Manhunt after attacks
on motorway lorries
by David Skentelbery
POLICE have launched a major manhunt after a determined attempt to hi-jack a heavy lorry in the Warrington area.
The offenders appeared to have followed the driver after failing in a bid to steal from his lorry at the Poplars Truck Stop near Lymm and then tried to rob him again at the Burtonwood Service Area on the M62.
At least four people are believed to have been involved in the incident.
Police said a lorry driver in his 40s parked his vehicle at Poplars and went to sleep in his cab.
He was awoken by two men trying to break into the lorry ? and the pair fled.
The driver decided not to stay any longer at Poplars and, in the early hours of the morning, drove to Burtonwood Services where he again parked up on the westbound service area, close to the petrol filling station.
Later he saw a dark coloured Audi car arrive, carrying four men, one wearing a high visibility jacket.
A short time afterwards a man aged about 35 approached him, wearing a high visibility jacket with the word ?Security? on the back.
Some time later the man returned, with a second man, about 5ft 10 inches tall with short dark hair. They identified themselves as being from Customs and Excise and asked the driver to get out of his cab. When he declined they tried to drag him out of the lorry.
But he managed to stop them and the men fled in a dark coloured car.
Police are seeking witness who saw anything suspicious at either Poplars or Burtonwood who should call DC Gordon Wilson on 01244 613834.
In another incident, three men armed with iron bars hi-jacked a lorry laden with bottles of shampoo from Burtonwood Services. The driver suffered face injuries which required hospital and was dumped in Merseyside.
The lorry was later found burned out near Southport.
Police are appealing for information and anyone who can help should call PC Jackie Daniels on 01244 613845.
Ombudsman brought into
school demolition row
by staff reporter
THE row over proposals to demolish the century old Stockton Heath Primary School has resulted in a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman.
Angry parents campaigning to save the school claim Warrington Borough Council failed to carry out adequate public consultation.
A protest meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) will give objectors an opportunity contribute to battle plans to block proposals to demolish the school and replace it with a ?3.9 million new school which has already been condemned as resembling a warehouse.
Nearly 5,000 people have now signed a petition opposing demolition of the school and objectors claim the scheme is opposed by the majority of local people.
The issue has already triggered the resignation of a member of the local parish council ? Patrick Mullee ? who is now a leading campaigner for the action group fighting the proposals.
Action group spokesman Richie Wells said: “We firmly believe this proposal is cost driven because it is ?500,000 cheaper than the alternative option of refurbishing the existing school.”
He claimed there had been inadequate consultation with parents and local residents.
Stockton Heath Primary School (pictured above)was designed by well-known North West architect Joseph Holt in 1907. It is a landmark building in the village and is typical of Victorian-style school buildings.
Coun Colin Froggatt, executive members for children’s services at Warrington Borough Council said: “The children and their education take priority and as the new build will be completed sooner than a repair programme, the option will result in the least disruption to their learning.”
Tomorrow’s meeting is at St Thomas’ Church Hall, Stockton Heath at 8pm.
Raiders set fire to
car valeting unit
by staff reporter
RAIDERS who broke into a car valeting workshop in Old Liverpool Road, Sankey Bridges, Warrington, started a fire which caused extensive damage.
Police are investigating the incident which occurred in the early hours of the morning.
Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus tackled the blaze which destroyed 35 new tyres, a work station and office equipment.
But it was discovered that a number of cars had been scratched by the intruders and several car stereo units stolen.
In another incident, firefighters were called to a house in Leicester Street, Warrington this morning when a 10-year-old boy was trapped in his bedroom as a result of a faulty door latch.
They eventually had to force the door to release the boy.
Does Santa know the
law on mini bikes?
by staff reporter
WITH scooters and mini motorbikes still a popular choice of gift amongst youngsters it’s likely Santa will be delivering a fair few to homes in Warrington this Christmas.
But before he does, police want to make sure everyone is aware of the rules that surround the use of these machines.
Available in two models; battery powered, or petrol driven, motorized scooters are classed as ?motor vehicles? as defined by the Road Traffic Act. Many people don?t realise they cannot legally be used on the road unless riders abide by a number of laws.
To be used on the road, or in any place to which the public has access, scooters would have to be registered with the DVLA, taxed and fitted with a number plate.
They must also meet meet all construction and use requirements and have a European Whole Vehicle Type Approval In addition the rider would have to hold a valid driver licence, be insured and wear a proper motor cycle helmet.
If riders fail to abide by these restrictions the only area where these machines can be driven legally is on private land and with the land owner’s consent.
