Flat dweller threatened
as gang torch his home
by David Skentelbery
POLICE at Warrington are investigating a frightening attack on a 31-year-old man in his own home in the early hours of the morning.
The victim was threatened with a knife by three men – one of who then started a fire in the property.
Extensive damage was caused before fire crews could reach the scene.
The drama took place at Hamnett Court, a flat development at Birchwood, when the occupant was awoken by hammering on his front door and someone shouting through the letter box.
He opened the door and was confronted by three men – one armed with a knife.
This man forced his way into the flat and set fire to a coat. The flames spread and caused extensive damage to the property.
Police say the three attackers were all about 5ft 9 inches tall and wearing dark clothing. It is possible they were all aged about 19.
Detectives would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or who may heard shouting, or anyone who thinks they recognise the offenders from their description.
Anyone who can help is asked to call Det Cons Mark Rowan on 01244 61384.
Shotgun raid on
village bank
by David Skentelbery
TWO men armed with a sawn-off shotgun and a sledgehammer fled empty handed from a bank in Lodge Drive, Culcheth near Warrington after failing to smash their way through a toughened glass security screen.
Terrified staff raised the alarm and the pair – both masked and carrying black holdalls – escaped in a stolen white Ford Mondeo which was found later in flames at Culcheth Linear Park, about half-a-mile away.
Police believe they had another car waiting at the park and have appealed for witnesses to the raid which took place at 2pm.
The drama started when the two raiders parked the Mondeo – stolen from a pub car park at Winwick Quay, Warrington on Sunday – at the rear of the bank.
They burst into the bank when no customers were present and the man with the sledgehammer started attacking the security screen.
But when staff activated the alarm the pair fled, driving off along Wigshaw Lane in the direction of Croft.
The car was found ablaze a short time later.
The offenders were both between 5ft 7 and 5ft 10 tall and of medium build. One was wearing a hooded three quarter length coat and had a balaclava or scarf over his face. The second man wore a balaclava.
A police spokeswoman said detectives were anxious to speak to witnesses of the raid or who may have seen the getaway car being abandoned at the park. They would also like to hear of any sightings of the car from the time it was stolen on Sunday and the time of the raid.
Anyone who can help should call DC Andy Cribbin on 01925 652222.
Get the
recycling blues
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON Borough Council has launched a pre-Christmas campaign to encourage people to recycle.
Magazine, catalogues, junk mail, bottles, cans are just a few of the items the Town Hall is asking people to recycle.
A council spokeswoman said: “Recycling is everybody’s responsibility and each household in Warrington throws away more than one and half tonnes of waste each year.
“Warrington currently recycles 13 per cent of household waste and the council is working towards increasing this figure by introducing new schemes and expanding existing ones such as the blue bin paper-recycling project.”
As well as urging people to put their waste paper in the blue bin, the council is asking parents to use real cotton nappies instead of disposable which can take 500 years to rot away in a landfill site.
A programme of education has started in the borough’s schools to drive home the recycling message and gardeners are being urged use compost bins rather than taking their waste to the tip.
More information is availabe on recycling from Peter Hyde, recycling and waste minimisation Officer or his assistant Jo Steward on 01925 442604.
“Pay up – or expect
a knock on the door”
by John Hendon
FINE dodgers at Warrington have been given a stark warning by police: “Pay up – or expect a knock on the door.”
Police are cracking down on fine arrears and, in a combined operation with fine enforcement officers, have dealt with fines totalling ?37,000.
Warning letters were sent to defaulters across the borough pointing out that people who did not pay would face arrest.
A total of 91 people took heed of the warning and attended Warrington Magistrates Court to pay their outstanding fines imposed for criminal offences.
However a large number of fine dodgers have yet to pay and police and enforcement officers are now warning them to expect a knock on their door as part of a joint operation to recover outstanding money owed to the court.
Insp Brian Heywood, of Warrington Community Action Team (CAT), said: “While 91 people have now had their fines dealt with, there is still a large number of people who owe money to the court and they know who they are. I strongly advise them to pay their fines immediately – if not, we will knock on their door and they face being arrested.”
Scouts’ journey
of Remembrance
by staff reporter
A PARTY of 22 Warrington Scouts and their leaders are preparing for a trip to London to participate in the Remembrance ceremonies next weekend.
Explorer Scouts, aged between 14 and 18, will be watching the Remembrance Parade at the cenotaph in Whitehall on November 14 and have secured tickets for the Festival of Remembrance in the Albert Hall the previous evening.
The trip will also include visits to the Imperial War Museum and the Great Escapes Exhibition.
The Explorer Scouts chose to find out more about Remembrance Day as part of the “values” zone of their programme.
Phillip Winstanley, leader with the Antarctic Explorer Scout Unit, said, “The Explorers are very keen and enthusiastic to attend and participate in this year’s Remembrance ceremonies. This is a rare and moving opportunity to take part in a national state occasion.”
In preparation for the weekend in the capital the teenagers have attended a Remembrance awareness lecture given by Derek Lorenz, Cheshire Youth Officer with the British Legion. They must also complete and present a project researching the life of a soldier or relative who died during one of the World Wars or a subsequent conflict.
The group aim to raise ?1,200 to help to cover the cost of the weekend. A bag pack at Asda Westbrook proved very successful, and grants and donations are being sought.
Town wins praise from
government minister
by John Hendon
PAYMASTER General Dawn Primarolo praised Warrington for its community identity when she attended charity dinner in the town.
She was particularly impressed with the way business, public sector, trade unions and the voluntary sector worked together in the town.
Mrs Primarolo was guest of honour at the dinner at Birchwood Park Conference Centre, hosted by Warrington North MP Helen Jones.
Among others present were Lord Hoyle of Warrington – the town’s former MP – and John Hannett, general secretary of the shopworkers’ union USDAW Guests were able to discuss a variety of subjects with the Minister and she was able to view a number of exhibits.
Mrs Primarolo was particularly interested in an educational game – Keyboard Crazy – which has been piloted in Warrington schools and is designed to help players of all ages improve computer keyboard awareness and increase typing speeds without tying up a computer. The game is produced by a Liverpool based company, Keywise Systems UK Ltd. Early results are proving to be very encouraging.
She also met Dr Beryl and Dr Peter Beynon from the charity “Jacobs Well” who are providing tremendous humanitarian aid in Afghanistan and, more locally, representatives of Warrington Community Transport and Warrington Youth Action.
Aft
erwards, Ms Jones said: “The evening was a great success. Most importantly the Minister was able to see first hand the partnerships that work in Warrington, both in local business and within the community, which continue to make this town prosperous as well as providing support for voluntary and charitable work and put us at the forefront in developing innovative ideas.”
Barn fire still
smoulders on
by staff reporter
FIRE crews spent a second night at the scene of a major barn fire in Park Road, Great Sankey near Warrington – and expect to be there all day today.
The blaze – reported in Warrington-Worldwide yesterday, involves 2,500 tonnes of hay and at one time threatened the adjacent farmhouse and other buildings.
Dense smoke drifted across a nearby housing estate and even the Mersey Valley Golf Club course.
At one time three fire engines were involved in the operation but Fire Service chiefs say just one appliance is now at the scene.
No-one has been hurt.
Art exhibition
THE Bridgewater Art Group is to stage an exhibition of paintings at Grappenhall Library, near Warrington from November 13 until December 13. A collection of 20 pictures will be on show, mainly watercolours. Some will be available to purchase.
Further details are available from the library on 01925 262861.
