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RISE IN CHURCH FUNDS DONATIONS The Diocese of Worcester has praised parishioners for their generosity after a 30% rise in church funds donations. Diocesan Secretary Robert Higham said those giving under the Gift Aid and Deeds of Covenant schemes had allowed £259,021 to be reclaimed last year. "We are delighted that giving has gone up in the diocese as parishioners donate more generously," he said. £60,000 FOR DISABLED ACCESS Disabled access to a country park at a Birmingham beauty spot is to be improved after the site was allocated a £60,000 grant. Lickey Hills Country Park earned the cash thanks to the sale of a surplus building, on nearby Monument Lane, owned by Birmingham City Council. The money will also go towards improving landscaping in the park. ROYAL LAUNCH FOR LEARNNG CENTRE The Princess Royal is set to launch an online learning centre in Birmingham catering for people who are both deaf and blind. Deaf-blind charity Sense has said the facility, at its Princess Royal Centre in Edgbaston, will allow users to access the IT world for the first time. Princess Anne will also present Sense and Deafblind UK's 2002 awards. MAN ARRESTED AFTER STAB DEATH Police have launched a murder inquiry after a 48-year-old man was stabbed to death at an address in Nottingham. Nottinghamshire Police said officers based at the city's Oxclose Lane police station are probing the death. A police spokesman said the victim was stabbed during an incident in Broxtowe. A 38-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the death. METRO EXTENSION DUE BY 2006 Planned extensions to the Midland Metro tram network are scheduled to be operational by 2006, transport body Centro has announced. Centro said construction work on extensions through Birmingham city centre and from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill is likely to begin in 2004. The travel group added public views are being invited on the proposals. PLAN TO IMPROVE RURAL ACCESS People living in rural communities are to be given better access to vital services under a new Warwickshire County Council action plan. A spokesman said the Social Inclusion Action Plan aims to provide improved access to services ranging from learning opportunities to transport. A major review of existing rural services will be undertaken. ART GALLERY DEFENDS SEX VIDEO A Birmingham art gallery has defended its decision to host an exhibition featuring a video of naked men performing sex acts. The Ikon Gallery had taken legal advice before showing the film which cannot be viewed by unsupervised children. A spokesman said the video, compiled by Spanish artist Santiago Sierra, highlights the evils of the sex trade. PACKAGING FIRM TO STAY IN CITY A packaging company is to remain in Birmingham, creating 200 jobs and safeguarding more than 350 others. Euro Packaging, based in Tyseley, is one of the country's leading packaging companies with customers including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Argos and Asda. The company decided to stay after Birmingham City Council agreed to its expansion on an allotment site. APPEAL AFTER FATAL ROAD CRASH Warwickshire Police have issued a witness appeal after a fatal road accident near Harbury. Officers said one man was pronounced dead at the scene after his saloon car left the B4455 Fosse Way road and came to rest in a field. A force spokesman said no other vehicle is thought to have been involved in the accident. MP BACKS POLICE REFORM PLEDGE A Birmingham MP has backed Home Secretary David Blunkett's pledge to reform the police service. Steve McCabe, Labour MP for Hall Green, described as nonsensical the fact that sergeants earn more than their superiors because of overtime claims. The MP added it is imperative to bring in a fairer system to reward the bravery of officers doing their job. POLICE CRACK DOWN ON ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR IN BROWNHILLS Police in the Brownhills and Pelsall areas are working with local head teachers and bus companies to reduce anti-social behaviour and disruption occurring during the busy afternoon rush hour on main roads through Brownhills and Pelsall. Police Constable Julie Ridley, schools officer in the area, said: "A small minority are making the journey home from school or work unpleasant and we are determined to put a stop to it. "Trouble makers will be stopped by police and dealt with or captured on camera by the sophisticated CCTV systems on the buses or around shops." The