Student police officers
to learn “on the streets”
by Lesley Wilkinson
NEW student police officers at Warrington are being given the opportunity to learn their job “on the streets” to make them more familiar with the communities they will serve.
Probationer constables will learn their skills both in the classroom and in the community under the supervision of highly trained, specialist tutor constables.
The 10-week training will allow probationers to apply the skills learned in the classroom under supervision, so that they can be declared fit for independent patrol. The new “in company” phase is part of the PC’s two-year training course.
It aims to bridge the gap between classroom theory and practice and give local residents the chance to meet the officer who will serve them, and allow officer to build up knowledge of the community.
The new tutor unit is responsible for the training and development of probationary officers but in the future will also accommodate new transferees and officers returning to operational duties following a break, due to sickness, maternity leave or secondment. It also offers officer training in operational policing skills.
It has 10 full time tutor constables headed by Sergeant Fiona Murphy.
She said: “Everything is geared up to give probationer officers the best possible experience so that they can hit the ground running so to speak. Probationers work towards a list of competencies and skills which they must achieve and the unit provides a structured and controlled environment for them to do this.
“The officers assist local Community Action Teams on pre-planned operations and initiatives to expose them to a wider variety of policing skills. They also assist Prisoner Handling Teams, Neighbourhood Policing Units and conduct targeted patrol duties with their tutor to gain experience in ‘blues and twos’ response work.”
Council opposes
works filter plan
by David Skentelbery
A PARISH council has objected to a firm’s proposals to install filtration equipment to improve the working environment for employees.
Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council is concerned about the potential for noise, smells and dust and the proximity of the equipment to proposed new buildings on the New World site at Latchford.
Novelis UK Ltd are seeking planning consent for a 20 metre high chimney and bag filter building at their aluminium recycling works at Latchford Locks, Warrington.
A report to be considered by the borough council’s development control committee says the purpose of the new plant is to provide enhanced air extraction with the premises in the interests of personnel.
The plant will filter emissions through a bag which, when full, will be disposed of at a landfill site.
Planning officers say the proposed plant would be on the north side of the existing works and would have no visual impact beyond the confines of the site. Noise levels will be below background noise levels.
The nearest houses will be more than 200 metres away and although the New World site is closer it is not considered a refusal on this basis could be justified.
Neither the council’s own environmental protection department nor the Environment Agency have objected.
A resident has requested that trees be planted to screen the works to reduce the noise of the existing operation at the works but planners say this would be an unreasonable condition.
New town guide
for visitors
by Lesley Wilkinson
A NEW guide will tell visitors to Warrington where to find the best days out, places to eat and stay.
More than 30,000 copies of the new-look official visitor guide called, Welcome to Warrington, have been launched by Warrington Borough Council. It is produced under the banner of the Cheshire and Warrington Tourism Board.
The new easy-to-read format will showcase the town to visitors over the next 12 months. It is also available to local residents.
Sections include out and about, what to see and do, eating and drinking, nightlife, accommodation, a handy map and details for more advice and assistance.
Rosemary Lavender, the council’s tourism manager, said: “It is important we provide visitors with information they need that suits their requirements and showcases Warrington at its best.
“One of the largest motivators for people to visit Warrington is to spend time with friends and family. We want local people to use the guide to familiarise themselves about the attractions, retail and dining experiences on offer in Warrington and to promote them to their friends and family,” she added.
The guide will be available at venues throughout the town and copies are being distributed nationally through the national Tourism Information Network.
Vintage car drivers
may have seen crash
by John Hendon
POLICE are trying to trace the drivers of two vintage cars seen heading in the direction of Warrington who may have witnessed a fatal road accident near the town.
They believe the two motorists may have stopped briefly at the scene of the crash in Warrington Road, High Legh, before continuing on their way.
The crash – reported in Warrington-Worldwide yesterday – involved a blue Mercedes driven by a 43-year-old High Legh woman who died at the scene.
Her car apparently left the road and collided with a garden wall at the junction with Heath Lane and then collided with a Ford Galaxy. The occupants of the Galaxy were uninjured.
Police are appealing for witnesses – particularly the drivers of the two vintage cars.
Anyone who can help is asked to call Sgt Steve Griffiths on 0845 4580000.
Grants for students
who stay in education
by Lesley Wilkinson
STUDENTS who may be discouraged from staying on for the sixth-form because of lack of cash may find help at hand with a grant.
Hundreds of Warrington students have already benefited from an Education Maintenance Allowances grant(EMAs), which can help them stay on into the sixth form or move on to college.
EMAs are designed to help young people from families where the annual household income is ?30,000 or less, to stay in education or training. It allows eligible students to receive a means-tested cash allowance of up to ?30 a week and periodic bonus payments of up ?100.
One student to benefit is Joseph Holt, 16, of Honister Avenue, Warrington.
“Without the EMA money I wouldn’t have been able to stay on in education. I would have had to get a full-time job when I left school,” he said.
“The EMA money means that I am now studying a course I love, sport, and when I finish studying at Warrington Collegiate I am hoping to go on to study at university to become a PE teacher.”
Liz Davis, executive director of the Learning and Skills Council for Cheshire and Warrington, said: “Pilot schemes over the past few years have been extremely successful, with noticeable increases in the number of young people staying on in learning at college or in school sixth forms.
“All young learners from households with a total income of less than ?30,000 are eligible to apply for EMAs, with the first payments starting in the autumn term.”
Further information is available from www.dfes.gov.uk/financialhelp/ema or by telephoning 0808 101 6219, or contacting the advice service Connexions.
New ways of making
sure of a vote
by staff reporter
NEW ways of registering to vote in Warrington are being introduced to make the system quicker and easier.
Electoral Registration Forms are being issued throughout the borough for the start of the Annual Canvas, to ensure that everyone entitled to vote locally and nationally, is registered.
The form tells people they can now register via a freephone number or by using the Internet. Telephone registration means updates are immediate and m
ore accurate, and are a much cheaper method that posting.
If details remain unchanged, people dial the number and key in a security code, printed on the form, to confirm details. The 24-hour line is available until Friday November 18, and allows users to register for a postal vote.
Both telephone and Internet systems allow the option to opt-out of the version of the electoral register used by mailing companies.
Leader of the council Coun John Joyce (pictured) said: “I would urge all eligible people to ensure that they are registered to vote to allow you to have your say at elections. It is important to do this so that you can use your vote at the next Borough Council elections in May 2006 and make your views known.”
Shake-up of
traffic regulations
by John Hendon
A SHAKE-UP of traffic management measures in Warrington Town Council is taking place to assist traffic flows and improve road safety as re-development of the Golden Square shopping centre goes on.
The major features take account of the closure of most of Golborne Street and the relocation of the bus station.
They include a southbound contra-flow bus lane in the middle section of Legh Street, with two-way traffic on the northern and southern sections of the street. The aim is to allow access to the new development and allow bus services to the west and south of the town centre to re-route from Golborne Street.
The bus lane will also be used by taxis, private hire vehicles and pedal cyclists.
Proposed alterations, including changes to traffic flows, should minimise delays to bus services, rationalise traffic flows, cut congestion and improve road safety.
The borough council will be making an order to bring the amendments into force. Anyone with objections should be sent to Howard Norris, the council’s solicitor, by September 1.
