Conferences highlight
war on doorstep crime
by John Hendon
MORE than 150 Warrington people have received invaluable tips on how to beat rogue traders and doorstep scams.
Two consumer conferences were organised by the borough council?s Trading Standards unit for members of their ?iCAN? scheme, which aims to highlight doorstep crime issues.
?iCAN? is the Warrington Consumer Alert Network ? a ?message broadcast? system that exists to warn members about the latest consumer rip-offs, scams and rogues to hit town.
It also advises on the pitfalls of buying counterfeit goods.
The network sends messages to members by phone, email or text within hours of receiving information, ensuring maximum impact.
Members also act as the eyes and ears of Trading Standards, reporting issues back to them, again ensuring maximum impact as well as helping distribute information and warnings to often vulnerable neighbours, family and friends.
Coun Roy Smith, (pictured)the council?s executive member for Community Services, said: “What I saw at the conference I attended was that Trading Standards do a great job but with more public help they could do even more.
“Doorstep Crime is a heartless crime that affects primarily older and vulnerable people. Traders will trick consumers into parting with often considerable sums of money for poor quality and overpriced work. Traders will target the elderly but all consumers need to be aware of how to avoid this form of scam.
“iCAN helps to protect the vulnerable by using the army of volunteers to pass on warnings and look out for the traders who perpetrate this heartless form of crime.”
The Council’s Trading Standards hope that by following some simple advice iCAN members can be better protected from scams and help to drive the individuals behind them out of the market.
There are currently 1200 iCAN members in all parts of Warrington. Anyone can join and membership is free. More information is available from Trading Standards on 01925 442678 or by visiting the website www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/warrington/ican
Army team puts students
through their paces
by staff reporter
AN Army Recruitment Team Technical Logistics corps dropped in at Warrington?s Priestley College to put public services students through their paces.
The star attraction on the day was a 30 foot climbing wall erected on the playing fields which allowed students to climb the imposing obstacle before coming back down to earth.
During an action packed session in poor weather, the group were also involved in a range of other military exercises which included a talk on rationing as well as completing an assault course.
A simulated ?battle field? exercise was completed in which the group practiced how to help injured colleagues to reach safety while under fire themselves.
The public services course continues to go from strength to strength at Priestley. Despite being in existence for only two years it is able to offer students a firm grounding for careers ranging from the Army to Police Force, RAF to Fire Brigade.
Students were also offered an insight into a career on the high-seas when representatives from the Royal Navy visited campus.
Public services tutor Colin Whittaker commented: ?The visit from the Army is among the most daring we have ever set up.
The addition of the climbing wall to the circuits the students completed was a huge bonus and gave those considering an army career an idea of the basic levels of training that could be involved.?
Six men in arson
attack on flat
by David Skentelbery
POLICE have released more details of an arson attack on a flat at Warrington ? first reported by Warrington-Worldwide yesterday (Monday).
It is now known a gang of six men broke into the first floor flat in Plumtre Avenue, Bewsey shortly before the fire broke out.
The flat was completely gutted by the blaze ? but the occupiers were fortunately out of the time.
Police say two youths were seen breaking into the flat by kicking-in the door.
They entered the property and were followed shortly afterwards by four other youths.
The youth who kicked in the door was wearing a grey top.
A short time later, all six youths were seen to run away and shortly after that neighbours saw smoke issuing from inside the building and called the fire service.
Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus tackled the blaze, unsure at first whether someone was trapped inside.
A ventilation unit was used to clear smoke from the property, but damage was severe and the flat will need to be completely refurbished.
Smoke water damage was caused to the flat below.
Police are appealing for witnesses of the incident who should call 0845 458 0000.
Mental health services
judged as “excellent”
by David Skentelbery
ADULT community mental health services in Warrington have been judged ?excellent? by a watchdog group.
A joint inspection of services was carried out by the Healthcare Commission and the Commission for Social Care Inspection, as part of a national survey.
Warrington was one of only nine per cent of areas to be described as ?excellent.?
The inspection covered services provided by the borough council, Warrington Primary Care Trust and the Local Implementation Team for Mental Health Services, including services provided jointly.
The 5 Borough Partnership NHS Trust, which also supplies mental health services in Warrington, was classified as ?good? because it covers a number of Local Implementation Teams where performance ranged from fair to good.
