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M-WAY TURNED INTO HELIPAD Part of the M5 motorway near Birmingham was turned into a temporary helipad as an air ambulance rescued an elderly woman trapped in an overturned car. Police shut the road between junctions 4 and 4a, near Bromsgrove, so the helicopter's paramedics could treat the woman after she was freed. She was flown to Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, with serious injuries. HEALTH AND SAFETY BLITZ IN AREA Inspectors from Birmingham, Worcester and Newcastle-under-Lyme are among a team of 22 officers carrying out a "blitz" on local building sites. The Health and Safety visits are part of a programme designed to cut high death tolls in the industry. The team is concerned at the number of people - about 50 nationally last year - killed in falls in the workplace. HUNT FOLLOWER IN BLEACH HORROR A hunt follower has had bleach thrown into his eyes during a clash with protesters near Stratford-upon-Avon. The 19-year-old was injured when about 80 demonstrators descended on the Three Counties Mink Hunt as it met for the day's sport at Bidford-upon-Avon. The teenager is not thought to have suffered any permanent damage. Two people were arrested during the clash. BID TO CLEAN UP DOG MESS A series of posters featuring photos of real dog mess has gone up around the region as part of a new campaign to make owners clean it up. The images are being displayed on bus shelters in Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Solihull and Wolverhampton with the slogan "bag it, tie it, bin it". Some 1,000 tonnes of dog mess are picked up on British streets every day. NEW HOUSEMATE FOR TV SHOW A privately-educated Worcester man has joined the Big Brother contestants as a replacement for Sandy Cummins, who escaped from the house last week. Tim, 23, who went to a fee-paying boarding school, has now met his fellow housemates. He has a degree in business finance, was born in Kuwait and spent 10 years of his childhood in Hong Kong. GREEN GROUP IN RECYCLING CALL Environment campaigners are calling on the Government to abandon its plans for a rubbish incinerator in Kidderminster and focus instead on recycling waste. Friends of the Earth is pressing for 50% of UK waste to be recycled, up from 30% targets, during its Global Day of Action Against Waste Incineration. The group said there are already too many incinerators in the region. SCHOOL LOSES LAND TO BYPASS A Staffordshire school is to lose part of its playing field to a new bypass but gain improvements to facilities. Education Secretary Estelle Morris said the sports ground at The Meadows school in Biddulph, near Stoke-on-Trent, will be affected by the road construction. But drainage will be improved on school pitches and a new all-weather surface will be constructed at a nearby school. ROBBERY FIGURES SHOW DECLINE Robberies in five Birmingham districts have declined by more than 40%, West Midlands Police figures indicate. Officers say that since a crackdown in Edgbaston, Harborne, Ladywood, Quinton and Winson Green, there have been 43% fewer robberies than last year. The force has also recorded 22.5% fewer burglaries and 29% less vehicle crime since the crackdown began this month. POST-MATCH VIOLENCE: FANS HELD Riot police had to be called in after celebrations over England's World Cup win over Denmark turned violent in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, officers said. About 120 officers were involved in ugly scenes in which around 100 fans hurled missiles after trouble began at Yates' Wine Lodge in Brockley Square. A total of 16 people were arrested before order was restored, police said. EDUCATION CENTRE TO OPEN A visitor and education centre at a Warwickshire park, aimed at giving people the chance to learn about the environment, opens its doors this week. The facility at Ryton Pools Country Park, near Leamington Spa, includes a large classroom and information centre. The £300,000 centre is the latest development at the park, which opened in 1996, replacing a landfill site. DIARY OF CRIME NETS BURGLAR Officers from Small Heath in Birmingham have been awarded for catching a prolific burglar after they discovered a diary with entries of all his crimes. PCs Nadeem Hameed, Ian Roach, Jonathan Cahill and Joe Line had answered calls to a burglary on Hob Moor Road. After carrying out local investigations and speaking to witnesses, two people were arrested and found with stolen property. Further searches at one of the offenders' homes recovered a diary with detailed entries of various offences including robberies and distraction burglaries the man had committed. The two arrested men were later charged with various counts of burglary and robbery. Inspector David McCrone said: "This was an outstanding result for the officers and the discovery of the diary meant we able to detect many outstanding offences. This was an excellent arrest followed by first class police work." The officers, along with all the other members of their beat team, received Quality Achiever Awards from the area Commander Chief Superintendent John Perkins. Also recognised were PCs Gary