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APPEAL OVER COMATOSE POSTMAN Police are making a fresh appeal for witnesses to piece together the last movements of a Staffordshire postman who has been in a coma for a year. Barry Delecq-Le-Montais, 34, has remained unconscious in hospital since he was found collapsed in Rugeley after a stag night pub crawl around the town. It is believed the father-of-two may have been knocked down by a vehicle. TALKS ON RELIGIOUS RELATIONS Church of England representatives are gathering in Birmingham for the start of a four-day conference to discuss Muslim-Christian relations. The University of Birmingham conference will explore the Muslim and Christian faiths with a view to building stronger bridges in the wake of September 11. Delegates will also have the chance to quiz a panel of religious experts. BENTLEY REGAINS IDENTITY The Crewe-based company which builds Bentleys is to revert to its original name, Bentley Motors Limited. Bentley Motors Limited was the title bestowed by its late founder Walter Owen Bentley in 1919 but was scrapped when Rolls-Royce bought the company. A spokesman said: "Its cars will continue to be built at Crewe using skills handed down the generations." PROJECT TO REDUCE PUB CRIME Licensees and police have joined forces in three Birmingham districts to reduce violence and crime generally in and around pubs. Premises in Kings Heath, Billesley and Kings Norton have signed up to the Pub Watch initiative. The idea allows publicans to warn each other and police about known criminals and troublemakers. PROBE AFTER 30ft PUB PLUNGE A man is recovering in hospital after apparently falling 30ft near a pub in Stourport-on-Severn, police said. Paramedics were called to the Rock Tavern pub in Wilden Lane after the man was found at the bottom of a ledge. Officers are appealing for information about how the victim came by his injuries. He is described as 5ft 6in, about 30 and with blond hair COUNCIL VOW AFTER MAN EVICTED Council leaders in Birmingham say they will continue to get rid of tenants who make life a misery for their neighbours after evicting a Quinton man. An eviction order was placed on Ronald Jayes, 55, after he was convicted of harassment following a campaign of abuse towards neighbours. Birmingham Crown Court sentenced him to 200 hours of community service. COUNCIL IN MEETING OVER RECORDS Progress on the vetting of new teachers and social workers has been discussed by Derbyshire County Council and the Criminal Records Bureau. The bureau pledged at the meeting to process Derbyshire's applications quickly after hundreds staff became caught in the national CRB backlog. Despite outstanding checks remaining, most workers have been able to start. CASH PROVIDES MORE BUS SERVICES Bus passengers in Birmingham and the Black Country will be able to take advantage of extra buses on seven routes thanks to a £1.45m investment. Transport authority Centro is extending a number of services, including those serving Sutton Coldfield, Dudley, Wolverhampton and West Bromwich. They have also pledged to have a fleet of easy-access vehicles by 2004. £2m BOOST FOR DISABLED ACCESS Public buildings in Birmingham are to benefit from improved disabled access under a £2m investment programme. The city council is to provide facilities such as ramps, automatic doors, hand rails and toilets. Buildings targeted in the three-year programme include Woodgate Valley visitor centre, the Coroner's Court and Cocksmoor leisure centre. WEST MIDLANDS POLICE EXTEND NEW EMERGENCY TEXT MESSAGING SERVICE FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING West Midlands Police are to extend their innovative text messaging service for deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech impaired people - to include those who WORK within the force area. When the new service was launched In July it was only available to people who LIVE within the West Midlands, but the force is now planning to extend it to those who work with within the region. Since being launched, almost 200 people have registered to use the text messaging service and three emergency messages have been made to the Force Communications Centre using SMS messaging, two requiring the help of the ambulance service and the third reporting a fire. The scheme allows people who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech impaired to contact the police in an emergency by texting them with information. People interested in using the scheme have to register in advance and ONLY calls from registered users are accepted. Text messages received which relate to the fire or ambulance service are immediately passed to the appropriate organisation by telephone. The innovative scheme has proved so successful with deaf organisations throughout the country, the force has been inundated with calls from other force areas, keen to explore the system. Inspector Robert Box, from the Force Communications Centre, said: "We have been pleased at the level of interest show in the scheme, and so far have had no 'glitches' in the system. "As a result of the interest