County says "Don't forget North Wales"

Denbighshire County Council says it recognises the need for investment for the transport infrastructure in South East Wales, as announced by the Welsh Government this week - but is asking what are the plans for the North Wales region.

The Council's comments follow an announcement by Transport  Minister Edwina Hart of  a £1 billion investment in a relief road for the M4 motorway in the Newport area.

Whilst the Council recognises the need for investment in the heavily populated areas of the South East, it wants some reassurances that funding could also be made available for infrastructure projects in North Wales too. 

Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE, said: "There are two transport infrastructure issues that need addressing in North Wales.

"The A55 arterial route across the region is a vital road connection from east to west and there is a desperate need to invest in improving its condition. It is one of the main road networks connecting Wales with Ireland and is an important part of the infrastructure from an economic benefit perspective.

"There is also a strong need for modernising the rail network linking North Wales with other regions. 

"The North Wales region has commissioned a study to quantify the benefits of modernising the rail network and early indications are that there would be significant benefits.  We would urge the Welsh Government and Westminster to consider the findings when they become available.

"The North Wales main line is a key economic asset, with the potential to significantly enhance accessibility for the whole of the region.  Better rail connectivity would help address the economic and social challenges. It would also assist the tourism industry - we need the infrastructure in place to make our region a lot more accessible to visitors.

"We currently have good connectivity to London, and Cardiff to a certain extent.  However there are weaknesses in services from North Wales to Manchester, Liverpoool and the regional airports and this needs to be addressed. 

"We have also been keeping a watching brief on the Chancellor's proposal to create a high speed rail link between Manchester and Leeds, which could be a catalyst for economic growth for the North West of England. However, North Wales needs to capitalise on existing opportunities in the north west so it's vitally important that fast regular rail services are developed beyond the current service level now. 

"Whilst we recognise the need for investment in South Wales, we must not become the forgotten region in the North."

New Deepcut inquest ordered

The BBC is reporting this morning that a new inquest has been ordered into the death of soldier Pte Cheryl James at Deepcut barracks in Surrey.

The 18-year-old from Denbighshire, who grew up in Llangollen, died in November 1995. The High Court ordered a fresh inquest after a challenge by her family.

See the full story at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28364291#"

Railway steams back to the 60s

Llangollen Railway is steaming back to the swinging decade on July 26 and 27.

That’s when the heritage railway will be staging it fifth 1960's weekend.

The timetable is similar to its recent Classic Transport weekend, with the addition of two Saturday evening trips.

As well as returning campers to Glyndyfrdwy and Carrog, these trains are also available for railway members and volunteers to enjoy.

The locomotives 80072 and 3802 should be in steam.

Class 26 D5310 will work three trips each day and two railcars - expected to be the Class 109 and Class 127 – will complete the line-up.

Some railcar services will run to Bonwm.

Free vintage bus rides will be on offer between Llangollen and Carrog, using two vehicles from the North West Museum of Transport, calling at Berwyn and Glyndyfrdwy en route.

The railway’s popular vintage vehicle rally will be staged in the field behind Glyndyfrdwy station.

Dr Beeching's real ale bar can be enjoyed on Llangollen station throughout the weekend.

The bar will have seven draught local real ales for you to try, along with bottled lagers, wines and soft drinks.

Real ale is available at £2.50 a pint. Not quite 1960s prices but still a bargain.

Retro-themed trade stands can be found at Llangollen station, including Craftevan, with a range of original Mini and VW camper-themed gifts along with some superb vintage clothes.

Saturday night will see live music on Llangollen station - resident stars Matt and Sophie will be joined by Elvis to entertain you from around 7.30pm.

Answers demanded on overnight hospital discharges

Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, is calling for an investigation into why nearly 20,000 hospital patients in Wales have been discharged in the middle of the night.

Official figures show that, since 2012, the number of patients discharged between 11pm and 6am by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board which covers Llangollen - including patients who discharged themselves – totals 6,672.

And research by the Welsh Liberal Democrats, via the Freedom of Information Act, reveal that across Wales 19,702 patients have been discharged overnight since in the past two years.

The party discovered that not a single health board in Wales records the reasons why patients have been discharged. 

It is also currently not mandatory for boards to track the leaving time of patients and therefore many have admitted that their data is not necessarily ‘complete or accurate’. 

Cardiff and Vale UHB was the only health board to withhold the information.

The figures collated are for inpatients only.  Inpatient means that the procedure requires the patient to be admitted to the hospital, primarily so that he or she can be closely monitored during the procedure and afterwards, during recovery.

Kirsty Williams AM said: “It is shocking that nearly 20,000 patients were discharged in the middle of the night. The Welsh Labour Government needs to get to the bottom about why these figures are so startlingly high.

“While these figures are just the raw data, behind each of these stats there is a personal story.  I want to know why it’s considered reasonable for thousands of people to be leaving hospital at such anti-social hours.  I am particularly worried that many of these patients could be elderly or vulnerable.

“There are sometimes valid reasons for patients to be released from hospitals in the middle of the night.  However, these figures are exceptionally high and I am concerned that the well-known pressure on beds could be leading to people being discharged at inappropriate times.

“The current system for collating this important data isn’t fit for purpose.  Hospitals aren’t properly recording why and when patients are being discharged. 

“This is potentially a major problem that is slipping under the radar. We are calling on the Welsh Labour Government to ensure this data is recorded accurately and thoroughly so we can see the extent of the problem.”  

