|
    QUICK LINKS TO THE SITE NEWS
ENTERTAINMENT
MOTORS
ARCHIVE ARTICLES AND REFERENCE
WHERE TO STAY
PROPERTY TO RENT
INFORMATION
BUSINESS
FEATURES
DETAILS OF OUR ADVERTISING & DESIGN PACKAGES 101 EVENT
& SPORTING PACKAGES
We've
got some great images to choose from and it's all COMPLETELY FREE !!!
NEW INTER-ACTIVE ZONE Click here to subscribe to our RE-VAMPED FREE NEWSLETTER to find out what's new and what's happening NEW...NEW...NEW...NEW Is there something you want to know about Birmingham
and the Midlands, but don't know who to ask ? Are you trying to trace
long-lost family members or friends?
Jobs at Birmingham101.com We are looking for sales people to work for us selling to businesses and individuals in the West Midlands on a casual, hours to suit basis. For details click here to e-mail us.
|
FLOOD DEFENCE SURVEYING BEGINS A riverside road in Bewdley, Worcestershire, is being closed to allow for work on new flood defences. The Environment Agency said Severnside South would be closed for 15 days while ground investigations are carried out at the site. Boreholes will be drilled to evaluate soil conditions and groundwater levels before building work begins next year. ARSONISTS DAMAGE STABLES Arsonists have set fire to a caravan and stables in a field in Long Eaton, police have said. The offenders entered the field off Harrowman's Drive and set fire to the buildings in broad daylight. The estimated cost of repair and replacement is between £10,000 and £15,000. No one was injured in the fire but police are appealing for witnesses. BOY HIT BY CAR A three-year-old boy suffered a broken leg and head injuries when he was hit by a car as he crossed a road in Birmingham. The youngster was in collision with a Nissan Micra in Bolton Road, Small Heath, West Midlands Police said. The boy has been detained in Birmingham's Heartlands Hospital, where his condition is described as stable. PROTESTERS TAKE TO STREETS Campaigners lobbying for an Afghan couple to be granted asylum in Britain are to take their campaign onto the streets of Birmingham. Friends and supporters of Farid and Feriba Ahmadi, arrested at a mosque in Lye, Stourbridge, plan to leaflet the public in Birmingham city centre. They are currently in a detention centre near Heathrow Airport. PRAYERS FOR DEAD BOY ON BEACH Prayers have been said in Saundersfoot for a one-year-old Birmingham boy who was found dead at the seaside resort. Jordan Reid's body was found submerged in water on an outcrop of rocks at Coppet Hall Beach last Tuesday. His 32-year-old mother, Mirlene Stewart, has been charged with murder, in connection with the case, and remanded in custody. CASH TO BOOST MUSEUM'S PROFILE Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery has been given £240,000 to make its artwork available to a wider range of visitors. The windfall from the Government's Designation Challenge Fund will be used to develop technology initiatives, such as the museum's on-line services. Staff say that 3,000 images of items in its collection are presently available on the museum's website. GROUP SLAMS 'CYNICAL' DUCK CULL Ministers have been criticised by wildlife campaigners after ordering the slaughter of ducks in the West Midlands as part of a "trial cull". More than 2,600 Ruddy Ducks were killed in the UK because they are breeding with the endangered white-headed duck. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) denied Animal Aid claims that the cull was "cynical". FIREWORKS SALE REFORM CALL A West Midlands MP has called on politicians to support a campaign for more regulation of firework sales. Ross Cranston, MP for Dudley North, said his campaign had also won the backing of the animal welfare charity the RSPCA. He said:"I am aware that anti-social behaviour caused by fireworks is a problem in Dudley." LOW CRIME RATE AT FESTIVAL Police have praised revellers attending a dance music festival near Stratford-upon-Avon after the event passed off with just eight arrests. The Warwickshire force said an estiamted 35,000 people had attended the Global Gathering at Long Marston. A spokesman said four arrests for drug possession with intent to supply were made and four for auto-crime offences. MEN WANT GOOD-HUMOURED COOKS Young Asians living in Birmingham are ditching traditional religious values for partners who can tell a good joke and cook, a dating agency survey shows. Culinary skills, good looks and a sense of humour were some of the most important qualities for Asian men and women, above practising their religion. More than two-thirds said they were happy to have an arranged marriage. POLICE OFFICERS TAKE TO THE HILLS WITH LOCAL TEENAGERS Officers from the Holyhead Road crime fighting team working in the Handsworth area of Birmingham will take a group of 10 local 13 to 16 year olds to Snowdonia this week as part of a series of initiatives meant to divert young people from involvement in crime and provide activities for those who would not normally have the