shown from people outside the West Midlands, we have decided to extend the scheme to people who work in the region who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech impaired." Due to short delays between sending and receiving text messages, members of the public should always try to find an alternative method of contacting police in an emergency and should only use text messaging as a last resort. PENALTY NOTICE SCHEME PROVES A SUCCESS - WITH 133 TICKETS ISSUED IN FIRST THREE WEEKS The new penalty notice scheme introduced last month for minor offences of disorder and anti-social behaviour has proved a success in the West Midlands, with 133 tickets being issued in the first three weeks alone. The majority of tickets - 71 - have been issued for using threatening and abusive behaviour. Thirty seven tickets have been issued for being drunk and disorderly, 13 for wasting police time, 10 for being drunk in the highway and 2 for sending a false message. Chief Inspector James Andronov, from Operations Support, said officers were delighted with their new powers, and many were asking for them to be extended to include offences such as dropping litter and causing minor damage. "The feedback we have received from officers is these new powers are very welcome and many have said how beneficial the scheme is proving." West Midlands Police are one of four forces around the country piloting the new penalty scheme. British Transport Police are also taking part. The new scheme allows officers to issue offenders with penalty notices in the sum of #40 or #80 for a range of minor offences and anti-social behaviour. Many of those issued with #80 penalty notices have involved making false claims that they had been robbed. In one example a man claimed he had been walking in Birmingham in the early hours of this morning when a man grabbed his wallet from his hand. He made four consecutive calls on the '999' number saying he was scared. Officers arrived at the scene and told him they would examine the area's CCTV systems. At that stage the man panicked and admitted he had made up the story because he had lost his wallet and wanted a lift home. In another case, an 18 year old man was issued with an #80 notice after falsely claiming he had been robbed of his mobile phone in Small Heath. Birmingham. The man later admitted he had lost his phone and made up the story to obtain a new one from his insurance company. The new scheme - which was launched on 12 August - is aimed at providing a more cost effective method of dealing with a range of offences, freeing up officers to return to operational duties, reducing the time officers spend at court and reducing the burden on the courts. Research carried out in the West Midlands alone shows the notional cost of wasted police time at court is over #600,000 per year - equivalent to 25 constable posts. "We are confident this will provide an effective way of dealing with the type of behaviour that blights the lives of communities throughout the West Midlands, providing a potent deterrent to would-be offenders, releasing officers more quickly to frontline duties and reducing delays in the courts," said Chief Inspector Andronov. MAN DIED TRYING TO STOP DOGS A coroner has recorded a verdict of accidental death on a 64-year-old Shropshire man who died after he slipped trying to restrain his dogs. Brian Hill fell backwards while walking the two Newfoundlands - which were "agitated" by a passing Labrador - in his home village of Tong, near Shifnal. The Wellington inquest was told that Mr Hill suffered a fractured skull. MAN HELD OVER MACHETE ATTACKS Police investigating two machete attacks on shop workers in Birmingham, are continuing to question a man. West Midlands Police said the attacks happened just four minutes apart at shops in Aston and Lozells. A 52-year-old victim, from Perry Barr, suffered serious head injuries, while the second casualty was having surgery for serious hand and arm injuries. FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP TO MEET An award-winning project which has helped hundreds of Birmingham families and children is due to meet to decide the future of its work. The Family Support Initiative has helped reduce perinatal mortality and increased breastfeeding. The funding, however, runs out in November and organisers need to find ways of sustaining the good work. DRIVING OUT COWBOY BUILDERS A Government-backed scheme to drive out "cowboy" builders and provide more business for honest tradesmen in the West Midlands is due to be launched. Small firms which joined the Quality Mark pilot scheme in Birmingham last year have seen their profits grow. Companies in Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire are now being offered the same chance. MAN FOUND AT BOTTOM OF CLIFF Police are investigating how a man ended up at the bottom of a 30ft drop in Stourport, Worcestershire. The man was discovered close to the Rock Tavern Pub after reports that a car had been abandoned nearby. He is in a critical condition. Police believe the car may have been involved in a road accident as it had suffered