scheme is part of an overall campaign to involve youngsters in the area in crime reduction. Officers will also be launching a scheme were pupils from the three senior schools in the area, Shire Oak, Shelfield and Brownhills Community Schools, will take part in crime prevention panels. They will conduct questionnaires about how crime affects young people and spread messages on how to reduce it. "We are hoping to encourage youngsters to take more responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others," added PC Ridley POLICE HUNT TO FIND RIGHTFUL OWNER OF RECOVERED TITANIC MASTERPIECE 'TITANIC at Queenstown', a limited edition print of the RMS Titanic - the so-called unsinkable ship, has been handed over to the police, who believe the item was stolen from Birmingham, 13 years ago. Two people, who are thought to have been survivors of the disaster, have signed the collectable piece, dated Thursday 11 April 1912. An anonymous caller, believed to be from the north of England, handed in the print to the police, who are now on the hunt to return the valuable print to its rightful owner. Detective Constable Shaun Gould, from the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) at West Midlands Police, co-ordinates and tracks fine art and antique crime across the region. He said: "I would urge collectors of antiques and art or anyone who may have once owned the piece to try and jog their memories and try to recall any information. Intelligence gathered so far shows this painting was stolen from Birmingham 13 years ago. "For the victims of antique theft it's not only the intrusion on to their property but it's about the loss of treasured items which quite often hold some sentimental value, particularly when they are passed on from generation to generation, That is why we are keen to return this valuable property to its rightful owner." Police are urging owners of art and antique valuables to ensure they mark and photograph their valuables, and to consider implementing security devices like locks and CCTV, which are all measures to deter would-be offenders. Other simple measures such as keeping a look out for your neighbour's property is also encouraged. Anyone with information should contact DC Shaun Gould at FIB on 0121 609 6926 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 700 JOBS CREATED AT CAR PLANT Seven hundred temporary jobs are to be created at Peugeot's Coventry plant as the company announced its new model is to be built there. A spokesman said the estate-type Peugeot 206 SW, was set to go on sale in the summer. He added: "It is a huge confidence boost that it has been selected ahead of the other plants internationally." ROAD BLOCKED IN HEAVY WEATHER A main road in Warwickshire has been blocked and 27 flood warnings issued as heavy weather battered the Midlands. The A44 in Kitebrook was blocked by a fallen tree and a jack-knifed lorry. There were 27 flood warnings in total in the region. Winds of more than 90mph have been battering Britain as a storm settles over much of the country. FATAL HOUSE FIRE PROBED Fire investigators are continuing to examine the cause of a blaze in Coventry in which a girl died. The two-year-old was in a rear upstairs bedroom at her home in Humber Avenue, Gosford Green, when the fire broke out. Although the cause has not been confirmed, investigators are looking at the possibility that a group of children were playing with matches. POLICE PROBE UNEXPLAINED DEATH West Mercia Police are investigating the unexplained death of a pensioner whose body was found in Hanbury Woods, Worcestershire. Officers said the body of Bernard Cocker, 78, from Stoke Prior, near Bromsgrove, was found by a man out walking his dog. A post-mortem examination will be carried out shortly. AVIATION FACILITY LAUNCHED A new executive aviation facility at Coventry Airport is set to become fully operational when MG Rover dealers from across Europe fly into the region. The executive terminal at Coventry Airport South will act as a gateway to the West Midlands for business passengers, an airport spokesman said. Four 50-seat aircraft are due to arrive at the airport for the service. MINISTER PROMISES PROBE Energy Minister Brian Wilson has told Stoke-on-Trent residents a probe into the effect of mineshaft subsidence on their homes' value can solve the issue. Wilson has promised to look at possible solutions to the problem, which has caused property prices to drop. One solution is a campaign with the message that the Coal Authority will pay