WEST Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) has awarded a multi-million pound contract to O&H Vehicle Conversions (‘O&H’) to supply the Trust with over 200 of the most technically advanced and efficient ambulances ever.
After a competitive tender WMAS has awarded the £21m contract to supply 220 double-crewed, front line ambulances over the next four years. WMAS is one of the few ambulance trusts to rigidly follow a five year front line fleet replacement policy.
WMAS Fleet Services General Manager, Tony Page, said: “Along with our staff, our emergency vehicles are our most important assets. The five year replacement policy means our staff are able to respond in a modern, good quality ambulance fleet that is reliable and efficient and as comfortable as possible for patients.
“We have been working with our staff and O&H to come up with an innovative design that will mean better working conditions for staff which will translate into it being easier to provide good quality care to patients in their hour of need.
“As well as looking at the layout of the vehicles, the ideas that O&H put into their tender were first rate. Issues such as how to reduce weight are first class. The weight saving means that they will be easier to drive, more fuel efficient, cut CO2 emissions and suffer less wear and tear, which ultimately saves money that can be reinvested in recruiting more paramedics, which can only be a good thing for patients.
“We are looking at introducing Lithium Ion battery technology, solar panels as well as lighter, stronger aerospace-type build materials that will allow us to redesign the saloon that will make the lives of our staff considerably easier.
Commenting on the 220-ambulance award from WMAS, O&H Vehicle Conversions sales and marketing director Lee Bott says: “We look forward to supporting West Midlands Ambulance Service’s strategic objectives with a best-in-class fleet founded on engineering innovation and manufacturing excellence.”
WMAS covers an area of 5,000 square mile, with a population of 5.5 million. It was the only English ambulance trust to exceed every performance metric in 2015-16.
POLICE are appealing for information after an 86-year-old pensioner was victim of a robbery today.
Warwickshire police are looking for anyone who was close to Attleborough Road, Nuneaton at 130pm today, 19 May 2016, following the report of this horrendous crime.
The victim was walking along Caernarfon Drive, when a lone male offender riding a bicycle has approached her from behind and snatched her handbag.
The victim was thrown to the floor and was seriously injured.
DS 423 Bower of Nuneaton CID is investigating and asks anyone in the area at this time who saw either the victim or a suspicious male on a bicycle in the area or who finds a small black shoulder bag to call 101 quoting incident 214 - 19/05/2016. Police remain in the area, conducting enquiries and looking for the offender.
You can also report crime by contacting the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
Lets make sure we catch this offender as soon as possible.
A POLICING operation involving four police forces in the West Midlands is targeting suspected paedophiles operating online.
Operation Safenet was launched in 2015 by Staffordshire Police who, as part of the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) along with Warwickshire Police, West Mercia Police and West Midlands Police, work together to fight serious and organised crime across the region.
The operation which has been running in Warwickshire and West Mercia Policing areas since January 2016, has been established across the regions to target people accessing indecent images of children online and while the forces are not revealing the methods they use to track down suspects, more than two hundred children have been safeguarded regionally.
Detective Superintendent Damian Barratt from Warwickshire Police and West Mercia Police said: “An indecent image of a child is an image of a victim of child abuse. Those who download and exchange illegal images leave a digital footprint and police will trace them. There will be more investigations, more arrests and we will bring more offenders to justice.
“If anyone has information relating to child sexual exploitation or suspicions that someone is using the internet to access indecent images I would urge them to contact police on 101.”
If you have concerns about a child or young person, or if you are a child or young person and someone has asked you to do something that makes you feel uncomfortable either on or offline, you can report through the CEOP safety centre at www.ceop.police.uk.
The Lucy Faithfull Foundation is a registered child protection charity dedicated to reducing the risk of children being sexually abused. It works with entire families affected by sexual abuse, including adult male and female sexual abusers, young people with inappropriate sexual behaviours, victims of abuse and other family members. More information for adults concerned about their own behaviour, or that of someone they know, is available from http://www.stopitnow.org.uk/
SUPERMARKET giant Aldi has been announced as the major sponsor of the Aviva Women’s Tour when it comes to Warwickshire on Thursday 16th June.
