06/11/2013 BBC Oxford News

from the west That

Hello and welcome to South Today from Oxford. In tonight's programme:

Oxfordshire scrap yard staff are found guilty of handling stolen

metal, but the operation to catch them is labelled a waste of money.

Also coming up: 25 extra police officers to tackle child

exploitation in our region after numbers of rape cases soar.

And later: Sally Taylor will be live from Portsmouth, getting reaction to

the hundreds of shipbuilding jobs cut today.

Two people from an Oxfordshire scrap yard have been found guilty of

handling stolen metal. But after a seven week trial, the undercover

police operation which caught them has been labelled a waste of

taxpayers' money. Simon Rogers part`owns the yard in Nuneham

Courtenay and Martin Pace works there. Three other people were found

not guilty of similar charges. May, 2012, and for officers launched

in raids across the region. Part of a national initiative to tackle

metal theft, Thames Valley Police used undercover detectives to visit

this site near. They brought power and copper cabling and lead from a

roof. The court heard how the accused men bought it, no questions

asked. But the defence said it had been a slippy `` sloppy and careless

investigation. It's a waste of taxpayers money. These are innocent

men who have been repeatedly targeted. They have spent two months

in cloud and wasted taxpayers money. There were no stolen goods found at

the yard. The owner of the site was found not guilty of all counts

against him. Likewise, staff members, also innocent. But Simon

Rogers and Martin Pace were convicted on one count each of

concealing, disguising the converting criminal property. Thames

Valley Police has strived to tackle metal theft. We will robust leap and

to those involved in the illegal trade. This case has lasted nearly

ten months. The men convicted today say they were disappointed with the

verdict and maintained their innocence. They went on to say they

may well appeal their convictions and will be sentenced tomorrow

afternoon. BBC South can reveal that 25 extra

police officers are being deployed to tackle child abuse and

exploitation in our region. Thames Valley Police say the number of rape

cases it's dealing with has jumped by nearly 40% in the past year. In

future, police will work side by side with social workers at special

new hubs being set up in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.

Our reporter Emma Vardy is here with more. Emma, what's behind this? This

move is because of the effect that the Jimmy Savile case has had and

down to the fallout from the Oxford child grooming trial. As a result of

these cases, it means Thames Valley Police has seen an increase in

victims coming forward. Particularly well so because failings were

exposed during that grooming trial. There were questions why the abuse

was not picked up sooner, meaning the police are trying to show they

won't let this happen again. A team has been set up in Oxfordshire. The

force will also set up similar teams to tackle these cases in Bucks and

Milton Keynes. Well this cost? The force is putting

nearly ?500,000 into this and committing extra officers to it.

It's every and police are having to make cuts in other areas, so it's a

mark of high power `` I hope I'll priority this is. The weaknesses

exposed by the Jimmy Savile case in the child grooming trial means

police had to boost public confidence and make sure the warning

signs of child abuse are not missed again.

The Great Western Hospital in Swindon is offering bonuses to

nurses and other professional staff to work extra shifts during the

winter. Payments of up to ?65 will be paid ON TOP of overtime rates in

an effort to provide enough staff in the next few months. The Trust says

it's also recruiting more staff and has taken on more than 250 nurses

and midwives since April. A review of plans to build a

shopping centre on the former Prodrive site in Banbury is being

held at the High Court today. Cherwell District Council has given

permission for the development but it's been opposed by the owners of

the Castle Quay Centre and Banbury Cross Retail Park. They fear it'll

take business and jobs away from them. The judicial review will last

two days. It's been lying empty since March

but today, for the first time since Didcot A Power Station was switched

off, our film crew has been given access. Didcot A has generated

electricity to millions of homes over the last 40 years. Demolition

teams are now on site but it'll be several years before the famous

cooling towers disappear from the skyline, as Jessica Cooper reports.

