Three arrested after
police drugs raid
by David Skentelbery
TWO men and one woman were arrested in Warrington on suspicion of drugs offences after police had receive tip-offs from members of the public.
The arrests were made as part of an operation by Warrington East Neighbourhood Policing Unit and Cheshire Police’s Northern Area Drugs Unit, which targeted an address in the Fearnhead area of the town.
It led to the recovery of a variety of substances believed to be illegal Class A drugs.
PC David Parry said: “This operation follows on from some excellent information from members of the public about suspected drug use in the community.
“We would like to thank those who have been involved. I hope our actions go some way to reassuring them that we are listening to what they are saying and that we are taking their concerns seriously.”
Three people were arrested during the operation. Charges have been brought against a 19-year-old man from Liverpool and a 42-year-old man and 38-year-old woman from Warrington are currently on bail pending further enquiries.
Inspector Derek Lockie said: “This operation is part of a concerted effort by the Neighbourhood Policing Unit to tackle drug related crime in the area.”
He urged residents to contact the team with any information they have about crime in their area.
“We have already had some real successes in trying to combat these problems but the challenge still remains,” he said. “My officers and I will strive to continue investigations and operations in an attempt to make the Eastern area of Warrington a safer place.
“We do however need help from the community in our area so that we can ensure we can focus our efforts on tackling issues which are important to people in the community.?
Police can be contacted on 0845 458 6390.
As reported yesterday (Friday) police seized drugs with an estimated value of ?5 million when they raided a house in Culcheth, near Warrington. One man was arrested.
Bus company shortlisted
for two industry awards
by James Parr
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A DOUBLE celebration is in order for Warrington Borough Transport after the company was short-listed for two of the bus industry’s prestigious UK Bus Awards.
The town’s bus company has been short listed for the “UK bus operator of the year” award and their drivers for the “bus industry people of the year” prize.
UK Bus Awards recognise and reward outstanding achievements. This is the first time Warrington Borough Transport has made the short-list for the awards.
Nomination comes on the back of a successful year for the company which has welcomed a million more passengers, reached record levels of customer satisfaction (98 per cent) and seen a ?10 million investment in a new bus interchange and fleet.
The drivers? contribution to the service has also been of significant importance to the company as all drivers are trained in customer care, disability awareness and advanced driving techniques, and are either qualified to, or are working toward achieving, an NVQ Level 2 qualification in Road Passenger Transport.
WBT chairman Les Hoyle (pictured) said: “In partnership with the borough council, we are focussed on providing the best possible bus service for everyone who lives, visits and does business in Warrington. The fact that the quality of Warrington’s public transport system is now being recognised nationally is fantastic news for the town.”
News of this national success comes hot on the heels of the company’s success at this years? Warrington Business Awards where they took the prize for social responsibility.
Results of the UK Bus Award competition will be announced in London on November 7, with the awards being presented by the Minister of State for Transport Rosie Winterton.
New face on
the PCSO beat
by staff reporter
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RESIDENTS in Westbrook and Callands have a new face in their communities as a new PCSO has joined Sankey police station and will pounding the beat across both areas.
Neil Samuel, 25, is keen to get to know the residents of Callands, Westbrook, Burtonwood and Winwick, so he will be in attendance at the next Community Action Meeting on Wednesday October 10 at the Woodleigh Community Centre on Callands Road.
Neil is keen to establish a good relationship between the police and the community.
He said: “It is my job to forge strong links with the local community – to be able to put names to faces and to make people feel confident in approaching me about any problems they might have.”
Residents will also have the chance to meet their new PCSO at a local parish surgery, which is taking place on Saturday October 13 from 11am to noon at Westbrook Library.
Neil added: “This is a great opportunity for local people to meet their local bobbies. It’s really important for local people to have a say on the issues local officers are focusing on and these meetings give them the chance to do just that.
“It also gives people the opportunity to raise any issues or concerns in their area. This helps us to paint a picture of what life is like in the local community and it means we can see what the problems are and work in a way which tackles them.”
Two Robbie Williams
for the price of one?
by James Parr
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TWO Robbie Williams for the price of one?
That’s what could be on offer at Warrington?s Parr Hall next month when the ?One Night of Robbie? tour comes to town.
In a highly dynamic performance, JK, (pictured) the artist who imitates the former Take That star will be performing life-like renditions of Robbie’s hits as well as dedicating a special section of the show to the ‘Swing when your winning’ album.
He will be accompanied on stage by some of the country?s leading musicians who have toured with the likes of Elton John, Sting and Justin Timberlake.
JK receives great acclaim wherever he performs, faithfully recreating the music and mannerisms of Robbie, and has even been mistaken for the man himself on many an occasion.
It has been rumoured in the national press that Robbie himself will be making a surprise appearance at one of the tour’s North West events. As there has been no sign of the star so far, Warrington may be the venue where he decides to drop in.
Before coming to Warrington ?One Night of Robbie? has enjoyed sell outs at Burnley and Lancaster and an equally good turn out is expected at the Parr Hall, so fans are advised to book their tickets early.
The Warrington date is November 2 and tickets are priced at ?13.50 and ?12.00 concessions. For more information and bookings contact the Parr Hall Box Office on 01925 442345.
Elderly urged: “come
in from the cold”
by James Parr
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ELDERLY people in Warrington are being encouraged to ?come in from the cold? by new ?health ambassadors? ? people specially trained to advise on staying healthy during the winter.
With the chill of winter looming large, residents will receive help and training on how to stay warm and well during the frosty season.
The idea for the project was initiated by Warrington Primary Care Trust?s Winter Warm Partnership, which is aiming to reduce the level of emergency hospital admissions related to winter ill health, ensure that people get they help that they need to keep warm and well, and to ensure that older people continue to have a good quality of life during the cold winter months.
Janette Norton, PCT Health Aging Project co-ordinator said: “The winter health ambassadors are an exciting development for this year’s campaign and we are really pleased that we have been successful in trainin
g a number of people to undertake this role.
?We believe this role is key to ensuring that we do all we can to help our older people keep warm and well during the cold winter months.”
There will be an Information day about the services that will be provided and various other workshops, medical advice and Flu vaccination opportunities, that will take place on November 1 at the Gateway in Warrington town centre.
News in brief
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Children in Need
RADIO 2 presenter Alan Dedicoat will host a quiz night at the Harrow Inn, Culcheth, near Warrington on Sunday, November 11 to raise funds for Children in Need. Teams of four are invited to enter, at ?7 per person, including a hot pot supper.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 3, 7, 11 and 13. No-one claimed the jackpot prize which will be rolled over to next week. A ?25 consolation prize was won by a member of the hospital staff.
Road closures
TEMPORARY closures of Thelwall New Road, Grappenhall, including footpaths, will come into force on Monday, October 22 while a new sewer connection is constructed. It is expected the work will last about two weeks and alternative routes will be signposted.
Shop conversion
PLANS the convert a shop and flats in Reynolds Street, Latchford, Warrington into four apartments have been submitted to the borough council’s development control department.
