23/01/2014 BBC Channel Islands News

And we join advanced first`aid training for the Fire Service.

A number of officers and the civilian staff member in Jersey s

police force has been sacked on the Channel Islands. Several cases of

breach, all including personal data took place between 2010 and 201 .

They have access and are trusted with personal information on

islanders. It's part of their job as police officers. But, it seems not

all of the Jersey force abide by the law. Today, it's emerged three

police officers And ale civilian staff member have been sacked, one

has resign and another officer repremanded, all relating to

breaking the data protection law by reviewing personal data on their

computer system. These cases have only come to light

after concerns raised by a Jersey politician. I'm concerned about what

appears to be inconsistent policy in how they deal with it. We have had

situations where officers have been dismissed for accessing private

information, others have been reinstated.

There's nothing not quite right Tonight, Deputy Higgins says he may

bring a motion of censure. I'm intending bringing a proposition

to the state that will reveal a lot of information that's been given to

me. Jersey Police are insisting they talk data protection seriously. It's

clearly not good news to be reporting that we have had these

incidents in the past. Hopefully, the public will take reassurance

that we have been seen to be dealing robustly and swiftly with such

matters. I think the fact that a number of officers have been dismiss

and others disciplined in other forms will send out a strong message

to the public. One of the cases of the data breach is still ongoing,

but tonight, police want to ensure they have not lost the trust and

confidence of islanders. Two men accused of defrauding the

States of Guernsey of more than ?2.5 million have appeared in court in

London today. 44`year`old Adrian Taylor from Kent arrived at

Southwark Crown Court this morning wearing a suit. He appeared a

alongside 56`year`old John Woodhatch from Essex. They are accused of

faking a let tore the Treasury resources department which persuaded

the state to make a payment into a bogus bank account. The two men have

yet to enter pleas and have been bailed until a further court hearing

at the end of April. Against Brazil's electricity generator

caught fire last night. A viewer sent in pictures after a section of

insulation started burning. Fire crews were called around 10 o'clock.

No`one was hurt and power supplies weren't interrupted. The Government

can't reform itself, according to the vice chairman of the group which

came um with the options for reform in the last referendum. Politicians

yesterday rejected the latest plans to change the electoral system by 20

votes to 27. The Senator wanted changes similar to reforms following

the referendum last year. Not surprised. I think the States over

the past 14 years have proved themselves incapable of coming to a

conclusion on something which is very, very important and fairly

straightforward. I spoke my other reaction is one of disappointment

that on this occasion, the members of the assembly could not put aside

their personal aspirations in favour of the larger benefit of the

community. With a new man in charge of tourism

in Guernsey, are there any plans of selling the island to the rest of

the world? Mike Hopkins took on the job a month ago and today presented

some of his ideas to the industry for the first time.

We went to meet him. Even in the middle of winter, you

can see Guernsey has something to offer tourists. The question is how

to get them here and last year fewer came with visitor numbers around 3%.

Today the industry heard for the first time from the new man in

charge at the States about this year's plans for reversing the

trend. As usual, everyone has their own ideas. You go to France, nobody

knows where the Channel Islands are. I want to see a bigger promotion of

the islands for the winter months. They need to recognise that you have

got to invest in a product to get the best out of it. I think our

State need to invest more money in tourism. Ideas the new director of

tourism will no doubt take on board as he looks to turn the figures

around. We are doing a lot of great stuff at

the moment. We are really promoting the assets of the islands and we can

do more of that and make people aware of the sister islands, Sark,

children, we are also work working closely with the other departments

to make sure that the attractions and the events when people come over

here are known about and ensure that people have a fantastic time `` Sark

and Hearne. Jersey has more money available for

tourism, should more money be put into it? I don't have a big budget,

but we have to work the budget work Hahned punch it above its weight.

The island is not going to sell itself, so those involved in the

industry will be hoping the latest plans work.

