09/03/2012 Look East - East

In Look East tonight: Returning to Helmand. More than 1000 personnel

from this region are heading to Afghanistan over the next few weeks.

Welcome to Look East. Also tonight: Are you sure that really all these

cuts can just be taken from back of his as you say? Savings can be made.

We do not think it is necessary now to speculate about what will be

happening in five years. Like his comment from the police minister

yesterday prompted one of our chief constables to get in touch.

Being kept in the dock. The great street light switch off gathers

pace. And a happy ending for the toddler

who lost most of his skin because The 1,500 soldiers from our region

preparing to head off to the front line in Afghanistan just days after

six others fell victim to a Taliban bomb. The East is already playing

an important role in Afghanistan. Members are there now. So two

Apache helicopter crews from Wattisham. Over the next month they

will be joined by the Light Dragoons, based at Swanton Morley

in Norfolk, a regiment from the RAF Honington in its Suffolk and

members of the Light Dragoons in Essex. But soon the Royal Anglians

will be the biggest group. Perhaps 600 men will leave over the next

few weeks. The vast majority of a critic from this region, from

Suffolk, Cambridge, Essex and Norfolk. It is not the first time.

The operation in northern Afghanistan started in 2001 soon

after 9/11. But it was not until 2006 that British troops were sent

to Helmand province in southern Afghanistan. Among them,

paratroopers based at Colchester. The following year, the Royal

Anglians were sent there. Nine men lost their lives including three he

is a so-called friendly fire incident. And in 2009, six soldiers

serving with the Norfolk-based Light Dragoons were killed. Some

soldiers from the Royal Anglians returned in 2009 and 2010 but this

latest tour will be the first time they have been back as a battalion

since 2007. Just trading today, aircrews and

medics are well drilled in getting a casualty after the battlefield.

For the 1,500 soldiers, airmen and women from our region who are about

to head to Afghanistan, this is a flight they would not want to be on.

600 Royal Anglians are back to deploy. For these teenagers, it is

their first taste of war. I am apprehensive but the training we

have had, I think I am well ready and the battalion is well ready.

You must be apprehensive? A little bit. What your family say? They are

a bit upset but they got me to do my job and had I come back. 2007

was a tough one for the Anglians. Their last nine men but gained huge

respect far beyond the military. For their commanding officer, this

tour will be completely different. Because of the nature of the

mission we are going to do, which is all about security force

assistance, enabling the Ashdown -- Afghan national security forces to

take over. We will do that through training and advising. Meeting the

Light Dragoons, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond is acutely aware of

the death of six British soldiers in his huge explosion three days

ago will have shaken public confidence. We still do not know

any of the details about what occurred during the week. It may

have been a one-off. We do not yet know. But myself and my boys have

confidence in the kit. The debts have brought into sharp relief how

dangerous it is. -- the deaths. is. You would expect us to be more

contested areas to help the Afghans take control of them. That is

exactly where we are. When I was last here in 2006 our troops were

among the first to be deployed. Back then, the then Secretary of to

State for Defence told me that not a single shot of -- shop would be

fired. Sixes on, more than six disorders from our region have been

killed. These soldiers are in the sharp end of one of the most

deadliest threats, improvised explosive devices. Sniffer dogs

will be used alongside bomb clearers. I would say we are

getting on top of the threat. The training we are receiving and the

capability we have got, we have full confidence in that. Some local

troops will be leaving tonight. They are due back in the autumn.

They are aware that summer is the height of the fighting season.

As we have seen, the conflict in Afghanistan is now in its 11th year.

The British death toll is rising above 400. Mark Lancaster, the MP

for Milton Keynes North, served in Afghanistan six years ago with the

Territorial Army. I asked him if it was a more dangerous country now

than then. I think the conflict has evolved over the years. There is a

much greater use of improvised explosive devices and back does

probably prevent the biggest threat to our armed forces that we saw,

sadly only this week. Isn't it time, I know we are pulling out in 2014,

but why don't we did it now? If we do we run the risk of Afghanistan

falling into disarray. We have seen significant progress in recent

years away from hell man. We have seen some provinces handed over to

Afghan forces themselves to run but we still need more time to build

the capacity of the Afghan National Army so that we can leave

Afghanistan in good order and capable of dealing with the Taliban

themselves. That will probably take until 2015. By the very nature of

Afghan society, though, isn't it end possible to make it entirely

safe? That is probably right. It will always be an interesting

country. But it is wrong to try to impose Western values entirely on

to that country but we are not trying to build an Afghan national

army capable of comparison with a Western army like ours. We are just

trying to build a security force that can deal with the local threat

of the Taliban. What you say to the families of those soldiers are back

to head off to Afghanistan, who will be worried, especially in the

light of what has happened this week? Of course our hearts go out

to those families who have suffered losses this week, and indeed over

the course of this campaign. The family are incredibly brave to go

out and serve our country. We should be proud of them. Thank you.

