30/12/2011 South East Today

Good evening. Hundreds of soldiers from across the South East have

destroyed almost a tonne of explosives while on duty in

Afghanistan. The troops worked with 550 Afghan soldiers and the local

police as part of a major operation in Helmand province, where a cache

of 27 improvised explosive devices were found during a search.

But a satisfying sight for British or Afghan on a soldier. A ton of

improvised explosive devices, find and destroy it. In the process of

the operation the police discovered a large hall in what was

essentially a factory, and some subsequent fines. Some 550 at gun

army and uniformed personnel carried out the operation,

supported by 280 British troops. The find is really to fall. Any

discovery of explosive devices is hopeful -- is helpful, but perhaps

more importantly, it is a demonstration of improving Afghan

capability. During the summer, hundreds of people across the South

East recognised the work of the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment.

A world away from Afghanistan, where expose the devices have been

responsible for 80% of British deaths in the province of Helmand.

A man's appeared in court charged with wounding with intent, after a

man was stabbed in the throat in Crawley. The incident happened on

Three Bridges Road on Wednesday evening. Tommy Smith, who's 39 and

comes from the town, appeared before magistrates this morning.

Four other men who were also questioned have been given bail.

The victim, who's 41, is in a stable condition in hospital.

The police in Brighton are still looking for a gang who attacked a

foreign student in the city on Boxing Day. They believe the attack

on the Israeli Arab student was racially motivated. He was

returning to the home of a local family he's staying with in

Hollingdean at around 11.00pm. Four white men in their late teens or

early twenties kicked and punched him to the ground.

Sussex Police are searching for three men who pretended to be

delivering a parcel - before bursting into an elderly couple's

home, and robbing them. The incident happened yesterday evening

in Woodingdean, on the edge of Brighton. Be done the police are

keen to reassure people living in the area that this was an isolated

incident, but the promise extra patrols.

The couple, both 73, was so upset, they ask for there has not to be

identified. What is striking about this case is

that it appears to have been planned. The police believe that

the three white men went to an alleyway like this, find a

cardboard box, took it to the house as if to deliver it, and when the

door was opened, they burst in. The couple were they tied up, Julie

and cash was stolen, and they were left in their bedroom. They were

very shocked and attended hospital. It is believed the couple's wrists

are still bruised. Sussex Police are keen to hear from witnesses.

A 25-foot long whale that washed up on a Kent beach has been removed.

The animal was discovered this morning in a rock pool in Epple Bay,

in Thanet. The British Diver's Marine Life Rescue organisation say

it could be a young Northern minke whale. The animal has been moved to

a depot in Manston where a post mortem examination is due to be

carried out by the Zoological Society tomorrow.

The government's being urged to rethink its plans to increase the

cost of season tickets for rail users in the south East. Next week

commuters will face a 6 per cent average price rise. The Campaign

for Better Transport claims some UK passengers are already paying ten

times more for their season tickets than some of their European

counterparts. They worked in freezing conditions,

under the constant threat of attack by German warships, to ensure

essential supplies got to the Soviets during World War II.

British veterans of the Arctic convoys have received medals from

Russia in recognition of their service, but not from the UK. Now a

Sussex veteran is among the survivors campaigning for that to

change. Winston Churchill described the

journey as the worst in the world. British sailors facing intense cold,

and under constant fear of attack, taking supplies across the Arctic

Ocean to Russia. Most of our first jobs were shipping the ice. You

chipped the ice off the superstructure, and the guns,

because it added so much weight to the ship. 100 ships were sunk,

3,000 men were killed, and yet unlike other campaigns, those

involved received no specific medal from the country they were fighting

for. Our battle has gathered pace for a medal. In opposition, David

Cameron backed the campaign. A year ago he spoke in the House of

Commons. Many of them are coming to the end of their lives, and it

would be good to do something more to recognise what they have done.

Lo and behold, we are still waiting. He has been in power 18 months, and

he promised, that was a promise, and he has broken his promise.

The survivors are hoping a key supporter will help get their

voices heard. It is our way of saying, we recognise you suffered a

unimaginable hardships to keep this country say. The MoD says it has

enormous admiration for the men, and a fresh independent review will

look at the rules governing the award of military medals.

Football, and Crawley will be hoping to stretch their lead at the

top of League Two when they take on Barnet at home this evening. Just

three points separate the Red Devils and their nearest rivals.

Meanwhile, Gillingham, the last team to beat Crawley, are away to

Dagenham and Redbridge. The Gills could leap to fourth if they can

win at the Barking and Dagenham It has been increasingly wet today,

that rain clears through tonight, and four New year's Day. A good

deal of cloud cover a run, but we could see some rain on New year's

Eve. Today, low pressure in control. A glimmer uprightness first thing,

but this band of rain has been spreading eastwards. Quite a raw

feel to the weather, temperatures in single figures. Highs of seven

or eight degrees. That rain it lingers through the first part of

tonight. If it clears and leaves a much milder pictures. Temperatures

hardly changing though, lows of around six degrees. A mild start to

the day for New year's Day. Throughout the evening we will see

some outbreaks of rain. Temperatures above the seasonal

average - 12 degrees, 54 in Fahrenheit. Be prepared if you are