08/04/2014 South Today

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Hello, you're watching South Today. BBC One we join

Hello, you're watching South Today. Thank you for joining us. Coming up

in the programme: Arming more officers with tasers. BBC research

shows their use has doubled here in the South. My generation has grown

up without them. It is not something I've would go for. The parents of a

baby who died on the operating table look for answers to why their son

died. Taking the fight against crime back

through time. But is a police box the way forward for one of our

forces? It is great to have good visibility for the police and it do

something nice for tourists to see. And the man who taught the world to

fly, recognition for the World War One pilot who saved countless lives.

They're being fired more than ever before. The use of tasers by police

has more than doubled with more officers being armed with the weapon

over the last 12 months. An investigation by BBC South also

revealed that last year the weapon, which gives a painful electric

shock, was fired on a 14`year`old girl. They're also being used on pet

animals. Our Home Affairs Correspondent Emma Vardy has this

exclusive report. This is the weapon that was once

only used by a small number of firearms officers. But in the past

year, forces in the South has significantly stepped up the number

of regular police on patrol with tasers every day. I think the tool

is successful and the training is intense. Not everybody wants to use

one passes the training. In 2013, tasers were drawn by officers in the

South nearly 1000 times, more than double the year before. A were fired

on around a fifth of those occasions, up nearly a quarter. Some

forces refused to tell us how many officers are now carrying tasers

each day, but one that did said that in the past year, it has gone from

having 12 officers with tasers every day to around 60. The police say it

has enabled them to deal with violent situations were quickly

without having to call for back`up and that it is keeping the public

and the police themselves more safe. But giving more police tasers

has remained controversial with some campaigners. Last year, Lancashire

police used a taser on this blind man who `` after mistaking his stick

for a sword. A Freedom of Information request by

the programme has revealed that last year, police fired eight taser on a

14`year`old girl who was threatening to self harm with a piece of glass.

This is a young girl with a weapon and the officers made the decision

to deploy the taser to stop her from harming herself or others. On 15

occasions, officers in the South have used their tasers and dogs, but

please have stressed that in all situations, they look carefully at

the level of threat they are facing. The Association of Chief Police

Offers says officers are individually accountable to the law

for the amount of force that they use. As long as they do not injure

people to badly and it saves a situation from escalating, it should

be used. My generation has grown up without them. It is not something

I've would go for, even a non`lethal weapon. Police say that a taser is

less damaging than a firearm. They hope that by giving more officers

tasters, other methods of force will be reduced. The striker tasers.

`` tasers. What about the health implications? The temporary

pyrolysis `` paralysis is only supposed to last a couple of

seconds, but we have seen some deaths. The use of Kaser was not

directly `` taser was not directly cause as death in some cases, but

still, these weapons have remained controversial, and rubes like

Amnesty International say this could use to them being misused. ``

groups. Are we heading towards police forces with every officer

equipped with a taser? It is up to the individual forces how far they

decide to take this. In some forces, officers were given more taser

because officers were experiencing more assaults, and police officers

were asking to be trained on these weapons. None of our forces said

they would get them to front mine officers, `` front mine officers,

but there has been support for a greater roll`out in Hampshire, so we

could see an increase. He had a condition not compatible

with life, the words of a surgeon giving evidence into the death of an

11`month`old boy who passed away after heart surgery in Southampton.

Today the inquest into the death of Mahir Chowdhury heard that he died

after a surgical stitch blocked his artery. His parents say they were

not fully briefed of the risks. Ben Moore has the story.

Smiling from mother and father just before major heart surgery. Surgery

11`month`old Mahir did not survive. He was born with a serious heart

defect and had only one pumping chamber in his heart instead of two.

A condition that if left untreated would have ended his life much

sooner. Mahir had two operations already here at Southampton general

hospital. Essentially to fix his heart. The coroner heard how he

needed a third because his pulmonary artery had narrowed and was

comparing his breathing. The idea was to create a cube that would

supply his long with enough blood. The court heard that the Mahir had

lived, he would have lived to be a route 20 years old. `` about 20

years old. But during the operation, Mahir began to glide, and would have

died within two minutes had a stitch not been put in the coronary artery.

That stitch caused a block in the artery and Mahir passed away. His

parents claim they were told there was only a 10% risk of the operation

feeling. The court heard the operation was so rare there was not

the data available to assess properly. A recent report at the

hospital has recommended that parents are now informed of any

risks that could arise from stitching in similar operations. The

inquest continues. Five people who were arrested

following the death of a Hampshire man who drank juice contaminated

with cocaine, have been released without charge. Jeroamy Lewis, who

lived in Gosport, died in December last year, after accidentally

sipping from a bottle that was part of a shipment from the Caribbean.

