Force to form its own ground and anti-aircraft defence. WOMAN RAPED IN ALLEYWAY A 23-year-old woman was raped after being grabbed from behind and forced into an alleyway off King's Road in Sutton Coldfield, police said. She was attacked while walking along Roylesden Crescent in New Oscott and the offender is believed to have escaped on foot after the assault. Police believe the rapist was disturbed and fled after hearing a noise. PUB NEIGHBOURS FIGHT NOISE Noisy "carousing" in a Warwickshire pub beer garden has driven neighbours to take action in the High Court. For years the disputed area at the Hollybush Hotel, Alcester, caused no problems as the landlord's private garden - until it opened to customers. The two sets of neighbours bringing the action were told by a judge they have "an arguable case" for judicial review. LORRY DRIVER HIJACKED A lorry driver has been tied up by a robber who hijacked his truck at Corley service station on the M6 near Coventry and drove around for an hour. He managed to free himself after being left bound in the cab of his Volvo lorry in Owen Road, Darlaston by the attacker, who claimed to have a gun. The lorry's load, which was contained in 42 chrome cages, is missing. RIOT POLICING CASH REFUNDED The Chief Constable of Staffordshire has welcomed a Home Office grant of £560,000 to help pay for last summer's riots in Stoke-on-Trent. Cash is earmarked to pay for the extra resources used during the disturbances as they had taken money from the force's major incident budget. Talks are under way with the police authority to replenish this budget SECURITY GUARD HURT IN ATTACK Armed robbers threatened supermarket staff in Rowley Regis with an axe, a steering lock and a bar before stealing a small amount of cash, police said. The three men struck as staff were closing the Kwik Save store in Oldbury Road. A security guard was hit on his leg and suffered bruising. Anyone with information is urged to contact police at Old Hill BOSSES' PAY CUT TO SAVE COMPANY Four directors at a West Midlands-based engineering-to-new media group have been taking home lower pay over the past three months to save cash. Arthur Shaw, in Willenhall, said the salaries had been "deferred" as part of a programme to save money and secure enough funds for its growth strategy. Bottom-line losses widened to £7.6m in the year to September 30. SPANIEL IS 427 STONES LIGHTER A Dudley spaniel has had the spring in her step restored after an operation to remove 427 patio pebbles weighing more than 3lbs from her stomach. Vets said two-year-old springer spaniel Belle, who wolfed down at least 620 of the ornamental stones, vomited up 200 pebbles before the operation. Owner Margaret Westwood has now removed the stones from her garden. ANNE FRANK SHOW PROVES POPULAR An exhibition in Worcester Cathedral dedicated to Holocaust victim Anne Frank has attracted more than 18,000 visitors, it has been announced. About 18,300 people, including 5,000 children, have visited the church to view the exhibition - more than double the number predicted. The Jewish teenager's diary was penned while she hid during the war. VALENTINES SNAP DANCE NIGHT Calling young clubbers aged between 11 and 17 to a SNAP (Say No and Phone) night featuring up and coming local celebrity DJs. SNAP is a Crimestoppers initiative aimed at encouraging youngsters to say no to drugs and alert the authorities of any drugs activity. The night has been organised in partnership with various agencies including police Birmingham Leisure Point and Victim Support. Constable Kathy Sheehan, young persons officer, said: "This is the second clubbing night we've held locally and is proving to be really popular. The kids get together and have lots of fun in a drugs and alcohol free environment. We hope this type of activity will encourage young people to live more positively." Those attending will be dancing to the talents to Alright Sounds Disco featuring DJs Sarah and Kelly aged 14 and 16 respectively. The duo has become hot property in the wider community and usually play to large crowds of young fans - they'll be supporting DJ Roland Roberts on the night. Youngsters are invited to attend the evening at Stechford Cascades, Station Road, Stechford, from 7 to 10.30pm on Friday 15 February. Tickets are £3.50 and available from the box office at Stechford Cascades on Saturday 2 and 9 February. Or you can call Chris Wilson on 0121 743 5662 or PC Sheehan on 0121 626 7163. MILITARY CHAPLAINS TO MEET Up to 90 military chaplains from across the world are gathering at the RAF Museum at Cosford near Wolverhampton. The chaplains, from 35 different nations, are meeting to discuss the changing role of chaplains and how different religions can work together. An RAF spokesman said Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist representatives will attend. SEVERE WARNING AS RIVERS FLOOD Flooding from the River Severn has been reported in Shrewsbury and Worcester and also in areas around the River Teme in Shropshire. The Environment Agency put in force a severe flood warning on the River Teme near Ludlow. The warning came as heavy rain fell across the West Midlands on already saturated ground. HI-TECH PROBATE STORAGE OPENS A new hi-tech facility to store copies of probate documents, including the wills of some of the UK's most famous names, is being opened in Birmingham. The Probate Records Centre in Erdington will replace previous arrangements whereby documents were kept at District Registries across England and Wales. The centre will be opened by Michael Wills, Minister for the Courts. NEW SPORTS CAR MODEL LAUNCHED A new sports car from MG Rover built at the company's Longbridge plant goes on sale this