- Parents have accused Essex Police of a 'massive over reaction'
- Police said the helicopter wasn't being used for an emergency at the time
- Two 16-year-old boys were eventually tracked down in woodland
By Emily Allen
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A police force has been accused of a 'massive over reaction' after it launched its helicopter to hunt down two boys who had stolen plastic goalposts worth less than 100.
Essex Police scrambled its 700-per hour chopper and a dog search unit after the theft of the equipment from a school playing field in Rayne, Essex.
The over-the-top action was sparked when an off-duty officer spotted two teenagers acting suspiciously in the grounds of the village primary school.
Over reaction: Essex Police scrambled its helicopter (file picture) and a dog search unit after the theft of equipment from a school playing field
Within minutes the force’s 145-mph helicopter - complete with thermal imaging camera - was up in the air and a dog search team was also deployed to find the thieves.
Two 16-year-old boys were eventually tracked down in woodland near the school.
But despite the major operation to catch them, the youngsters were only given a telling off when they were caught.
Rayne Primary School’s headteacher, Andy Wright, was stunned when he was told of the deployment of the helicopter to such a minor incident last week.
Shock: Rayne Primary School’s (pictured) headteacher, Andy Wright, was stunned when he was told of the deployment of the helicopter to such a minor incident last week
He said: 'I was very surprised when the caretaker told me that the police helicopter had been sent out. Of course we do not want any of our equipment to be stolen as it belongs to the children, but I really have no idea how this incident became to escalated.
'I think the boys came on to the school grounds during the evening and just picked up a set of plastic posts that were on the grass.'
One parent whose daughter goes to the small primary school said: 'We could not believe what had happened. I saw the helicopter and thought there must have been something major happening nearby so when I found out what it was for, I couldn’t believe it.
Stolen: The stolen goalposts were worth just 100 (file picture) and two 16-year-old boys were tracked down
'It’s a massive over reaction in my view and I know that the parents I have spoken to about it feel exactly the same way.'
Essex Police have defended the decision to launch the helicopter which they brand their 'eye in the sky'.
A spokesman said: 'Due to the realistic prospect of catching the people responsible for the theft, resources, including the dog unit and helicopter, were sent to the scene to assist with the search.
'They were not being deployed to any emergency at the time. The resources were required because the two suspects had made their way into a wooded area.
'Essex Police is pleased that the two youngsters responsible were apprehended, given reprimands and strong words of advice.'
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Sussex duo named in England t20 squad - Chichester Observer
The pair have both been named in the squad, which will be cut to 15 players by August 18 – one month before the tournament starts.
Both were in fine form for Sussex, who won the South Group of the competition. Wright smashed 308 runs from eight innings at an average of 44.00 and Prior struck 187 runs from four innings at an average of 46.75.
The full squad is Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Gareth Batty (Surrey), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Scott Borthwick (Durham), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Danny Briggs (Hampshire), Jos Buttler (Somerset), Alastair Cook (Essex), Steven Croft (Lancashire), Steven Davies (Surrey), Jade Dernbach (Surrey), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Craig Kieswetter (Somerset), Michael Lumb (Nottinghamshire), Stuart Meaker (Surrey), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Graham Onions (Durham), Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire), Matt Prior (Sussex), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), James Taylor (Nottinghamshire), James Tredwell (Kent), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Luke Wright (Sussex).
Source: www.chichester.co.uk
Sussex’s Championship clash at Arundel Castle set to start on time - hastingsobserver.co.uk
Sussex have won the toss in the Division 1 match and will bowl with procedings getting underway at 11am.
The Sussex side is Chris Nash, Luke Wells, Murray Goodwin, Joe Gatting, Luke Wright, Ben Brown, Kirk Wernars, Steve Magoffin, James Anyon, Monty Panesar and captain Mike Yardy.
The match runs from today until Saturday, with an 11am start each day.
Sussex will be aiming to put pressure on the leading sides in the table with victory at the Arundel Castle Ground against a Durham outfit who are yet to taste victory in the four-day game this season.
The rain frustrated Sussex in their latest County Championship encounter as only two days’ play was possible against Warwickshire at Edgbaston, although Panesar returned to first-team action with four wickets.
Ben Brown replaces Matt Prior, who prepares for England’s First Test against South Africa which begins later this week, behind the stumps, while Ed Joyce is in action for Ireland in their Twenty20 series with Bangladesh.
