05/06/2014 Look North (Yorkshire)

Good evening and welcome to Thursday's Look North.

Failings at every level ` West Yorkshire Police are criticised

for the way they handle complaints of discrimination.

Also ahead, not a sell out ` with a month to go until the Tour de France

comes to Yorkshire, hoteliers tell us there are still rooms to spare.

And 70 years on, we meet the Yorkshire veter`ns back

I took an oath I would never handle another weapon again and I have kept

to that. This is one of the great tr`ditions

of Yorkshire. The horse tri`ls. It will attract 60,000 people. We will

tell you why it has such a special place in the sporting fabric of our

county. It was still cloudy when thhs

picture was taken earlier. Luch more sunshine tomorrow. Join me for the

detailed forecast. First tonight,

Yorkshire's biggest police force does not deal with complaints of

racial discrimination effectively. That's the conclusion of a report

by the Independent Police Complaints Commission which says

West Yorkshire Police is fahling at every level, complaints are poorly

handled from beginning to end. The police reject this

and say the report's out of date. First,

our crime correspondent John Cundy. 13 years ago, the Bradford riots.

Relations between the policd and the black and minority ethnic

communities at an all`time low. Since then, some progress. The IPCC

says today that West Yorkshhre Police still are not getting it

right. Allegations of complaint ard not

being dealt with as they should be. Complainants are not being dngaged

with and communicated with sufficiently enough. There was a

lack of understanding about how to assess the gravity of alleg`tions.

Those are the key issues. Today in Wakefield support group leaders

recognise the findings of the report. This woman remembers a black

man being manhandled by polhce. This police officer ignored all of the

social factors that had been at play on that day. We have a feelhng that

the police were also protecting their own. I feel the policd should

be with a complaint from a lember of the community the same as anybody

else. They need to appreciate there will be distinct differences and

take it into account when ddaling with a complaint. I know of a number

of people that have made colplaints and they have not been happx with

the way they were handles. They have been dismissed, they have not been

taken seriously, they have not gone to the next stage. It is very much

about West Yorkshire accepthng that they need to get their rules in

order. The police watchdog `ccuses the force of failing at every stage

to properly handle racial discrimination complaints m`de

against them and it says thd force does not have a good enough

understanding with its commtnities. It is a picture West Yorkshhre

Police firmly reject. The police say the picture painted by the

complaints commission is not one may recognise `` one they recognise

Dee Collins is West Yorkshire's deputy chief constable.

She admits some officers do show a lack of awareness

I am very disappointed with the report. It has not made gre`t

reading for us and I'm very disappointed that. There ard a

number of complexity is sitting behind complaints from the public.

In the first instance, an officer will deal with the initial hncident.

The initial thing that has happened. Perhaps we have not dealt

with it in the best of ways. According to this, none of the

complaints were upheld. This is about when someone has come forward

and made a complaint about how we have dealt with them, then we have

to have a look at what is in the complaint. I do not always think

some of my staff have understood what is sitting behind the

complaint. The report found there were significant failings at all

stages of the process. The point of assessment, the way the

investigation was carried ott, contact with the complainant,

weaknesses in all of those `reas. The IPCC have looked at a vdry

specific number of cases. I accept that in the majority of those cases

we have got things wrong. The process has not been well thought

through at the time and we have made changes. Why? We were lucky not

getting local officers to ddal with those complaints. Is it down to

training? I think part of the issue is that we are policing a vdry

complex community. There ard lots of different cultures and faiths that

we have to police. Perhaps on occasions some staff have not

understood the sensitive nature of what they are being asked to do I

am not sure whether it is a lack of training, but perhaps it is a lack

of awareness, a lack of thinking through the extra vulnerability

someone is experiencing. Sitting down with the victim and talking

through specifically what their needs are and what their

expectations are. Thank you. Next tonight, it's exactly

a month until the biggest bhcycle race in the world, the Tour de

France, starts here in Yorkshire. Two million people are expected

to watch it over two days. But Look North's discovered that

some hotels aren't as booked up First though,

we now have full details of exactly The total over two

days is nearly 900. Here's our Tour de France

correspondent, Matt Slater. Is this a race, a modern twhst on an

old art form or balancing act? It is all three. This mountain bike time

trial also flattened the gr`ss to create a field of vision. Whth a

month to go, the organisers have revealed how long the roads need to

be closed without causing too much disruption. When the race starts,

some roads will be closed from midnight for 15 hours. Roads around

millennium Square will be shut until 3pm. The A61 will be closed for most

of Saturday. A bit of patience, planning and a sense of

perspective. This is a one`off fantastic event for the citx of

Leeds and Yorkshire. We encourage everybody to make the most of it.

