02/09/2014 BBC Oxford News

degrees. Thursday, more of the same. Is that is all from us. Now

Hello and welcome to South Today from Oxford.

Ten men have been arrested in connection with

the sexual exploitation of young girls.

More than 100 officers took part in the operation in Buckinghamshire.

Most of the arrests were in Aylesbury.

Should there be tighter regulations for the licensing of taxi drivers?

After a convicted rapist was given a licence, an MP says

The buses fitted with Formula One technology `

not to make them faster, but greener.

And later on: it's never too late for a medal.

The World War I Warrior commemorated,

100 years after he set off for the front.

More than 100 police officers have carried out a series of raids

in Aylesbury, connected to child exploitation.

Seven properties have been searched in the town,

The operation is part of a crackdown on sexual

The alleged offences relate to two victims,

Sinead Carroll has spent the day in Aylesbury and has sent this report.

120 officers prepare for raids at 11 locations all linked to child sexual

exploitation. Ten men were arrested. The majority of today's warrants

took place here in Aylesbury in residential areas. News of those

raids is already spreading. I have had lots of people talking to me

about it. Police want to reassure the local community. Major`mac child

sexual exploitation affects the whole community, we have seen it in

various parts of the country and it involves people of a range of

ethnicities. Clearly, five of those who have been arrested so far

declared their Knesset `` ethnicity as Pakistani, one Bangladeshi, one

Indian and one of black Caribbean heritage. But this is not about

ethnicity, no matter what someone's ethnic background, it is the

police's job to protect them if they are a victim and bring them to

justice if they are an offender. Police are working with

Buckinghamshire County Council on the investigation. It is only weeks

since the council's Children's Services was branded inadequate. If

we looked at the Ofsted report, we would see that this was an area,

working with child sexual expedition, that Ofsted cited as one

of our strengths. We have invested more money over the years and very

much so recently into putting more workers into place, to work with

schools and work with Barnardo's, we see this very much as a priority for

the Council and also for our partners. The arrests today only

took place between `` because a couple of victims came forward.

Officers say they were pre`teen at the time of the offences, between

2005 and 2012. Police have said they believe there may well be other

victims in this local area and they are doing all they can to encourage

them to come forward. The Prime Minister, David Cameron,

has told the BBC he's shocked at the decision to allow

a convicted rapist to become a taxi driver in Milton Keynes, despite

a history of violent sexual crimes. Nadeem Kiani was granted

a licence in 2011, despite serving Three people have resigned,

including the Mayor of Milton Keynes, who offered

the man a character reference. In ten years as an MP, I was shocked

to hear it. I am pleased that Milton Keynes Council have taken swift and

decisive action and there is a review, because it is the safety of

the public that must be put at the forefront of our minds, and that is

why I think we need to look at it again.

Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire have been selected as areas where badgers

will be vaccinated to try and stop the spread of bovine TB.

Animals in so`called "edge counties" around the hotspots

of Gloucestershire and Somerset will be given

The Government hopes the programme will create

a buffer zone of healthy badgers, and says it will help farmers with

A scheme to tackle childhood obesity is being launched in Swindon.

Richard Simpson is a regular visitor here at the Churchill Hospital.

Doctors behind a pioneering kidney transplant centre

in Oxford are appealing for more money to keep their scheme afloat.

The project, at the Churchill Hospital, is aimed at helping young

adults by using social activities as part of the rehabilitation process.

Its methods are believed to be cutting transplant rejection by 85%.

Richard Simpson is a regular visitor here at the Churchill Hospital.

But he doesn't just come for check`ups.

Through fun activities like this, the young adult clinic here has

helped him and others deal with kidney conditions.

Doctors say some young adults struggle to take medication

But they've found socialising with others in the same boat gives

We find that the patient's stay longer at the clinics, interact with

one another, communicate with each other on Facebook, and patients who

were being quite isolated previously can support one another. The service

is somewhat like the antenatal service you might have.

