06/12/2011 Look North (Yorkshire)

Welcome to Look North. Tonight: Police warn that 64 burglars are

about to be released from prison, and some are persistent offenders.

We'll hear from families left picking up the pieces in the run up

to Christmas; and hear why police fear some of the thieves will

strike again. And tonight's other top stories:

Saving Scarborough from the sea. Plans for major new flood defences

to protect the resort. And plenty of pulling power. Find

out where you can have your Christmas tree delivered by a 12-

stone Newfoundland dog. Very windy night with gales by

tomorrow morning. The latest coming Welcome to the programme. First

tonight, police have taken the highly unusual step of warning the

public that more than 60 burglars are due to be released from prison

before Christmas, and that's just in one city in Yorkshire. Some are

repeat offenders, and one senior officer has told us the public

should be vigilant, because they may try to do the same again. Our

crime correspondent John Cundy has been speaking to police and to

burglary victims. I had a big sports bag that was

full of presents that needed wrapping. They had ended that over

the kitchen table, took the bag to put in the stolen stuff. My drawers

were open, all of my personal items were over the floor. They did not

get everything, but banks to the burglars, this woman will be

struggling to keep her children happy this Christmas. They took an

estimated �500 worth of presents. Charlotte and Andrew were not

insured. I was really mad. I just burst into tears. They even took a

camcorder about we had. I had a video of one of their birth based

on. We will never get those images back either. I lived around the

corner from my niece who got broken into. They tried mind the night

before, but I was lucky because they did not get into mine. But

they were not so lucky. Police have tried many ways to crack down on

burglars: Sudden raids and burglars made to write to their victims.

Even Christmas cards have been sent to them from police warning that

they were on their case. This was described as the most

crime-ridden Street in the area. Police insist special measures that

they have taken have reduced a burglary, -- burglaries but there

is still some concern about the number of burglars leaving prison

in the run-up to Christmas. number drab December is slightly

higher than normal, but not significantly so. In the wider

context, in Leeds, we have seen a significant reduction in burglary

this year compared to last. I know someone who got their door kicked

down when they were in there. Beadell said, -- they were told let

us take what we want. We have managed to catch most of the people

who have been doing it around here. But police have yet to get the

burglar who upset Charlotte Andrew and their family this Christmas.

Lots of you have been getting in touch with us via our Facebook page

about this story. And it's prompted plenty of questions. Our political

editor, Len Tingle, is here to try and answer some of them. Is it

normal for 64 to be released in one month or is it because jails are

full? You have to remember there are over 1,100 prisoners in Leeds

prison. Statistically this is not unusual, but there is pressure on

prisons. When this government came in, there were 85,000 prisoners

across England and Wales. It instantly announced proposals to

reduce that by its 3,000 over the next three years. What has happened

is the reverse: We have had the some of the riots so as we speak,

the prison population is over 87,000 and rising at about 100 a

week. What sort of sentences do you get for burglary? It is the tariff

that is suggested by the Ministry of Justice to judges which has gone

up recently. If it is a first offence, a suggestion is around 18

months. If it is all one burglary, but if it is for two is suggesting

is three years. For three burglaries, four years. The maximum

under the 1968 theft Act is 14 years. You have to remember that

different circumstances have to be taken into account. Any prospect of

tougher sentences, aren't all parties supposed to be tough on

time and tough on causes of crime? Labour was planning for over 90,000

in prison so they thought they had to be tougher, but if you talk to

prison reform organisations they would say you have to look at how

many people offend again. It is a shockingly high number. Thank you.

Next tonight, it's feared one of Scarborough's most famous buildings

could be lost forever if new sea defences aren't put in place. The

newly refurbished Spa Theatre sits on the old sea wall which is

constantly being battered by the tide. The surrounding cliffs have

already eroded and footpaths have been closed. Now Scarborough

Council wants to spend �20 million on a new sea wall. Michelle Lyons

reports. Surfers are made of Hardy staff, or

riding the waves in temperatures near-freezing. But not as sturdy

are the sea defences. At 170 years old, they are starting to show

their age, not surprising considering the battering they had

taken over the decades. The sea wall was first built in the

Victorian period -- era when the spot was in its heyday. Until now

it has stood the test of time, but council officials fear the eroding

coastline could put the building at risk. This takes a lot of padding.

