04/10/2013 Spotlight

The death of a school girl — was she a victim of cyber bullying? Her

family believe she was driven to take her own life. Good evening. The

death of Izzy Dix has prompted a petition calling for tighter

controls of social media sites. Tonight we'll hear from some of her

friends. It is ridiculous, it should not be happening. They were just

jealous. Thousands of people have signed a petition calling for action

to be taken against cyber bullying and for the social media website

Ask.fm to be closed down. It follows the death last month of Brixham

schoolgirl Izzy Dix. Her family believe she took her own life. Our

South Devon reporter John Ayres has more. Close friends of Izzy Dix are

having to come to terms with her death. They say she was bullied,

especially online through social media. Izzy was getting huge amounts

of hate. It should not be happening. They were just jealous of

her and it just shows how people are so insecure about themselves and

they think hitting other people down will help them. It won't. The

campaign is targeting the Ask.fm website where people can post

comments anonymously. Many people find these sites are addictive. You

check your phone first thing in the morning and last thing at night, it

is everywhere you go. You will be getting so many compliments, but

when you say thank you, being polite, then you will get hate,

like, why didn't you say you are not pretty? That makes you feel really

insecure about yourself and makes your self esteem low. The campaign

has the full support of Izzy's mother. I don't think it's all bad.

They communicate with their friends and they enjoyed chatting, but where

it goes wrong is when someone dislikes someone, they use these. If

they were properly monitored, these websites, then I don't think it

would be half as bad. In response, the Ask.fm website made a statement.

Izzy was probably the most beautiful and intelligent person I have met.

She was so easy to talk to and really funny. You could tell her

anything. She was a really lovely person.

Well, earlier I spoke to Caimin Collins from the organisation

BeatBullying. I asked him what he would like social media sites to do

to safeguard the youngsters using them. Websites like Ask.fm have said

they are putting more resources into moderating the websites and making

them safer for young people, but it is difficult to see if that is

having an effect and if young people are safer on these sites right now.

We eagerly await more developments from Ask.fm to find out what

safeguards they are putting in place. They need to make it easier

for young people to report abuse and the need to act on the reports for

Gregor and they are now. Some people would ask why people don't just stop

using the websites. It is not that simple. One young girl who came to

us for help set, people asked why she kept going back to the site. Her

response was that if she was interested in what one person

thought of her, she was interested in what everyone else thought Opera.

We urge just human, we are interested in what people think of

us. And even more so, as teenagers. It is up to adults to meet the

websites safe. What precautions can teenagers take and what precautions

should parents be taking? First of all, young people can know that they

can get help from organisations like ours and they can immediately report

the abuse. We suggest they record every incident and build—up that

profile, so they record when it happens, what the website is. As

parents, it is really important to discuss this with your children.

Bring up the subject in the right context, in a quiet place. A lot of

parents might not know what is happening. Either changes in

behaviour that might indicate cyber bullying? Sometimes there are signs.

If you are children with draw and become isolated or if their

behaviour becomes very erratic and they start reacting to things in a

very aggressive or uncharacteristic way, that can also be an

indication. Sometimes there are no indications, but those are things

parents can the doubtful. A multi—million pound scheme to save

parts of Lyme Regis falling into the sea is underway. Coastal erosion is

a major problem in the area and earlier this year, a landslip

dislodged thousands of tonnes of earth and rock. £19.5 million is

being spent to protect homes, roads and infrastructure. Hamish Marshall

is in Lyme. We can look back into the town. This

scheme is the final phase of something that has been going on for

20 years. In a battle against the elements, where it has looked as

though the town may lose. The Jurassic Coast is well—known for

land and land falls, but some people 's houses have been in real danger

of being affected. Lyme Regis has been at the forefront of coastal

erosion. There have been regular landslips here and each time houses

and roads get closer to the edge. Malcolm lives on the edge, but he

doesn't fear his house will slip into the seat soon. But part of his

garden might, which means part of it is currently out of action. All

these trees will call. They say they will work on it, but not in our

lifetime. We have also lost vegetable patches. But on the hall,

it is a good scheme. But we have put up with a lot of disruption. This

scheme to protect up to 500 properties is gathering pace.

Experts say the work to keep the sea at bay and strengthen the land and

protect Lyme Regis by more than 50 years. It has been susceptible to

problems ever since it was built. The harbours have been damaged, the

sea walls are being damaged and housing has been lost. In the 1960s,

a lot of housing in the middle of the town was lost. The strengthen

sea wall will run for nearly 400 metres. Further up, 2500 of these

pipes will be filled with concrete to help them stop soil movement.

