Crime hotspots: a
warning for motorists
by Lesley Wilkinson
A LIST of the pubs and hotels in south Warrington where motorists are most “at risk” of car crime has been issued by Cheshire Police.
Officers are urging hoteliers to warn customers of the risk of having valuables stolen from their car and are warning drivers that even locking items in the boot is unsafe.
The worst affected hotel and pub car parks in south Warrington where repeat crimes take place include the Park Royal Hotel, Stretton, with 19 such offences committed so far this year and the Green Dragon, Lymm, with 12.
Also affected are The Lymm Hotel and the Hatton Arms, with nine at each location, and The Stretton Fox and Walton Hall Golf Club, with eight each. The Hollow Tree, had six, the Walton Arms, five and the Village Hotel, three.
Two offences each were reported at the Cat and Lion, Stretton, The Fir Grove Hotel and the Railway Hotel, Lymm.
Inspector Stuart Woodcock, of Warrington South Neighbourhood Police Unit, said that during the past few months a number of arrests for vehicle crime had been made especially in Lymm, Stretton and Walton.
“However it is not just about the police catching offenders. There needs to be a greater effort by all who live and work in the area to try and reduce the opportunities criminals have to commit crime,” he said.
Criminals from both Manchester and Liverpool have targeted the hotel and pub car parks in the town, he said.
“Hotels in particular provide rich easy pickings for thieves, especially whilst many persons staying at such premises, whether it be for just an hour or overnight, continue to leave valuable items in their vehicles.
“Even locking them in the boot for a prolonged period does not fool such criminals. The message must be take your valuable items with you and assist the police to reduce crime. This is something we can all do if we can be bothered,” he added.
He said some hotels were reluctant to warn guests not to leave valuables in their car, as they felt it gave the wrong message about the venue.
Police are distributing crime-prevention letters, information and advice to hotels and pubs in a bid to reduce crime, and are currently expanding the pub watch scheme.
Insp Woodcock said: “But when it all comes down to it the individuals themselves in most cases could have avoided becoming a victim with just a little bit more thought as to how they protect their valuable items.”
Phone mast gets go-ahead
– despite residents’ fury
by John Hendon
A CONTROVERSIAL plan to erect a mobile phone mast on land adjoining a sports ground at Warrington has been given the go-ahead by a planning inspector.
The decision will cause fury in the immediate area – but the mast can now be erected on land next to Crosfield Amateur Rugby League Club, off the A57 Sankey Way at Great Sankey.
Hundreds of local people had opposed the scheme, which was originally rejected by Warrington Borough Council.
They feared a risk to health for children in the area and claimed insufficient attempts had been made to find an alternative location. They also claimed it was an infringement of their Human Rights.
But the inspector who conducted the appeal says the mast does cause a significant perception of health risk.
The equipment to be used would meet international guidelines. He also said there had been an adequate search for alternative locations and the development would not result in a violation of the human rights of nearby residents.
Warrington’s director of environment services, Alan Stephenson said the decision could have implications for subsequent refusals which attempted to raise concerns about the nearness of places where children met – including a similar refusal on land adjoining the David Lloyd Health Club.
The outcome of the appeal also provided further clarity on the likely outcome of attempts to refuse planning consent for telecommunications equipment where there were limited or no concerns over visual impact
Head retires after
26 years at school
by David Skentelbery
MARIE Brooks, headteacher at Cobbs Infants’ School, Appleton, near Warrington has retired after 26 years at the school.
Pupils, staff and governors gave the popular head a sensational send-off including a “Memories of Cobbs” concert based on events, changes and developments at the school during Mrs Brooks’ time there.
She said: “I always used to write the annual concert myself but they wouldn’t let me do it this year and I now know why. It was a wonderful surprise. I have enjoyed my years at Cobbs. It’s a wonderful school and I am sure it will continue to be so.”
Mrs Brooks, a teacher for 33 years, arrived at Cobbs as a music teacher in 1979. She had previously taught in Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Essex and had short spells at Our Lady’s, Latchford and St Matthew’s, Stretton.
She has seen Cobbs grow from a school with just four teachers to one with 14. Three classrooms and a mobile unit with two classrooms have been added.
Mrs Brooks became deputy head in 1986 and head in 2000. She is also a Primary Consultant Head, advising other headteachers, and will continue with this work on a part time basis.
Married to Geoff, the couple have a son David, who is working in the United States and a daughter, Kate, who lives in Sale and has just presented them with their first grandchild, Jake.
Mrs Brooks and her husband are both members of Stockton Heath Tennis Club and she is also a member of local choral group Sounds Familiar. She also attends a gym in Warrington and with the school governors presenting her with a bicycle as a leaving gift, would appear to be heading for an active retirement! Other retirement gifts from staff, parents and pupils included a watch , garden furniture, hi-fi system, a crystal swan and a picture drawn by a pupil.
Mrs Brooks said: “I would like to thank everyone for the wonderful send-off I received. I would also like to thank my deputy, Nina Berry, for all her support.”
New head at Cobbs is Mrs Yvette Blake.
Doing time for
theft of watch?
by Lesley Wilkinson
QUICK-thinking police officers helped track down an expensive Gucci watch, worth ?545, on the same day that it was stolen from a house in Westbrook, Warrington.
The watch, stolen during a burglary, was recovered thanks to the timely observations of two Warrington Community Action Team officers.
PC Tony White and PC Gary Langrish were on duty at Quay Fold, Sankey Bridges, Warrington, when they spotted a man of untidy appearance wearing the pricey timepiece. They spoke to him and he was later arrested on suspicion of theft.
Enquiries revealed that the watch and a jacket had been stolen in the early hours of the morning. Following the break-in officers had followed a vehicle stolen from the driveway of the property, but the offender had abandoned it and made off.
Subsequently a 35-year-old man was charged with burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, disqualified driving and driving without insurance. He is currently being held by police.
Restaurant plan for
former bank rejected
by staff reporter
A NEW bid to convert the former Lloyds-TSB bank at Culcheth, near Warrington, into a restaurant, is off the menu again.
The plan has been rejected by a planning inspector following an appeal by the prospective developer.
It had previously been refused by Warrington’s development control committee.
The inspector said an earlier scheme had been approved as the impact on neighbours was not significant. But he said the revised plans involved an enlarged car park which be closer to nearby houses and would have an adverse impact on residents.
However, the inspector said the proposal would not have had any adverse impact on highway safety.
Domestic violence:
Why does it happen?
by Lesley Wilkinson
THE thorny issues of domestic violence and unhealthy relationships will be tackled by a course organised by The Relationships Centre (formerly known as ARC), Warrington’s leading charity for those affected by the problems.
New three-hour courses for professionals working in the voluntary, social and healthcare fields, will be held at the charity’s premises The Gateway, Sankey Street.
It will next run on Wednesday September 28 and anyone interested in joining should telephone 01925 246910 to reserve a place. Further free courses will be held later in the year.
The course aims to cover a range of issues including the different types of violence and abuse, how domestic violence impacts on individuals and the community, and to challenge myths and stereotypes.
Marissa Hankinson, marketing and centre manager at ARC said: “The feedback we have received from delegates when we have delivered the training in other areas has been very positive which is why we are extending it to cover the Warrington area.
“We find that the delegates after completing the course, understand the issues of domestic violence in more detail even when they have studied it previously,” she added.
[ 01.09.2005, 09:21: Message edited by: DS ]
