13/01/2014 Midlands Today

showers in the west and south. That's all from

Hello and welcome to Midlands Today. The headlines tonight: there would

be a single Chief Constable and one Police and Crime Commissioner plus

all of the associated support staff. We will ask an MP if a merger

between those forces could be the best option? A fraud investigation

into a possible overseas betting syndicate after police approach a

Chinese spectator yesterday. With they said was under threat, what is

the future for young disabled people in Staffordshire? He needs

estimation because if he gets bored, then he becomes less happy.

Burgeoning numbers of feral cats are a problem in London ` could moving

them to the Midlands be the answer? And we were talking about flood

warnings last week, this week it is colder. But does that mean a chance

to dry eyed? The full forecast coming up. `` dry out. Good evening.

The organisation representing rank`and`file police officers is

tonight calling for a full merger of West Mercia and Warwickshire Police

to protect front line policing. The West Mercia Police Federation call

comes as both forces face up to extra budget cuts over the next five

years. West Mercia, which covers Herefordshire, Shropshire and

Worcestershire, must save an extra ?22 million over the next five

years. While Warwickshire must save ?9 million over the same period. Ben

Godfrey reports. The thin blue line could be about to get thinner. Faced

with reduced Government funding, West Mercia Police must save a

further ?22million over the next five years. The Office of the Police

and Crime Commissioner is trying to manage the cuts while plundering

reserves to urgently fill police officer vacancies. We have made

considerable savings and had a reserve of nearly ?49 million and we

will use that in relation to lessening the impact on policy over

the next five years whilst we make further savings. Warwickshire Police

must find ?9 million of savings. In recent years these two forces have

axed a combined 400 posts and dozens of police bases. The Chief Constable

signed up to a strategic Alliance. But the West Mercia federation says

a full merger is needed. After May 20 16th and the next elections, that

will have to become a serious consideration because it is an

obvious way of saving money. It would mean a single command team,

one Chief Constable and one Deputy Chief Constable and one crime

Commissioner plus associated staff. They have made it quite clear that

there shall be no merger. As far as Bill and myself are concerned, we

have an open mind and will consider all options. Police Commissioners

were elected in November 2012. They faced public pressure to put more

bobbies on the beat. It's clear the taxpayer could bear some of the

costs directly. There's a proposal here to increase the police element

of the council tax to raise an extra ?1.7 million a year, which could

divide public opinion. I don't think we should have to pay more, the

money should be there for the police. If it gets more officers on

the street, yes, but we see them few and far between. I don't want to pay

more council tax, I want funding to be kept as effectively low as it can

be. Away from public office, the West Mercia Police Commissioner is

facing his own personal battle. The 76`year`old has revealed he's being

treated for lung cancer and will take time away from his post to

recover from surgery. Joining us now from his constituency office in

Cannock is the Conservative MP Aidan Burley, who was part of David

Cameron's Police Reform Taskforce. Good evening, Mr Burley. So the

Police Federation says forces should merge. Is that the answer? Size is

not everything and we have been here before in 2006, the previous

government tried to great regional police forces for a handling that

when they realised it would make them less accountable to the

communities they served and would cost a lot of money to merge those

forces. The proposed merger of Warwickshire and West Mercia would

cover an area of nearly 4000 square miles and would inevitably become

more remote from the public at a time when we want police to become

more accountable to the communities. What is needed is far greater

sharing of back office resources, sharing human resource functions and

IT and procurement and so on but we want smaller forces that are more

accountable to the public. So you are against any merger? I am because

I think the larger police forces become more remote from the public

because they cover a large area and what we find happens is they start

setting strategic targets at the top rather than having that

community`based policing the public say they want. They want police to

be more accountable to local people, more accountable to the public but

actually there are huge savings to be had in the back offices, where 43

police forces can share functions. Looking at specifics, West Mercia

have further savings to be made but the commissioner talks about more

policemen on the beat. How is that possible? We need to get away from

this numbers game and the effectiveness of lease forces

measured on headcount. The problem in this country is the average

police man spends more time doing paperwork and on patrol and the Home

Office figures show they spend around 14% of their time on patrol

compared to 19 present on paperwork and if you consider this, if you

could increase the amount of time on the beat from one fifth of their

working day to double that, you would double the police presence on

the streets in England and Wales without recruiting one single extra

officer. Thank you. Coming up later in the programme: The developing row

over proposals to build a Muslim cemetery with 4,000 burial plots on

green belt land near Solihull. Some developing news in the last hour `

two men from Birmingham have been arrested at Heathrow Airport on

suspicion of terrorism offences relating to activities in Syria. Our

special correspondent, Peter Wilson, is here. What more can you tell us?