for repairs. SEX OFFENDER CHOOSES CELL STAY A serial sex offender and convicted rapist from West Bromwich is living in a police cell after moving from one part of Britain to another. Steven Beech, 38, has been voluntarily staying at Ipswich Police Station where he moved after he was cleared of breaching a sex offender order. He has been imprisoned for his crimes, which include raping a housekeeper. CONCERN FOR CAMP X-RAY SON The father of a West Midlands man being held by the US at Camp X-Ray has expressed fears for his son's welfare. Riasoth Ahmed, from Tipton, said he was concerned for the welfare of his 20-year-old son Ruhal. He is alleged to have travelled to Afghanistan to fight against President George Bush's "war on terrorism" following the September 11 attacks. EURO-MP WELCOMES PLANS West Midlands Tory Euro-MP Philip Bushill-Matthews has welcomed plans to establish a National Centre for Rural Enterprise at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. The MEP said the plans to develop the home of the Royal Agricultural Society of England's and the showgrounds showed an exciting vision for the future. The Euro-MP said: "The proposals represent an exciting vision." BURGLARS TAKE FAMILY'S PET DOG Warwickshire Police have appealed for witnesses and information after burglars stole a family's pet dog. The raiders also took a range of electrical items from the victims' home in Chamberlaine Street, Bedworth. The dog, a Staffordshire bull terrier, was found to be missing when the break-in was discovered, a police spokesman said. TRANSPORT PLANS 'DAMAGING' Transport plans in the West Midlands are among many attacked as "a shopping list of damaging road schemes" by a leading countryside campaigner. The attack comes as the regions prepare regional transport strategies. David Young, of the Council for the Protection of Rural England, slammed the region for its congestion policies and failure to combat traffic growth. JURY RESUMING IN BOMB PLOT CASE A jury is due to resume its deliberations in the case of a man from Birmingham accused of plotting to cause explosions. Moinul Abedin, 27, of Sparkbrook, and co-defendant Dr Faisal Mostafa, 38, of Stockport, both deny the allegations at Birmingham Crown Court. They allegedly conspired to build devices using a "terrorists' handbook". WATCHDOG SLAMS NAPPY ADVERTS An advert for a West Midlands radio station which featured a man wearing a nappy has been criticised by the advertising standards watchdog. The advert for Coventry radio station Kix had a woman in suspenders standing over a man wearing just the nappy. The Advertising Standards Authority said the advert could cause offence and upheld complaints made against it. 700 JOBS CREATED AT CAR PLANT Seven hundred temporary jobs are to be created at Peugeot's Coventry plant as the company announced its new model is to be built there. A spokesman said the estate-type Peugeot 206 SW, was set to go on sale in the summer. He added: "It is a huge confidence boost that it has been selected ahead of the other plants internationally." LAWYER 'VICTIM OF HATE MAIL' A Crown Prosecution Service lawyer was the victim of a racist hate mail while he worked in the West Midlands, an employment tribunal has heard. Ravinder Johal, 41, claims members of his team orchestrated the campaign while he worked at the West Midlands branch of the CPS in Wolverhampton. Johal, of Wood Park, London, alleges bosses failed to take proper action. GIRLS IN KIDNAP SEX ASSAULT Two teenage girls were subjected to a serious sexual assault after being kidnapped in Staffordshire. The girls, aged 15 and 16, were walking in Etruria Road, Hanley, when a dark four door vehicle drew up alongside them before two men pulled them inside. The vehicle drove towards Hanley Forest Park and stopped by the lake, where the girls were assaulted before escaping. PUBLICITY MAY MOVE OFFENDER ON A sex offender from the West Midlands living in a police cell has said publicity in the local media will force him to move. Rapist Steven Beech has more than 100 convictions and is being accommodated at Ipswich Police Station because he is considered a serious danger to women. He was forced out of Sheffield by residents and escorted to Ipswich. TEENAGERS SOUGHT OVER DEATH Police want to speak to three teenagers after the death of a Birmingham man who collapsed in a street near his home. The 51-year-old was discovered in Bowman Road, Great Barr and pronounced dead at the scene. Police are treating the death as suspicious. Sutton Coldfield