Social activies aren't funded through the NHS `

It's thought it could save the NHS thousands, though, by lowering

Now, organisers say it needs funding to keep going `

2nd Street `` it has so many of my friends. Just changing our lives and

giving us the support that normal hospital treatment cannot give in

the exact same way, because of the way hospital treatment is set up.

Meanwhile, Richard is now awaiting his transplant `

it's set for December. The donor is his younger brother.

Businesses are being urged to consider taking on more part`time

In the Army alone, it's thought the number

of reservists will rise from 19,000 to 30,000 in the next four years.

Now Oxfordshire County Council and other organisations have pledged

to do more to offer work and support to reservists.

Mother`of`two Cheryl Huntbach balances both.

From her job here in Bloxham, to being a part`time member of the RAF.

I was an ex`regular and I left. Being in the air force gives you a

sense of pride, a sense of achievement, and I just wanted that

again, really. It has been the best thing I have ever done.

Cheryl is one of only six reservists out of

the County Council's 18,000 strong workforce.

Oxfordshire County Council was one of those authorities today putting

pen to paper on a corporate covenant.

It's a formal commitment to employ more part`time servicemen and women.

Reservists currently make up 14% of the Armed Services,

but that number's set to grow in the coming years as the size of the

regular force diminishes and their reliance on part timers increases.

I am told by employers who are employing Reservists already, they

bring back some really good life skills, like confidence,

leadership, timekeeping, understanding how to work in teams

and get the best of `` out of their employees. Another skill is

qualifications. They will tend to be a lot more flexible and they have

the ability to do job sharing and change things around, which is

hugely beneficial. If they do need to be away for an extended periods

of time, that is handy. And it's those skills that

Oxfordshire is hoping more businesses will tap into, as well

as supporting the growing demands It's technology that's been

developed for Formula One cars, but now it's going to be on board

a very different type of vehicle. The gyrodrive system, which reduces

fuel consumption, has been fitted to a new range of buses for the

Oxford Brookes University service. It's part of nearly ?4 million

of investment in the fleet, On the outside,

most people will notice the new colour, but it's what's

on the inside that matters most. Greener technology, which cuts down

on fuel use and carbon emissions, It's a big investment by

Oxford Bus Company and Brookes University, costing

?3.7 million. It is about a 30% reduction in

carbon dioxide emissions. It is good all round for the people of Oxford.

The way this technology works is similar to this toy car

But it's a much more advanced version.

In the engineering world, it's known as a gyrodrive system,

which stores more energy than normal and is then used to power

It's a system already used in Formula One,

developed by engineers from the Williams team, based in Grove.

But it was sold to a huge technology company, earlier this year.

The project started in 2008, developing the system for Formula

one, and in 2009, attention switched to developing a production solution

which could be transferred into public transport.

The new fleet of buses will now be mainly part

of the Brookes University network throughout Oxford, used by both

It's hoped more buses will follow suit and install the same kind

In two weeks, Scotland will be going to the polls to decide whether or

not to become independent. What do people in Oxfordshire think? Are

Porter has to Henley `` our reporter.

It was the proclaimers who once told us they would walk 500 miles. They

are some of the most prominent backers of independence. We are

voting yes for an independent Scotland because we want to see a

fairer and more just society. We think that is much more possible if

we run our own affairs. While Henry is 500 miles as the crow flies from

the North eastern tip of the Scottish mainland, but it is not

hard to find Scottish influence here, even its county councillor

comes from Scotland. I need to go back to Scotland every year, sniff

the air, touch the soil. Living here, he will not get a vote. If I

had the choice, I would choose the Scotland to remain part of the UK.

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Scotland has fought above

`` above its weight for the last 300 years.

A Yes vote would start the end of Britain as we know it, so are people

here interested in what is happening north of the border? No, I cannot

say I am interested at all. I was in Scotland a month ago, and it seems

they are very confused about what they want. They have been with us

long time, it seems a shame for them to be thinking about us. As a Scot

living in England I am really interested and frustrated we do not

have a say in it. The future direction of Scotland will be

decided by people currently living there on September the 18th. They

will choose whether Scotland stays in the union or not.

