Security van rammed –
“less than a million”
grabbed by masked raiders
by David Skentelbery
POLICE at Warrington are investigating a raid on a cash-in-transit van by a gang who used a tractor to smash into the vehicle.
The vehicle is owned by Securitas, the firm involved in the ?50 million raid on a security depot in Kent last month.
Securitas have confirmed the amount taken in the raid at Warrington was a substantial amount but “less than ?1m”.
The security vehicle was attacked on Rufford Court, in Hardwick Grange, part of the Grange Industrial Estate at Woolston at about 8.15pm last night (Wednesday).
A tractor was used to ram the back of the van.
Police say the security van was travelling behind a Volvo truck which stopped at a give-way sign.
The van was then rammed from behind by a farm tractor.
Two masked men wielding crowbars leapt from the tractor and attacked the van, smashing the windows and escaped with a quantity of money.
Meanwhile the Volvo truck was set alight.
Sometime later, a Volvo V40 car believed to have been used by the offenders, was discovered abandoned less than a mile away.
A police spokesman said the security van drivers were not hurt in the incident.
Police are appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area to contact them on 01244 613833 or call the confidential Crimestoppers line 0800 555111.
The raid at Tonbridge in Kent involved a Securitas depot and was carried out after the depot manager was snatched and his family kidnapped.
Several people have been arrested since then and large sums of money recovered ? although the bulk of the ?50 million is still missing.
It is not thought there is any connection with the Kent raid, however.
The exact amount of money stolen in the Warrington raid is not yet known as the van has been sealed for forensic examinations and the remaining cash has not been counted.
Councillor dies after
brave battle with cancer
by staff reporter
THE woman who spearheaded the growth of the Liberal Democrat opposition group on Warrington Borough Council has died after a brave battle against cancer.
Coun Professor Barbara Mawer, of Thelwall, died in Manchester’s Christie Hospital on the day after her 70th birthday.
She had fought a lengthy battle with cancer, giving up her position as leader of the Liberal Democrat group, but continuing to attend meetings and take an active part in debates for as long as possible.
Her successor as leader, Coun Ian Marks said: “I have huge admiration for the strength she showed in fighting her illness when most people would have given up long ago.”
Coun Marks added: “It was a tremendous privilege to have been a colleague and friend of Barbara for many years. Under her guidance and leadership the number of Lib Dem councillors grew steadily to the current 21.”
He said she was a woman of “great integrity” and was held in high esteem by her colleagues and the public.
“She will be sorely missed by her two fellow ward councillors, Wendy Johnson and Ted Lafferty.”
Coun Mawer had lived in Thelwall for 25 years and was also a member of Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council, serving as chairman in 1990-91.
A former pupil of Blackburn High School and Queen Mary’s School, Lythem, she was a graduate of Edinburgh University.
Until retirement she worked at Manchester Royal Infirmary as a scientist involved in research into bone diseases.
She was intensely concerned with protecting the rights of individuals and protecting the environment. She fought hard against many planning applications which she considered inappropriate.
Last year’s Mayor, Coun Ted Lafferty said, “Barbara was a lady of great dignity and patience. I first met her in 1983 when we were canvassing for the local elections. We became firm friends and worked happily as colleagues up to the present time.
“Her calm and engaging manner won the respect of all who knew her. Here in Grappenhall and Thelwall she will be greatly missed.”
Motorist attacked as
thugs wreck his car
by David Skentelbery
A MOTORIST was attacked by two men who forced him to stop at a busy junction in Warrington in broad daylight ? and then smashed up his car.
Police are appealing for witnesses of the incident at the junction of Anson Close and Hilden Road, Padgate.
The attackers were armed with a baseball bat and a hunting knife.
A police spokesman said a 30-year-old man was driving his car from Anson Close when two men blocked his way, forcing him to stop.
He got out of his car and one of the men swung at him with a baseball bat. The blow missed and the motorist grabbed the man in an attempt to stop him as he aimed a second blow.
At this point, the second man tried to stab him with a knife with a five inch blade. Fortunately, the motorist managed to evade the knife but let go of the first man who ran to his car and smashed the front and back windscreens, a side window and a wing mirror with the baseball bat.
The pair then ran off along Hilden Road towards Orford. Fortunately the motorist was uninjured, but his car was badly damaged.
?The worrying thing is that this attack took place in broad daylight at a busy junction with lots of traffic passing,? said the police spokesman. ?We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident.?
Witnesses should call PC Alex Reeves on 01925 652222 or the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.
School row: planners to
hold special meeting
by Lesley Wilkinson
CONTROVERSIAL plans to demolish the 96-year-old Stockton Heath Primary School and replace it with a new building will be considered at a special meeting at Warrington Town Hall on Monday March 20.
Members of the borough council?s development control committee will hear arguments for and against the proposals at the meeting council chamber at 6.30pm.
Committee chairman Terry Whelan said: “The decision to hold a special meeting to discuss this one application reflects awareness of the range and extent of views held locally about the proposed development of the school.
“A special meeting allows for interested groups and bodies to be afforded appropriate opportunity to make their comments known to councillors, while not delaying or imposing upon the committee process.?
More than 5,000 people have signed a petition objecting to plans to demolish the school and replace it with a new building and many residents are expected at the meeting.
