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ESTATE MADE POLICING PRIORITY Stoke-on-Trent's Grange Estate has been named as a Policing Priority for extra resources to help tackle street crime. Home Secretary David Blunkett's new Police Standards Unit is already working with local officers to draw up action plans on tackling crime. The initiative is the first time the Home Office has intervened directly in issues of local policing. BOY ESCAPES FROM SNATCH BID A man has attempted to abduct an 11-year-old boy from a street in Warley, West Midlands, police said. He grabbed the boy's wrist and tried to pull him in to a Metro van on Queensway but the boy managed to struggle free. Police are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information is asked to call 0845 113 5000 and ask for officers at Smethwick Police Station. CITY'S 'COLLAR' DEMOLISHED Work has begun to demolish a "concrete collar" section of Birmingham's inner ring road as part of plans to revamp the Eastside area of the city. Masshouse Circus, dubbed "Malfunction Junction" by planners, will make way for a learning and creative district. Plans include a new library and city centre park, along with residential and commercial projects. MAN DIES FROM HEAD INJURIES Police are to release more information about the suspicious death of a young man found with head injuries in a pub car park near Telford. Detectives said they want to speak to people who were at the Crown Pub in Hodge Bower, Ironbridge. The 24-year-old man died at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital after ambulance crews found him. BIRMINGHAM PRISON HELPS POLICE REDUCE CRIME IN WINSON GREEN Police across the country already work from interesting and innovative sites to get closer to the communities they serve. But officers from the West Midlands have taken a step further - establishing a new police base in office space donated by Winson Green prison. The new accommodation means local officers from the Winson Green neighbourhood action team can work even closer to the local community. A team of six officers will be based at All Saints House, part of the former mental hospital, which has been recently refurnished as part of the £58 million expansion of the prison. Sergeant Verley Tyndale, part of the team, said: "Being based in front of the prison locates us right in the centre of the area we cover. "We have already had some successes in making this area safer including a significant amount of arrests, the recovery of stolen firearms and searches of properties which contained illegal drugs." The new base will be officially opened THIS WEDNESDAY, 13 MARCH at 10.30am by Bryan Payling, Prison Service Area Manager for the West Midlands and Chief Superintendent Phil Ellis of West Midlands Police. Governor of Winson Green prison, Mike Shann, said: "I am pleased to be sharing some of our new accommodation with the local police. This is an excellent example of working in partnership to reduce crime, and supports our commitment to protect the community." MORE THAN 600 LESS VICTIMS OF VEHICLE CRIME IN THE CITY CENTRE Therewere more than 600 less victims of vehicle crime in Birmingham
city centre during the last 12 months, according to the latest statistics.
Vehicle crime, which includes the theft of a vehicle, theft of property
from a vehicle and damage to a vehicle, has fallen by 15 per cent in the
last year. Overall crime has reduced by 2 per cent. Detective Chief Inspector
Steph Popadynec, crime manager at Central Birmingham operational command
unit, said: "These figures give a clear indication of some of our achievements
over the last 12 months and are a credit to the hard work of officers
and support staff. "The reduction in vehicle crime can be partly attributed
to a successful partnership between ourselves, NCP (National Car Parks),
who manage a lot of parking space in the city centre and Birmingham City
Council. "In particular the use of anti-social behaviour orders on two
prolific car thieves has undoubtedly assisted this reduction. "Burglaries
are also down, in houses by 35 per cent and in businesses by 5.5 per cent,
with overall crime figures recognising central Birmingham as the best
performing operational command unit of the force area for October, November
and December." Another area that is being actively targeted by police
is robbery, with a series of operations taking place over the last year
