44 arrested in
police crackdown
on fine dodgers
by David Skentelbery
FORTY four people have been arrested at Warrington in a police crackdown on fine dodgers.
Another 79 paid their fines on the spot to avoid arrest – and 562 warrants were executed over a period of seven days.
More than ?200,000 of unpaid fines was dealt with – including ?13,500 paid on the spot to enforcement officers who knocked on the doors of defaulters.
Inspector Brian Heywood, of Warrington Police Community Action Team (CAT) said: “We have significantly reduced the number of unpaid fines in the borough, however there is still a number of people who have yet to pay up. Those people know who they are and it is only a matter of time before we catch up with them and knock on their door.”
Letters had been sent to defaulters in October warning people to pay up, or face the possibility of arrest.
A total of 91 people took heed of the warning and turned up at Warrington Magistrates Court to clear their debts.
But many others chose not to pay – and received a visit at home as part of Operation “Pay Back”.
Kevin Reynolds, senior court enforcement officer, added: “The Pay Back operation was a resounding success and my enforcement team will continue to track down those individuals who still have warrants issued against them.
“If you have outstanding fines and don’t want that knock on the door attend Warrington Magistrates Court at Arpley Street on Wednesdays. Warrants don’t go away – we will find you and arrest you.”
Attack victim
named by police
by John Hendon
AN attack victim who died in hospital after being found lying unconscious in a Warrington park has been named by police.
He was Gary Anthony Kneen, aged 31, a resident of James Lee House, Brick Street, Warrington.
Two men have been arrested and appeared at Warrington Crown Court charged with causing grievous bodily harm.
They are Michael Patrick O’Hara, aged 29 and Nicholas Hague, aged 19, both also of James Lee House. They are due to appear before the Crown Court again on Monday, January 10.
The victim was found on a footpath next to the railway line near Marshall’s Gardens, Bridge Foot, Warrington earlier this month.
He was taken to hospital where he died later.
Video art student
hailed as “genius”
by Lesley Wilkinson
A WARRINGTON video art student whose work has been described as “genius” by a top art critic scooped ?7,000 when he was joint winner in Channel Five’s Big Art Challenge to be screened tonight (Thursday).
Chris Boyd, 21, of Chester Road, competed against nine other finalists at Liverpool Town Hall in a close contest judged by art critic Brian Sewell, who made the genius comment, Wayne Hemmingway and Jane Wilson.
” I was pleased to win, but I still think I’m a bit dazed. I didn’t really think about winning I just got on with the work,” said Chris.
Chris, who studied for a Foundation Diploma in Art and a multi-media course at Priestley College, Warrington, plans to save the money. He is now in his second year of a degree in Interactive Arts at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Paul McConnell, from Priestley’s art department said: “It is always exciting to learn about former students who have gone onto make a name for themselves.
“In Chris’ case he can’t get much more high-profile than an appearance on national TV. The department and the college in general congratulates him on his efforts and we look forward to watching the final and cheering him on,” he added.
His lecturers at the university were also pleased with Chris’ success.
During the first year of his degree Chris started working in video art and had two works installed at the FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology) centre in Liverpool. He won an award for his work.
Chris has also had his work displayed on the giant outdoor television screen at the Triangle in Manchester city centre, and had a video installation with sculptures displayed at the Baltic Centre of Contemporary Art in Gateshead.
Chris is working on an exhibition of his work for the Pyramid Centre in Warrington next year.
Parish is “under siege”
say angry residents
by David Skentelbery
THE village of Appleton, near Warrington, is “under siege” by developers, according to angry residents fighting plans for an apartment block.
Neighbours attended a meeting of Appleton Parish Council’s planning committee to oppose the scheme in Field Lane, which involves demolishing an existing dwelling and replacing it with a two-storey block of eight apartments.
The council decided to join the residents in opposing the scheme.
Members were told an earlier proposal for the same site had been withdrawn by the developers after it caused a storm of protest. But the new scheme was little changed.
Neighbours said the proposed building would blight nearby bungalows and would be completely out of character with the area.
Inadequate parking provision was being made and Field Lane was already struggling to cope with levels of traffic it had not been designed for.
Planning committee chairman Alistair Day expressed concern at the design of the proposed building which, he said, had peculiar “turret-style” windows.
The proposal will now be considered by the borough council’s development control committee.
Town’s Specials
get a boost
by staff reporter
SEVEN new Special Constables will be on the beat in Warrington next month as a result of a 20 per cent increase in the number of “Specials” across Cheshire.
The increase brings the total number of Specials operating across the county to 176.
Sergeant Sarah Hall co-ordinates Warrington’s Specials.
She said: “By having additional Specials we are going to be able to provide an even greater police presence on the streets. The officers will be given tasks and responsibilities akin to those given to regular officers and they will have a high visibility presence in the town.”
Thirty seven year old child minder, Jacqueline Starkey, wanted to join the Force since the age of 17 and is hoping to make a real difference to the local community. She said. “I want to help make the area safer for everyone and to get to know local people.”
Angela Lea is 34 years old and is a Contracts Assistant for United Utilities. She added: “I wanted to become a Special to experience what it’s like to be a police officer as I would like to become a regular eventually. I want to help make people feel safer.”
Specials have the same police powers as regular officers including the power of arrest and the power to stop and search. They wear a uniform and carry the same equipment such as handcuffs and batons. The only difference is that they are volunteers.
Warrington now has 19 Specials, including the seven new recruits.
Marketing chief joins
regional arts council
by staff reporter
PETER Mearns, director of marketing at the Warrington-based North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA) has been appointed to the Arts Council England, North West.
This is the regional arm of the national development agency for the arts in England, distributing money from the government and National Lottery to develop the arts offer throughout the country.
The North West is already home to an outstanding arts offer and the Arts Council is working hard with partners to support artists, communities, and arts organisations to maximise the region’s potential.
Mr Mearns brings a wealth of creative and cultural experience to the regional council. As well as his position as NWDA director of marketing, he is also an executive member of Culture North West, a board member of The Commonwealth Film Festival, and North West Vision, chairman of the marketing group of the Mersey Basin Campaign and leads The Regional Marketing Forum.
He said: “I am very pleased to take
on this inspiring role. The sheer depth of artistic and cultural activity in England’s North West is outstanding and the NWDA recognises the value this has to the region. I now look forward to working with the Arts Council to ensure that the North West remains one of the UK’s leading regions for arts and culture.”
