- Six men have been
charged over human trafficking offences in Shropshire.
On Tuesday seven people, six men
and one woman were arrested following raids on a number
of properties in the Wellignton area as part of an ongoing
investigation into an alleged child sex ring.
The raids were executed as part
of an ongoing multi-agency investigation, in conjunction
with groups including the local council and primary
care trust.
The arrests are thought to be
part of an ongoing investigation in which five men were
charged in connection with a child sex ring involving
nine teenage girls, last December.
The six men will appear at Telford
Magistrates Court later today, a woman was released
on bail.
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West Mercia Police
has been rated "Good" in an assesment by HMIC
(Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary) and has
received promising results in several categories.
The force has been rated as 'good' for confidence and
satisfaction, solving crimes, reducing crime, local
policing, visible presence in neighbourhoods, reducing
road death and injury and meeting the standards of the
Policing Pledge. West Mercia Police has also been graded
as ‘excellent' for preventing knife crime.
The force received a ‘good/excellent' grading
for comparative satisfaction of our BME (Black and Minority
Ethnic) community.
HMIC inspects and regulates all 43 forces in England
and Wales. The Police Report Card was published this
morning and all forces received either a poor, fair,
good or excellent rating in 18 categories.
West Mercia received
no ‘poor' grades from HMIC and they also commented
that, by national standards, West Mercia Police is a
low-cost force. Local council tax payers contribute
34% to the cost of policing Herefordshire, Shropshire,
Telford & Wrekin and Worcestershire.
Deputy Chief Constable David Shaw said: "It is
important for public confidence in the police that forces
are held to account - for example, by police authorities
and residents' Partners And Communities Together (PACT)
committees. We welcome the HMIC Report Card as a way
for the public to understand the work we do to keep
them safe and how well we are doing it.
"We feel a sense of satisfaction the HMIC has recognised
West Mercia Police as one of the better performing forces
in the country and it is testament to the hard work
put in by all our officers and staff, as well as the
good relationships we have with our partner agencies,
local communities and the West Mercia Police Authority.
Sheila Blagg, chairman
of West Mercia Police Authority, added: "West Mercia
Police Authority is pleased to receive the latest HMIC
assessment that recognises the delivery of above average
policing across Herefordshire, Shropshire Telford &
Wrekin and Worcestershire.
"West Mercia is the fourth
largest force area in England and Wales; it covers 2,868
square miles and spans three counties. As a police authority
we are committed to the delivery of efficient and effective
service for our communities so that they can continue
to enjoy a good quality of life in a safe environment
and at a cost that offers best value."
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- 11/03/10
A decision due today by Shropshire
Council on a retrospective planning application made
by Tesco in Shrewsbury has been deferred.
The application to increase the
space it uses for non-grocery products has been withdrawn
by Tesco following an objection by the Campaign to Protect
Rural England Shropshire.
The CPRE objected to the retrospective
application on technical grounds relating to the description
of the usage of space.
A decision was previously deferred
last month to allow Shropshire Council planning officers
further time to consider new guidance on the application.
Shrewsbury Councillor Dr Maxwell
Winchester also wrote to the Secretary of State John
Healey claiming that Shropshire Council planning officers
are going against planning guidelines to recommend the
application is approved.
Tesco wanted to stock an extra 152 sq metres of non-food
items, which will include electrical items, clothing,
home-style and recreational items.
In December, it was revealed that the store had been
using 20 per cent more space for the sale of non-grocery
items since it opened in April 2007.
Andy Boddington, Vice Chairman of the Campaign to Protect
Rural England said: "Over the years, I've seen
many small businesses and householders told to tear
down an extension because it doesn't have planning permission."
"The supermarket giants however inevitably get
away with breeches of planning permission.”
“There are two reasons for
this. Planning officers do not understand economics,
especially retail economics, so they are out of their
depth when assessing these applications. The second
reason is that the planners, and councillors, know the
supermarkets will challenge any refusal through appeal
and the courts."
“CPRE Shropshire objected
to the retrospective application on technical grounds
relating to the description of the usage of space, it’s
because of this, Tesco themselves deferred the application.”
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Voters in three parish
wards are going to the polls today to decide who will
represent them on their parish councils.
By elections are being held for
the Hadley and Leegomery Ward of Hadley & Leegomery
Parish Council, the Central Ward of Lawley & Overdale
Parish Council and the Oakengates Ward of Oakengates
Town Council.
Polling stations for the elections
will be open from 7am until 10pm today.
Returning officer Victor Brownlees
said: “I hope that as many voters as possible
will make sure that they take part in this election
because their vote can influence the local services
that they receive.”
The vacancies for the have arisen
following the recent resignation of Stephen Durling
from Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council, the death
of Pauline Picken who was a member of Lawley and Overdale
Parish Council and the death of David Warner who was
a member of Oakengates Town Council.
Telford & Wrekin Council said
they will publish the results of the by-elections on
its website as soon as these are known after the polls
close this evening.
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A Memorial Service for Hugh McFall will take place at
St John’s Church, High Street, Weston Rhyn at
12.30pm on Friday.
On Tuesday around 700 friends and family members of
Susan and Frankie McFall paid tribute to them at a their
memorial service in Oswestry.
The service which was held at St Oswald’s Parish
Church was lead by Reverend Simon Thorburn. As requested
freinds and family attending all wore bright colours
to reflect the personalities of the two women.
Earlier in the day, family members attended Emstrey
Crematorium in Shrewsbury, services wre held first for
Hugh McFall followed by his wife Susan and their daughter
Fancesca.
Susan McFall, 56, and her 18-year-old daughter Francesca
McFall were found dead at their family home in Hampton
Road, Oswestry at around 5am on Friday 4 February.
