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SCHEME TO CUT RISE IN SHOOTINGS An initiative aimed at reducing gun crime among black communities is being relaunched by West Midlands Police. Officers are appealing to the public for their help in tackling a rise in shooting incidents, many of which are believed to be drug-related. Operation Ventura will be relaunched at the Community Roots Enterprise Centre in Handsworth, Birmingham. (See below) UNIVERSITY VOW TO STUDENTS The University of Birmingham has vowed to honour its commitment to students who met original offer terms when they receive A-level regrades on October 15. Possible downgrading has affected 26 subjects, the examination boards involved being OCR, AQA and EdExcel. The university has set up an Undergraduate Admissions Advice Line, on 0121 414 5491. BID TO PROMOTE RACIAL EQUALITY Birmingham City Council is being asked to add Kashmiri and Sikh to the list of race categories used to monitor the authority's employment policies. The new classifications will be added to job application forms and existing employees will be able to reclassify themselves on personnel records. The move will help ensure the council's staff reflects the city's diversity. TORIES 'SHOULD BE OPEN TO ALL' Mid-Worcestershire Tory MP Peter Luff has declared that his party needs to welcome voters from every background to regain the trust of the electorate. Speaking amid preparations for the Conservative Party Conference, Mr Luff said the Tories are on track to win the support of the British people. It is vital to be seen to be more relevant to modern Britain, he said. GO-KART BOYS WARNED OVER SAFETY Police have insisted they confronted boys on a go-kart near Wolverhampton -who claim they were told to tax the vehicle - for safety reasons. Staffordshire Police said a motorist in Codsall had contacted them as he was concerned that the three 14-year-olds might be killed playing in the road. One boy's mother, Karen Cross, said she was furious at "overzealous" officers. ALE 'STRONGER THAN EARTHQUAKE' A Black Country pub is serving up a special ale to commemorate last month's Dudley earth tremor, which measured 4.8 on the Richter scale. Alan Davis, licensee of The Fountain in Lower Gornal, said he thought his pub was being burgled when the quake hit. Mr Davis said: "The brew, named Tremorous Fountain, is even stronger than the earthquake, at 5.1 per cent!" MAN FREED ON BAIL OVER MURDER A man arrested by detectives over the murder of a Jamaican national who was found shot dead in Staffordshire has been freed on police bail. The unnamed 20-year-old had been detained during an armed operation in Heath Town, Wolverhampton. Kevin Nunes, who had been living in Wolverhampton, was found dead last month in a private lane in Pattingham. HELICOPTER TO PROTECT CARS Visitors to the British International Motor Show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham are to have their cars protected by a police helicopter. The event, being held between October 23 and November 3, is expected to attract more than 600,000 motoring enthusiasts and business people. The police helicopter will be patrolling the skies around the NEC. POLICE APPEAL FOR HELP FROM COMMUNITIES IN FIGHT AGAINST GUN CRIME We need your help- otherwise the next innocent victim could be your son, your neighbour or your friend. That is the stark message from West Midlands Police as they relaunch Operation Ventara, a major initiative to tackle gun crime in the region. The people involved in gun crime are not running around the streets shooting people randomly; often they are involved in gang culture or the shooting is drug-related. But the chances of an innocent victim getting caught up and becoming the next victim is very real, according to Detective Chief Superintendent Ellie Baker, head of Crime Support. "The next victim could well be someone they know as increasingly we are seeing shots being fired in the streets or where other people are present and there is always the danger of innocent people getting caught up." In a few incidents the weapons used have been high powered and capable of spewing bullets across wide areas. "Those involved in this 'gang warfare' violence live somewhere and once they go home they are probably normal kids, youths or men who are part of a family. But it's difficult to conceal a gun and someone in the family probably knows or suspects what they involved in," she said. "This is about people questioning themselves. Everyone deserves to be able to walk the streets safely and, by not doing something about it, they are condoning these gunmen." She said on a number of occasions people had refused to speak to the police because of fear of getting involved, and officers had met with a virtual wall of silence. "Anyone who is brave enough to give us information should be reassured we will provide them with any protection necessary to ensure they are not put in any danger. We have an established witnesses protection programme and will not allow people to be intimidated or put in fear. "The overwhelming majority of people who live in the areas plagued by this type of violence are law-abiding, decent people who just want a quiet, peaceful life. We need their help." As part of the campaign, West Midlands Police are offering rewards of up