The supermarket, which employs over 500 staff in its head office in Atherstone, will sponsor Stage 2 of the internationally-recognised cycle race when it comes to Warwickshire this summer.
Hannah Peyton from Drops Cycling Team, one of the 3 UK teams taking part in this year’s Aviva Women’s Tour and based in the West Midlands, was joined by representatives from Warwickshire County Council and North Warwickshire Borough Council outside Atherstone’s Aldi store on Station Street and in the town’s historic Market Square to mark the sponsorship announcement and officially launch Atherstone as the race’s start location.
The race, which is being hosted by Warwickshire County Council and partners the University of Warwick, will see the world’s leading female cyclists go head-to-head on a challenging 140km ride from the north to the very south of the County
The Tour stage will start in Atherstone’s historic Market Square on the morning of Thursday 16th June before wending its way through the North Warwickshire villages of Ridge Lane, Birchley Heath, Church End, Ansley, New Arley, Wood End and Fillongley.
From North Warwickshire, the cyclists will pass through the heart of the County, taking the riders through the world-class University of Warwick campus, Kenilworth and Warwick town centres, before climbing to the highest points in Warwickshire, through Burton Dassett Hills Country Park, Edge Hill and Ilmington. The race will finish in spectacular style in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Given the supermarket’s strong connections with Atherstone and Warwickshire, and its high profile support for UK sport as the official supermarket of Team GB, Aldi is an ideal sponsor for the Aviva Women’s Tour in Warwickshire.
The Tour is expected to bring an economic boost to North Warwickshire and the County as a whole as thousands of spectators and tourists come to watch the event and Warwickshire is showcased globally as an outstanding place to work and invest.
Hosts Warwickshire County Council, with the support of North Warwickshire Borough Council, are working with the region’s businesses to maximise their support and engagement in the Tour and the economic opportunities that it will bring.
Leader of Warwickshire County Council, Councillor Izzy Seccombe, said: “I’m delighted that we have Aldi as official sponsor of the Aviva Women’s Tour in Warwickshire.
“They are one of our major employers and, given their strong links with Atherstone, where this internationally significant sporting event will begin, and with Warwickshire as a whole, they are perfect partners in helping us to boost awareness of the Tour and the lasting legacy that it will bring to our beautiful County.”
Jonathan Neale, Joint Managing Director of Corporate Buying at Aldi, said: “We are thrilled to sponsor stage two of the Aviva Women’s Tour. We look forward to working closely with Warwickshire County Council and inviting some of the world’s finest athletes to Warwickshire, the home of our UK Head Office.”
“2016 is set to be a fantastic summer for us, with the Aviva Women’s Race and our sponsorship of Team GB on their Road to Rio. We wish the best of luck to all the participants in the race and welcome those cycling fans who may be visiting Warwickshire for the first time.”
Jerry Hutchinson, Chief Executive of North Warwickshire Borough Council, said: “I am delighted that a key North Warwickshire business is the sponsor of the Warwickshire stage of The Women’s Tour. Aldi is a forward thinking company, they have a household name and their headquarters are here in Atherstone, so I couldn’t think of a better brand to be associated with this important event. We are equally proud that North Warwickshire is hosting the start of Stage 2 of this international women’s cycle race.”
Mick Bennett, Race Director of the Aviva Women’s Tour, said: “We have been thrilled by the support we have received for Stage Two of the Aviva Women’s Tour from across Warwickshire and are delighted to see communities and businesses from Atherstone in North Warwickshire all the way through to Straford-upon-Avon getting behind the race and supporting women’s cycling.”