Cruise ship passengers who do visit Guernsey could soon help volunteer

on local projects as part of their trip. It's a new concept being

offered by cruise companies that allows holiday`makers to give

something back to the places they visit. Charities are being asked to

suggest such experiences they can offer. There are so many charities

registered in Guernsey, 400, with income tax which for the island is

huge. There's always people asking for extra help. I can't see how

having extra hands for a day or a few hours can be a problem. People

would welcome it. Guernsey States needs to move more services online.

The commerce and Employment Minister's released his own plan to

make that happen. It's a move Deputy Kevin Stewart thinks would help the

finance industry and others with the economy. If Government is about how

we deliver our services, it's for example you can log on, do you

driving licence, change your address with every single Government

department in one click, it means that you understand how medical

services will be delivered to your, what the deadlines are, you can see

your appointments online. All these things which will make save time and

money. Officers from Jersey's Fire and

Rescue Service have been receiving high level first`aid training this

week on completing the course their skills will be at the highest

standard they have ever had. They have already had trauma training.

If you are the first to reach a casualty, it's crucial you know what

to do. The firefighters here are already highly qualified. But this

additional training takes their skills to a new level.

It's called first person on scene training. The Fire Service already

assists paramedics when required, but now these officers will be

uipped equipped for the occasions when they arrive before the

ambulance. There have been occasions when we have just been driving past

and we have seen incidents or the paramedics themselves are so

stretched that we attend an incident before them. The first thing I want

you to do Paul... Janet says this means more capable hands in the

island to help until paramedics arrive. If there was a call out

that's difficult for us to reach, it could just happen that they are out

there, they have a defibrillator on board, they've got the training now

to be able to respond to this, the patient is going to be dealt with

immediately. Not only are the firefighters

enhancing their skills, they'll soon be teaching the rest of the service.

From the Chief Fire Officer, down to the newest firefighter, the people

that arrive on scene will have the first`aid skills they need to be

able to treat the people that we turn up to. It's skills they use

regularly. In fact, only a few hours ago, they were doing this for real.

Weather`wise, I've a feeling the grey skies aren't going anywhere any

time soon. Let's get the details from David.

We'll see some rain as well. No change in that pattern. The best day

will be Saturday but it's colder and also showery even then.

We get some mildness tomorrow so temperatures into double figures.

Also some rain and some of that turning out to be heavy. It's quite

a windy day tomorrow and the rain at times will be heavy.

This first weather system produces some rain later on tonight and then

two systems across us for the middle of the day tomorrow means a wet

affair with some persistent and widespread rain and then it turns

showery as we head into Saturday. . Overnight temperatures no lower than

about seven. Temperatures are on the rise as we move through the day

tomorrow. There is an awful lot of blue on

here which is the rain that does not want to stop until after dark, mid

evening in fact. Blustery, westerly winds slowly veer round and become

north`westerly. The winds aren't overly strong to start with. Veering

westerly and picking up to a six through the day. Rain at times and

generally moderate visibility out at sea. Times of high water:

Not much change in our surfing conditions.

If you are heading unto France, Spain and Portugal, here also some

outbreaks of rain. Some of the heaviest rain is in western parts of

France and it's still cold across the eastern side of Europe. For us,

Saturday is a bright, dry day. More wet weather and quite windy

conditions on Sunday. Thank you very much.

If that wet and onedy and misty weather is likely to affect any

travel plans, the details will be on your local radio station from 7am.

raise an extra half a million pounds a year. The new fee will mean that

crossing charges will not have to go up for at least the next three

years. The Plymouth Moor View MP, Alison

Seabeck, says teachers are forcing too many 16`year`olds to continue

their education at school instead of going to college or taking up an

apprenticeship. She raised the issue in the House of Commons today. Our

Political Editor Martyn Oates joins me now. What's been said?

We are used to hearing politicians applauding the fact that more

children are staying at school and then going on to university. She was

making the point that that is not right for everybody and schools

should help people with other options.