PCSO Daren Dennis, of the Warrington South Neighbourhood Policing Unit said: “It’s important for parents and guardians to think carefully before purchasing a scooter or mini motorbike for their child. They need to consider the laws that govern the use of such machines to make sure their child doesn’t end up in trouble with the police.
“Riding on pavements is no excuse as these machines cannot legally be used on footpaths.
“We are not out to spoil anyone’s fun, we just want to make sure riders and other road users are safe and that everyone knows the rules.”
Mayoress in appeal
for carol concert
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON?S Mayoress, Karen Mundry, has appealed to the public to turn out in force for a free carol concert at Golden Square this Sunday, November 20 at 3pm.
Warrington Male Voice Choir and the Band of the Warrington Corps of the Salvation Army are joining forces for the concert.
They will sing and play for one hour to raise as much money as possible for their ?Homeless at Christmas? campaign.
Coun Mundry said: ?At Christmas, we become very aware of family life and values, of togetherness, and the giving of gifts.
?Every day, as we walk around, we see people who live on the fringes of society, sometimes in rags and often with a bottle of cheap booze or apparently under the influence of drugs or solvent abuse. It is very easy to slip into stereotypical assumptions and, become, wrongly, judgemental.
?Often these people have arrived at this destination through a variety of diverse and tragic circumstances, frequently through no fault of their own making.
?One organisation works throughout the year, helping, guiding and occasionally accommodating the wide diversity of this transient population, unquestioning, non-judgemental, and without reference to race, colour, creed or dependency – the Salvation Army.
?The concert gives the opportunity for the public of greater Warrington to help them in their quest to provide a “family” Christmas for those who are less fortunate than themselves.?
Coun Mundry said anyone wishing to donate to the fund could do so by writing to her, The Mayoress of Warrington, “Homele
ss at Christmas Campaign”, The Salvation Army, Warrington, WA1 2BQ.
Hospital warning
on lung cancer
by John Hendon
WARRINGTON Hospital has issued a warning about lung cancer ? and the value of early diagnosis in saving lives.
Anyone with any doubts should get themselves checked early, says Karen Mason, lead cancer manager and nurse at North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and Karen and information boards have been set up at Warrington Hospital.
Karen said: “Lung cancer is now the UK’s biggest cancer killer in men and women, with 94 people a day dying from the disease.
“From working in North Cheshire, I know it is a real problem in Halton and Warrington, one that everyone should be aware of.
“Hopefully by raising awareness of the symptoms and encouraging people to visit their GP, we can reduce the number of deaths from the disease. It is so important that people are aware of their general health and notice anything different or unusual, particularly if they are a smoker or have been a smoker in the past. If lung cancer is diagnosed early, chances of survival are increased by 40 times.”
While smoking is a major risk factor for lung cancer, 15 per cent of people who develop lung cancer have never smoked.
Karen added: “Giving up smoking can bring a number of benefits to your health, including guarding against several forms of cancer. That is one of the reasons why the Trust has implemented a Smoke Free Policy at our sites in Halton and Warrington.
“Eating a balanced diet and keeping fit can also play an important role in guarding against the condition and safeguarding your health generally”.
The main symptoms of lung cancer are any coughing up blood, repeated chest infections, having a persistent cough for more than three weeks and feeling more tired than usual.
Others are feeling out of breath, lost voice while throat seems fine, chest pains, losing weight but not sure why and swelling in face and neck.
If any of the above symptoms are experienced for more than three weeks, people are urged to visit their GP. Anyone coughing up blood should contact their GP immediately.
Motorists slip back
into bad old ways
by staff reporter
MOTORISTS are slipping back into bad old habits when it comes to drinking and driving, according to Cheshire Police.
National figures show a rise in the number of people drinking and driving, reversing the trend of recent years.
As a result police in the Warrington area will be conducting roadside checks to drive home that message that having any amount of drink and then driving is unacceptable.
An average of 3,000 people are killed or seriously injured each year in drink drive collisions. One in six of all deaths on the road involve drivers who are over the legal alcohol limit.
In recent years there has been an increase in the number of people failing the breath test in the morning ? an indication of heavy drinking the night before.
This year, Cheshire police are asking members of the public to assist in the crackdown on drinking and driving by voting for one of three roads to be named by the local media. The road come under the spotlight for stop checks will be those which police intelligence indicates are used by persistent drink drivers.
Last Christmas, 5,700 breath tests were carried out in Cheshire and 570 people failed the test and were prosecuted.
Morning after
the night before
A SUNDAY morning clean-up around Stockton Heath village centre, to clear up after Saturday night revellers, has been reinstated by Warrington Borough Council. Stockton Heath Parish Council heard the session would continue until March, subject to funding.