Wilson, Jared Connop and Roy Jarratt, along with PC Cahill for the second time. They'd received a call of an armed man threatening some people at an address in Redvers Road, Small Heath. The officers managed to get in and arrested the man and give first aid to the victim until paramedics arrived. The offender was later charged with attempted murder. "We are delighted the team has been recognised in this way as they are a valuable asset to the OCU as well as West Midlands Police as a whole," added Insp McCrone. PROPERTY DAY - ALLADIN'S CAVE FOR WILLENHALL Power tools and garden equipment are just a few of the items on view at Brownhills police station on Sunday (23 June) as West Midlands Police officers try to reunite stolen property with its rightful owners. The items, worth thousands of pounds, have gathered over the last few months at the station. Most were recovered during the arrest of local criminals. Some of the recovered property was postcoded and these items have been easily traced, but the vast majority of the property is entirely anonymous. Police Constable Gordon Roberts said: "We decided the best way of finding the rightful owners was to hold an open day when members of the community could come along and try to identify their property. "No one will go home with any of the items on the day as everyone claiming property will have to take steps to prove their ownership." As well as finding the rightful owners, officers will be on hand to promote crime prevention. "We are trying to convince people to help us by marking their property. If these items were marked we would not need to hold a day like this," said PC Roberts. "If you mark your property it makes life difficult for would-be thieves. In some cases, if we cannot match suspected stolen property with its owner, it has to go back to the thief. This is the type of situation that we all want to avoid. "Officers will be on hand to give crime prevention advice and we will also be urging people to mark their mobile phones," added PC Roberts. Members of the public who have had property stolen are urged to come along to Brownhills police station, Chester Road North, Brownhills, between 10am and 1pm on Sunday 23 June. OFFICERS URGE RESIDENTS TO SECURE THEIR SHEDS Police in Rubery are urging residents to ensure their garden sheds are properly secured to beat the burglar. The warning follows several incidents where burglars have used tools from the garden sheds to help them break into homes. Constable Pete Monckton said: "We'd like to urge people to fit locks and hinges using flat headed bolts or security screws. "Residents should also consider reinforcing doors and frames with metal plates and bars, using pad locks or covering shed windows with expanded metal mesh or bars. "It takes very little effort to protect your property and I hope people take heed of our advice." Further tips on protecting your sheds as well as information on the types of alarms to buy is available from PC Monckton at Rubery on 0121 453 0664. GRANDMOTHER ARRESTED AT BASE A Birmingham grandmother cleared of damaging a Trident submarine has been arrested again - at a nuclear plant. Anti-nuclear protester Sylvia Boyes, 58, was held for blocking an entrance to the Aldermaston base. Her arrest came as the Ministry of Defence denied claims that it is planning a huge, multi-million pound expansion at the installation. FAMILY PLEA AFTER DEATH IN US The father of a trainee nurse from Birmingham, found shot dead while on holiday in the US, has said the family is trying to find out how it happened. The body of Sandip Mann, from Wolverhampton, was discovered at a house in Dallas, Texas, on June 11. The 20-year-old University of Birmingham student had been travelling with her twin sister, Mandip. PRINCE'S PAINTINGS UNDER HAMMER Three watercolours by the Prince of Wales are expected to fetch up to £800 each at an auction in Birmingham. The paintings are going under the hammer alongside two signed photographs of King George VI and the Queen Mother. Alison Jakeway, auctioneer with Fellows & Sons, which is conducting the sale, said she is expecting a lot of interest because of the Golden Jubilee. FUNERAL FOR MURDERED PENSIONER The funeral of a pensioner who was murdered as he tried to protect his wife from intruders at his home in Wolverhampton is due to take place. Kenneth Pritchard, 84, suffered a heart attack moments after he was struck on the head as he tried to stop two bogus officials gagging his wife, Flora. Hundreds of people are expected to pay their respects at Bushbury Crematorium. ESCAPED MURDERER RECAPTURED A convicted murderer who escaped from his guard while on a visit to Birmingham more than two months ago has been recaptured, police said. Keith Downey, 35, gave his escort the slip near the Pallasades shopping and the city's main railway station. He was found in the Northfield area of Birmingham. Four others were arrested for assisting an escaped prisoner. CHIEF WELCOMES JUSTICE REPORT The Chief Constable of Warwickshire has welcomed a report claiming court delays cost the justice system £80m a year. John Burbeck said: "We welcome this report as further