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Arrests made at
illegal tyre sites
ENVIRONMENT Agency
investigators, supported by Lancashire Police and Greater Manchester
Police forces, raided 3 sites across the North West, to seize
evidence, as part of Operation Broadway.
Action is being taken to protect the livelihoods of legitimate
business owners and to safeguard surrounding communities. Illegally
hoarded used tyres pose a serious fire risk and a blaze would
produce toxic fumes and air pollution triggering an evacuation. The
Environment Agency is working with the Lancashire Fire Service and
Greater Manchester Fire Service to ensure steps are taken to make
the sites safe.
Operation Broadway, which has been running for seven months, is one
of the National Environmental Crime Team's major ongoing
investigations. Other cases include those involving exports of
illegal waste, organised criminal networks, or industrial scale
fly-tipping.
Mat Crocker, Environment Agency Head of Illegals and Waste, said:-
"The Environment Agency will protect the legitimate recycling
industry by being robust in tracking down waste criminals and
bringing them to justice. As well as undercutting small businesses,
waste crime risks damaging public health and the environment."
Louis Hunt, Environment Agency Senior Investigating Officer, said:-
"This raid has been a success; this progress in Operation
Broadway has only been possible with vital support from the police
and fire services and intelligence shared through 'Project Genga'.
This is an ongoing investigation and we would urge anyone with
suspicions or knowledge of illegal waste activities to contact the
Environment Agency on:- 0800 807060 or Crimestoppers on:- 0800
555111."
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service's Station Manager Jim Fowler
said:- "The steps taken this morning were necessary to keep
the area around the site in Blackburn safe. The illegal activities
that have been carried out on the premises put the local community
at risk. Fire Safety Enforcement Officers are investigating the site
to establish whether there have been any breaches of the Fire Safety
Order and actions will be taken against the owners if they are
required."
Waste crime deals a lethal blow to legitimate small businesses and
risks major pollution incidents. Tyres can and should be recycled
and made into useful new products. Legitimate businesses in the
region have found their businesses scuppered by an illegal rogue
trader who seemed to be undercutting their prices.
New minibus fleet arrives at
Southport respite centre
3 new specially adapted minibuses have arrived
at disability charity Vitalise's Sandpipers respite break centre in
Southport. The accessible minibuses are part of total fleet of
nine vehicles delivered to the charity's three UK centres. They were
handed over to Vitalise CEO Chris Simmonds at a special ceremony on
Friday, 1 February 2013.
The purchase of 4 of the minibuses by Vitalise was made possible
thanks to a fundraiser hosted by Samantha Cameron in November last
year. The purchase of the other five minibuses was made possible
thanks to financing from Barclays Bank plc. The vehicles,
which have been specially adapted to carry wheelchair users, will be
used to transport Sandpipers' guests on accessible excursions to
attractions and places of interest around the region, as an integral
part of their holiday experience.
Vitalise CEO Chris Simmonds commented:- "This year Vitalise
celebrates its golden anniversary and, on behalf of the thousands of
people with disabilities and carers that we support each year, I
would like to thank Barclays and Samantha Cameron for the perfect
birthday present. The new minibuses will enable Sandpipers to
give its guests the opportunity to experience the best this
beautiful region has to offer and enjoy truly memorable and
much-needed respite breaks." |
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Child protection
system failing up to 1.5 million UK children
9 out of 10 teachers, police
officers and social workers are regularly coming into contact with
children they suspect are suffering from neglect with those in the
North West reporting a greater rise in child neglect than
counterparts across the UK yet many frontline staff feel powerless
to intervene, according to a major report published on 6 February
2013, by
children's charity Action for Children.
The State of Child Neglect in the UK reveals that members of the
public calling for more support to report rising concerns has almost
doubled in the past 3 years with studies suggesting up to 10% of UK
children (almost 1.5 million) face the daily reality of neglect.
This report is the most comprehensive current review into child
neglect, the second in an annual series by the University of
Stirling for Action for Children. Almost 6,000 people including the
general public, a range of professionals and 27 local authorities
took part in the research through interviews, polls and focus
groups.
Carol Iddon, UK North Director of Children's Services at Action for
Children, said:- "It is of grave concern that one in every ten
children could be suffering neglect. We know that early help has the
potential to transform the lives of children and families, yet
today's report tells us that the public aren't being given the
know-how they need and professionals' best efforts are being
hindered by stretched budgets and a lack of resources. With more and
more families struggling, vulnerable children are falling through
the cracks of a child protection system that is failing some of
those who need it most – sometimes with tragic consequences."
Other key findings from The State of Child Neglect in the UK
include:-
►
14% of professionals reported a
rise in suspected child neglect over the past 12 months
►
Of these, many believe
deterioration in parenting skills (70%), greater poverty (66%) and
more family breakdowns (55%) are contributing factors to the
increase in neglect
►
Half of professionals feel there
are barriers which make it difficult to intervene in suspected cases
of neglect, in particular because of a lack of available services
and resources like time and staffing
►
A 3rd of the general public who
had concerns about a child did not tell anyone, mainly because they
did not think they had enough evidence or were uncertain it was
neglect
► Neglect is a factor in 60% of child deaths or serious injuries,
investigated by Serious Case Reviews. Research shows it is vital to
provide vulnerable families with support at an early stage so that
they can change their behaviour and prevent neglect. Yet Government
commitment to early help services is inconsistently translated into
practice, with only piecemeal delivery in some local areas.
► The charity's report found that just 12% of staff in early help
services, such as health visitors and teaching assistants, are able
to respond directly if they suspect a child is being neglected and
many frontline professionals (29%) believe their ability to
intervene will become even more difficult as spending cuts continue.
Co-Chair of The College of Social Work, Professor Corinne May-Chahal,
said:- "This report reaffirms the need for adequately funded
universal early help services to support parents in crisis who may
be struggling to care for their children. Targeted early help in
suspected cases of child neglect can enable parents to resolve
problems at an early stage, without the need for further
intervention, providing outcomes which are clearly in the best
interests of children. However The College is
increasingly concerned that a reduction in funding for preventative
services will put increasing pressure on social workers' ability to
source the support that many families need."
In response to public demand and the report's findings, Action for
Children is calling on the UK Government to:-
► Introduce a web-portal with a
postcode function to enable the public to seek the most appropriate
help, at the earliest opportunity, for children they are worried
about in their local area.
►
Meet its commitment to early help
and put measures in place that support professionals to make timely
decisions, meaning neglected children receive effective support
across all levels of need from the identification of suspected cases
to chronic neglect.
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