18/09/2014 BBC Points West

Welcome to BBC Points West, with Ali Vowles and David G`rmston.

That West Country scam that robbed thousands of their savings.

The ringleaders boasted of wallowing in cash, but ordinary

Don't do it, just don't do ht, it is too good to be true, so do not do

it. Even a judge was fooled,

so how can we avoid being tricked An official report blasts mdntal

health services in the West. Why did so many patients

kill themselves in hospital? The woman once told she couldn't do

the half marathon, is raring to go. How film makers brought the wild

into our living rooms. A group of greedy women who cheated

thousands out of their savings can be exposed as the masterminds

of a get`rich`quick scheme The victims, many women,

were invited to pamper parthes and encouraged to beg or borrow

?3,000 to invest, with The ring leaders,

from Bristol and Somerset, ran what Those who were taken in include

a judge and police officers. Our home affairs corresponddnt,

Steve Brodie, has been Secret filming of a meeting in

the West where those invited think And it's people introducing

friends and family. The spoils enjoyed by some were

used to recruit new members who It sounded absolutely fantastic

there was no way I was going to I was told it was backed

by major solicitors Give and Take took in 10,000 people,

most of whom lost their mondy. So, how does a pyramid schele work,

and why are they a scam? Eeverybody who joins the scheme

has to recruit two more people. They need 14 investors

below them to fill the pyralid get But the pool for new

recruits quickly evaporates. By the time we get to the 10th row,

we need to recruit 1,024 people It is a scam because,

if I keep doubling the numbdrs, I will get to a number that is bigger

than the entire world popul`tion. Early on,

it is still small enough th`t you But, at some point,

you just run out of people that are When it does, almost nine ott

of 10 people involved lose loney, Some people make money out of it but

eventually people putting money in will not get money back. Frdquently

they do not have a huge amotnt of money.

So, the then Office of Fair Trading brought prosecutions

against 11 women, using new legislation to target

Because it's illegal to operate or promote one.

In a trial two years ago, that we can only now report,

Laura Fox, the chairman of G, was jailed for nine months, as was

treasurer Jennifer Smith`Haxes, and venue organiser Carol Chalmers.

And another woman, Sally Phhllips, was handed a suspended sentdnce

You might be happy to put your ?3,000 in, you might be happy to

lose it. But the people you get involved in it, the friends or

relatives, how happy would xou be for them to lose their monex in

something you actually suggdsted that they do?

In a trial last year, two women Rita Lomas and Jane Smith,

admitted promoting Give and Take, while Rhalina Yuil was cleared

Three more women eventually pleaded guilty to operating

Hazel Cameron refused to colment as she left court, as did Susan Crane.

But Mary Nash did apologise to her many victims.

The effects remain. Do not do it, just do not do it. It is too good to

be true. A salutary lesson for those thinking

of getting involved in the future. Gary Bracken is from the Colpetition

and Markets Authority, which It's easy for us to sit herd

and think, "I'd never be But people do, 10,000 peopld in this

case, many of them vulnerable women. How can your organisation stop

this sort of thing from happening? It is a feature of these types of

schemes that they feed throtgh family, friends and work

colleagues, through communities if you like. They build in an dlement

of trust. People want to trtst people. If a relative is seding a

large pay`out, they trust that relative they want to buy into it.

Many lost more than ?3,000. Some invested multiple times, in an

effort to get their money b`ck. One lady we met had lost ?18,000, others

had lost similar sums. Gary, what advice would you give to

someone watching tonight who thinks they may be caught up in ond

of these schemes? If they have invested already, the

best thing would be to report it to their local trading standards

office. If they are thinking of invested but haven't, by strong

advice would be to steer cldar. Nearly 90% of people who invest in

these schemes will lose thehr money. If it looks too good to be true it

is highly likely it is. Thank you very much indeed.

He was "a true gentlemen, intelligent and kind".

Just some of the words used to describe Sam

Amin, the 18`year`old who dhed in the River Avon, after a night out in

He was due to start university next week.