I'll have the headlines at 8pm and a full bulletin at 10:25pm.

Now more of today's stories with Sally Taylor.

the cloud and smoke shifted to a more rural direction. Control of the

fire is going to be handed over to the owners of the site as soon as is

safe. Still to come in this evening's

South Today, The World War I warrior commemorated

100 years after he set off It's a scaled`down tidal turbine,

a 15th of the size of a real one. It's used by oceanographers

at the University of Southampton to test tidal currents

and what they do to the blades. It's one way of finding out

if the seabed can be used to harness Such a scheme is

in its early stages off the Isle of Wight with efforts to have it

operational within three years. If it gets the go`ahead,

it'll be the first such centre of its kind in the world, helping

put the UK at the very forefront Chrissy Sturt has

this special report. Ships make the south coast a marine

powerhouse. Whilst dainty yachts and dinghies turn it into an adventure

playground. But now there is a plan to use the ways for something very

different. Deep underwater, giant blades similar to this could soon be

turning in the tidal currents. There could be as many as 60 turbines

generating electricity for up to 15,000 homes on the Isle of Wight.

Tidal energy is actually one of the most important technologies because

it is very predictable. So you know exactly within minutes how much

energy you will get from the turbines that you have. And that is

nothing like solar or wind. It is already happening off the northern

tip of Scotland. In the Orkney islands, the European Marine energy

centre has been operating for ten years. But it is not a commercial

venture. It is largely scientific. At our end of the UK, the plan is

bigger. The first real moneymaking tidal farm would go here, just off

the south coast of the Isle of Wight. The tidal energy centre would

make the most of the fast flowing currents in Saint Catherine 's deep.

It is the brainchild of entrepreneur Mark Francis. He grew up in the

Orkney islands and now wants his own tidal farm down south. Every device

deployed has brought in an average of ?1 million to the local economy.

We could have 30 to 60 devices. It could have significant economic

benefits to the island and the local economy. But before a single blade

can turn or any money is made, they need official consent. They have

already spent ?2 million on this arduous preplanning stage. So we're

standing just offshore from Saint Catherine 's point, which you can

see over there. Frank is an expert in marine surveys. His team of

scientists are scanning the sea bed and collecting wildlife data. Birds

and seals are important species in the area and we need to make sure

there is no negative impact from the project. What are your results

showing you? At the moment, the results are great because they are

showing very few animals that could be impacted. Getting planning

permission for the tidal energy centre is just the start. Then the

hard work really begins. Our taxi there will be a range of different

devices acting as a showroom to lure in the energy giants. `` out at sea.

Hopefully it will mean they are willing to get their wallets out.

But turbines of this size are not cheap to store. The infrastructure

will cost at least ?30 million. Some of that will come from central

government and EU subsidies but that leaves a big gap which private

investment will be expected to fill. Despite these risks, the Isle of

Wight council has only committed ?1 million of taxpayers' money.

Possibly 600 jobs will be created and we expect 200 of those at least

to come onto the Isle of Wight. We have a really strong track record in

research and development and manufacturing and these jobs all fit

in this category and are important for us to help grow the base we have

on the island into something even better than we have. But there is a

problem. I don't think they understand the effect it can have on

us. They think we can just fish somewhere else but there are very

few areas with as good`quality brown crab. The turbines will be placed

exactly where the local delicacy, brown crab, like to congregate,

threatening one of the island's oldest industries. We have big

demand for our crab and sometimes this is the only place we can find

them. As soon as we don't have the supplier, our business falls over.

But it seems politics is moving with the tide. The government backed

roses it has huge ambitions for the sector. In our region, Portland

could be next. There are plans for tidal energy there, too. It is very

exciting but we now go to the point where we must have commercial

devices in the sea and these are projects which could really put us

on the global market for renewables and tidal energy as a whole. But

despite the optimism, tidal power is still a good ten years behind wind

energy and must face some stormy times ahead.

