23/01/2014 Spotlight

Violent crime, sexual offences and shoplifting are all on the increase

but overall crime has fallen in Devon and Cornwall.

Good evening, welcome to Spotlight. Tonight, we'll be investigating what

the force is doing to combat the rise in some offences and hear from

a victim of crime. Also in the programme: 900 jobs

under threat at the Land Registry in the South West. Staff in Plymouth

and Weymouth could see their jobs privatised as the Government looks

for flexibility on pay and conditions.

And the new recruits making a dogged difference to a search and rescue

team. There's been a big increase in

violence and sexual crime across Devon and Cornwall, according to new

police figures. Across the two counties in 2013 there was an

overall fall in recorded crime of almost 3%. But within that, public

order offences were up almost 20%. Violent offences were up by more

than 5%. And sexual offences rose by almost 12% although police say much

of that may be due to increased confidence amongst victims to report

crimes. Spotlight's home affairs correspondent, Simon Hall, reports.

This man was set upon in an unprovoked assault in a night out in

Exeter. It has had a lasting effect. It is almost a paranoid feeling. You

are barely aware of everyone knew what past and people who looked

dodgy. It is quite scary I suppose. It does make you think, why can't

you just go out and enjoy yourself and just have fun. Why does someone

have to go out in a malicious way Andrew in that for you?

Violent crime, much of it related to alcohol and the night`time economy,

is one of the main concerns. It rose by more than 5%.

That is an area, quite rightly, that the public would expect the police

to take not just an active interest in, but an active intervention. We

are going to look at how we can intervene individually and as

partner organisations to reduce the amount of violent crime.

The police also said they working were considering cutting some

operations to make savings. They couldn't say how many civilian staff

might lose jobs. They said a target to reduce crime by 2% will be

missed. Given they have already suffered wide`ranging budget cuts

and more are expected. Before news of the possible job

losses at inquiry offices emerged this afternoon, I spoke to the Devon

and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Hogg. When he took

office he said tackling violent crime and domestic abuse was a top

priority. I asked him when his policies would start having an

impact. We are already having an impact in

the mail this because never before have we had such an analysis `` in

my office. I have a team working very hard with the police to find

out what is going on in the areas of violence and the other areas you

mention and I am very pleased with the progress we are making.

Having a team in your office analysing the figures is all well

and good but I would imagine people watching this programme would like

to know what is being done in practical terms to make them safer

and to deal with issues such as violent abuse and domestic offences.

One of the first things I did was to stop the decline I inherited on the

reduction of Holy See officers. I am determined to hold policing officers

up. I want to reassure the public. I am sorry to push up but I'm still

not clear what practical difference, what change of strategy, will be in

place by Paul is on the ground to deal with things like domestic abuse

and violent disorder. What practical steps were the public see?

To some extent this is an operational matter for the Chief

Constable to deliver and he is already delivering a new policing

and distribution of police officers to I just the distribution of the

service to the issues that they face, ie challenging more specific

areas of crime that you mentioned. It is my job to hold the police to

account and we do that in the public eye regularly and it is my job to

invite the Chief Constable to get past the solutions and not come up

with them myself. Thank you very much. A youth club

volunteer who locked young girls in a computer room and abused them has

been jailed for 20 years at Exeter Crown Court.

Mark Chudley of Mount Pleasant Road in Brixham, was found guilty of two

counts of rape, three of false imprisonment, gross indecency

against a child and nine counts of indecent assault.

Police in Dorset say an operation to tackle domestic abuse over Christmas

and New Year was a success and will be repeated. Cases of domestic abuse

fell by 5% over the period compared with the same time the previous

year. Only a quarter of the badgers killed

in a pilot cull in Somerset were culled using controlled shooting,

official figures have revealed. Just 360 badgers of the 1450 culled in

the six`week trial were free running. Far more were trapped in

cages and shot. The figures have prompted further criticism of claims

that the culls were a success. Spotlight has learned that up to 900

jobs could be under threat in the region as privatisation is

considered for the Land Registry. The registry is an arm of the

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and keeps track of who

owns property. Its South West bases are at Weymouth, employing around

230 people, and in Plymouth, where 650 staff work. Plymouth is the

organisation's national computer centre and it's from there that our

business correspondent Neil Gallacher reports.

Staff at the Land Registry in Plymouth face an uncertain future.

Just as at Weymouth, the jobs here are especially valuable to the local

economy because he, and conditions are relatively good. This

organisation has been seen as an employer on which the local economy

can depend. After a government consultation there is the idea to

change. I am concerned about a worse service

for the public. People of the lower calibre on lower salaries will do ``

do a worse job. The main aims are a better service

and more flexibility on pay and recruitment.

We are hard`working public servants that do a good job and deserve to be

awarded as such. Like The Met Office, the Land

Registry is currently a trading harm. They are a cornerstone of the

property industry even though they are often hidden in the background.

The sell`off could raise billions. What are the chances of some forms

of privatisation taking place? Some change looks nigh uncertain but

they haven't ruled out doing nothing. It wouldn't necessarily

mean the closure of either office but I know some staff have been

worried about those options. What has been the wider reaction?