as part of Operation Safer Streets: PROPERTY DAY - ALLADIN'S CAVE FOR WILLENHALL Power tools, fishing equipment and car stereos are just a few of the items on view at Willenhall police station this Saturday (16 March) 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. Sergeant Jean Knowles said: "We decided that 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 some are still required for court cases, and everyone claiming property will have to have proof of ownership. "But some of these items must have great sentimental value and we are hopeful that these will be claimed." 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 Sgt Knowles. "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, then 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 will be giving out property marking pens and stickers for people to use at home. All you need to know is your postcode and house number. We will also be urging people to mark their mobile phones and there will also be an opportunity to find out about forming or joining a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in your area," added Sgt Knowles. Members of the public who have had property stolen are urged to come along to Willenhall police station, John Street, Willenhall between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 16 March. RESIDENTS IN LADYWOOD TO RECEIVE HOME SECURITY KITS Elderly and vulnerable residents in the Ladywood and Edgbaston areas are to be offered home security kits which contain a door bar, spy hole, door mirror and memominder - an innovative voice alarm system which prompts elderly people of the need to ask callers for identification. Local police are working with community organisations to distribute the kits, designed by the Home Office, around the area. Police Constable Sarah Morgan, from Rose Road police station, said: "The kits are aimed at reducing the amount of distraction burglaries, where thieves pose as bogus officials and prey on the elderly or vulnerable. "They will also act as a reminder to residents to make appropriate checks before letting strangers into their homes. "We hope that people receiving the packs will feel a lot safer knowing they are equipped with these tools." The kits will be demonstrated to local community groups at a meeting at Ladywood Community and Health Centre this week as a local strand of forcewide Operation Liberal, the long-term initiative to crack down on bogus officials. SCOLAREST TEAMS UP WITH POLICE TO URGE KIDS TO SAY 'NO' TO BULLIES A group of characters developed by Sandwell school meals caterer Scolarest to encourage primary school kids to eat healthily and become good citizens are teaming up with West Midlands Police to say 'no' to bullying. Pyramid Pete and his dinosaur friends are supporting Caring's Cool - an annual primary school competition that encourages children to produce work based on the theme of anti social behaviour. Bullying is this year's subject matter and youngsters are required to design a screen saver for the computers at school. A total of nine winners and their friends across the West Midlands will be selected and invited to a Caring's Cool event in July, where there'll be a celebration of their work. This month, Scolarest will also launch its own anti-bullying campaign in 115 Sandwell primary and junior schools. Kids will get an activity sheet with their meals featuring fun dinosaur character Meaty - whose message to kids is 'Play Fair' - with advice on how to deal with bullying. Youngsters who correctly complete the sheets will have the chance to win a jigsaw or a Meaty soft toy. "We're absolutely delighted Pyramid Pete and his friends are coming on board to support Caring's Cool," said education materials officer Nicky Warner. "They are already very popular in schools and this is the perfect opportunity to encourage kids to stay healthy as well as think about their social responsibilities." Stuart Mitchell, contract manager for Scolarest, who provide catering services to 124 Sandwell schools, said: "We're very pleased to be working with West Midlands Police on this hugely worthwhile initiative. Mealtimes are an important social part of the school day, and, as well as promoting healthy eating, Scolarest is keen to encourage children to think about others and to behave responsibly." ABDUCTION ANNIVERSARY APPEAL A fresh appeal for information is being made on the anniversary of an abduction of a Barton-under-Needwood girl by a suspected paedophile. The six-year-old was snatched from near her home last March and subjected to a terrifying ordeal in which some of her clothes were removed. She was found uninjured in Walton-upon-Trent, Derbyshire, by a teacher. MP ACCEPTS ROYAL HONOUR A Shropshire MP has been appointed a patron of The Constitutional Monarchy Association, it has been announced. Michael Fabricant, MP for Lichfield, is joining others including Sir Cliff Richard as a patron of the association. He said:"I understand this came about because I have argued in Parliament for the national anthem to be played when BBC1 closes down for the night." MINISTER SET TO PAY VISIT The Government's health and safety minister is due to visit Shropshire for several engagements in the county. Dr Alan Whitehead MP will visit Leaton Quarry, near Wellington, Telford, after the quarry won an award for best practice in health and safety. He will then visit Telford and Wrekin Council and Shropshire County Council to discuss local government. HOSPITAL PRAISED IN REPORT Bosses at a West Midlands hospital have welcomed an independent report praising the standard of care and treatment. The Dr Foster's Good