The accommodation and PA system at the Town Hall will allow representations to be heard and for the committee to properly debate the planning issues, which relate to this proposal. Officers say these facilities are not always available at other larger venues.
Residents groups? have been contacted to ensure they are given the opportunity to express their views. Officers say that it is not possible for everyone interested to speak, so groups are being invited to choose representatives to put their case.
Committee members are to visit the site before the meeting.
Police warning after 12
people duped by conmen
by John Hendon
PENSIONERS and other vulnerable people in Warrington are being targeted by cruel conmen.
Twelve people have fallen victim to the ?distraction burglars? in four weeks ? which leads police to believe the town is being specifically targeted.
The offenders use plausible excuses to gain access to people’s homes, including claiming to be from the water board or posing as gardeners or home maintenance workmen.
Police say the opportunist thieves are taking advantage of residents by putting them on the spot on their own doorsteps. They are warning people to be on their guard and to report any incidents as soon as possible.
The offences are happening in all parts of the town and are carried out by groups or individuals – men, women and you
ths.
Officers are gathering information on the offences in a bid to track down those responsible. But they are also urging victims to come forward.
Crime reduction advisor Lynne Lees said: “Sometimes people won’t report what’s happened to them until days later and it can then be much harder for them to remember exactly what happened.
“The sooner we know about an incident the better. The information helps us to build up a picture of where the thieves are targeting. Descriptions of offenders are vital if we are to trace those responsible.?
She urges people to help prevent themselves becoming a victim of the crime by remembering the phrase “Stop, Chain, Check” when opening their front door.
Lynne said: “Residents need to remember that they are in charge of their homes and do not have to answer their door to an unexpected caller if they don’t want to.
“If you choose to answer your door, follow the STOP, CHAIN, CHECK catchphrase and don’t worry about closing or even locking the door while you check the caller’s identity. A legitimate caller will not mind waiting whilst you make these important checks.?
Nuisance neighbours
risk legal action
by Lesley Wilkinson
TENANTS who assault or threaten neighbours or engage in anti-social behaviour risk legal action from Warrington?s Golden Gates Housing.
The organisation – which manages around 10,000 homes for the borough council – has taken action against tenants following a string of incidents in the Burtonwood and Longford areas of Warrington.
GGH was awarded an injunction, with a power of arrest, against an 18-years-old man from Knight Road, Burtonwood, who had threatened his neighbours and caused damage to property.
It was also awarded an undertaking against his mother who agreed not to engage in anti-social behaviour during the next 12 months.
In a separate case, GGH was awarded an injunction against a 38-years-old woman from Densham Avenue, Longford, who physically assaulted one of her neighbours. The injunction means that if she harasses or threatens her neighbours again she will be liable for arrest and may be sent to prison.
GGH chief executive Peter Mercer said: “We will not tolerate anti-social behaviour and we will take action against those who make the lives of their neighbours a misery.”
Conservation plan launched
AN action plan to preserve the wildlife and natural environment of Warrington was launched following a biodiversity seminar at Walton Hall Gardens.
The plan, Nature Matters, aims at conserving the town’s nature for the future. It was compiled by Warrington Borough Council, in partnership with the Warrington Nature Conservation Forum.
Speakers at the launch included Coun Paul Ross, deputy leader of the council and chairman of the Warrington Partnership, Professor David Norman, naturalist and writer, and representatives from English Nature, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Cheshire Landscape Trust, Mersey Forest, rECOrd and Groundwork.
The action plan has already been adopted by the Local Strategic Partnership. It identifies what wildlife and environments warrant special protection, what the threats are and what actions are needed to safeguard the community’s natural inheritance.
Coun Terry O’Neill, Executive Board member for sustainable regeneration, said: “This action plan is very important for Warrington. It’s about conserving and sustaining the natural environment for generations to come.
“This plan is linked with creating sustainable communities and green environments and its creation by the forum reflects the fact that members of the community want to get involved in the conservation of their environment,” he added.
Who will be the town’s
“poetry champion”?
by Lesley Wilkinson
A WARRINGTON woman is featured in the 2006 version of the National Poetry Anthology, and budding writers from the town are being sought for next year’s edition.
June Metcalfe, of Violet Close, Locking Stumps, who won the title ?Warrington Poetry Champion? was one of the North West winners last year.
Local poets are now being invited to compete to be the town?s new ?poetry champion.? The winner will have their work published in next year?s anthology and receive a free copy of the book. The overall winner receives a ?1,000 prize.
Interested poets should submit three unpublished poems, on any subject, (up to 20 lines and 160 words each) by June 30 to United Press Ltd, Admail, 3735, London, EC1B 1JB.
Schoolgirl assaulted
by man on bus
by staff reporter
A 12-year-old girl was indecently assaulted as she travelled to school on a bus at Warrington.
The offender sat on the girl’s knee and assaulted her on a No 18a bus travelling from Barmouth Close, Callands.
The girl was with a friend and her sister when the attack took place at 8.45am.
Police say the offender was about 25-30, tanned and of slim build. He had dark brown hbair and was wearing a dark, three quarter length coat.
Anyone who can help should call PCDave Appleby on 01244 612620.