week, with the company promising drivers a sleeker model. The new 137mph MG TF model is the successor to the popular MGF. MG Rover's product development director, Rob Oldaker, said: "The new TF builds on the success of the MGF to produce a driver-rewarding experience." DRIVER 'PASSED RED SIGNAL' An investigation is under way into claims a train driver who passed a red signal at Derby's railway station was asleep at the controls. The incident happened when an English, Welsh and Scottish Railways freight train went through the signal at 6.36am on January 22. Inquiries are being conducted by EWS, and the Health and Safety Executive. EXTRA POLICE 'DEFEAT CRIME' Extra officers deployed in Birmingham city centre in the wake of last year's RIRA bombing have helped to cut street crime, West Midlands Police has said. Chief Constable Sir Edward Crew said the move had made the central area of the city safer. Sir Edward said: "It's certainly safer to walk through central Birmingham than it's been for years." PAY RISE FOR UNIVERSITY STAFF The lowest-paid members of staff at the University of Birmingham are to receive above-inflation pay rises of just under five per cent as part of a union deal. Nearly 500 cleaners, porters and grounds staff will receive the rise backdated to April 2001. The new pay deal means the minimum rate of pay at the University is £4.65 an hour, compared £4.10 nationally. DIOCESE SEEKS MORE WORSHIPPERS The Diocese of Birmingham has launched a competition to find slogans for a new advertising campaign aimed at boosting interest in Christianity. The competition is being launched after the success of the Diocese's last campaign aimed at young people. The previous campaign included slogans such as "Body piercing? Jesus had his done 2,000 years ago." EXHIBIT VOLUNTEERS WANTED Shropshire County Council has appealed for volunteers to help guide visitors through an exhibition dedicated to Holocaust diarist Anne Frank. Organisers of the exhibition, which is coming to Coalbrookdale and then Shrewsbury in March, said helpers are also needed to staff a bookstall. The exhibition has been developed by the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. JUBILEE MEMORABILIA SOUGHT Leisure officials in Bromsgrove are seeking Royal memorabilia from the last 50 years to help form a exhibition in celebration of the Queen's Jubilee. Residents are being asked to submit pieces for the special show to be put on display in Sanders Park on June 3. The exhibition will form part of a much larger schedule of celebrations taking place throughout the day. MOBILE PHONE MARKING AT WEDNESFIELD Police in Wednesfield and the Wolverhampton Crime Reduction Panel have set up a free mobile phone security marking session in an attempt to deter thefts. The marking sessions will take place on Sunday 10 February at Wednesfield police station in Alfred Squire Road between 10.00 and 11.30am. Mobile owners are invited to the station to have their phones marked with their postcode and house number. Owners will also be supplied with a record card to note their 15-digit IMEI code that is unique to that phone (not SIM card). This number can be accessed by entering the code *#06#. This code should then be written down on the record card and kept in a safe place. Should the phone be stolen this number can be used as identification. Marking sessions have already been arranged at Wednesfield High school, Coppice High, Deansfield, Heathpark High School, Bilston Education Centre and Mosley Park School by PC Andy Hayburn, young persons officer at Wednesfield police station. Each youngster will be given a Safer Streets "Get Streetwise" booklet full of personal safety tips and a bookmark to record the IMEI individual number for the phone. Inspector Steve Walls, from Wolverhampton East community safety bureau, said: "The majority of thefts of mobile phones are by young people on other young victims. By marking mobile phones we intend to deter this type of theft and make stolen mobile phones less desirable items." MAJOR HAUL FOR OPERATION BRAMSTON OFFICERS A major initiative to tackle burglary has seen police from Bournville Lane operational command unit seize thousands of pounds worth of drugs and computers. Involving over 100 officers, Operation Barmston concludes today, Friday 1 February, after several months of intelligence gathering, swoops on known offenders' premises and high visibility and plain-clothes patrols. Police are delighted with the results of the initiative after recovering 10,000 ecstasy tablets, cocaine, and cannabis worth around #80,000. "This is an excellent result by officers and members of the public who've supported and provided us with information," said Detective Chief Inspector Steve Anderson. "In addition 60 computers including laptops have been recovered together with other property, most of which appears to be stolen - officers also recovered a loaded handgun at one of target's homes and a sawn off pump action shotgun at another." So far 26 people have been arrested for various offences and more arrests are expected over the coming the weeks. Officers at the OCU, which covers, Selly Oak, Northfield, Weoley Castle, Bartley Green and Bournville, hope this sends out a strong message to criminals that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated. "We aim to continue taking the main culprits off the streets," added Det Ch Insp Anderson. "Such crime can have a devastating effect on the local community and we intend to stamp it out." RECRUITMENT OPEN DAY AT LLOYD HOUSE There'll be an opportunity to meet and speak to officers about what it's like to be in the police at an open day being held at Lloyd House police headquarters on