16/04/2012 Spotlight

Use water wisely - advice from the Environment Agency as drought is

officially announced in the south west. Good evening. South West

Water has confirmed there are no planned restrictions to domestic

supplies. Also on Spotlight tonight: Paying back the proceeds

of crime - a court orders Jack Harvey Ltd to pay more than �2

million. Looking for 3,000 volunteers - the Devon research

centres helping to find a cure for Parkinson's Disease. Any research

that can be done that can help anybody is going to be really good.

The south west is now officially in drought. It comes as South West

Water disclosed they've seen a big rise in the amount of water they

abstracted from our rivers over the winter. The figure rose from just

over 3.5 billion litres last year to more than 8.3 billion this

winter. But that's still less than half the amount allowed to be taken

under licence agreed with the Environment Agency. We're all being

asked to be "water wise", but there's no hosepipe ban or other

restrictions planned. Our Environment Correspondent, Adrian

Campbell, reports. Peter, an arable farmer, has come to inspect his

barrelly crop with neath Potts. sign of any drought problems.

is normal lay dry part of Devon, but neefrt is too worried about the

drought which has been declared today. We're finding the soil is

ploughing up wet and it takes some work to make a decent seed bed. The

east of the county, there is still moisture in the ground, but it is

ploughing up in better condition. Farmers may not be worried. But now

South West has moved to environmental drought status. So

what does it mean? Water companies say supplies are unaffected. No

hosepipe bans are expected. This drought is making life difficult

for wailed life, a lack of rain means low river levels and less

water for wetland habitats. The Environment Agency, the Wildlife

Trust and South West Water are all asking us to be water wise and

think about euro -- about our rirs. We say think about your use of

water. We want people to use it wisely. Don't waste it and if

people want more information, they can go to water web-site. South

West Water has managed resefbs over the winter and takes water from

river when they're in full flow. It says what it takes is well within

safe limits. But some South West angers -- anglers are concerned.