We have pictures showing waves up to 40 ft in height. That is the

ferocity of the waves we are experiencing, and it will only get

worse because of climate change, the rising of the EEC levels and

the frosty winters. The council has drawn up plans for new defences.

One design uses rocks to protect the eroding coastline, another it

uses steps. Both will cost up to �20 million.

That may seem like a lot of money for this side, but when you

consider what could be lost into the sea, some say it is a mere drop

in the ocean. When you look at this fantastic

building, the work has to be done. But it is a building that is iconic

in Scarborough, and obviously I put shows on there and have spent a lot

of my life there, but it is huge and a wonderful and we are trying

to save it. If that is what it costs, then that is what it costs.

While it does not look in any imminent danger, these dramatic

images are a stark reminder of how quickly the coastline can change.

Back in 1993, this hotel slipped into the sea just one kilometre

away from the spot. New sea defences will protect his iconic

building from a similar fate. The council will not know for another

two years whether it has received funding from central government.

Later on Look North, in memory of Ted Hughes. The Yorkshireman is

honoured in Westminster Abbey's Poet's Corner among some of the

A woman who was buried alive in a box has told Leeds Crown Court she

was attacked with a stun gun, bound and gagged and taken to the West

Yorkshire countryside where she was dumped. Michelina Lewandowska

alleges her former partner carried out the attack with another man.

The two men deny attempted murder. Our correspondent Ed Thomas is in

Huddersfield. Yes, she spoke only in Polish in

that court today. She also spoke behind a screen to protect her

identity. She relived the moments she said she was attacked by her

former partner before being taken to not far from where I am and

buried alive. The prosecution said this happened because her former

partner of became bored with life with her and wanted to start again

with their child. She was asked to describe what happened inside the

house that day. She said, after being tasted, I was bound and

gagged in a computer box. Her former boyfriend was helped by his

friend before she was driven here. They climbed to Weyhill, dug a hole

before she was placed inside. She then said how she used her

engagement ring to scratch a hole in the box and escape. Her former

boyfriend denied attempted murder, so does his friend. The case is

expected to continue tomorrow. Thank you.

Police have arrested a 36-year-old man on suspicion of murder after a

fatal stabbing in Barnsley. Officers were called to a

disturbance at a house in Colley Crescent in Kendray overnight. A

29-year-old man who hasn't been named was treated by paramedics but

he later died. It's been announced that the

funeral of the former Leeds and Sheffield United footballer Gary

Speed will take place later this week. The Wales manager was found

hanged at his home nine days ago. The funeral will only be for family

and close friends. A memorial service is also being planned for

the New Year, when fans can pay their respects.

An �11 million modernisation programme at Leeds Bradford Airport

has begun. Bosses there say passengers will see new shops and

restaurants. The security and check in areas will be extended. Its

hoped the expansion will boost the local economy. -- it is hoped.

of our beans is looking at where we can create good local supply chains.

We have fantastic businesses here. This is a further investment in

them. The money spent here will go back into the regional economy.

And on the late Look North with Nik at 10.25pm tonight we'll have more

on that story and what it could mean for business in Yorkshire.

It's as American as apple pie, but now the famous Oreo cookie is to be

manufactured right here in Yorkshire. Kraft foods, which took

over Cadburys, spending �6 million pounds on a new production line at

its factory in Sheffield to make the cookies. It'll mean 20 new

manufacturing jobs in Sheffield, although 200 jobs are going at

Kraft plants elsewhere in the country.