Saturday 9 February. Applicants and those interested in joining can come along and have an informal chat with police officers who will be on hand to answer questions. Recruitment marketing co-ordinator David Vidgen said: "This will be a perfect opportunity to discuss the recruitment process including the assessments and physical fitness. "West Midlands Police has a positive equal opportunities policy to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly. We particularly welcome applications from members of minority ethnic communities and women, who are under represented in region." The open day will be held between 10am and 3pm on Saturday 9 February in the committee room at Lloyd House, Colmore Circus, Birmingham. For general enquiries about a police officer, special constable or support staff member vitst the website at www.west-midlands.police.uk or call the recruitment hotline on 0121 265 7007. POLICE PUT ANNUAL LICENSING REPORT BEFORE MAGISTRATES Chief Superintendent Bob Baxter, police commander at South Sandwell, will presented his annual licensing report to magistrates on Friday. Last year was a challenging year for police in the area and saw a significant increase in the number of calls to 'on licensed' premises in comparison to 2000. There were 776 calls recorded in 2001, an increase of 263 (51%) on the previous year which, police say, is disappointing and unacceptable. Of the 776 calls 461 related to reports of disorder, which is an increase of 217 (89%) from 2000. The total number of assaults on licensed premises rose from 66 to 84 of which 18 were common assaults. Chief Supt Baxter said: "I am concerned with the increase in incidents of assault. I must therefore reinforce the need for licensees to exercise and maintain effective control over their premises and patrons. Sector inspectors are currently monitoring a number of premises and will make applications for revocation or close premises using new legislation if there in no improvement in their management." No licensees, whether on or off licensed premises, have been prosecuted for breach of licensing legislation during this period. Chief Supt Baxter added: "Licensed premises have been visited frequently during 2001 and I am able to report that no premises were discovered to be selling alcohol to under age people. The police will continue to maintain a very close watch on the area of over 18s purchasing for under 18s, a practice that certainly contributes to anti-social behaviour. "I remain concerned at the level of incidents attended by the police in which the abuse of alcohol is a factor, particularly those of disorder and violence many of which occur in the home." Police welcome new powers made available under Section 17 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 that provides new sections to the 1964 Licensing Act where on-licensed premises may be instantly closed by the police under certain circumstances. Chief Supt Baxter added: "I wish to thank colleagues from the West Midlands Fire Service, Sandwell Environmental Health and the Breweries who have co-operated with us over the past 12 months." SIX ARRESTS FOR STORMHEAD SIX OPERATION Stormhead six, launched this week in Willenhall with a dedicated team of eight officers focusing on vehicle crime, has got off to a great start with six arrests made. The arrests were made for theft of motor vehicles, theft from motor vehicles and theft of diesel. Sergeant Jean Knowles, from the 'Stormhead Six' team, said: "The team are really happy with these great results so early on in the operation. "We have also recovered stolen property including two vehicles, a quantity of diesel and numerous items of property stolen from cars. "As we have been patrolling the area, we have noticed that drivers are still leaving valuable property inside their vehicles and are tempting thieves. We would appeal for people to take responsibility for their vehicles and leave them secure." The team, comprising of police constables, intelligence officers and detectives, have been targeting known vehicle crime offenders, distributing crime prevention advice about vehicle crime throughout the local community and taking part in high visibility patrols. They have also been checking vehicles on the road against a crime database containing descriptions of vehicles that have been involved in crimes. Anyone with information about vehicle crime in Willenhall should call the team on 01922 439105 - calls will be treated in the strictest of confidence. NEW POLICE AUTHORITY WEBSITE LAUNCHED Do you want to influence policing in your area? What priorities do you think your local officers should adopt? How should the police spend their money? If you think you have the answers to any of these questions, why not contribute to policing in your area? The Police Authority has launched a new internet site giving details of how members of the public can become involved in the local consultation process. The new site - which can be found at: www.west-midlands.police.uk/authority - lists dates of all the new Police Authority Consultative Forums, which meet three times a year in each operational command unit area. The site also includes a useful A-Z index - with subjects ranging from 'Advisors to the Police Authority' to 'Your OCU'. It explains who makes up the Police Authority, gives details of future Authority meetings and links to the annual Local Policing Plan. "The Police Authority - together with the Chief Constable - intend to provide the people of the West Midlands with the best police service in the country," said Police Authority Chairman Councillor Mohammed Nazir. "The main aim of this site is to provide members of the public with information on the Authority and our work and how we influence the policing of the West Midlands. We hope people will find it useful and informative."