Hundreds of friends and family have signed a scroll of

Reverend Richard Wilson had known Sam Amin since he was a small boy.

I have seen him grow from a sweet young boy, to ` tall,

handsome, intelligent effortlessly cool, smiling,

On Tuesday night, hundreds of Sam's friends

and family filled the church still reeling from the news he was gone.

I was really delighted that Amin, Sam's died,

Amin came to the front and picked up a picture of Sam,

and kissed it and held it to his heart, and we held each other.

If ever it were possible to measure just how much someone was loved

A scroll of messages of lovd for Sam, it stretches

the entire length of the aisle here at St Michael's Church.

Messages calling him a hero amongst his peers,

the coolest and kindest guy they could wish to meet.

Sam should have been taking up a place at the University

He was a really great role lodel because he was very well`mannered,

polite, and he worked exceptionally hard on securing that university

Sam died after falling into the river on Saturday night,

The safety debate will no doubt continue, so will the memorhes,

tributes, the outpouring of love for ` young

Psychiatric patients in the West may have been put `t risk

That's according to a report by the Care Quality Commisshon

into the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership.

The trust's been told it must improve and, in response,

claims it's already launched a programme of urgent improvements.

Here's our health correspondent, Matthew Hill.

I've discharged myself because I wasn't getting thd support

I needed, and I could get bdtter help at home, 24 hours a dax.

Kate Brett says, if it wasn't for her husband's support,

Her lowest point was just before Christmas when she r`ng staff

I said to them, I can't copd any more, I want to die, I need

They said, your appointment is in two weeks,

According to a report today into the trust that's in ch`rge

of Kate's care, many other patients may have been put at risk.

An inspection in June by thd CQC found that wards,

including this medium`securd unit, were poorly staffed.

Earlier this year, an inquest found James Pollard had killed hilself

in this unit, using the lead from his CD player, and staff neglect

Since then, three other pathents have hanged themselves, one at this

unit in Bristol, and two here Bath.

`` in Bath. The report says there are too many ligature points

Even these trees here are considered a risk.

There have been some unnecessary, severe incidents

That is why the Care Quality Commission is taking

While the CQC found staff to be c`ring

and under good leadership, they are demanding 30 urgent improvelents.

If the trust fail to make these improvements by the end of the year

they could face prosecution, or even be closed down.

Iain Tulley is the chief exdcutive of the Avon and Wiltshire Mdntal

If you have a relative in one of your units tonight, how confident

can they be that they are in safe hands?

I would like to assure the public they will be in safe hands. The

commission has pointed out ` number of challenges we have two f`ces The

field of psychiatric medicine is a difficult field to recruit staff. We

have a turnover of staff of 600 people a year. We want to m`intain a

recruitment process. You putting it down to staff shortages?

It will impact if we have insufficient staff on the ground so

it is important we have adepuate numbers to deal with the most

challenging people. If they are more challenging, and

other staff, other trusts do not have the same death rate?

Any suicide is a tragedy. It is a context issue. We had to assess the

risk of people in our care to make sure they have adequate support

It does not sound like a particularly safe place to work We

know in the medium`secure unit in Bristol, six members of staff in the

last six weeks have been off sick after being attacked by pathents.

The commission pointed out our staff is very good, high quality `nd

compassionate care. These units are a high`risk place to work and have

dedicated staff. They deal with some very challenging individuals. It is

important we support our st`ff so they do not endure the injuries some

staff have had the misfortune to do so.

It's nice to have your comp`ny on this Thursday evening.

Still to come on this evening's Points West:

Last`minute training for thd Bristol half.

We meet the woman who battldd hard to even take part, after

How devices like this shell`cam have helped

the BBC's Natural History Unit hold onto its worldwide reputation.

A farmer's son has been charged with attempting to murder his father

Lewis Clapp was arrested after the incident allegedlx took

place on the family farm at Baltonsborough near Glastonbury.

He was remanded in custody `t Exeter Crown Court today.

His father is believed to bd in a serious but stable condition

at Southmead Hospital where he's being treated for stab wounds.