The factory is marvellous. We have looked to see if we can bring in

other biscuit brands into that site. A lot of work has gone into this, a

lot of research, but we believe we can effectively make an managed

brands like this at our site in Sheffield. It is only good news for

the future. A mobility scooter has been seized by Doncaster Council

after it was spotted racing around fields at speeds of 60 miles per

hour scaring wild deer and annoying locals. It was removed from the 24

year old rider by police. Soldiers from Yorkshire are

preparing to spend Christmas in Afghanistan, thousands of miles

away from their loved ones. Not all are fighting on the frontline.

We've been talking to two Yorkshire soldiers who've been helping train

the Afghan Police. Ian White It is a battle zone, but it is also

where these youngsters lived. Afghanistan is home for these

people, but also fought soldiers from Yorkshire. They have been

helping train local policeman and soon it their work will be done.

Control is to be handed back to the locals. It has been good to work

with them and see their style of doing things, and also learning

from them and they are learning from us. The locals in this area

are more than happy to see us. They'd come up and talk, their

children take our hands, some of the lads will talk and downs with

the children. Private Elizabeth France -- Crossland is just 18. She

is just one of two women stationed here. The Afghanis do not get to

see that many women so they get excited when they see me. They

chase me and asked me questions. People don't realise how lucky they

are. When you come and see a country like this, you realise what

it is really like. They will be spending Christmas thousands of

miles away from their loved ones, but Mackie says he will be making

the most of things. The lads will make it a bit better with the jokes

and at least I don't have to do the washing up after dinner. Soon, this

part of Helmand province will be back in the hands of Afghans and be

sold us hope they will have made a A crack down on families who take

their children out to school during term time has started in Keith

Flett. The seats were filled, at this

stage lit dramatically. This was a premiere for a film made in five

languages to try and stop kids from missing school. Every school here

has come together it to make this film. We are making the school

because hundreds of school days are lost from children being late for

missing school. Nationally, about 5% of primary school days are a

must in England. The figure is higher in Yorkshire and higher

still in Bradford. Keith Lee has one of the highest at -- worst

attendance figures in the country. Now there is a warning. If your

child does not go to school regularly term-time holidays will

not be what -- allowed. Pupils could even lose their place on the

school roll. Good attendance means children are happy, safe, we know

for they are. Better attendance means better achievement,

ultimately to better life choices. Why is there such a problem here?

First of all, it is the extended leave. It could be families going

abroad for a number of months at a time. It tends to mainly the

families with Pakistani heritage. It would appear that we seem to be

as little bit worse than most places. They are also using bribery.

Every week, the class with the best attendance gets 10 minutes of extra

playtime. Every term, up one people with 100% attendance wins and your

iPod. It is hoped that the combination between this film and

threats will keep classes full. Stay with us. How is this for a

special delivery? 12 stone in Newfoundland dogs helping to

transport Christmas trees in Dalby Forest.

Of course, everyone knows that the poet Ted Hughes was from a tiny

little town just outside Halifax. Tonight, a memorial stone has been

dedicated to him in a special service at Westminster Abbey. The

stone is being laid at Poet's Corner. I spent the day at the

place where Ted Hughes was born. This is the birthplace of Ted

Hughes. Although he left aged eight, throughout his life he was drawn

back. It is where his parents returned and where his wife, Sylvia

Plath, is laid to rest. More importantly, his childhood

playground the secret valley. This was his escape. He came here

with his brother and they would Camperdown their and recalled that

her Happy Valley. It was such a special place to him. Down there

there is at campsite where he woke up in though morning and claimed he

knew he was going to be a poet. know of that bilberry bank, that a

victory which is there yet and not changed. Where these words written

here? He may have been a wanderer, but this place shaped his world.

Snowdrop. Now is the globe shrunk tight through the my sister Olwyn

to the heart. Ted Hughes has influenced a new generation of

poets and today they celebrate his rightful place in Poet's Corner.

Even though they are very rich and mysterious and complex, there is

something there on the surface, on the page, for everybody. There was

a part of him that was always here. He said it was his tuning fork.