A borough council spokesman said: ?This excellent score for the local authority?s services and those run in conjunction with Warrington PCT are a good basis on which to further develop community based mental health services with the local authority in an increasingly lead role.
?Such an approach would also reinforce the need to move away from hospital based and NHS led specialist mental health services into a fully socially inclusive model of commissioning and providing mental health services for adults and older people.?
Members of the borough council?s Community Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee are being recommended to commend staff and health partners over the achievement.
Hospital Trust wins
equal opportunity awards
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON-based North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust has landed a pair of prestigious equal opportunity awards ? for employing the right person for the job regardless of disability.
The Trust ? which runs Warrington and Halton General hospitals – has been named runner-up in the Supported Employment Large Business and Workprep Development categories of the Cheshire Positive Awards for Business.
Organised by Cheshire County Council, the awards celebrate organisations which have demonstrated a good track record in the employment of people with disabilities.
Elaine O’Brien, Human Resources Manager at North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust, explained: “It is vital that all employers provide equal opportunities for staff and potential staff and our Trust is committed to employing the right person for the job, regardless of disability.
“Working closely with Shaw Trust over the last two years, we have arranged several Workprep work placements for people with disabilities and I am pleased to say that we have been able to make two job offers already.
“Those taking part in the Workprep scheme are often disheartened and concerned that a long break in their employment history will prove detrimental to their chances of securing a job in the future.
“Through offering a work placement, we are able to help rebuild confidence and skills. We are also able to provide an unbroken period of employment, which may act as a vital first step back o
nto the career ladder.”
Former painter and decorator Roy Steptoe was recently offered a job collecting refuse and clinical waste, cleaning and portering after carrying out a work placement at Warrington Hospital.
He said: “I enjoyed it so much I was determined to stay so I offered to work on a voluntary basis until a permanent position came along.”
Roy, who spent 12 years on incapacity benefits after contracting tuberculosis and suffering long-term health problems, became so depressed at not being able to work that he suffered a breakdown.
Fellow hospital worker Anthony Miskimmin had been out of work struggling with depression for seven years before he was offered a work placement.
He said: “I thought I was unemployable and was about to give up even trying to get work, then I went on a placement at Warrington Hospital and now everything is completely different.
“Before the placement I did not want to go out and just sat in the house. Now I have so much more confidence and my life has opened up because Shaw Trust and North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust have supported me. The future looks so much brighter.”
It is the first time the Trust has been nominated for a Cheshire Positive Award for Business. However, in 2004 it was rewarded by the Warrington Disability Partnership for its work in ensuring that staff are disability aware.
Winter wonderland
offers fun for all
by John Hendon
WARRINGTON’S own “winter wonderland” has opened at Walton Hall Gardens as the countdown to Christmas begins.
The Heritage Centre Yard within the grounds of Walton Hall have been transformed into a scene straight from a Christmas card and will be open this Saturday and Sunday (Dec 9 and 1) and next weekend, Dec 16 and17) between 11am and 4pm.
Fun for all the family is available with live musicians and performers, hot food stalls and Christmas craft sessions. Visitors can also take rides on the Victorian carousel and land train and when it is time to take a rest, head to the coffee shop where a free mince pie with every hot drink is on offer.
Children will have a chance to visit Santa Claus in his grotto, to place any last-minute orders.
A special parade with Santa, joined by his reindeers with a sleigh will be drawn around the gardens on Sunday December 17 from 10:45am to 11:15am. Visitors will be able to meet them after their hard work is finished, until 1.00pm.
Coun Graham Welborn, the borough council’s executive member for Safer and Greener Communities, said: “This event is an ideal day out for families or anybody who wants to get into the Christmas spirit. There will be plenty of things to suit all tastes, so I do hope everybody will take advantage of this great attraction.”
Winds loosen
tower panelling
FIRE crews were called to Tower Lane, Lymm when high winds loosened panelling around a telecommunications mast on the top of Lymm Water Tower.
Two appliances were called to the scene, including a hydraulic platform.
The panelling was made safe without the use of the hydraulic platform and there was no danger to the public.
More than 100 years old, Lymm Water Tower is a Grade 2 listed building which has been converted into a home for TV producer Russell Harris and his family.