These men are both 21 and come from the Handsworth area of Birmingham.

They were intercepted at Heathrow Airport coming from Turkey by

unarmed officers from West Midlands Counter`terrorism Unit. The police

say that they have arrested these people under the terrorist act in

order to find out exactly what the nature of the activities where in

Syria. Not because it represented any particular threat to the public

here. Separate from this, two years ago running camp MP Khalid Mahmud

warned about young men from the West Midlands travelling to Syria and

taking part in the vicious civil war in that country. And saying that

Al`Qaeda type groups were actually using jihadis from the area as part

of the civil war out there. Is Syria a big concern for people here? I

have been working for the Sunday Politics programme and I have been

talking to young Muslim people who are very concerned about the

military in crisis happening in Syria and lots of people sending

winter clothing to refugees and they are concerned about the problems so

there is a great deal of unease here in the West Midlands about what is

happening in Syria. But the police anyone to talk to these young men

and find out exactly what they have been doing in that country. Thank

you. Police have confirmed they're investigating a possible betting

fraud at yesterday's League One match involving Coventry City. A

Chinese man was questioned and released without charge following a

joint operation between the police and the Football Association. Ian

Winter reports. All quiet at Sixfields Stadium today, permanent

home of Northampton Town and temporary residence of Coventry

City. Yesterday, the visitors were Crawley, plus members of the FA

Fraud Team who had a special interest in the suspicious

activities of one particular spectator.This afternoon, a

spokesman said The FA do not make any comment on integrity matters. A

spokesman said the FA do not comment on integrity matters. But tonight,

Midlands Today can reveal exactly what went on. Throughout the game,

as Coventry surged into a two`goal lead, police officers were keeping a

very close eye on a Chinese man who they suspected of using an

electronic device to send specific details of the match to members of a

gambling syndicate abroad. With ten minutes left to play, matchday

stewards made their move. The man was escorted away the Coventry fans

in the main stand and taken for questioning by officers from

Northamptonshire and Sussex Police. I understand they were acting on

intelligence received by the FA Fraud Team, who suspected the man

was relaying information about the game to an overseas betting

syndicate. Tonight, Northamptonshire Police confirmed that officers spoke

with a man who was of interest to representatives from the Football

Association as part of their ongoing investigation into fraud. The man

was not arrested. Neither was he able to witness Coventry's late

collapse as they conceded two sloppy goals in the final seven minutes to

give Crawley a share of the points in a 2`2 draw, leaving manager

Stephen Pressley fuming. I was bitterly disappointed the cars we

had worked so hard to try to get this result from difficult

circumstances and these things cannot happen. Meanwhile the FA's

Fraud Team will continue its ongoing investigation into suspicious

behaviour relating to betting overseas. A mother accused of

leaving her newborn baby in undergrowth at a Birmingham park has

been charged with abandoning a child. The baby, who was named Jade

after the dog who found her, was discovered in Stechford Park in

October. A 26`year`old woman will appear before magistrates at the end

of the month. Dozens of people have been protesting outside the offices

of a London television company which produces the show Benefits Street,

which is based in Birmingham. Campaigners are calling on Love

Productions to scrap the programme, saying it demonises people claiming

government help. More than 30,000 people have signed a petition to

stop the show. Nearly 1,000 people have written to Solihull Council

objecting to proposals to build a Muslim cemetery on green belt land

near Catherine`de`Barnes. The development's expected to have 4,000

burial plots and 75 parking spaces. But people living nearby feel

there's not enough need for it. Bob Hockenhull has more. These fields on

the outskirts of an upmarket village have traditionally been used to grow

crops. Their new owner is seeking planning permission for the green

belt land to be turned into a Muslim cemetery. But nearby residents say

the development of 4,000 burial plots is wholly inappropriate for

the area. We are horrified by this, the village is over one mile from

the road. And it would almost certainly, in times of huge burials,

whatever faith, if they are large burials, with those numbers of

people on this road, it could cause problems. Councillors representing

the village of Catherine`de`Barnes, which is next to the fields, insist

there is already provision for muslim burials at other cemeteries

in Solihull. But Muslims say they often have to travel, even abroad

sometimes, so they can bury their loved ones in accordance with Sharia

law. They say the Muslim population is increasing here and a specific

cemetery is needed in the borough. Residents say the green belt is

already vulnerable because it is on the edge of the West Midlands

conurbation but the Muslim community argues that the cemetery will have a

readable visual impact on the landscape. `` very little.

Traditional burials dictate that Muslims should be buried with their

heads facing toward Mecca. But there are no gravestones and this Iman

from Solihull says neighbouring residents have nothing to fear.