Source: www.hastingsobserver.co.uk
Liveblog: Olympic torch relay Brighton to Hastings - The Argus.co.uk
10:53am
We now have hundreds of pictures from yesterday's torch relay in our Day One gallery . The pictures are very roughly in chronological order, with most coming from (in order) Rogate, Midhurst, Chichester, Arundel, Worthing, Bognor, Hove.
Day two pictures are being uploaded as they come in, with Brighton ones already up here .
I'm now getting started on the Hove celebrations gallery. Meanwhile, the torch is due to be leaving East Grinstead about now and heading for Tunbridge Wells, which we're not covering. We'll pick it back up when it re-enters Sussex at Crowborough.
Source: www.theargus.co.uk
Inflation slides to lowest level since November 2009 - The Guardian
Retailers were forced to slash the price of summer clothes and shoes last month to tempt rain-drenched consumers into the shops, driving inflation to its lowest level since November 2009.
The Office for National Statistics said inflation measured on the consumer price index slipped to 2.4% in June, down from 2.8% in May, with clothing and footwear prices accounting for the largest downward contribution.
The 4.2% fall in clothing prices over the month was twice as large as between any May and June since the ONS began measuring the CPI in 1996, as cash-strapped shoppers held back from restocking their wardrobes in the grim weather.
"Downward effects came from across the clothing and footwear sector, with reports of summer sales starting earlier than last year," it said.
Food prices and the cost of transport added to the fall in inflation, the ONS said, with retailers reporting weaker than usual demand for meat as the torrential rain put paid to barbecue plans.
The price of "miscellaneous goods and services" also fell, said the ONS, driven by personal care products, "notably deodorant and sunscreen", as the sun failed to materialise.
Prices across the economy have now fallen for two consecutive months for the first time since early 2009, when consumer confidence collapsed, and the government cut VAT to stimulate the economy during the financial crisis.
Cheaper petrol, as the fall in crude oil prices on world markets fed through to forecourts, accounted for part of the decline in inflation, the ONS said. Petrol prices dropped by 4.3p a litre to £1.33.
On the wider retail prices index, inflation also declined, to 2.8%, from 3.1% in May – its lowest level since December 2009.
Chloe Smith, the economic secretary to the Treasury, said, "Inflation has more than halved since September, meaning a little less pressure on family budgets. This lower inflation should support high-street spending and growth in the economy in the months to come."
Andrew Goodwin, senior economic adviser to the Ernst and Young Item Club, said: "Wages should be able to keep pace with prices over the second half of this year and pull ahead next year, providing a significant boost to household finances and helping to kickstart the consumer recovery."
However, with average pay rising at just 1.4% a year, according to the latest unemployment figures, many households still face declining real incomes.
Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, said: "While the sharp fall in inflation will bring welcome relief for many workers, millions are still facing real wage cuts as the longest squeeze in living standards for decades continues."
Research by consultancy Kantar Worldpanel suggested that discount retailers have increased their share of the market, as consumers look for cheaper alternatives.
Edward Garner, director of Kantar, said: "We are seeing big cutbacks by consumers as they continue to respond to this current period of austerity. The success of the discounters, Aldi and Lidl, is a clear example of shoppers watching their purses." The two cut-price chains both achieved their highest ever market share, at 2.9%, in the 12 weeks to 8 July.
Falling inflation puts the Bank of England's 2% target within sight, and strengthens the case for the new round of quantitative easing its monetary policy committee announced earlier this month. But it also underlines the weakness of consumer demand on the high street.
John Zhu, of HSBC, said: "Inflation for a wide range of consumer staples is lower than seasonal averages due to a weak demand environment reducing producer pricing power."
On Monday the International Monetary Fund sharply lowered its economic forecast for the UK this year to growth of just 0.2%, compared with a previous forecast of 0.8%.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
Jodie Marsh and Kirk Norcross naked on shoot - The Sun
Jodie, who insists she is just good pals with the Essex lad, convinced him to join her in a fully nude photoshoot to promote products from her sports supplements range JstJodie.
After posing in a selection of bikinis, Jodie, 33, tells Kirk: "You've got to go naked too."
To which he responds: "F*** off" before quickly being convinced.
After grappling with each other against a black backdrop, Kirk, 24, goes full frontal with only Jodie's head protecting his modesty.
The red head is also seen lying on top of Kirk and kissing him passionately, before Kirk dresses up as a WOMAN.
