New metal detectors help
police fight knife crime
by John Hendon
POLICE have taken delivery of new equipment which will provide a front line in the battle against knife crime in Warrington.
Mobile metal detectors have been purchased ? and will be used anywhere where people are suspected of carrying knives, such as pubs, nightclubs and football matches.
Nearly 2,000 knives and bladed weapons were handed in during the knife amnesty held in Cheshire during June ? several hundred from Warrington.
Since then police have been running an enforcement campaign designed to come down hard on people who are still carrying blades.
Sgt Graham Hale said: “Until we took delivery of this equipment it would have been very labour intensive to effectively search everyone entering a club. This equipment makes it easier to check people over, and if the detectors do register something metal concealed on their person we can intervene and check properly.”
Three archway detectors, which can be set up at the entrance to venues, have been bought, along with 130 hand held detectors. These will send out a clear message to people who carry knives that their use will not be tolerated. Machines similar to these are already being used in railway stations by British Transport Police and have proved very successful.
The detectors will not just be used at licensed premises and events. The hand held detectors are also being issued to the Area Support Group, Automatic Number plate Recognition (ANPR) teams and motorway officers, who will be able to use them to check drivers and their vehicles for hidden weapons.
Assistant Chief Constable David Baines said: “This equipment will help our officers to check more people, identify more offenders who carry weapons and play a significant part in making Cheshire safer.
“Sadly too many people think it’s ‘cool’ to carry a weapon. Our aim is to change that mindset and give a clear message – if you carry a weapon you will be caught and you will be prosecuted. And believe me there is nothing ‘cool’ about that.”
Residents urged to
oppose tower blocks
by David Skentelbery
RESIDENTS of Howley are being urged to support a campaign to fight multi-storey apartments in the area.
Coun Yvonne Fovargue is calling on residents to turn up in force for a public inquiry in Warrington later this month.
Controversial plans for two highrise apartment blocks at Howley Quay were thrown out by the borough council, but the developers have forced an inquiry.
Coun Fovargue has written to more than 500 residents calling on them support the council.
She said: “The public inquiry provides local people with the opportunity to voice their opposition to the highrise blocks.
“Alongside Howley Residents Association, I will be submitting evidence to the public inquiry.
“Howley cannot take any more development. The developments at Sixpenny Fields, Trinity Green, Cheshire Lines and Carrington Wire have placed a huge burden on the local road network.
“In addition the conservation area with St Elphins Parish Church as its focal point, will be changed forever as well as the negative visual impact that will result for nearby residents.
“The decision of the independent inspector will be significant as other developers are already looking closely at this appeal. That’s why, I am asking local people to make their feelings known. For more information I would ask them to contact me on 01925 721184.”
Sex pervert in
attack on woman
by John Hendon
POLICE are seeking a sex pervert who left a 20-year-old woman terrified at Warrington.
The woman was walking along Gig Lane at Woolston in the early afternoon when she was approached by a man who grabbed her by the arm.
She pulled away ? and then saw the man was exposing himself.
He tried to pull her off the road towards some concrete bollards, but she screamed and struggled and the man released her arm and ran off in the direction of Hardwick Grange.
Police say the man was in his early 30s, thin and had brown hair.
They have issued an efit picture of the man to try and help identify him.
Anyone who can help is asked to call police on 01244 613845.
Worries grow about
rising crime rate
by staff reporter
LOCAL people are increasingly worried about rising crime in Warrington, according to a candidate in a by-election taking place this week.
In the last year, crime has gone up by seven per cent ? and as a result, Liberal Democrat campaigner Sharon Wilson had carried out a survey of people in the Poulton North area.
She claims to have received a massive response from local people and plans to send the findings of the survey to Cheshire?s chief constable.
Mrs Wilson said: “Local people are very worried that crime is going up in our area. They are angry that Labour let people down by throwing out Lib Dem plans for more community support officers and alcohol-free zones in parks when they ran the council. They strongly back my plan.?
She is planning to:
lobby Cheshire Police Authority for more police on the beat in our area
introduce more Police Community Support Officers to tackle crime
create alcohol-free zones in parks
In addition, she wants to see more CCTV intro in crime hotspots like bus shelters and a relaunch of the Homewatch scheme in the area.
She added: “The many residents who have responded to my crime survey want to see action not words to tackle rising crime.
?They want to see the council building upon initiatives such as the blitz on graffiti on private buildings introduced since May following many years of neglect.
?Working with residents and the police I am sure we can turn this plan into action.”
The by-election in Poulton North Ward takes place on Thursday. It has been caused by the death of long-standing Labour councillor Albert Clemow.
Candidates are: Kevin Bennett (Labour), Michael David Jackson (Green Party), Francine Elizabeth Leslie ( Conservative) and Sharon Wilson (Liberal Democrat).
Charity’s bid to combat
“honour” killings
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON-based charity The Relationships Centre has joined forces with a UK Asian Women?s project to try and combat an increase in so-called ?honour killings.?
The charity is working with Karma Nirvana, based in Derby, on the project.
Pam Arnold, director of services, at The Relationships Centre said: “In July 25-year old Samaira Nazir’s killers were jailed for life.
?Her 21-year-old brother and teenage cousin murdered her for wanting to marry ?an unsuitable boy?.
?Many campaigners say so-called ?honour? murders in the UK are happening more and more often and that large numbers of British Asian women across the country are seeking help.
?That is why we are working with Karma Nirvana to ensure that we gain an understanding of why “honour” based violence and abuse is on the increase and how we can ensure that here at the centre, we provide the necessary support and advice to the ethnic community.”
Man’s ear bitten
in street attack
by staff reporter
POLICE are seeking witnesses of an attack on a 23-year-old man in Bridge Street, Warrington in the early hours of the morning in which the victim had his ear bitten.
The attack took place outside the Big Bar early on Sunday and the man suffered a deep cut to his ear.
A 23-year-old man from Liverpool was arrested at the scene but later released on bail.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to call DC Ian Allen on 01244 613845.
Clean Team ready
for next litter blitz
by John Hendon
WARRINGTON Clean Team will be carrying out its next blitz on litter at the Greystone Road recreation ground, Penketh on Sunday (Sept 10).
Local residents have been complaining about the amount of litter, including bottles, cans and ?un
mentionable? items spoiling the field in recent times.
Clean Team secretary Coun Trudi Wood said: ?We do not promise to solve the long-term problems caused by a small minority of nuisance youths, but we can do something about the litter.
?The Clean Team will be carrying out its September litter pick at Greystone Rec next Sunday from 2 pm.
?Any local residents will be more than welcome to join us, either just for the afternoon or to become regular members of the team. We?d like people to come along and help us make a difference!?
Two men beaten up
by gang of thugs
by staff reporter
TWO men were beaten up by a gang of about eight thugs in Mercer Street, Burtonwood near Warrington.
The men, aged 19 and 23, from Newton-le-Willows were walking towards the Co-op store in Mercer Street at about 1.30am.
They were approached by a man who started an argument. He then left the scene ? but returned with a gang of other men.
The two victims were then attacked and the 19-year-old suffered a fractured leg which required hospital treatment and the 23-year-old suffered a minor head injury.
The eight attackers were said to be aged in their late 20s to early 30s and were of stocky build. One was wearing jeans and a shirt.
Anyone who witnessed the assault is asked to call DC Jackie Daniels on 01244 613845.
