Residents’ tip-off
averted gang battle
by David Skentelbery
MEMBERS of the public have been praised by police ? for tipping them off about a proposed gang battle at Culcheth, near Warrington.
After receiving the information, police drafted in extra officers and called in an Air Support unit to help identify potential troublemakers from the air.
More than 20 youths were searched and quantities of alcohol seized. In addition, potential offenders were interviewed at their homes.
Tip-offs were received by the police in the run-up to the weekend of February 3-4 that youths from Hollins Green were planning to visit Culcheth to fight with local youths.
Insp Steve Precious launched a specific operation, putting a number of measures in place.
Stop and Search powers were authorised enabling officers to search anyone within the area of Culcheth and Hollins Green – specifically to look for any weapons.
Police called upon the Air Support unit to help identify possible troublemakers from the air, while officers from the Force Area Support Group (ASG) were also involved in the operation to provide an additional high visibility presence in Culcheth.
Local officers visited the home addresses of potential offenders and spoke to the youths and their parents, advising them that officers were on the streets and would be keeping a close eye on them.
Insp Precious said: “As a result of this action 14 youths were searched on the Friday and none were found to be carrying any weapons. On the Saturday another nine youths were searched and again no weapons were found. We seized alcohol from under 18s to prevent incidents of disorder and consequently there were no reports of fights involving youths.”
Culcheth PC, Neil Gallagher, added: “Thanks to the information we received from the public we were able to take preventative measures and send out a strong message to local youths that we will not tolerate any form of anti social behaviour, violent or otherwise.”
Youth nuisance and anti social behaviour are also being pro-actively tackled in Birchwood with Community Action Team officers organising ?CAT Walks? with local residents to help identify problem areas.
There will be walks this Saturday (February 11), starting from Birchwood Primary School at 1pm. The walk will be repeated during the evening on Friday 17th February, at 8.00pm.
Officers will be joined by local residents and councillors and the issues raised will be discussed at the first Community Action Meeting (CAM) to be held in the area on Wednesday March 1, at 7.30pm at Birchwood Primary School.
Ferry tragedy revives
memories for divers
by Lesley Wilkinson
THE loss of a ferry in the Egyptian Red Sea, in which almost 1,000 lives were lost, brought back memories for members of Warrington Sub Aqua Club of exploring a similar wreckage in the area five years ago.
Al-Salam 98 was on its way from Saudi Arabia to the Egyptian port of Safaga, when it went down off Safaga. Only 401 of the 1,400 people on board are known to have survived.
A similar disaster struck in 1991, when a crowded ferry, Salem Express, which was returning from Mecca hit one of the banks of coral south of Hyndman Reef, off Safaga.
Peter Holbrook, of the Warrington club, who dived the wreck, said: “The collision left a gaping hole in the forward part of the hull, and caused the huge stern door to burst open. The ferry immediately began to take on enormous quantities of water through the two openings and in only 10 minutes, the 100m-long vessel was swallowed up by the sea.”
He said it was a stormy night and the few rescue teams available could do little to help. Records show that of the 690 passengers on the Salem Express, only 180 survived. But, according to Peter, some claim that more than 1,600 people perished in the tragedy.
He said: “Many of the Warrington divers had mixed feelings about diving this wreck. There are various viewpoints as to whether this wreck should be dived at all, but the Egyptian authorities have not prevented safari boats visiting the wreck.
“It is a part of maritime history and diving it shows no more disrespect than walking through a graveyard. It was decided that none of the group would penetrate the wreck, and our dives would be carried out with the utmost respect, due to the many hundreds of people who perished so tragically.”
The Salem Express lies on its starboard side at the foot of the reef, with its deepest part in 30m and its port side 10m from the surface.
Peter said: “Regardless of its tragic history, the sheer size of the wreck makes it an awe-inspiring sight and, as it lies in comparatively shallow water, it is possible for divers to make their way right round it and thoroughly explore the deck and the ship’s superstructures.”
He said the stern could be made out even at some distance and the huge port-side propeller was “awesome.”
The starboard propeller, which is lying under the hull away from the light, is adorned in soft red corals.
Peter added: “After the dive there was a very solemn mood on the dive deck, and not the usual ‘apr?s dive banter’ one would expect.”
Boozers wanted – in
the name of research
by David Skentelbery
FIVE friends prepared to spent a night on the booze in the name of research are being sought by Warrington?s fledgling community TV channel.
The Big Idea, based at Warrington’s Pyramid Arts Centre, will be broadcasting online for a week from October 23.
But organisers are already lining up programmes and one will be a documentary on the effects of drink on road safety.
