Police winning the
battle with crime
by David Skentelbery
PEOPLE in Warrington and the rest of Cheshire were safer and experienced less crime during the summer than those elsewhere in the country, according to new Home Office figures.
The number of crimes reported in the county fell by eight per cent, compared with a three per cent drop nationally.
This means there were nearly 2,000 fewer victims of crime in Cheshire with reductions of more than 10 per cent in nearly half the different categories of crime.
Violent crime increased during the early part of last year but Cheshire’s operational approach to the problem paid dividends with a reduction of more than 10 per cent – bucking the national trend which rose by 1 per cent during the summer.
There were 625 fewer violent crimes reported in Cheshire with figures reducing from 5724 offences to 5099.
Assistant Chief Constable David Baines (pictured)said: “The improvements in our performance during the summer can be attributed to the hard work and professionalism of our officers and staff.
“Crime involving violence against individuals has reduced by more than 10 per cent compared with the same three month period last year. Fewer victims and less violence is evidence that our tactics are heading in the right direction.
“I would like to reassure local communities that we will continue our efforts to bring down crime by targeting those individuals who strike fear into the heart of our communities.”
The fall in the number of crimes recorded is not confined to crimes against an individual. Property and vehicle crime also fell significantly in Cheshire. In addition the number of offences involving drugs fell by 15 per cent in contrast to the national average which showed an increase of 9 per cent.
Mr Baines added: “The figures show we are heading in the right direction but it is important for the public to recognise that the figures provide a snapshot both nationally and locally during the summer months. Early indications are that our performance has continued to improve during the autumn.
“There are many factors that effect crime rates and I believe that it is Cheshire’s approach to involving our communities in finding solutions to crime and disorder, working in partnership and the quality our staff that resulted in the reduction of recorded crime.”
Overall, crime in Cheshire fell by 8 per cent. Violent crime was down by 10.9 per cent and violence against the person by 11.6 per cent.
House burglaries were down by 2.1 per cent and vehicle thefts and thefts from vehicles plummeted by 17.50 per cent. Theft and handling stolen goods were down by 2.8 per cent, sexual offences fell by 8.2 per cent and drugs offences by a significant 15 per cent.
Only robbery showed an increase, of 6.7 per cent.
Bella kick starts
modelling career
by Gary Skentelbery
ELEVEN-year-old Izabella Levey couldn’t believe her luck when she appeared alongside England Rugby Union star Jason Robinson as part of a national supermarket advertising campaign.
“Bella” featured alongside the Sale Sharks rugby ace on posters all over Warrington and she is hoping it will help kick start a modelling career.
After her first appearance as a model Bella’s parents Laurence and Anne arranged for her to have a professional photo shoot.
Laurence was so impressed with his daughter’s first modelling shoot with Warrington based photographer Nick Giles, he is now planning to use her to help promote his town centre based jewellery store, A Baker and Sons, which is celebrating its centenary in the town this year.
Bella is enjoying being in the limelight and is now hoping to sign up with a child modelling agency.
Born on Christmas Day she is pupil at Cransley School in Great Budworth where she excells in most sports including netball, gymnastics, athletics, swimming and hockey. Out of school she loves horse riding.
Proud mum Ann said: “I know I am biaised because she is my daughter but she really is a lovely girl and enjoys living life to the full. She is a real character and puts her heart into everything she does.”
Photographer Nick added: “She is a real natural. There was no need to do any touch ups or use any make up.”
Pub hit by floods
for second time
by James Balme
A WARRINGTON pub has re-opened after being forced to close for a second time after being hit by disastrous flooding twice in three months.
The interior of the Forester’s Arms at Glazebury was wrecked by floodwater when a nearby pumping station failed due to a power cut which also affected thousands of other properties during the storms of January.
Mine hosts Bill and Sue Jolly awoke to find more than 2ft of water in the pub. Carpets and fittings which had only been renewed after the first flood, in November, were ruined again.
Bill said: “We have come to realise that United Utilities hold the key to these disasters in the area. Of course the weather has been atrocious during January but what I cannot come to terms with is why United Utilities are doing nothing at all about it They keep insisting that the pumping station is working normally and sufficient to cope with the area’s needs.” “There is no doubt business has been severely affected by all of this but we are not going to give up and we are already in the process of starting again. We are open again.” A spokeswoman for United Utilities said: “Sewer flooding is an awful experience and we sympathise with Mr Jolly after being affected twice in three months. We assisted with the clean-up after he contacted us.
“The two incidences are completely unrelated. In November, equipment at the pumping station broke down, which has since been repaired. The second problem occurred because the pumping station was affected by the same storm-related power cuts that hit more than 65,000 properties around the region. Although this was beyond our control we will be making a payment to Mr Jolly for the inconvenience under our guaranteed standards scheme.”
Local rivals to meet in final
ARCH rivals Priestley College and St Helens College will clash in what promises to be a mouth watering contest in the final of the Student Rugby League national competition on Tuesday at Wilderspool Stadium.
After a superb competition, the two colleges have proved to be the top dogs in the entire country and will now battle it out to see who is number one.
Priestley cruised into the final with a sensational 48-10 win over East Hull in Leeds, while St Helens dispatched Warrington Collegiate in the other semi-final.
When the two sides clashed earlier in the year in a league fixture it was St Helens, who came out on top with a 28-40 victory but Priestley remain confident they have what it takes to lift the prestigious trophy.
Entry to the match will be ?2 and kick-off is at 7pm.
The match should originally have been played before Christmas but was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.
Pupils given insight
into Mayor’s hectic life
by Gary Skentelbery
PUPILS at Culcheth Community Primary School, Warrington were given a fascinating insight into the role of the town’s Mayor Coun Linda Dirir and her Consort husband Allin.
Pupils got within touching distance of the civic gold mace as the Mayor explained her busy role as the town’s leading citizen.
Pictured with the Mayor and Consort are pupils Connor Monkeith, four, and Niamh Carroll-Marsh who got within touching distance of the mace, which can only be handled by someone wearing special gloves.