evidence that there is much to be done to make the criminal justice system work properly." The report by the Audit Commission said the cash is squandered by "delays and inefficiencies". PROBE AFTER MAN DIES IN STREET Detectives are investigating the death of a man in his 40s who collapsed in a street in Redditch. Police said two members of the public alerted the ambulance service to the man when he collapsed. The road was cordoned off for two hours while an initial investigation took place. A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out. CAR DEATH 'NOT SUSPICIOUS' The death of a man whose body was found in a burnt-out car in Warwickshire is not suspicious, police have said. Detectives confirmed the unidentified man died from carbon monoxide poisoning in the Range Rover found in Sherbourne, near Stratford-upon-Avon. A force spokeswoman said efforts are still under way to establish the identity of the victim. POLICE NAME ROAD CRASH VICTIM A woman from Coventry who died in a road accident in Scotland has been identified, police have confirmed. Claire Armstrong, 24, of Middlesborough Road, was killed in a crash on the B743 near Mossblown in Ayrshire. Police said a 31-year-old man who was also invoved in the collision would be the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal. GAS LEAK CONFINES RESIDENTS About 500 residents of a Black Country estate have been confined to their homes after a major gas leak. The fire service cordoned off the area around Station Road, Darlaston, after the mains fault was reported. The area was declared safe about four hours later when a temporary repair stopped the discharge. No residents are believed to have been harmed. POLICE TO RECRUIT AT LOCAL CARNIVAL People interested in a career with West Midlands Police bobbies will get the chance to find out what it's like to be an officer when police from Kings Heath set up at the local carnival this weekend. Staff will be on hand to answer any questions about the application form, written assessments, physical tests and other issues. Personnel officer Brenda McGinley said: "The Kings Heath carnival normally gets a huge number of visitors so we hope many will stop by and have a chat. "The police service is a varied career where no two days are the same. I think if people take time to find out more about the role, they'd find it is one of the most diverse occupations around." Everyone is invited to visit the caravan at Kings Heath Park on Saturday 22 June. MONTHLY COMMUNITY CRIME SURGERIES LAUNCHED IN HANDSWORTH Members of the public are being encouraged to express any concerns or make enquiries about crime issues affecting them at a monthly crime surgery starting THIS SATURDAY (22 June) between 10am and 12pm at Holyhead Road police station. Sergeant Tim Thurlow, from the Handsworth crime fighting team, said: "The aim of the surgeries are to give members of the public and local traders the opportunity to speak in confidence about a variety of crime issues, large or small. "We hope this initiative will enable closer links with the community we serve and will enhance the flow of information. "In particular, it will allow the many traders on Soho Road to get to know their local officers so that we can help them and their property remain as safe as possible." Members of the public who would like to attend can book an appointment on 0121 428 6061. SANDWELL ACTION SQUAD Keeping Sandwell kids safe is a high prioritiy for locally-based officers and their partners who are joining forces to get promote a safety message to local youngsters. Based at Tividale Community Centre this week - Monday 17 June until Friday 21 June - and at Tipton Community Centre from Monday 24 June to Friday 28 June, officers from the area will be taking part in the annual Sandwell Action Squad event. In the past this event has seen more than 1,000 youngsters taking part. Co-ordinator PC Donato Nardiello, who is based at Tipton, said: "Junior school pupils will be bussed into the centres to take part in a series of scenarios aimed at personal safety. These will include stranger danger, road safety, water, fire and rail safety as well as giving youngsters advice on how to deal with bullying. "Various agencies are participating and giving their support. These include: West Midlands Police, British Transport Police, Sandwell Council, Victim Support and Heart Start. An education welfare office will be addressing truancy and there will be support from the local probation service as well." The event, which has always been well supported, ran for more than 10 years but did not take place last year. PC Nardiello said: "The event was greatly missed and so, by popular demand, we have brought it back. Twenty-six schools are taking part this year. There is a lot of active participation from the children and we believe that the scenarios help them to make decisions and enable them to feel equipped to deal with most eventualities. If only one child is saved from being involved in a dangerous situation by the information given, it will be worthwhile." RAM FREED IN RIGHTS RULING Satpal Ram, convicted of murder after a stabbing in Birmingham, has