police want to speak to three white teenagers who were in the area. MINERS TO BE COMPENSATED Miners in the West Midlands are to receive compensation for injuries such as vibration white finger (VWF) and respiratory disease. Energy Minister Brian Wilson announced on a visit to Stoke-on-Trent that the Government was close to paying about half a billion pounds compensation Compensation for 1,700 cases of VWF had been settled in the Midlands, he said. THREE ACCUSED OVER ROBBERY BID Three men arrested by armed police in Birmingham, have been charged with attempting to rob a post office. The men, aged 20, 21 and 37, were apprehended outside the post office in Queslett Road, Kingstanding. They were all carrying firearms. Two of them, wearing balaclavas, were intercepted by officers as they got out of a stolen blue Rover car. SIX OF WILLENHALL'S TOP TWENTY 'MOST WANTED' ARRESTED Five days since police in Willenhall announced that they were hunting for 20 'most wanted' car thieves, six of them have been arrested. Three of the men were arrested last Friday in connection with theft of vehicles, theft from vehicles and burglary, and two men and one juvenile were arrested on Sunday evening in connection with vehicle crimes, breach of curfew, driving while disqualified and burglary. Superintendent Peter Goodman, operations manager at Willenhall police station, said: "These six arrests brings the total for Operation 'Stormhead Six' up to 74 and we are confident that the remaining 14 'most wanted' will be arrested by the end of this weekend. "We believe these arrests will lead to a reduction in crime in Willenhall and, in particular, to less victims of vehicle crime. "These results are a credit to the hard work of all the officers and support staff working as part of Operation 'Stormhead Six'." GROWING ABUSE OF THE 999 SYSTEM, SAY POLICE 'Police emergency - can I help you?' 'Can you tell me if the sale at Rackhams is still on?' This is just one of the growing example of the false 999 calls received by emergency police operators at West Midlands Police Force Control Centre (FCC). Out of 700,000 emergency calls received by staff, it is estimated that only 30 per cent - or 210,000 - are real emergencies. A further 30 per cent are non-emergencies but involve an 'incident log' being created and being passed to the local operational command unit to deal with. A staggering 40 per cent - or 280,000 - should never have been made under the 999 system and are in no way emergency calls. "Many of the calls received by emergency operators are simply irresponsible," said Acting Chief Inspector Keith Morgan, the officer in control of the FCC. "For example, we get calls from some people asking us if sales are still on in stores, or what they can do if they are turned away from night clubs. "Many others are from people who have missed their last bus or have been separated from their lift home and want the police to take them; others are from callers saying their gas or water has gone off and asking us when it will be reconnected. Many others try to use the 999 system ask a switchboard service, asking to be put through to their local station. "We would appeal to these callers to stop and think before they call '999' and ask themselves whether their call should be directed elsewhere," said Acting Chief Insp Morgan. "These callers tie up emergency operators, who could be dealing with a real emergency, where people's lives are at stake." He said over the last seven years, there had been an increase of 81 per cent in the number of 999 calls, which coincided with the increase in availability of mobile phones. POLICE IN WALSALL AIDED TO COMMUNICATE IN PUNJABI AND URDU Officers in Walsall are to receive prompt cards to allow them to communicate with Punjabi and Urdu speaking members of the community when attending an incident of domestic disturbance or violence. The laminated cards translate into both languages two statements and seven questions which can be answered with a nod or a shake of the head. This allows officers to gain crucial bits of information direct from the victim before phoning an interpreter to speak in more detail. Police Constable Bev Ashton, domestic violence officer at Walsall police station, said: "These cards will be particularly useful to officers when attending scenes were domestic violence has been reported. "Although we have some officers who speak both languages, it is impossible to guarantee that we can send these officers to the appropriate scene. "Our main aim is to ensure that officers are equipped to take firm and positive action when attending incidents in order to protect victims and their children. "We are hoping to extend the cards forcewide and are looking into other languages which may be required." Confidential advice and help about domestic violence can be given by calling 0845 113 5000 and asking to be put through to your local domestic violence officer. You can also pick up a leaflet from your local police station. In the event of an emergency call 999.
