23/09/2013 Spotlight

The Greenpeace worker being held at gunpoint. Her family in Devon wait

anxiously for news of her welfare. Good evening. Alex Harris is being

held along with others after Russians boarded the Greenpeace

vessel. Her mother has been describing how the drama unfolded.

Her and Colin Dodge the armed guards to get to the radio station and

barricaded themselves. They managed to get a cry for help to let

everybody know what was going on. Also tonight. The Bank of Cornwall

which could help local businesses. The scheme would be funded by

European money and would lend to companies in the county. And the

inquest into the death of a Somerset man who was killed when a water tank

exploded. A 27—year—old Devon woman is among 30 Greenpeace activists

being held at gunpoint by security officers in Russia. It follows an

attempt by some protestors to board a Russian oil drilling platform in

the Arctic. The family of Alex Harris, who works for Greenpeace,

say they're very worried for her safety. Devon engineer, Iain Rogers,

is also being held. Spotlight's Janine Jansen reports. Alex's family

wait anxiously for news. The Greenpeace ship she was working on

has been seized by Russian security guards. We are feeling worried and

fed up, to be honest. I would like to be able to speak to her. It has

been going on for quite a long time and we are seeing different reports

on the Internet and Facebook. That is your sister they are talking

about. It is upsetting. Lastly, two activists tried to board a Russian

oil platform. They are concerned about countries drilling for oil in

the Arctic and the effect on the environment. Alex and Colin, her

Australian work colleague, where the last Greenpeace workers to be

captured and they managed to dodge the armed guards as they came aboard

and barricaded themselves into the radio room and managed to send and

sOS and eventually a Russian security guards kicked down the door

and capture them. The family say it must have been terrifying. The

balaclava armed people with knives and guns storming their ship, I

suspect it was fairly scary, yes. Her character, as I said, she is

very positive and passionate, she believes in what she does. Engineer

Ian Rogers from Devon is also captive. Russia says it is

considering charges for piracy, something that Greenpeace denies.

Alex and family pray that her daughter will be soon freed.

Spotlight has learned that Cornwall could get its own regional bank. It

would be set up with European money which would be lent out to local

businesses. It would operate on a far bigger scale than anything tried

in the county so far. With the details, here's our business

correspondent, Neil Gallacher. Businesses like the Natural Fibre

Company might soon find it easier to get loans. This company was helped

one decade ago with money from a small—scale investment fund set up

of European help but that is no longer open. Commercial bank lending

has become the touristy scarce. European cash might be used to set

up a far bigger local investment bank. Business needs all the help it

can get and it is very hard to get credit for businesses, particularly

smaller ones. It should be good for everyone. The chance to create a

local bank for local businesses has come about because Cornwall is due

to get another £500 million from Europe over the next six years. The

powers that we proposed to put a quarter of that into the investment

bank. That would be over £100 million with matched funding from

other sources on top. Is a danger that commercial banks would object?

The real answer is, if they want to lend money, why have they not been

doing it? If we help to make that happen, if they complain, you might

hear the odd laughter. The bank has yet to be approved by authorities

but those pushing for the idea expect it to go through. Cornwall

would be one of the very first counties to get its first —— own

bank. But at one time, many banks were local. Bank heist, here in

milestone, Ozzie first cooperative savings bank in England. The bank,

established in 1818. Today's bank decisions are made by executives

remote from their customers. The decisions are made by people who

actually don't have a good idea of how businesses are run at that

level, Cornish businesses need decisions in Cornwall. Nobody is

talking about a bike with savings, accounts and loans for individuals,

just businesses. Bosses might like the idea but they will want to know

what strings are attached in the form of interest rates and fees. Not

be known until next year. —— that will not be known. A court has heard

how a maintenance worker died after an explosion which left four others

injured. 67—year—old Peter James was part of a team carrying out work in

a boiler room at the Cantello nurseries near Taunton. His

colleagues said they had not had any training in how the boiler operated.

Our Somerset correspondent, Clinton Rogers, reports. Peter James 's

family have waited 2.5 years to get the full story of how he died. Mr

James, a maintenance engineer, suffered head injuries in an

explosion at his work. It happened at Cantello nurseries near Taunton.