been freed from jail in the wake of a ruling from the European Human Rights Court. Ram was freed after 15 years for a crime some say was provoked by racists. His release comes after judges ruled ex-Home Secretary Jack Straw breached a killer's rights by keeping him in jail longer than parole officers advised. TRAINEE NURSE 'TOOK OWN LIFE' A trainee nurse from Wolverhampton found shot dead while on holiday in the US took her own life, police have said. Texas police said they are satisfied Sandip Mann had committed suicide after her body was found at a house she was believed to be staying at in Dallas. Public information officer Carl Duke said a suicide note had been found when the 20-year-old's body was discovered. FATHER DENIES KILLING SONS A 43-year-old Birmingham man has denied stabbing to death his two young sons. Steven Wilson pleaded not guilty at Wolverhampton Crown Court to murdering Brett, eight, and Brad Lee, seven, on February 6 this year. Wilson, of Linden Avenue, Great Barr, Birmingham, who spoke only to confirm his name and plea, was remanded in custody until September 27. BOY FOILS ABDUCTION ATTEMPT Police are warning parents in Coventry to be vigilant after the attempted abduction of a 12-year-old. The boy, from the Ernsford Grange area of the city, was near a school bus stop in West Orchard Circulatory Road when he was approached by a man in a van. The youngster ignored him but the driver then got out of the white van and tried to grab the boy, who escaped. £20,000 FOR PRINCE'S PAINTINGS A set of watercolours painted by the Prince of Wales has sold for more than £20,000 at an auction in Birmingham. The three paintings, which had a guide price of up to £800 each, fetched between £6,000 and £7,300 at the sale. Stephen Whittaker, managing partner of auctioneers Fellows & Sons, said the Queen's Golden Jubilee had brought added interest in the sale. SCHOOL FRUIT SCHEME LAUNCHED Nearly 100,000 youngsters across the West Midlands are set to tuck into a free piece of fruit as part of a new multi-million pound health programme. Pupils aged four to six are joining the Government's new £42m programme to provide them with fresh fruit each day. The School Fruit Pilot Programme scheme aims to prevent heart disease, strokes and cancer in later life. APPEAL AFTER TV SOCCER RIOT Police investigating a riot which erupted in Stoke-on-Trent following England's World Cup win over Denmark are appealing for witnesses. Officers say a number of innocent bystanders who were caught up in the violence, just hours after the 3-0 victory, may provide valuable evidence. Sixteen people were arrested and have been bailed pending further inquiries. WOMAN SEEKS £70,000 DAMAGES A Birmingham former director of the Prince's Trust is seeking £70,000 in compensation after a work colleague slapped her bottom, a tribunal heard. Dee Narga, 34, a divisional director of the volunteers programme in Birmingham, claimed sexual discrimination and unfair and constructive dismissal. She claimed that she was threatened by the trust's chief when she complained. PINTS RAISED FOR MURDERED OAP Mourners at the funeral of a pensioner from Wolverhampton who was murdered protecting his wife from intruders were urged to "raise a pint" in his memory. Kenneth Pritchard suffered a heart attack moments after he tried to stop two bogus officials gagging his wife. About 100 people gathered at Bushbury Crematorium, Wolverhampton, to pay their respects to the 84-year-old. SON ANGRY OVER TRUST'S SILENCE An ambulance trust has apologised to a Birmingham man after refusing to tell him which hospital his parents had been taken to in an emergency. Phil Jukes, of Sheldon, spent hours trying to find his parents after staff refused to disclose where they were. An ambulance service spokesman said staff cannot release patients' details under the Data Protection Act. LETTERS GIVE TIPS TO PREVENT CAR CRIME Police in Erdington, Birmingham have written to residents living in the Brookvale Road and Electric Avenue areas advising them of the best ways to prevent car crime. The letters give tips on protecting vehicles such as ensuring the car is locked and removing all valuables from display. Acting Sergeant Sharon Green said: "We've had a slight increase in car crime in the area and taking a few simple measures would help reduce such incidents. "We'd like to urge people to take heed of advice given by officers. The measures we recommend are inexpensive compared to the value of a car so it makes good sense." A recent police operation resulted in five people being arrested for car crime offences. The men aged 17, 18 and 20 are currently on police bail pending further investigations. "This is one of many operations to be carried out in the area," added Acting Sgt Green. "The message is clear - anyone caught dealing in criminal activity will be dealt with." Further information about protecting your car is available from local police stations. CHILDREN TAG RUGBY FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME Around 280 children from across the West Midlands are to take part in a tag rugby festival to raise money for the British Police Rugby Section