opportunity. Police Constable Dan Jones said: "We have a fun packed three days in store for the young people who have just started their school holiday. "Among the climbing, walking and other activities, we also hope to enhance their perception of social responsibility so they have a safe school holiday. "It's important that young people see police officers as approachable so if they get into any dangerous situations they know they can contact us for help." The trips are funded by West Midlands Police's designated charity 'Building Blocks' and West Midlands Police Authority's Community Initiative Fund, which is used to support initiatives in which police officers are involved in improving aspects of their local community. Building Blocks supports activities across the West Midlands which encourage the moral, mental and physical development of young people while diverting them away from a life of crime and/or drug, alcohol or solvent abuse. POLICE ENCOURAGE MORE MALE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TO COME FORWARD Officers at West Bromwich police station are offering their support to groups keen to help male victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence staff have teamed up with the local branch of Victim Support to try and get rid of the taboo of the crime and encourage more men to come forward. Victim Support will be used as the base for their self-help meetings. PC Helen Jackson, domestic violence officer at West Bromwich community safety bureau, said: "We want to make sure people in Sandwell know that Victim Support is an anonymous and confidential network who have links with counselling and independent groups run by male victims." Anyone who wants to talk about domestic violence in the strictest confidence can call PC Jackson at West Bromwich police station on 0121 626 9142 or Victim Support Sandwell on 0121 525 4670. RUGBY GRABS £1K FOR YOUTH TRAINING Sport Active, a Birmingham Sports Centre project that helps young people take up rugby before they leave school, has been granted £1,000 by West Midlands Police Authority Community Initiatives Fund Constable Paul Tyrrell, from the Kings Heath High Street crime fighting team, applied for the money in a bid to create better relations with young people in the area. He said: "Our team is here to improve the quality of life for people living in and around the High Street. When we were approached by Sport Active for help, we realised it was good opportunity to get local kids to take up an exciting sport like rugby. "Sports has been proven to be an effective way of deterring young people from crime and being a rugby player myself, I know such sports can help build team spirit, self esteem and responsibility." Mr Jason Pegg, from Active Sport, said: "We're pleased the Police Authority and officers from the crime fighting team have supported our project in this way. It will certainly go a long way in bridging the gap between police and young people." POLICE OFFICERS HIT THE SHOPS TO COMBAT PHONE THEFT Police officers from the Newtown crime fighting team, based at Bridge Street West police station, will take a crime prevention caravan to Newtown Shopping Centre this Thursday, 1 August, to spread messages about crime prevention to shoppers and staff. The day is part of forcewide Operation Safer Streets II, which aims to reduce robbery and street crime by targeting known criminals and arming members of the public with the tools needed to reduce the risk of crime occurring. Police Constable Jasbir Cox, said: "The shopping centre has many visitors over the course of one day and we are hoping to speak to as many people as possible. "As well as giving out crime prevention leaflets, we will also be holding phone marking sessions at McDonald's, where we will mark mobile phones with ultraviolet pen, we will also have bike marking tools with us. "A mobile phone or bike that is marked and easily identifiable is less valuable to a potential thief and increases the chances of him or her being caught in possession of an item that we can prove is stolen property. "If we can persuade everyone to mark their property as a matter of course it will greatly assist the police in reducing this type of crime." Anyone who would like to have their phone security marked should go to McDonald's between 12 noon and 2pm on Thursday. ARREST REFERRAL WORKERS TO HELP BREAK THE CYCLE OF COMMITTING CRIME TO FUND ADDICTION Seconded to two major police stations, managed by drug charity Addaction and funded by Walsall Primary Care Trust, two arrest referral workers for the Walsall area are an example of a successful partnership that hopes to help break the cycle of individuals committing crime to fund a drug habit. James Varty, based at Walsall police station, and Jacqui Fisher, based at Bloxwich police station, are working in partnership with local police officers to help individuals detained in the custody suite and thought to have a drug or alcohol problem. "Our role