37,000 jobs supported by angling. It is an important part of the

rural economy. And people won't go fishing if the rivers are as bad as

this. And what do water consumes think? It is difficult to get the

message when they have been taking the water out of rivers. We pay

among the highest rates of water in the country. And as a pensioner I

feel strongly that our needs should be met as well. This is one way

that householder may consider dealing with the drought. You are

allowed to take up to 20,000 litres of water a day without an

abstraction licence and more people in the South West are considering

their own borehole. Joining me now is Adam Cookson from the

Environment Agency. How much is abstraction by company waters O'--

companies playing a part? The water taken by the water companies, you

heard in your report that a lot more is taken by South West Water

last year and that was the fill the reservoirs. The good thing this a

provides a water storage for public water supply. When we're talking

about the lack of rain that we have had in the past 18 months, the

tryest period for almost a hundred year, what we're looking at it the

impact on the environment and the river flows. The impact is that

we're in a drought situation. So why weren't the water companies

restrictsed sooner on how much they could take? Well it is a difficult

balance to ensure that our needs as a society for water are met. But

also the needs of the environment. We have a licencing system that is

managed by the Environment Agency and the water companies have been

taken water in accordance with those licences and that allow us to

ensure that people in our home and businesses still have water to get

by from day-to-day and make sure we have a prosperous South West. But

we're trying to make measures to make sure we are all using waerbt

efficiently and so the environment can benefit. Some Theresa May say

that too late -- some may say this a too late. Why weren't the

companies restricted earlier in -- earlier? They took it out in the

wipbt e because it was less damaging to the environment than

now. The licences we authorise mean they take it out at a less damaging

time that. Water is stored and that is also released to help benefit

the environment for fish migration and to help with low flows. It is a

complicated situation, where we have got the Ba thrans needs of

everyone and we're asking -- balance the needs of everyone to

conserve its for the rest of the summer and possibly going into the

new year. Thank you. A Cornish plant hire company will be sold off

in order to pay a �2.25 million court bill. Plant Hire firm, Jack

Harvey Limited, which is based in Truro, must make the payment after

a confiscation hearing decided that 40% of its turnover was the result

of crime. Jack Harvey is currently serving nine years in prison for a

series of arson attacks on his competitors' machines and handling

stolen goods. David George reports from Truro Crown Court. In a raid

on Jack Harvey's premises, the police found 39 stolen vehicles and

plant including road rollers and diggers. Harvey was convicted of

arson attacks of of handling stolen goods. He is serving nine years in

prison and has paid three quarters of a million in compensation. The

judgment was the result of a separate confiscation hearing

doneer the Proceeds of Crime Act. Counsel for Harvey suggested that

much of the business was legitimate and that the confiscation should be

in the Orde of �300,000. But the judge did not agree. He said the

evidence of Harvey's daugs, here leaving court, was not worthy of

belief. The judge decided ha 38% of the �5 million turnover of the

company between 2003 and 2009 was the proceeds of crime. He ordered

the confiscation of �2,275. shows people are not above the law

and we can undermine criminality and organised networks. Not only by

punishment through imprisonment, but through taking away criminal

assets. Today Jack Harvey's family would not comment on the judgment.

In court his counsel said hid assets were calculated at just over

�3 million. She said the whole business would have to be sold to

make the confiscation payment. The leader of Somerset County Council

has announced within the last hour that he's to leave the job.

Conservative Ken Maddock is stepping down so he can stand for

election as one of the country's new police commissioners. Our

Political Editor, Martyn Oates, joins us now. A bit of a surprise?

We will have a lot of these announcements between now and the

election for the police commissioner. This looked

surprising, Ken Maddocks gave the impression that he loves the rough

and tumble of President Clinton life and he Hadden joyed -- and

tumble of political life. He had enjoyed leading the council. But he

is sticking his neck out. Not just in a gamble to be become police

commissioner, but to be selected as a Conservative candidate. Will this

make people worry that people going or the the jobs may risk mixing

politics with policing. Councillors do sit on Police Authorities. This

is something different and somebody like Ken Maddock is somebody who

has been immersed in party politics. If he got elected, he would be a

Conservative commissioner and Labour are opposed to commissioner

and say that concentrating the power in the hands of one

individual is undemocratic, which is the contrary of the Government's

position. But that isn't stopping Labour looking for their own

candidate and somebody like John Prescott comes with as much

political baggage as Ken Maddock. Thank you. The South West is

playing a vital part in a major research project which will speed

up diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease and could eventually lead to a cure.

Three research centres in Devon are contributing to the biggest study

into the condition ever conducted. Here's our Health Correspondent

Sally Mountjoy. Pauline was diagnosed with Parkinson's ten

years ago, aged just 45. While medication controls her tremor, the

condition has slowed her down. She has been told to expect memory loss

and even Alzheimer's It is slowly progressive condition. So I have

just got to learn to live with it. And increase the medication as and

when I need to. Now Pauline's signed up to a study aimed at

earlier diagnosis and better information about how individuals

are affected. We think it will give us big information that will allows

to start dropping -- developing a test for Parkinson and guide us who

will have the mild disease and who will run into more problems that

need different treatments. We don't know the causes of Parkinson and

hopefully this trial will enable us to feigned that and then hopefully

find a cure. Exeter, Plymouth and Barnstaple are among 18 centres

taking part in the study. It is funded by the charity, Parkinson's

UK. The researchers need 3,000 volunteers. People diagnosed in the

last three years, or like Pauline, before they were 50. They also want

their siblings to sign up. Tracking these people promises to fill

crucial gaps in our knowledge of Parkinsons. Pauline is happy to be

part of any research that identifies the disease early and

holes out hope of a cure. -- holds out hope of a cure. Coming up next:

Life on the inside as we'll hear form inmates at a Dorset jail. Plus,

going from strength to strength - the Exeter Chiefs will take on the

best in Europe. And 60 years of surf lifesaving at the oldest club

in Britain. A jail in Dorset has started pairing up inmates, so

vulnerable prisoners get advice and support from older mentors. It's

one of a number of schemes aimed at transforming both life on the

inside and the chances of re- offending on the outside. Our

Dorset reporter, Simon Clemison, has been given special access to

the work of Portland Young Offenders Institution. Here's the

first of his two reports. Many of Britain's prisons remain symbols of

tough Victorian values. Now trying to deliver a 21st Century solution

to crime. Still a punishment, but not unpleasant deterrent the origin

architects had in mind. Hoor they admit the hardline regime of 20

years ago has gone. There are penalties for bad behaviour. But

the focus is on turning 500 lives around. I have learned the errors

of my ways. Do you think these skills may stop you getting back

into crime? Yes the employers will look at it and see I have been to

jail, but see that I made it constructive while I was here.

