05/12/2011 Look North (Yorkshire)

Welcome to Look North. Tonight: The criminals who risk their lives for

as little as �16 - we're out on patrol with the police as they

track down cable thieves who now face jail.

Also tonight - it's back! Gritters at the ready - today saw

Yorkshire's first snow of winter. Tonight, ice could be the problem.

And making waves - the campaigners who have battled to keep our

coastline clean for a quarter of a century.

And join me in New York for a celebration of a little slice of

car -- Scarborough. A warning in place for ice, wintry

showers as well. All the latest coming up.

Welcome to the programme. First tonight: There are more of them in

Yorkshire than anywhere else in Britain, and they make commuters'

journeys a misery. Cable thieves are now risking their lives for as

little as �16 worth of copper. Their crime costs Network Rail �6

million a year. Our reporter, Sam Wichelow, has met the police who

try to stop them, and one of the thieves.

This is the front line in the battle to stop the Cable thieves.

In the dark, with hundreds of miles of track, this seems an impossible

job. Criminals who risk their lives stealing copper cable with

electricity surging through it. had a man who nicked 30 yards of

cable, he got �16.50. It costs Network Rail millions of pounds.

This man is facing a jail after admitting it cable theft. I woke up

this morning, crying my eyes out, because thinking of going to jail

is not nice. Night and day, the patrols continue, as offenders can

swap stolen cable for cash. Last year, there were 365 incidents of

cable theft. It acquitted to �2.9 million of compensation and we paid

to passengers, but we have to replace the cable, our staff have

to do overtime to replace it, and you can double it. Police patrols

will continue, as long as the profit out ways the peril for those

stealing cable. -- it out ways. -- at ways.

Well, joining us now is Chris Hyomes, the chairman of Rail Future

in Yorkshire, which campaigns for better rail services. The companies

can't do any better if they are bringing in new trains and services

if they cannot get their trains moving. You are right. It is a

knock-on effect. It affect local and regional services and city

services. That money, it is costing to put the network right, could be

spent on new trains. It costs the networks �6 million. Where can we

spend that money? Is it a financial development? I can't understand,

seeing those shots of people running on a railway lines fog �16,

risking their lives. -- for �16. When the recession started, we saw

the price of scrap metal for, so it incidents for, but now thefts are

increasing. -- scrap metal fall. Somebody as young as 14 has been

arrested. It is shocking. I know the police are increasing patrols,

and I know that the British Transport Police are doing the same,

but it seems it is going on so often that they cannot be

everywhere at once. What would you say to those teenagers, or older,

because you are sitting on that train thinking, this is madness?

You could die. Not really. The passengers are safe. People will

get injured who still the cable. The message is simple: Don't do it,

you are risking your life. There won't be new trains. You are

costing us millions. Exactly. And there will be more on that

tonight on Inside Out on BBC One at 7:30pm.

Gritting lorries are preparing for another night of icy conditions

after the first snowfall of the winter here in Yorkshire. We will

have a full forecast from Paul later in the programme, but first,

Amanda Harper is live high on the M62 at Ainley Top, near

Huddersfield. Out overnight, Shepherd's gritting

teams prepare for the worse. -- Sheffield's you never know when

snow will come. If more snow comes down, we need to get people to work.

Chris is a driver, and as the bad weather approaches, today is the

first time he has been called in. His route starts and the city

centre, but before long, higher ground brings a familiar sight.

have come from nothing, and then you get this. And not just in South

Yorkshire. This was the scene outside Bradford. In the Dales, it

was more picturesque than problematic. Villagers were

unaffected. Here, the centre got just a light covering. But, in

recent years, snowfall has made things difficult. These are the

scenes in 2010, but, so far, 2011 has spared Yorkshire the worst of

felt weather. Last year, 1st September -- December, we used to

thousands of tons of salt. We have used 500 tonnes yesterday afternoon.

It is a plan that seems to be working. Traffic was moving freely

enough, and before long, Chris has run out a great. I have to go and

refilled now. -- of grit. A familiar scene at not just in

Sheffield. In a few hours, the greatest will start again. --

We will have more on the weather situation in our bulletin at

10:25pm, when we will also report on a new campaign to crack down on

parents taking their children out of school to go on holiday. Keep

watching - we have lots more to come:

Swimming against the tide - the campaigners who took on big

business and won. Other news now, and a 19-year-old

man has been arrested by police investigating the shooting of a

young father in Leeds in 2008. 20- year-old Adam Chadwick was shot

when three masked men and a woman burst into his sister's house in

Harehills. Police think it may have been a case of mistaken identity.

The government has confirmed that people in Yorkshire's four biggest

cities will take part in referendums next May on whether to

have directly elected mayors. Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford and Wakefield

are amongst 11 cities in England where voting will take place.