Young people across Plymouth tell me they are feeling like little more

than walking pots of money when it comes to careers advice and schools

have been almost harassing them at times when it comes to keeping them

in school, almost mitigating against some of them going off and doing

engineering apprenticeships, as the honourable gentleman pointed out.

We spoke to some young people pursuing vocational courses and they

seem to agree. I felt like I was being belittled

because I couldn't make my own decisions without it being a problem

to them. It was almost a compulsory thing to apply for sixth form when I

didn't want to. I was disregarded. We were told in the careers office,

basically, sixth form was the way forward. If you deterred of that

party, you would essentially be failing in life.

They'd rather you stayed in sixth form. I didn't want to do that, I

had had enough of school by then, I'd rather go back to college.

Did the government have anything to say about resolving this issue?

More in agreements relate. Question was answered by Vince Cable who is

responsible for skills and vocational training.

Specifically in relation to schools, we do recognise there is an issue

with recognising the career path that is non`academic and we will

shortly issue guidance to schools on how to access independent advice.

Just before Christmas, he questioned whether to many people were taking

degrees they didn't really need. He said to say that a nurse or a police

officer needed a degree was simply qualification inflation. Several

governments have presided over increasing numbers of people going

to university so any criticism from this kind of quarter is something to

note. Residents living along a country

lane in Cornwall say its rural nature has been spoilt after the

council put up more than 60 no parking signs. The signs are every

25 metres along the road, near Newquay. But Cornwall Council says

they are necessary to comply with the law, as Spotlight's Eleanor

Parkinson reports. This country road like many others

has its usual rural landmarks. Rustic hedges, hates giving way to

Jews of the sea and a sheep. `` views of the sea. There is a parking

saying and another one on the other side of the road and we can see

three others. Locals say they have counted more than 60 signs on a

one`mile stretch. The signs were erected just before Christmas and

many residents say they are an eyesore and a waste of money.

It is supposed to be an area of great beauty and people come here to

enjoy that. It is clearly a case of regulations

overcoming common`sense. This is a site of scenic beauty. The hedges

themselves are part of the heritage. Tourists come to see the scenic

beauty, they don't come to see road signs.

The council says they are designed to control public parking `` problem

parking in the summer and they have to make them enforceable. However,

discussions are taking place with the parish council to see a things

could be managed any different way. The recent flooding which has

affected much of the South West has caused havoc for our wildlife.

Smaller mammals, butterflies and fish have been particularly hit but,

as our Environment Correspondent Adrian Campbell reports, it seems

some of our wild birds are enjoying the milder winter.

Millions of cubic metres of water has settled right here in the middle

of the Somerset Levels. Effectively transforming the landscape and

making this spectacular inland lake. Across the South West during

December there was double the rainfall you would expect. Together

with the mild winter that has meant some of wildlife has suffered.

Hedgehogs should be asleep that this time of year, hibernating, but the

mild weather means many of them will be waking up and looking for food.

Some species of fish have spent the autumn finding their beds have been

covered. The RSPB says this has been a good

winter for birds. The bit on the east coast threatened

by a rising sea`level but now we have the population.

Of course we have seen lots of flooding but the water on these

reserves is also preventing flooding and other parts of the region.

It has been good weather for ducks. They're highly trained, very

enthusiastic, and they can do the job of twenty people. I'm not

talking about male presenters! And, after two years of preparation,

they're finally ready to get to work.

Yes, Cornwall Search Rescue team has just welcomed two new members to

its ranks ` the first four legged volunteers in the charity's ten year

history. Spotlight's Andy Birkett has been to see them in action.

Sharon and her dog Millie have reason to celebrate. They have just

graduated from training and are now officially part of the Cornish

search and rescue team. But it was luck that brought them to the

service. It was just a chance conversation.

On joining the team, I realised I could bring two things together. I

already had my dog as a young puppy who was keen to be working. She

needed something to do. There are 11 search and rescue dogs

in the South West but, before Sharon and her colleague qualified this

month, the Cornwall team didn't have any, so this will make a huge

difference. Effectively, we are doubling the

size of the team by adding two dogs because each of the dogs can

basically cover what 20 foot`searchers can do.

