Violent crime soars by
34 per cent in borough
by John Hendon
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VIOLENT crime in Warrington has leapt by 34 per cent over the last year – and the clear-up rate has fallen by one per cent to 56 per cent.
But vehicle crime and house burglary has fallen and, in the case of burglary, the clear-up rate has improved.
This is revealed in the latest crime statistics issued by the Home Office.
Cheshire as a whole has the second lowest recorded crime figures in the North West and a detection rate equal to that of all but one force – just two per cent higher than the national average.
In Warrington, vehicle crime was down 10 per cent, with 2559 recorded crimes compared with 2844 last year. The detection rate was 10 per cent, compared with 13 per cent the previous year.
House burglary was three per cent down at 1201, compared with 1241 with a clear up rate of 21 per cent – a significant improvement on last year’s 17 per cent.
But violent crime was up 34 per cent, with 2810 recorded offences compared with 2096 and a slightly lower detection rate of 56 per cent, compared with 57 per cent.
This gave the borough with a total crime rate of 18313 compared with last year’s 16674 – an increase of 10 per cent. The detection rate remained constant at 24 per cent.
Assistant chief constable David Griffin says there is still room for improvement.
He said: “Changes in the way we are required to record crime has seen significant rises in crime statistics over the last few years which has caused the public in Cheshire to become concerned. This year’s figures show that we are we are moving in the right direction and that nationally Cheshire is one of the areas effected least by crime. We would not be in this enviable position without the hard work and commitment of our staff who are dedicated to reducing crime and disorder in Cheshire and to detecting those offences that do occur.’
Murdered woman had
been stabbed – police
by David Skentelbery
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POLICE have released the name of the woman found dead at a house at Latchford, Warrington earlier this week.
Nicola Briggs, aged 33, (pictured) died as a result of horrific stab wounds.
Her body was discovered when police went to a house in Budworth Avenue on Tuesday.
A 62-year-old man was also found at the house with serious injuries to his head and was rushed to Warrington Hosptial.
He has been transferred to Whiston Hospital on Merseyside where he is sedated and in a “stable” condition.
A police spokesman said a post mortem examination had shown the woman’s death was caused by a “major trauma.” A knife had been found in the house.
Police launched a murder investigation after the discovery of the body and said they were treating the death as “suspicious.”
But they also indicated they were not looking for any other suspect.
It is understood the injured man was the dead woman’s partner and that they had lived together at Budworth Avenue for some time.
Shops staff go on
treadmill – for charity
by staff reporter
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TOMORROW (Saturday) Warrington’s Golden Square Shopping Centre will be hosting the Rainbow Trust Marathon walk.
The walk, organised by Bhs staff, will start at 9.30am outside Bhs in the centre on a treadmill donated by JJB Sports and will continue until the full 26.2 miles has been walked.
Staff from various shops in Golden Square will take turns to walk a mile.
Staff from Bhs have been sponsored to walk a mile on the treadmill and other staff from shops in the Centre and members of the Centre Management Office will be on hand to help out and walk the odd mile to ensure the marathon is completed.
There will also be an opportunity to make donations during the event.
All money raised will be going towards the Rainbow Trust, a nationwide charity providing respite and home support to children with life threatening or terminal illness and their families.
Children in these circumstances often prefer to be cared for at home but this can be stressful and demanding. The Trust’s support workers offer practical and emotional help in the family’s own home with normal activities of daily life by providing practical help and emotional support. All care is free and support is available 24 hours a day.
Bhs store manager Michael Knipe said: “The Rainbow Trust is our adopted charity for 2004 and we are aiming to raise enough money to make a difference locally. It is great to see that our staff and others in Golden Square are joining together to have fun at the same time as raising money for this worthy cause.”
Golden Square manager Andrew Ward added: “This event is the type we love at Golden Square as it involves people having fun and money being raised. Everyone joining in the fun is likely to have a great time.”
“Nearly New” sale
for charity
by staff reporter
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MUMS and dads can kit out their children with virtually brand new clothes and equipment at a fraction of high street prices at a sale in Warrington on October 2
The North Cheshire branch of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) is hold a “nearly new” sale of clothing, accessories and toys for babies and toddlers at St John’s UR Church, Wilderspool Causeway
Parents will be able to attend as buyers or sellers, with just one condition – that the goods must be “nearly new”
Lisa Reid, chairman of the North Cheshire branch of the NCT said: “Parents always want the best for their children but many of them simply can’t afford the latest ‘must have’ item on the market as well as all the everyday clothes an active child can get through. The cost of kitting out a child for the first five years can run to thousands of pounds.
“But on the other hand, parents don’t want to dress their children in hand-me-downs. Our Nearly New sales are the perfect solution – high street quality at knock-down prices.”
Housing association
claims quality “first”
by John Hendon
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WARRINGTON Housing Association has become the first organisation of its type in the UK to sign up to the British Quality Foundation’s Investors in Excellence national recognition programme.
The move underlines the association’s aims, which are to continuously improve its services for the community.
Investors in Excellence is based on the European Foundation for Quality Management excellence model – a rigorous programme that assesses current standards in an organisation and encourages continuous improvement.
To achieve recognition, organisations must demonstrate high levels of performance in leadership, strategy, people management, partnerships, resources and processes, as well as employee satisfaction, customer satisfaction, its role in society and other business areas.
Chief executive Alan Kemp said: “WHA has used several tools, including the business excellence model, to help improve its services for a number of years. The association was particularly keen to embark on the Investors in Excellence programme since its launch, due to the comprehensive cross organisational approach it takes to continuous improvement.”
WHA manages more than 1,200 houses in Warrington and aims to improve the quality of life for communities in the borough.
Services it provides include an energy saving programme, a mortgage rescue scheme and specialist accommodation for people with learning difficulties.
Its latest project – The Gateway – will provide a town centre base for 25 voluntary, charitable and community organisations offering the community a wide range of help and advice in one location in Sankey Street.
News in brief
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Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the lottery organised by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 11, 12, 14 and 16. There was no winner for the ?370 which will now be “rolled over” to make a ?600 top prize next week. The ?25 consolation prize was won by Dawn Reed.
Access road
PLANS for a new access road for existing stables in Delph Lane, Winwick near Warrington have been submitted to the borough council’s planning department.
Play equipment
NEW play equipment will be erected in the playground at Twiss Green Primary School, Culcheth near Warrington if planners approve an application by the school.
Disabled parking
WARRINGTON Borough Council proposed to make an order to introduce disabled persons’ parking places in Gorse Lane and Laira Street. Any objections or other representations must be sent in writing to council solicitor Howard Norris by August 19.