People worried about the green belt, there will not be any nodding their

and I do not know about the plan itself but that is closer to the

region you are, the less you'll think you do. The council but side

within the next few months. `` council will decide. A Birmingham MP

is urging parents suspected of child abuse to flee the country rather

than face justice in the family courts because he believes they

can't rely on the evidence being fair. John Hemming is chairman of

the Justice for Families campaign group and says he's been contacted

by hundreds of parents. I spoke to him earlier and asked him why he

feels families are being badly treated. There are some decisions

taken here and I know of one case where a baby has been put up for

adoption because of the mother 's political views and this would not

be done in another country. Surely running a broad will not solve this?

It does because in another country, people do forum shopping and they

have come here for liable and if you go `` if you go abroad, in the UK

you face the removal of your child because of political views and

abroad they say that is mad. It sounds almost a responsible, from an

MP, suggesting people should run away from the authorities? It is not

really running away from the 40s because you are going to authorities

in another country and you say, this is the situation, do you think I am

a threat to my child? In cases like bloody good views by the case with a

family from Suffolk going to Spain and they provided all the paperwork

to social workers and they sent them home. Surely the first verity in

this country has to be the safety of the child? In any country it should

be. But you must look at situations where a family takes a child into

care unnecessarily and that fills up the care system so you cannot take

children into care who are at risk. This was a baby aged seven and if

you try to predict that, you would not have been able to do so so the

danger is that by taking lots of babies into care, we missed the

risks and we see children dying from child abuse. Mr Hemming will be

appearing on Panorama: I Want My Baby Back at 9.00pm tonight here on

BBC One. Our top story tonight: A police union leader calls for the

Warwickshire and West Mercia forces to merge as a further round of cuts

is announced. Rebecca will be with us in a few minutes with your

detailed weather forecast and also in tonight's programme: A change of

scene: Why feral cats from the capital are finding their way to the

peace of the Midlands countryside. We're live at Villa Park, where

Aston Villa take on high`flyers Arsenal. Can they stop them going

back to the top with only their third home win of the season?

Councillors will decide the future of day services for people with

learning disabilities this week. Under the plans from Staffordshire

County Council, day centres in Kidsgrove and Codsall are due to

close, with one in Leek being downsized. The council says the plan

is to improve the quality of care. So what happens if they close? Phil

McCann has been investigating. Paul has Down's syndrome. Every weekday

he goes to a day centre near his home in Kidsgrove. But it's closing

and he'll be reassessed to see if the council thinks he still needs

care. It is good we spied for us and it is demolition for him. ``

respite. He needs stimulation because if he gets bored then, then

he becomes less happy. And cooperative. For the last 20 years

he has waited like this when the bus to take him one mile down the road.

Nearly 500 people with learning disabilities use centres like this

one in Stafford, which isn't closing. But the County Council

wants to cut that number by 70% so it's going to reassess them all,

with the hope that around 130 people will be judged not to need any help

at all. We are modernising disability services and we intend,

for those who can, we will get them out of daycare provision and into

community provision because we believe that is the right thing to

do and people integrated into the community is definitely a better

life for people with learning disabilities. This is the council's

vision of the future. At this farm near Uttoxeter, adults with learning

disabilities are trained in how to grow crops and look after animals.

You can learn a range of skills here and it boosts your confidence a lot.

I just really enjoy it, and if I had the chance to come here, I wouldn't

mind even living here! It is about social networks and building

friendships with people that they can take outside of this opportunity

and I like nothing more than hearing them doing things like bowling and

ordinary things. So what does Rob think? Could this work for his son?

Some people might be able to cope with this and others not so much.

Nevertheless, what has been done here, in essence, is good. But I

think practically, it would not be a replacement for the day centre. The

plans are due to be finalised on Wednesday. But there have been

protests by cameras worried about looking after farm animals as not a

long`term solution. Football now. It's all getting a bight tight down

the bottom of the Premier League. Dan's here now. Can Aston Villa ease

their worries with a result against Arsenal this evening? It's a big

night for Aston Villa and their manager, Paul Lambert. The fans

turned on him after last week's FA Cup defeat by Sheffield United and

tonight they face title`chasing Arsenal at Villa Park. Nick

Clitheroe is there for us. How critical could this game be? This is

massive for both clubs and Arsenal could go top of the league but Villa

could get into the top half of even one point. Hard to believe because

they have only had two home wins in ten matches this season. Joining me

is the chairman of the supporters trust. It has been desperate. Not

something you can look forward to but you come along in the hope that

we might just turn the corner. Do you see any green shoots? Not

really. But I always think that if we can get anti`gay scoring and

playing like last season, there has to be some optimism. `` Benteke

scoring. Good Aston Villa go down? I am not overly worried but it is so

close in the bottom ten but a couple of victories can change everything.