Powering the nation from 1970 to 2013. Today Didcot A power station

was eerily quiet. It was switched off in March because coal no longer

met environmental standards. We are in the turbine Hall. This area used

to produce 2000 megawatts of electricity. That's enough to power

more than 3 million homes in the locality. Since this was turned off,

it was turned off, is electricity/related? We have the

Didcot a and did quit the site. It produces 1400 megawatts. These

turbines will be taken apart and the metal will be recycled. If plans are

approved, demolition will start next year. First to be knocked down will

be three of the cooling towers, which will disappear from the

skyline within seconds. The intention is to use the safest

method which is the controlled use of explosives. But has the closure

at Didcot left a gap in energy supply? The group, Low Carbon

Oxford, says more communities are starting to generate their own

power. At Cherwell School 70 solar panels produce 12% of its

electricity. Anyone from the community can invest even a smaller

big amount and they get a decent return on their investment over

time. But also, the project generates a surplus. And that's used

by a local group to fund more local projects. Energy experts say

electricity demand is falling due to more efficient homes and people

being more careful about how much they use. The power is off for good

at Didcot A power station but it will still be dominating the skyline

for few more months. The BBC Radio Oxford Big Tour of

Didcot continues tomorrow when Phil Gayle will be live from Milton Park,

one of the biggest business parks in Europe. Tune in from 6am for an

exclusive announcement about its plans for the future.

London Welsh rugby club is failing to attract the crowds to the Kassam

Stadium since their relegation from Rugby Union's Premiership. The

club's in its second season since its move to Oxford and the

management admits that their identity is a barrier. The club says

it's working hard to win the affections of Oxfordshire sports

fans. It's a club that is prepared to move

in a new direction. After 128 years in the capital, the Welsh X hours

rights remain strong. The appeal of building a bigger fan base prompted

the switch last year but management are concerned that would lead crowds

are not only due to their relegation but because of their identity.

Identity is critical. We are playing the Oxfordshire area and need to

identify with Oxfordshire and yet not use `` and yet not lose that

tradition. On the pitch, the team are on course for a return to the

top flight. Club offices are set to move north and the team are set a

new training base in the county. I understand the fact that people say

that if we lived in Oxford, understand the fact that people say

are a team that played Oxford. We have our home in Oxford. So whether

I live in Twickenham Oxford, doesn't really matter. That is where I am

playing my rugby and that's what we are related to and create something

for the future. Home is where the heart is an while London Welsh

continue to be reluctant to embrace Oxford in their name, will Oxford

fully embrace them and their team? Big names, unsung heroes and a wide

variety of sports are represented in the short list for the Oxfordshire

Sports Awards announced today. The winners will be revealed at a

ceremony on the 29th November. You can see the full list on

bbc.co.uk/oxford. That's all from us. Now time to join

Tony Husband for the rest of the region's news and Sally Taylor in

Portsmouth for more reaction to BAE's job cuts

later in the programme. We will be looking at the impact on the local

economy here and also that city deal.

520 jobs are at risk after pharmaceutical company Novartis

announced it is to close its site in Horsham in West Sussex. The

Switzerland based company employs 350 people there in research and

development posts, together with around 170 contractors. Two years

ago, the company cut more than 400 jobs at the site.

Horsham District Council says it is shocked at news of the closure. It

is one of the largest private employer is here, but not for much

longer. Novartis halved its workforce here two years ago, but

now it has started a consultation which could close the site next

year. In the town, there was shocked at the news. I should think it will

be a big blow, they must employ a lot of people who come into town. To

get a job now here is going to be very difficult. It is a large blow.

There is a lot of employment. The town has a strong economy, but this

will take sometime to absorb. The company declined our request for an

interview, but gave an interview to a newspaper. This decision is

nothing to do with the quality of the work. Some of the work currently

being done will be moved to other locations around the world. Horsham

district Council says it is talking to Novartis about the future of the

site itself and to try to find alternative employment for the

workers who are losing their jobs. An inquest into the death of a three

month old baby in Southampton has heard that he suffered a fractured

skull, and that his father had a previous conviction for child

cruelty, but the authorities didn't know. The coroner recorded an open

verdict into the death of Nico Maynard, the fourth such verdict in

three days of inquests into the deaths of four young children in the

city. Tom Hepworth is here with the background to this, Tom.