It's being reported that a new nuclear power station

The European Commission is trying to work out if a deal

between our government and the French power company EDF is legal.

Tonight, the Commission wouldn't comlent on

But one local MP told us he was now "totally confident" that Hinkley C

Our Somerset correspondent, Clinton Rogers, has been

If you look at the number of bulldozers already on site,

you'd be forgiven for thinkhng the deal's already done.

They've already started exc`vating 4.2 million tonnes of earth here,

enough to fill 1,300 Olympic`size swimming pools.

The company is keen this is not seen as arrogance,

that in some way the Europe`n Union decision is a foregone conclusion.

On the other hand, you don't do all of this,

you don't invest ?1 billion, unless you're pretty confiddnt the

An unconfirmed report from Brussels tonight suggests that

an inquiry into whether the price the Government will pay

EDF for new nuclear electricty breaches EU competition laws has

And, while neither the comp`ny nor EU officials will confirm or deny

that report, one local MP s`ys Hinkley will be built,

We are depending on the Ukr`ine and gas from Russia.

No, we have to go beyond th`t, grow up, and get on with the damned job.

Unsurprisngly, anti`nuclear campaigners see it difrerently.

`` differently. They point out EDF still hasn't got investment partners

I personally do not see it being built.

Pension funds are taking the money into the new revolution,

EDF says the investors will come on board, once the European hurdle

The Commission is expected to make a formal announcement

As thousands get ready for this weekend's half mar`thon

in Bristol, among them is one competitor who's already won a race

Jo Blinman, from Almondsburx, lost two daughters in a house fire,

She was originally told she couldn't compete because it would take too

But I'm pleased to say she's made it!

Well, to get her in the zond, Andy Howard is with Jo

on that all important start line this evening, Andy.

This is the sight which will greet more than 05,0 0

people who are about to start the 13.1 miles of Bristol h`lf

From here on Anchor Road, they'll snake out to the harbour side, under

the suspension bridge, before coming back around to there, to finish

One woman who'll be here wahting really didn't expect to be hnvolved.

Jo Blinman was told a few months ago that she wouldn't

be allowed to compete by being walked around the circuit

But she wasn't going to be beaten, and will now take part, in this

You've had a crash course in wheelchair racing.

It has been hard work. Yes, very hard work, you need to get the

rhythm right, the steering right. I think I can win over my famhly in

hand wrestling! As we look out from here,

with more than 13 miles to go, We've filmed it and sped thd footage

up, it's all on our Facebook page. Here it is for you, Jo,

what do you make of it? It is daunting. It is going to be

exciting. I am nervous, but bring it on. What point in the route are you

looking forward to passing? Most of the way, actually.

You have the suspension bridge above you if all else fails.

Let us show you the wheelch`ir in action. Do you have a Time hn mind?

All I can say is that we ard saying four hours.

If someone sees you along the route? You are more than welcome to shout

out! Your family has gone through an

awful lot. You have lost two daughters in a

house fire which is where you hurt your legs. What would they think of

you for doing this? I am hoping they will be urging me

on and be proud of me. I just want... It's not just for them but

for other people, to let thdm see that an ordinary housewife can do

what an athlete can do. An inspirational woman, and after a

battle, she will be there on Sunday morning.

So, today is the actual day we are officially 80!

Throughout the week, we've been celebrating eight decades

Yes, we've enlisted the help of TV legend John Craven to help ts

And, for many, it's the programmes made just across the car park in the

So, I popped along this aftdrnoon to see what they're up to.

Just take a look at these, beautiful pictures. I am in one of thd edit

suite at the Natural Historx Unit. This is the latest wildlife

blockbuster to come out of here This is a training camera, the

cameramen learn how to fly ht so they can use this gadget to create

some of the latest animal m`gic Mention BBC Bristol, and for most

people the Natural History Tnit springs to mind.

The NHU was created in 1957. And steadily built its reputation to

become a global leader making TV and radio programmes about the natural

world. I hope we have something interesting

for you next time. It was in 1979 that it really took

off with the landmark series Life On Earth, with David Attenborotgh.

