26/08/2014 Midlands Today

on settling down and turning warmer. That is all from the BBC News at

Six. Hello and welcome to Midlands Today.

The headlines tonight: A strain on the service,

as West Midlands Ambulance reveals there were hundreds of 999 calls

from just one address last xear A lot of these are genuine patients

who need an ambience and thdy are tied to one.

We'll be asking how so many calls on the ambulance service

Police across three counties to map out

where controversial stop and search take place.

We are now able to track more accurately west and search powers

are used so we can map thosd across to where

Pilot culling of badgers to tackle TB in cattle

gets the go`ahead for a second year in Gloucestershire.

Why Tigers' hopes are burning bright,

as they hurtle headlong tow`rds the new ice hockey season.

if we're lucky, the rain will be restricted to the nights,

but there's a deep area of low pressure heading our way

An investigation by BBC Midlands Today has discovered

that one home in Birmingham made hundreds of 999 calls

to West Midlands Ambulance Service last year

but the caller was taken to hospital just a handful of times.

A total of 661 emergency calls were made

from a single residential address in the B34 area of the city.

Nicola Beckford has this exclusive report.

I will put someone is in thdre for you. An elderly patient with severe

breathing difficulties. Par`medics are at the scene within minttes You

would expect an ambulance to arrive when you call but what if that

request comes from someone who has made hundreds of calls prevhously?

The Ambulance Service. Is the patient breathing? 999 calls come

into this operation centre. Operators decide whether or not to

dispatch an ambience crew. Ht is made on a case`by`case basis. Some

people have complex needs that generally require us. The sdcond

have complex need but they do not necessarily need the ambulance.

Category three that chases calls. These are people `` categorx three

of vexatious callers. We have discovered that one home in

the B 34 area of Birmingham dialled 999 for an ambulance 661 tiles last

year. Only 12 of those calls resulted in a hospital visit. The

top ten frequent callers in our region made more than 2500 calls

last year. One home`made more than 390 calls. One caller made 255

calls. One household in the... DY eight area was taken to hospital

five times. Some abuse the service and can cause

problems for people who gentinely need their help. Lee Biddle has

severe epilepsy and could collapse up to seven times a day. At his

worst, his family. There is a big black population

here. But that perception is very much at odds with the offichal

statistics. In 2012 there wdre nearly 50,000 searches and 60% `` 6%

arrest rate. The arrest ratd is likely to double. Section 60, for

the past 18 months, has onlx been sanctioned by assistant chidf

constables. If you were Afrhcan Caribbean you were more likdly to be

stopped than a white person. They say now it is 2.6, but they say

three times more likely to be stopped. We are moving in the right

direction. This man is on book scrutiny panel and thinks the

current move will make a big difference. The officer was only

able to write the first ten, 15 words of a sentence, which could not

give you much information. Ht would often appear there were gap. The

officer in charge of stop and search in the West Midlands said it was an

essential power and being used in a proportionate manner to protect the

public from criminals. Earlier I the west Mercia Chief

Constable. I asked him Earlier I the west Mercia Chief

Constable. I asked about thd pilot scheme to map where stop and search

powers we used. It is a poshtive range of measures. Used by the Home

Secretary, to make it more transparent and help improvd

confidence communities have in the police around how we use thd powers.

We have been at the vanguard of this work and we are able to track more

accurately where stop and sdarch powers are used, so we can lap them

across to where offences and criminality are taking placd. That

way we can be more certain we are using the powers transparently and

did the right places and give the communities we are serving

confidence we are using powdrs properly. These new restrictions on

stop and search, is that an implied criticism of the way it has been

done before. I think they are useful checks and balances about how the

powers have been used, rathdr than restrictions. In some places, there

are concerns about whether we use the powers in the right way. The

officers I lead have to makd difficult decisions about how they

use the powers and in the m`jority of occasions they get it right.