is to visit the cells of those people who are thought to have addiction problems that they are funding by committing crime such as shoplifting or property theft and offer support in breaking this cycle," said James Varty. "Once identified, the individuals are then referred to organisations that can help them with their problems and are offered on-the-spot advice about reducing the harm to themselves, for example, the use of clean needles." Local officers are very aware of the link between addiction problems and crime committed to fund a habit and also the tendency for individuals to commit crime while under the influence of drugs, so this approach is very welcome. It is hoped that by referring these offenders to a suitable agency, the cycle will be broken, both helping the offender and reducing crime. "It is important to identify people when they are at their most vulnerable and help them to overcome their problems," added James. "We believe we can help them help to help themselves and eventually integrate them back into the community." MAN FACING CAMBODIA SEX CHARGE A Staffordshire man has been arrested in Cambodia for allegedly having sex with a 12-year-old local girl. Derek Baston, 69, of Lichfield, was arrested in Svay Pak, a suburb of Phnom Penh known for its prostitutes, police Lieutenant Colonel Pol Phithey said. Mr Baston will now be charged in court with paedophilia and could face up to 20 years in jail if found guilty. £1.6m FOR CITY SPORTS COLLEGE A specialist sports college is to be built in Birmingham with the aid of £1.6m of National Lottery funding, it has been announced. The city development is intended for use by students as well as the wider community. It is one of five UK school fitness projects funded by nearly £5m from the New Opportunities Fund. MAN IN COURT OVER ALLEY MURDER A man is due to appear in court accused of murdering a 13-year-old Birmingham girl whose body was found in an alley. Abbas Shabir Ali, 20, of Thornton Lane, Bradford, West Yorkshire, is accused of the murder of teenager Anum Mahmood. Anum's body was discovered in an alleyway close to Hutton Road, in the Little Horton area of Bradford. Police said she had been visiting the city. RAIL CHIEFS SLAM STRIKE ACTION Bosses at a West Midlands-based train operator facing three 48-hour strikes by staff have expressed their "disappointment" at the move. Members of the RMT union at First North Western will walk out on August 5-6, 12-13 and 23-24 after rejecting an "insulting" pay offer. Talks between First North Western and RMT officials are continuing. NEW BUS SERVICES PRAISED A new Government report has praised a popular West Midlands bus service. The Audit Commission's report into Centro's Bus Showcase package found that it is a "good" service, which has "promising prospects for improvement". The high-quality new bus services were given two stars "because they have greatly increased the number of people using the buses on these routes". MOSQUE ASYLUM FRIEND SPEAKS OUT A friend of an Afghan couple fighting to be allowed to claim UK asylum has said she did nothing wrong by taking the pair's children into her home. Soraya Walton is looking after the son and daughter of Farid and Fariba Ahmadi detained from a Stourbridge mosque. She said: "I couldn't bear the idea of the children being returned to Germany where they suffered racial abuse." DRUG USERS WARNED AFTER DEATH Detectives investigating the death of a 24-year-old man in Redditch are warning heroin users that there may be a rogue batch of the drug being sold. Linley Noel was found dead at an address in Beoley Road West. Police say his death may be related to heroin. Two men were arrested on suspicion of supplying a controlled substance and a woman is helping with police inquiries. TRAVIS FORCED TO CANCEL GIG Travis drummer Neil Primrose's spine operation has forced the cancellation of the rock act's appearance at the V2002 festival in Staffordshire. The band said the decision to pull out of the Weston Park gig was taken "with great regret" but the musician had been told to avoid aggravating his injuries. Primrose was hurt in a swimming pool accident in France. TECHNOLOGY CENTRE SET TO OPEN A new £7m technology centre will open in Shropshire next week following five years of planning and two years of construction. The Enginuity attraction at The Ironbridge Gorge Museum, near Telford, is expected to attract 100,000 visitors a year. Enginuity's bosses say they have scoured the world for the exhibits. REWARD OFFERED FOR INFORMATION Police at Redditch have today released CCTV footage of an armed robbery that took place at Gentry's store in Farm Road, Redditch on Thursday July 18th. Three men, one of which was armed with a handgun, got into the shop through an upstairs window and then went through the living area to the shop. Once there they then confronted the two women who were working in the store. One of the men then grabbed one of the women and struck her across the head