The first inquest, held on Monday, was that of Blake Fowler. He died in

2011 from a head injury. He was seven. The coroner said it was

difficult to know exactly how he died, but his parents were guilty of

an appalling and disgraceful failure to prioritise his needs. A serious

case review will now take place. On Tuesday, the coroner looked into the

deaths of brothers Bradley and Jayden Adams in 2011. Aged four and

two, they died three months apart. Four weeks before Jayden's death

their neglectful mother had begged for the children to be taken into

care because she couldn't cope. They weren't. The coroner recorded an

open verdict. No`one was prosecuted and there'll now be a serious case

review. Today, the court heard about three`month old Nico Maynard who

also died in 2011. He had a fractured skull. His father had

previously been jailed for child cruelty and social workers described

him as a massive risk to young children, but authorities in

Southampton didn't know this. Again no`one was prosecuted. A serious

case review published last week recommended a new national register

of those with a history of child violence. It brings the number of

serious case reviews into how Southampton City Council handled

child protection cases over the last year to five. Earlier I spoke to

Keith Makin, the chairman of the Southampton Safeguarding Children

board. I asked him whether the public can have any confidence in

child protection measures in the city after these deaths.

There was a concentration at that point in time. But I am not reading

into that any indication that there is a systemic problem in the area. I

don't think we can reflect on that that there is some inherent issue in

Southampton that is different from anywhere else. Each of these cases

were different in nature and that is not a connection between them. Five

Serious Case Reviews over a 12 month period, a lot of people would read

into that that there is something seriously wrong. I do not know if

that is the case. The purpose in looking into all these cases very

thoroughly is to establish whether there could have been some factors

that led to some difficulty. To what extent did a relatively high

proportion of agency workers have a bearing on these cases? Whether that

was a factor at the time, I don't know. It is something I will want to

look into. There is a partnership across all the agencies who will be

interested in any connection between staffing levels and outcomes. Does

that have ramifications on the recruitment and retention of social

workers? I think it could. But the evidence is that Southampton at the

moment is being very successful in recruiting well`qualified, able

social work staff. West Berkshire Council has set out

how it will save ?10 million over the next two years. Support for

vulnerable young adults will see its funding reduced by a third. Nearly

half a million pounds will be taken from care budgets and bus subsidies

will also be affected. The Conservative`run council said it had

to deal with significant cuts to its budget.

It's Children in Need next Friday, November the 15th. All this week,

we've been taking a look at where your money has been spent. Today,

Sarah Farmer visits the Eastleigh Young carers.

This project as children the opportunity to leave behind the

day`to`day chores and stresses and just be children. We were fortunate

to receive ?66,000 from children in need. They go on trips and

activities, meet others in a similar situation. It's nice to forget all

my worries. My mum can't take me swimming and they can. To be a

normal child, really, and be free. To actually get some time out to be

a kid, leave worries behind for a little while and have some fun. That

is the best gift you can give, really. This group helps give

disadvantaged, homeless young people the tools to live independently. It

works with young people who might have experienced difficulties in

their life. The money from children in need is brilliant. We got ?30,000

over a three`year period to part fund one of our training

coordinators. It helps my self`esteem and confidence. I am in

college, which I did not think I would have got without this place.

Children In Need really does help local projects in the local

community. We will focus on more charities

helped by Children In Need tomorrow. And now the weather.

Some pretty wet weather to come and some strong gusty winds as well. We

could see gusts along the coast of 60 mph. There will be some heavy

bursts of rain in the. But that band of rain will easily and drier

conditions follow. That cloud is easing away tomorrow morning. Once

we get rid of that weather, it looks like a decent day with bright and

sunny spells, perhaps a few showers. It looks like we will have

a fairly decent day, but still some brisk and blustery winds. A few

showers first thing on Friday morning, temperatures down to 56

degrees. `` five or six degrees. For the most part, it will be dry on

Friday. A similar picture on Saturday as well. We have got some

wind, but it will ease off on Friday and Saturday. But a front arrives on

Sunday bringing cloudy conditions with damp outbreaks of rain and

drizzle. The weekend will be unsettled with bright `` some bright

and sunny intervals. Here is your summary for the coming days. We

start with the cloud and dampness first thing tomorrow morning.