Hughes, poet Laureate, now honoured at Westminster Abbey. A

Yorkshireman. The service is underway at

Westminster Abbey. A very eclectic mix of people

tonight. It not just family and friends but fellow writers as well.

Fellow writers and performers. Juliet Stevenson will be making a

writer -- a reading. That is testament to the influence that Ted

Hughes had on society. He was named as one of the greatest writers of

his generation but too many people he was much more than that. I spoke

to one friend about the rich influence he had had on Ted

Hughes's's wife. What was it like to have that

correspondence from such an young age? It was very exciting because

he was the first poet I started reading at school. It was right --

it was like writing to Blake or Shakespeare or someone. It was

fantastic. I had to three letters in the selected writer -- selected

writers that they brought out. started writing that you and giving

criticism? Yes. He's to right-back with comments. I had a letter a

couple of weeks before he died when he took the time to write comments

on my pawns. He was a very generous spirited man. -- on my poems.

come from Huddersfield. That is part of the world where he is still

fondly remembered. What is his enduring legacy? I guess just as

one of the great poets of our times. He is in that line from Chaucer to

Shakespeare through bleak and Wordsworth and I am one of the

directors of an organisation that promotes his work. We try and keep

his work alive. Would he have been embarrassed to have a stone in

Port's corner? I think he was quite a shy man. The few times I met him.

I think he would have felt quite honoured. Particularly to be near

TS Eliot's stone. I think that would have meant a great deal to

him. Gerard Manley Hopkins is also close by. At --. These are all the

people he revered. Thank you very much.

Sole from Yorkshire to Westminster Abbey, not a bad career. I have

heard at least two people say that the first -- the reason they got

into writing was because of Ted Hughes's work. Tonight there will

be a corner of Westminster Abbey that is forever Yorkshire.

It would have been nice if it was made out of Yorkshire granite.

Here is the biggest story of the day.

Look at it behind me! Down at Dalby Forest they have got some new

recruits helping out with Christmas tree cells. They are a little on

the large side! Christmas is great. But not that

green. What with all the tinsel and paper and transport costs. Here at

Dalby Forest they are trying to cut the carbon Footprint a little and

leave instead a very big pot -- pop front. This is an Newfoundland dog.

It is capable of pulling 50 times its own body weight. A cart and a

couple of Christmas trees is nothing to him. For a small

donation to charity, they will be towing trees to the car park. A

good use for a big dog! They are lovely, a docile dogs but you can

work them. First and foremost the look of some, it they are beautiful,

but their temperament is fantastic. I also wanted a dog I could work

with. The down sides are slobber and far in your fridge. They only

come in three sizes. Large, extra- large and all my God. This Dhokia

is 13 1/2 stone. A decent weight for a rugby player. A little

worrying when you see what happens when eight stone and Maddie wants

to go for a walk. If you were thinking, for either because... It

is because they are wet. At these stocks are -- these dogs do best --

breaststroke. Towing Christmas trees is probably a little beneath

them. Let us have a look at that gorgeous

thing. Paul, get out the shot! What is the news, Paul?

Grandma, or we love you! Es a little baby born in Australia.

Writing with your suggestions as to what I should be called!

Linda says, because she is so generous, glamorous Grande Marque.

Three lovely pictures. That gives you an indication of the snow line.

It is the pit -- Peak District that has got it to the most.

The main focus of the forecast is in the next 12 boroughs is the

gales. Possibly severe gales later on Thursday. -- next 12 hours.

Atlantic weather systems steaming in from the West. You can see from

the closely packed isobars that the winds will be dusting. Right now,

we have got outbreaks of rain and drizzle across much of Yorkshire.

We have had reports of snow in some areas. Mostly over the tops of

hills. Elsewhere, a miserable night with rain and sleet. Winds will pay

Cup. -- Peck up. Nowhere near as I see as it was first thing this

morning. A very windy day indeed. Deals for much of the day. The

showers are going to struggle to get any further east words. Many

areas dry it with some sunshine. Thursday, it will turn wet and

windy from the West. By the end of the day we could have severe gales.