Goals have been in short supply, only seven in ten matches? That is

awful, we do not seem able to get anywhere near the six yard area at

home. What is your prediction tonight? Narrow defeat, I think.

2`1. Let us hope it is for us! Let us hope that it is a happier note

for the fans, they really have struggled to get much entertainment

out of their home games this season. And it would give everyone such a

left at this club if they could win tonight. Thank you for the match. As

for our other two Premier League teams, Stoke City and West Bromwich

Albion both lost but the games were quite different. Stoke lost 5`3 to

Liverpool in a dramatic game at the Britannia Stadium. Stoke were 2`0

down. But two fine goals from Peter Crouch and then Charlie Adam pulled

them back level at 2`2 by half`time. But Liverpool's strike force ` led

by Luis Suarez ` just proved too powerful for Stoke in the end.

Albion's new head coach, Pepe Mel, was in the crowd to watch their game

at Southampton. But it's unlikely he was impressed by what he saw. Albion

only lost 1`0 but they were distinctly second`best. Mel will

meet the players for the first time tomorrow when he takes over the

coaching duties. Mel takes over duties tomorrow. And he is in the

crowd tonight? So it's fair to say that none of our teams are safe from

relegation this season. As you mentioned earlier, it's all very

tight. The bottom 11 clubs are separated by just six points. They

have beaten Arsenal? The first day of the season. And this time, Robert

De Niro has tipped them to win. As investors to loan, this is what they

had to say! Aston Villa? Interesting choice. Really? URA bookmaker! Not

convinced! Investments can go down as well as up! Could a move to the

Midlands be all that's needed to save the lives of London's feral

cats? Animal welfare charities in the capital say they're being

overwhelmed by a huge boom in the numbers of strays and they're having

to put a lot of them to sleep. However, tonight's Inside Out

follows the work of a charity who've found a surprising solution. Johny

Pitts reports. Cecille and Stanley are on their way to a new home in

the Cotswolds and it has turned out to be a life`saving journey. They

started life as feral cats living on the streets of London, where there

are now tens of thousands of other strays just like them. Animal

welfare charities say the problem has reached crisis point. This is

the problem when people do not neuter their animals and people

abandon them and threw them out, it is a throwaway society. One cat can

multiply and you could end up with hundreds of them. Just like you, we

have 20 cats. Ferals are not what you think. They're not wild

monsters, they're actually shy of human contact. But because they can

be unpredictable they can't simply become house cats, making finding

them a home difficult. The reality is if there is not enough homes for

them, they will have to be put to sleep. But now animal charities like

SNIP have discovered there's a niche market for cats like these right

here in the Midlands countryside. We need them for vermin control and at

this time of year, all of the mice and other variables come in and we

have chickens here so they attract vermin. It is perfect to have some

cats. They are quite entertaining as well. It's a far cry from the

streets of London. Here they'll have a job, fresh milk plus their own

penthouse suite on the top floor of the stable. And after just a month

in their new home, our Cockney kitties have become top Midlands

mousers. Have a blog that mice? Not a lot but they have started.

Hopefully they will not bring any because we will not have any! Time

for the weather forecast. It will be rather cold and those

critters shall be on stand`by through the region. We expect wide

`` widespread frost and showers to come first, clearing away and

temperatures falling away. Tomorrow is a cold start, but a bad day with

decent spells of sunshine through the day and cloud or fill in through

the afternoon and ahead of the span of showers, this is effecting us, we

have some squally conditions around the showers and there is the chance

of some wintry showers over higher ground. But they will clear away

through the next few hours and behind that, we will see this guy

squaring and temperatures falling away rapidly. The Met Office has

issued a Yellow Warning for icy stretches coming tomorrow morning as

temperatures dipped to around freezing. But then it is not long

before we see the next band of rain starting to make its way through.

Pleasant tomorrow but that rain is moving from the West through the

afternoon tomorrow so we started off rather cold and chilly with frost

about and some fog and it will lift as the sun comes out, burning

through and making things feel quite pleasant but temperatures. All. We

have lighter wind but some sunshine for much of the day for most of us.

Then the cloud starts to fill in ahead of this rain, moving from the

West. Not huge amounts of rainfall but this is adding to what we

already have on the ground, prolonging that drying out period.

After tomorrow night, we shall see things continuing to get unsettled

through the week and temperatures struggling a little bit but there is

plenty more rain in the forecast. Becky. Our headlines... Local

councils which back fracking for gas are promised more money. And a

police union leader calls for forces to merge as a further round of cuts

is announced. That was Midlands Today. We are back at 10pm. Goodbye.