causing bruising, she was treated and discharged from the Alexandra hospital. A second offender grabbed the other woman whilst the third offender then took a few hundred pound from the till. The three men then went back through the living quarters and escaped through the window in a dark coloured old style Rover car which had been parked in Sillins Avenue, around the corner from the store. The first offender is described as a white man, about 5ft 8inches - 10 inches tall of slim build in his late 20's early 30's. He had pointed facical features and was unshaven with stubble. He had brown collar length hair and was wearing a dark padded jacket. The second offender is described as an asian man, about 5ft 11 inches - 6ft 1 inches tall, of stocky build aged in his 30's. He was wearing a black balaclava and black clothing and he was armed with what is believed to be a handgun. The third offender is described as a white man, wearing a black coat with two white stripes on the back of the coat in the middle and a baseball cap. Detective Inspector Steve Cullen said, "This was a nasty offence, and, as is always the case when a firearm is involved, had the potential to be a lot worse. I am certain that anyone who knows who these offenders are will recognise them from the CCTV pictures. "Mr Gentry has very kindly offered a reward of #1,000 for information leading to the arrest and charge of a suspect and therefore we are hoping that anyone who knows anything about this offence will use this incentive to contact us. "We have carried out forensic examinations at the store and we are waiting for the results on those. The two women who were involved in this robbery were obviously shaken by the offence and did suffer some injuries, they are now helping us with our enquiries. "People do not necessarily have to call the police if they are too afraid to give us the information. They can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, they do not need to give their name and the call is completely free. Rewards are also given for information leading to the arrest and charge of a suspect. WEST MIDLANDS POLICE KEEP MORE CALLERS HAPPY Customer satisfaction levels with West Midlands Police are at the highest for several years, according to internal surveys involving callers who contact the force. The satisfaction level hit 91 per cent for the month of June - the internal force target is set at 90 per cent. This compares to 89 per cent for the previous month May and 87 per cent for June last year. A total of 843 people who reported incidents to police were spoken to during June and asked about their satisfaction levels by the force call bureau. The areas covered by the telephone interview include; satisfaction with initial response from officers, best and worst aspects of the service, satisfaction with foot and mobile patrols and extent to which they were kept sufficiently informed. The call bureau can pass any issues raised by the caller back to the relevant police area and provide extra information, such as crime prevention leaflets, to them. Chief Superintendent Chris Moore, head of Performance Review, said: "This is a very pleasing result and the force will work hard to make sure that satisfaction levels remain high. It also demonstrates that sector policing is effective and that officers are forging very positive links with the community." The force collects the data on behalf of the Home Office as part of the suite of national Best Value Performance Indicator's. POLICE CD-ROM IS COOL FOR YOUNGSTERS An exciting new way for youngsters to find out about the work of police officers is set to provide an extra boost to West Midlands Police's success in attracting new recruits . A unique CD-Rom has been produced by the force's recruiting section and is aimed at getting kids to start thinking about joining West Midlands Police much earlier in life. Recruiting marketing co-ordinator David Vidgen said: "This is an excellent way for young people to find out what it's like to be a police officer. "With a selection of games and competitions, you can even go on patrol with your chosen officer. This is the closest youngsters could get to taking part in a planned operation or attending a road traffic collision. It's the first time any force has done this and we're pleased with the response we've had so far." The CD-Rom is part of a long tern strategy to continue to build the establishment of West Midlands Police. Figures now show the force has a head count of 7,992 officers - a target originally set for March 2003. Director of Personnel David Williams said: "The increasing numbers of people being taken on means we'll have recruited 730 officers by the end of this financial year. Ninety new starters were taken on this month, which included 11 people from minority ethnic backgrounds - the highest to be achieved by the force in one intake. "We believe the results can only get better as the recruiting section continues to plan recruitment