to #1,000 for information leading to the arrest and charge of people suspected of being involved in gun crime in the region. Anyone with any information should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Calls are not recorded and people do not have to give their name. POLICE COLLECT 'TOYS FOR TRAUMA' TO HELP YOUNG VICTIMS OF CRIME Hundreds of cuddly toys will be handed over to West Midlands emergency services later this week, to help young victims of trauma. The toys have been knitted and stitched by dozens of volunteers of the West Midlands branch of the Federation of Women's Institutes. Gwyneth Harris, vice chairman of the institute, which has more than 2,000 members across the country, said: "A child who has been a victim of crime or involved in an accident or fire will undoubtedly be upset and traumatised. "A teddy bear or toy can often work wonders, taking their mind of the situation and giving them some degree of comfort." Representatives from West Midlands Police will join members of the fire brigade and the ambulance service to take part in the presentation of more than 300 'toys for trauma'. The presentation will take place at the CBSO Centre, Berkley Street, on Wednesday 9 October at 12.15pm. EYESIGHT AND TYRE CHECKS FOR WOLVERHAMPTON MOTORISTS West Midlands Police are launching a campaign during October to clamp down on poor sighted and careless motorists who are putting lives at risk by being on the roads. Traffic officers and members of the tyre industry will be out around the Wolverhampton area stopping vehicles and checking the eyesight of drivers and also the state of their vehicle's tyres. Sergeant Ned Kelly, from Wednesfield's road policing unit, said: "The campaign is aimed at increasing safety on the roads. "Usually, the only way we find out that a driver has poor eyesight is when it is too late and he or she has been involved in an accident. "The initiative being launched this month will enable officers to make sure these sort of drivers take action to get any eye defects corrected." From the day people pass their driving test to the day they reach 70, there is no legal obligation on them to have their eyes tested. However, police have the power to stop and check whether a driver can read a registration plate of another vehicle at a range of 67 feet. If they cannot, the driver faces a fine, points on his or her driving licence and a requirement to get their eyesight corrected. It is also an offence to refuse to read a registration plate number when asked to by a police officer. Any drivers who fail will be reported to the DVLA, which will inform the motorist to have a proper eye test and correct any defects, either by wearing glasses or other means. CITY PRESENTS CULTURE BID Birmingham is completing its bid to be named European Capital of Culture 2008 with an hour-long presentation to a judging panel in London. Bid director Stephen Hetherington said of the rival cities: "Only Birmingham has the track record of investment in culture, diversity and creativity." Prime Minister Tony Blair will announce the UK's final choice in spring 2003. NURSE STRUCK OFF OVER ASSAULTS A male nurse from Ludlow has been struck off the nursing register after he was found to have assaulted two elderly and mentally ill patients. Hugh John Tangye, 48, was found guilty of professional misconduct by the Nursing and Midwifery Council's professional conduct committee. The incident happened at the Worcester Christian Nursing Home. SEARCH FOR DEAD BABY'S MOTHER The search is continuing for the mother of a mixed-race baby girl found dead in a park in Birmingham. Police launched the hunt after the body of the newborn girl was found lying in a park in Perry Barr. Officers said the baby had been born outside hospital and "very recently" before her death. They said the mother may need medical help and counselling. DOCTOR WAS 'GUNNED DOWN' A Wolverhampton homeopathic doctor was assassinated after giving evidence in court against a relative of his alleged killers, Stafford Crown Court heard. Baldev Yadev, 55, was shot twice in the head outside a shop in Parkfields. Brothers Juswant Bains, 34, and Jujhar Bains, 35, and their cousin Ajmair Shinmar, 33, all of Parkfields, each deny a charge of murder. PLAN TO CLOSE CAMELOT CENTRES Lottery operator Camelot plans to close a number of its regional centres, including one in Birmingham. Sales have fallen by 5% in the first half of this year, but the company is confident of achieving growth in coming years, a spokesman said. The total cutback will involve around 8% of Camelot's workforce, which currently stands at 980. POLICE NEED NEW CANINE TRAINEE Staffordshire Police dog handlers are making an urgent appeal for a new canine recruit to join the force. Officers are looking for a German Shepherd to join the three-month training course after one of four new dogs was retired with medical problems. They are appealing to owners who feel their pets have outgrown their home or want them rehoused. PUB WORKER ROBBED AT GUNPOINT A female worker was bound and robbed at gunpoint by three masked robbers who stole a sunstantial amount of cash from a safe in a pub near Coventry. The 22-year-old was attacked by the gang after closing up for the night at the Red Lion in Wall Hill Road, Corley. She was blindfolded and