Five people were arrested on suspicion of drugs offences but will

now face no further action. The police investigation is continuing.

As pressure grows for Basingstoke MP and Culture Secretary Maria Miller

to resign, the Hampshire Conservative Federation has come

forward to support her. An apology will be published tomorrow in a

newspaper. Meanwhile, a group is supporting her. The group is backing

Mrs Miller and described recent suggestions she has not paid tax

correctly as "ridiculous and groundless" following an

investigation into her expense claims. She's denied trying to avoid

paying capital gains tax on profits from the sale of her London home,

which she had previously designated as her second home. As called for

her to resign were stronger, some colleagues have signaled their

report. Earlier I spoke to our political editor Peter Henley and

asked him if people are beginning to rally round her. As well as that

statement from local Conservatives, where they are saying Maria Miller

will not be resigning, her assistant in Parliament has been speaking on

her behalf, also, the Hampshire MP who said on the day that the report

came out that he supported her has today been quite critical of the

media and says they are not putting her side of the story. It is time

that the media should paint up her consideration to parliamentary

reports rather than seeking to engage in witchhunts. It is fair to

say that the papers are making quite a meal of this because of her role

in press regulation. Today, one newspaper which written a millipedes

cartoon about her mama were outside the house of Parliament with a

publicity stunt for top if anything, this is going to harden the attitude

of David Cameron. There is growing discontent and best regards content

in his party. One MP said that the `` there is growing discontent in

his party. What has been the reaction of her political opponents?

John Manno raised the issue of public anger over expenses. The way

MPs are able to decide over their own rules. He is calling for

recordings of the standards committee to be released. So that

people can see and what basis the committee overturns the views of the

independent commission for standards. Tonight he is going to be

speaking at a public meeting in Basingstoke at the Labour club

there, pointedly saying that because it only takes an hour to go from the

Commons to Basingstoke him and he will not be requiring overnight

accommodation. And Peter is at that meeting in

Basingstoke tonight, and we'll have his report on that in our late news

at 10:25pm tonight. A man has appeared in court charged

with murdering his daughter in Bournemouth. The body of 25`year`old

Kuwaiti student Mushyel Al`Bassman was discovered in a property on St

Michael's Road in the town last month. Her father Faller Garzi

Al`Bassman appeared at Winchester Crown Court this morning. He was

remanded in custody and will appear again at the same court in June.

Still to come in this evening's South Today: Tony Husband is at the

big Championship clash tonight. It is Bournemouth and Reading, all up

for grabs. Playoff races to the one all stop the full preview coming up

shortly. `` to be one. Today, they're probably better known

as TARDISes than police boxes, but now Dorset police have gone back in

time, to give an old idea a new lease of life. A specially built

police box, based on an original design from 1929 was unveiled in

Boscombe this morning. Officers say behind the Dr Who inspired fun,

there's a serious attempt to tackle crime. Briony Leyland reports.

When this police box materialised this morning, the crowd half

expected Dr Who to emerge, but though Time Lords were thin on the

ground, there was no shortage of top brass from Dorset police, keen to

promote the idea of the past inspiring the future of policing, in

an area where street crime is a big issue. What we propose to do is have

a member of staff stood with a police box to engage with the public

and also to deter any localised criminality and also reduce

anti`social behaviour. There was a time when police boxes

were commonplace, providing officers with a telephone to contact base.

Radio is rendered them obsolete, and now most people associate them with

the time travelling parties from Dr Who. This box is sponsored by local

businesses, one of only two operational in the UK. Can it could

still be dual purpose of tourist attraction and policing tool? It

seems like a gimmick, but maybe it will make a difference. It is great

to have good visibility for the police. Something nice for Taurus to

see and a bit of fun. Is it anything like Dr Who's TARDIS? Now! It is big

inside and has a machine inside and it has circles on the wall. Interior

facilities are basic, a shelf, first aid gear, and a telephone on the

door to use at the police are not in. The box's arrival coincides with

controversial proposals to further reduce the number of front desks

open at police stations. Is this the shape of things to come? This is not

the future of Dorset police. This is a quirky phone box. It is here to

make a statement but we will not be bringing these into every town and

Dorset. This is not a solution to front office closures. Dr Who's

TARDIS is not seen in one place for long, but the intention is that this

will become a permanent and popular part of life here.