Hospitals Guide gave the Walsgrave Hospital a five-star rating - out of a possible 10 - for its performance and clinical quality. The ratings have been endorsed by Health Secretary Alan Milburn. Only 36% of hospitals were rated more highly. KIDNAPPED DOG FOUND SAFE A dog kidnapped from a West Midlands Catholic priest by thieves who threatened to kill it unless a £3,000 ransom was paid has been found safe. Rosa, belonging to Father David Lloyd, was in the priest's Volvo when it was stolen from his Dudley home. The car was later found burned out in Tipton, but Rosa was discovered on wasteground by two boys. DONOR ORGAN APPEAL BABY DIES A critically-ill baby girl from Shrewsbury has died in hospital after a nationwide appeal failed to find her a life-saving donor organ. Seven-month-old Rebecca Peacock died peacefully in her parents' arms on Mother's Day at Birmingham's Diana, Princess of Wales Children's Hospital. Rebecca was born with a failed liver. Donor calls were made last November. BRAIN DAMAGE WOMAN WINS £1.6m A West Midlands woman who suffered permanent brain damage shortly after her birth 24 years ago when she was left lying in a hospital cot won £1.6m. Rona McLean, from Smethwick, was taken to St Thomas's Hospital, London, in March 1978 aged seven weeks old after her mother found her limp and lifeless. She was not treated for more than four hours and now has a mental age of two. CAR PARK DEATH MAN NAMED Police have named a 24-year-old Telford man who died in hospital after being found injured in a pub car park. Darren Corrigan, of Majestic Way, Aquaduct, died at the town's Princess Royal Hospital of severe head injuries. He was found injured at the Crown pub in Hodge Bower, Ironbridge. A man has been arrested and is helping West Mercia Police with their inquiries. STUDENTS RACING TO DESIGN CAR A team of Aston University students have begun a global challenge to design a racing car in just five days. The budding designers and engineers have been joined by students from Temasek Polytechnic in Singapore and Colorado University for the challenge. The groups will work around the clock to create the final design of the computer-generated car by March 15. BUS DRIVER STABBED BY PASSENGER A coach driver has been stabbed after confronting a passenger who activated a smoke alarm in the vehicle's toilet at a Stoke-on-Trent bus station. Staffordshire Police said the National Express driver is "stable" after being stabbed in the face and shoulder in the attack at Hanley bus station. A man is being held at Hanley police station in connection with the attack. CCTV BOOSTS CRIME FIGHT Control room staff monitoring CCTV cameras across the Bromsgrove District Council area helped police make more than 200 arrests last year. Controllers and officers from West Mercia Police liaised on more than 1,700 CCTV incidents in 2001. Most were shoplifting incidents but other offences included drink-driving, assaults and criminal damage. DINNER LADIES SHARE £1m PAYOUT A group of school dinner ladies, cleaners and caretakers, who worked across Warwickshire, are sharing almost £1m after winning an equal pay case. The 85 women won an employment tribunal complaint in 1999 that they should have been paid the same bonus as male staff. Warwickshire County Council has agreed the payout after the Birmingham hearing ruled they were treated unfairly. POLICE HUNT LITTLE CHEF ROBBERS Two armed robbers thought to have carried out 14 raids at Little Chef restaurants, including three in the West Midlands, are being hunted. The men have terrorised restaurant staff with chisels, screwdrivers and baseball bats, police have said. They have struck at Little Chef outlets at Halesowen, Oldbury and Meriden and 11 others. TRADE FAIR TO BOOST TOURISM Tourism operators are setting out their stalls for the two-day British Travel Trade Fair at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre. The event comes at a time when Britain is desperate to build up tourist numbers after the problems of 2001. Tourism Minister Kim Howells is opening the fair, which will feature more than 500 UK tourist operators. HUNT ON FOR 'DOGNAPPERS' Detectives are continuing their hunt for "dognappers" who threatened to kill a Dudley priest's Welsh terrier if he did not pay a £3,000 ransom demand. West Midlands Police said Rosa, a four-year-old bitch, had been reunited with Fr David Lloyd after she was found safe and well in the Tipton area. Rosa was in the priest's Volvo when it was stolen from outside his home. ARMED GANG ROBS RESTAURANT A gang of armed robbers escaped with cash from a tandoori restaurant in Coventry, sparking a police hunt. Four offenders, one of whom was armed with a shotgun, robbed the Shahzalal Tandoori Restaurant in Holbrooks, as staff were closing up the premises. The balaclava-clad robbers threatened staff before stealing cash from the till and fleeing in a gold Astra car. PET CAT MAY BE UK'S OLDEST A 26-year-old cat from the West Midlands may be the oldest in Britain, experts from the Guinness Book of Records have said. It is believed Tiger the tabby, who lives with Roy and Linda Gilbert in Dudley, could be the oldest after previous record holder Spike, 31, died. Domestic cats normally live 10 to 12 years. The oldest ever lived to be 34. ARSON ATTACK ON CHARITY SHOP An arson attack has caused extensive damage to a charity shop in Solihull, according to police. West Midlands Police said the blaze started after offenders set fire to the Church Mouse charity shop in Elmdon Lane, Marston Green. Officers investigating the incident have appealed for anyone with information to contact them. EVENT TO BOOST WOMEN'S CAREERS Women researchers are to be shown how to maintain a level playing