tied up with masking tape but managed to escape and raise the alarm. POLICE HURT IN MACHETE ATTACK Two police officers have suffered cuts in an attack by a man wielding a 2ft-long machete in Bedworth. The officers were left with minor cuts after the man, who had been smashing windows at the White Swan pub in All Saints Square, turned on them. The two officers managed to arrest the 34-year-old local man after subduing him with CS spray. CRACKDOWN ON 'BOY RACERS' West Midlands Police traffic officers have launched prosecutions against 13 motorists as part of a crackdown on so-called "boy racers". The force said speeding drivers stopped in Hainge Road and Birmingham New Road, Tividale, were clocked at 57-to-94mph. The operation, which took place in a 40mph limit, was launched after complaints from local residents. WOMAN, 83, LOSES SHOP APPEAL A pensioner who fought her council over thousands of pounds in unpaid rates at the Worcestershire shop she owns has lost an appeal to turn it into a house. An inspector ruled Wychavon District Council was right to turn down 83-year-old Nellie Copson's bid to change her Droitwich shop's status. She said she was exempt from business rates as the premises were vacant. POLICE TRAINER WINS TOP INTERNATIONAL AWARD West Midlands Police officer PC Andrea Reynolds has won the annual coveted International Association of Women Police award. Andrea, who works in the Training Department at the Tally Ho! police training centre, will travel to Canberra, Australia, later this month to pick up the trophy. She represents one of three English police forces which scooped one of the top six awards. Thames Valley and Sussex forces are also to be honoured. "The award covers problem solving, organisational skills and making decisions. I am really pleased because I was up against the best people from forces around the world. It is really good for the force, good for me and good for England," said Andrea. The mother of one is a writer of poetry in her spare time and has a new book out this week entitled 'Stand Up Now With Me' which focuses on gender issues. Andrea was recently awarded the Pantheon Award for West Indian people of achievement. This led to a special Chief Constable's commendation and an exhibition around the country. She will be giving diversity lectures while in Australia and plans to tour the country. Detective Chief Inspector Mick Gillick, Andrea's former boss and now crime manager at Brierley Hill, nominated her for the award. He said: "I'm delighted for Andrea. She has gifts to communicate and tremendous energy and this has now been recognised on the international stage." WEST MIDLANDS POLICE LAUNCH OPERATION SAFER HOMES TO TACKLE BURGLARY West Midlands Police is to launch a new drive to tackle house burglary - after an examination of seasonal trends has shown large increases in offences between now and March. The new initiative - Operation Safer Homes - will run alongside the successful Operation Safer Streets, the long-term campaign to tackle street crime, which has seen a reduction in robbery of 15.5 per cent to-date since its launch in April. The burglary initiative comes at a time when West Midlands Police is bucking the national trend and is showing a large reduction in offences of burglary. Figures up to the end of September show burglaries have dropped by 9.2 per cent compared to the same period last year, from 14,620 to 13,280 - equivalent to 1,340 less victims of crime. "These figures have been achieved as a result of some excellent work being carried out across the force area to tackle burglary. But it is important to keep the pressure on - especially at a time when seasonally we see a rise in the number of offences committed, " said Assistant Chief Constable (Crime Reduction) Chris Sims. Safer Homes will be particularly targeted in seven operational command unit (OCU) areas which have traditionally shown increases at this time of the year: Sutton Coldfield; Stechford; Bournville Lane; Kings Heath; North and South Sandwell and Solihull. The remaining OCUs will be support the initiative. Superintendent Peter Goodman, from Willenhall operational command unit, will co-ordinate the campaign. He said: "Our main aim is to reduce the number of offences and increase the number of offenders being arrested and convicted." As part of the initiative in the areas targeted officers will adopt a 'common minimum standard' of investigation which will involve attending all house burglaries in the targeted areas. In addition, specialist scenes of crime officers will attend both break-ins and attempted break-ins. Householders will be given advice about how to prevent becoming a victim again and officers will warn of the need to take urgent action to improve security immediately following a break-in, when homes are often left vulnerable. "Research shows many offenders return to the original target within a short time because only makeshift repairs have been carried out to the property or the householder has replaced all of the stolen property with new items," said Supt Goodman. "As part of the police operation we will be particularly targeting prolific offenders and offenders who are bailed will be closely monitored. "Also, offenders should remember that the Criminal Courts Act 2000 provides for a minimum sentence of