Interesting idea, isn't it? He was the man who taught to the

world to fly. And tomorrow, Robert Smith`Barry will be remembered in

Gosport, where nearly 100 years ago he devised the first effective

system for training pilots. Along with a flying manual, he also

invented the world's first intercom system, allowing instructors to talk

to trainee pilots. As Steve Humphrey reports, it was called the Gosport

Tube. A century ago, learning to fly was

very dangerous. Out of the 14,000 British privates killed between 1914

and 1918, 8000 eyed while being trained. This man, Robert

Smith`Barry, revolutionized the training system. And it all happened

right here in Gosport. This used to be the site of the old Range

airfield, and during the first world war, this was the home of a military

flying school. In those days, they wrote the name of the airfield on

the grass in case pilots got lost. Smith`Barry was able to put his

ideas into practice when he was put in charge of a training squadron

here. Pilots were taught how to cope with spins and other potentially

dangerous situations. Instructors were given proper training, took

their airports `` aircraft to the limit, and then they talked the

students to do the exactly the same thing. One of his greatest

contributions to flying with this, the Gosport Tube. It is a very

simple system of rubber tubes which allowed structures `` instructors to

talk to training pilots. But your stick in `` put your stick and...

They started to take the aircraft into the air. You can talk through

the manoeuvre. With dual controlled aircraft, you can let the people

have a go. The runways have been covered in houses, but some of the

old hangars from the airfield are now part of the Navy's training

base, where aircraft maintenance is still being taught. What you see

behind me are young engineering technicians who are going to go out

to the Royal Navy and carry out that flight servicing and basic

maintenance on the front line aircraft of the day. Robert

Smith`Barry did a lot of his writing and research here at this hotel.

Tomorrow, the Gosport aviation society will be holding a special

ceremony, at which a plaque will be unveiled in memory of the man who

taught the world to fly. Fascinating story. And if you've

missed any of our World War One films you can see a selection of

them again on the BBC South Today website.

When a teenage girl in Dorset died suddenly from meningitis earlier

this year, it left her friends and family shocked and devastated. Now

they've joined together to raise funds for research into the deadly

disease. The group will be taking part in a charity run next month in

memory of her. Frankie Peck reports. This girl from Bournemouth was just

16 when she contracted bacterial meningitis. She died in January. At

the weekend, over 20 of her friends and family gathered on the beach.

They are training to take face and a 10K race, where they will be raising

money for a research foundation. After Connie passed, I went home and

decided that I'd did not want to sit at home doing nothing, so I went on

the internet to find event that we could do to help raise awareness.

Hopefully, the more awareness we raise than the less people who will

pass away from the disease. We are doing it as a big rebuff friends

together and we are supporting each other like we supported each other

through everything house. `` as a big group of friends. As many as one

in ten cases prove fatal. There is more to it than just the rash that

people think it's meningitis. Yet the literature. It does not matter

how old you are or what race you are, it does not discriminate and it

kills quickly. Research `` researchers believe they may

eventually eradicate the disease. Onto sport now and there's a crucial

game in the Championship tonight as Reading go to Bournemouth. The

Royals have been red hot on the road in recent weeks and look a good bet

for the play offs, but can AFC Bournemouth catch them? Tony's live

at Dean Court tonight and Tony, a lot's riding on this one.

A buzz around Bournemouth. Great scenes here on Saturday as they eat

Queens Park Rangers. While they were doing that, writing with another

performance. Reading is in pole position for the playoffs and then

there is a clutch of teams and 58 points and all of them have got

playoff hopes and ambitions as we go towards the end of the season. It

makes this one tonight really important. Let's have a word with

both camps. Reading is a very good side. Some really good players. They

are in a similar position to ourselves in the sense that they are

fighting for promotion and a playoff place. We are trying to catch them

so we have to go out and approached the game in the same way as we have

done in recent weeks and hopefully we will get three points. It should

be a full house at an exciting game of football. We are in deep playoff

position. One myth can get closer to us in that respect. `` Bournemouth.

They play some really good football and we believe we play good

football. It should be a cracking game.

Nigel set it up very well. The two teams played very good football and

it should be a good game. It is sold out here again at Bournemouth

tonight. The game for the radio audience as well. Let's talk to the

commentators. What is the secret to this Bournemouth end of season run?

No`one would have expected Bournemouth to be 10th in the table.