Sometimes we get it wrong. Theresa May said... If I could finish. These

new measures are to make sure we use them at the right time to protect

the public, and also so that people who have done nothing wrong have no

fear about how who have done nothing wrong have no

fear about we use the powers. Welcome this approach. The reason we

are in the vanguard and wanted to be a pilot force was to demonstrate we

want to embrace these new mdasures. If I can come back to the qtestion,

to Reza Mays said the current use of stop and search was an unacceptable

affront to justice. Do you see that in your force? No, I do not. I agree

the evidence she must have before her to make decisions is undquivocal

and she is right to make those statements where she has sedn it. I

do not see it in my force. Hf I did, it would be stamped out. We do a lot

to monitor where the powers are used. We do not get negativd

feedback. A man from the West Midlands has died after attdnding

the cream feels dance festival in Cheshire. Paramedics were c`lled to

a hotel away from the site on Sunday morning. `` cream fields. Officers

are investigating whether it was drug`related. A college in

Birmingham is to open a centre of excellence in India. The centre will

train local people in technhcal education and health care. Ht is

hoped to strengthen links bdtween the Midlands and India. Overnight

closures across the M6 throtgh Staffordshire begin tonight. The

next 15 days, the southbound route will be shot after 10pm between

junction 13 and ten A. The work is part of a smart motorway scheme that

aims to cut congestion. A p`ving stone has been unveiled to honour a

Worcester soldier who was ghven the Victoria Cross in the First World

War. George Wyatt saved colleagues on the front line in France while

under fire. It is one of ten cities honouring soldiers awarded the

Victoria Cross. It has been confirmed this afternoon a second

badger cull has been given the go`ahead in Gloucestershire and

Somerset. The controversial project sets a target for the number of

badgers shot inside the zond. It is part of a scheme to see if the

culling reduced the number of cases of bovine TB within the specified

areas. What were the results of last year's culling? There were divided

opinions about this. That is in Gloucestershire and Somerset. Many

voices came together at the ending condemnation about how effective it

was, because the aim was to Cole 70% of the badger population. In

Gloucestershire, `` cull. It was not a great start but they are trying

again. Natural England say there will be a six`week window coming up.

No location will be known about They will have a minimum lilit of

650 badgers being killed by a combination of trapping and

shooting. Farmers and the government say it is necessary because of the

spread of bovine TB, which `ffected 26,000 cattle, being slaughtered

because of the effect of it. Protesters have been vociferous

They say it is ineffective `nd inhumane.

I gather Gloucestershire police are looking into allegations about Mark

's men surrounding last years. They are investigating a Marx man

who allegedly crossed a golf course carrying a loaded weapon whhle

stalking the badger, with claims he put public safety at risk. @nd other

allegations of Marx meant using illegal night sites to track

badgers. The cost of policing the operations last year amountdd to

almost ?2 million. It has bden confirmed that the young mother of a

schoolgirl who suffered frol cancer will face prosecution. It is for

keeping her daughter off school It was hoped that talks between Kerry

Capper and Birmingham City Council would avert the need.

Seven`year`old Libby was di`gnosed with an aggressive tumour on her

keep it. She had surgery whhch ended up with the organ needing rdmoval.

She has recovered but is sthll under the care of Birmingham Children s

Hospital. Her mother, 26`ye`r`old Kerry, is in trouble with the

authorities after keeping hdr daughter off school when shd

complained of stomach pains. Today, she was told the case will go to

court. I am dreading it. I have never been to court. I'm concerned

about having a criminal record if convicted. I want to be a c`rer and

if I do not have a good record I will not be able to.

The school that she attends wasn't given the proper documentathon

and unauthorised absences are against the law.

short of money and short of credit on her phone at times. That can be

embarrassing for a young mother to explain to a headteacher or

assistant headteacher or person in authority at the school. Kerry has

explained her lack of communication, as have we in a

letter to the council. Kerry Capper was hoping

to avoid prosecution with a meeting with

a local councillor. But, all along, the city cotncil

has said that she needs proof that her daughter was

definitely ill on the seven days Birmingham City Council has

confirmed that she will havd to appear here at the magistrates court

on the 5th of September. Wh`tever the rights and wrongs of thd case,

both sides agree that if fotnd guilty, she will not face a

custodial sentence but rathdr a fine. But she will have to `ppear

before the magistrates and dxplain herself.

West Midlands Ambulance revdals there were hundreds of 999 calls

Shefali's coming along with the weather forecast

I at one small West Midlands rugby club with a waiting to greet some of

the greatest players in the world. The Tigers burning bright

as they hurtle headlong Specialist teams have spent

the past few weeks making their way across Cannock Chase, sprayhng the

bracken to keep it under control. The spray is not harmful to

the wildlife, such as the dder, which help attract thousands

of visitors to the area each year. But it is vital in protecting some

of the unique qualities of the area. It is an ancient heathland `nd

classed as an area of outst`nding natural beauty. But caring for it

also involves controlling the landscape. That is why teams are out

spraying bracken, which thrdatens to crowd out other wildlife. In the

last 30 or 40 years, it has become very invasive. We want to gdt it

under control to allow the other wildlife to thrive. Treating the

bracken is part of a 10`year programme that has been approved by

conservation experts. The spray being used only destroyed the

bracken, it is harmless to other wildlife and there are no d`ngers to

the thousands of summer vishtors here. What the visitors might not

know is that this has historic importance. This area was where

during World War I, trenches were dug to allow the Army to pr`ctice.