Councillor Philip Johnson, Chair of Warwickshire County Council’s Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee, said: “The Aviva Women’s Tour brings with it an excellent opportunity to showcase Warwickshire as a place to work, invest and visit and I’m sure that Aldi’s sponsorship will help us put the County on the map as somewhere that has the talent and infrastructure to make a sporting event on this scale, and all the benefits that it brings, a big success.”
The www.warwickshire.gov.uk/womens-tour website is packed with information about the Tour, the route through Warwickshire and the plans for Race Day itself. The site will continue to be updated with information as the Tour gets ever closer, so keep checking back.
You can follow the latest Aviva Women’s Tour in Warwickshire news by following @ChooseMoveWarks on Twitter, following the #AvivaWT2016 hashtag and liking the ChooseMoveWarks Facebook page.
WARWICKSHIRE Police have confirmed that an investigation has been launched following an allegation of electoral fraud.
The allegations relate to the 2015 general election within Warwickshire.
Warwickshire Police say that they intend to apply for an extension on the time limit to investigate and continue to liaise closely with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the Electoral Commission.
The force says that as this investigation is in its early stages no further information can be given at this time. They say that they will endeavour to provide an update at the earliest opportunity.
The investigation focuses on whether all electoral expences were declared as local expenses or national. This is due to rulings that each candidate can only spend a certain amount of funds.
There is no allegation around the counting a number of votes.
The news comes as eight other forces across England launched electoral fraud inquiries last week.
The eight forces actively investigating are Staffordshire Police, West Yorkshire Police, Derbyshire Police, Greater Manchester Police, Devon and Cornwall Police, Gloucestershire Police, Northamptonshire Police and Cheshire Police.
A SCHOOLBOY has been airlifted after suffering serious leg injuries after a coach ran over his leg.
The incident happened outside Kingsbury School on Tamworth Road, Kingsbury at around 815am this morning, Wednesday 4 May.
A rapid response vehicle was on scene within 8 minutes and was backed up by an ambulance, a paramedic area support officer and the Midlands Air Ambulance from Staffordshire.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said:“The teenager had just arrived at the school by coach when the unfortunate accident happened.
“The youngster suffered serious traumatic injuries to his right foot and leg.
“After being sedated by the aircrew, ambulance staff worked on his leg before he was airlifted to the paediatric major trauma centre at Birmingham Children’s Hospital where a trauma team was on standby for his arrival.
“The driver of the coach was assessed by ambulance staff but, although very shaken, was uninjured and was discharged.
“The Trust would like to thank the school for their assistance at the scene.”
WARWICKSHIRE Police has seized a large quantity of suspected stolen cigarettes after a vehicle was stopped in Atherstone
An uninsured Volkswagen Passat was spotted by CCTV cameras driving on Station Street at around 6pm on Wednesday 27 April.
PC Chris Bell and PCSO Lauren Hughes attended on foot and caught up with the driver by the Bus Station. The vehicle was seized for no insurance and the driver was found to have only a provisional driving licence.
A large quantity of cigarettes and tobacco were found in the boot of the Passat and the driver, a man in his thirties, was arrested on suspicion of theft of the items, believed to have a value of approximately £10,000.
The suspect has been reported for the driving offences and bailed pending a joint investigation by Police and Trading Standards, where the seized items will be tested to see if they are counterfeit and investigations will be ongoing to determine whether they are stolen.
PC Chris Bell said: “Counterfeit cigarettes can pose a serious health risk to public as they can be made up from harmful substances.
“I would urge any members of the public who have purchased or been offered cheap purchases of the following cigarettes/tobacco in the Atherstone area, to call 101, quoting incident of 27 April.”
All of the seized cigarettes are packs of 20 and some packaging may appear to be from other countries. Cigarettes that may have been sold include the following; Mayfair, Richmond, American Legend, L&M Red Label, Marlboro Gold, Gold Mount, Amber Leaf 50g pouches, Golden Virginia 50g pouches and The Turner 50g pouches.
Some of the seized cigarettes.
