27/03/2014 Look East - East

That's all from us. Don't forget there's a first look at the papers

over on the BBC Hello. The death of a familx of

three in a car crash in Norfolk has fuelled calls for one of our busiest

roads to be dualled. 63 people have died on the A47 in the last nine

years. A group of sixth form students from Norfolk have been

called heroes for helping at the scene of this latest accident.

This was the aftermath of the tragedy. It happened outside the

Carpenters Arms pub, as the car travelling towards King's Lynn

travelling towards King's Lxnn collided head on with the lorry.

collided head on with the lorry These students were directly

collided head on with the lorry. These students were directlx behind

These students were directly behind the vehicle, in a minibus hdading

These students were directlx behind the vehicle, in a minibus heading to

the vehicle, in a minibus hdading to the Peak District. They're studying

Public Service, and all asphre to join the emergency services or armed

forces. We thought on our fdet. We forces. We thought on our feet. We

got out and tried to save some lives. Two of the people in the car

were already dead. A third was in the back so they helped him to

safety. Tragically, he died too The safety. Tragically, he died too The

lorry was pouring out petrol and oil. We thought, if this catches

fire we're going to have a lot more casualties. We got the guy out of

the back, who was conscious at the time. We tried to save his life but

unfortunately we didn't. The victims unfortunately we didn't. The victims

were named today as Jeffrey Hain, 66, his wife Marion, 69, and their

36`year`old son Christopher. They lived near Rochdale. They wdre

36`year`old son Christopher. They lived near Rochdale. They were a

very close family unit. We're devastated by what's happened.

very close family unit. We're devastated by what's happendd. The

devastated by what's happened. The crash has intensified lobbyhng to

crash has intensified lobbying to upgrade the A47. In a statelent

upgrade the A47. In a statement today, they key campaign group

said... Nothing is more dangerous than

having one stretch of dual carriageway and then going on to a

single stretch of road. People get frustrated. It's very dangerous The

campaigning is one thing but for the students today the priority was

counselling. They've been c`lled heroic but they insist they acted

purely on instinct, and say anyone else would have done the sale.

else would have done the same. The region's police forces `dmit

there's room for improvement when it come to tackling domestic vholence.

But a report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary today

Inspectorate of Constabularx today praised Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex

for making it a priority. It says they're performing better than

others across the country. For 12 years, Ruth suffered at the

hands of her husband ` beatdn with For 12 years, Ruth suffered at the

hands of her husband ` beaten with a hands of her husband ` beatdn with a

rolling pin, hit with bottles... rolling pin, hit with bottles...

Saved by her six`year`old d`ughter. Saved by her six`year`old d`ughter.

She used to hide behind the door and watch, so you can never

underestimate children. They absorb underestimate children. Thex absorb

so much. She was the one who was brave enough to dial 999 and say it

was wrong. It shouldn't havd been happened. Maria Stubbings, Jeanette

Goodwin, Chrissie Chambers `nd happened. Maria Stubbings, Jeanette

Goodwin, Chrissie Chambers and her Goodwin, Chrissie Chambers `nd her

daughter Shania were all killed by abusive partners. They were all high

profile cases in Essex. Now, domestic abuse advisers go to

hospitals in order to spot those too scared to speak out. Officers also

wear video cameras to record at the victim's house. Last year, Essex

Police dealt with almost 8,800 Police dealt with almost 8,900

domestic`related crimes. Today's report says it has made significant

improvements, but the service provided to some victims relains

provided to some victims remains fragmented and patchy. I'm

encouraged by the findings but I've been doing this job a very long time

and there is no room for complacency. Positive steps have

been taken and hopefully th`t been taken and hopefully th`t

continues. Last year, Norfolk Police dealt with more than 3,000

domestic`related crimes. Among today's recommendations, it should

analyse the training available for officers and staff about a crime

which the force insists it takes seriously. Last year, Suffolk Police

dealt with almost 2,900 cases. seriously. Last year, Suffolk Police

dealt with almost 2,900 casds. Among dealt with almost 2,900 casds. Among

the recommendations, it needs to increase the number of advisers

dealing with those abused. Ht's the hardest thing, to leave. The

scariest thing. But it's worth it. You get out the other side and you

You get out the other side `nd you become empowered.

Well, as you heard, Essex Police was praised for having changed its

approach to domestic violence in the past year. Earlier the Chief

Constable told me what they'd done. When you share information lore

When you share information more effectively and listen to vhctims,

we've seen a real change in the way we're operating. It's not all

perfect. Today's report does say some services are still fragmented

and patchy. Absolutely. We're ten months into a massive changd

months into a massive change programme. The improvements we've

made, the training we've done.. It's great for victims to know we'll

listen and take it seriously. But listen and take it seriously. But

this is very much a piece of work in action. This work is not colplete. I

action. This work is not complete. I have an ambition to share more

information and be more effdctive with prosecutions. There is much

more we need to do. So what's your message tonight, to victims of

domestic violence and perpetrators as well? We're catching mord

domestic violence and perpetrators as well? We're catching more and

arresting more perpetrators. We have a higher conviction rate than

arresting more perpetrators. We have a higher conviction rate th`n ever

before. We're working with victim groups. We're listening. If you're

groups. We're listening. If you re suffering, please have the

confidence to call us or one suffering, please have the

confidence to call us or ond of suffering, please have the

confidence to call us or one of the confidence to call us or one of the

domestic abuse charities. You shouldn't put up with it. We're

better than we've ever been. We'll listen and treat you with dhgnity.

We'll continue to improve in the future. Thank you.

One of the region's biggest fruit growers is turning to technology to

produce out`of`season English strawberries. Every December,

Wallings Nusery at Lawford hn strawberries. Every December,

Wallings Nusery at Lawford in Essex Wallings Nusery at Lawford hn Essex

has to throw away ?100,000 worth of strawberries that fail to ripen.

has to throw away ?100,000 worth of strawberries that fail to rhpen Now

strawberries that fail to ripen. Now they've installed LED lighthng,

they've installed LED lighting, which means they can to extdnd

they've installed LED lighthng, which means they can to extend the

which means they can to extdnd the season to Christmas. It fools plants

into thinking it's spring, not winter.

That's all from me for now ` but I'll leave you with a look at the

I'll leave you with a look `t the weather. Here's Alex. Good evening.

We've got heavy downpours at the moment but the rain will clear and

moment but the rain will cldar and it will end dry. Temperatures

it will end dry. Temperaturds shouldn't cause us problems with

frost. A lot of cloud around tomorrow. A few spots of rain

frost. A lot of cloud around tomorrow. A few spots of rahn to

begin with. But it will get warmer. Look at the inland valleys. It's

warmer and that's the weekend theme. weather. Now the national forecast

with Nick Miller. Hello, as winter becomes spring, the

atmosphere contains more energy.