31/10/2011 Look North (East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire)

Good evening and welcome to BBC Look North. The headlines tonight:

Cracking down on the metal thieves - police demand more powers as the

crime figures increase. No more than �20 for the scrap value of the

cable. He is now serving a 12 month sentence.

Remembering a hero - family and friends gather in honour of the Red

Arrow pilot who died doing the job he loved.

The barriers to trade - why shopkeepers in Lincoln are angry at

weekend train diversions which are costing them money. Joined me for

some of ghosts and the goblins in a scoop -- spooky location and Hull.

Metal thieves have caused havoc on the railways, cut off villages from

the National Grid and left churches without roofs. Now, the railway

authorities in Yorkshire have secured a meeting with the

government tomorrow to ask for new police powers to tackle the growing

problem. In the wider Yorkshire and Lincolnshire region, there were 345

thefts of copper cable from the railways in the last year. That

cost more than �3 million. Demand for copper has pushed the price up

by 14% in the last week alone. Train passengers suffering delays,

churchgoers having their service cancelled, and home owners deprived

of power. All victims of metal theft. It is thieves like these,

trying to steal signal cables, that cause chaos. But it is scrap-metal

dealers who are under scrutiny. Normally, they come in on third.

They look a bit worried, they are sweating, so you know they have got

storeman staff. If I came in with a brass urns, what would you do?

would ask you where you are from and where you got them from, we

would take your vehicle registration number and ask for

your passport or driving licence. Police guidelines show the type of

cable that can only be stolen. Just this weekend, homes were left

without power in East Yorkshire. The lights were flickering, and the

boiler was buzzing. There was a power surge. It was all very dodgy.

They are cutting these wires of. Even the steelworks here in

Scunthorpe are not exempt from this crime. �300,000 worth of metal has

been stolen since January alone. Network Rail are meeting the Home

Office to call for more police powers to close scrapyards. They

also want cash payments to sellers banned. The value of copper cable

stolen it is minimum it to the disruption caused. In the north-

east, it has cost Network Rail �300 million this year.

The is scrapyard has strict checks on those touting suspicious loads.

But managers feared they could end up carrying

Just before we came on air, I asked Ian Hetherington from the British

Metals Recycling Association, which represents scrap merchants, how far

he supported greater police powers. We certainly would have support a

reform of the existing dealers Act. It is out of date and out of time.

We may differ on some of the detail. Some of the powers the police are

asking for, I believe, would be a gross infringement of our liberty

to trade. But for the most part, there is a degree of agreement.

Anyone can turn up and get paid in cash. Would you accept not being

able to trade in cash? I don't think this is feasible. At the

moment, there is such a long tail of unregulated trade. Legitimate

cash business, which is a very substantial part of our member's

income, it wouldn't just drift and lookout. But it is still payment.

- League out. Surely that would eliminate some of the problem.

Large numbers of businesses across the UK trade, and continue to trade,

quite legitimate League using coin of the realm. It is not an a

regular way of making payments. If you were to disadvantage them, you

would be seriously disadvantaging them and disrupting their business.

-- legitimate trade. If the police may get tougher, is there a

possibility, or risk, that more storeman metalled then it will go

abroad? -- stall and a metal. isn't a major primary trade in

stolen metal. Some organised crime is working in that area, but the

majority of the material is being sold into illegal yards, and they

need to be clamped down on. In that respect, we would support an

improvement. -- stall and metal. We've just confirmed that a power

cut yesterday at Barnetby in North Lincolnshire was caused by cable

thieves. The company which owns the cables, YEDL, said a was removed

from its overhead network. Have you been a victim of the metal thieves?

Will a clampdown on the scrapyards In a moment: It's now nine games

unbeaten for the Tigers as Hull The Red Arrows marked the death of

one their own pilots today with a flypast over Lincoln Cathedral.