When you come to see level you get an idea of the scale of the

operation. Look at the size of the new sea wall and how much of the

cliff side will have to be shored up. The work will continue through

the winter and it should be finished by next summer. Looking at what work

they have been doing today, it is fascinating to see that both also

have been dug down so that instruments can go down 30 metres to

detect if the land underneath has moved by as little as one

millimetre. That is how seriously they look to see what the chances of

the earth moving arm. A massive scheme for Lyme Regis and it is

coming to a conclusion. It should be finished next summer.

A shipping company has been fined £15,000 after one of its tankers

polluted a 20—mile stretch of the sea off Cornwall. The company was

prosecuted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which used a

photograph taken from a satellite as their evidence. Eleanor Parkinson

reports. The tanker was making its way around

Land's End when a satellite used to detect pollution photographed it

trailing a pollution slip behind it. The Maritime and coastguard agency

say the satellite image clearly showed the bezel to be within the

exclusion zone. At one stage, it was nine miles offshore. The company

eventually admitted they had broken the law and today they were fined

£15,000. This is the satellite image tracking the vessel. The black line

is the pollution, which stretches some 20 miles. This is the first

time satellite imagery has been used in this way as evidence. It is

another tool in our armoury and hopefully we can use it again in the

near future. Hopefully people would do it once they know we are using

satellite, but if they do, we will catch them. The company said there

was no evidence that divers did Palm oil could cause any harm to the

environment. The Maritime and coastguard agency says this case

shows that satellite technology is very useful in the fight against

Marine pollution. The BBC has learnt that the project

to build a new nuclear power station at Hinkley point in Somerset has

been pushed back by two years. Yesterday the Government hinted that

it was just weeks away from announcing a deal on energy prices,

which would finally pave the way for the building to begin. But, as our

Somerset correspondent Clinton Rogers reports, there are still

significant obstacles in the way of Hinkley C finally producing

electricity. I remembered the energy company EDF telling us that we would

be boiling kettles with nuclear power by 2017. This picture tells a

different story. Construction work ground to a halt to months ago.

Constant delays in negotiating a price for new nuclear electricity,

known as the strike price, were to blame. Locally, frustration is

boiling over into anger. We know the government is trying to protect the

consumer, but that is extremely frustrating for all those waiting

for the work to happen. Businesses have had to lay off employees. EDF

have laid off employees. We have staff in our officers who have been

employed for the Hinkley point project and are now kicking their

heels. Now it seems a breakthrough is near, thanks in part to talks

happening in China. The energy secretary has been in Beijing,

beating businesses who are potential investors. The word is that the

Minister is ready to make an announcement on the strike price

within weeks. Even if investors come in and work starts again next

spring, the best case scenario is completion by 2022.

Investigations are continuing after it took 60 fire fighters to

extinguish a blaze at a popular shopping centre on St Ives sea front

last night. Cornwall Fire and Rescue say it started because of an

electrical fault in a ground floor shop. Neighbouring flats and

restaurants were smoke—logged and six people were treated at the

scene. Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service say the nature of the

properties in St Ives means any blaze requires a significant

response. While the fire itself was small and contained, it was the

amount of smoke going through adjacent premises that concerns us.

Saint Ives is a beautiful town, but it is also a town that has problems

be don't get a virus stopped quickly. So we threw a lot of people

at it, they worked hard and the results are very pleasing.

Next we'll meet the Royal Marine whose bravery in Afghanistan has

been recognised Also still ahead. The Cornish para—triathlete who's

heading for the Rio Olympics. And a literary view from the lower

decks of how the Navy fought against German e—boats.

A Somerset Royal Marine has been awarded the Military Cross for

bravery under fire in Afghanistan. Marine Craig Buchanan was serving

with 40 Commando in Helmand Province last year when his patrol was

attacked by a rogue Afghan policeman. The courageous

26—year—old put himself between his comrades and the assailant. Our

defence reporter Scott Bingham has the story.

Royal Marines Craig you can and was one of more than 100 military

personnel honoured yesterday. He was part of an eight man patrol in

Helmand Province in October 2012. They were working with the Afghan

police, when a rogue member suddenly opened fire, killing two of his

colleagues and wounding a third. I don't know why it happened or how it

happened, but it is the way it came down. He was able to shoot the

assailant dead. His military Cross citation rate...

I don't think it has sunk in yet. I really appreciate the honour. Also

note was his commander. He received a distinguished service order for

his inspiration and courageous leadership during an intense spell

of combat in Afghanistan. Time for the sport and Dave's here

looking at the first of this season's Devon football derbies.

At St James Park, Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle renew their rivalry

which, last December, ended in a draw at City with Argyle gaining the

honours at Home Park. It's the 61st Devon derby tomorrow when Exeter

City and Plymouth Argyle renew their rivalry at St James Park. City have

won 15 of those with Argyle coming out on top 25 times. But who'll win

this one? What does playing against Plymouth mean? It means a lot.