Charity, 'Child Victims of Crime'. Local officers who received their training from the British Police Rugby Section have trained the youngsters aged between 10 and 11. Inspector Alison Barton, from the force's community safety bureau, said: "Schools that expressed an interest in the initiative took part in local tournaments resulting in 28 schools qualifying for the festival. "They are all looking forward to the day. It's amazing how quickly they've picked up the game considering most of them have never played before." Child Victims of Crime aims to enhance the lives of youngsters who have become victims of crime by offering material support to help them overcome the trauma and hurt. This includes access to counselling services, family and activity holidays. Dominic Chambers, from the charity said: "The money raised from this event will make a real difference to the lives of child victims through our charity. Because it has been so successful, we hope to work with West Midlands Police again to bring the festival back every year." Insp Barton added: "West Midlands Police are delighted so many schools saw the value of taking part in this festival. "We see this as an excellent opportunity for officers and children to meet and have some fun while raising money for a very worthy cause." Playing seven a side plus three subs, the kick off is on Tuesday 25 June at Tally Ho! Sports and Conference Centre on Pershore Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. Three members of each team have to be girls. JOINT PROTOCOL ISSUED AIMED AT TACKLING STREET CRIME A ground-breaking new protocol setting out how agencies including the police, Crown Prosecution Service, courts, probation service and Victim Support plan to tackle street robbery has been launched. The nine-page Street Crime Agreement is believed to be the first of its kind launched by a group of such agencies anywhere in the country. The protocol will be signed by senior representatives of key West Midlands agencies in the presence of Housing, Planning and Regeneration Minister Lord Rooker on 18 June, when he visits the region to see how the agencies are working together to tackle street crime. Lord Rooker's department has been assigned to assist in managing street crime in the West Midlands. The West Midlands is one of 10 areas around the country involved in the national Robbery Reduction Initiative and Assistant Chief Constable (Crime Reduction) Chris Sims has been chosen to head the national Association of Chief Police Officers Street Action Group. Since the initiative was launched, offences in the West Midlands have gone down week on week. In the last week, 189 robberies were recorded compared with 240 robberies during the same week this time last year. This is a fall of more than 21 per cent. At the same time, the number of arrests has continued to rise. From 1 April to date, just over 1000 people have been arrested for robbery throughout the West Midlands. The protocol sets out how a wide range of commitments including: ?a pledge by West Midlands Police to increase the presence of officers in both magistrates and crown courts in an attempt to provide reassurance to witnesses and victims giving evidence; ?details of a 'premium service' offered to the police by the CPS, including pre- charge advice to officers, during and out of office hours; ?a commitment from the Probation Service to proactively consider curfews supported by electronic tagging for offenders approaching the end of their sentence; ?an agreement by the Youth Offending Service to encourage people wanted on warrant to surrender to court as soon as possible; ?a pledge by Victim Support to write to every victim of robbery with details of the help available to them. The protocol also says that, where a defendant accused of robbery fails to appear at court, where appropriate the CPS will apply for a warrant to keep them in custody. The police will also give priority to any warrants issued for robbery where offenders fail to appear in court. As part of the agreement, the CPS has also undertaken to inform all victims of the outcome of robbery cases. ACC Sims, said the new protocol was a crucial tool in the battle against street crime. "It's the first time that all of these agencies have joined together and signed up to such a protocol - it is unique," he said. "Agencies recognise that we have to work together if we are to have a long-term effect on street crime." David Blundell, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, West Midlands, said: "All criminal justice agencies are co-operating in order to ensure the speedy and efficient prosecution of robberies and other street crimes. "The CPS is providing a 'premium service' to West Midlands Police which includes pre-charging advice both in and out of office hours. "Cases are being charged and sent to the crown courts in a matter of days. We are all determined to ensure that the people of the West Midlands really enjoy safer streets." Tony Heath, Chief Clerk for Birmingham Magistrates Court, said: "This protocol is a concrete example of all the organisations involved in criminal justice working together to