They grow peppers for leading supermarket chains. The inquest was

told that back in May 2010, a of them are carrying out maintenance

work on seven huge water tanks in the boiler room but something went

terribly wrong. Whilst removing metal inspection hatches, one of

them exploded under high pressure, Ford of the men were knocked to the

ground and two of them were seriously hurt. Mr James radically.

The metal plate had hit him in the head. One of the labourers working

on the very water tank which exploded told the hearing that he

narrowly escaped being hit. This Polish National on the left said he

had never had any training in the water system and this was the first

day he had ever been in the boiler room. It became clear during the

inquest at Cantello nurseries were in the process of changing their

water system to one pressurised by nitrogen rather than an and they

called in a team of Dutch specialists to advise them. Yet none

of those specialists were in the boiler room when the explosion

happened and those workers who were there said they had little or no

knowledge of how the system worked. The inquest is listed for three

days. The family of Mr James said they hope that someone will be held

accountable. Two new fire stations and a headquarters have been given

the go—ahead in Cornwall. It is claimed the multi—million pound

plans will improve response times, but there are concerns that some

areas will be left with a poorer service. Tamsin Melville reports.

Every second counts on a callout. In the Camborne and Redruth area, fire

crews can reach 44% the population within ten minutes. Today,

councillors approved to applications that the disclaimer will improve

emergency cover. It will have a community station of year. A new

headquarters and station on the outskirts of Camborne and a station

inhale or replace the current 24—hour cover in Camborne and the

call centre in Redruth. The fact that we can get a 14,000 more people

with that critical ten minute response time shows improvements to

the service. This is capital investment inefficiencies and we

will deliver in excess of £500,000 of revenue efficiencies year—on—year

and build these wonderful facilities that will serve the committees for

the next 50 years. There has been some local opposition to the £8

million plans, to carry around Redruth. I will carry on having

misgivings about the cover to the east side of Redruth to the villages

and surrounding area and I will carry on those misgivings. But after

years of campaigning, he'll will get its own station. We have never

campaigned for any other time to lose its station but the Fire

Service tells us this is the best way to cover the most people. All

going to plan, both centres will be up and running within one year.

Coming up: We're live at Land's End as a Paralympian completes a

remarkable challenge. Plus: The BBC Radio Devon presenters on a special

mission using public transport. And ruffling a few feathers — find out

how the Devon and Cornwall police puppies got on down on the farm. The

final part of a 95 metre high chimney has been put into place

today on the waste to energy incinerator being built in Plymouth.

When finished, the incinerator will burn 250,000 tonnes of waste a year.

People living near the site in Devonport remain largely opposed to

the facility. A BBC investigation has revealed that the sticky

substance which killed thousands of sea birds off the South West coast

earlier this year is an unusual type of fuel that could be banned. As Sam

Smith reports, BBC Inside Out South West has been following scientists

as they try to trace the source of the pollution. Captain Jeremy Smart

tried to catch the ship that he thinks washed out its tanks off

Cornwall, leading to more than 4000 birds dying. Using satellites, he

narrowed the search to 16 Tigers that had passed through in April.