Onto sport now. A lot of money has been spent after that transfer

deadline. Well, not you! Yes! The deadline was 11pm but they had

another hour to finalise things after that. The last couple went

through late. Southampton, 835 and Ian in total for British clubs and

90 million of that came to Saints, so they were delighted with that.

Southampton confirmed two late signings last night. A Belgian

international joined one season`long loan. And another signed

a four`year deal. They are the fifth highest spenders in the league. Two

other the team everything and then we will

see next year. I don't want to feel like this is a step to this and to

that. No. I want to do my best and play well.

Portsmouth with most of their business early on in the transfer

season. BBC radio Solent has full commentary on the match to light. A

trip to Wendy in March might seem a long way off but that is the prize

on offer if you reach the final of the Johnstone 's paint Trophy. After

a near perfect start of the season it

details. Consider this. Can animals be

considered brave? One of the millions of horses who served in

World War I is being recognised for his courage under fire during the

four years of the conflict. Warrior, who set off the Isle of Wight in

August was today posture `` posthumous he awarded the medal for

animals. He survived machine gun attacks and being trapped in the

mud, as well as being at the Battle of the Somme.

Today the Imperial War Museum in London, this captain and his horse

Galaxy were paying tribute to a very famous predecessor. This is Warrior.

Along with his owner, he survived the horrors of the Western Front.

Today, the Isle of Wight's very own warhorse was posthumous he awarded

the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross. It is very touching

and humbling and lovely, because it is true that this is a story told on

my mother's me and now it has been recognised by everybody, `` knee,

and he was recommended with a simple citation, "he went everywhere I

went". The medal was used as a symbol to recognise the sacrifice of

all the animals in the conflict. Most of the horses went through

Southampton docks on their way to the front line. Today is a very

honourable way of remembering all of the animals, the unnamed animals,

who sacrificed their lives working alongside our service men and women.

The role of horses on the front line been highlighted by the famous book

Warhorse, the play and the film. And Stephen Spielberg, who directed the

film, described the Isle of Wight's Warrior and example of the

resilience and strength of all of the war horses who took part in the

Great War. Well honoured indeed. And wonderful

to see and incredible to see some of the archive footage going through

Southampton. Shall we get onto the weather? I got really wet this

morning! Loads of drizzle around. You live on hills so it is the

hilltop fog. I am in the clouds all the time. I can tell! Head in the

clouds! We have some lovely pictures from today.

We did have some sunny spells today but varying amounts of cloud, and

that is also the case tomorrow, the next day and into the weekend.

Mainly a dried night tonight but fairly mild, in particular in the

towns and cities. In the countryside, lows of 12`13. In urban

areas, down to 15 degrees. But possibly some mist and fog patches,

mainly over the hills. A little drizzly possibly tomorrow morning. A

dry start for most of us. A lot of cloud around but that should thin

and break to allow fulsomely spells. Those will come and go with the

varying amounts of cloud. `` to allow for some sunny spells. The

temperatures are quite a few degrees above the seasonal average with

fairly light winds. A quiet night tomorrow with a few clear spells and

mist and fog with the light winds is a possibility in the usual areas. A

dry start on Thursday and a lot of dry weather this week, thanks to an

area of high pressure. The low pressure being kept at bay at in the

Atlantic with high`pressure in charge. The wind is fairly light on

Thursday. Possibly more clout than sunshine with temperatures reaching

21. As we look ahead to the rest of the week till the weekend, it will

be dry and warm at times but a lot of cloud around, so possibly bright

spells rather than blue sky overhead and lovely sunny spells, but warm

temperatures as we had through the week. Into the mid`20s in places

tomorrow. Dropping down to 20 or 19 by the weekend but there will be

some bright and sunny spells. A cloudy start to each day but

tomorrow, starting fairly cloudy with some mist and fog first thing.

Brightening up as we had through the day, and that will be the case also

everyday this week. Starting on a cloudy, Misty and the keynote.

We have some news on Francis tomorrow night. He has been to many

of the Premier League clubs. An update tomorrow. Thank you for being

here this evening. Good night.