5th. February 2002 INQUEST TOLD OF BABY'S FRACTURE A baby girl who died 10 hours after a Coventry doctor assisted her birth with forceps was later found to have a fractured skull, an inquest jury heard. Megan Hubbard was eventually born by Caesarean section at the city's Walsgrave Hospital on February 1 last year after a lengthy labour. The baby's mother, Sarah, was offered forceps after asking for a Caesarean. CREMATORIUM BANS WIND CHIMES Hundreds of wind chimes at West Bromwich crematorium are to be taken down after complaints from grieving visitors about excessive noise. Sandwell Council has said relatives must take down the instruments from trees near headstones by March 1. Councillor Keith Davies said there was also concern that their weight was bending the trees they are hung from. ROAD TAX CRACKDOWN LAUNCHED A major crackdown on vehicle tax dodgers is being launched by the region's police forces and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. Motorists in the West Midlands, Staffordshire and Warwickshire force areas will be targeted with a camera which can detect moving untaxed cars. There are an estimated 113,000 untaxed vehicles in the three counties. AIRPORT SAFETY EQUIPMENT SHOWN Scientists from a Worcestershire research centre are in the Netherlands showing off airport safety technology which can spot runway debris. The team from QinetiQ in Malvern will be among delegates at the Air Traffic Control Exhibition. The high-resolution "millimetre wave" radar can pick out objects the size of a wheel nut from up to 300m away. RSPCA WARNS OF FLOOD DANGER Farmers and pet owners in the West Midlands have been urged to protect animals from the floods in the region. With 18 flood warnings in place around the region, the RSPCA says officers have been called to help rescue animals stranded by swollen rivers. Many people were lulled into a false sense of security, thinking they would receive warning of any flooding. FOOTBALLER ACCUSED OF AFFRAY An England under-21 international and Birmingham City footballer has appeared in court charged with affray after an incident in a restaurant. Curtis Woodhouse, 21, was arrested in Cardiff after his team lost the final of the Worthington Cup. Paul Acey, 22, of Driffield, and Ross Fenwick, 20, of Cardiff, face the same charge. All were remanded on bail. 'CYBER COURT' SPEEDS SYSTEM A new "cyber court" aimed at helping consumers and businesses recover their losses has been launched in Birmingham by the Government. Money Claim Online, at Erdington Library, allows creditors to claim up to £100,000 over the internet, which is then examined by a county court judge. The Court Service believes 25,000 claimants will use it by the year end. FAST-TRACK PROBATE CENTRE OPEN The new National Probate Records Centre which houses wills from some of the most famous names of history has been officially opened in Birmingham. The facility in Erdington has over 250,000 wills in 22 miles of shelves and means anyone requesting a copy will receive it by computer within an hour. The old postal method of obtaining a will could take several days. CHURCH UNDER ESTIMATES ITSELF Up to 60,000 Christians attend Church of England services each week in the Lichfield Diocese, according to figures released by the Church of England. The Diocese, one of the largest, covers Walsall, Staffordshire, north Shropshire, Burton-on-Trent, Wolverhampton and north Sandwell. Church officials said the statistics prove the Church was under-counting. POLICE LAUNCH INFO WEBSITE West Midlands Police Authority has launched a website to encourage the public to voice their views about the future direction of law enforcement. The new site gives details of how people can become involved in the local policing process and lists dates of Police Authority Consultative Forums. People can locate the website at: www.west-midlands.police.uk/authority. WEST MIDLANDS POLICE SUPPORT DVLA'S CRACKDOWN ON ROAD TAX CHEATS West Midlands Police are supporting the latest DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) campaign to target road tax dodgers. Transport Minister David Jamieson announced that drivers in the Midlands who were trying to cheat the system were the next to be targeted by the agency's new Stingray cameras which can detect any unlicensed vehicle moving through the area. This is a bid by the DVLA to recover millions of pounds lost each year through vehicle excise duty evasion. The Minister said: "Road tax dodgers are now in the frame. The new DVLA camera teams can move quickly from location to location and those who previously took the risk of driving while unlicensed will soon realise there is no place to hid. "Honest motorists are fed up with the small hard core who continually evade paying their road tax. Camera technology will now be brought to bear in targeting these evaders who will quickly realise that the penalties are much greater than the cost of a license." Sergeant Brian Wevill, road policing policy officer for West Midlands Police, said: "While we deal with excise evasion throughout the year as a matter of course, this type of campaign will heighten awareness of our enforcement role and support of the DVLA. "We have found from past experience that when a motorist fails to have an excise licence he or she often has no insurance or MOT either. These are matters which impact directly on road safety which is naturally one of our major concerns." To support the campaign, West Midlands Police will be carrying out roadside safety checks throughout the force area. £200 FOR REPEAT