drives at various community events across the West Midlands. Many more people are now beginning to see the force as a good employer and an opportunity to build a long and challenging career." Nine people transferred into West Midlands from other police forces this month and four have rejoined after leaving to join other forces or careers. West Midlands Police has a positive equal opportunities policy to ensure all applicants are treated fairly and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. For further information about becoming a police officer or special constable contact the recruitment hotline on 0121 265 7007 or visit the website at www.west-midlands.police.uk/recruitment SANDWELL GETS NEW DRUGS ARREST REFERRAL WORKERS Both Sandwell police operational command units are working in partnership with other agencies in a new approach to tackle the problem of drugs. Two new arrest referral workers have been employed to work at West Bromwich and Smethwick, covering the north and south of the borough. They will work alongside officers in custody suites with a view to speaking to prisoners and helping those with a drug problem to break the habit. Jane Ratcliffe, at West Bromwich, and Kerry McWilliams, at Smethwick, will identify those people with drug problems and refer them to other agencies such as the Anchor Project who can give further assistance. The advice and counselling centre is open Monday-Friday and is based at St Michaels Court, Victoria St, West Bromwich. Callers can contact the Sandwell Community Drugs Team there on 0121 500 5852. Sandwell North drugs liaison officer Detective Constable Niall Markham said: "The primary aim of the new workers is to get more prisoners with drug problems on to treatment programmes. Many people commit crime to feed a drug habit and if we can break this cycle we can ultimately reduce crime levels YOUNG CAR MECHANICS TO TRANSFORM OLD BANGER Young enthusiasts aged 15 and over are getting a chance to re model an old banger into a 'Hot Rod'. There'll be a chance for youngsters living in Stechford to give a car racing seats, alloy wheels and sporty paintwork, as well as learning to change oil and water. And there will even be an opportunity to take the car to Birmingham Wheels Raceway and for a test drive. Sergeant Michelle Boult said: "The youngsters will be given the chance to learn some basic car mechanic skills to help them complete the transformation. "The car will be repaired over the summer break and 16 children have been chosen to take part in the Technical College based workshop on Henley Street, Sparkbrook on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons." This is one of many initiatives organised by police at Stechford as part of Velocity '02, a project aimed at taking local young people off the streets during the holidays. Funding has been provided by the Government's Splash Extra initiative, and will pay for a range of courses and day trips through out the summer break. "We are delighted with the response we've had so far from the community," added Sgt Boult. "The kids have been great and really appreciate having something worthwhile to do over the coming weeks." MUMS THE WORD FOR A RED FACE Playgrounds across the Midlands are turning a brighter shade of red,
as new research proves the region's kids are fit to burst with embarrassment
because of their parents' antics.If you've ever been told off by your
kids for kissing them in public,dancing at their school disco or even
for acting like a big kid yourself, now's your chance to be royally rewarded,
as top prizes are up for grabs in the Jammie Dodgers' search for the UK's
most embarrassing mum. MURDER CHARGE MAN AWAITS RULING A jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court is resuming its deliberations on a 40-year-old man accused of murdering a father who was shot in the head. Graham Sampson, of Welshpool, Powys, denies killing Raymond Marshall, whose body was found at Mount Pleasant Farm in Grindley, Uttoxeter, last August. The jury has already found Wesley Dickens guilty of Mr Marshall's murder. DRINK-DRIVE MURDERER GETS LIFE A drink-driver who deliberately mowed down a pedestrian after an argument in a pub has been jailed for life at Birmingham Crown Court for murder. Stuart Hickman, 24, a haulage company worker of Starkie Drive, Oldbury, had denied murdering Stuart Harvey, 30, of Weoley Castle in November last year. Mr Harvey died a day after the incident in the Harborne area of Birmingham. PARK ONE OF 'SEVEN WONDERS' Alton Towers in Staffordshire has been voted one of the "Seven Wonders of Britain" by teenagers in a survey. The theme park has been chosen along with the likes of the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff and the London Eye in the Yellow Pages report. The contemporary list of British wonders was compiled following research with more than 2,500 teenagers. DOCTOR 'CAUSED MAYHEM' A Birmingham doctor caused "mayhem" when he temporarily took charge at a Wednesbury GP's surgery, a GMC hearing in Manchester has been told. Dr Ram Vir Kapur, of Englestede Close, is accused of making offensive and sexual comments to two patients while at the Village Surgery in 1998. Dr Kapur denies allegations of serious professional misconduct. HEALTH WORKERS SCOOP AWARDS Health workers in the West Midlands have received awards for their contribution to health care. Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust's heart failure service won the coronary heart disease award at the annual Health and Social Care awards. Wolverhampton Health Action Zone and the Sutton Hill medical practice in Telford also won awards. SINGER WINS MERCURY NOMINATION Wolverhampton soul star Beverley Knight is among 12 nominees battling it out for this year's Mercury Music Prize. Knight has been nominated for her third album, Who I Am. The award ceremony will be on September 17 and is to be broadcast on BBC2, BBC4 and Radio 1. Past winners of the prize have included Badly Drawn Boy, Pulp, Primal Scream and Talvin Singh. JUDGE ATTACKS ADAPTABLE GUNS A judge has condemned over-the-counter guns as he jailed two men at Birmingham Crown Court for 10-and-a-half years for killing a man with an adapted weapon. Birmingham men Mathias Lescott, 18, of Oldfield Road, and Chai Burrell, 23, of Cambridge Crescent, admitted the manslaughter of Levi Tafari Genesis. Richard Wakerley QC said availability of the guns is "a grave concern". UNIVERSITY HONOUR FOR TWINS Twin sisters have graduated together from Staffordshire University with distinctions in the same subject. Caroline Longshaw and Fiona Muirhead, 28, former pupils at Clough Hall High School in Kidsgrove, studied part-time for their HNC in Business awards. Caroline plans to move into human resource management and Fiona hopes to further her career in insurance. POLICE HELP LAUNCH RACIAL JUSTICE WEEK IN SANDWELL Racial Justice Week begins on Monday 2 September with police from Sandwell North and 'West Bromwich Churches Together' joining to encourage the increased reporting of hate crime in the area. Over the past two years members of St Andrews Church in West Bromwich and police at Sandwell North have worked together in relation to tackle hate crime. Staff in the community safety bureau have worked with Sandwell Chaplain, Reverend Julian Francis, with the Deanery, and lately with 'Churches Together' in an effort to increase awareness of hate crime and most importantly, better reporting of hate crimes. This is all part of a concerted effort to bring down levels of harassment and violence experienced by vulnerable people. Hate crime includes racist crimes against people because of their colour or ethnic background, crimes against people who are vulnerable such as people who are mentally ill, elder abuse and homophobic crime against the lesbian and gay community. PCs Andy Poyner and Marie Bond will be holding a seminar for local ministers and invited guests on Monday 2 September at Wesley Methodist Church, High Street, West Bromwich. This will be followed by the official launch of Racial Justice Week at 1.45pm. On other days during the week the officers will be conducting similar themed seminars in churches and community locations around West Bromwich. Throughout the week the Wesley Methodist Church will house a permanent display for those wishing to learn about and understand the issues of racist harassment and hate crime. PC Poyner said: "In taking part in this joint initiative we are trying to show the community that by working in new and innovative ways we can create a more cohesive and respectful community and promote actions against all forms of harassment especially for those persons who are most vulnerable." CHIEF CONSTABLE OPENS NEW CELL BLOCK FOR SOUTH SANDWELL Chief Constable Sir Edward Crew is to officially open the new custody
suite at Smethwick police station on Monday 5 August. The bigger cell
block is already in use to hold prisoners and is supervised by Inspector
John Wharrier. The suite, with 16 cells, represents around £1 million
worth of investment. The state-of-the-art facilities include CCTV and
better interviewing space for officers and prisoners. The cell block opened
in May and the Sandwell South robbery team are aiming to fill them with
prisoners as a result of the force robbery initiative, Operation Safer
Streets II. Officers working on the South Sandwell operational command
unit have made more 70 arrests since the start of the initiative in April.
If you wish to contact us either : PHONE 0121 444
4723
or E-Mail
us on :
Do you want to link to our site ? Feel free to use the Image below , let us know and we'll give a return link.
BACK TO BIRMINGHAM101 HOME PAGE
|
We
can now offer a whole range of top quality ticket / hospitality packages
to
many of the most prestigious sports events such as Twickenham, Rockingham,
major golfing tournaments, as well as some superb sporting holidays. Ideal
for individuals or businesses.....