three years imprisonment for an offender's third successive conviction. We will be looking to the court to impose appropriate sentences which will undoubtedly act as a deterrent." SIX-YEAR WAIT FOR RAIL REVAMP West Midlands passengers on the West Coast rail route must wait until 2008 for the modernisation of services to be completed, it has been announced. The Strategic Rail Authority said the cost of the West Coast Main Line scheme has soared from £2.5bn to £9.8bn. The modernisation will cost £12.5m a mile. Railtrack's cash crisis put the upgrade in jeopardy and the SRA had to step in. CRACKDOWN ON TRUANCY The government has announced a "fast track" prosecution process for parents of truants and daily truancy sweeps in hotspot areas including Sandwell. Under the proposals, parents of truants will have 12 weeks from the date of referral to ensure their child turns up at school or face prosecution. Police will extend truancy sweeps which are being piloted in Sandwell. REGION IS HOAX CALL BLACKSPOT The West Midlands is one of the country's worst areas for hoax calls from payphones, BT has revealed. The firm said 5,223 were made in the area last year - with half of all calls from payphones being bogus. Now BT and the emergency services are trying to cut the number of hoax 999 calls and have launched a campaign saying "hoax calls cost lives". MOTORIST KILLED IN COLLISION A motorist has been killed in a head-on crash with an articulated lorry near Nuneaton. Warwickshire police said the driver of the Ford Ka, believed to be 50 and from Nuneaton, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision on the A5. Police say the Ka is understood to have overtaken another car moments before the collision with the lorry. DENTIST IN COURT OVER ASSAULT A dentist has appeared before magistrates in Shropshire charged with assaulting a colleague at their shared surgery in Market Drayton. Stephen David Stuart, 55, did not enter a plea to the charge during a hearing at Market Drayton Magistrates' Court. Stuart, of Woore, is accused of assaulting Adrian Cartwright. He will reappear in court on October 16. MOTHER THREATENED WITH NEEDLE A mother and her 11 week-old baby were threatened by an attacker with a hypodermic needle in Rugeley. The woman was walking down an alleyway between the A51 and Whatkiss Drive when a man confronted her with a needle and demanded her belongings. A force spokesman said the 22-year-old mother screamed and managed to flee from her attacker unharmed. POLICE RAID HOMES OVER FRAUD Police have conducted raids in the West Midlands as part of a nationwide crack-down on fraudulent British passports. About 30 people nationwide have been held as part of the nine-month investigation by the National Crime Squad's immigration crime team. The team found that birth certificates belonging to dead children were being duplicated to create new identities. FAN IN COURT OVER PITCH RUN A 26-year-old Birmingham City fan is appearing in court charged with running on to the pitch during a derby match. Michael Peter Harper, of Leafield Road, Solihull, is charged with affray and making an incursion on to the pitch. The charges were brought after disorder at Birmingham's clash with Aston Villa at St Andrew's on September 16, which Birmingham won 3-0. MAN'S FACE SLASHED DURING ROW A Kidderminster man has been left with severe cuts to his face after he was attacked during an argument which started outside a Chinese take-away. The victim, in his early 30s, was slashed by one of two men who produced a "bladed instrument", said police. The man was attacked at the junction of Goldthorne Road and Jubilee Drive after a row broke out between three men. POLICE TO FORCE UNROADWORTHY VEHICLES AND DRIVERS OFF THE ROADS Targeting motorists across the region in a high profile roadside campaign focusing on defective, worn out vehicle tyres, and identifying drivers with poor, uncorrected eyesight is the latest forcewide campaign by West Midlands Police. Operation Cartwheel is the first dedicated initiative of its type to be organised in the region, with checks being staged across the force area at various times. The majority of roadside checks will be carried out on busy roads with high visibility police presence. Officers will be stopping vehicles and carrying out the operation as part of a national ongoing Road Safety 2002 policing strategy, spearheaded by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). Thousands of leaflets will be distributed to motorists stopped by officers at the checkpoints, which explain the force's commitment to reducing the number of casualties on the road as well as providing advice and guidance on steps and further actions to take. Assistant Chief Constable (Operations) Paul Blewitt, said: "Any vehicles found not adhering to vehicle safety will be issued with appropriate fixed penalties. The safety of other motorists and pedestrians is our priority and it is essential motorists take out simple safety and health measures to reduce the number of road-related deaths in this region." Sergeant Dave Swift, road policing policy officer from Operations Support, is co-ordinating the initiative. He said: "The main message of the campaign to motorists is not to take any risks; to ensure regular vehicle safety checks are carried out, which include