24/08/2011 Spotlight

A major police operation for a sell-out crowd. Exeter City are

poised for the biggest football match in the region for years. Good

evening. 9,000 people are making their way

to St James Park as we speak, we'll be live at the ground.

We're on patrol with the Border Agency as they target businesses

and homes. And life's tough and could get

tougher. The effect cuts will have on families in need. But I think it

will have a devastating impact on families if there is not a

Homestart volunteer surveyors. They are angels, they come in and help

you need a normal life. Devon and Cornwall Police have

launched a major operation to prevent public disorder at one of

the biggest football matches the region has seen for many years.

Tonight, Exeter City take on Liverpool in the Carling Cup. Extra

officers are on duty in and around the ground and police say they will

"come down hard" on any troublemakers. The force faces

another big test next week when Exeter host arch-rivals Plymouth

Argyle. Spotlight's home affairs correspondent, Simon Hall, is at St

James Park tonight. Lots of people around already,

plenty of excitement and anticipation. I was at a police

briefing earlier and their intelligence assessors this match

as being a low risk of disorder, but there are lots of police

officers around and they are taking no chances.

200 officers will be on duty for the game, with more on standby if

needed. A light touch community policing operation is planned but

with this warning for would be trouble makers -- troublemakers.

are very conscious of the obligations we have to our local

committees or I have resources in place that will make sure that if

there is anyone who wants to use this as an excuse to cause disorder

or engaging criminality, I have the resources, you will be met and he

will be a company to one of our cells. The pitch has been prepared,

the security operation inside the ground as well. 138 Stewart will be

on duty, backed up by police officers -- 130 stewards. We had a

big game at the end of last season against Plymouth, and that was very

well organised. We had an exceptional gain the went off

really well. Because we have done that recently, we will be using

that Template. A sell-out crowd is expected tonight, some 1500 of whom

1000 will be away fans. It is a significant crowd control challenge

and at a time when the sporting eyes of the nation will be on this

small corner of Exeter. Local businesses are supportive of the

security operation. We basically prepared ourselves with plastic

glasses for a couple of hours before the kick-off and we have

door staff wanted to minimise the trouble. Tonight's policing

operation will act as a model for another big match, and the security

issues it raises. Exeter host Plymouth Argyle in six days' time.

So far, there have been no reports of any violence, trouble or

disorder whatsoever. The atmosphere is very good natured. Boisterous

but good-natured, people looking forward to a finite's football. And

there will be more from St James Park later, when we hear from the

fans. The Immigration Minister, Damian

Green, has been in the region today to see how the UK Border Agency

tackles illegal immigration and smuggling. More than 25 raids are

carried out every month in Devon and Cornwall, targeting illegal

immigrants in homes and businesses. And penalty notices totalling more

than 300,000 have been served on businesses breaking the law. Scott

Bingham reports. Officers from the UK Border Agency

raid another property. There are 25 raids like this every month,

targetting homes and businesses across Devon and Cornwall. It's all

part of the crackdown on illegal immigrants in what the Government

says is a radical reform of the immigration system. I have been

here in Plymouth that the new regional office. We are trying to

bring together all parts of the UK Border Agency so that we can work

together more efficiently, but a key with a view to enforcing the

law. The UK Border Agency grew out of the merger of immigration and

customs two years ago. To see this new joined-up approach first hand,

the minister took a trip aboard one of the agency cutters, Searcher.

She's one of five vessels targetting drug smugglers and other

suspicious boats around the UK coastline. It is a massive area to

cover, it is quite a challenge. We feel we do it very well. We work a

lot would local police forces, Hopper Masters, members of the

public, to build a profile in picture of what is going on in a

particular community. The vessels operate 24-7 - they're a visible

deterrent and though they may be spread thinly good intelligence

means they are relatively successful. Only a month ago, this

vessel intercepted a yacht carrying cannabis with a street value of �12

million. The south-west, with its coastline and many marinas is very

much at the frontline of drug smuggling in the UK.

Charities and community groups helping some of the region's most

vulnerable families have told Spotlight they're finding it

increasingly difficult to fund many of their projects. They blame cuts

in government and local authority funding. One organisation, The

Devon Community Foundation, says the money it receives is being cut

by more than half. Amy Cole has been finding out about one scheme

in Torbay that's facing an uncertain future.