BURGLARY VICTIMS People who've been unfortunate to be repeat victims of burglary on three estates in Kings Norton, Birmingham, could receive up to £200 towards improving home security. The money is part of a #12,000 Home Office grant given to the crime fighting team covering the Hawkesley, Pool Farm and Primrose estates in a bid to tackle house burglaries and reduce the number of repeat victims. Sergeant Keith Thompson said: "We are currently in the process of identifying people who've been victims for two or more times in the past 12 months. "Our intention is to carry out security surveys on their homes and identify appropriate security measures to ensure they don't become victims again." Police are working in partnership with Birmingham City Council and Theam Security of Staffordshire, who will carry out additional surveys and do the work for locals. "We'll compare the survey results and decide on the work that needs to be carried out on each identified home," added Sgt Thompson. "Once the work is done Theam Security will send the invoice to us and we'll pay the bill on behalf of tenant." It's hoped the scheme will go some way in cutting down burglaries, especially from elderly people's homes. Local residents are urged to remain vigilant at all times and to seek crime prevention advice from Kings Norton police station. OFFICERS TAKE PART IN TOUGHEST FOOT RACE IN THE WORLD A couple of officers from Kings Norton in Birmingham are to take part in a hell-raising marathon across the Sahara to raise money for sick children. Marathon Des Sables - as it is known locally in Morocco is a six-day trek across the dessert covering 154 miles. "The race is quite popular world wide and approximately 700 people are expected to take part this year," said Constable Ian Rolfe. Running anything between 18 and 54 miles a day, the two leave for Morocco on Thursday 4 April and hope to raise as much money as they can for Diana Princess of Wales hospital. "I know it will be gruelling," added PC Rolfe. "But I think it will be worthwhile as well as a fantastic personal achievement on my part." INQUEST JURY TO RETIRE A Coventry inquest jury is due to retire to consider its verdict on a baby who died of a fractured skull when a doctor used forceps to deliver her. Obstetrician Eric Watson broke down in tears as he told the jury of his failed attempts to deliver Megan Hubbard. He said he had not used excessive force but that the injuries could have been caused by his unsuccessful efforts. BRIDGE TO CLOSE FOR ROADWORKS Shropshire County Council has unveiled revised proposals to strengthen Minsterley Bridge which will see the structure closed to traffic. The local authority said the bridge would retain part of the listed 1909 structure, an early example of the use of reinforced concrete. A council spokesperson said the road will be closed for up to 21 weeks. YOUNG PHYSICISTS BATTLE IT OUT Young scientists are hoping to make a mark in the world of physics at the heats of a national competition hosted by Birmingham University. The University is welcoming sixth form pupils from around the region for the Institute of Physics contest. Participants will be asked to present a five-minute demonstration of physics principles using household items. PARENTS' TRIBUTE TO SHOT BOY The parents of a teenage boy who died in a tragic accident during a rabbit shooting trip near Leominster have paid tribute to their "bubbly" son. Scott Wadley, 13, was hit when a shotgun went off as he walked over farmland at Docklow. Vivienne Wadley, the boy's mother, said: "He was really bubbly and really popular. We are in state of shock." MANUFACTURERS LESS GLOOMY Business leaders in the West Midlands have signalled that the recession in the manufacturing sector could be set to bottom out. Carolyn Hannah, regional director of CBI West Midlands, said the group's latest survey had revealed business confidence remained depressed. But manufacturers were less gloomy than in October's previous survey, she said. MP CALLS FOR ERASMUS DARWIN DAY Lichfield's Tory MP Michael Fabricant has demanded an annual event to celebrate Charles Darwin's grandfather. He was responding to calls in the House of Commons to honour scientist Charles Darwin with a national holiday. The MP said Darwin got many ideas from work undertaken in Lichfield by Erasmus Darwin, his grandfather, adding: "There ought to be an Erasmus Darwin Day too." CASH HELP FOR BURGLARY VICTIMS Residents of a Birmingham district who have been repeat victims of burglary are to be offered help in paying for improvements to home security. The scheme on three estates in Kings Norton will see householders receive up to £200 towards anti-burglary measures. The money is part of a £12,000 Home Office grant given to the crime-fighting team covering the area. MAN, 66, KILLED IN CAR CRASH A 66-year-old man has been killed in a car crash in Birmingham. The man was walking in Sandpits Parade, Ladywood, when he was in collision with a Ford Fiesta. Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident. A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said the driver, a 21-year-old man from Bedfordshire, was treated for shock at the scene. POLICE NAME DRIVER FOUND DEAD A motorist found dead in his car after it had ploughed through a hedge near Tamworth has been identified by police. Malcolm Treadwell, 64, was found in his Ford Focus in Clifton Lane, near No Man's Heath. Staffordshire Police said Mr Treadwell, of St Andrew's Close, Clifton Campville, had driven off the road before ending up in a field. BUS SHELTER BUILDING DELAYED A programme to install 50 new bus shelters across Redditch will now not be completed until next year - a year after it was due to begin. Redditch Borough Council says installation firm Adshel has asked for a 12-month delay in the programme, due to have started last month. Council leader Albert Wharrad said he was disappointed with the decision. WALKING TO GOOD HEALTH Wednesday February 06, 9.30am Ranger's Office, Edgbaston Reservoir, Reservoir Road Councillor Carl Rice will be stepping out around Edgbaston Reservoir to mark the official opening of another Walk 2000 route in Birmingham. Councillor Rice (lab. Ladywood) will be joined by members of the local community and 25 Year 5 pupils from St Patrick's School in Winson Green. As part of a health and fitness science project, the youngsters will be timing their teachers' efforts and monitoring their heart rates Walk 2000 is the brainchild of Birmingham's deputy head of sport Ray Davies. She says: "Walking is great exercise, whatever your health or fitness level. People can walk briskly, or enjoy a leisurely stroll. The 2000 metre walks are clearly marked out, and people can enjoy them at any time. For those who prefer some company, trained walk leaders organise regular group walks. "And of course you don't need any special equipment - just a pair of comfortable shoes." There are now seven Walk 2000 routes in Birmingham, with another six planned over the coming months. More information is available from Ray on 0121 464 6054 or from the Walk 2000 website - birmingham.gov.uk/walk2000 NEW HEALTH CLUB TO OPEN Health club group LivingWell has unveiled plans to open a £5m branch in Tamworth, Staffordshire, creating 50 full and part-time jobs. The 26,000sq ft premises, which will be built on the Ventura Retail Park on Bonehill Road will feature a state-of -the-art gymnasium and swimming pool. A LivingWell spokesman said the club would soon be seeking to recruit staff. BABY'S DEATH 'WAS ACCIDENTAL' An inquest jury has returned a verdict of accidental death on a baby who died after failed attempts to deliver her at a Coventry hospital using forceps. Megan Hubbard died of a fractured skull after five unsuccessful attempts at Walsgrave Hospital to rotate her in the womb using a suction cap and forceps. Megan died 10 hours after being born, Coventry coroner's court heard. PARENTS TO CALL FOR GMC REVIEW The Coventry parents of a baby who died after a failed forceps delivery are to ask the General Medical Council to review the doctor involved. Speaking after an inquest verdict of accidental death, their solicitor Paul Balen said the parents were worried the doctor may not have retrained. Obstetrician Eric Watson has since left Walsgrave Hospital and been promoted. POLICE PROBE BEDSIT DEATH The circumstances which led to the death of a 34-year-old man in his Stoke-on-Trent bedsit are being investigated by Staffordsire police. Officers were called to the property in James Street where they discovered the resident's body. A force spokesman said the death is not being treated as suspicious and a coroner's report is being prepared. FREE BARRIERS FOR STREET PARTY Street party revellers preparing for the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations in a Worcestershire town are being offered a hand to cut costs. Those applying for road closure orders to seal off Bromsgrove streets can apply to the town's district council for free barriers. The council hopes it will encourage people to become involved. POP IDOL TICKETS GO ON SALE Tickets have gone on sale for the chance to see the 10 finalists from the hit show Pop Idol live in Birmingham. The 10 singers from the ITV1 show, including finalists Will Young and Gareth Gates, are to sing more than 25 songs at the NEC on March 23 and 24. The line-up, also including 25-year-old Hayley Evetts, from Quinton, will be accompanied by a 17-piece band. LEADER'S VOW OVER LOCAL ISSUES The leader of Birmingham City Council has promised to campaign on key local issues after he was elected to head a large European government committee. Sir Albert Bore has been made President of the 222-strong European Committee of the Regions, a body he wants to make the "voice" for regional government. He has also promised to to fight hard to secure EU grant funding. MEP WELCOMES BSE REPORT A report on BSE monitoring given to the European Parliament "vindicates" the safety record of British beef, West Midlands MEP Liz Lynne has said. Ms Lynne has welcomed the Olsson Report, which criticises other EU states for either being late or failing to comply with laws on livestock. Ms Lynne says it shows the "absurdity" of the French ban on British beef. MATRONS RETURN TO WARDS Matrons have returned to two hospitals in the West Midlands as part of an NHS plan to have a strong, authoritative figure on the wards. Nineteen matrons started work at Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham and Solihull Hospital, wearing grey uniforms with red piping. Each will have the authority to ensure standards of care are upheld. POLICE SUPPORT BACYA, BIRMINGHAM AFRICAN CARIBBEAN YOUNG ACHIEVERS AWARDS West Midlands Police Authority are to donate £1000, through their Community Initiative Fund, to BACYA - Birmingham African Caribbean Young Achievers Awards - which are to be held at the Centennial Centre in Ladywood on 29 March. This will be the second annual awards ceremony which recognises the achievements of 15-25 year olds in 13 categories including 'Anti Racism' and 'Community Achievement'. The awards aim to challenge racism, stereotypes and negative attitudes that may be associated with African Caribbean young people. Police Authority member Mrs Ann Worley will present the cheque to organisers of the awards on Friday 8 February at the Centennial Centre in Ladywood. DIGITAL IMAGES OF LADYWOOD