There will be some inconvenhence on the day. It will be busy. If

everyone plans their journex and allows extra time, it will be a

fantastic event. This is thd start of the first stage of the Tour de

France. Most people hear thd debate about road closures is one of a

little bit of short`term pahn for some quite exciting long`term gain.

Is the pain being evenly sh`red This man is a railway signalman who

will struggle to get to work because his neighbourhood is cut off by the

race. He has started a webshte to highlight his predicament and is

asking the council for a wax out. It will be a great event and a lot of

people will enjoy it. But wd have got nearly 5000 living around here

that have got to have the option of getting in and out. We are `sking

for access across this road. The council says it is consulting with

residents and its plans are available online and buy a special

hotline. Meanwhile, these lhnes are coming along nicely and the overall

picture should be much clearer by July.

So, that's the situation on the roads.

According to the website bookings.com,

only 67% of rooms in Leeds, where the Tour begins, are booked.

In York, where the Tour starts its second day, 86% of rooms ard booked.

In Sheffield, where the Tour ends in Yorkshire, only 35%

Here's our business correspondent, Danni Hewson.

It was billed as a moneymakhng bonanza and for some it is shaking

up to be just that. Forget ` month to go, her rooms were snappdd up

within hours of the news thd tour was coming. Already in the liddle of

a refurbishment, they steppdd up the timetable and thanks to thehr tour

partner Barclays, their fivd rooms were finished over the wintdr. We

knew it would be a complete refurbishment. It was very run down

and was closed like a lot of pubs. We saw it as a great opporttnity.

Obviously, the Tour de France has been a wonderful showcase. When we

first heard about it, we're excited. But we do `` did not realisd the

enormity. Bookings have been brisk on the most picturesque and

challenging stretches, but lany places have vacancies. It is not a

cause for concern as long as the message gets out. It is a d`nger

that potential visitors will think everywhere is full. That is not the

case. A lot of people make bookings quite late. There is still space.

One of the difficulties is, where do you find out? And will supply

outstripped demand? Campsitds popping up in fields like this one.

Not booked up as yet but getting busy. The weather has perked up a

bit. Camping is one of thosd things people make a last minute ddcision

on, depending on the weather. In the next couple of weeks, I anthcipate

we will be full. The key will be information, road closures, the

forecast, all information that will affect whether people decidd to

come, where to stay and whether to pay. I was surprised to hear there

was still room available. If someone wants to look for accommodation

where do they go? It is tricky because there is not one pl`ce.

There is the official Tour de France website and there are lists of

accommodation on there but ht is quite complicated. Individu`l

tourist information offices also hold information, particularly on

some of the smaller hotels `nd B and Bs. I have had a look through and if

you are looking to stay in Holmfirth, you cannot find `nything

apart from the pop`up campshtes You are looking at anywhere up to ? 00

for seven people which is not bad. In Leeds, you can get a budget hotel

for around ?200. It is complicated. One of the things the website is

doing because they realise ht is an issue is that they are going on

Twitter tonight between 7pm and 8pm, if you're looking for accomlodation

or you have accommodation, that might help you to join up.

And if you want more inform`tion about the Tour, there's lots online,

including a complete list of all 867 roads which are closed.

Just go to the Tour de France section of your local BBC wdbsite.

Later on Look North it is to a. Join me in a few minutes time and I will

tell you why I am in a horsdbox with her preparing for the Brahal horse

trials. Go to sleep! Other news now. The chairman of the supermarket

chain Morrisons is to step down Sir Ian Gibson will leave

his position next year. Sales at the Bradford`based company

fell by more than 7% in the last year, results ddscribed

today by Sir Ian's predecessor, The northbound carriageway of the M1

was closed for much of todax following a serious crash ndar

Chesterfield early this morning Two lorries collided. One of thd drivers

is in hospital with critical injuries. Long tailbacks developed

as the northbound carriagew`y was Women in the Vale

of York will finally be abld to get on the NHS. The city had bedn the

only place in the country not The city had been the only place

in the country not offering the fertility treatment fred

on the health service. Today a meeting of senior NHS

officials agreed in principle to fund IVF, though

details are yet to be finalhsed Tomorrow marks 70 years since

the D`Day landings, the battle on beaches in Normandy which changed

the course of the Second World War. Not many veterans are well dnough to

travel back to the beaches this year.

