Ten arrested as police
prevent gang battle
by David Skentelbery
TEN youths were arrested and police seized a number of knives and knuckle dusters in an operation to prevent a gang battle at Lymm, near Warrington.
Police say they managed to prevent an incident of violent disorder in the village as a result of their action.
Officers had received information from members of the public on Friday evening that a gang of youths from nearby Partington were heading for the village to cause disorder.
As a result, Insp Stuart Woodcock, of the neighbourhood policing unit, drafted in additional men, including officers from Cheshire?s area support unit and from Greater Manchester Police.
Ten youths were arrested for possession of offensive weapons ? two of them also for public order offences and one for criminal damage.
Insp Woodcock said: “The action we took undoubtedly prevented violent disorder from breaking out and has potentially saved someone’s life.
“We will continue to have a high visibility presence in the area, particularly at weekends, to reassure the public and to send out a strong message that disorder of any kind will not be tolerated.
“Local residents and licensees are working together with police to make the village a safer place. Four people have already been banned under the newly established Pub Watch scheme following separate incidents.
“This operation successfully averted violent disorder and I would like to thank Greater Manchester Police for their assistance.”
All ten youths have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Police officer dies
in motorway crash
by staff reporter
AN OFF-duty police officer has died from injuries he received when his car was in collision with another vehicle on the M56 near Warrington at the weekend.
He was Det Sgt John Thornber, a serving officer with Lancashire Police.
The accident happened on the westbound carriageway of the motorway near the Lymm interchange.
It involved DS Thornber?s silver MG ZR and a blue Renault Megane.
Police are particularly anxious to speak to the occupants of a red saloon car seen in the vicinity at the time of the crash.
Anyone who can help is asked to call Cheshire Police on 0845 4580000.
Primary health care
changes under scrutiny
by John Hendon
THE public is invited to attend Warrington Primary Care Trust’s next board meeting when proposals for changes to the organisation will be discussed.
The board, which meets on Wednesday February 1 at the PCT’s headquarters in Birchwood Boulevard, will discuss the proposals at 1pm.
The consultation is being run by Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority which looks at reducing the number of PCTs in the area from 15 to seven.
However, Warrington PCT is looking to remain as Warrington PCT to enable stronger partnership working with the town’s statutory and voluntary organisations.
The consultation is about organisational structures, not changes to services. Having the right structure in place will provide a solid base to develop commissioning and improve services in the future.
PCT chief executive Allison Cooke said: “We have made excellent progress over the last few years through investment and reform. Waiting times for treatment have fallen significantly, patients now have more choice about their options for treatment, and improvements in health are being achieved.
“To sustain this progress and continue to deliver high quality services for patients and improve health, however, we have to ensure the PCT is fit for the future. Ultimately these proposals aim to create an organisation which responds much better to the needs of the people we serve.”
Commissioning is the process of making sure the right services are in place to meet the needs of the population.
Proposals for Warrington PCT aim to strengthen commissioning by:
putting more control of funding and decision-making with GPs, who are best placed to know the health care needs of the local population
improved co-ordination of health and social services.
The consultation, which began in December, runs to March 22.
The PCT’s board meeting begins at 10am. For more information log onto www.warrington-pct.nhs.uk
Copies of the consultation document are available from: Freephone: 0800 389 1366 By post: Jean Scott/Andy Meadows, Freepost, North West NHS Consultations; By email: [email protected] or website: www.cmha.nhs.uk/nwconsult
“Thankyou” party for
library volunteers
by staff reporter
VOLUNTEERS who help bring the world of books to people’s homes are being thanked at a special party.
Warrington Library, Museum and Archives Service aim to ensure that all members of the community have access to information, books and other library materials throughout the Warrington area. To help them achieve this they run a housebound service for those readers who are unable to get to libraries across the borough or to the mobile library van.
Volunteers take time out to choose a variety of books and favourites from their local library and visit housebound people in their own homes. Each volunteer has their own client/s who they visit on a regular basis. In this way a close relationship develops between the volunteer and their clients.
Many volunteers have been visiting the same clients over several years and a close friendship has developed as a result. The social benefit of these visits is as important as the regular supply of books.
A party is usually held for the volunteers to thank them for their contributions every year but this year will be a little bit different as they will be presented with certificates and a ?10 book token for each five years service.
Coun Pat Wright, the borough council?s executive member for Community Services, said: “This service really relies on the great support of the volunteers who do a tremendous job and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them. I know the people that benefit from them dropping in with the books for a chat really appreciate what they do and I hope that more people will be inspired and encouraged to get involved.”
More information about Warrington Library, Museum and Archives Service, the mobile library and the housebound service from Wendy on 01925 442732.
Raiders smash their
way into golf shop
by staff reporter
POLICE are seeking witnesses of a high value burglary at a golf shop in Warrington.
Raiders cut through metal security shutters and smashed a display window in the early hours of the morning to gain entry to the shop in Manchester Road, Woolston.
They activated an alarm ? but managed to escape with a large quantity of golf clubs and other equipment.
They were using a dark coloured car, possible a Volkswagen Golf and a white Ford Transit van. They may have had Merseyside accents.
Anyone who can help police is asked to call PC Paul Fairhurst on 01244 612644.
Health visitors
thank Lions
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON’S health visitors have thanked the Lymm and Stockton Heath Lions for donating a special doll which can be used to practice resuscitation techniques.
The resus doll will be used to demonstrate the techniques to young parents who attend parenting groups in south Warrington.
Health visitor Sian Quick said: “It’s really important that parents know basic resuscitation techniques. The doll is now in full use at all our clinics in the south and the health visitors are very grateful.”
[ 09.02.2006, 09:52: Message edited by: DS ]