damage. DRIVER KILLED IN CRASH A 33-year-old motorist from Wolverhampton has been killed in a car crash in Somerset. The man was driving a Ford Fiesta along the A37 at Longhill when his car was in collision with an oncoming vehicle. He was declared dead at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle was taken to the Royal United Hospital in Bath with non-life threatening injuries. AIRLINE ADDS EXTRA FLIGHTS No-frills airline Flybe has announced an increase in its services between Birmingham and Edinburgh. From the end of the month the company will make an extra daily flight between the cities on weekdays. The new service will depart Birmingham at 4pm and arrive in Edinburgh at 5pm. Flybe spokesman John Brayford said the increase is in response to high sales. AUTHORITY WAS 'DETERIORATING' The support offered to schools by a West Midlands local education authority was found to be deteriorating in an inspection by a watchdog. Sandwell LEA was inspected as part of a nationwide report by schools watchdog Ofsted and the Audit Commission. Ofsted said the authority has now been reinspected and the support level shown to be satisfactory. OTTERS RETURN TO CANAL British Waterways officials have expressed delight at the return of otters to the Coventry Canal. The group said otters living in feeder streams along the canal north of the city are using the waterway to feed. Leela O'Dea, British Waterways environmental projects officer, said recent otters sightings highlight the improvement in water quality. MP CALLS FOR THEATRE MOVE An MP has suggested the Royal Shakespeare Company temporarily moves to the Garrick Theatre in Lichfield while its own theatre is refurbished. Michael Fabricant, Conservative MP for Lichfield, said the Garrick Theatre is the ideal location while the Royal Shakespeare Theatre is out of action. "It will have the latest facilities when it is completed," he added. ON THE BEAT AND ON THE AIR A West Midlands Police officer in south west Birmingham has secured a weekly slot on Birmingham's New Style Radio (98.7fm) to keep listeners informed about crime issues that may affect them. Sergeant Verley Tyndale, who works from the police base at Winson Green Prison, takes to the air every Tuesday afternoon at 2.30pm at the station, based in Dudley Road, Winson Green. His show includes a 'hot car' section where the number plates of stolen vehicles are read out in case members of the public have seen them, a section appealing for witnesses to the day's crimes, lots of advice about how to avoid becoming the victim of crime and live discussion with special guests. "Taking a guest slot on New Style Radio is a great opportunity to reach members of the public that we would not normally reach," said Sergeant Tyndale. "In support of our presence in the local community, the emphasis will be on forming strong community links and allowing listeners to get involved in policing issues that can really effect them. "I am not a trained presenter but I think it will prove to be a very rewarding and important role for the police." POLICE FOCUS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITHIN SAME SEX RELATIONSHIPS Domestic violence within same sex relationships will be the focus of a joint seminar in Coventry hosted by West Midlands Police and Warwickshire Police. Police vulnerable persons officers in conjunction with the Coventry and Warwickshire Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Forum and Coventry Domestic Violence Partnership have arranged the multi agency seminar, which will take place at 10am on Friday 20 September at Chace Avenue police station. PC Jane Smith, based at Stoney Stanton Road community safety bureau, said: "There is a great deal of under reporting of domestic violence within same sex relationships. It could well be that the lack of any appropriate support services is one of the reasons for this. "Organisations are being encouraged to share best practice and training, and to pledge the support of their organisation for victims of same sex domestic violence." Statutory and voluntary organisations who offer services for gay and lesbian groups or victims and survivors of domestic violence are the target audience for the seminar. About 100 delegates are expected to attend, including police officers from both forces and councillors from Coventry. Guest speakers include Dawn River, from Birmingham University, and Dee Shelley, lead project worker from London for a national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender project called 'Hold Tight-Tight Hold'. For further information about domestic violence see the force website: www.west-midlands.police.uk. Click on 'Are you a victim', or call the pre-recorded advice line on 0121 626 6663. The advice lines offer basic help and advice on a range of topics including domestic violence. TELECOMS FIRM IN JOBS WARNING Cable & Wireless has warned staff at its base in Birmingham to expect further job cuts after revenues slumped at its core business. The telecoms giant said it was undertaking a review of costs at the Global operation as it faced up to continuing tough market conditions. One report by analysts suggested it was preparing to let 1,000 workers go. EXAM BOARD 'ADMITS DOWNGRADING' A Shropshire school claims the head of an exam board has admitted downgrading A-level marks to ensure standards were comparable with last year's results. Wrekin College received a letter from the OCR board explaining why many coursework entries were failed this year, its deputy head said. Haydn Griffiths said the board admitted "adjusting" marks to lower grades. MOTHER FOILS ABDUCTION ATTEMPT Police are investigating the attempted abduction of a three-year-old