Inside the church, a service was held in memory of flight lieutenant

Jon Egging. He died in August when his plane crashed during an airshow

in Bournemouth. Vicky Johnson was at the service. They came from all

walks of life, friends, family, colleagues and well-known faces,

all determined to celebrate the life of one of the RAF's brightest

stars. So many words that could describe him, and yet, at the one

that encompasses all that John was his friend. John Egging was a

caring and compassionate individual. John it really did represent two

halves of one Hall. He he knew how the other felt. He was just

something extra special. He was a terribly kind, and really did have

a huge smile on his face. You could always going have a cup of tea with

him. He was lovely. John Egging had almost completed his first year

with the Red Arrows when he died in August. Since then, his widow has

set up a trust in his name to set up -- to help disadvantaged young

people. People have been so generous. They have helped us

pledge money. The public have been brilliant, and it is our intention

to take all of that support and directed in the direction of the

trust. All of the John's qualities and beliefs and values were

epitomised by the RAF. He always wanted to fly, and when he was able

to do that, how can I do anything else than be happy for him? Today's

service has been exactly what John's friends and family could

have wished 4: A perfect celebration of a life less ordinary.

While the crash is still being investigated, John Egging's team

mates had been flying in at a missing man formation. They paid

their own tribute to a man who was never afraid to reach for the sky.

The government has awarded �35 million to East Yorkshire and

Northern Lincolnshire councils to boost job creation. East Riding

Council hopes to create thousands of jobs with investment in the

Greenport Project at Hull Docks. North Lincolnshire Council will

spend the money helping find new work for steel workers who are

losing their jobs. Two firms, BOC and T&N Plastics, in North East

Lincolnshire also received money. Police are investigating after a

man's body was discovered in Grantham. Officers were called to

Swinegate in the town centre early this morning. The road was cordoned

off to allow forensic officers to investigate, but it has since been

reopened. The body is believed to be that of a 42-year-old local man.

We have recovered the body and made an initial assessment. I am happy

that there doesn't seem to be anything suspicious. I can't give a

definitive answer to that until a post-mortem is carried out, but the

early suggestions are there is nothing suspicious.

A man from Hull has been told he will be jailed for his part in an

attack on a bank during a protest march in London after a jury found

him guilty of violent disorder. 22- year-old Joseph Binney was involved

in this disturbance at a branch of the Santander bank in central

London. It happened during a Union protest rally against government

spending cuts. Binney denied being partly responsible for the damage

despite his palm print being found on the inside door of the bank.

Traders say a temporary increase in the number of trains passing

through Lincoln is damaging business. Level-crossing barriers

are closing 70 times a day at weekends for the next month,

splitting the shopping area in two for a total of three hours a day.

Network Rail has apologised for failing to inform Lincoln City

Council. It should be the busiest time of

the Year for this clothing shop, but the claim that last weekend's

rail disruption has cost them dearly. Over the next few weeks, we

need that run-up to give us a lift which we didn't get last year.

But that is what of this railway crossing it does. The destruction

is caused by rail improvement works taking place near Grantham. It

means an extra 42 trains are being diverted tear every Saturday, and

sometimes, that can mean four trained every 10 minutes. Traders

in the street area are far from happy. It is crucial for the build-

up to Christmas, it is a major blow. In a statement, at Network Rail

It has emerged that Network Rail failed to tell the council of its

plans on a weekend when the council was carrying out repairs on the

busiest road in the city. Had we known earlier, it is the East Coast

main line. We would have wanted to delay that for a weekend. We would

have wanted to put that back. There will be further disruption

over the next three weekends, with 42 extra trains every day. Network

Rail has told us this work is absolutely necessary, and will

provide benefits in the longer term. Local traders will be hoping their

customers are prepared to tolerate the disruption. The decision of

Nears over the closure of the children's heart unit.

And we are out with the ghost Elizabeth Saxton took this of

Scawby Woods near Brigg. Another one tomorrow night, roundabout the

same time. Coming up, the growing popularity of part-time work. Funny

you should come back on the day we're talking about a visit from

weird apparitions. I hope you behaved yourself with my female

colleagues! Can I show you a graphic we have done a for you?