AND EDGBASTON DIRECT TO THE POLICE CONTROL ROOM Reminder of official launch FRIDAY 8 FEBRUARY, 10.00 am at the roundabout, Monument Road and Plough and Harrow Road, Ladywood, then Rose Road police station operations centre - residents, traders, council members and police will gather together this week to see the new Open Circuit Television (OCTV) surveillance cameras - which use mobile phone lines to record images - go live in Birmingham. The launch will see images from the streets of Ladywood and Edgbaston viewed and recorded live onto a laptop or projection screen at Rose Road police station in Harborne. Funded by the City Council's Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, Local Involvement Local Action (LILA), West Midlands Police and Calthorpe Estate, this is the first time OCTV has been used on the streets of the West Midlands. The ability to record images without the use of electrical wires allows flexibility in placing cameras at varied positions throughout the area. It also means that police can quickly move from views of one camera to the other in the event of an incident. VICTIM OF HATE CRIME? REPORT IT ONLINE West Midlands Police has now made it possible for members of the public to report incidents of hate crime through the force website. By accessing www.west-midlands.police.uk the public can get advice on racist and homophobic crime and there is also an option to report incidents in confidence. "This is just another step forward following the introduction of the self-reporting crime forms over a year ago," said Inspector Roz Payne, the force's minority issues officer. "We know that more people now have access to the internet so this is a natural progression to get more people reporting such incidents to police." Over the past three years reported racial incidents have risen from 1,468 in 1999/2001 to 3,321 in 2000/2001. Reporting of homophobic incidents has also increased from 41 in 1999/2000 to 317 in 2000/2001. "This indicates the community has more confidence in reporting such incidents with the knowledge that their cases will be investigated fairly and thoroughly," said Insp Payne. It's hoped many people find the new online forms a faster and user-friendly method of reporting incidents. West Midlands Police has set up various forums across the force area where members of public can go to discuss any issues of concern. For further information contact your local community safety bureau on 0845 113 5000. MAN QUIZZED OVER BOMBINGS A 33-year-old man arrested in N Ireland is still being questioned in connection with suspected Real IRA bomb blasts, including one in Birmingham. The arrest was made under the Terrorism Act at the request of the Metropolitan Police's Anti-Terrorist Squad. He was taken to a police station in central London to be questioned about the blast and two others in London. STUDENT MEDICS' RESOURCE FEARS A boom in the number of people studying medicine at Birmingham University could leave students lacking skills by being unable to join ward rounds. Students at the university, which has accepted an extra 100 students on to medical courses, fear the extra numbers could overcrowd wards. But a spokesman said a further £9m has been invested in new facilities. MINISTER TO OPEN FACULTY Secretary of State for Education and Skills Estelle Morris is to open a new training facility at Birmingham College of Food, Tourism and Creative Studies. The Minister, who is also MP for the city's Yardley constituency, is opening the £8m centre in Richmond House. The Newhall Street institution will offer training for students in hairdressing and beauty. CHILDREN FOUND STABBED TO DEATH Two young children have been found stabbed to death in a car at the Hilltop golf course in Handsworth, Birmingham, police said. Brett Wilson, eight, and his brother Bradley, seven, of Great Barr, Birmingham, were found with a 43-year-old man who had stab wounds. The man, also from Great Barr, arrested at the scene, is in hospital. FINGERTIP SEARCH OVER STABBINGS Police are carrying out a fingertip search in scrubland at a secluded spot in Birmingham where two children were found in a car stabbed to death. The boys aged seven and eight were found with a 43-year-old unidentified man at a golf course in Handsworth. About 20 officers are searching around a golf course outbuilding, which backs on to five private houses. MOTORISTS SHUNTED BY WATER Motorists have been shunted backwards by a wall of surging water which hit them when a reservoir barrier at a quarry collapsed near Lichfield. Police said drivers vehicles' were knocked back around six feet as the deluge hurtled down the southbound carriageway of the A38. The road was closed for more than two hours for a clean-up operation. ACCUSED 'WANTED TO OPEN SHOP' A Birmingham man accused of plotting to cause explosions has said he stockpiled material that can be used to make bombs as he wanted to open a fireworks shop. Moinul Abedin, 27, told the Crown Court that his co-accused, Dr Faisal Mostafa, encouraged the business venture after showing them his interest in rockets. Both men deny committing an act with intent to cause explosions. FOUR HELD IN DUTY EVASION RAIDS Four men have been arrested in raids on properties in the West Midlands as part of a probe into the alleged evasion of £8.5m of alcohol excise duty. Customs officers arrested the men following swoops at 10 properties in the West Midlands, Kent and West Yorkshire. The raids were part of a major alcohol excise diversion fraud operation. JOBS FEAR AT GAS COMPANY Workers at Transco in Solihull, which has 870 staff, have been told their jobs are at risk after gas pipeline operator Lattice announced cuts. The firm plans