tyre maintenance. "As people get older, their eyesight will naturally deteriorate. If you haven't had your eyes tested within the last two years, get them checked. To drive with defective eyesight or uncorrected vision is registered as a disability and may prevent a motorist from holding a licence." The operation was launched following statistics showing road deaths in the West Midlands rose by 21 per cent last year, from 74 to 90. SHOCKING RESULTS OF POLICE SPEEDING OPERATION AT SCHOOLS Police from Rose Road operational command unit, which covers the areas of Ladywood, Edgbaston, Harborne, Winson Green and Quinton, have been disappointed by the amount of drivers caught speeding outside schools during the first month of an operation to 'kill speed' and not a child. All 36 schools in the area have been visited to ensure that motorists stick strictly to speed limits and parking restrictions. However, 194 motorists have been caught breaking the law since the beginning of September and have received fixed penalty notices or have been summoned to appear in court. Sergeant Paul Bennett, from the Road Policing Unit at Ladywood police station, said: "We are trying many different techniques to make drivers realise they are putting the lives of school children at risk by exceeding speed limits so close to schools. "The most extreme case involved someone driving at 60mph in a 30mph area directly in front of a school and this individual is among the 15 caught who will appear in court. During the operation in September there have been no serious or fatal collisions at or around the 36 schools covered. Two arrests for speeding led to further prosecution for the supply of illegal drugs and one vehicle stopped was found to be stolen property. DEATH OF SERVING POLICE OFFICER It is with great sadness that the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, Mr Paul Scott-Lee informs you of the death of Detective Constable Robert Ling, a serving police officer with West Midlands Police. Rob was one of six officers from the West Midlands who travelled to South Africa to collect two men in connection with extradition proceedings on suspicion of murdering Mr Barry Trigwell in Sutton Coldfield in 1995. At about 5pm GMT on Monday 7th October the officers and suspects were travelling back to the airport in South Africa in two vehicles. One of the vehicles in which they were travelling was involved in an accident with a heavy goods vehicle. Two further police officers were injured in the crash but fortunately not seriously. This vehicle did not contain the two suspects, they were not injured and are now detained in South Africa. There is an investigation in South Africa into the cause of this tragic incident. Rob was 27 yrs old and has served with the force for the past 6 yrs . He has worked throughout from Sutton Coldfield Police station in both uniform and CID. He lived with his fiancee. His family, friends, and colleagues are devastated at his death. Chief Constable Mr. Paul Scott-Lee said " This is a sad and tragic loss of a young and dynamic officer who will be missed by his family, colleagues and the public of Sutton Coldfield who he served so well. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones at this sad time." Proceedings are now active in relation to the two men arrested and consequently I can provide you no more detail's concerning them or of the circumstances surrounding their arrest. RECRUITMENT OPEN DAY AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS An opportunity to meet and speak to police officers about what it's like to be a West Midlands Police officer will take place this Saturday (12 October) from 10am to 3pm, in the 1st Floor committee room at Lloyd House, Colmore Circus, Birmingham. Applicants and those interested in joining can come along and have an informal chat with police officers and support staff who will be on hand to answer questions. Recruitment Marketing Co-ordinator David Vidgen said: "Our open days are a real opportunity for anyone considering a career as a police constable, all who attend will find the information available very useful." If you are unable to attend the open day at police headquarters, you can still catch West Midlands Police on: Friday 18th - Sunday 20th: Asian Mela 2002 at the NEC (10am - 7pm), Friday 25th: Star City, Birmingham (2pm - 10pm), Saturday 26th: Alum Rock Rd, Birmingham between (11am - 4pm). For general enquiries about a police officer, special constable or support staff member visit the website at www.west-midlands.police.uk or call the recruitment hotline on 0121 265 7007. SUCCESS OF SEMINAR TO HIGHLIGHT SAME SEX DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ISSUES West Midlands Police working in partnership with other agencies hosted a seminar to highlight issues surrounding "same sex" domestic violence. The issue came to light following meetings with the Coventry and Warwickshire Lesbian and Gay Forum. This led to the formation of a sub-group which involved vulnerable victim and domestic violence officers from all three Coventry operational command units, representatives from the Coventry and Domestic Violence Partnership and the sexuality counsellor from the North Warwickshire NHS Trust. PC Nadine Whiteford, who is based at Little Park Street police station, said: "At the time the issue was raised none of us were aware of any projects designed to highlight this problem. Research led us to HTTH (Hold Tight, Tight Hold) headed by project worker Dee Shelly. Dee was contacted and offered to be involved in our seminar." Invitations were sent out and 90 people, the maximum the room could hold, attended with others having to be turned down. Representatives from more than 17 agencies also attended, with officers from nearby forces also taking part. The main points to come out of the seminar were: There is no data available on the level of same sex domestic violence.There is a need for central government leadership to get involved. Local surveys reveal about around 30 per cent of same sex relationships involve domestic violence and there is huge under-reporting. Service providers are not aware of the needs or dangers or trained to deal with the issues. Information is not circulated to victims/survivors. Institutional homophobia exists within many organisations "Each agency involved will now attempt to discover if anything changes in their area following the release of this information," said PC Trevor Irwin, who is based at Chace Avenue police station. "The findings will be fed back to the Coventry and Warwickshire Lesbian and Gay Forum and necessary action taken in due course." The next meeting of the forum will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 16 October at the Rainbow Public House in Short Street, Coventry. Interested individuals or groups are welcome to attend. SHOPLIFTERS FACE EXCLUSION ZONES IN SOLIHULL An exclusion scheme has started in Solihull with 93 shops in the town already signed up to it. Retailers have agreed if someone is caught shoplifting in one of their shops - and have done so on a previous occasion - that person will be excluded from all 93 shops. Within two days of the scheme being launched three people were excluded for a period of 12 months. Their photos have been circulated to shop managers and, if seen, they will be removed from the shops. The Crown Prosecution Service and the courts support the scheme and have agreed to bring burglary charges against any excluded person who is caught stealing in Solihull. This is because the excluded people will effectively be a trespasser when they enter the shop and steal or attempt to steal. Sergeant Kris Starynskyj, who heads the town centre crime fighting team, said: "The timing of the scheme is designed to send a strong message to anyone thinking of shoplifting in Solihull during the run up to Christmas. If caught they may be excluded for 12 months." Officers are already looking at extending the scheme and introducing it for offences of fighting and anti-social behaviour in pubs and clubs. 10th. October 2002 BOGUS POLICEMAN PREYS ON GIRL A man posing as a policeman ordered a 15-year-old Solihull girl to strip after saying she fitted the description of a crime suspect, police have said. The offender, aged about 45, left the house in Kineton Green Road, Olton, after the victim refused to co-operate. Officers believe the same man may also have called at another house, telling a householder her son had been arrested. TWO APPEAR OVER DETECTIVE DEATH Two South Africans have appeared in court charged with battering a Sutton Coldfield private detective to death seven years ago. Loren Anders Sundkvist, 47, and Paul Ras, 40, were remanded in custody at Sutton Coldfield Magistrates' Court, accused of murdering Barry Trigwell. The defendants were ordered to reappear at the same court on October 17. OAP KILLED IN LORRY COLLISION A pensioner was killed when she was in collision with a lorry in Birmingham, police have said. The 71-year-old was in Bordesley Green Road at its junction with Palace Road when the accident happened. Police said the victim, who has not yet been named, suffered multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The lorry-driver, 32, was not injured. ASYLUM SEEKERS FOUND IN LORRY Five suspected asylum seekers have been handed over to immigration authorities after they were discovered hidden in a lorry in Derbyshire. The two adults and three children were found in the vehicle at a depot in Swadlincote Road, Woodville. The group, who have been arrested, may have got into the lorry when it began its journey in the Czech Republic. LORRY COLLISION VICTIM NAMED A 51-year-old man killed in a head-on collision with an articulated lorry near Nuneaton has been named by police. Colin Carter, from Bladon Close in Nuneaton, died in the collision between his Ford Ka and the truck on the A5. Warwickshire Police said Mr Carter had overtaken another vehicle, who was proounced dead at the scene, just before the incident. SHOPLIFTERS BARRED FROM SHOPS A scheme to bar shoplifters from retail outlets in Solihull has attracted backing from 93 stores. Police said three repeat offenders had been excluded from the town's shops after their photographs were given to businesses taking part in the scheme. Anyone caught shoplifting may be barred for up to 12 months. Anyone breaching the ban could be charged with burglary. STORE CLOSED BY RAM-RAIDERS A Nuneaton cash-and-carry store has been forced to close after ram-raiders smashed into it and stole thousands of cigarettes, police have said. Thieves drove a tipper truck into