02/10/2013 Look East - East

How a campaign to stop the sale of super—strength alcohol has cut

street drinking by up to 70%. I think what we have really been

surprised that is the significant drop in calls to police about

anti—social behaviour. Is it right that we have these products? We

don't think it is. A claim that shipping rubbish to

Holland could be cheaper than burning it in Norfolk.

The high street travel giant pledging its future to this region.

And the firm with a mission to make banjos more of bargain.

First tonight, the campaign to stop the sale of super strength alcohol

which has cut street drinking and helped many of the worst problem

drinkers into treatment. In Ipswich today they are

celebrating the anniversary of their campaign to stop the sale of beers

and ciders which are stronger than 6.5%. The idea was to reduce

anti—social behaviour. 90 out of 138 off licences in Ipswich volunteered

to take it off the shelves. Since this time last year in one area

there was a fall of 71% in reported incidents. And a charity which

offers help to people who drink on the street has told Look East that

many more drinkers are now in rehab. The details from Richard Daniel.

Ipswich was one of the first towns in the UK to pull super—strength

beer and cider from the shelves. This was the first shop to do it.

Abuse, theft, criminal damage all down. Breaking windows, shouting,

screaming, tyres puncturing and everything. I said, OK, we can stop

this somehow. Two thirds of off—licences have signed up to the

campaign. I know that similar campaigns have been launched

elsewhere. Just yesterday I saw that Weymouth joined up. The number of

street drinkers in Ipswich has halved, but some have moved

elsewhere. As far as I'm concerned, it's not right because people walk

past, but they are going to do it whether a policeman comes up to us

or not. The past year success is not just down to restricting the sales

of drinks like this. Agencies in Ipswich are now working closer to

solve the problem of street drinking. Among them, the Ipswich

umbrella trust which says 40 people are now in rehab. 12 months ago

there were a list of 78 Registered St drinkers. That has now fallen to

38. I am firmly of the view that one of the reasons for that has been the

lack of availability of strong drink. Together with organisations

working coherently. The Co—op was the first big chain to ban

high—strength booze. In a year, verbal abuse of staff has risen by

66%. And increase it puts down to its refusal to serve underage

drinkers. I have a gentleman here today who was attacked by somebody

when he refused to give them alcohol. When someone is refused

alcohol, it could be swearing, shouting. We have come together with

the three police forces who work in the best interest of the majority of

our staff and therefore a real collaboration in making everybody

aware that anti—social behaviour will not be tolerated. That on the

streets, there are still some who continue to drink. Those involved in

the project say a simple idea has gone some way to solving a complex

problem. Earlier I spoke to Inspector Andrew

Mason from Suffolk Police and asked him, out of all they'd achieved from

the campaign so far, what he was most proud of.

I'm really proud of what the people of Ipswich are telling us. We have

done surveys with businesses and people visiting it is a much better

statistics are important, but the look and feel of Ipswich improving.

Some people have been really pleased with what we have doing and we have

rebuilt people 's lives. Other people have been more resistant to

what we are doing and that is understandable. They are addicted to

alcohol, at the end of the day, but I am certain we will get them all

around. Not all of the off—licence have signed up, so could do drinkers

just go to the ones that are still selling it on the problem just moves

with them? We have two thirds signed up, so 90 out of 138. There are

other premises at our trading responsibly and we have no issues,

but there are some premises attracting trouble and we are

working with them to work the process through. It is also about

health. This stuff is killing people more rapidly than heroin. Ipswich is

taking the lead, but it is being followed up from other towns and

cities. What have you heard? We have been inundated with requests for

information. That is something I am proud of. Birmingham, Nottingham and

big cities are starting to do it. It has grabbed the imagination of a lot

of agencies said it must be the right thing to do. Thank you very

much. An investigation into claims of

criminal conduct in the Fire Service in Essex will continue despite the

fact that one firefighter who was spoken to by the police has died.

This morning a coroner recorded an open verdict on Martin Sibley who

was found hanged at his home in Colchester in June. Gareth George

was at the hearing and he's in Chelmsford now.

Martin simply had over 20 years experience in Essex fire service. He

was found hanged on June 17 this year in Colchester. The coroner was

told that on the day he was found dead, he had been questioned by

Essex police and the police may have been looking into historic

allegations of abuse during Fire service initiation ceremonies. The

Essex coroner recorded an open verdict. It was said that it was

impossible to be sure whether or not he committed suicide because he had

not left a note. After the inquest, a joint statement was issued by

police and fire in Essex. It said the Kent and Essex serious crime

director is conducting a criminal investigation into historic

allegations within the fire service. Enquiries are ongoing. His family

were not at the inquest, but the coroner received a letter from his

mother. In it, his mother said she thought Martin may have panicked

over being questioned by the police. There was a plea to nine from the

friable trades union which is concern for other firefighters who

may be involved in the investigation. It is urgent. Kill

about the investigation to stop. To prevent, it says, further human

cost. The Police commissioner for Essex

says he wants to know why so many police are off sick. Officers in the

county average 12 sick days a year. The chief constable has complained

that some take time off because they have hangovers. He says they're

letting the force down and will be challenged.