Later we are looking ahead to the weekend football and rugby.

Jonathan has been on the training ground. I will be looking at the

path from the football player to the football manager. What to

One of the biggest electricity suppliers in the region, EDF Energy,

has agreed to pay out a record �4.5 million after a investigation into

mis-selling. The French company supplies 565,000 customers in this

region. The regulator Ofgem says rules over the way it sells have

been breached. These could be among the 70,000 EDF

customers hoping for a �50 rebate after the company acknowledged

shortcomings whilst sailing over the Brent and at the door. They

want to do right by their customers and that is important to recognise

that EDF Energy have breached their licence obligations. What we did

not find there was any evidence of EDF Energy either condoning or

allowing the sale. If you have never switched supplier in this

region, the Hon will probably provide your electricity. It is a

market EDF has been tapping into but it will now change the way does

it. This professor at the University of East Anglia has sent

her career researching the energy industry. If the markets are going

to work well, consumers have to be active in the market. This will

increase consumer confidence and it should make consumers more active,

looking out for the best offers, and then the companies find it

worthwhile to makers could officers -- make us good offers. The chief

executive officer said in a statement today, as soon as the

issue was identified, we immediately took action. The

companies and vulnerable customers will receive a �50 rebate in their

bills over the next six months. A number of protesters are outside

the Cambridge Union this evening, demonstrating is the appearance of

Dominique Strauss-Kahn at the university debating society. The

former chief of the International Monetary Fund has been at the

number up -- centre of a number of sexual assault allegations.

Plans to turn off street buyers will be extended across Essex.

Camberley any Uttlesford and Maldon turn this off, to save money. But

consultations are about to start in two more areas.

Put that light out! The night-time blackouts of the Second World War

may be the stuff of history books and nostalgic comedy but Essex

County Council has now started putting its lights out overnight,

turning them out until 5am to save energy and money. Tas centres like

this one, Maldon, will continue to be little night. And so will main

roads like this one. But you may well have to start carrying one of

these if you find yourself having to use quiet side-streets like this

one, perhaps getting home after finishing a late shift, or getting

up to do when anyone. The Conservative-run authority

estimates that switching of some 2% of its street lights will save only

-- almost �1 million a year. It will take some time for the

investment to pay off but the council believes it is the right

mood. Since we came up with that figure, energy costs have gone up.

We also save on carbon tax, 8,000 tonnes a year. So do not have to

pay so much. If you look at what happened in Uttlesford and Maldon,

we have been saving for a lot of money per annum. But what about

crime rates, Essex County Council says they have dropped in two trial

areas but nationally, Labour is saying that switching off street

lights increases the fear of crime. Nevertheless, the next two

districts to switch off Wilby Chelmsford and Braintree, after a

consultation as well as the people not if it will happen but wet.

-- where. You can see more on the Sunday

Politics at midday on Sunday on BBC One. If you have a story about

switching off the lights, you can contact us in the usual way.

For the Labour MP who attacked two councillors from Essex in the House

of Commons bar has escaped prison. Eric Joyce admitted attacking the

Conservative councillors and an MP. He was given a 12 month community

service order and was fined �3,000. A major conference was held today

to hammer home the case for getting superfast broadband across the

whole of Suffolk. Experts say that without it the county could end up

in the economic slow lane. Talking to delegates in Paris and

10 mins today, one thing was clear. On the superhighway, it has been

more of a haphazard dawdle than a high-speed --. One man that should

note is a pewter Cochrane, an expert on technology. Will have

their motorway, a very poor rail service, and no airport. When I try

to bring American companies in here a look at batten walk away.