10,000 feet up, in central Africa...

I have come to Gorilla Island at Bristol Zoo to sit `` to medt Martin

who worked on the programme with Sir David.

Perhaps the most famous momdnt, you were behind the camera, when David

Attenborough had that encounter with the gorilla.

We were preparing a piece to camera with David when this little gorilla

came out and started to sit on his lap. It was too good to miss. It

became quite an iconic sequdnce Surrounded by 15 mountain gorillas

in Africa. There is more. Mutual

understanding, and exchange of glances.

Were they all quite friendlx? The one with David as robots. All of

them. The amazing thing, looking back, at no time did any of us feel

afraid. I am told that famous sequence

nearly did not get shown? When we came down from the lountain,

we got into a truck. David and the sound recordist were

in the back, I was with the driver. We rounded a corner. There was a

roadblock. The driver said, bandits, he charged through. Bullets started

flying. David Attenborough was flattened on the back of thd truck.

We went another few miles and it turned out to be the Army.

We had driven through an arly roadblock. We were arrested.

They wanted to confiscate the film. While the producer and David were

distracting the security people we were putting exposed labels on an

exposed film. That was cheeky. They wanted to open

it and hold it up to the light. The exceptional programmes that Sir

David produced over the years have been an inspiration to millhons

worldwide, including the current head of the unit.

Everyone associates the Nattral History Unit with Sir David. They

do, take me for example, I was 4. Life On Earth became the inspiration

for me to be curious in the world around me. Like many colleagues and

the camera teams, that was the catalyst that set us on our journey.

The NHU now makes a huge variety of programmes for all ages, live

shows, and children's series. The quest to get ever closer,

unobstructed shots of natur`l animal behaviour has led to ingenious

methods, like disguising thd camera is as natural objects, even other

animals. Right now, we are pushing the

boundaries with things like helicopters with multiple c`meras on

them which have the ability to fly into the environment.

Is there a danger the audience might become blase and want even lore

sensational tricks? It is our job to make sure that we

are always one step ahead. Ht is what the world expects of you.

Utterly. Today, I will have 50 throughs in

seven continents, in remote locations, halfway up a tred, doing

some filming. As for David Attenborough, he is still m`king

films, such as this new blockbuster. We are very proud of all our

colleagues. And it wouldn't be

a birthday without cake. This was our entry in the

BBC Bristol birthday bake`off. Sadly, we didn't win but,

as they say in the best competitions, we w`s robbed

by our friends at Radio Bristol They were lovely. I have eaten so

much! Congratulations to the women,

because it has only taken 269, but the women have got the vote, and can

play golf. It has been a while since wd have

been talking about lively wdather. That is on offer over the ndxt 4

hours. Some of you are seeing that in the shape of thunder storms and

heavy downpours. A very warl day tomorrow. Not everywhere will see

this. But a fair number of xou will. That has warranted a Met Office

yellow warning which will come into force tonight, running into Friday,

the potential for torrential downpours, surface water flooding,

lightning risk, as much as two inches of rain.

Potentially disruptive. We do have thunderstorms at the moment tracking

through Wilts, and Bath. Tonight and tomorrow, this disturbance runs up

from France, sparking things of through the day. Through thd rest of

this evening, the key clustdr is heading towards Devizes. Later on

tonight, particularly after midnight, a succession of hdavy

showers and thunderstorms. Ht will be a decidedly warm and sultry

night, especially for this time of year, temperatures no lower than 16

Celsius. A lot of cloud tomorrow. Still some heavy showers. For many

of you, it will be a gradually brightening process in the liddle of

the day. That is how the dax will remain, pleasant enough. But not so

where you are under the showers Some of those could remain ` feature

into the evening. Temperatures in sunny spots, 24

Celsius is likely. We will see some further showers on Saturday, after a

foggy start. Sunday looks bdtter. A fresher feel as well.

Nice to have some summery wdather still.

You can see our programme on Scotland tonight. I will be watching

all night because it will bd fascinating.

MENACING VOICE: You will rob the Bank of Karabraxos.