01/05/2014 BBC Oxford News

pressure for change. That's all from us. Now on

Good evening. Our top story tonight is about

modern day slavery. A Home Office Minister has been in Oxford,

promising tougher action for the perpetrators of people trafficking.

Last year, seven men were jailed for their involvement in a child sex

ring in Oxford. This evening, the Minister, Karen Bradley, told a

conference that new legislation is on the way. Jeremy Stern reports.

Karen Bradley is the Minister for Modern Slavery and Organised Crime.

She says the very fact such a title exists shows how seriously the

issues are taken at the highest level.

One of the things I am doing today while I'm in Oxford is a round table

discussion to meet those authorities involved in all aspects of helping

victims of human trafficking and exploitation. I'm really interested

to learn from them where they think there might have been problems, and

what we can do as a government to meet those gaps. The MP spoke at

Regent's Park College, where there was also an exhibition on historic

slavery. Our understanding of what the word 'slavery' means is

changing. These days it's not about men in chains being sold to the

highest bidder, it is more likely to happen in secret. Here in East

Oxford, dozens of young girls were exploited by a gang of older men `

and that's a form of modern slavery. Last year, seven men, including

Akhtar Dogar and his brother Anjum Dogar, were sentenced to a total of

95 years. Human rights campaigners in Oxford have called for stronger

deterrents. A crime just doesn't disappear overnight, particularly

such a highly organised crime as trafficking. You've just got to be

on your guard that it's happening all the time. I think the Government

taking it seriously encourages everyone else to take it seriously,

as well. Tougher sentences and tighter controls on those who

enslave others could become law as part of the Modern Slavery Bill,

which goes before Parliament later this year.

DNA testing has confirmed that a human bone found in a Cotswold

beauty spot is part of the body of a murdered Swindon woman, whose

remains were found nearby in 2011. Wiltshire Police reopened the case

of Becky Godden`Edwards three weeks ago, when the bone was recovered.

The rest of her body was found in a shallow grave. Detectives had been

led to the scene by Swindon cab driver Christopher Halliwell, who

was jailed for the murder of another local woman, Sian O'Callaghan.

An inquest in Oxford has heard how a university student found dead in a

tent on Port Meadow took his own life by inhaling a poisonous gas.

Andrew Kirkman's body was found by a passer`by in early December. The

area was initially cordoned off as it was thought his death might have

been due to a chemical leak. The Balliol College student had recently

been diagnosed with depression. Andrew's parents and college paid

tribute to "an amazing young man." Last month, we heard that Crossrail

was being extended to Reading. But what will it mean in reality for

commuters travelling to and from our region? Our transport correspondent,

Paul Clifton, has been to see progress on the route beneath the

capital. Going underground ` this is where

Crossrail services from Reading will disappear beneath West London. For a

decade, it seemed Reading people would be denied direct services

through this tunnel. Suddenly, last month, there was a change of heart.

This is an important part of Crossrail because this is where the

trains that all come in from Berkshire enter the tunnels. These

are the central sections of the tunnels that take all the trains

into Central London. For the Thames Valley, this will mean two Crossrail

trains an hour into the heart of London. They will be in addition to

First Great Western's stopping services and new intercity trains

that will soon be built. It will also help the increasing flow of

people the other way. It means that Reading can become a destination in

its own right. The residents of Redding and Twyford will have

choice. From Reading, Crossrail will take 15 minutes to reach London. The

new intercity trains will take half that time. This will be a

high`density urban style service, so no toilets, no catering. But, for

many, taking one direct train straight to work through here will

be very popular. Thousands of people set an early

alarm this morning, or didn't go to bed at all, so they could be part of

the traditional May Morning celebrations in Oxford. Magdalen

Choristers welcomed in the dawn and Morris dancers kept the party going.

Tom Turrell joined the party. CHOIR SINGS.

6.00am on first May and, on the roof of Magdalen Tower, the college's

choir sing to the people below. The spring celebrations are somewhat of

a tradition in the city, for both town and gown alike. But, as the

singing stops and the bells ring out, the party is far from over.

After celebrations finish at Magdalen Tower, revellers head to

Broad Street to join in with the Morris dancers. Despite the dreary

morning, it is thought around 5,000 people turned out, with businesses

opening early to cope with the extra demand. It has gone 8.30am and, for

most people, the party is over. But you try telling that to these guys!

In been the last few years and not bothered with the dressing up, but

this year I thought, why not? I'll go for it! For me, it's about having

fun and meeting people and dancing throughout the day. In the past,

there have been injuries after people jumped from Magdalen Bridge.

This year, safety was a top priority, with those in charge happy

with how it has gone. I am really pleased. The atmosphere was lovely.

It was a bit damp this morning, but the atmosphere was still there and

it's beautiful when the choir starts singing. Whilst dancing to ward off

evil spirits was a priority for some, others will be more concerned

with warding off the hangover. That's it from us for now. We're

back in BBC some breaking news before we go. Sir

Roger Bannister has taught us that he is suffering from Parkinson's

disease. You can hear the full interview with BBC Radio Oxford from

ten o'clock tomorrow morning. Hello and a very good evening to

you. After one or two rather hefty downpours today, it will dry out

tonight. For many, there will be dry conditions through the night. Just

one or two bits and pieces of wet weather to be had. Cloudy with

drizzle around, some hill fog and temperatures down to seven or eight

degrees. So, a murky start first thing on Friday morning, but we will

see quite a bit of cloud, generally a dry day, although one of two

showers could crop up, particularly in the afternoon. The cloud will

begin to thin and break late in the day, with temperatures around 11 or

12 degrees. Taking a look ahead, it's not doing too badly. For the

bank holiday weekend, some sunny spells and feeling warm. Now the

national weather forecast. will be some sunshine around. More

on that in the national forecast. Our weather is taking a turn for the

colder. You would be forgiven for thinking that does not bode well for

the Bank Holiday Weekend. But as we go through the weekend, temperatures

will be performing a U-turn, and recovering, as we will see. England

and Wales has borne the brunt of some heavy downpours, with still

some lively show is out there at the moment. But they are fading. Clearer

skies in Scotland, so here, some spots will get close to freezing if

not below tonight. But a better day on the way