field with male colleagues at a conference in Warwick to help develop
their careers. Organisers believe women researchers who want a family
are disadvantaged because taking time out stops them from making contacts
and building success. Warwick University is hosting the Gender and Education
Association event. OPEN DAY COMING TO A JOB CENTRE NEAR YOU WestMidlands Police has teamed up with job centres in Birmingham and the Black Country to provide the perfect opportunity to find out more about a career in the police service. Most people don't realise how many varied jobs there are within West Midlands Police. Recruiting marketing co-ordinator David Vidgen said: "We are always on the look out for support staff to work in departments such as call centres, personnel, recruiting, front offices, accountancy, estate management and to work as solicitors or scenes of crime officers. "These posts are normally advertised in the local press and people should also visit the force website for further details. "We also have plenty of opportunities for people who'd like to work as police officers, out on the frontline and in their communities," added David. "Applicants don't need formal qualifications but would need to demonstrate good communications skills, literacy, work as a team and be able to cope with the unexpected." Those who have a few hours to spare every week can volunteer to join the Special Constabulary. On Wednesday 13 March from 9am to 4.30pm, anyone who wishes to speak to someone about a career with West Midlands Police will be able to speak to a police officer or support staff member at a job centre near them. For a list of participating job centres please contact the recruitment hotline on 0121 265 7007 or visit the website at www.west-midlands.police.uk/recruitment WEST MIDLANDS POLICE INVITED TO ATTEND MAJOR CONFERENCE IN INDIA West Midlands Police is one of 16 police forces in the United Kingdom invited to attend a major conference in India next week. The conference is part of an eleven-day visit by officers to New Delhi and the Punjab, looking at community policing and information sharing. Assistant Chief Constable (Crime) Chris Sims, will be joined by Chief Superintendent Michael Layton, commander of Willenhall operational command unit, Detective Inspector Gill Baker, head of the force's Family Protection Unit, and PC Harvinder Rai, from the Training Department at Brownhills. It is the third visit to India by Chief Supt Layton and PC Rai as part of a two-year project to improve international links between the two countries, sponsored and funded by the by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). The first part of the visit involves a three-day seminar in Delhi, which will involve up to 100 Indian police officers. Chief Supt Layton will be speaking about community policing within the West Midlands and ACC Sims will talk about the use of technology within crime investigation. The visit will also include an official reception involving staff from the British High Commission. The second part of the visit will be to the Punjab, where liaison will take place with senior police officers followed by a visit to the Phillaur Punjab Police Academy. This is the force's third visit to India since February 2001, as a result of being involved in a national project looking at the issue of forced marriages. "As a direct result of our work in this area, West Midlands Police now has a database of some 40 cases of forced marriages. Training has been given to officers working in the Family Protection Units and training of further staff is planned," said Chief Supt Layton. "In addition, we are working to ensure the subject is incorporated into our policies where relevant. For example, it has recently been included in the new missing person's policy." The visits to India are aimed at sharing information between the two countries and the protection of vulnerable members of society. "This has clearly been a unique opportunity for me both to gain a fascinating insight into the culture of Asian society and to work with colleagues on a particularly sensitive but nevertheless important policing issue," said Chief Supt Layton. "The visits have helped reinforce the links we have already set in place with our colleagues in India and look at ways we can continue to share good