Other Welsh health board figures for overnight patient discharges are:

* Abertawe Bro Morgannwg UHB – 3,177

* Aneurin Bevan HB – 2,907

* Cwm Taf HB – 3,831

* Hywel Dda HB – 3,105

* Powys Teaching HB – 10

Police operation snares suspected paedophiles

North Wales Police has been working with the National Crime Agency (NCA) on an "unprecedented" six-month operation which has led to the arrest of 660 suspected paedophiles across the UK.

 

Nationally more than 400 children have been safeguarded.

 

In North Wales eight people have been arrested as a result of this operation which has involved forces across the UK.

 

Of the 660, 39 people were Registered Sex Offenders but the majority of those arrested had not previously come to law enforcement’s attention.

 

The operation targeted people accessing indecent images of children online. It has stayed covert till today in order to protect children, identify offenders and secure evidence. The NCA and its partners are not revealing the methods they used to track down suspects so that they can use the same tactics again in the future.

 

Charging decisions are awaited in most cases but so far charges brought range from possessing indecent images of children to serious sexual assault.

 

Detective Chief Superintendent Wayne Jones said: "North Wales Police have been actively working with the National Crime Agency on this operation for some time, in order to target people who access indecent images of children online.

“Our primary objective has been to protect children from harm, identify offenders and secure evidence. We will continue to work covertly to catch those people who engage in such offences.

 

“Offenders may feel safe at home, thinking they can anonymously access the internet to view indecent images online. They should be absolutely clear that this is not the case as the operation shows. We will continue to do all we can to identify these people, arrest them and protect children."

 

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick CB QC said: "I have made a clear commitment in my Crime and Police Plan to the continued development of proactive capability in identifying perpetrators of child sexual exploitation, including those accessing indecent images of children through the internet.

 

"The work undertaken by the National Crime Agency is a tremendous step forward in tackling such crimes, as is the subsequent work undertaken locally by North Wales Police.

 

"The perpetrators of these terrible crimes can't remain hidden forever and this work demonstrates the benefits of collectively working to protect children from harm. We will continue to root them out and bring them to justice.

 

NCA Deputy Director General Phil Gormley said: “This is the first time the UK has had the capability to coordinate a single targeted operation of this nature. Over the past six months we have seen unprecedented levels of cooperation to deliver this result.

 

“Our aim was to protect children who were victims of, or might be at risk of, sexual exploitation. A child is victimised not only when they are abused and an image is taken. They are re-victimised every time that image is viewed by someone.

 

“Some of the people who start by accessing indecent images online go on to abuse children directly. So the operation is not only about catching people who have already offended – it is about influencing potential offenders before they cross that line

 

“We want those offenders to know that the internet is not a safe anonymous space for accessing indecent images, that they leave a digital footprint, and that law enforcement will find it."

Shoplifting hotspots revealed

The BBC says sit has discovered that Asda in Wrexham has recorded the highest level of shoplifting of any store in Wales over the past three years with 350 offences

Fore more details, see:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-28313861

Police launch summer School Watch scheme

With the school holidays about to begin, a scheme which encourages people to keep a close eye on their local school has been launched across Conwy and Denbighshire.

 

Keeping schools free from crime at all times of the year but particularly during school holidays is the main aim of School Watch.

 

Now in its 10th year, it encourages parents, residents, and teachers as well as the emergency services and the local authorities to work together to keep schools and their immediate surrounding areas safe, free from crime and anti-social behaviour.

 

Recently, pupils at Ysgol Pant Yr Rhedyn in Llanfairfechan had the opportunity to learn a little more about the scheme and also about the work of police and their partners as School Watch was launched in the county of Conwy.

 

The importance of keeping safe over the summer holidays was also stressed to the youngsters who also had an opportunity to explore a number of emergency service vehicles that had been taken along especially for the launch.

 

Year seven and eight pupils at Prestatyn High School also had the same valuable insight when the scheme was launched on Wednesday, July 2, at the school for Denbighshire.

 

The work is being undertaken by North Wales Police as part of the Summer Safety campaign.

 

Ifan Hughes, Divisional Crime Reduction Manager said: “We hope that everyone will continue to support School Watch which has been running for a number of years.

 

* Police officers visit a school.

“Sadly, school buildings can become a target for vandalism and graffiti over the summer beak and we are calling on residents who live nearby and anyone who sees any suspicious activity around a school to please support us by getting in touch on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers.”

 

Carly Wilson, Planning & Resources Manager said: “Denbighshire are proud to be working with North Wales Police on such a positive initiative. Our schools buildings are a valuable resource for our pupils and we will support any measures that can be taken to protect them"

 

Cllr Wyn Jones, Conwy Council’s Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning & Skills said: “With the help of parents and the local community through the School Watch campaign we can prevent criminal damage to our schools and reduce the possibility of disruption to our pupils and their education.”

 

“We rely on members of the public for their support,” added Ifan Hughes.” We ask people that if they live near or overlook a school and see anything suspicious to please report it.”

 

Leaflets and posters have been distributed throughout North Wales, reminding the public of the scheme which also aims to help stamp out mindless acts which not only affects the school, but the whole community.

 

Anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour in or around schools or at school buildings is urged to contact North Wales Police. If you witness a crime in progress always dial 999. Non-emergency calls should be made to 101 or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.