But none had been carrying PAB and have no eyewitnesses, the search was

called off. Every pollution case we have taken, there has been with this

and satellite evidence or direct correlation through samples and we

have none of that. But the chemical has lingered. Alison and Ian find

hundreds of dead words on this Cornish beach in April and find

polyisobutene in July. That is a bit of a bird. Professor Steve Rowland

was the first person to identify the sticky stuff and with more tests, he

has narrowed this down to an unusual type. We have these pics. On the

birds, that is three Peaks. A German scientist also analysed the chemical

and he concluded that it was an unusual variant which is not

commonly carried. If it is a type that has not been assessed as legal

to dump, that practice could be banned by the international maritime

organisation. And you can hear the full story tonight on Inside Out

South West here on BBC One at 7:30pm. Paralympic gold medal runner

Richard Whitehead has completed a remarkable series of runs in

Cornwall today. The blade runner, who won gold in the 200 metres at

London 2012, has completed 38 marathons in 42 days, running from

John O'Groats to Lands End. Spotlight's David George was at the

finish of today's final run. The 38th and final finish in this

marathon of marathons. And a big hug for the partner, Valerie, and

seven—month—old daughter, Zoe. You would think apparently gold medal at

London 2012 and a record single marathon time would be enough, but

Richard Whitehead says that were simply training for this. He started

in the middle of August and has been running almost every day since. He

has had just four days off and covered almost 1000 miles. I just

want to prove to people that thought I was a one trick pony, and it's not

about that. I am battling the conditions but ultimately, it is

Richard against Richard. Richard 's mother says pride isn't it big

enough word. She reckons that her sons the termination comes from

higher the boy, one with no legs, was treated at school. He had to

overcome a lot of barriers and I think he thought, if they say I

cannot do that, I would show them. So everything he tried, he did his

best. Along the way, Richard has been joined by other marathon

runners. Today, they struggled to keep up as Richard Whitehead sped

towards the finish and a hoped—for million pounds for charities. And

David George is at Land's End tonight and joins us now. David. The

entire team are with me and the man we want to talk to, Richard himself.

Well done and congratulations. I said that you were already a

Paralympic gold medallist and you have the marathon record so why did

you want to do this? After last year, that set me up for this. This

challenge is what sport is about. It is not about winning medals, it is

about leaving that legacy and supporting great charities that

interact and support the local community. That is something I am

passionate about. You could have done this in an easier way! This is

40 marathons in 40 days, John O'Groats to lands end and that is a

massive challenge for anybody. I have two prophetic. It is important

to show that parallel export is still alive. What next? Next for me

is Rudy Jiro in 2016. —— real degenerative. I have to maintain my

gold medal. I want to continue to support those charities and work

really hard as a professional athlete. Let me shake your hand. As

if we need confirmation, there it is. Richard Whitehead, he ran

Britain! Brilliant stuff. That takes some doing! Two presenters from BBC

Radio Devon have started their latest challenge to raise money for

the station's Give a Gift Campaign. Between them, David Sheppard and

of Devon's 41 towns and cities by of Devon's 41 towns and cities by

public transport over the next five days. Spotlight's John Ayres has

been following them. Breakfast time at the starting point in Totnes and

a quick briefing and rivalry kicks in. I don't trust him. Shep is

getting his busty Kingsbridge and fits is getting on the train. I will

see you... Whenever! This is where I have just come from and I am then

going to Plymouth and then I have just been given this. I know that I

will end up in Okehampton tonight. Can board —— Camborne and

Penzance... This train has two cultures. I get off in Ivybridge? He

arrives in Dartmouth from Kingsbridge. Great journey and

generous people. Lots of wallets emptied out. The winner of this

challenge is not who does this the fastest and whoever raises the most.

I have left Totnes and I am in Ivybridge and... Hang on... Should I

have been on that one? Next, the ferry and a special treat, a steam

train. Marvellous! Thank you very much. Good man. Thank you. Here we

are. This is me being technical. The enemy has turned up to give me

sandwiches and money and clean pants. Very nice! It'll be a long

day. Boys and toys. All very nice but how are they raising any money?

Well, we have something to make up. But we are back on dry land. Let us

start with these people here. Come on! In between their journeys and

radio programmes, they are trying to raise £5,000. They have until

Friday. Good luck to them! He seems a little bit lost! He will never get

out of Ivybridge! Time for the sport and Exeter Chiefs are picking up the

pace in rugby's Premiership. They are indeed. Exeter Chiefs stormed

back at London Irish to gain their second win in a row in the Aviva

Premiership. 23—12 down, Gareth Steenson kicked his thousandth point

for the club before Australian Test lock Dean Mumm rallied the Chiefs.

In a grandstand finish, lock Ben White went over to give Exeter the

perfect tonic ahead of next Sunday's big home test against second—placed

Leicester Tigers. Cornwall swimmer Jaz Buxton has suffered a cruel blow

in her attempt to swim the English Channel to raise money for

Children's Hospice South West. The 24—year—old from Quethiock was

halfway to completing the feat when a huge swell from a tanker bent her

right arm back and injured her shoulder. Jaz swam on for another 30

minutes but the pain increased and she was advised to stop swimming.