Olivia Richwald has been to meet four Normandy veterans

The captain had told us this was the big event.

I do not know whether I was scared or not.

Our troops spill ashore across the open stretch men`ced

Scared, I was not scared, I was terrified.

By the time Paris was liber`ted two and half months later,

10% of the Allied troops had been killed, wounded or captured.

Harold Robinson was a Royal Marine gunner.

Going across the Channel, all the lads sang happy birthdax to me.

We all knew we might be dead the next day.

We did not know what the Germans had in store for us

From his gun turret, Harold was tasked with taking out

German gun positions to makd it safer for the infantry soldhers

Among them, Ken Smith and his good friend Ken Cook.

It was the first time I camd across violent death and destruction,

We did not realise really until the day after that the people on the

This was going on while Britain breakfasted to the first news

These pictures take you right in among the men putting Dunkirk

The infantry were followed onto the beaches by tanks.

It was back up for a long battle ahead.

The whole town had been completely devastated.

Our next stop was at some Gdrman defence trenches.

In them was an enormous number of dead German soldiers.

Of those whose faces were vhsible, expressions of fear and pain.

It was an awful sight which really moved us all.

The Tommies, the GI Joes, they press on with, now, let us get at them.

When I came out of the Army, I called in at the first chtrch

I am not religious but I kndlt at the altar and I took an oath that

I would never handle another weapon again and I have kept to th`t

because you have been responsible for the killing, wounding, probably

several hundred people and ht does not get any better as you gdt older.

This afternoon Ken and Ken, who you saw there,

have been back to the beachds in Normandy with some of their fellow

veterans on the eve of a service to mark the 70th anniversary of D Day.

We'll be with them again on tomorrow's Look North.

Ambitious plans for the redevelopment of He`dingley

Yorkshire County Cricket Cltb plan to build a new pavilion and stand

that will be shared with Leeds Rhinos? rugby ground.

The ?50 million project is hntended to secure the stadium's futtre

as an international venue for the next 20 years.

In 2019, there is also the World Cup. Leeds will be asked to bid for

the World Cup and it is somdthing we do not want to miss out on. We have

had test match cricket at Hdadingley since 1899 and it would be ` great

shame to see the last test latch in 2019 if we do not do anything about

it. Now, 60,000 people are expected to

head to Bramham Country Park between Leeds and York over

the next few days for the Harriers looking good considering

where he slept last night. I love this event. It is part of the

sporting and social calendar. It will attract 60,000 people, as you

say. The sunshine will be good tomorrow. Pop along if you have

never experienced it before. The world's best three`day event is here

as well, including the reigning champion William Fox`Pitt. He had a

decent start in the dressagd today. But he is not in first, he hs in

fourth. Things could change dramatically on the weekend. We will

also have a look at Oliver Townend who is having a very good sdason.

More about him in a moment. First, my challenge, to spend a night in a

horsebox with two ladies, mx producer and the new radio Xork

presenter. I should say this kind of it should go out after 9pm. It does

contain pictures of me in mx pyjamas. We are really taking you

behind the scenes at the horse trials. Look at the horsebox! That

cost a few bob. These are worth a lot of money. You can spend up to

?200,000 on a horsebox alond. We caught up with a leading Belgian

rider and asked her about hdr long journey here. We had a long journey

today. Almost 24 hours awakd. We left at 10:45pm and we arrived at

lunchtime. We took care of the forces. Had a vet inspection. Here

we are now `` took care of the horses. This is my box. I

desperately need a nice cry at `` a nice quiet night. You should see

what we have got in here! What are you doing here? How could I pass up

a night with you? I am presdnting my show from 6am. The great news is I

will leave you with a cup of tea at 530 M. Keep quiet. Time to say good

night. Good night. Sleep well. Welcome to Braham International

horse trials. No. Welcome to the international force trials... Will

you shut up! Good morning. We are live from Braham. I can still hear

her. It might have felt early to me, but here at the stables at his

already a hive of activity. The horses come first. Mucking out,

pampering and preparation for the competition. I only did one night.

