MORE JOBS FOR THE GIRLS

SEXIST and outdated public perceptions about job opportunities for women in the rail industry are a damaging barrier to building the bigger and better railway Britain needs, according to Network Rail chief executive Iain Coucher.

Network Rail is launching a campaign to attract more talented women to the company, further improving the overall skills of the workforce and addressing the poor male/female balance. It will begin by aiming to attract more women to its award winning apprenticeship scheme, which since its inception in 2005 has received only around 2% of applications from women.

Iain Coucher, chief executive of Network Rail said:- "The image of the railway as an old-fashioned, heavy industry is not the picture of what I see today. I see a modern company, using 21st century technology needing a highly skilled workforce to maintain and deliver a successful and growing railway. We need more exceptional women to join us at Network Rail. I'm sure that they are put off by an outdated image of what we do and what we need. This is a scandalous waste.

All of us; industry, educators and government, must work harder to promote the fantastic career opportunities open to both men and women in the rail industry and engineering as a whole. If not, Britain will miss out on leading the world in this field."

In a recent GlideInsight survey for Network Rail, when asked who a career in railway engineering best suited, 47% of those polled said mainly or only men. When asked if enough was done in schools to promote a career to women in this area, 45% said unequivocally no, with nearly half agreeing that not enough is done.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT "ICE" IS ON A MOBILE PHONE?

THE letters ICE stand for "In Case of Emergency". 'ICE' is a way of letting Police and Paramedics to find out who to call if you are ever in an accident or were taken ill. We all carry our mobile phones with names & numbers stored on them, but instead of say home or your wife's name etc. 'ICE' makes it quicker to find the numbers belong to our closest family or friends. Remember you might know who people are, but if you ant tell anyone, who would they know who is the one is the contact person in case of an emergency? If you have a few numbers you can simply enter 'ICE1', 'ICE2' and 'ICE3' etc. A great idea that will make a difference! Help pass this simple idea and tell your friends and family. Let's spread the concept of 'ICE' by storing an 'ICE' number in our Mobile phones today!

RE-APPEAL FOR INFORMATION, SHOTS FIRED QUEENS DRIVE

MERSEYSIDE Police Detectives investigating an incident in which convenience store was damaged by shots being fired, are urging members of the public to come forward.

The incident took place yesterday, Monday, 25 January 2010, at the Tesco Express Store on Queens Drive at around 3pm.

Although the motive remains unknown, detectives believe the discharge was a targeted attack against two men who were on foot in the area. The men did not stop at the scene and officers are currently working to trace them.

Officers are particularly keen to trace the driver of what is thought to be a private hire taxi. It is possible that the two victims had been passengers in this taxi before the incident and officers would urge the driver to come forward. The taxi is described only as a dark coloured Skoda.

Officers are also keen to trace anyone who may have seen another car, that has since been recovered. The car, a dark coloured Saab, registration LB56 HPE was recovered in Wylva Road, Anfield last night. Officers believe it that this was a stolen car and was on false license plates.

Detective Superintendent Martin Andrew said:- "We are particularly keen to trace anyone who saw either of these vehicles before, during or after this incident.

We don't believe that the taxi driver was still in the area at the time of the shots being fired. It is thought, however, that they may have had the intended victims in his or her car immediately prior to the incident and they may have information that could assist with our enquiries.

We have recovered the Saab in the Anfield area and forensic examinations are on-going. We would however like to speak to anyone who saw the car being driven on Queens Drive at around the time of the attack.

We are working to trace the movements of this car and would like to speak to anyone in the Anfield area, who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in Wylva Road.

We are committed to ensuring that the streets of Merseyside are safe to live, work and visit for all our communities and we have stepped up patrols in the area to provide reassurance to members of the public, while enquiries are on-going. Anyone with any information about this incident can contact the Matrix team on:- 0151 777 5699 or Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111."