Gang fight put youth
in hospital three days
by David Skentelbery
POLICE are hunting a gang of three men who became involved in a street fight with an 18-year-old youth which put him in hospital for three days.
The fight took place in Winwick Street, outside Central Station in the early hours of the morning.
A number of people were in the area at the time and police believe some must have witnessed the fracas.
The 18-year-old became involved in an altercation with three men at 4.20am on Saturday, January 6.
There was a struggle, during which the victim received a single wound to his chest.
He was taken to Warrington Hospital where he was detained for two further nights.
Police say one of the three men involved in the incident had collar length light brown hair.
They are anxious to talk to two other men in the area at the time, one who had long dark hair and was carrying a rucksack and another who was wearing camouflage-style trousers.
Anyone who can help is asked to call 0845 458 0000 and speak to DC Jackie Daniels or DC Carla Hunter.
ICT students’ insight
into careers options
by staff reporter
FUTURE ICT professionals from Warrington?s Priestley College were given an insight into possible pathways of study open to them following the completion of their sixth form courses.
Anne Tweedale from e-skills UK was on campus to discuss the introduction of the ITMB Degree which incorporates hands on employer engagement from well respected Business and ICT companies including IBM, HP and Morgan Stanley.
The course develops aspects of business understanding, leadership, project management and communication.
Anne highlighted the benefits of the course to the students which is expanding at a rapid rate such is the interest in Business and ICT related careers. Indeed by September 2007, 10 times more students will be starting the course than in the previous year.
College Careers Advisor Charlie Dunbar commented: “The students welcomed the visit of Anne from e-skills for what was a very interesting presentation.
“As many more students embark on ICT careers studying the ITMB qualification at University appears to be the ideal grounding for the world of working in big business.”
Mummers support charity
THELWALL Mummers – who are keeping alive the traditional Mumming Play locally – raised ?460 for charity with three performances.
The money will be divided between the Warrington Society for Deaf People and the Warrington and Halton branch of The Samaritans, for their “When Life Sucks” campaign.
Mumming is a tradition dating back to the 14th century and involves a type of folk play, performed largely without a script. Story lines are often passed on from father to son. It is closely linked with Morris dancing.
The Thelwall group – who have links with Thelwall Morris Men – performed the highly traditional Carrington Moss Mumming Play.
Speedy planners win
praise from government
by John Hendon
PLANNERS at Warrington have won praise from the Government ? for the speed with which they deal with planning applications.
The borough council?s development control department is in the top 100 out of 365 councils across the country for dealing speedily with major applications.
Performance is even better for applications for smaller developments, with Warrington ranking seventh for minor applications and 25th for ?other applications? ? which include the 1800-plus applications for domestic extensions considered every years.
The council?s achievements have been recognised by the Government Office for the North West (GONW) and Department for Communities and Local Government.
GONW director Jo Lappin has congratulated development control staff for the significant improvements achieved during the past 12 months.
The Council worked with the GONW to come up with an agreed range of measures to improve the service, which have resulted in the success.
Coun Brian Axcell, the borough?s executive member for Environment Services, said: “The improvements in performance reflect effort across the whole team, not only in working hard to deal with applications, but in contributing to new processes and ways of handling applications which improve efficiency.
“In many instances, this has required encouraging those people submitting applications to make sure that submissions are accurate and complete when they are sent to the council.
“It also involves promoting discussion before applications are made to ensure that problems, which may cause delays in the process, are recognised at the earliest opportunity.
“It is particularly satisfying to see significant improvement in the handling of major applications, especially when many of the council’s achieving higher levels of performance deal with fewer and less complex applications than Warrington.”
Man attacked in
town centre bar
by staff reporter
A MAN suffered a fractured skull and cheek bone in an attack in a town centre bar at Warrington.
The man was assaulted from behind, for no apparent reason, in a toilet at Panama Jack’s bar in Bridge Street.
He was taken to hospital for treatment.
Police said it appeared to be a completely unprovoked attack. They are asking witnesses to call them on 0845 458 0000.
Ellie tragedy: council’s
advice to dog owners
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON Borough Council has issued new advice to dog owners, in the wake of the tragic death of local toddler Ellie Lawrenson following an attack by her uncle?s pit bull terrier.
It includes a list of ?illegal? breeds and advice on what to do about dangerous or aggressive dogs.
Ellie, aged five, from Warrington, was mauled to death by the pit bull at her grandmother?s home at St Helens on New Years Day.
Since then, police have been inundated with calls about dangerous or illegal dogs and more than 20 illegal dogs have been seized on Merseyside alone.
Now Warrington Council has issued guidance to the public on how they can get help or advice on dog ownership.
Dogs require care and attention and irresponsible owners could find themselves facing a financial penalty or, in certain circumstances, prosecution or loss of the dog, according to the council.
The council’s Environmental Health team and the police can help dog owners and the public as a whole with advice about dog problems.
Anyone who spots a stray dog wandering the streets or who needs advice about dog fouling, caring for dogs, choosing a suitable dog, or re-homing a dog should contact the council.
But aggressive or dangerous dogs, or incidents where people have been bitten by a dog, should be reported to the police ? on 0845 458 0000 or 999 in an emergency.
Under the Dangerous Dogs Act, it is illegal to possess the following dog breeds except under strictly controlled conditions: Pit bull terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino or Fila Brazilero.
There are also a number of offences relating to dogs being dangerously out of control in public and private places for which a person can be prosecuted.
Full information is available on the council website at www.warrington.gov.uk/services/envhealth/guidance and on the Dogs Trust website at www.dogstrust.org.uk
Information is also available from the council?s Dog Warden Service on 01925 442599.