Father and Husband Hugh McFall, 48, was found dead
at his rented business unit on Ellesmere Road, St. Martins
a short time later. It is believed that Mr McFall, carried
out the murders and called the police to tell them as
he made his way to St. Martins to commit suicide.
Police believe he killed his wife and daughter before
taking his own life, investigations into the deaths
are ongoing.
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A photo of missing Hayden
Reynolds-Evans on the day he went missing. |
Detectives
leading the search for a Shrewsbury teenager who
has not been seen or heard from in over a month
today renewed an appeal for information.
Officers continue to actively investigate the
disappearance of Hayden Reynolds-Evans, 18, who
was last seen when he left The Albion Vaults pub
in the town centre just after 10pm on Monday,
1st February.
A specialist team was brought in yesterday to
carry out a search of the River Severn using sonar
equipment, the results of which are currently
being analysed.
Detective Inspector Ernie Locke, who is leading
the search for Mr Reynolds-Evans, said they were
still keen to speak to anyone who might have been
in that area on the night the teenager went missing.
He said: “We have yet to trace a cyclist
who was seen on CCTV riding past The Gateway Arts
and Education Centre a few seconds after a man
we believe to be Hayden walked passed in the opposite
direction.
“I would like to once more appeal to that
cyclist to get in touch with police on 0300 333
3000 as a matter of urgency. |
“We also believe that there
was a group of young males in the Coton Hill area that
evening that may have been there at the time Hayden
was last seen. They may also have information that could
assist our investigation and I would urge them to contact
us.
“Although it was a few weeks
ago, if people could please think back to that night
and whether they were in the Coton Hill area between
about 9.30pm and 11.30pm. No matter how insignificant
it might seem, someone may just have that small piece
of the puzzle that could help us find Hayden.
“Hayden’s family is
desperately worried about him and we are doing everything
we can to try and find him.”
DI Locke also made a direct appeal
to Mr Reynolds-Evans himself. “I am asking Hayden,
if he sees or hears this appeal, to please contact police
immediately on 0300 333 3000 or to go to his nearest
police station to let us know that he is safe and well.”
Mr Reynolds-Evans went missing
after returning by train from a trip to Liverpool with
friends. He left Shrewsbury Railway Station and went
into The Albion Vaults opposite a little after 10pm
that night, saying he would see his friends at The Bird
in Hand pub in Coton Hill.
However, despite leaving by the rear door of the pub
a few moments later and heading along Cheshire Street
in the direction of Coton Hill, he never arrived and
was reported missing to police when he failed to make
contact with his family and friends.
He continues to be treated as
a high risk missing person, as it is completely out
of character for him to disappear in such a way. The
investigation is being overseen by Detective Chief Inspector
Neil Jamieson, head of CID in Shropshire Division.
Anyone with information
which might help in the search for Hayden is asked to
contact police on 0300 333 3000 as a matter of urgency.
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Police officers in
Telford are investigating following an assault in Telford
Shopping Centre at the bus station on Tuesday.
Around 6pm a 19-year-old woman
was waiting for her bus when four girls started to behave
in quite an intimidating manner. One of the girls pushed
a lady who was waiting for another bus and the victim
stepped in and told the girl to leave the lady alone.
The girl responded by punching
the victim in the face before getting on to a nearby
bus with the other three girls and leaving the scene.
A police spokesman said: “It
appears that the victim dropped her mobile phone when
she was struck by the girl and witnesses have stated
that one of the other girls picked it up and took it
before they all ran from the scene.
“The phone that the victim
lost during this incident is described as a Samsung
Touch mobile phone while she also suffered minor bruising
to her cheek as a result of the punch she received.
“Anyone who has information
about this incident, or who may have seen the group
of girls who were behaving in an intimidating manner
at the bus station, is asked to contact the police on
0300 333 3000. Alternatively, please remember that Crimestoppers
can also be called anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you
have information you’d like to pass on without
identifying yourself.”
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Following the recent success of introductory sessions
on how to do basic searches on Ancestry Online, Telford
& Wrekin libraries are running further sessions
at different libraries across the borough.
The session’s last one hour and cover useful
searching techniques for census records, births, marriages
and deaths, as well as immigration and emigration records.
The next sessions are at Stirchley library on Tuesday,
16 March from 2 to 3pm and 3.15pm to 4.15pm. Booking
is essential. Please telephone 01952 382980 to reserve
your place.
Details of other sessions can be found in the latest
What’s On, available in all libraries, or on the
library website www.telford.gov.uk/libraries
Councillor Stephen Bentley, Cabinet Member for Leisure
and Culture, said “We are delighted with the response
for these sessions and received very positive feedback.
“People who attended are now more confident to
explore ancestry and it has fired their enthusiasm to
trace their own family history.”
Ancestry is available free of charge to library members
and can be accessed from all Telford & Wrekin libraries.
Ask at your local library for more details.
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Shropshire Council’s Walking for Health project
and the Lifestyle Fitness gym are joining forces to
provide health walks in Radbrook starting today.
Residents are encouraged to come along to the first
health walk at Lifestyle Fitness off Radbrook Green
Shopping Centre car park on Bank Farm Road at 1.50pm
for a 2pm start.
The walk will last no longer than 40 minutes and will
cater for all abilities, led by trained volunteer walk
leaders.
As part of the national Walking for Health campaign,
the walks aim to encourage people, particularly those
who take little exercise, to do regular short walks
in their communities and improve their health.
Becky Johns, Shropshire Council’s Walking for
Health Officer, said: “Walking can keep your heart
strong, reduce blood pressure, give you more energy
and help manage your weight. Regular outings with your
local group are a brilliant way to get active and keep
exercise interesting.”
For more information, please call (01743) 255059.
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