girl near Walsall which was foiled by her mother. The 27-year-old woman
was walking with her daughter in Brownhills when the offender tried to
snatch the youngster. She struck the man, causing him to lose his grip,
and then picked up the child and ran off to a nearby shop where she informed
the police, a spokesman said. PROBE INTO FOOTBALL VIOLENCE
POSTERS WARN OF FIRE DANGERS West Midlands firefighters are launching a poster campaign to encourage people to prepare an "escape plan" to help them flee house blazes. A total of 150 buses in the region will carry advertisements urging residents to prepare for a possible emergency. Station officer Steve Mills said: "People die every year because they didn't take the simplest precaution." RULES FOR SNACKING OFFICERS A senior West Midlands policeman who introduced a scheme to encourage officers to take meal breaks in public has set rules for those taking part. Chief Superintendent Bruce Gilbert, Commander of West Bromwich division, told police not to jump queues, smoke, play cards or eat in licenced premises. Radios must be low, uniforms must stay on and discounts are also banned. MAN DIES AFTER HOUSE BLAZE A Birmingham man left fighting for his life after a house fire in Bradford in which two other people were killed has died in hospital. Martin Valentine McDonagh, 43, had been in a critical condition since the blaze at the terraced house in Great Horton. Firefighters rescued three people from the house and another man escaped by throwing a television through a window. CRASH CLAIMS FIFTH VICTIM A 19-year-old from Tamworth who was seriously injured in a car crash which killed four other people has died. The man died at Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, after a Mercedes hit a tree on the B4098 near Kingsbury. Driver Wayne O'Brien, 36, of Curdworth, and Dean Connors, 22, and David Biddle, 30, both from Birmingham, died. The fourth man will be named later. FRESH APPEAL OVER MURDER Today, 18 September 2002, is the first anniversary of the murder of Mark Richards, a 34-year-old man who was shot dead outside a pub in Willenhall, West Midlands and police are renewing their appeals for help in bringing his killer or killers to justice. We are also re-releasing a photograph of a man we want to trace in connection with the murder. Detective Inspector Mick Moore said: "This case remains very much open and we remain determined that the person or people responsible shall be traced. "Officers are still working on leads and information continues to come in. We will not close this case before it is resolved satisfactorily. "In particular we need to speak to Michael Arthur Bert Gwilliam, aged 42, who is self-employed in the transport business and has contacts both in this country and abroad. He is known to his family as Michael and to friends and associates as Mick or Micky. "Although it has now been a year since Mr Richards' death, we are still very interested in speaking to anyone who might be able to help us. In particular we want to hear from people who might know where Mr Gwilliam is," he added. Mr Gwilliam is described as a white male, slim build, long brown hair and known on occasions to wear a moustache and / or a goatee beard. His hair may now have been cut. He is 6ft to 6ft 1in, of slim build with blue eyes and a West Midlands accent. He had a Wolverhampton Wanderers FC tattoo depicting a wolf's head on his leftforearm which we believe has been removed and has left a fading scar. This scar is a noticeable distinguishing feature. There is or was a tattoo of a panther on his left forearm and he also has several tattoos on his right arm. The word 'Dixie' is also tattooed on the top of one of his arms. Mr Gwilliam is originally from Willenhall, near to Walsall in the West Midlands. He is also known to have connections with Bristol, Liverpool, the Republic of Ireland, North Wales and Shropshire. Police are keen to hear from anyone in these areas who may have information on his whereabouts. Just after 11.25pm on Tuesday 18th Sept 2001 Mark Karl Richards, aged 34, was outside the Brewers Droop pub, Wolverhampton St. Willenhall. His assailant is believed to have driven around the area on a number of occasions in a large modern saloon motor vehicle using routes taking in both Peel St. and Gomer St. Mr Richards was approached by his assailant outside the pub and a shot is believed to have been fired before the assailant drove off. This shot did not not hit Mr Richards. The assailant returned a short