The father of the missing York woman, Claudia Lawrence, has

praised a new government initiative to help families of people who have

disappeared. Claudia went missing nearly three years ago. Detectives

are treating her disappearance as suspected murder. Now, families

will automatically be provided with support. Peter Lawrence has said

one of the issues he faced was where to get help. That is why the

strategy today highlight the importance of family members being

given direction as to where to get help and assistance.

A new pedestrian entrance has been given the go-ahead. The new

southern entrance will cost �14 million, and the work is due to be

completed in 2014 in the summer. The Leeds Symphony Orchestra says

it has suffered a "catastrophe" after instruments worth �20,000

were stolen. The equipment was taken from a lorry at a secure

compound in Yeadon at the weekend, forcing the orchestra to cancel

their first concert in 40 years. West Yorkshire Police are

investigating. It's more than 25 years since the

environmental group, Sons of Neptune, started swimming regularly

in the North Sea off the coast of Scarborough to highlight the fact

that untreated sewage was being pumped straight into the sea.

During this time, the group has taken on Yorkshire Water, the

British Government, and has recruited some of the world's

leading scientists to back its campaign. We'll be speaking to

Charles White, the author of a new book about the group in a moment,

but first, I've been back to Scarborough, where I started my

broadcasting career, to retrace their fight for clean coastal

waters. This was my first view of

Scarborough's South Bay, but in those days, it wasn't always so

peaceful. My first day at work was hit in Scarborough. I found myself

embroiled in a local controversy, and it was about the quality of

this sea water. At the centre of that controversy it was a group of

local businessmen, who, at the time, were being written off as

eccentrics. The sons of Neptune's swam every week in the sea, come

rain or shine. And then you have to come the headlines when they

protested over the sewage pipe. The Sons of Neptune one their bottle,

and a treatment plant had to be built. -- won their battle. And

they are still firm friends. succeeded, and this town, along

with the rest of the UK, has treated sewage. They have also

fought other environmental campaigns, and want their story To

inspire other people to take on the Goliaths of big business.

You didn't recruit some of the world's leading tidal experts.

found the seat made aware of better, and we believed what they were

doing was wrong. -- the see. We were inspired by it, and went to

scientists, across to America, and we reported back to London. They

told us, if you continue to do this, the bugs will come back as

superbugs. You towed some people by surprise. But I do recall you were

accused of damaging Scarborough's reputation. In those days, the

authorities said dumping this terrible material was actually a

treatment. Of course, it was not a treatment. Especially the children,

you didn't want them to be swimming in that. I must emphasise, we have

got the blue flag. We have changed the EU laws, and are hoping the

water authorities continued to the You have to -- they have to build

the treatment works. We were in danger of destroying the

environment. We believe future generations they want clean seas

and we want rights for everyone to experience clean air and seas.

regrets? No, there is a lot of fun in the book. Saving the planet and

having fun. You are also a biographer of Little Richard.

quite a contrast. People think it is an Irish tale. All credit to

Neptune. Thank you. Thank you for giving me some laughs over the

years. It will be on kindle for Christmas. Never misses a plug.

Stay with us as in a moment Tanya will be here with news of all the

sport and the weekend's tributes to Gary Speed. Also we'll be live in

New York where Scarborough's greatest playwright takes his

Sport now and Tanya's here with all the weekend's action. Very moved.

It was incredible, the scenes. Yes, and emotional weekend. Up and

down the country. The weekend saw football come together to pay its

respects to the late Gary Speed. It was especially poignant at

Sheffield United where he played and managed and at Elland Road

where he started his career. His family was there as Leeds United

paid their own tribute. Football so often divides but up

and down the country big-game United to pay its respects to one

of the good guys. Gary McAllister and David Batty came to remember

the fourth member. Members of Gary's family were there and his

sons. At Bramall Lane where he finished his playing career and

started managing, they paid their own tribute led by Chris Morgan and

Robert Page. At grounds everywhere Not surprisingly, it was a subdued

first half but when they broke the deadlock it was a fitting way to do

it. Gary Speed would have been proud of Gary's -- Robert Snodgrass.

I was with his parents today, his wife and the kids. It has been a

tough week with everybody but it is a fitting tribute to a fantastic

footballer, and fantastic person. He will not be forgotten. It was a

good day in the championship. Doncaster or confounded all by

beating Southampton. Barnsley edged a humdinger against Peterborough.

It looked to be plain sailing. They eased 23-0. Then, the scenes to

doze off. It was all square. Craig Davies had a fine a spectacular

strike left. Barnsley claimed the three points.

Sheffield United had to come from behind to beat Torquay. They were

fortuitous with an equaliser. Ched Evans with the strike. He was

gifted a second. Wednesday gave through against Aldershot Town.