Brighter skies developing. On Friday and Saturday, a few scattered

showers with sunny intervals. Sunday looking cloudy.

Thank you. Now let's join Sally who's in Portsmouth tonight with

more reaction to today's news about the end of shipbuilding at the

city's dockyard, Sally. Welcome back to Portsmouth, a city

struggling to come to terms with the news that Navy shipbuilding will end

here next year. And with it, 1,100 jobs will go. Repair and maintenance

of the Navy's ships will remain here, and the city will still be the

home to the surface fleet, including the two new aircraft carriers. We

asked people on the streets of Portsmouth for their reaction to

today's news. Absolutely awful. It is all to do with money. They make

all these big decisions about things and then it all goes down the pan.

Add dockyard has gone back hundreds of years.

What will there be from the government? The Government says it

will give infrastructure grants and set up a maritime task force to help

cope with the loss of shipbuilding. An announcement is also expected

shortly on a City Deal for the area as Alex Forsyth explains.

A City Deal would give Portsmouth more economic power over its future.

It could directly profit from local business taxes and make decisions on

growth and investment with less government involvement. Projects

that could benefit include the Northern Quarter shopping and

housing complex and the redevelopment of Tipner, where work

has already started. But this isn't new. Portsmouth and Southampton put

in a joint bid for this status in January. Today, the Government said

negotiations are close to conclusion, keen to soften the blow

of the loss of shipbuilding. It also announced a new maritime forum to

advise local business on promoting the industry, and ?100 million worth

of investment in Portsmouth's infrastructure to help it to host

the new aircraft carriers. The local council claims this isn't new money,

while the government wants to show it is supporting the city. With

Beano is the chief Executive of the Hampshire chamber of commerce. It is

a huge blow to the economy. This stretches further as well. Yes, it

is a blow for the city. We ought to remember it is a huge blow

personally for those who found out today that they will lose their

jobs. We have known about the fact that there will be job losses for

some time. To find out the extent of that in Portsmouth was the news we

did not want to hear. But it does go wider than that. How much further?

How many jobs will be lost or companies in trouble because of

this? I have heard figures. What sort of figures? 3000 secondary

jobs. But that is difficult to assess. There is a supply chain that

works with shipbuilding. That will probably suffer. But some of those

people will be involved in ship repair. What is your view of this

100 million that the government is giving? It is not new money in that

it is not directly related to today's news. It is money that has

been allocated to help the dockyard adapt and be able to receive the two

new carriers. It is not tied in to today. Do you think shipbuilding has

gone for good from Portsmouth? We know it has gone as far as this time

frame has concerned `` is concerned, but the capacity to build ships will

remain. Thank you. Let's return to Westminster and get

a summary of what is being talked about the.

It is worth wondering what if? What if Portsmouth had remained open and

one of the yards in Scotland was closed? Would there be more than the

city deal? Much of that money has already been allocated in the

Portsmouth area. Thank you. Steve Humphreys has been

a Portsmouth dockyard for most of the day. A difficult day for

workers. Yes, the warship building industry

has always been notorious for having peaks and troughs. To build the new

aircraft carriers, people always knew there would be paying at the

end of that project because of the lack of orders coming after. Simply

not enough to keep the shipyards going around the country. The reason

for that is the size of the Royal navy fleet. At the time of the

Falklands, the Royal Navy had 60 frigates and destroyers. Right now,

there are 19. A very badly far as shipbuilding is concerned, but at

least we will store around 11,000 jobs at the naval base.

Thank you. If you want to get in touch, let us know what you think.

Our colleagues in BBC local radio have a special programme tomorrow

morning. This is a very difficult day for Portsmouth. A city defined

by its history. Today, it learned that ship building will become part

of its past. Hundreds of staff have gone home tonight and certain of

what their future holds. Good night.