They want five friends, aged 18-25 from the Orford area of Warrington to spend a night in a local pub downing pints. They’ll have to buy their own beer but the evening will be filmed and they will end up “stars” of the show.
The following morning they will undergo tests – including breath tests – to see how their heavy night has affected their ability to drive.
Pyramid spokeswoman Iga Kowalska said: “Nobody will be driving on the road. It will all be enacted for the cameras. But we are hoping the police will get involved to make the tests more realistic.
“For legal reasons we are unable to pay for any of the drinks consumed on the night.”
Anyone wanting an excuse for downing a few pints should call Owen Hutchings on 01925 442 871.
The Big Idea are already running free soap opera scriptwriting sessions, led by local writer Ian McCormack.
Other courses on various aspects of film-making are taking place at The Pyramid.
For more information call 01925 442345 or visit the website at www.pyramid.org.uk
Bungling bank raiders
flee empty handed
by David Skentelbery
THREE raiders escaped after failing in a bid to rob a bank at Penketh, Warrington.
The raid involved reversing a car into the front of the Lloyds-TSB Bank in Honiton Way, Penketh.
After fleeing the scene, the car was abandoned in nearby Hall Nook and the raiders are believed to have driven off in a new-style blue Mini car with a light coloured roof.
The drama started when a grey Volvo car was reversed into the front of the bank.
Staff ran into the rear of the premises and called police. Meanwhile, one man leapt from the car and entered the bank, going to the rear of the automatic cash machine.
When he failed to gain access to cash, he ran out, got back into the car which then drove off at speed.
Police say the man was about 5ft 10 inches tall, of slim build and was wearing a dark, hooded coat. No descriptions are available of the other two men.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or who saw either of the cars is asked to contact DC Neil Gordon on 01925 613835.
Nuisance youths are
residents’ biggest worry
by John Hendon
NUISANCE youths are the biggest worry for residents of Great Sankey, W
arrington.
Residents who attended the first police Community Action Meeting (CAM) in the area put nuisance youths in the Hood Manor area top of the list for priority police action.
PCSO Natalie Giles, who hosted the meeting, said: “I was not surprised that residents voted for nuisance youth issues in Hood Manor as we are aware there are problems in this location and work is already on-going to address the situation.
“However, the intelligence local residents provided us with is invaluable and I would encourage as many local people as possible to attend the CAMs.
“Their information helps us to pin point hotspots, identify offenders and build up a picture of where and when incidents are occurring. It was an extremely positive meeting and residents had a number of good ideas about how we can all work together to tackle the issues.
“And we will be stepping up our patrols outside the local shops and in and around Brentnall Park.”
Officers are also planning to liase with Warrington Borough Council about street lighting and litter in Hood Manor – and they will also be keeping in touch with shopkeepers and local primary schools to provide reassurance.
The next Sankey CAM will take place on Thursday April 6 at 7.30pm at Hood Manor Community Centre when officers will report back on the progress made. Residents will also get the chance to vote for the next top priority.
Councillors Liz Smith and Jim Reagan and Arena Housing representative Marilyn Knight also attended the first meeting.
Death crash
driver named
by staff reporter
POLICE today named a man who died when his car careered off the road at Warrington, crashed through a fence and then overturned.
He was Warren Lee Roberts, aged 23, from Lymm.
Police are seeking witnesses who should call Sgt Mike Jones on 01244 613813.
Mr Roberts was driving a black Fiat Bravo in Lymm Road, Thelwall when it left the carriageway, crashed through a fence and overturned.
It is understood the driver, who was alone, died at the scene. No other vehicle was involved in the crash.
Three charged with
firearms offences
by staff reporter
THREE men arrested when armed police raided homes at Hood Manor and Orford, Warrington, earlier this week, have been charged with possessing firearms with intent to cause fear or injury.
The three are aged 34, 27 and 26.
A woman arrested during the same operation has not been charged.
Police say the raids followed an incident on licensed premises in Warrington on Monday evening.
More tickets available
for Wolves’ opener
by staff reporter
MORE tickets have become available for Warrington Wolves? home game against Salford City Reds on Sunday (February 12).
The visitors have failed to sell their allocation, so more tickets are available for the West Stand at the Halliwell Jones Stadium for the opening Super League game of the season.
A Wolves spokeswoman said: ?The game was heading for a ‘lock out’ but now Wolves fans still have a chance to pay on the day.?
Ticketing Manager Dave Gittins said: “It is fantastic that we are heading for a total sell-out of ‘home areas’. Record season ticket sales of almost 8,000 means that very few tickets remain on a match-to-match basis and fans need to be quick to purchase the few remaining available seats. As a result the club has recalled from Salford two thirds of the tickets for the West Stand meaning plenty are now available and Wolves fans should be in the majority.”
