Driver dragged from
van and robbed
by David Skentelbery
A 43-year-old van driver has been robbed at Warrington after being dragged from his vehicle and thrown to the ground.
Two men drove off in his white, Transit van, after surprising him as he was getting into the driver?s seat on the driveway of a house in Manchester Road, Rixton.
The vehicle contained satnav equipment and fishing tackle worth more than ?1,500.
Registration number of the vehicle was NL 51 YVE.
Police said the victim parked his van on the driveway and returned a few minutes later.
As he was getting back into the vehicle he was grabbed by two men. He was dragged out and thrown onto the ground.
Then the pair drove off in the van.
The man driving the vehicle was described as being in his 30s, with bushy hair and wearing jeans. So far, the van has not been recovered.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has seen the van since the incident at about 6.20pm on Thursday (April 12) is asked to call DC Jackie Daniels on 0845 458 0000. Information can also be left anonymously on the Crimestoppers freephone line 0800 555 111.
In a separate incident, a man was robbed in his own house in St Elphin’s Close, Warrington.
He was alone in the house when two men forced their way in and attacked him with a metal bar. He was struck about the body and knocked to the floor. While he lay helpless, they stoke his X Box 360 games console and then left, threatening to return for his television.
One of the men was about 5ft 9 inches tall, wearing dark clothing with a hooded top and the other was about 6ft tall with brown hair cut in a short back and sides style. He spoke with a Warrington accent.
The victim was not seriously hurt.
Anyone who can help police with enquirires should call DC Tracey Shaw on 0845 458 0000.
Two month hunt
for sex attacker
by John Hendon
POLICE have issued a CCTV image of a man they have been hunting for two months in connection with a sex attack on a teenage girl at Warrington.
The girl was assaulted by a man she had met in McCauley?s bar in Bridge Street in the early hours of February 14.
It was around 2am when the attack took place in a black, sports-type car parked at the rear of the bar.
Police say there were numerous people around at the time and that the car alarm may have gone off several times while the attack was taking place.
The offender was described as being black, aged about 22 and of muscular build. He was wearing a red tee-shirt.
Anyone who recognises the man, or who can help police with the investigation is asked to call DC Stuart Clay 01244 613824 or the confidential Crimestoppers line 0800 555 111.
Tip extension plan
is thrown out
by David Skentelbery
PLANNING chiefs have thrown out proposals to extend a major landfill site onto top quality farm land at Risley, near Warrington.
The scheme for the Risley Landfill site, off Silver Lane, Risley was opposed by local residents, councillors, the Ramblers Association, Warrington branch of the CPRE and by Birchwood Town Council, and the parish councils at Croft, Culcheth and Glazebury and Rixton with Glazebrook.
Members of the borough?s development control committee were told the existing, approved landfill site was 20.5 hectares and the plan involved extending the tip onto 13.5 hectares of farm land, of which 11.7 hectares was classed as the best grade.
Increasing the size of the tip would extend its life to 2010, with another year for restoration. Municipal, commercial and industrial waste would be tipped on the site.
It would be restored to woodland, scrub, rough grassland and wildflower areas. A footpath and Silver Lane Brook would be realigned.
Planning officers said that although in the short term there would an impact on the openness of the green belt area, in the fullness of time, this openness would be reinstated.
However, the need for landfill inn the area was not considered so acute to warrant the special circumstances necessary to outweigh the loss of top quality agricultural land.
Olympic medallist
to visit school
by staff reporter
OLYMPIC cycling medallist Bryan Steel will visit students at Padgate High School Warrington on Tuesday as part of Living For Sport, a national initiative to inspire young people through sport.
Bryan is a changingLIVES athlete mentor, part of a team of champion sportspeople who visit schools across the country as part of the initiative, to help engage young people aged 11-16 with more areas of school life and to help them reach personal goals.
The initiative is now in its fourth year, and has involved some 11,000 young people across the UK. More than 500 schools have taken part.
The changingLIVES element of Living For Sport has managed to bring on board a number of sporting heroes who act as positive role models for young people.
Using personal stories from their childhoods and their experiences as successful athletes to illustrate behavioural messages and communicate life skills, the athlete mentors inspire, challenge and encourage students to achieve their full potential in school.
Living For Sport gives young people the opportunity to try a range of sporting activities, from archery to martial arts, while working toward personal targets to improve their performance in school. Schools involved receive a comprehensive package of support, including training for staff, resources for pupils, funding for activities and access to a prestigious awards programme.
Recent research on Living For Sport, published September 2006, conducted by the Institute of Youth Sport at Loughborough University, has revealed that seven out of 10 young people who take part show significantly improved behaviour and confidence, and more than 85 percent of teachers feel that the project benefited their students.
Sue Campbell, chairman of the Youth Sport Trust, said: “I should like to congratulate both the students and staff at Padgate High School for their enthusiasm and hard work in managing Living For Sport. Bryan knows at first hand the commitment needed to successfully achieve a personal best, and I am sure he will be an influential role model to some of the students now taking part.”
Help cancer charity
– just by walking!
by staff reporter
CHARITY group Macmillan Cancer Support are urging people to get out and walk in the fresh air ? to help raise money for the cause.
?Walk Wonders? is the name for their initiative and locally it offers a choice of either a 10-mile hike along the Trans Pennine Trail or a 3.5 mile stroll more suitable for families.
Both walks are on Sunday, May 20 ? and both start from Lymm village.
The shorter walk involves the Lymm Heritage Trail and covers most of the historic heart of the village as well as meadow areas, wildlife habitats and the Bridgewater Canal. The longer walk continues on along the Trans Pennine Trail, through various hamlets, farms and farm land.
Details are available from the website www.macmillan.org.uk/walk or call 0845 673 0711.
Cruel thieves steal
from 91-year-old
by staff reporter
HEARTLESS thieves stole money from a 91-year-old woman at Culcheth, near Warrington after talking their way into her home.
The woman answered the door at her home in Severn Road to be confronted by two men who claimed to be checking water in the area.
They were allowed into the house and one man kept the woman talking in the kitchen. The other sneaked into the lounge and took cash from the woman’s purse.
A police spokesman said distraction burglaries of a similar type were taking place all the time all over Cheshire at the moment.
He appealed to householders – particularly the elderly – not to let strangers into their homes unless they could
prove their identity.
Why no consultation
over conservation areas?
by Lesley Wilkinson
COMPLAINTS about the merging of two conservation areas in Stockton Heath were made to the annual Parish Meeting.
Julie Kueres, of Appleton, asked: “Why were the public not consulted about this?”
Warrington Borough Council had approved merging of the two village conservation areas, London Road and Grappenhall Road, to allow the areas to be considered more holistically.
Coun Peter Walker said it was merely a technical matter, but if the areas were to be re-assessed there would be public consultation.
Flat fire
FIRE crews were called to a ground floor flat in Whitecross Road, Warrington when fire broke out in the living room.
Two fire engines were involved in the operation and the blaze was quickly extinguished. The premises was fitted with a hard-wired smoke alarm system which activated and provided an early warning of the fire. No-one was hurt.
[ 17.04.2007, 16:59: Message edited by: DS ]