time later and Mr Richards was on this occasion shot and fatally wounded. The assailant drove off turning right into New Road, towards a major arterial road which runs from Walsall to Wolverhampton via Willenhall. The victim was treated at the scene by police officers, then paramedics but was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at hospital. Police believe a vehicle may be linked with the murder; this is a dark blue BMW car which was found abandoned on Thursday September 20 in a country lane at Rindleford in Shropshire. Rindleford is a quiet hamlet near Bridgnorth off the A454, the major route which leads to Wolverhampton. If anyone knows has information about the murder or might know where where Mr Gwilliam is they are asked to call police on 0121 626 8525. He has not been heard from since the incident. We also ask that if Mr Gwilliam hears this appeal he contacts the incident room to arrange a meeting. If he wishes he can contact a solicitor to make the arrangements on his behalf. NEW FIGURES SHOW WEST MIDLANDS POLICE LEAD PROVINCIAL FORCES IN PERSONNEL ISSUES New figures due to be released today by the Home Office show that outside London West Midlands Police lead the country in many areas of personnel. The figures show that for the financial year April 2001 to March 2002, excluding the Metropolitan area of Lodon, the force has: *recruited the highest number of officers during the last 12 months (676) *the highest number of constables available for patrol (6,200) *the highest ratio of female officers (1,748) *the highest number of constables per 100,000 population (236) *the highest number of ethnic minority officers (369 - equivalent to 4.8 per cent of the force and including 102 females) In terms of support, the force has 3,007 civilian staff, the third highest figure anywhere in the country and during the year the force recruited the highest number of special constables (127), increasing the establishment of the Specials to 598, again the third highest in the county. Overall, during the last 12 months the strength of the force has increased by 258 officers (3.5 per cent) and is currently 7,681. David Williams, Director of Personnel, said: "These figures show how much hard work and effort has been put into recruiting over the last 12 months and to lead the country in so many areas is a real achievement. "The fact that we have the largest proportion of female officers and ethnic minority officers outside the Metropolitan area show we are committed to having a diverse organisation; one which reflects the community we serve. "We have introduced a wide range of initiatives to try to attract good quality recruits and these seem to have paid off. We need to continue to look at new and innovative ways of encouraging people to think of a career with West Midlands Police. "All of the independent research which has been carried out into the changing demographics show it is going to become increasingly difficult to recruit and retain staff but we can offer an excellent organisation which leads the country in so many ways." For general enquiries about becoming a police officer, special constable or support staff member visit the force's website at www.west-midlands.police.uk or call the recruitment hotline on 0121 265 7007. MAN IN COURT OVER MACHETE DEATH A 25-year-old Birmingham man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a woman shopkeeper who died following a machete attack in Aston. Keith Noel McDonald, of Lozells, was remanded in custody for seven days at Birmingham Magistrates' Court charged with killing 52-year-old Balbir Kaur. McDonald also faces a charge of wounding Mohammed Jahingir with intent. GIRL, 13, RAPED IN PARK A 13-year-old girl from Coventry has been raped in a park where she was playing, police said. The teenager was with friends when a man grabbed her from behind and dragged her into bushes in Gosford Green Park, off Sky Blue Way, before raping her. The girl's 12-year-old friend tried to pull the attacker off. The man, of Eastern European appearance, ran away. SPORTS FACILITIES ON AGENDA Birmingham's sports facilities will take centre stage when the European Capital of Culture judges make a flying visit to the city. The venues for Davis Cup tennis, Ryder Cup golf and the World Indoor Athletics Championships are on the agenda for the panel's tour. Former BBC Radio Four host Sue McGregor will lead the delegation. CONFERENCE ON WATERWAYS A national conference to explore the role of Britain's canal network in urban regeneration is being held at Staffordshire University. The event at the Beaconside campus in Stafford will also examine how waterways can boost UK tourism. Delegates will include planners, tourism officers, developers, canal groups and Advantage West Midlands. DISUSED COLLIERY TO BE REVAMPED English Heritage chiefs have welcomed a decision to include a disused colliery on the outskirts of Stoke-on-Trent in a Government regeneration scheme. English Heritage said the announcement by Regeneration Minister Lord Rooker means work on the Chatterley Whitfield colliery can start immediately. The