Education is helping, we can move on to further education and further

ourselves. But outside look to things, things may get hard and

turn back to the old ways. Government wants a rehabilitation

rev solution. But - erevolution, but does it work. Get it wrong and

jails can become a breeding ground for more crime, get it right and it

may pay dividends. This scheme gives those struggling with prison

a friendly cell door to knock on. Keeping the vulnerable away from

trouble. Getting involved in the wrong people and that lot and

speaking to him it showed me like to keep away from that. I want to

get to my family. I don't want none of this, to come back here.

idea of an older inmate being paired up with his younger counter

part may be the stuff of classic television. But the hope is that if

that relationship can be helpful and helpful in the right way, it

may re-establish the sort of bonds that exist between people on the

outside world, bonds which have been broken. There are some things

which are exciting, if you can provide a useful service for these

struggling in the system. But of interest to me is how that improves

the life chances for those doing the mentoring as well. Football is

seen as another tool in teaching the young offenders to play by the

rules. Critics have said that with a gym and TVs in cells, Portland is

not much of a punishment. But a study found the sports scheme cut

the average rate of reoffending in half. If that is the aim, then here

they may be breaking the cycle of crime, in a way their predecessor

only hoped to. And there's more on what's being done at the Portland

Young Offenders Institution to prevent re-offending in Spotlight

tomorrow. It's time for the sport now and we've got reason to

celebrate after the weekend. Natalie's here to tell us why.

Exeter Chiefs are going from strength to strength. They've

sealed their place in next seasons European Heineken Cup and are on

target for the end-of-season play offs in rugby's Premiership.

Spotlight's Dave Gibbins has more on their success. This rags to

riches story has seemingly no end. Exeter Chiefs' win shot them up to

fourth. With a berth in the top competition under lock and key. If

they beat Northampton on Sunday, they will be set for the end of

season play-offs. The can have cheep went into a 16-14 lead at

half time. But the kicking of Good put wuerser on a winning platform.

-- wuerser. But then -- Worcester, but 19 then they snatched a late

win. We're enjoying what we're doing, we are comfortable with

where we are and who we are, that is bringing the best out of us. We

are in a fortunate position, it is a good season for us, whatever

happens. Not achieving the top four wouldn't be the end of the world,

but it would be a fantastic achievement and a nice reward.

Exeter Chiefs' progress is remarkable. It is only their second

season of Premiership rugby and another important factor to

consider is that the Sandy Park stadium, there are plans to make it

into a 20,000 all seater venue. Their march seems relentless. In

the Championship, Plymouth Albion were heavily beaten 42-17 by Esher

and in Penzance, it was the end of an era. Cornish Pirates boss Chris

Stirling ended his time in charge with a win over Bedford to ensure a

place in the play-offs. Brent Pilnick reports. Bedford have been

the scourge of the pirates this season, but the Cornishmen started

well. It got byer the -- and it got beer in the second half, as the

Pirates won 21-20. After the crowds were full of appreciation for just

one man. Chris Stirling. The pirates' boss was in charge for

final time, before heading back to New Zealand. It is about the Pirate

and what we do 5 why with question do I. To neighbouring semi-finals,

I believe the four teems there, Bristol will be there and Bedford

will be there. And we're there. The teams that finish at the stop in

stage one, any one can win it. Stirling biveds Cornwall farewell,

he has left the Pie watts -- Pirates with a chance of taking the

title. Relegation and promotion still hangs in the balance for our

football teams and it looks as though it's going to the wire. No

one won at the weekend - Torquay are still in the automatic

promotion places, but the rest of our teams are still not

mathematically safe from the drop. Our football pundit Chris

Hargreaves popped in earlier to cast an eye over all the action.

What did you make of the weekend? Nervy stuff. Nothing definite. It

is hard for the fans. And very hard for Exeter City fans. They're

clinging to their League One status. And they didn't help themselves on

Saturday. No such a frustrating result. They started well, nar

yellow did well, winning the penalty. And under pressure

converts it nicely. And only one team in it at this point. This goal

epitomises the season. A fantastic epitomises the season. A fantastic

passing move. There was only one team in it then. And the fans

seeing think result, this is a great finish, but some of the

defending is poor on the day. And unfortunately it is a bad result.