Especially when they see there is no band with as well. A multi-

million-pound campaign is already under way to change that. This

conference was designed to demonstrate a man. They laid on a

show case from unlike many during of play up for patients to pupils

from a high school in Ipswich and the joys of birch were learning.

is actually very easy and it helps a lot. We can finish things at home.

A at the moment, average speed is two or three megabytes per second.

That is not in it. Japan, even Jersey, are on 1000. This is not

Silicon Valley. It ought to be. million of public money has already

been set aside to help turn the vision into reality and for the

next month, local people and businesses are being invited to

have a say on how that cash can best should be sent. -- best be

Going back now to restore it from Look East last night, a warning

about the impact of cuts to our police forces. After our report, I

interviewed Police Minister Nick Herbert. His comments prompted the

Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire to get in touch. First, a reminder

of what was said yesterday. Last night, the chief constables of

Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire told it straight, to protect

frontline officers they believe it is almost inevitable police forces

will have to merge is a cuts continue for much longer at the

present higher rate. A If you are going to take money out, one of the

things we will have to look at in the next four or five years is

merging police forces. Depending of the level of cuts and how we

continue delivering services, we may have to continue -- consider

merging. The Policing Minister was quick to dismiss these concerns.

is not necessary to speculate about five years' time. The chief

constables were responding to the speculative question. Much better

now to focus on what they have to do now. A weighing heavily on the

Government's mind is the appointment of locally elected

police and Crown Commissioners in November. The last thing it wants

is talk all speculation of police forces being merged to save money.

The Cambridgeshire force alone has to cut millions. It is achieving

this in many ways including sharing resources with other forces and

cutting jobs. As the cuts edge closer to the front line, two to

customers -- two constables are saying something has to give.

Earlier this afternoon, I spoke to Chief Constable Simon Parr. I

started by asking for his reaction to the minister's claim that he was

speculating about future cuts that no one had decided yet. My comments

were very much based on what the Chancellor said in his Autumn

Statement. He said that six York -- he said six more years of austerity,

two for the years on top of the current comprehensive spending

review. My job as chief constable is to try to work at what that

might mean Forest. I have no reason to believe or suspect that policing

will be exempt from those cuts and to answer to a direct question, I

was really saying if the trajectory could -- trajectory of cuts

continues as it has been, merging police forces may be one answer to

managing those cuts whilst preventing -- protecting the front

line. So the minister was right to a certain extent that it was

speculation but you're saying it is based on sound judgment and what

you have heard so far? Would you like more specific clarification?

It is always nice to have certain numbers to do certain planning but

I am not unrealistic enough to believe anyone can tell me now what

does cuts may be. I am doing my job in terms of trying to protect the

people of Cambridgeshire. If we know there will be cuts, the

earlier the better in terms of knowing what they are. But in

response to what the Chancellor said, an extra two years, �15

billion more, I'm going to have to look somewhere different to get

that money. Ministers have predicted them to not one bit from

line to be cut. How much confidence do you have that they are listening

to you? Ministers absolutely understand the challenges we face.

I have no disagreement or quarrel with the police and Justice

Minister bow their the direction he wants to take. Here in

Cambridgeshire, we have plans to take �12 million out of our budget

already. We have reduced crime by 10% again this year. I think we are

answering in Cambridgeshire exactly the question the Government has

asked. I just think there may be another answer further down the

track if there is another cut coming.

The thank you. Sport now and could lead to all

those running in any kind of Marathon this weekend, especially

those in the half marathon in Milton Keynes. Including Christian

Horner, the boss at Red Bull Racing. Lots of staff they are doing it as

well. More sport this weekend as well.

We will start with football. Paul Lambert says need a here -- he nor

his players feel under any pressure going into Sunday's home game with

Wigan. Marriage have lost their last three. It was once 0 at Stoke

last week. They are comfortably mid-table in the Premier League

with a 30 point cushion over the bottom three. -- 13.. I met him

again headed will be pretty tough. The rest of the fixtures. In the

Championship, Ipswich are at Hull, Peterborough at ten to Blackpool.

Mint cake -- MK Dons host Exeter. Colchester are a way to Wycombe.

Northampton could move out of the bottom two by beating Aldershot.

It is one of the toughest jobs going but what does it take to

become a football manager? Take a look up and down the country. All

have different backgrounds, experience, success, but most have

got into big coach and a youth team. That includes former Ipswich player

Fabian Wilnis, who is now trying Come on, then. Football management

is a real tough job. You did it for passion and love of football.