Doctors will now be assessing her. Three of the South West's

League teams drew a blank this League teams drew a blank this

weekend. Only Torquay United found any sort of form with a four—goal

blast in achieving their first home win of the season against Cheltenham

Town and, in part, due to the club mascot. When struggling you always

find luck hard to come by. Askew full—time. They find Robert Green,

the goalkeeper of Queens Park Rangers, on top form. They literally

paid the penalty when Charlie Austin was filed and then scored the spot

kick. I put Yeovil were very good, they played well. I'm lucky to come

away on the wrong end of this result. Exeter city have dropped to

ninth place after Newport County beat them 2—0 at St James's Park. A

golden age have condemned them to their first home loss in the league.

Argyll slipped to their second defeat in eight days and without

scoring. This time, Scunthorpe United did the damage. With a

second—half goal. The Torquay United, Gilbert, has been briefed to

do something special before the match to bring them luck. Well, it

worked a treat. Two goals from Cannonball and one from Karl Hawley

and Jordan Chapel brought them their first home win of the season. 4—2

against Cheltenham. Stand by for more mascot capers in the coming

weeks. And we are searching for our Unsung Sporting Hero for this year.

Someone who gives up their time to encourage others to participate in

sport. To nominate them for the BBC award, go to our website: Or you can

call and ask for a nomination form to be posted to you. Get cracking,

not much time left! Thank you. Here's a question for you. Why would

the newest recruits to Devon and Cornwall Police be taken on a day

trip to a farm? Well, if you've been watching Spotlight over the last few

months, you may well have guessed the answer! Yes, for the first time

the force has bred its very own canine cops and we're following them

every step of the way. As Spotlight's Andrea Ormsby reports,

the latest stage of training involves some introductions. They

made not know it but the sheep are here for more than just their lunch.

Today, they are being observed. The audience is the first puppy is to be

bred by Devon and Cornwall Police. We don't want these puppies fixating

on animals, showing responses of aggression and you must correct

that. The puppies are just over three months old. One month into

intensive training to become police dogs. They were fantastic.

Initially, the first time, you will always get them being rattled around

the treat bowl. And they very quickly became nice and neutral and

started to ignore the sheep. The next challenge is the cars and all

the dogs seemed completely relaxed. Bigger again and not even the horses

held much fear. Today, they have been exceptional and they haven't

met the chickens! Here goes. A little more tempting, it is true.

But not for everyone. He is not interested at all. Which is quite

good, I think. It would be nice if he showed that he could see them

properly. Look at those chickens. This is just the first step in

teaching the dogs how to do with other animals but so far, so good.

The recruits have passed another test. They are doing very well.

Let's get the weather forecast. The temperatures have risen because

the sunshine has come back out. We have had a fair amount of cloud and

mist and cloud and even some spits of drizzle. But still quite misty

for the next couple of days and the week is not too bad. Dry and misty

to start with and remaining relatively warm with the chance of a

few showers later on. But that is a long way off. A lot of dry weather

around. The engine for that warm is this area of low pressure in the

mid—Atlantic, swirling around, pulling up southerly air. Bringing

that warm air from France, Spain and Portugal. It has brought all of that

moisture and low cloud and will still be some other around. This is

a middle of tomorrow. This weather front gets close. Expect more cloud

and showers developing in the far West. The main threat will be into

Wednesday. We can see that low pressure getting closer. This is the

satellite picture. This blanket of low cloud clearing. And some very

pleasant late sunshine per most of us. The exception is the southern

coast and around the Isles of Scilly. Overnight, clear skies and

still relatively mild. No problems with temperatures. Towards tomorrow

morning, more mist and fog developing so we might have another

great start with thick fog in places. Temperatures around 13 or

14. Tomorrow, another day of fine weather and a lot of cloud to start

but that will break up and we shall see sunny spells developing in the

afternoon. The exception will be Lyme Bay and the southern coast and

around the tip of Cornwall. There could be even some showers

developing across the Isles of Scilly. The wind will be lighter

than today. Top temperature, 21 degrees. That is above average.

Goodbye. We shall see some showers developing for the as of Scilly. The

times of high water. —— Isles of Scilly. And the surfing... Because

the waters forecast. —— the coastal waters forecast. The outlook is for

some change, slightly cooler and more cloud developing. Some showers

in the second half of Wednesday and a lot of cloud on Thursday and

Friday but also a lot of dry weather to be had and the risk of some

mysterious. Have a good night. —— mysterious. That is it. We shall be

back at 10:25pm. Have a good night. Good night.