colliery has been included in the National Coalfields Programme. TELECOMS FIRM IN JOBS WARNING Cable & Wireless has warned staff at its base in Birmingham to expect further job cuts after revenues slumped at its core business. The telecoms giant said it is undertaking a review of costs at the Global operation as it faces up to continuing tough market conditions. One report by analysts has suggested it is preparing to let 1,000 workers go. RISING TURNOVER AT CALL CENTRES Staff turnover in call centres is getting worse, especially in the West Midlands, despite rising pay rates, according to a new report. Annual turnover rates have increased to almost 25% this year, up from 22% last year, employment researchers Incomes Data Services found. Half of firms have problems recruiting staff, especially in the West Midlands. ROYAL SHOW TO OPEN ON SUNDAY The Royal Agricultural Show in Warwickshire will open on a Sunday for the first time, organisers have said. The decision to open the show to the public on a Sunday follows discussions with exhibitors attending this year's show at Stoneleigh. Organisers believe Sunday opening will make the show more accessible to both members of the public and exhibitors. FOURTH CRASH VICTIM NAMED Police have named a 19-year-old man who died in a Birmingham hospital after a road accident which claimed five lives. David Farrell, of Tamworth, died at Heartlands Hospital after a Mercedes hit a tree on the B4098 near Kingsbury. Driver Wayne O'Brien, 36, of Curdworth, and Dean Connors, 22, and David Biddle, 30, both from Birmingham, also died. The other victim has yet to be named. HOLY TURNCOATS! BATMAN AND ROBIN TEAM UP WITH SUPER CRIMINALS Holy mackerel - launch the batmobile! Have you heard the startling news from Gotham City - superhero crime fighters Batman and Robin are teaming up with two of their villainous foes. Zap! Pow! Thud! The caped crusaders are joining forces with those master criminals the jocular Joker and purring Catwoman. But don't panic - it's all part of a madcap adventure for charity in the West Midlands next week. The dynamic duo, together with Batgirl, the sneaky Joker and clawing Catwoman - all played by support staff from West Midlands Police - will don the TV characters' costumes and make a zany trip to 18 police stations across the region. The dash for cash is on Wednesday 25 September, collecting money from colleagues for the Make-A-Wish Foundation UK and Marie Curie Cancer Care. The heroes and villains launch their mission at police headquarters, Lloyd House before making their colourful getaway to various police stations in a stretch limousine - donated by Big Apple Limousines in Birmingham. Organiser Darren Yates, from the force Press and PR Department will play Robin the Boy Wonder. He said: "Holy rattling collection tins. Batman and I have joined the bad guys for this heist but we are still hoping people will support this good cause." All money raised will be split between Marie Curie Cancer Care, who are dedicated to the care of people affected by cancer, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation UK, who turn the wishes of children aged 3-18 with life-threatening illnesses into reality. HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS ROYAL VISITS BLOXWICH POLICE STATION The Princess Royal will pay a special visit to Bloxwich in the West Midlands next week to officially open the new Bloxwich police station, the principal station for West Midlands Police's Willenhall operational command unit. She will arrive at the station on Station Road in Bloxwich at about 1pm on Thursday 26 September and will be welcomed by many local police officers, local dignitaries and members of the public. Commander of Willenhall operational command unit, Chief Superintendent Mike Layton, said: "It is a great honour to be visited by The Princess Royal who will unveil a plaque to officially open the station and will also sign our visitors book. "The new station has become an important part of the local community and was designed specifically to allow the officers and support staff who work there to be as efficient as possible in serving the public." Over 200 officers and support staff are based at the new station, which includes a 21-cell custody block, a community safety bureau, a high tech operations centre and a police training suite. The Princess Royal will be at the police station until around 2.45pm and during this time will be given a guided tour of several departments who have organised presentations of their work. She will also meet Chief Constable of West Midlands Police Paul Scott-Lee, Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands Mr Robert Taylor and Chairman of West Midlands Police Authority Councillor Mohammed Nazir, among others. An area for members of the public to stand has been designated in front of the church on station road and the car park directly in front of the police station will be closed to vehicles during the visit. Bloxwich police station is staffed 24 hours a day for public enquiries and reporting. Telephone enquiries should be made by calling 0845 