practice," he added. POLICE ISSUE CAR JAMMING WARNING Officers in Kings Heath are urging drivers to lock their car doors and keep any valuables out of sight when travelling in the operational command unit that covers Kings Norton, Billesley, Druids Heath and Kings Heath. The warning comes after several incidents where offenders have particularly targeted women drivers and stolen their handbags while waiting in traffic. Constable Nick Gant said: "People should really take care especially when travelling alone. Items such as mobile phones and laptops should be kept out of sight. "It's easy for someone to lean over through the window or to simply open a car door and steal valuables. Drivers should check their surroundings and if they feel threatened they must sound their horn in order to alert other road users." MAN IN COURT OVER BUS STABBING A 41-year-old man is due in court charged with the attempted murder of a coach driver in Stoke-on-Trent. The man will face Stoke-on-Trent magistrates in connection with the incident at Hanley bus station, Staffordshire Police said. The National Express driver, 59, from Newquay, Cornwall, has undergone surgery in hospital. HEARING AGAINST TEACHER REOPENS A General Teaching Council panel is to reconvene for the case of a Shropshire teacher who allegedly swore at pupils. John Anthony Cole, 54, resigned from The Grange School in Shrewsbury in April last year after misconduct allegations were made against him. The case against him was adjourned in January after claims were made that he swore during maths and RE lessons. FIRM FINED OVER GM FOOD A Warwickshire company has been fined for not labelling a product containing genetically modified ingredients. In one of the first cases of its kind in the UK, West Bromwich-based East End Foods Ltd pleaded guilty to one offence under the 1990 Food Safety Act. It was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay costs of £12,000 in the case at Stratford Magistrates' Court. MINISTER TO LAUNCH TOURISM PUSH The Tourism Minister is set to give his support to the travel industry in the West Midlands when he visits the British Travel Trade Fair at the NEC. Dr Kim Howells will launch a set of "Days Out" leaflets showing the range of tourist attractions in the region. The fair hopes to relaunch UK tourism after the impact of foot-and-mouth outbreak and September 11 attacks. MAN JAILED FOR SEX ATTACKS A man who sexually assaulted 12 boys in his care at a Birmingham children's home during the late 1970s has been jailed for eight years. Terence William Goodhall carried out the attacks while working at the Tennal Assessment Centre between 1977 and 1979, Birmingham Crown Court heard. Judge Laurence Marshall said the offences represented a breach of trust. OFFICERS JOIN CITY POLICE RALLY West Midlands Police force has had more than 400 off-duty officers taking part in a lobby to MPs in London over pay and reform plans. Joe Tildesley, chairman of the West Midlands Police Federation, said: "There's a lot of anger and frustration with the Government." More than 5,000 rank-and-file officers attended the rally. MP's TUNNEL FREIGHT LINK PLEA Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant has called on the Government to step up its negotiations with the French to reopen the Channel Tunnel for freight use. The Tory MP said the closure could threaten jobs because many firms in the region are facing difficulties in shipping goods to continental markets. Freight was halted after asylum seekers tried to use the tunnel to enter UK. BROWN URGED TO AID INDUSTRY Business leaders in the West Midlands have repeated a plea for Chancellor Gordon Brown to support British manufacturing in his April Budget. Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry issued the plea after figures showed manufacturing output was 6.1% down from last year's level. The chamber represents 5,000 companies in the city area. MEN 'ATTRACTED TO MOTHER SMELL' Men are attracted to women because they smell like their mothers rather than because of expensive perfume scent, Birmingham scientists have claimed. Researchers at the Museum of Science and Discovery claim people are drawn to someone like themselves and with the same smell as either parent. The thinktank released the study to mark National Science Week. USA FIREFIGHTERS JOIN PARADE Four New York firefighters are to attend the St Patrick's Day parade in Birmingham as guests of West Midlands Fire Service. A service spokesman said the group has been invited to strengthen the already close links between the two brigades. Trip organiser Paul Smith said officers have raised £280,000 for their American counterparts since September 11. ASHIA HANSEN TURNS FIRST TURF FOR INDOOR TRAINING CENTRE 
Ashia Hansen, silver medallist at the recent
European Indoor Athletics Championships in Vienna, recently turned the
first turf for the construction of the state of the art indoor athletics
training facility, which is being built at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium.