Even talk of the Premier League is remarkable. But they have gradually

got into the Championship season. They are saying that they have

arrived and they have got better as the season has gone on. Good

footballing encounter this evening for sure. There has been a

suspension but they think the line`up will be the same as

Saturday. We talked about pressure with Bournemouth. Lots of pressure

on Reading. They are playing well away from home. They are terrific

away from home. Five wins in six now out on the road. The

counterattacking team. Results going well away from home. Whilst they can

keep winning, and tonight is a huge night for them, because if they

win, just about home and hose. A bit of pressure that may be Bournemouth

has not `` it should be interesting. Enjoyed the commentary.

Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez will be heartbroken but he can

bounce back. That's the message from former England star Darren Anderton.

Rodriguez faces six months out after rupturing his anterior cruciate

ligament in Saturday's 4`1 defeat at Manchester City. It means his World

Cup dream is over. Anderton, who himself battled injuries during his

successful spell at Tottenham after leaving Portsmouth admitted on last

night's Late Kick off this will be one of the toughest times of

Rodriguez's career. He will be heartbroken. You want to play for

your clubs but everyone wants to play for their country and go to the

World Cup. He has had a great season. You could see his reaction.

He was devastated. He knew it was a bad one. He is a `` he has had a

great club `` he had had a great time at the club. I am sure he will

watch it. More from Darren Anderton, and all

you want to know about the game tonight, on Late Kick off which is

available on the iPlayer right now. It includes a big preview of the

game tonight. Reading's youth team are out of the

FA Youth cup after a great run to the semi finals of the competition.

TTe tie was level at 2`2 going into last night's second leg at Craven

Cottage. `` The tie. Reading were down to ten men when

Dominic Hyam was sent off. But the Royals turned the tie around scoring

twice after half time to put themselves in position to progress

to the final. But Moussa Dembele scored two more including a

deflected effort in the final minute to break the young Royals hearts.

Matt Prior scored the first county Championship century of the summer

when he scored 125 on the third day of Sussex's rain affected opener

against Middlesex at Hove. Hampshire's match against

Worcestershire is destined for a draw after all the rain unless

there's tactical declarations agreed by the sides. And at the Oval

Glamorgan, in reply to Surrey's 280 all out were at the close. `` 44`2

at the close. Dave Corben took this shot of the

sunrise over the Isle of Wight, taken from Durlston Country Park in

Dorset. This ground is going to be absolutely packed tonight. Not a

spare seat in the house. The uncertainty, the pressure of needing

to get back to the Premier League. A massive game. We will tell you the

update of this one at 10:25pm tonight. Many thanks. Alexis joined

us for the forecast. It has been a bit of a blustery day, but I

understand things are calming down. High pressure is in charge at the

moment. It is going to say settled `` stay settled. A dry night for the

Bournemouth game. Yes. To take a look at your weather pictures from

today. This is a great shot of the sunrise in Dorset. Many thanks for

that. Nick Lucas captured a tulip covered in dew in his garden this

morning in Ashley Heath. And Chris James captured the vibrant rapeseed

field and the Racton ruin near Funtington in West Sussex. A few

showers today but they will tend to fade away overnight tonight. A

pretty quiet night all in all. Maybe some mist patches and frost. Last

night was breezy and cold, tonight will stay cold, but the winds will

be light, allowing the low cloud to form. Temperatures will fall to

around four or five Celsius in our towns and cities. Tomorrow, the

winds will be a lot lighter than today. Mist and fog first thing will

gradually lift stopped we will see a lot of sunshine but there is a fair

amount of cloud as well, and we may have the odd stray shower.

Temperatures reaching a high of 13 Celsius. A lot of moisture in the

air tomorrow, which means temperatures will be slightly

higher. The showers will tend to fade away tomorrow night. A few

clear spouts but still a fair amount of cloud. Mist and fog is still a

possibility. A mainly rust free night tomorrow night, but still

cannot rule out the chance of frost in sheltered spots. A mainly dry day

on Thursday until the evening time. This cold front is going to be

introducing some clouds, but with the weather front moving southwards

during the evening, we might have the odd spot of rain and eight. Into

the early hours of Friday morning, it could start on a damp note with

some light rain at times, but it will be in improving picture. Lots

of sunshine to start the day tomorrow. Light winds. If you catch

a shower it will be slow moving. For Friday and Saturday there will be a

fair amount of cloud, but high pressure remains in charge, so it is

fairly settled. If you catch a shower, you will be unlucky. Thank

you very much. We like high pressure. It usually means a bit of

sunshine. Stay with us. We will at 10:25pm have the results of that

important, crucial playoff chasing game between Bournemouth and

Reading. We are also back with a bulletin at 8pm as well, but were

all of 18, a very good goodbye. Good night. `` all of the team.