113 5000 and asking for police at Bloxwich. RESULTS OF OPERATION SUMARIA - ONE MONTH ON Police in Brownhills launched Operation 'Sumaria' on 18 August this year to curb the problem of dangerous motorcycling on the roads of Willenhall, Bloxwich, Darlaston and Brownhills. One month on, the campaign has led to four arrests for drink driving, four prosecutions for dangerous driving, ten prosecutions for offences relating to documents and nine prosecutions for speeding. Inspector Dick Cowley said: "The operation was prompted by the amount of motorcycle accidents in the area. Across Willenhall operational command unit last year there were 47 road traffic collisions that were classed as serious or fatal, 17 of these involved motorcycles and of these five resulted in a fatality. "Several of these accidents could have been avoided if the vehicles had not been travelling at such high speed and lost control. "We are aware that many motorcyclist do comply with speed limits, but are appealing for those who do not to consider the fatal consequences of their actions for themselves and for their families. "Motorcyclists should always wear protective clothing, this can severely reduce their injuries during a collision. "Car drivers also need to 'think bike'. They should be aware that motorbikes can be hard to see. Check every junction and ask yourself - Is there a bike coming?" Officers are determined to put a stop to reckless speeding on the roads and will continue operations over the coming months using laser speed checks and police vehicles with cameras in them to gain evidence for prosecutions. Police will also be attending motorcycle gatherings and test centres to speak to motorcyclists about the consequences of speeding. "Our main message for motorcyclists is that if you are caught speeding you will be prosecuted. However, we would much rather persuade motorcyclists to reduce their speed now, before they are caught," added Insp Cowley. ROBBERY OFFENCES FALL THANKS TO SOUTH SANDWELL POLICE TEAM The Operation Safer Streets II police team at Smethwick have continued to make arrests and detect crime during the summer. The number of robberies during August fell 28 per cent compared to the same month last year. Last August there were 51 offences and this year the figure had dropped to just 33. Officers also detected 23 per cent of street crime - the force target is 20 per cent. Sergeant Andrew Humphrey, who heads the South Sandwell Safer Streets team, said: "The team are working hard to make the streets of Sandwell safer. We would urge members of the public to continue to help us by looking after their property and not leaving themselves vulnerable. Offenders can expect to be caught and put before the courts." Anyone who has information for the police about street crime can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. West Midlands Police are one of 10 forces taking part in the National Robbery Reduction Initiative. MAN CHARGED WITH GIRL'S RAPE A 21-year-old man is due in court charged with raping a Coventry teenager in a park, police said. The 13-year-old girl was with friends in a park in the Stoke area of the city when she was subjected to the attack in broad daylight. The suspect, who has not so far been named by police, is due to appear at Coventry Magistrates' Court. TEACHER JAILED FOR PUPIL SEX A science teacher at a secondary school in the Dudley area who had sex with a suicidal teenager has been jailed for 15 months at Wolverhampton Crown Court. The 27-year-old, who lost his job, was jailed despite pleas from the girl's parents that he be spared for the sake of their daughter, who is now 16. The teacher pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to a breach of trust. STUDENT WINS NAVY SCHOLARSHIP An A-level student from Uttoxeter in Staffordshire, has won a prestigious scholarship from the Royal Navy. Edward Higgins, who attends Thomas Alleyne High School, beat hundreds of applicants to pass the three-day course for a Navy Engineering Scholarship. Edward will be sponsored to study engineering at Southampton University before joining the Navy as an officer. HERMIT SETTLES INTO CAVE ROLE A professional hermit will spend the weekend in a remote Staffordshire cave after beating 200 other applicants. Ansuman Biswas, 36, will reside at Great Haywood Cliffs on Shugborough estate, Milford, after it was decided to revive the 300-year-old role. The 18th century fashion to have a hermit in residence near stately homes was revived for National Heritage Week. JAGUAR TO CUT 250 JOBS Luxury car manufacturer Jaguar is to cut 250 jobs at its plants in Birmingham and Coventry. The company also plans to lose a further 150 staff from its plant at Halewood, Merseyside. Jaguar spokesman Gordon Cook said all the job losses are expected to be achieved through voluntary redundancy and early retirement. VIOLENT CRIMINAL ON THE RUN Police are hunting a violent criminal who could be in the West Midlands after escaping from a secure hospital. Albert Oszmianski, 39, was being held in the Kemple View secure unit in Lancashire for wounding with intent. Police believe he could be in Birmingham, Wolverhampton or Morecambe. They warned he could become dangerous without his daily medication. HOUSE PRICES SHOW BIGGEST RISE House prices in the West Midlands have seen the biggest rise in the country as inflation rises, a survey has claimed. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said the situation looks set to continue as the number of people thinking of selling their homes falls. National housing spokesman Ian Perry said: "The shortage of property will impact on prices for months to come." WOMAN FACES EX IN EMBRYO CASE A West Midlands woman who wants to use her frozen embryos to have children has faced her ex-partner in court after he refused to give consent to use them. Lorraine Hadley, from Sandwell, is challenging a law which says both parties must consent to using embryos. The High Court judge set a date to hear the case next year and ordered that the embryos remain in storage. SHINPADS 'REDUCE INJURY RISK' Birmingham University experts have found a simple way to save professional footballers from long injury lay-offs. Research aided by a grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council found shinpads significantly reduce ankle injuries. Many players cut pads to make them comfortable, but shock-absorbent foam on the ankles increases protection. ADVICE FOR FIRST-TIME STUDENTS Solihull Borough Council has warned students from the town who are going to university for the first time to get advice about rented accommodation. The council has suggested freshers acquire a copy of Solihull Trading Standard's pamphlet "Student's Guide to Safety in Rented Accommodation". The guide covers tenants rights and contains information on safety. OFFICERS WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PETROL STATION TO DRIVE DOWN PETROL THEFT Criminals who drive off without paying for petrol are not being given an easy ride thanks to local police. Officers from Dudley Road police station in Winson Green are working directly with petrol station managers to catch thieves red-handed and deter criminals from striking in the first place. Police Constable Dick Barton said: "We noticed that some local petrol stations were being targeted more than others by crime so we set up an initiative to try and rectify this. "In particular, a petrol station on Handsworth New Road was experiencing a significantly larger amount of 'bilkings' (driving off without payment) than elsewhere, but we are hoping to have turned this situation around by working closely with the managers. "The company have now upgraded CCTV cameras and recording equipment and have also began a pre-payment for fuel scheme from 5pm onwards. "We have installed more 'Forecourt Watch' signs to act as a deterrent and are hoping that even these seemingly small measures will have impact." Crime costs petrol retailers thousands of pounds a year and often offenders who steal petrol are involved in much more serious crime. "Forecourt Watch and pre-payment for fuel systems send a clear message to criminals that crime does not pay and if you continue to offend you will certainly be caught," added PC Barton. "Our aim is to make stations as safe as possible for all law-abiding citizens that use them." FIRST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURT SET UP IN WEST MIDLANDS New specialist domestic violence courts in Wolverhampton are the first in the West Midlands region and only the second to be set up in the country. The changes mean that in future, Wolverhampton Magistrates Court will dedicate one day each week to hearing domestic violence cases. The move aims to provide a holistic approach to dealing with cases of domestic violence by ensuring court personnel, including magistrates and agencies providing victim support, receive appropriate training around the issue of domestic violence and the experience of attending court as a witness. Superintendent Paddy Mulligan, from Wednesfield police station, said: "Each month there are approximately 100 domestic violence incidents at Wolverhampton courts; by supporting this new court we should see the number of repeat victims fall. "Many complaints are withdrawn before they get to court and the complainant inevitably becomes a victim again when the violence escalates." Sue Lindup, from Wolverhampton Domestic Violence Forum, said: "I am really pleased that after two years of discussions a specialist domestic violence court is being launched in Wolverhampton which will be accompanied by a support service for victims. "The vast majority of victims of domestic violence are women, many of whom have experienced domestic violence repeatedly. The development of this specialist court can help to provide a more 'user friendly' environment for their cases to be heard." The Regional Research Institute at the University of Wolverhampton has commissioned a study into the number of domestic violence cases dealt with through the criminal justice process. This is the first stage in monitoring the effectiveness of the court over the coming year.
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