PREVENTATIVE PHONE MARKING SUCCESS A campaign by officers in Wolverhampton East to curb mobile phone robbery has been a huge success, with a 50 per cent reduction in reported phone robberies each month since the start of the year. Police have security marked over 1,200 phones with postcodes and house numbers over the last few months in schools, hospitals, community centres, police stations and as part of their street patrols. With a large proportion of mobile phone robberies involving young people, officers decided to take steps to stop the rise in thefts. Mobile owners were 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. Each youngster was given a Safer Streets "Get Streetwise" booklet full of personal safety tips and a bookmark to record the IMEI individual number for the phone. Police constable Andy Hayburn, young persons officer at Wolverhampton East community safety bureau, said: "We are extremely pleased with the effectiveness of the campaign. Our aim was to deter this type of theft and make stolen mobile phones less desirable items. "We will be continuing with our efforts and hope to keep mobile phone robberies down in the future. There are 20 officers in at Wednesfield and Bilston police stations who will carry on marking phones." Police will also be equipped with UV lamps in patrol cars and custody suites in stations and will be able to check the validity of mobile phone owners alongside other searches. The campaign will also receive a boost when BT Cellnet and Vodaphone fall in line with the other phone companies on April 1 and are able to de-activate stolen phones via the satellite as well as just the phone line. Anyone who wishes to get their phone marked should visit Bilston or Wednesfield police stations and enquire in the front office. TEACHER TRIBUNAL TO CONTINUE The case of a Shropshire teacher who allegedly swore at pupils and tried to undermine colleagues is set to resume. John Anthony Cole, 54, has denied the allegations and said it was his beliefs that made him speak out against staff. Mr Cole is the first person to appear before a General Teaching Council conduct panel - the profession's new standards watchdog. BRAIN INJURY CENTRE OPENS Education Secretary Estelle Morris is opening a new centre in Birmingham which offers specialist rehabilitation to people with brain injuries. She is also seeing the work of a pilot project at the expanded Birmingham Brain Centre which helps schoolchildren overcome serious head injuries. Another scheme at the centre helps brain-injured people retrain for work. SUBWAY SEX ATTACK ON TEENAGERS A man indecently assaulted two teenage girls in a subway in Stoke-on-Trent. The girl and a friend were passing under the A500 at the Liverpool Road interchange when they were approached by the man who carried out the attack. He was white, around 5ft 6in, of slim build and in his early 30s. He had short dark hair, balding in the centre and was wearing dark clothing. 'SCRAP LEAGUE TABLES' SAYS HEAD The headteacher of King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys in Birmingham has called for the abolition of school performance league tables. At the Secondary Heads Association annual conference in Bournemouth, Mervyn Brooker said: "League tables are a blunt instrument." "Small changes cause misleadingly large movements in the table," he added. BID TO REVIVE AILING NHS TRUST An NHS trust in the region will see its management put into a troubleshooter's hands in a move to revive performance, Health Secretary Alan Milburn has said. A manager from a top NHS hospital will be drafted in to turn round standards in University Hospitals of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust. The trust received a zero star award in the Government performance ratings. TICKETS ON SALE FOR TATTOO Tickets have gone on sale for the Queen's Golden Jubilee Birmingham Tattoo to be held in the city centre. The two-day event in November at the National Indoor Arena is expected to draw some of the world's top musicians. It is set to include more than 1,000 performers, from dog displays to motorcycle stunts, according to organiser Norman Rogerson. APOLOGY OVER ABUSIVE LETTER The Inland Revenue has launched an inquiry to find out who sent an abusive letter to a West Midlands man. Nicholas Bannister, of Cradley Heath, received the letter after trying to find out why his request for working families' tax credit was turned down. The unsigned letter was sent in an official envelope and written on Inland Revenue notepaper. GP TO CARRY ON LOCKERBIE FIGHT A Worcestershire GP whose daughter died in the Lockerbie bombing has pledged to continue campaigning for an inquiry into the terrorist outrage. After a Libyan airline chief lost his appeal against conviction for murder, Dr Jim Swire said the ruling is not the end of the road for victims' families. Dr Swire, from Bromsgrove, asked people to pause and think of the disaster. APPEAL AFTER FATAL ACCIDENT Police have re-appealed for witnesses to a road accident which claimed the life of a 25-year-old Solihull man. Steven Charles Groom, from Shirley, died in the collision on the A435 near Hollywood in Worcestershire. Police were called by passers-by to a Ford Sierra Cosworth which had overturned on the A435 heading towards the Maypole Island. GM TRIAL SITE ANNOUNCED The Government has announced the site of a spring trial of genetically modified oilseed rape in Shropshire. The parish of Ercall Magna will be one of the sites to take part in the last year of the Government's three-year programme of farm-scale evaluations. Sites for GM maize trials were announed in Telford and Wrekin, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.
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