The do not last long. The bigger they are, they're harder they fall.

But every year, hundreds of players prepare for life as the boss. What

worries you? When you do that team selection due have got to

disappoint a few people. By now it's as a player. I had been there.

For former Ipswich defender Fabian Wilnis is building up his kitchen

hours with the youth team. One day he would love to manage his former

club but needs to steady first for two years. The big differs going

from player to manager is all of a sudden you are not just looking

after yourself but a team of individuals. It is more than a

proper job. Military 24/7. 365 days a year. I have always said to

people, would I like to kettle marriage? No. Stings the start of

the season, 27 managers have left their clubs. Most of them was

sacked. Many are waiting for any opportunity, including Nigel

Worthington. He offers and that he manages his advice. Part of

adapting to the manager situation, coming straight out of a plane

situation is having people around you trying to help and work with.

Many of the greats just learnt on the job but now there is even a

university course for budding managers. Some things remain. The

buck stops with you when you are in the hot seat.

In the rugby tomorrow, it is the start of the Championship play-offs.

Bedford open up against Rotherham and on Sunday, Northampton are

looking to book their place in the final of there ever -- the LV= Cup.

We are in two competitions now and we have a chance of two and we want

to win two. We will be going all- out to win the semifinal.

At the World Indoor Athletics Championships, Andrew Osagie just

qualified for the semifinals in the 800 metres. He came third in his

heat, using every effort to get over the line. He is back on track

in the morning. You can follow all our athletes on the BBC Sport

website. I was at a charity Cup Inc --

cooking event with Fabian Wilnis a few years ago. I am sure his

coaching is better than his cooking! If you are a parent of a

young child, you will know all about making your home safe. But

accidents still happen and in the case of Alexander Caven-Atack in

Colchester, it nearly cost him his life. A small bone from a cup of

tea led him to have 80% of his skin removed. -- a small person. The 16

months old is in rude health but this was Alexander six months ago.

They earn barely the size of a 10p piece turned into a life-

threatening bacterial infection. His skin began to peel off. They

initially had to remove a 2% of the top layer of his skin. -- 80%. They

had to be taking backing to surgery five times, under general

anaesthetic, to remove any other infected skin. And to keep the

infection from spreading. developed a rare condition which

went undiagnosed until he was admitted to a specialist burns unit.

By Ben, the infection had taken hold. And antiseptics it was used

to help his recovery. Alexander has spent two weeks here in Hospital in

Chelmsford, fed through a tube and given high doses of antibiotics was

bandaged head to foot. The doctors here say he only survived because

he had such a strong constitution. Now he's back to full health. New

guidelines have been drawn up for GP surgeries. They recommend burns

in grandchildren must be checked daily. If there is deterioration,

the child should be referred to a burns unit immediately. He probably

has no memory of the trauma. That is good.

It breaks your heart! Alexander's family are full of

praise for the burns specialists at Broomfield Hospital.

It has been very mild today. Temperatures up to 12 Celsius. That

is the theme of our weather for several days to come. It is because

we have had an area of high pressure to our South. It has set

up a south-westerly flow of mild Atlantic air. It also brought us

very cloudy conditions across the region today. This was the scene a

couple of hours ago on the satellite chart. There is a fair

bit of cloud around. That will be what happens during the course of

the night. Quite large areas of cloud moving through overnight. If

it should stay dry. It will turn a bit misty overnight tonight, and

Barry Miles. Temperatures are not expected to get lower than seven

Celsius, 45 Fahrenheit. Wind is light. They were such moderate in

strength around the Norfolk and Suffolk coastline. During the

weekend, the high pressure is pretty much right over us for

tomorrow and Sunday. That means light wind and some fine weather

but there is a chance they could be a fair bit of cloud trapped

underneath the area of high pressure. Sedges summarise the

weekend, we know it will be dry. It will be very mild indeed. We should

see something of the sunshine. Perhaps a cloudy start tomorrow. A

bit of missed first thing. Quite clear conditions to start the day -

- tidy conditions to start the day but as the cloud brakes we will see

some sunshine. It should feel quite comfortable. Further spells of

sunshine through the afternoon and staying dry. And it stays dry for

the next five days. Pretty and changing. Some of Mr mornings,

possibly the are far patch by Monday but you will see the