PC Chris Bell added:“Members of the public are advised not to purchase, pass on or smoke any cigarettes or tobacco that they have purchased at very cheap prices.
“If it seems too good to be true, then it most probably is.
“This goes for other purchases as well. Every day stolen and counterfeit goods change hands at bargain prices, funding criminality.
“Next time you get offered a steal of a buy, pause and consider where the goods came from and where your money is going, before declining and reporting suspicions to Police or Trading Standards.”
WARWICKSHIRE Police is issuing a renewed appeal for witnesses following an assault at a canal towpath near Tamworth Road, Polesworth.
The incident happened between 4pm and 8.30pm on Thursday 31 March, when a man was attacked by 2 unknown men whilst walking with a female friend.
The victim, a man in his thirties, received head wounds as a result of the attack and he then left the scene, later receiving treatment at hospital.
Police ask anyone who may have witnessed the incident to call them on 101, quoting incident number 363 of 31 March.
If you want to give information but don’t want to give your name you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or use their anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers.org.uk . Crimestoppers are not part of the police, when you contact them you won’t be identified. The only person who knows you have given information is you.
A couple who presented together on BBC Radio Leicester have been charged with historic child sex offences which occurred in Atherstone.
The charges relate to offences against four children, aged between 11 and 15, between 1996 and 1999.
Tony Wadsworth, aged 68, of Old Mill Road, Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, has been charged with five counts of inciting a boy under the age of 16 to commit an act of gross indecency and one count of committing an act outraging public decency.
Julie Wadsworth, aged 58, of Old Mill Road, Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, has been charged with seven counts of inciting a boy under the age of 16 to commit an act of gross indecency and one count of committing an act outraging public decency.
Both Julie and Tony worked together on BBC Radio Leicester and BBC Radio WM as presenters. Julie used her maiden name of Mayer on the radio.
A BBC spokesman has said: “Tony Wadsworth and Julie Mayer remain off air.
“We understand the charges do not relate to their conduct or position at the BBC.
“This is an ongoing criminal process and we cannot comment further.”
They are due to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates’ Court, based in Leamington Spa, on Wednesday 11 May, 2016.
WARWICKSHIRE Police are appealing for information after a teenager was pushes in to the back of a car in the Dosthill area. She was released a short time later.
The incident happened on the morning of Thursday 17 March at approximately 10am, the victim had been stood at the bus stop at the junction of High Street and Ascot Drive.
A royal blue Peugeot 307 approached the 18-year-old victim and pulled up alongside her. The passenger wound down his window and asked her for directions. The victim has approached the car and the passenger has asked her to come closer.
Once close to the vehicle, the passenger opened the door, got out and pushed the victim onto the backseat.
The passenger has then got back in and the vehicle has done a U-turn in the road before driving off in the direction of Kingsbury. The vehicle is believed to have travelled along the Tamworth Road and then onto Coventry Road.
When the vehicle has approached the Coventry Road island, the car has turned around and driven back to Rush Lane in Dosthill and stopped about 100 metres from where the incident initially took place.
The men have then told her to get out of the vehicle and have then driven off in the direction of Kingsbury.
The driver of the vehicle is described as a man in his mid-twenties to thirties of slim build. At the time of the incident he was wearing dark wash jeans and a navy jumper.
The passenger was described as a bald white man in his forties to fifties. At the time of the incident he was wearing light coloured jeans with a red top with writing on.
Detective Constable Matthew Bird said:
“I would like to reassure the public that this appears to be an isolated incident and we are investigating fully. We are following up on a number of lines of enquiry and we are taking this incident very seriously. I am keen to speak to anyone who witnessed this incident or recognises the description of the vehicle or the men please get in touch via 101.”If you can help officers please call 101 quoting incident number 115 of Thursday 17 March.”
If you want to give information but don’t want to give your name you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or use their anonymous online form. Crimestoppers are not part of the police, when you contact them you won’t be identified. The only person who knows you have given information is you.