Spot the difference. Rain to come tonight, which will be heavy, it

will be still around in the morning, but then the day develops into a

fine one, with some sunshine. Welcome rain, I am sure.

Temperatures will be above average. Right now, 15 or 16 degrees, so

excellent for tricking or treating. One or two showers are showing up,

but basically, many places are dry, and it is going to be a pleasant

evening. Quite a lot of cloud, that does increase later in the night,

bringing rain in from the West. Not reaching the coast until the very

end of the night, with temperatures drifting back to 10 Celsius. It

will be a wet start, the commuter could be pretty miserable for a

time, but by mid- to late morning, the rain is well clear of the coast,

and we will see the skies brightening. A good deal of

sunshine to come on the first day of November in the afternoon. The

average but this time of the year it is round about 12, so we are

once again above average. Looking further ahead, Wednesday looks dry

and bright, some more rain Wednesday night, and Thursday and

Friday, a mixture of sunny spells and scattered showers. I was

waiting you to say whether assistants and drop yourself in it!

Lisa thought you were bright enough to know the Sun would rise in the

morning, she didn't feel the need for you to tell us that! Serves me

The Government is due to make a decision before Christmas on the

proposed closure of the children's heart units in Leicester and Leeds,

which serve Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. The NHS wants to

concentrate expertise in larger centres - that would mean children

from this area being treated in Birmingham or Newcastle. The BBC

has followed one patient, Emily Taylor from Grimsby, as she was

treated at the threatened unit in Emily Taylor is one of around 3500

children who will need heart surgery this year. It is a

desperately worrying time for families, but for many, it could be

the difference between life and death. From the point of view of a

surgeon, this is very satisfying, because you do the operation, a job

done. Children's heart surgery is extremely complex, and the surgeons

who carried out are among the most skilled in the Depression. Emily's

procedure to correct a hole in the heart will take about four hours,

but some can take over 15. One of the key principles underpinning the

review is the idea of four surgeons carrying out a minimum of 400

paediatric heart operations per year. There is concern from some

about where this figure has come from. I want to see a real evidence

that they have considered another option that can potentially help us

keep them in Leeds. If we lose it, I really think it will be a serious

blow for many patients that are going to need it. I have had people

banging on my door every month saying, why it did you sort it out,

it is ridiculous that to have this large number of centres doing such

a small number of procedures. has been three weeks since Emily

Ken Maddock Hospital, and she is feeling much better. -- came out of

hospital. A I was really happy when it might operation was done,

because I could go home and have more fun. It is a wonderful to

think that it was found, and she has been treated, and now we can

get on with everything, not worry about it any more, get on with our

lives. You can see a full report on the

potential closure of the children's heart surgery unit in Leeds on

tonight's Inside Out. That's in just over half an hour here on BBC1.

Sport now, Damian Johnson's here. There has been talk that some Hull

City fans might boycott the match at Barnsley tomorrow in a row over

ticket prices. That has fallen largely on deaf ears.

It's nine games without defeat now for the Tigers after victory at

Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Some City fans are angry that tickets

for the away match at Barnsley are more expensive than some Premier

League games. But with City surging back into the promotion picture,

it's a match few will want to miss. "we didn't play very well today"

was manager Nigel Pearson's honest assessment. With the clock ticking,

a breakthrough. McLean punched the winner to extend the unbeaten run

to nine games, and secured a vital three points for the Tigers's

promotion push. We were able to raise our game considerably, in the

second half, we changed the shape a little bit as well. In the end, I

think we were worthy winners. Hull City fans have threatened to

boycott tomorrow night's game, angry at the price of tickets. Seat

for away fans cost �24. Barnsley are charging travelling supporters

�30, more than some Premier League clubs. A random search today showed

away tickets at Bolton Wanderers were just �22. I didn't realise how

much they were. It just goes with the territory. That is pretty steep,

compared to hear. But with the run they are on, you cannot miss it.