And now League Two and Torquay, they have been leap flog frogged,

they were second and now thir third. Do you think they will get

promotion? Yes, Crawley didn't win. They couldn't beat Southend.

for Southend not the win is a bonus and Torquay have a great run in.

The others haven't got that great a run in. I expect Torquay to do it.

They have been brilliant all season. There weren't many chances, but it

was important for both teams that it was never going to be a great

match. Thank you some positiveness. Plymouth Argyle. More positivety.

It looked Lyle like therl gob -- like they were going to draw.

Argyle had some chances, but it was dominant from Swindon. But they

have done the hard work, Plymouth, here is a half chance. They're not

mathematically safe, but team around them have harder run ins. I

can't see them being dragged back in. Paolo didn't like that. But sad

flus for him the death of his mother -- sad news for hip, the

death of his mother doesn't help. Not a disaster for Plymouth. The

hard work has been done, so fingers crossed. And look at Swindon

celebrating. So they should. Thank you. And Yeovil lost 6-0. And a

couple of well dones to finish. To the Plymouth Raiders who beat

second placed Worcester in the BBL 94-80. And to Tom Daley who secured

his third successive podium finish with a silver medal at the Diving

World Series in Moscow. Britain's oldest surf lifesaving club is

preparing to celebrate its 60th preparing to celebrate its 60th

birthday. Bude Surf Lifesaving Club was founded in the 1950's by an

Australian diplomat. It was the first of its kind in the Northern

hemisphere. This weekend the club staged a display of rescue skills

from its six decades of beach work. Spotlight's Matt Pengelly reports.

Dressed in their 50s kit, these members of Bude Surf Life Saving

Club don't look like pioneers, more like a nobbley knees competition.

But these knees have been on patrol for 60 years. The club owes its

existence to an Australian diplomat called a lan Kennedy, who was

appalled at the water safety record. But today things are different

compared with then. I was a 12- year-old and born and bred down

here on the beach and to see these Aussies going in and out of the

water was amazing. They were like little seals. I tagged on with the

older boy and that is how I got involved. It has progressed

dramatically since those days. the beach the life savers

demonstrate some old style rescue skills. Guest of honour is the

present of surf life saving Australia. The sport could be part

of the common wealth games in Brisbane in 2018. We're not saying

it is the be all and ends all, but what we're doing is providing the

path ways into Olympic competition. These nippers respect just toorm's

lifeguards, e- Knipeers aren't just tomorrow's lifeguards, they Olympic

champions. Some blue skies, but we could do with some Mo more rain and

could do with some Mo more rain and there is some in the forecast. What

we need ideally is a drop of rain at night and dry during the day.

Well some hefry rain tonight and tomorrow there will be some hefty

showers. For this week it is unsettled and quite windy. We

haven't seen the strength of wind for a while. That will return

tonight. Also quite wet conditions. You can see the line on the

satellite, that is the cloud producing patchy rain. The two

combine together and give some wet weather. It is moving quite fast.

By midday tomorrow, it has moved to the east of England and will

produce scattered showers and some windy conditions on Wednesday

morning. This was earlier today, we have had some sunshine. There is

now some patchy rain appearing through the Irish Sea. Some of that

nudge towards us later on. This was earlier in Devonport Park where we

had some bright, dry weather and some sunshine. The wet weather will

replace this and tomorrow morning we will see more cloud and these

plants will lack quite dach after the rain. Through the -- will look

quite damp after the rain. Tomorrow we expect by 5am the heaviest rain

from southern Wales through the central part of our region. The

light brighter colours illustrate where the heavy rain is. The

clearance comes into the west as it is getting light and the whole lot

moving through fast and the temperatures will climb wack --

back up. A windy start to the day, the rain clearing and for a while

it is dry with some sunny spells, but quickly the showers will follow.

And one or two of the showers will be heavy. Blursry winds, although

we get 12 degrees, it won't feel that warm, because of wind. Showers

possible for the Isles of Scilly. And strong winds too. Time of high

water are on screen. Some quite stormy conditions, the north coast

for surfers will be up to eight to ten feet and stormy throughout the

day. Coastal waters forecast the wind from the west or South West,

force five to six b but increasing seven to gale force eight tomorrow.

And the low pressure that comes in tomorrow thiegt that gives us

strong winds and strong gusts up to 60mph. So some very windy

conditions for the middle of the week. And we expect showers, some