Four years old, with needs that are four times as great. Harrison has

severe cerebal palsy, he's doubly incontinent, and he's blind. For

mum Julia, each day is a mountain to climb. For two years Homestart,

based in Torbay, provided Julia with a volunteer to help her with

the physical and emotional demands of caring for Harrison. She wasn't

involved in my family so she wasn't devastated about what had happened

to Harrison and his brain damage. And I could just talk so freely and

openly and honestly with her, cry on her shoulder. Harrison's

disabilities did Oscar her. She independent me undertook some

separate training so that she could understand some of his play needs

and how to help him develop mentally. As well as dealing with

Harrison there is also his twin brother Cooper to cope with.

arranged for him to during a swimming session for partners and

my Homestart volunteer it used to come along to hold on to harass and

while I was able to go into the swimming pool with his brother, and

that is something I would not have been able to do with that the

volunteer. But times are hard. Two years ago, Homestart received

�10,000 from Devon Community Foundation, which helped families

like Julia's. But now the Foundation has less money to give

and there's even more competition for it from other organisations,

leaving Homestart somewhat stuck. We have got about 24 volunteers

currently on our books and we have another 30 he cent in applications

and are really keen to volunteer to support families. Of course, we are

really keen to have them. But, until we have some fun into secure

apposition, we are unable to train them. Homestart intends to apply

for further funding, but the Foundation's income has dropped by

60% after the Government withdrew its investment. Instead of last

year's roughly 1 million, the sure we will be distributing in the

region of 400,000. We are seeing an increase in applications and an

increase in organisation ceasing to operate. We are seeing groups

needing to cast about for alternative sources of finance and

thinking about more creative ways of fund-raising. In lots of ways,

that might be very good. That's fighting spirit. All political

parties agree that cuts have to be made to services because of the

economic slowdown. It's just where these cuts are made that is the

point of dispute. It's clear that projects around Devon will have to

work a lot harder to raise the capital they so desperately need.

Well, the coalition government has said dealing with the country's

debt is a key priority. Earlier I spoke to one of the region's

Conservative MPs, George Eustice. I asked why so many charities and

support groups were losing funding. I am the chairman of the

Conservative Disability Group and I am a great believer that voluntary

groups like that Homestart 1 or to have a very important role to play

alongside social care services in helping families coping with

disabilities. The government has had to make savings. I think this

grass ridge programme through which they have their initial funding was

due to end anyway, even under the last government's planned. The new

government is going to replace that with a number of other funds. There

is a �600 million for a big society bound to help charities. There is

another fund for transition to help charities like Homestart who

perhaps lost some of their funding and will need a helping hand to get

to the next regime and be able to procure services from councils in

the future. The irony is that David Cameron has made this big push to

the big society, more voluntary organisations taking the slack from

the state, yet have the support is not there for them, how are they

supposed to do that? One of the most important things we can do is

to use procurement of public sector services much more sensibly than

perhaps we have done in the past. One thing Cornwall council is doing

a lot of, and a number of other Conservative councils, is trying to

procure more services from social enterprises, the voluntary sector,

so that these organisations get the support that they need by providing

services that might previously have been provided less efficient the by

local councils directly. There are ways of doing this. The government

has set up a �10 million fund to help coach and train charities and

support them in being able to put their bids to local councils such

as Devon and Cornwall, so that they can have access to the funding a

one enable them to continue their excellent could work.

Coming up, the new landmark tower being planned for one of the

region's resorts. Plus, a room with a free view - the prime location to

watch tonight's big match between Exeter and Liverpool. And the two

little boys who took Spotlight on a tour of Culdrose Airday, 44 years

ago. The family of a 20-year-old man who

was killed at a party in a country manor house in North Devon at the

weekend have been paying tributes to him. The family of Ryan King say

he loved life and always knew how to put a smile on anyone's face.

66-year-old Raymond John Dupree appeared in court yesterday charged

with his murder. The motorcyclist who died at the weekend in Plymouth

has been named as John Twitchell. Police say the bike was being

followed by officers, although they'd lost sight of it at the time

of the crash on Mannamead Road and say they weren't in pursuit. The

case has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints

Commission. The commanding officer of the

nuclear powered submarine HMS Astute, which ran aground off Skye,

has posted on a social networking site that he will not face charges.