We're not missing it. A everybody wanted to go to the game tomorrow

and didn't want to miss it, I think it will be a good turnout. A so

Hull City can expect a strong following at Barnsley despite those

rising prices. A win will extend the unbeaten run and cement their

place in the play-offs. Shane Duffy headed an equaliser for Scunthorpe,

and Chris Bagnall helps them to a 4-2 win.

And what happened in the FA cup draw? Grimsby Town will play Port

Vale in the first round of the FA Cup, next month. It's their reward

Meanwhile in Rugby League, Hull FC's Kirk Yeaman was among the

scorers as England warmed up for their game against Australia next

week with a win over Wales. Yeaman was a first half scorer in the game

at Leigh which saw England win by 42 points to four.

Hull Stingrays' three-match unbeaten run came to an end against

leaders Belfast Giants. Two late goals helped Belfast to 3-1 win at

Hull Arena. The Stingrays stay sixth in the table. You can contact

me on Twitter. See you next week. He's remembered as one of the

heroes of World War Two. Guy Gibson led the famous Dambusters raid from

his base at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire. Now, almost 70 years

later, ghost hunters have been staking out his old office to try

to catch a glimpse of his ghost, which they say still haunts the

airfield. Sarah Corker went with them. Her report contains flashing

images. As dusk falls, a team of paranormal investigators are on the

hunt for ghosts they say haunt this airbase. We are looking for the

spirit of Guy Gibson and his dog. They have been a lot of things

reported about his dog, and it would be excellent if we got proof

that they are still here. He's remembered as the courageous RAF

pilot who led the Dambusters, and an attack which destroyed two large

German dams. And his dog - who became the squadron's mascot.

Buried on the airbase, the dog's ghost has been spotted across

Lincolnshire many times. He is like a lost soul, looking for his master.

When I was walking along the corridors, I could sense a dog

following me. So yes, like any other airfield, we have got the

ghost, and we have got this books. At the end of this corridor is Guy

Gibson's old office, it has been empty for half a century. I am

armed with this device, which shows any changes to the electromagnetic

field, which disliked say could show paranormal activity. -- this

lot say. They have all been going off. There is a possibility

aspirate is speaking to last through these machines. We have had

cold spots in the corner of the room, coming past us, as if they

are watching what we are doing. Coming in and saying, high, we are

here. Staff here say there are at least six spirits roaming the

airfield - leaving some more spooked than others. Quite a few

people will not going to the hankers after work, because of the

light going on and off, the front steps, of voices, when they know

they are the only people here. Whether you believe in ghosts or

not, it all adds to the legend of the dambusters and their four-

legged mascot. Well, Sarah is in East Park in Hull

now, where they're holding a ghost walk. What's going on there this

evening? Well, if you take a look over here, there is a funfair and

stunt show that has been run over the weekend. But come over here

with me for tonight's main attraction, the Ghost Walk.

Organisers have been setting up since 6am this morning, and it is

kitted out with sound effects, smoke machines, and some ghosts and

goblins to scare you along the way. As you can see, it is already

bringing in the big crowds. Earlier, I spoke to families who told me

what has been spitting them out tonight. The clown that jumped out.

I saw something moving. Like a ghost under the tunnel, it jumps

out at you. When the person jumped out with the ghost costume, it

scared me for a bit. It was really funny. It is the 11th year the

Ghost Walk has been running, and organisers expect up to 5000 people

to come down tonight. The best thing is, it is absolutely free, it

is open till 9pm, and young or old, there has been a big effort on the

costume front. Here is something to scare you guys at home! If you are

going, then enjoy. Let's get a recap of the national

and regional headlines. Amid more anti-capitalist protests, the Dean

of St Paul's is the latest high profile resignation.

Cracking down on the metal thieves - police demand more powers as the

crime figures increase. Rain at first tomorrow, soon

clearing, then fine and dry with spells of sunshine. Maximum

temperature, 15 degrees Celsius, 59 degrees Fahrenheit.

Response coming in on metal theft. The chain says, timed to stop the

dodgy cash in hand, no questions asked. Michelle says, we had the

overhead power cable stolen outside our house last Friday night, we