Bradford three for the first time in seven years. The Dons got one

back. Rotherham went up a train's brake but went out 2-1. The pick of

York City scored seven against Fans of Garforth Town called it

another sad weekend for football, following the death of their former

player and Brazilian football star, Socrates, who died yesterday aged

57. Socrates, who was widely regarded as one of the greatest

ever midfielders to have played the game, and came out of retirement to

feature for non-league Garforth Town in 2004. He was 50 years old

at the time, and made his only appearance as a substitute in a

draw against Tadcaster. Worksop's Lee Westwood comfortably

held off all opponents to retain the Nedbank Challenge in South

Africa. He'd built up a seven shot lead going into the final round and

despite finishing with a one-over- par 73 he still won by 2 shots.

Despite the win he remains third in the world rankings. He won �800,000.

With that money, you would buy a more decent time. Even Paul Hudson

would not wake up. I should be buying a purple jacket,

I feel left out! He's often described as Britain's most

successful living playwright and with seventy five plays to his name,

it's easy to see why. Sir Alan Ayckbourn has put Scarborough on

the theatrical map after making the town his home in 1957. Welcome to

New York. But is not a screen, that is real. The Empire State Building

and Madison Square Garden as for your pleasure. Different from

Scarborough although that can boast fine views. Alan Ayckbourn are

usually shuns the limelight. This week he has made an exception. He

is the star attraction at a festival of British theatre called

Brits of Broadway. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.

Let's see how he has been getting He is more at home in Scarborough

but Sir Alan relishes a trip to the Big Apple. His latest play is on

stage at 59 off Broadway. It would be good for anyone's ego and his is

no exception. It is a terrific morale boost. The company as a

whole, when the play in Scarborough being in Yorkshire, they are

lovely... They like to downgrade us, if you're back good, what you doing

here? In New York, you get the acclamation we have had and really

you know you're playing in the big league with the big hitters.

can feel confident your children are free to go outside and play.

The play follows an attempt to set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

The cast fresh from Scarborough are still pinching themselves. Amazed

and delighted to be treading the boards in New York. It's a

different language! They have been playing to packed houses so is

there a difference between the UK and US audiences? They are very

generous. At the end of the second show, they were standing up and

shaking their heads and shouting awesome. They are lovely in the bar

afterwards, very generous. They tell you what they think and it's

all been positive so far. I have been on a permanent adrenalin buzz.

There's something about the city which is very go, go, go.

Scarborough has a beautiful calmness. When the tourists go, it

is rather peaceful and I enjoyed myself in a different way. New York

is Go, Go, go in a brilliant way. I am still over-excited. We never

intended to run at Neighbourhood Watch on fear. Despite its English

themes and references, the US audience clearly got it. I thought

it was a wonderful play not just for Brits but Americans. It crosses

the pond. It was funny and dark. The characters are great and the

actors. An interesting story. loved it. Really good. I have only

seen a few of his plays but I love them. It is eye-opening to see how

the Americans regard Sir Alan. A conversation afterwards was sold

out and reverential. It goes to show you sometimes have to travel

to appreciate the value of what you have got back home.

What I find amazing is despite five decades really of incredible

success, Sir Alan are still get nervous before shows. He was

sitting behind me during the performance on Saturday, a little

bit tense and there was a very rude line which I could not repeat but

it got the most incredible laugh and you could feel him relaxing

thinking, thank goodness, they get it. Let me tell you, they most

certainly did. From New York, back to you.

We have less glamorous locations. Well, in a moment we'll have a full

weather forecast from Paul, but first let's find out how the icy

conditions are making life difficult for motorists. Our

reporter Amanda Harper is live high on the M62 at Ainley Top, near

Huddersfield. It is wintry and cold. The traffic behind me is flowing

freely this evening. There are no major problems. No other problems

so far, the trains are running to time, one delayed flight, Leeds-

Bradford airport, Amsterdam flight. Best advice is to check before you

travel. I can hardly see but hopefully you can see me. The

gritters are out in force across Yorkshire, Leeds, Bradford,

Tetley's and York. There are patrols in South Yorkshire and the

gritters will be out as well. The best place to check information is

your local BBC radio stations from tomorrow morning. Back to the

warmth of the studio. You decided to stay inside.

We start with the warning, ice and sleet and snow showers. As you have

seen, some will get further east. Tomorrow, fewer showers but there

will be some, especially across the Pennines. The showers have been

lining up, it's no on the tops of the Peak District. Showers across

the Pennines and the Dales. They will continue to push ever

eastwards but as a general rule, becoming confined to western areas,

further accumulations on the hills and everywhere will have I East as

a hazard. Temperatures down to freezing. -- ice is a hazard. The

high water times: tomorrow, another cold day. Eastern areas mostly dry

and bright. Further west, wintry showers but fewer and further

between and tomorrow evening they will get going with a band of sleet

and snow a pushing across all areas. Top temperatures coming in at about