Andy Coles, from South Devon, was suspended from command after the

submarine got into difficulties during sea trials last October. The

MOD says no decision has been made yet.

It's not being built specifically for the Olympics but it's hoped it

could be up in time. A 50-metre observation tower is being planned

in in Weymouth and the plans have just been approved. The �3 million

visitor attraction would contain a rotating pod that can hold 50

people. London, Blackpool, Portsmouth, now

Weymouth could have its own sky high view. Not quite the CN tower,

but our passion for looking at the world from way up above only seems

to have grown since the invention of the lift. Part of the idea is to

try to make his peer more attractive. It will rise about 170

ft up into the air. Visitors will be able to climb into a class pot

which will then make its way to the top from where they will be able to

fully appreciate this stretch of the Dorset coast. Weymouth sits

between rolling countryside and rolling seas. It's hoped the offer

of a new perspective will bring in more tourists. I come from near

Portsmouth and spinnaker towers much more attractive than that.

is something new and it is a bit of a legacy, you could come back year

after year. There are a lot of attractions here so there's a lot

of competition, so I'm not sure there will be a queue of people go

in there. The company which owns the Sea Life Park has put forward

the plans to the borough council. The attraction isn't being built

for the Olympics, but if it's completed in time, the owners know

the world will be tuning in. We are very spring's company in leisure

attractions and these expenses and we can build it in time for the

Olympics. We are very confident we will have a ready for July and will

be operational for the Olympics. Whatever you may think of it, this

is a major addition to Weymouth's skyline and a major departure for a

seaside resort trying to rebrand itself for the 21st century.

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of trying to steal metal

from the roof of the old Tiverton Hospital. Around 10 officers

supported by a police dog and the force helicopter contained the area

before moving in to make the arrests. A 30-year-old from

Crediton and a 19-year-old from Cullompton have been released on

bail. Exeter-based Flybe has announced 24

regional routes within Finland after its joint acquisition with

Finnair of Finnish Commuter Airlines. Flybe is already Europe's

largest regional airline. The new routes feature a choice of up to

416 flights a week. Plymouth's ice rink is to remain

open for at least another year. The city council says �800,000 is to be

used to keep the site at Plymouth Pavillions open, securing many jobs.

Plymouth yachtsman Conrad Humphreys has ranked as the number two Brit

to complete the single-handed Solitaire de Figaro race, after

crossing the finish line in Normandy. He was one of 47

competitors to take part in the four-legged race, which covers more

than 1,600 nautical miles, crossing some of the busiest shipping lanes

in the world. He finished in 30th place overall.

Back now to our top story, tonight's big cup game between

Exeter City and former European champions Liverpool. The match is

being played in front of a 9,000 sell-out crowd at St James Park.

Live now to our sports reporter, Dave Gibbins.

St James Park has been a hive of activity all day. And kick off is

now less than an hour away. Such was the demand for tickets that not

everyone who wanted one was able to get one. Liverpool are the biggest

club left in the competition, so a win for Exeter tonight would very

much be a giant killing. Hamish Marshall looks ahead.

They have been preparing inside the ground - and outside too. Tina

Mallett has the best free view of the action in Exeter. Her house is

behind one of the goals with a clear view of the ground. When the

draw was made she suddenly became very popular with friends and

family. People come out and stand on my steps outside as well. Could

it mind as long as there is no problems and no trouble. There will

not be any spaces tonight. They will not be, no! It is could be a

full house. The win over Yeovil to get here was Exeter's first in this

competition for 18 years. Liverpool were knocked out by Northampton at

this stage last year, so could lightning strike twice? There are

not in Europe for this year saw think it will bring a strong team.

They are could black players and they want to play first-team

football, so whoever they play, the first team or the younger players,

it will be a tough test. Exeter haven't beaten Liverpool in four

previous attempts. Their last meeting was 30 years ago. Nicky

Holland was a 15-year-old standing on the terraces then. Despite a

heavy defeat with Kenny Dalglish, now the Liverpool manager, scoring,

she has fond memories. Just to go and see them because of that time

Exeter were doing quite well, but we were Division Three, and be up

close to these top-class players was awe-inspiring. Far more people

wanted tickets for tonight's end and were able to get them. But for

those who are coming to the ground, they have made the end to say at

the end of the night, I was there when. You never know!