If there is something we can do, I can help the Chief Constable do to

give them better support, to get them back on duty quickly, I want to

do that. So I am looking for that explanation.

Household waste from Norfolk could be sent to Amsterdam for burning.

The idea has been proposed by a cross party group of county

councillors. They claim it could be cheaper than building a

controversial incinerator in King's Lynn.

This is the AAB recycling plant in Amsterdam. It is the largest waste

recycler in the world. A process half a million bags of rubbish per

day, so Norfolk county council is thinking about sending our waste

there. We have a huge overcapacity in

Europe, not least in Amsterdam, where they are desperate to get

rubbish in. It helps keep the lights on in Amsterdam. Why saddle more

folk taxpayers for a contract that makes no sense at all? It will be

extremely bad value for money. Waste is a growing challenge for

Norfolk. The county produces 2.5 million tonnes per year, but what is

the best option? The council are suggesting the waste is sent to

Amsterdam and it will cost £80 per turn to get rid of. If an

incinerator were to be built in Kings Lynn, that would rise to £108

per turn. That is arise that some people are not sure about.

Debra Sacks has devised many local authorities. She think sending waste

to Amsterdam would be like pouring money down the drain. I think it is

wrong to dump waste on other communities. Also it is a resource

that we can use, so it is foolish to ferret away.

Another incinerator is being built in Suffolk. While that is still

being completed, the one in Kings Lynn is up in the air. The

government is deciding whether it will get planning position ——

permission. It is a shambles, basically. It is a

mess because the council signed the contract for planning permission was

given, so all the risk was being borne by Norfolk county council.

A group of councillors think sending rubbish to Holland could be a

short—term solution. A former BBC Radio Norfolk presenter

who's on trial for sex offences against boys has blamed the police

for indecent images which were found on his computer. Michael Souter

denies 19 sex offences against seven boys plus nine counts of making and

possessing indecent images of children. Kim Riley was in court

Kim. This was his third day in the

witness box. Very lively anthem —— and clashing with the opposition.

This has been like trying to conduct my defence of my arms tied behind my

back, he said. He blamed them for indecent images on his computer. You

are accusing the police, as Mr Shaw? Yes, I am. Of getting the pictures

sent to you? I am accusing them of that, he said. He said he had no

idea which police officers, but all he said was they were new images and

e—mails from people he had no knowledge of. He told the court that

for the last 20 years, authorities have been trying to prove his guilt.

There were more tetchy exchanges with Mr Shaw pointing out, when in a

hole, stop digging. For the second time he asked him if you is for real

and he replied, I am for real and you don't like it when I point out

things that should be done. Esther Shaw said, fill your boots, I am

enjoying every word that comes out of your mouth. The cross—examination

continues. The police are looking for a cyclist

who came within inches of being killed when she jumped the lights at

a level crossing. She narrowly missed being hit by a train at

Waterbeach on the line between Cambridge and King's Lynn. The train

was travelling at 75 miles an hour. A coroner has ruled that the mother

of the health campaigner died of natural causes and not because of

negligence. Pamela Chapple collapse of the brain injury day after she

had been sent home from Basildon Hospital.

Still to come: The fire chief who retired and then came back to his

job a month later on his old salary. And the company with a mission to

make banjos which most of us can afford.

One of the biggest names on the high street and one of our biggest

employers has told looked least it will be staying in this region.

Thomas Cook employs 1200 people at its UK head office. It made huge

losses last year and many of its shops close. Now it says it is

through the worst. It is all change this week for

Britain's oldest tour group. A new logo, a sunny heart, to be rolled

out across the country. It has been a rocky road for Thomas Cook of

late. One that has taken it to the brink of oblivion.

The group Pioneer package holidays in the 50s, but time is changed.

Thomas Cook was ill—prepared for the recession. Costs were too high and

it failed to embrace the Internet. There was talk of —— closures and

job losses. The woman behind the cutbacks was Harriet Green, but her

ruthless approach seems to be working. The group has returned to

profit and the shares are ten times higher than one year ago. Thomas

Cook has a bright future across the world. We made some difficult

decisions in the last 12 months, but we are over that and we have

transformed the company and we are back and much better.

Parts of the operation have got bigger. This contact Centre does

work that used to be carried out in a variety of areas. As a result, we

have recruited more staff. Overall, staff numbers are down in

Peterborough. Over 2500 people in the country have lost their jobs.

Approximately 300 in Peterborough and that has been tough. For those

who remain, their terms and conditions have been reduced. The

company is now turning a corner. Relief for Peterborough that one of

its blue—chip companies is through the worst, but surviving staff have

had to accept have changes. It has emerged that the head of the

fire service in Cambridgeshire retired, took a month off and

returned to his old job yesterday on the same salary. Graham Stark was

away when firefighters went on strike and pensions. The union

described the timing of his return as insensitive.

When Graham Stagg officially retired four weeks ago, there was no notice.