Everyone knows what it means to everyone around the city. It is not

a big city, so I am hoping there will be a lot of fans turning up to

cheer is on. One player knows how important it is to the players and

fans. Because I'm from Plymouth, people think it means more to me

than it does to the other players. But we are all professional

footballers and they are fully aware of what it means to the fans and the

city. No special treatment. Elsewhere, Yeovil town seek an away

win against Middlesbrough. Torquay United look to emulate an impressive

debut when your city come. The weekend's rugby kicks off this

evening with the Cornish Pirates looking to improve their fourth

position in the Championship by beating Moseley in Penzance. At

Brickfields, Plymouth Albion could move into the top four if they

overcome London Scottish. It's another testing Sunday date for

Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership. After last week's home loss to

Leicester, their forwards hope to set up the platform for success at

Kingsholm, the home of Gloucester. A 22—year—old Cornish woman is

targeting a gold medal in the very first Olympic para—triathlon at the

2016 Games in Rio. Melissa Reid, from Mount Hawke, is already the

world aquathon and para—triathlon champion. She's totally blind in one

eye and has peripheral vision in the other.

It consists of 1000 metres runner and a five kilometre run. It was two

days before the triathlon, so we swam in the Serpentine and run the

same route as we did in the triathlon.

Miller said trains in Falmouth. On this occasion, she was tethered to

Becky Walters. When we first moved down, I couldn't swim. But being by

the sea, you don't have a choice, you have to learn to swim. Because

of my eyesight, I can't drive, there are no buses, so the only way to get

around was to cycle. This race will burst onto the Olympic scene for the

first time in the next Olympics and Melissa is determined to make the

most of it. If I can say number one, I will be guaranteed a place, but

there are no guarantees in life. It all depends on whether she can

attract the financial backing. Because I have to have a guide with

me and we have to take the tandem apart and put it back together, it

usually costs £10,000 a year just for the travel and accommodation.

That doesn't include the training. Plymouth Raiders have two

opportunities this weekend to net their first win of the new

basketball season. Tonight at Sheffield Sharks and on Sunday

afternoon, it's former champions Newcastle Eagles at the Pavilions.

A wartime memoir's being launched at the Appledore Book Festival this

weekend. The author from South Molton in Devon hopes it'll redress

some of the glory given to German e—boats and show how well the

British Navy coped with them. 89—year—old Tony Chapman says his

book is unusual because it's not written by an officer, but by

someone from the lower decks. Spotlight's North Devon reporter

Andrea Ormsby has been to meet him. Tony was utterly convinced with the

Royal Navy. The other e—boat had shaped up to ram as and we got in

first, full speed. I didn't know, because the skipper didn't have time

to ring down and tell me he was going to do it. It was in the height

of the battle, so the impact knocked me out for some time. Now 70 years

since that battle, Tony's wartime memoirs are being published.

Probably the main advantage is that it is written by a lower deck person

rather than an officer. And there are not a lot of books written by

the common man. Friend and agent Tony Martin has been a common force.

The Navy, after a pure start, develop taxis to contain the e—boats

and took the water them. It was a bloody and brutal battle, but they

contain them what you could call inferior equipment, in terms of

speed and seagoing capability. It was simply a question of sticking it

out stoically in the uncertain hope all would be well. Tony's book is

being launched on Sunday. Photographs taken by BBC Radio Devon

listeners will feature in a new calendar launched tonight. The

images have been chosen from more than a thousand pictures submitted

as part of a competition raising money for the Give A Gift Appeal for

the Devon Community Foundation as part of the radio station's 30th

birthday celebrations. You can find out how to get a calendar by

visiting the BBC Radio Devon Facebook page.

David has a rather nice picture behind him. Lovely blue sky. Do you

have good news? We do have good news. Incidentally,

we have had some lovely pictures sent in. As we head into the

weekend, it is calmer and mainly drive. There will be colder nights,

which is not a bad thing and also morning mist, but apart from that,

there is a fine weather. It is likely to be at this time of year.

There is a fair amount of cloud as we head out into the Atlantic. The

main ring bearing cloud is across the other side of the Channel,

across France. France has seen tremendous downpours. This is midday

on Saturday and by midday on Sunday, it is moving across southern parts

of Britain and is here to stay, because even by the middle of next

week, we have high—pressure across southern Britain. Most of the rain

to the north of us. There are some showers. Some clear skies tonight

and is not the visibility problems we have seen recently. Colder night

for all of us and why we will see light showers in the morning, there

is enough sun to get the temperatures up. For much of the

data model, it is fine and drive. Cloudy at times. Sunny spells is a

good way to describe it. We should see temperatures get it up to about

17 or 18 degrees. Lighter winds than we have seen today.

Sunday is more cloudy and there may be more of Bob first thing on Sunday

morning, but it should clear. Writer on Monday and rather cloudy, but

still try on Tuesday. Much cooler in the night—time. Have a nice weekend.

That's all from us. We will be back again on Monday at

630 a.m..