Most of the Greens, riders `nd horses spent half of the ye`r living

like this. `` the rooms. I take my saddle off to them. You can probably

hear Georgina talking somewhere if you are listening now. Let ts talk

about someone having a very good season. He is from Huddersfheld

Oliver Townend. He finished second in Badminton.

He has answered all of the puestions and this man could be back. I don't

feel to have been anywhere. Form has been good. Won a lot of classes A

good few around and about. H think because it was such a big thing that

I won badminton and Burley hn the senior and the media attenthon, it

stuck me out there `` I won Badminton in the same year. I have

enjoyed not having that sort of attention for a while and working

the horses and bringing the next good ones through. Why do you think

there are not lots of Yorkshire three`day event is? Lots of reasons.

Yorkshire is more famous for show`jumping in the question is It

is a sport that is extremelx expensive to do. It is the Formula

One of the equestrian world, if you like. If there is anyone watching

thinking, it is something I want to get into. What would your advice be?

Tennis or golf! No, it is a fantastic way of life, but xou have

got to be willing to work vdry hard. We are at another stately home,

people think it is just for the rich and the posh. Hopefully I al proof

it is not just for the rich and the posh. But there is no getting away

from it, it is expensive and you need a lot of leg ups and work on

the way. Hopefully, I will try and draw the sport away from th`t but I

have got another 20 years at it yet. We wish him well. Ben is colpeting

as well. You have got to be posh to be a three`day event. You posh? Do I

sound posh? I think everyond has the image in their head and you

certainly do not have to be posh. Event riders work hard. Most of us

are on less than the minimul wage but we love the sport. It is a lot

of graft. When you are at places like this, it is worth the dffort.

Tell me how you got your first horse. My dad is a builder `nd the

people he was doing a kitchdn for, they did not have the money, so they

gave him a pony. You have done some very interesting. Last year you put

a camera on the horse you wdre riding. Tell us about this dye view

of going around something lhke this. These fences are solid and they are

big. You make one mistake and it is... You have a horse fallhng on

top of you. You are either brave or stupid. It is an extreme sport. As

Formula One is, as skiing is, it is very dangerous. Every time we go out

there, we put it on the lind. We build a partnership up with the

horses and they love it. Yotr website is important. We trx to

promote the sport in a positive way. It shows people the pitfalls of

being in an event like this. The good and bad and tough times. How

tough is this course this ydar? This is a three star event. The lan who

built the course, this is a three and a half star because he likes to

build it big. Good luck. Tolorrow should be a good day. Paul will

confirm that in a moment. If you have not experienced it before, give

it a whirl. Back to the studio. I am not sure where I would want to be,

in the horsebox or in the studio. In the studio of course!

This first picture is the shot of one of the clouds I showed last

night close to the South Yorkshire `Lincolnshire border. Fantastic

picture. Another one, the clouds are beginning to break up just hn time

for the lovely weather tomorrow at Braham. Friday will be dry `nd warm

with sunny spells. As you c`n see from the Atlantic chart, thhs

weather system could bring very warm air up on Saturday. At the same

time, that are likely to be thunderstorms. It has turned out to

be a very nice end to the afternoon with plenty of sunshine. Thhs

evening will be fine. A bit breezy and on the chilly side. There will

be some sunshine and overnight clear periods. The breeze woollies. Light

westerly by dawn. `` the brdeze will ease. The sun rises in the lorning

at 4:38am. The high water... A lovely start to the day. If you are

up at the crack of dawn, lots of sunshine. There may be high cloud

from the south`west making the sunshine hazy. Other than that,

bright and much warmer than today. Good spells of sunshine. Daxlight

southeasterly breeze. Top afternoon temperatures coming in at around 17

or 18 on the coast. Inland, 21 degrees at Braham. Not bad.

Saturday, warmer still. The risk of thunderstorms especially during the

second half of the day. Sunday, apart from the odd shower, dry again

with some sunshine. That is the forecast. That is it from the

evening team. Harry will be back with his third lady of the week

tomorrow. Good night for now. It's a weekly selection

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