He took one month off, and returned to his desk. During his absence

there was a strike and other senior managers were promoted for that

month to hold the fort. What happened bought a swift response

from the fire union. The timing is really insensitive considering the

pensions campaign we are fighting. It seems that the top management are

very much in bed together and they are working out the jobs for the

boys and pensions for the boys. The service said the authority agreed

that Mr Stagg could continue working after his retirement. The service

says the benefits are .doc. Mr Stagg was on a package deal worth

over £204,000 and he is not allowed to draw his pension under the rules

of re—employment. A 55% tax rate is avoided if civil servants take 28

days off before returning to work. Yesterday you may have seen the

story about a woman who was given a warning by the police after she took

six sacks of shingle from the beach at Felixstowe. Apparently she was

taking it home to use in the garden. That got us talking. What can you

can't take from the beach? We sent Alex to Felixstowe to investigate.

At least she was not trying to sell it on the seashore. This is the

stuff, sought after shingle. Here it is free, which is one reason why

this woman kept coming back and collected two carloads of the steps

to take home. But, she done wrong. Here is a little less. 17 miles out

to see that way, off beaches like this, most of our beaches, to the

high watermark is owned by the Crown and state, the Queen. This bit is

owned by the landowner, Suffolk coastal district Council. So she was

stealing their shingle and breaking the law. The woman was only traced

after a resident took photographs and reported her. Police have warned

the woman not to do it again. The council owns that section of beach

and says that dealing shingle in bulk could effect coastal erosion. A

healthy beaches and asset. The sand and shingle is precious. We would

certainly not one man to hasten the demise of the beach. From the

Norfolk wash to the Thames Street, most of our coastline is public, but

it doesn't mean it is open to all comers. You can beach comb, but I

know from childhood that you can't take stones. You could argue that

shingle doesn't stay in one place anyway. Almost all in Norfolk and

Suffolk and half in Essex is owned by the Crown Estates, the Queen, so

what can and can't you take from a beach? I think it is a question of

intent. If you are going out there deliberately with empty bags to

place all of this debris and stones in, that is an intention to go out

and commit an illegal act. I guess it all boils down to intent.

A few minutes ago I was talking to a man who lives locally and he said he

sees guys with huge big drums and they fill them up with the water.

What they intend to do with them is anyone's guess. I remember going to

read a resort only a few years ago and they said leave only footprints

and take only memories. Earl Scruggs played one, the

American comedian Steve Martin still plays one and Winston Marshall from

Mumford and certain has made them kind of cool. But if you want to buy

a banjo made in this country, it will cost thousands of pounds. That

could be about to change. This is the Shackleton banjo made in

Norwich by the great British banjo company. It is a prototype. Working

from offices in the heart of the city, the company hoped to raise

£30,000 on the crowd funding website kick—start. If they reach the target

by October 12, the Shackleton will go into production. We have had

fantastic support in the last few days, including the best banjo

player in the world. We have had support from Mike Harding and many

other people who have been tweeting and posting news on their websites.

We have massive support. Crowd funding is a new way of

raising money. Individuals make pledges on websites support projects

they are interested in. In this country, the banjo had its heyday at

the time George Formby was around, although he played the ukelele and a

hybrid. Today the banjo is enjoying a comeback thanks in no part to

Mumford and Sons. As you can see, there are all kinds of banjos,

electric, American bluegrass, if you want a British made banjo you would

have had to pay up to £2000, but now there is the Shackleton.

It is called the Shackleton after Ernest Shackleton. When he got into

bother in the South pole, his weatherman gets buried so by playing

a banjo. What do you think? It is a lovely

sound. A lot better than the one I have. I can't wait to save up my

money and get one. The Shackleton will retail at around

£300. If the great writ —ish banjo company gets the money it needs. It

has ten days to reach is £30,000 target.

What a lovely sound. Let's get the weather now.

This is one weatherman that does not know how to play the banjo at the

moment, but I could improve on that. We have changeable weather. We had

showery rain this morning, but most of it teetered out as it tracked

further east. There have been a few breaks in the cloud this afternoon,

but a lot of cloud out there. We keep those conditions tonight. A few

misty patches forming. It is staying dry and mild temperatures holding up

at 12 or 13 degrees. The wind is easing down touching moderate at

times around the coast. All eyes to the south tomorrow. This rain coming

out from France. Potentially quite a bit of rain. For us, most of

daylight hours will be dry tomorrow. More cloud out west and then we will

see rain spread in from the south—west in the afternoon.

Reaching places like Northampton and Luton first. Temperatures tomorrow

are potentially quite warm. Maybe as high as 20 in the west of the

region. Humid and breezy. In the rain, it will extend across the

region through tomorrow evening with heavy burst in places. They be a few

rumbles of thunder in the evening before it clears away later on. A

few showers on Friday, but into the weekend, things start to improve. I

pressure from the south and the wind eases down. There will be quite a

lot of moisture trapped under this high, so cloudy conditions on the

weekend. A few showers on Friday, sunny spells and through the

weekend, a lot of cloud but also some bright spells. Essentially it

is a dry story. Light winds by the weekend means we could get chilly

night and mist and fog patches. That is it for tonight. We will see

you at the same time and the same place tomorrow. Goodbye.