Anti-Paedophile Agency Row Continues

The government are being urged to reconsider plans that would affect the independence of the agency combating online paedophiles after its boss quit in protest. Chief Executive of the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (Ceop) Centre, Jim Gamble, resigned over a proposal to incorporate it into a new National Crime Agency. He believed the move was not in the "best interests" to support vulnerable children. The Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) said it was "in firm support" of Ceop remaining as a stand-alone agency. Chief Constable Keith Bristow, Acpo's Head of Crime, said: "If government choose not to support this option, then Acpo would seek to be consulted on whatever new governance arrangements are put in place." Shadow Home Secretary Alan Johnson went further, saying the government's plans would "harm child safety networks".

Birmingham High Speed Rail Network Confirmed

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has announced government preferences for taking high speed rail north of Birmingham. The government will consult early next year on building a ‘Y’ shaped high speed rail network with separate legs from the West Midlands to each of Manchester and Leeds. A Y shaped route would allow the East Midlands and South Yorkshire to be served by the high speed rail network, as well as Leeds, Manchester and the North West. Philip Hammond said: "We have committed to a high speed rail network that will change the social and economic geography of Britain; connecting our great population centres and our international gateways; transforming the way Britain works as profoundly as the coming of the original railways did in the mid-19th century. So we will consult in the New Year on the strategic roll-out of a High Speed Rail network and on our preferred route for the first leg between London and Birmingham. But I can announce today that the government’s preferred option for High Speed Rail north of Birmingham will be for two separate corridors. One direct to Manchester, and then connecting on to the West Coast Mainline, and the other via the East Midlands and South Yorkshire – with stations in both areas – before connecting to the East Coast Mainline north of Leeds. The so-called “Y” option.”

Restoration Firm Fined After Wall Collapse

A Wiltshire construction company has been prosecuted after a teenager was seriously injured in a wall collapse. Simon Jones Restoration and Re-design Limited pleaded guilty to health and safety breaches at Chippenham Magistrates Court today. The prosecution was brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) who investigated the incident which took place on 24 August 2009. Two employees were carrying out refurbishment work to a large domestic property in Chirton, Devizes, which had been in a poor condition for a number of years. They were creating an opening in a lime mortar gable end wall when the wall collapsed, injuring both workers. The seriously hurt teenager, who does not want to be named, was aged 17 at the time of the incident. He suffered a fractured pelvis, ligament damage to his ankle and chipped teeth. Mark Renouf, HSE Inspector said: “This was a serious case which could easily have been fatal. The job was complex with a substantial element of temporary works. It needed to be carefully and meticulously planned with the involvement of a competent engineer. Unfortunately this was not done and as a result led to terrible consequences.” The company, of Foxtwitchen, East Kennett, Marlborough, Wiltshire, were fined £4,000, with £3,000 costs and ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to the injured teenager.

(BMcN/GK)