Less than an hour to go now before kick-off. Joining me on the

touchline is the senior commercial manager, Mark Jenkins. This must be

a dream come true for you, drawing Liverpool in the second round of

the national cup competition. How easy has it been for you? Very easy,

which is great obviously for the club and the commercial team.

Phones were going straight after the draw a week last Thursday,

people asking for sponsorship opportunities, hospitality and then

of the stick he melts came in the next day. We could have sold it for,

five, 10 times over, to sponsorship and hospitality. For the commercial

team it is a dream to have a team like Liverpool. It is a shame we

could not have them every year. That is what this brings to this

club. What does it mean, Liverpool were rife, often narrow go with

Kenny Dalglish coming through some Kate's near us, and they have some

familiar places -- faces in that squad. What does it mean to a club

like Exeter? Revenue is probably the key to everything, for a club

of our size. It is hard to imagine a club like ours playing Liverpool.

Russ, it is the fans who support the club through thick and thin. We

know it is a bit of the pay back. And to our sponsors. The climate is

tight, there is not load of money in Devon, in particular, and does a

bit of a pay back two of sponsors. They have supported us through

thick and thin, we know we have had some great seasons recently, so it

is great for everyone. I think you are sold every advertising space

there was available. Thanks for joining us.

Remember, if you cannot watch the game, you can listen to it on BBC

Radio Devon. It is on from seven a 5pm.

How long to kick-off now, Dave? You worried cheeky Charlie! 51 minutes.

Marvellous. For many years thousands of people

have enjoyed the spectacular displays at Airday at RNAS Culdrose.

It's a chance to step into the world of the Royal Navy's flying

force. Tonight, as part of our trip back in time looking at news and

features of the past here in the South West, two little boys show us

around the sights and attractions I wonder what this aircraft is. Can

you tell me, please? It is used in the Royal Navy and the Fleet Air on

servers. Hunting and killing submarines. There are lots of

gadgets here, on there? -- aren't Those more speed than the remark

was just there. Navigation light. What about a trip on the dollar?

I wonder if those two little boys still go to Culdrose Airday now?!

They certainly enjoyed their insolent! Time for the weather

forecast. It still feels really close outside, it is still quite

warm. It is, but it cools down into the weekend, but it looks like the

weather will improve for Bank For the rest of this week it

remains generally unsettled. Sunshine and showers just about

covers that although now there is a lot more cloud coming in to give a

line of more persistent rain. It shows up on the satellite picture.

More persistent rain for a time of moved out of the way later on this

evening and overnight. We are back to square one tomorrow with the

risk of showers, some of them heavy, and the same area of low pressure

is just a bit closer by the time we get a lunchtime on Friday, which

means less breeze and slower moving showers. Let us look at the detail

we have seen so far today. The lump of cloud has been spilling up from

the south-west and there will give more persistent rain later on this

evening. Further west in Cornwall, there was some fine weather today,

a bit of sunshine to enjoy. There has been the risk of a shower

throughout the day to day across parts of Cornwall but many of us

have got away with some dry weather. We are going to see some more of

those showers this evening, not just for Cornwall, but across the

rest of the South West. A similar picture tomorrow morning for a good

part of the region because we will wake up to a bright start. But this

evening the slump of cloud and rain could cause a few problems for the

football match at Exeter. There is a chance of some outbreaks of rain.

The detail for this evening and tonight shows a line of rain and

the Gillick triangle illustrating that they could be, for a time,

some heavier bursts of rain across Dorset and up into parts of

Somerset. Later on, at some clear sky developing and dry into the

early as of the morning. Overnight temperatures again quite chilly,

down to 10 or 11 degrees. Tomorrow we have the risk of showers through

the morning but perhaps it becomes higher through the day as the show

has become more widespread. In between the showers, hopefully a

bit of sunshine. Wins from the south or south-west and

temperatures can pick up to 18 or possibly 19 degrees. Most of the

shares will tend to fade away into the evening and another chilly

The north coast will have the Here is the forecast through and

including the start of the weekend. On Friday they will be fair he

liked winds so there is the possibility of some slow-moving and

quite heavy downpours. The showers will be lighter but still there on

Saturdays. And a little bit coup love, especially during the evening.

But on Sunday and on Monday a ridge of high pressure comes in and a bit