the Booker warehouse on the Bermuda Park industrial estate. They then abandoned the truck and fled in another vehicle. The store has been closed while the "substantial" damage is assessed. PHONE TYCOON ON CHARITY RIDE A mobile phone tycoon has set out on a 1,018-mile cycle trip from his firm's Stoke-on-Trent offices to Barcelona, Spain, to raise money for charity. John Caudwell, founder of the Phones 4u chain, has pledged to raise £250,000 for the charity he set up for children, The Caudwell Charitable Trust. Mr Caudwell, worth an estimated £970m, will be in the saddle for 10 days. WOMAN'S BODY FOUND IN CAR A post-mortem is being carried out after the body of a woman was found in a car, Staffordshire Police have said. The 24-year-old's body was discovered in a vehicle parked at The Crown pub in Rosliston Road, Stapenhill, Burton-upon-Trent. A force spokesman said the cause of her death has yet to be established and appealed for information. SCHEME TO REVIVE ECONOMY Cannock Chase Council has approved a consultation to explore how to improve the borough's economic fortunes. A council spokesman said problems such as the vulnerability of the area's manufacturing base must be tackled. Initial work on a regeneration strategy also identified the need to improve training and to persuade more teenagers to remain in full-time education. DOG LOVERS NEEDED TO HELP WALK POLICE PUPPIES Animal lovers are needed to go walkies with new police puppies and make the cuddly canines part of their family. Litters of German Shepherd pups were recently born to be used as working dogs for West Midlands Police and more litters are expected soon. The force is searching for families who have access to a large garden and would be willing to look after a pup from the age of about six weeks to between six and nine months old. Food, equipment and any vet's bills will be provided by the police so walkers will not be out of pocket. Those with pets already are not excluded but officers will meet with the family to discuss the situation. The force uses German Shepherd and spaniel dogs but also has Rottweilers in its ranks. Anyone who is interested in helping should call the dog training centre at Balsall Common on 01676 535636.
MPs BID TO AVERT JOB LOSSES A delegation of MPs is visiting the Paris offices of engineering firm Alstom in a bid to stave off job losses at its sites in Stafford and Rugby. Labour MEP Michael Cashman is joining Rubgy Labour MP Andy King and Stafford Labour MP David Kidney to meet Alstom's chief executive Pierre Bilger. Mr Cashman said: "We need to ensure our concerns are heard at the top level." WORKER STABBED AT FOOD FACTORY An employee at a Worcester-based food factory is recovering in hospital after being stabbed outside work. The man, who has not been named, was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital after an incident at Elizabeth The Chef in Lower Broadheath. The man's condition is said to be serious, but not life-threatening, according to West Mercia Police. A man arrested over the stabbing has since been released without charge. HI-TECH FACILITIES FOR SCHOOL New computer suites are being opened at a Birmingham school. The facilities at Lindsworth Special School, including an online learning centre, will be unveiled by council representative Roy Pinney. The project, set up with £92,750 of Government funding, has also attracted a £33,000 National Lottery grant to help with staffing costs. MAN FOUND DEAD IN CAR PARK A man's body has been found in a car park outside a Birmingham pub, West Midlands Police have said. Detectives are treating the death as suspicious after they were called to the Ward End pub, Alum Rock. Police are appealing for any witnesses who were either in the area when the body was found or in the pub the previous evening to come forward. FERTILITY TREATMENT A SUCCESS A woman from Ludlow, Shrops, has become the first in the UK to give birth using her own frozen eggs, it has emerged. Experts say the birth of Emily Perry gives hope to women who are worried about losing their chance of having a child through illnesses such as cancer. Mother Helen Perry had her eggs frozen and then successfully implanted at a fertility services clinic near Walsall. BABY'S PARENTS 'OVERJOYED' The Shropshire father of the first baby to be born in the UK using a frozen egg from the mother said the family was "overjoyed" by the method's success. Lee and Helen Perry, from Ludlow, are now the proud parents of four-month-old Emily after nine months of treatment. Mr Perry, 37, said it was "fantastic to be a dad" and thanked the clinic which helped make their dreams come true. MOVE TO BAN FANS ADJOURNED Magistrates have adjourned proceedings to serve football banning orders on two Derby County fans detained ahead of England's match in Slovakia. David Batkin and Ashley Flintham, both from Burton-upon-Trent, were granted bail by JPs in Solihull after disputing attempts to ban them from matches. They were detained at Birmingham airport while en route to Bratislava. MANDELA IN TRIBUTE TO DIANA Former South African president Nelson Mandela will come to Britain next month to visit the grave of Diana, Princess of Wales, at Althorp, Northants. He will visit the Spencer family home, where the Princess is buried, "to pay a personal tribute to Diana