CCTV cameras to
target housing estate
by Lesley Wilkinson
CCTV cameras are to be used to monitor gangs of rowdy youths who gather near the shops and nearby scout hut off Dudlow Green Road, Appleton, Warrington.
A mobile CCTV van will be sited near the scout hut, at the rear of the shops, on Friday and Saturday nights.
Residents have been complaining for some time about the noisy youths using the car park at the shops as a meeting place.
Minor damage has been caused at the scout hut and it was planned to increase the height of the fence and keep the gate to the premises locked, Appleton Parish Council was told.
Police CSO Lewis Adams said young people were getting drunk, although they were not getting their alcohol from the Spar Shop.
They walked through the estate to Bridgewater High School by which time they had acquired alcohol, although police did not know where they were getting it from.
“We have had complaints from the people nearby about noisy youths. They use this as a meeting point and are getting drunk – but they are not buying alcohol from the Spar shop.”
He said the youngsters meet and walk through the estate to Bridgewater High School. He said by that time they all have alcohol, although police do not know where they are getting it from.
The youngsters walked back through the estate between 12 and 2am, causing disturbance to neighbours.
PCSO Adams said: “Young girls when they have had a drink get loud and excitable.”
Nuisance youths had been causing problems for some months, he said. They had moved to Alexandra Park in Stockton Heath but then, when police got the situation under control, moved to the high school.
Staff had agreed to make the school grounds were out of bounds at night, which gave PCSOs more power to move youngsters on.
Top cop joins 60
in big “sleep out”
A TOP cop gave up his bed for the night, to see what life is like for young runaways in Warrington.
Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Gary Shewan slept out with around 60 other volunteers at Victoria Park Arena over the weekend.
Snoozing among the volunteers were Deputy Mayor Graham Welborn and Liberal Democrat councillors Trudi Wood, Colin Oliver, Sharon Wilson and David Earl.
The event was organised to give people a chance to have a better understanding of what it was like for young runaways who have no bed and no shelter.
Organised by Warrington-based charity the Relationship Centre, the event was held in a bid to raise vital funds for the Talk…Don’t Walk campaign, which works with children and young people.
Mr Shewan, said: “More than 100,000 children run away or go missing from home or care every year. I took part in The Big Sleep Out as it is important to support the community and to raise awareness of the issue of running away and the subsequent risks involved, such as drugs, homelessness and even child prostitution. The Big Sleep Out was an eye opening experience and raised money for a great cause.” Cheshire Police supports the Talk…Don’t Walk campaign and project manager Alison McCausland said: “Turning a blind eye or running away from problems is a natural reaction for some young people, but running isn’t the answer and by doing so, they put themselves in danger.
“Money raised from The Big Sleep Out will allow services such as Talk…Don’t Walk to be extended to help other young runaways and families. Our experience shows that we really can make a difference.”
Alarm over “night club”
in village centre
by James Parr
WORRIED councillors at Culcheth have expressed alarm over proposals for a new wine bar that will stay open until 4.45 in the morning.
Coun Keith Bland told Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council: “This won’t be just a wine bar – it will be a night club.” Originally, developers put in proposals for shops and offices in Common Lane, Culcheth.
Parish councillors were not happy but decided not to object.
But then amended proposals to convert part of the building into a wine bar were submitted – and the parish council objected.
But now details of proposed opening hours have been revealed with an application to licensing chiefs.
It is proposed the premises will open at 9am in the morning and stay open throughout the day and night until 4.45 am the following day.
Until 5pm, the premises would operate as a coffee bar when it would become a wine bar. There would be entertainment, including dancing, on the first floor.
The parish council decided to oppose the licence application.
Coun Keith Bland said: “The times have changed to those originally submitted to the Licensing Committee. This is going to be a nightclub – with all the problems of noise and disturbance a nightclub will bring.”
Man’s body recovered
from Ship Canal
by Lesley Wilkinson
POLICE divers have recovered the body of a 42-year-old man from the Manchester Ship Canal at Warrington.
The underwater search team found the body in the canal near the Cantilever Bridge at Latchford after reports that a white transit van had been abandoned at the side of the road in the early hours of the morning and the driver was nowhere to be found.
Police were called to the scene at 7.25 am because the van was causing an obstruction on the busy bridge
Officers searched the scene and could not find the driver. As a result of police enquiries the underwater team were called in.
They recovered the body after just 10 minutes.
The family of the deceased has been informed and the facts reported to the coroner.
College signs up for
“green” campaign
by James Parr
WARRINGTON Collegiate is firmly behind a national campaign that focuses on green and sustainable issues.
The college has signed up for the Association of Colleges project to address sustainability issues and the Green Colleges Brochure, which details colleges’ exemplary practices.
Parliament launched the project and Collegiate principle Paul Hafren was delighted to be part of the campaign to help the environment.
He said: “I am really pleased to be involved at a national level with a project designed to encourage the 400 plus colleges in the country to become even more focused on green and sustainable issues.
“By acting together we can achieve huge changes, for example, one college has estimated by simply turning off all computers properly they can save ?19,000 per year in energy costs.”
In conjunction with the launch of the Green Colleges Brochure is the announcement of a new set of green policy priorities for colleges.
These include calls for an amendment to the Local Transport Bill to make affordable public transport an entitlement for students under the age of18.
Paul added: “We will be looking to promote more sustainable approaches both with staff and how we run the college and with the students and the curriculum they receive.”
Speed bumps are
dangerous – warning
by Lesley Wilkinson
SPEED bumps in the unadopted Firs Lane, Appleton, are damaging vehicles and a threat to motorbikes and cyclists, Appleton Parish Council heard.
Members were discussing the installation of three bumps on the road, which is a Public Right of Way, by a resident.
Coun John Price had previously reported that they were a danger.
Clerk Peter Briggs had contacted Warrington Borough Council, and officers said that none of the ramps in the road conformed to safety standards.
As the road is private, residents would have to fund any new work on ramps. Members agreed to pass on the council’s comments to residents.
Coun Brian Axcell said the people who built the new ramps could be responsible if any damage was caused to vehicles. The council could provide the information, but it was a problem for the people living in Firs Lane to solve.
MP chairs hearing
on runaway children
by Lesley W
ilkinson
WARRINGTON South MP Helen Southworth is chairing a Parliamentary hearing on the problems of youngsters who run away from home or go missing.
The All Party Parliamentary Group for Runaway and Missing Children, will be taking evidence from specialists, including charities, police, young people and local authority children’s services.
They will look at the problems and dangers facing children in the UK who run away or go missing, and identify the best ways of protecting children and dealing with the problems of runaways.
Its recommendations will go to the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.
Topics to be considered include managing “missing” reports, the dangers youngsters face and the best ways to prevent youngsters running away.