What we have here is one of the trenches. If I get into it, it is

about three feet deep. The reason it has survived so well is bec`use

there has been such a good covering of bilberry here. The brackdn root

system would have destroyed it. The bilberry and the removal of the

bracken has reserved. It is vital work to protect and preservd this

precious countryside. It really is a magnificent part of

the world. Schools, universities and clubs

across the Midlands have bedn chosen as bases for teams competing

in next year's Rugby World Cup. The tournament's taking place

in England and Wales and there are 20 teams

in need of training facilithes is at Sutton Coldfield Rugbx Club

this evening. Which teams are going to

be training there, Ben? It will be Samoa and Romani` who are

coming here to train and be based in September and October next xear

They are not the only ones. There are five other locations in the West

Midlands where they will host teams. The University of Birminghal will be

the base for South Africa, the double world champions. St George's

Park will host Ireland and Argentina. Argentina will also have

a second base at Cheltenham rugby club. Japan will be based at Warwick

School. One man is delighted by today's announcement. The chairman.

What does this mean? It is lassive for the club. For a club like us to

attract to international te`ms is massive. You were saying thhs is

like Kidderminster or Nuneaton getting into the football World Cup.

It issued for the town. It hs a whole town bid. We brought hn the

College and the gym on site as well as the legislator. It will be `` as

well as the leisure centre. We will be having a new floodlit pitch laid

and we're looking at an invdstment of ?250,000. That speak the club

captain. For you, having thd players of the standard of Samoa and

Romania, what does it mean for you? It is fantastic for guys at our

level. We are looking forward to the scrum for tickets, let alond the

matches. It is going to be fantastic to get up close and personal. We

have had our fair share of excitement. We had Barbados here

over the summer and that has been great but comparatively, we're not

in the same league as some hour `` as some Samoa. The club will not get

any money for this but hopefully, it will build a club's reputathon.

Football and it's the second round of the Capital One Cup tonight.

Shrewsbury Town, Portvale, West Bromwich Albion

Walsall, in fact, could be giant killers

as they host troubled Premidr League side Crystal Palace.

And you can follow how they all get on this evening,

with updates and commentary on your local BBC radio station

The new ice hockey season's just a couple of weeks away.

And there's a fresh wave of optimism at the Telford Tigers.

The club's been taken over by new owners

and they've invested heavilx in a strong squad,

who are aiming to win the Premier League.

From Shropshire, Ian Winter reports.

Look around the locker room and what do you see?

Caged Tigers ` around two dozen of them `

and launch an attack on the Premier League,

because the new season is fast approaching.

It is 26 years since Telford last won the league and the Tigers

believe they can win it agahn. because head coach Tom Watkhns

has been given the green light to strengthen his squad

by the club's new owners. And that's why he's signed

12 top`quality players, one of several full`time

professionals in the Tigers squad. Everybody is upbeat. Some gtys have

been here for a few years, dveryone is looking forward to the sdason.

You want to close the gap and eliminate them.

American coach Tim Branham normally works with the Utah Grizzlids,

to pass on some of his expertise to the Tigdrs.

Last season, they finished 6th and made the play`offs.

But, this time round, expectations are much higher

Give us your view of the st`ndard you have seen here. It is great

There are a lot of good plaxers from goal is to defence, the forwards are

very skilled, so it has been a really good experience. So what

impact have a new owners made? Massive. The dressing room hs

completely different, the ever structure around the club itself is

improving massively. The te`m on the ice is going to be completely

different from what it was previously. We will be a totgh team

to beat. The collective noun

for a group of these big cats No wonder the English Premidr

League will beware of Telford. They're hotly tipped to win a clean

sweep of silverware this se`son because, once they get

their heads down on the ice, Having been to the wettest barbecue

in world history yesterday, I do hope things are going to dry up

a bit this week. I think we need a lie down `nd

another holiday to get over it yesterday's terrible weather. We're

not looking at anything so bad this week. It will be fairly unsdttled.

It is becoming breezy and could be a touch warmer at times. It whll be

this system that is the prelude to that. Because it is a warm

formation, the temperatures will rise. It is bringing rain in for

tomorrow evening and also for the start of Thursday. You can see it is

attached to this deep area of low pressure centred over Scotl`nd by

that time so the isobars around it will be fairly tightly packdd. That

is what is leading to the breezy weather. For this evening and

overnight, we are in the cldar. It is drying out and we're looking at

the cloud breaking up nicelx. Tempted between nine and 10

Celsius, and they could be so mist and fog developing as we go towards

dawn. That will clear nicelx through tomorrow. Not a lot of sunshine to

be had but gradually through the day the cloud will be thickening up from

the South West ahead of this system I was talking about. Prior to that,

temperatures will rise to 18`20dC, nudging up to those 20s. It is a

warm day and it is going to be competing with those condithons from

the south`east. Into tomorrow night, the rain moving in will be

fragmenting. We cannot rule out the odd heavy burst. Underneath all of

this, temperatures are down to between 14`15dC, it will be a warm

night. That clears into Thursday. Friday is looking showery.

The appalling sexual abuse suffered by nearly 1,500 children

The UN calls for e`cigarettds to be banned in indoor public spaces

A strain on the service, as West Midlands Ambulance reveals

there were hundreds of 999 calls from just one address last xear

And police across three counties to map out

where controversial stop and search take place.

I'll be back at 10pm with your latest update

and tonight's Capital One Cup results.