make the streets of the West Midlands safer." During his visit, Lord Rooker will be visiting the force to meet police officers from the central robbery team and central Birmingham operational command unit (OCU) to discuss policing methods, achievements and new technologies which have been successfully implemented by West Midlands Police, in the battle to fight street crime. On the agenda is Cyclops, a new piece of technology currently being piloted by the central Birmingham OCU. The system converts faxed crime reports into a digital file and allows officers to view the information from any computer. The Automatic Number Plate Recognition and Facial Recognition Systems, and the Force Linked Intelligence System (FLINTS) - a new computer based crime-fighting weapon, which has been instrumental in analysing crime trends and hot spot areas across the region will also be demonstrated. FREED MAN VOWS TO CLEAR NAME A man convicted for a murder in a Birmingham restaurant has vowed to clear his name after becoming the first person freed by a human rights ruling. Saptal Ram, 36, was freed on licence after serving 15 years for killing Clarke Pearce in a Bengali restaurant. Ram's sentence was reviewed when judges in Strasbourg said it was illegal for ministers to overrule a parole board. VICTIM'S SISTER SPEAKS OUT Birmingham killer Satpal Ram has shown no remorse and should not have been freed, his victim's sister has said. Jane Smith said she is "devastated" by the news of Ram's release and vowed to take the matter to Home Secretary David Blunkett and the European Court. Mrs Smith added that her mother's health has deteriorated since the family learned of Ram's release. DEAD NURSE 'MAY HAVE OVERDOSED' A nurse from Sutton Coldfield found dead in Thailand may have taken a drug overdose after her lesbian lover ended their relationship, police said. The body of backpacker Amanda Corkery, 32, was found in a house in Khon Khaen province, north east of Bangkok, police Capt Preecha Hoonkham said. He said Mrs Corkery made regular visits there with a female partner. MAN MURDERED FRIENDS A labourer murdered two of his friends with an axe, decapitating one of them before trying to bludgeon his mother to death, Chester Crown Court has heard. John Latus, 31, formerly of the Gate House, Wroxeter, near Shrewsbury, denies both murders but admits the manslaughter of welder Colin Foulkes. He also denies the attempted murder of his mother but admits attacking her. CALL TO CHANGE FLOOD RULES The Bishop of Lichfield is due to call on the Government to acknowledge the full cost that flooding causes the people and businesses of Shrewsbury. Speaking in the Lords, the Rt Rev Keith Sutton will highlight rules which mean the benefit of flood defence schemes must outweigh the cost of building. He says the present rules do not take into account the true cost of flooding. PUPILS WORK OUT GREEN POLICY Warwickshire and Staffordshire young people are helping write a statement for the Government to present to world leaders at an environmental event. Groups of nine to 11-year-olds are joining others from across the country at the National Forest in Derbyshire. They will draw up a statement that will be taken to South Africa for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. PRINCE ARTWORK EXPOSED AS FAKE Two people who paid £20,000 between them for work by the Prince of Wales at a Birmingham auction have been refunded after the artwork was exposed as fake. Auctioneers Fellows & Sons returned the cash after St James's Palace revealed the three pictures were still in the Prince's possession. In a statement, the firm said: "We now feel certain the paintings are copies." LAP-DANCING WRIT WITHDRAWN A landlord has withdrawn a writ against a tenant that set up a lap-dancing club on its Birmingham premises. Marylebone Warwick Balfour began High Court proceedings after learning that tenants allowed another firm to use the venue in the city's Fiveways as a club. The landlord had said the activities amounted to "immoral use" and claimed tenants had breached lease conditions. CLEARED PRIESTS 'MAY FACE BAN' The Catholic Church in Birmingham has said priests cleared in court of abuse would still face possible sanctions. The Most Rev Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Birmingham, was speaking at a conference to launch the diocese's policy statement on child protection. Under the rules, a risk assessment will be carried out and priests may then be barred from working with children. WORRY ON ATTITUDE TO TRUANCY Education minister Stephen Twigg has discussed fears that parents were not enforcing school attendance following truancy sweeps in the West Midlands. Figures show that, of 1,123 pupils in the area stopped out of school last month, almost half were with a parent. Mr Twigg said: "Parents have a vital role to play in ensuring their children are in school when they should be." MOBILE PHONES MARKED FOR SAFER STREETS Police from Bournville Lane operational command unit are to carry out mobile phone marking sessions in Northfield, Birmingham in a bid to clamp down on robberies. Officers will be at the McDonalds restaurant in