POLICE THIRD 'WORST FUNDED' West Mercia Police is the third worst funded authority in England and Wales, a local MP has discovered. Mid-Worcestershire member Peter Luff said figures show the force will spend £108.44 per head this year compared with a national average of £147.92. It puts it behind Dorset and Surrey for underfunding and shows officers will work with less cash for the next year. CASH FOR AFTER-SCHOOL CARE Five after-school clubs in Warwickshire have been awarded nearly £40,000 to expand their services to youngsters. The grant, from the Government's New Opportunities Fund, will allow the schools to offer parents 90 extra places for out-of-hours care. County education officer Eric Wood said: "This new funding can only benefit our schools and communities." NEW PLASTIC PROCESS PATENTED University of Warwick experts are developing materials, from hairsprays, printer ink to shampoo, after patenting a new scientific process. A team has created a technique, Living and Controlled Radical Polymerisation, which cheaply and easily grow "designer" polymers, or plastics. It has set up a company, Warwick Effect Polymers, to meet orders from firms. MAN JAILED OVER BOMB PLOT A Birmingham man has been jailed for 20 years for planning to cause terrorist blasts in the UK using high explosives. Moinul Abedin, 27, of Sparkbrook, stockpiled HMTD explosives and the judge said he could have caused many deaths if he had not been stopped. Co-defendant Dr Faisal Mostafa, 38, of Stockport, was cleared of two charges at Birmingham Crown Court. BOMB PROBE CONTINUES - POLICE Detectives who led a probe into a Birmingham man jailed over a bomb plot said they will continue their inquiries both in Britain and abroad. Moinul Abedin, 27, of Sparkbrook, was jailed for 20 years at Birmingham Crown Court for planning terrorist blasts. Police say it is not clear what his targets were but they will continue to gather intelligence on his activities. SHADOW MINISTER TO VISIT CITY Shadow secretary of state for works and pensions David Willetts is due to start a two-day tour of Birmingham as part of a new Conservative campaign on poverty. The Tory MP is due to attend a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, visit a homeless mission in Moseley and meet youngsters living near Holloway Head. His visit is the first in a 12-month tour of hard-pressed communities. NHS PAYS PRICE OF ALCOHOL ABUSE Alcohol misuse is costing the NHS up to £3bn a year with more than 28,000 hospital admissions, claims a report due to be unveiled in Birmingham. The report, Your Very Good Health, is being launched at a one-day summit for primary care health workers, staged by the city's Alcohol Concern group. It warns that alcohol dependence and poisoning is "paralysing" the NHS. FARMER WINS LEGAL BID OVER PYRE A Kidderminister farmer has won permission to bring a High Court challenge over the burning of animals during the foot-and-mouth crisis. Robin Feakins, of Sparum Farm, says his farm was left an "ecological timebomb" and his livelihood threatened after his farm was used as a culling centre. He claims Defra failed to remove ash from pyres used to cremate animals. WARRANT ISSUED FOR TRACK STAR A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a world junior athletics champion from the West Midlands after he failed to appear in court. Mark Lewis-Francis. 19, of Darlaston, was due to appear before Wolverhampton magistrates on driving offences but instead flew to a race meet in Austria. He was convicted in his absence of the offences earlier this month. 'RAPE PLAN' MAN GETS NINE YEARS A Leamington Spa man who wrote a rape plan which he used to subject a woman he knew to a sex ordeal has been jailed for nine years at Exeter Crown Court. Judge Graham Cottle told bearded rapist Paul Morgan: "Details of this offence make extremely chilling reading." Morgan had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to raping the 24-year-old woman in her Devon home.
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