Hidden in the bag is team`mate Phil. Millie has got to find him.

She is sniffing for that sent that she can pick up. You can see her

behaviour changed slightly. She has found her dogsbody so she is coming

back and will tell Sharon she has found him. Then we just need to

follow her. She is loving this, isn't she? You

can tell. Absolutely. It is all just fun and a

big game for them and the reward is the ball. That's all she is doing it

for really. Eager to join in is Ziva, the next

generation. She has clearly got the enthusiasm but he has only just done

her training. The first process is trying to get

the basic obedience before moving on to the specialist search dog

training. As you've seen today, she is quite an energetic mood and I

have been struggling to keep her in a calm state.

But Ziva has a long way to go. It takes about two years on average to

get the dog up to speed. Now it was my turn to be a dogsbody.

Body Andy in position and ready. Thankfully, Millie didn't let me

down. She is getting close now, here they

come. WOOF!

That didn't take very long. But for her this is what it's all

about. They love it, don't they?

I know, I would be tempted to leave and do there.

Now, do you know how old the Big Ben bell is? Or when King Richard III

was killed? Well, they're questions you'd have to answer if you were

looking to move to the UK from abroad.

They're part of the Life In The UK test and people in North Devon have

been finding out how British they are by trying to answer some of the

questions in a pub quiz. Spotlight's John Danks went to see how they got

on. Which of these forts were part of

Hadrian 's Wall? Choose to answers. The monarch is the head of the

Church of England, true or false? The questions cover everything from

history and politics through to the British constitution.

How often are elections held in Britain?

This crowd weren't planning to stay in Britain but were taking its just

as seriously. They are starting to sweat.

This lady has taken the real citizenship test and questions from

friends led her to host this quiz. Akram is, as we say in the United

States. The differences, if I don't pass, I'm out of here. If they don't

pass, they get another is gone `` another scone or whatever it is.

Some were surprised how difficult it was. A lot of them were to modern

day living. I just guessed the answers and was

lucky if I got right. I passed so I can stay.

The results are in and did everyone get them all right? No, in fact

quite a few fields to get 75%, the pass mark.

I think less than half past I passed so, you know what, you guys are

stuck with me. I'm here. The British citizens must try

harder. It looks really difficult, doesn't

it? I might go online and have a look

later. Let us know if you've passed.

We have got more rain in the forecast not only for tomorrow but

also for Sunday. The rain keeps on coming. Tomorrow it will be

accompanied by quite strong winds but at least it is milder. Part of

Somerset still badly flooded. We do have a warning for further rain,

particularly for those areas in Somerset that are sensitive to

rainfall. There will be quite tricky driving conditions tomorrow. All of

it is coming from this cloud that is racing across the Atlantic. It will

produce more persistent rain in the early hours of the morning and

widespread rain throughout tomorrow. There will be mist and fog over the

motherland. `` over the moorland. Briefly today we did get some

brightness but it was short`lived because the cloud has been streaming

and. Some glimpses of sunshine here. With a bit of shelter, the south

coast hasn't been so bad. Temperatures up to eight or nine

degrees. There are some fairly big seas out there. Tonight, the rain is

patchy nature and widespread by the end of the night. Initially, we

might see temperatures into single figures but we won't have anything

to worry about. Those temperatures continue to increase as the milder

air sets on but so does the rain. It doesn't really clear until the

evening. Unusually warm for the month of January. Quite a wet day

for the Isles of Scilly. The surf is pretty mist up because

of the wind. Very messy conditions, quite

dangerous on some beaches. Poor visibility out at sea because of the

rain. We still have several flood warnings in place. There is the

flood line number. Brighter on Saturday but more wet weather on

Sunday and Monday. If you want to enjoy those search

and rescue dogs again or any of the other items they are on our Facebook

page. Good night. A star will be born

on The Voice 2014!