BODYBUILDER strips off to pose with former TOWIE star Kirk Norcross
Wearing a pink silk dressing gown and hair rollers while filing his nails, Kirk looks into the camera as smiling Jodie says: "I think this is the best Kirk has ever looked."
Kirk says: "Today has been amazing. I got to touch a naked Jodie Marsh and I got to dress up as a girl.
"It's had it's ups and downs. It's been brilliant."
Source: www.thesun.co.uk
Sussex duo in England's provisional t20 squad - thisissussex.co.uk
SUSSEX duo Matt Prior and Luke Wright have been named in England's provisional squad for this year's ICC World Twenty20 competition.
The wicketkeeper and all-rounder, who have both been in great form for the Sharks in this season's Friends Life t20, have both been included in the provisional 30-man squad for the tournament, which takes place in Sri Lanka from September.
England are the current holders of the ICC World Twenty20 title and will face Afghanistan and India in the group stages this year.
The squad will be halved to a final 15-man squad next month.
Source: www.thisissussex.co.uk
Skateboarder robbed by gunman in Worthing - BBC News
A skateboarder has been robbed by a masked gunman in a West Sussex town.
The man, who had been skating along Park Road, Worthing, was confronted by the man who pulled out a handgun and demanded cash and his mobile phone.
The suspect stole £50 but said his 20-year-old victim could keep his phone when he was told it contained irreplaceable photos.
Det Con Paul Tonks, of Sussex Police, said: "This was a very alarming experience for the victim.
He added: "While we are not sure at this stage whether the weapon was real or imitation, we are still taking the allegation very seriously."
The suspect is described as being more than 6ft tall and having a deep voice. He was wearing dark clothing and a black balaclava.
Sussex police have appealed for anyone with information to contact officers.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Essex Fire Crews Announce Further Industrial Action Over Frontline 999 Cuts - Market Wire
ESSEX, ENGLAND--(Marketwire - July 18, 2012) - FBU General Secretary, Matt Wrack has given lawful notice of industrial action by Essex fire crews in the long-running dispute over frontline cuts and other imposed changes.
The action announced includes '999-calls-only' action on the dates of the London Olympics opening and closing ceremonies. This avoids any disruption to 999 services during the ceremonies as all Essex frontline fire crews will remain available to respond to all emergency 999 calls. Service managers have threatened to stop the pay of fire crews for any "partial performance" of duties, ie refuse to pay crews even when they are not on strike.
In addition, four short, 3-hour periods of strike will add up to only half a day's lawful period of strike (12 hours) spread over July and August. However, senior managers appear intent on dramatically extending the effect of the strikes by deliberately stopping the pay of Essex fire crews for the whole of any shift disrupted by the short periods of lawful strike and not requiring them to work for any of the shift.
This could mean senior managers denying the public of Essex their normal professional fire service for up to 111 hours - more than 5 days - instead of the half a day's worth of short lawful strikes called. Managers have said the plan is to starve fire crews into submission.
A hardship fund has been set up to support the striking fire crews and their families during the dispute.
Matt Wrack said today:
"The fire authority has shown no sign of compromise and has left us no choice other than to call additional action in our campaign against cuts to the frontline fire and rescue service in Essex and other imposed changes. Not a single one of the frontline cuts or imposed changes have been put on hold, modified or reversed. However, we continue to be very measured in the action we have called despite the intense provocation, the disciplinary threats and the financial punishment being levelled against Essex firefighters for daring to stand up for their profession and their service.
"The action we announce today is measured. The periods of action are deliberately short and sharp to limit the risks to public and firefighter safety whilst highlighting the campaign against huge cuts being made to frontline 999 services that will leave the people of Essex at increased risk 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
"Public support for our campaign has been tremendous. If fire chiefs decide to turn 999-calls-only action and short strikes into extended periods without emergency crews available, then the public will know it is the senior managers and politicians who are willing to put their lives and businesses at unnecessary risk and not the frontline professionals who stand ready to risk their lives on a daily basis to save others.
"In the circumstances, I make no apology for the selfless determination and courage of Essex firefighters to take industrial action, lose pay and face punishment for defending the frontline 999 service in Essex.
"I urge the fire authority, and in particular the elected leaders of the fire authority, to change tack and engage meaningfully in talks aimed at negotiating a settlement to this dispute."
'The industrial action announced includes:
Source: www.marketwire.com
Plod will be using the helicopters to collect their take-away pizzas soon.
- Eden Crane, Erehwon, 18/7/2012 16:42
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