the centre of Northfield on Bristol Road South on Friday 21 June from 4 to 8 pm and Saturday 22 June from 10 to 2pm. Crime reduction officer PC Terry Lewis said: "We'll be giving crime prevention advice as well as marking mobile phones. "The area has recently suffered a number of street robberies involving mobile phones and these sessions are part of an overall operation to combat such crime. "The OCU already has a dedicated team of officers working on operation Safer Streets II, a force wide initiative aimed at cracking down on street crime. Results so far have been very encouraging." Officers say marking phones decreases the chances of them being stolen. It also helps police track owners when the phone is recovered. West Midlands Police is one of ten forces around the country involved in Operation Safer Streets II, the national Robbery Reduction Initiative and is working closely alongside other criminal justice agencies to reduce street robbery. The force reports back the progress it has made on a regular basis to the Home Office. MAN DIES IN HOUSE FIRE A man has died after fire swept through his Black Country home, says the fire service. The middle-aged resident was rescued from the blaze at the property in Royal Oak Road, Rowley Regis, but was later pronounced dead at hospital. A Fire Service spokesman said the blaze was thought to have started in the kitchen and is not suspicious. MAN JAILED FOR STEALING EGGS A man with two previous convictions for taking bird eggs has been jailed for four months after he was caught with osprey eggs at his Coventry home. Paul Anthony Sly admitted nine offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act at Coventry Magistrates' Court. Ron Watkins, chair of the bench, told Sly, 41, the offences were "so serious only a custodial sentence would do". MAN LOSES £100,000 ENGLAND BET A patriotic punter from the West Midlands has lost £100,000 after he put a bet on England to win the World Cup. The unnamed man staked the six-figure sum at odds of 7/2 at a Ladbrokes shop in Birmingham. He stood to collect £450,000 if the national side beat Brazil, won the semi-final and got through to clinch the most prestigious prize in football. LOW NUMBER OF NVQs REVEALED The West Midlands has the lowest percentage of 19-year-olds with NVQ qualifications in England, according to a Government report. England's Quality of Life Barometer also shows that wild bird numbers have increased in the region since 1990. Countryside minister Elliot Morley said the Government is committed to a sustainable development agenda. POLICE HUNT STOLEN CAR Police are trying to trace a stolen car which has been linked to violent robberies on women in Birmingham, Warwickshire and Leicestershire. The silver Toyota Celica, registration W48 EOL, has been involved in incidents in Walsall, Small Heath, Handsworth, Sparkhill and Smethwick. In one attack a woman was pushed to the ground by a man who stole necklaces. WOMAN FINED FOR FLY-TIPPING The Environment Agency has pledged to bring the full weight of the law to bear on fly-tippers after prosecuting a Rugby woman who dumped a metal gate. Officials put CCTV cameras at a notorious fly-tipping hotspot on the B4027 Brinklow Road in Coventry. Paula Hibberd was filmed depositing the ornamental gate. She was fined £100 and order to pay costs of £150. 18th CENTURY GOLF CLUB ON SALE A rare 18th century golf club is expected to fetch in excess of £50,000 at a two-day sports auction in Telford. The blacksmith-made club is one of the earliest to come on to the market since an early 19th century club netted a record £106,000 in 1998. A programme from the 1906 FA Cup Final between Everton and Newcastle sold for £8,000 at the auction on Thursday. REGIONAL ASSEMBLY PLAN OPPOSED North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson is launching a campaign against plans for a Birmingham-based regional assembly. The Tory MP believes the region's interests will be "overwhelmed" if the Government presses ahead with the plan. Mr Paterson said: "Crucial decisions on housing, transport, schools and the environment should not be removed to a distant, urban regional authority." MURDERS 'SHOW SIMILARITIES' Similarities between the murders of two men, one of whom was found decapitated near Birmingham, suggest one person was responsible, Chester Crown Court heard. The body of trainee welder Julian Sanders, 20, was discovered by a man walking his dog in Cofton Park. John Latus, of Wroxeter, denies several charges including two counts of murder and the attempted murder of his mother. STATUE TO MARK SUMMER SOLSTICE The Summer Solstice is being marked in Birmingham by the erection of a giant fertility symbol and a Druid ceremony. The Green Man, a sculpture of fire and water, will stand at the gateway to the arts centre at the Custard Factory and GreenHouse building. The statue is expected to be one of the iconic images of Birmingham's bid to be European Capital of Culture in 2008.
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or E-Mail us on :
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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.....
