Police raid house in
identity fraud operation
by James Parr
POLICE swooped on an address in Warrington as part of a nationally co-ordinated operation to combat identity fraud.
A search warrant was executed at the address on Parkgate Court, Wilderspool Causeway following information police received that the premises was connected to identity fraud.
Residents in the town are now being urged to be more vigilant and take batter care of their personal information.
Economic Crime Unit officers visited another address in Warrington as part of ongoing national enquiries in relation to suspected identity fraud offences.
The raids were part of Operation Snow Tiger, a national operation led by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and co-ordinated by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).
Head of the Economic Crime Unit, DI Giles Orton said: “We take identity fraud very seriously. It is a very serious and growing crime that affects us all. We will continue to tackle the challenge head on but we need the help and support of the community.
?We all have a personal responsibility to protect our identities and we can do this by taking a few simple steps. Never give your card details or PIN number to anybody else. Always dispose of documents containing personal and financial details securely, shred them, preferably with a cross cut shredder, and regularly check your bank and credit card statements.”
A local victim of identity fraud said: “I’ve never been a person for credit – I just had one store card. I tried to renew it one day and was informed by the company that there was over ?5,000 usage on the card.
?I felt gob smacked. You never think it will happen to you. It caused me a lot of inconvenience as it was between Christmas and New Year and a lot of the banks were closed. It was a very unpleasant experience.
?The effects were terrible. Now, whenever I want to open a new card or account, I have to go over the story every time on application forms, so now I don’t bother with credit cards at all.”
Top award for student
who beat all the odds
by David Skentelbery
A STUDENT who lost the ability to walk, talk and eat after suffering a stroke has won a top national award.
Ian Ellison, aged 20, battled back from the stroke, diabetes and a series of operations, to be named Young Learner of the Year by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE).
He completed NVQ Level 2 food preparation and cooking and food service qualifications, as well as other short courses and is now working as an administrator for the Crown Prosecution Service.
Ian, of Simkin Avenue, Latchford, Warrington, has lived with diabetes from an early age and was diagnosed with kidney failure when he was 15.
He became the youngest person in the country to undergo a pancreas and kidney transplant – but his new pancreas turned septic and he was left in a coma for more than five weeks.
After undergoing numerous operations and suffering a stroke, he battled back to enrol at Warrington Collegiate.
He said: “I felt that once I was well again I needed to get socially active, while I still visited the hospital a lot. I felt that learning would help me gain concentration and gain knowledge I could use in later life.
“Learning has shown me I am capable of achieving anything I could have done before my problems. It has helped me to focus and this has helped me gain self esteem.”
During his time at the Collegiate, Ian was readmitted to hospital with pneumonia, and lost his hearing in his right ear. He spent time in intensive care – but once again fought back to regain his health.
Catering tutor Kate Blackmore was so impressed with his determination she nominated him for the NIACE award.
She said: “Learning has improved Ian’s life in a wide variety of ways. He has gained various qualifications and huge confidence.
“Learning has helped him to get out of the house after recuperating from long bouts in hospital. He has also made many new friendships and renewed old friendships.”
Residents sample the
fruits of “Apple Day”
by James Parr
RESIDENTS of Grappenhall and Thelwall sampled the fruits of the Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden on ?Apple Day?
They had been invited down to help harvest the rich crop of apples in the garden ? which were then offered for sale.
Refreshments were laid on ? and one visitor was Warrington South MP Helen Southworth who helped with the negotiations back in 2005 which secured the future of the garden for the public.
Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council took control of the garden in 2005 and since then it has been regularly opened to the public.
Warrington banker Thomas Parr created the garden in 1830 when he built a house for his family.
In 1975 however, the house was demolished leaving the garden untended until English Partnerships refurbished it in 1990s.
Now a gardener is employed to look after the site which is split into two parts – an informal area with ornamental shrubs, specimen trees and water features, and a formal kitchen garden with an orchard.
Mrs Southworth said: “I was pleased to help with the negotiations back in 2005 that secured the future of the garden for the public of Warrington.
?It is good to see local people using the garden and a number of schools have already visited. I will continue to work with the parish council to extend this work. It was especially rewarding to visit on Apple Day and see how many families with young children were enjoying themselves. The garden is a little gem and deserves to be used by people from all over the town.”
Picture shows Helen Southworth joining local residents on “Apple Day.”
Residents’ anger
over wine bar plan
by staff reporter
ANGRY residents are opposing plans for a new wine bar at Culcheth, near Warrington.
The issue is to be considered by the borough?s development control committee tomorrow (Wednesday) ? but two local councillors are alleging that work on the project has already started before permission has been granted.
Plans for shops and offices in Common Lane, Culcheth have already been approved.
But developers want to amend the scheme to include the wine bar.
Neighbours ? and Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council ? say the change of use would result in noise, parking problems and nuisance from alcohol-fuelled behaviour.
They also claim there are already too many drinking establishments in Culcheth.
Coun Keith Bland and Coun Sue Bland claim work has already started converting the property to a wine bar ? in advance of the committee considering the scheme.
Health and safety concerns have also been voiced, as there is still a question mark over the positioning of fire exits.
Planning officers are recommending the change of use be approved, however, as they believe there will be no problems.
One residents supports the scheme. He says there is adequate parking space and the village needs a wine bar because existing pubs and restaurants are frequently full and there is a poor choice of eating places.
Man hunted after
club sex attack
by James Parr
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 50-year-old woman was indecently assaulted in the toilets at the Chicago Rock Caf? in Warrington in the early hours of the morning.
The attacker is believed to a man aged approximately 30, with short, dark hair, and of stocky build.
Wearing dark clothing, the attacker struck at around 2.30am on Saturday, October 13, at the bar in Warrington town centre.
Anyone who witnessed the attack or has any information is asked to contact DC Steven Hopkins at the Warrington Specialist Investigation Unit on 01244 614 893.
Home extension
plan opposed
by John Hendon
DEVELOPMENT control chiefs at Warrington are to be asked to rule on a bid to build a
two-storey side extension and single-storey rear extension at a house in Heyshoots Lane, Glazebury.
A number of neighbours have lodged objections ? as has Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council.
But planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved.
Neighbours say the development represents a 77 per cent increase in the size of the house which will dominate adjoining properties and result in a shortfall in off-road parking space.
Students get down
to business
by staff reporter
STUDENTS and staff at Warrington Collegiate are taking part in a range of business related activities as part of National Enterprise Week.
Taking place this week, the annual event poses various challenges for all at the Winwick Road campus.
Enterprise co-ordinator at the Collegiate Joanne Mason said: “For the past two years a number of events, challenges and competitions have been provided for staff and students, aimed at promoting self employment and business start-ups as a viable option.
“We will also work to develop entrepreneurial skills such as team building, creativity and innovation. This year I would like to ensure as many full time students are taking part as possible.” Business and computing students are competing in a national one-day challenge where teams are asked to design a product, service or event in answer to a brief revealed that morning.
A Make a Shoe event and a Christmas stall will also be on offer, along with advice and enterprise workshops, which will be held throughout the week.
Anyone requiring more information on National Enterprise Week can contact the Collegiate on 01925 494 494.