as a person, and to her humanitarian work". His visit will be followed the next day by a fundraising dinner in London. RECORD MOTOR SHOW TICKET SALES Advance ticket sales for this month's Motor Show in Birmingham have reached a record 58,000 as more car-makers announced plans to unveil new models. MG Rover said its new high performance sports car would have its debut at the show, which opens on October 25. More than 60 new cars and the latest "supercars" will be unveiled at the show by the world's leading car firms. SEE OUR FEATURE AND COMPETITION FOR FREE TICKETS VIDEO CAMERAS HELP CUT CRIME West Midlands Police are patrolling the streets of Wolverhampton armed with video cameras in order to cut crime. Officers have been carrying the cameras over the last two weeks to tape activity in the city centre. Within days of the introduction of the new measures two 16-year-olds were arrested and charged after an alleged assault and robbery in Red Hill Street. £2m GRANT FOR ARTS DEVELOPMENT Regional development agency Advantage West Midlands has approved a £2m grant to a West Bromwich arts development. The multi-million-pound Jubilee Arts c/PLEX project will include a gallery, education and conference centres, restaurants and shops. The £38m development, due to open in 2005, is the flagship of the £200m plan to regenerate the town centre. WARNING OVER ROGUE WORKMEN Worcester police are warning the public about a rogue gang of workmen offering to tarmac drives. The men are verbally quoting a price for the work and when it has been completed they are charging a higher price, police said. The gang claim to be working for the council and have visited addresses across the city in the past week. POLICE OPERATION TO CONTINUE SUCCESS IN SOUTH-WEST BIRMINGHAM Police in south-west Birmingham, who cover Ladywood, Edgbaston, Harborne, Quinton and Winson Green, will embark on an operation this Monday (14 October) to ensure the winter proves to be as successful as spring and summer in reducing crime. The area has seen almost 750 fewer victims of crime over the last six months compared to the same period in 2001, with reductions in all major crimes of burglar, robbery and vehicle crime. 'Operation Control' will cover many different types of crime and will be targeted at a range of groups in the community. Detective Chief inspector Malcolm Coall, from Rose Road operational command unit, said: "In the past we have recorded a rise in crime from October to January which we can attribute, in part, to nights getting dark earlier and greater opportunity to commit crime. "This year we are determined that trend will not be seen and have been planning Operation Control for some time." The operation will kick off on Monday with the first in a series of over 30 visits to local schools with a crime control caravan designed to inform parents, teachers and young people how to avoid crime including robbery and burglary. During these visits, officers will distribute 7,000 free metallic 'Epysis' labels for residents to stick to their property; these stickers cannot be removed and make it far easier to identify stolen property and catch offenders. "Our activity in schools is the first step in engaging the community to reduce crime," added Detective Chief Inspector Coall. "It is just one arm of the campaign. We will also be targeting much of the operation towards those who commit crime by visiting around 40 'targets' who have been identified as persistent young offenders and anyone who has been convicted of burglary dwelling in the area since January 2001. "A series of high visibility patrols will be undertaken at specific locations and we will also be using a high-tech piece of equipment which identifies vehicles on the road that have been involved in crimes." RESIDENTS URGED TO ATTEND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH CONFERENCE FOCUSING ON DRUGS One hundred Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators from across the Queens Road operational command unit which covers Erdington, Aston, Nechells and Alum Rock, are expected to attend the next Neighbourhood Watch conference on Tuesday 15 October at 7pm, in the main hall at Park View School, Naseby Road, Alum Rock, Birmingham. The aim of the conference is to discuss a number of new initiatives, particularly focusing on the consequences of drug crime in the area and how to combat it. The message 'not to tolerate drug dealers in your local area' is supported by Birmingham Communities Against Drugs, which encourages residents and organisations to work together to tackle drugs in the city. George Carter, chairman of the Washwood Heath and Nechells NHW Association, organised the conference. He said: "The police and the local community are working successfully hand in hand to tackle crime in this area. Neighbourhood Watch aims to help the community and the police to fight crime, by doing so criminals are unable to breathe in a community that cares." Chief Superintendent David Shaw, from Queens Road operational command unit, will officially open the conference. Visitors will hear from a number of guest speakers who will discuss initiatives and provide crime reduction advice to residents. Volunteers are also sought to become members of Neighbourhood Watch.
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