to cut 2,400 workers at its Transco business "to cut operating costs in line with controls set industry regulater Ofgem". A staff manager said staff were "concerned" over their future. POP IDOL TICKETS GO ON SALE Tickets have gone on sale for the chance to see the 10 finalists from the hit show Pop Idol live in Birmingham. The 10 singers from the ITV1 show, including finalists Will Young and Gareth Gates, are to sing more than 25 songs at the NEC on March 23 and 24. The line-up, also including 25-year-old Hayley Evetts, from Quinton, will be accompanied by a 17-piece band. SUCCESSFUL FIRST WEEK FOR OPERATION FERRARI IN BENTLEY AND SHORT HEATH Operation Ferrari, a two-month major crime reduction operation in the Bentley, Short Heath and New Invention areas of Willenhall, has got off to a great start with 14 arrests, £15,000 worth of stolen property recovered and 3,153 vehicles checked. The operation sees officers being involved in a different operation every day until the end of March and includes vehicle checks, truancy crackdowns, high visibility patrolling, a mobile police station and designated police target arrest days. Sergeant Gordon Price, from Willenhall police station, said: "Our aim over the next two months is to make a positive impact on the local community, and evidence of this is already showing. "We are endeavouring to make these areas as crime-free as feasibly possible and would like to warn people considering committing crime in the area that police will not only be working on highly visible tasks but also undercover." An Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operation in the area involved the search of 3,153 vehicles of which 71 were recognised by the police database as allegedly being involved in crimes or are on the road illegally. This led to 30 vehicles being taken off the road and 14 drivers being reported for a variety of traffic offences. Residents in these areas are asked to contact local police with any crime issues on 01922 433569 or call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111. TWENTY-FIVE BATTLE IT OUT TO BECOME 'COP IDOL' Twenty five rising stars between the ages of 16 and 26, from across the UK, will battle it out this week to become 'Cop Idol', in the latest charity venture organised by employees of West Midlands Police. The panel of judges - Sergeant Simon Cook, Detective Constable Doug Hurren, Darren Yates, Clive Broadhurst and Andrew Robinson, all from West Midlands Police, along with force chaplain, Reverend Bill Hopley - have already spent a day of their own time auditioning scores of talented youngsters at West Midlands Police Headquarters and now it is time for the second round. The judges issued warnings and sentences, granting bail to the 25 stars, who will return for their second attempt on Friday 8 February - TODAY - at West Midlands Police's Tally Ho! Sports and Conference Centre. The panel includes stars of last years charity venture Copstars - a bunch of crooning cops from West Midlands Police - who recorded a local charity single with Joe Pasquale and Pop Idol finalist Hayley Evetts. Sir Cliff Richard, Sir Norman Wisdom OBE and Ken Dodd supported the single. They will be joined on the panel by top-agent Tony Barry from Global Entertainments in Nottingham and a representative from a local recording studio to determine the goodies from the baddies and decide on the final ten contestants. Darren Yates, organiser of the charity event, said: "This time, the singers who will travel from all over the UK will get the chance to perform on stage to a backing track of their own choice, so it should be much more fun". The final line-up of 10 will perform on Top of the Cops - a special charity show which will take place at Tally Ho! on Friday 3 May. An agent, manager, record company representative and the audience will decide on the final winner who will get the chance to record a single - who knows what could happen! Tickets for the final show are now on-sale, priced £7, with all proceeds going to Marie Curie Cancer Care. They are available from the charity on 0121 443 2027. MORE SUCCESSES FOR OPERATION NEW DEAL IN BLAKENHALL Following the launch of the Early Impact on Crime Project, in the Blakenall area of Bloxwich, drug dealers and users are been targeted in a pioneering £1.2 million partnership between the police and residents. During the last week as part of Operation New Deal, a series of raids have taken place in the Blakenall area. As well as 11 arrests in connection with drug, theft and burglary offences, officers have recovered drugs and stolen property including an vehicle that had been stolen in Birmingham. Two local drug users were arrested inside a house that they had broken into in the Blakenall area by patrolling Blakenall officers. These two men were later charged with burglary and were remanded in custody. One of the men has admitted to 16 further burglaries within the area. The man in his twenties from the Bloxwich area has been remanded by Walsall Magistrates to appear on 19 February. Sgt Anne OGrady, from the Blakenhall beat team, said: "Operation New Deal will continue in the Blakenall New Deal area. "As a result of extra funding, four extra police officers have been drafted into the area and with the continued help of the community further raids will take place. "We will also continue to work in partnership with the Local Authority and the community to obtain anti social behaviour orders against prolific offender." Please assist the police in having a positive impact on this community by calling us in confidence with any information about crime that has taken place on 0800 555 111.
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