Politicians are watching it closely. Alison Seabeck says she will be

taking questions on notice. They are worried that public services are

having to be more efficient but what the effect of that is on the local

population. A second search for an angler

missing off North Cornwall has been called off. The angler, washed off

rocks near Polzeath yesterday, was tonight named as 23`year`old Mike

Bindon from Plymouth. Spotlight's David George reports.

Coastguard cliff rescue teams from Polzeath and had still carried out

the search. 23`year`old Mike Bindon from Plymouth was swept off the

rocks yesterday morning. Coastguard rescue teams were involved in the

initial search. This is a camera on board a lifeboat searching the sea

in a two metre swell. The missing angler was wearing a hooded jacket,

jeans and trainers. Angling experts say that angler 's should carry

survival equipment like that used in other water based activities.

We would advised people to wear a flotation device like a survival

suit or a survival suit are flatpack life jacket. Going in pairs has

proved invaluable in this case. If the gentleman had been on his own we

would never have known. Nothing was found in the search

today and no further searches are planned.

A boat service providing a lifeline to flooded communities in Somerset

will continue. The service to Muchelney and Thorney is crewed by

the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. It was due to end

tomorrow. But the County Council says it'll pay for it for as long as

it is needed. There were long delays for drivers

commuting to Plymouth this morning after a crash on the A38. Traffic

queued for more than eight miles on some approaches as police closed

part of the road, near Plympton, to deal with the accident.

Drivers who use the tag payment system on the Tamar Bridge and

Torpoint Ferries could have to pay more from April. There are plans to

impose a new 80p a month charge to raise an extra half a million pounds

a year. The new fee will mean that crossing charges will not have to go

up for at least the next three years.

The Plymouth Moor View MP, Alison Seabeck, says teachers are forcing

too many 16`year`olds to continue their education at school instead of

going to college or taking up an apprenticeship. She raised the issue

in the House of Commons today. Our Political Editor Martyn Oates joins

me now. What's been said? We are used to hearing politicians

applauding the fact that more children are staying at school and

then going on to university. She was making the point that that is not

right for everybody and schools should help people with other

options. Young people across Plymouth tell me

they are feeling like little more than walking pots of money when it

comes to careers advice and schools have been almost harassing them at

times when it comes to keeping them in school, almost mitigating against

some of them going off and doing engineering apprenticeships, as the

honourable gentleman pointed out. We spoke to some young people

pursuing vocational courses and they seem to agree.

I felt like I was being belittled because I couldn't make my own

decisions without it being a problem to them. It was almost a compulsory

thing to apply for sixth form when I didn't want to. I was disregarded.

We were told in the careers office, basically, sixth form was the way

forward. If you deterred of that party, you would essentially be

failing in life. They'd rather you stayed in sixth

form. I didn't want to do that, I had had enough of school by then,

I'd rather go back to college. Did the government have anything to

say about resolving this issue? More in agreements relate. Question

was answered by Vince Cable who is responsible for skills and

vocational training. Specifically in relation to schools,

we do recognise there is an issue with recognising the career path

that is non`academic and we will shortly issue guidance to schools on

how to access independent advice. Just before Christmas, he questioned

whether to many people were taking degrees they didn't really need. He

said to say that a nurse or a police officer needed a degree was simply

qualification inflation. Several governments have presided over

increasing numbers of people going to university so any criticism from

this kind of quarter is something to note.

Residents living along a country lane in Cornwall say its rural

nature has been spoilt after the council put up more than 60 no

parking signs. The signs are every 25 metres along the road, near

Newquay. But Cornwall Council says they are necessary to comply with

the law, as Spotlight's Eleanor Parkinson reports.

This country road like many others has its usual rural landmarks.

Rustic hedges, hates giving way to Jews of the sea and a sheep. ``

views of the sea. There is a parking saying and another one on the other

side of the road and we can see three others. Locals say they have

counted more than 60 signs on a one`mile stretch. The signs were

erected just before Christmas and many residents say they are an

eyesore and a waste of money. It is supposed to be an area of

great beauty and people come here to enjoy that.

It is clearly a case of regulations overcoming common`sense. This is a

site of scenic beauty. The hedges themselves are part of the heritage.

Tourists come to see the scenic beauty, they don't come to see road

signs. The council says they are designed

to control public parking `` problem parking in the summer and they have

to make them enforceable. However, discussions are taking place with

the parish council to see a things could be managed any different way.

The recent flooding which has affected much of the South West has

caused havoc for our wildlife. Smaller mammals, butterflies and

fish have been particularly hit but, as our Environment Correspondent

Adrian Campbell reports, it seems some of our wild birds are enjoying

the milder winter. Millions of cubic metres of water

has settled right here in the middle of the Somerset Levels. Effectively

transforming the landscape and making this spectacular inland lake.

Across the South West during December there was double the

rainfall you would expect. Together with the mild winter that has meant

some of wildlife has suffered. Hedgehogs should be asleep that this

time of year, hibernating, but the mild weather means many of them will

be waking up and looking for food. Some species of fish have spent the

autumn finding their beds have been covered.

The RSPB says this has been a good winter for birds.

The bit on the east coast threatened by a rising sea`level but now we

have the population. Of course we have seen lots of

flooding but the water on these reserves is also preventing flooding

and other parts of the region. It has been good weather for ducks.

They're highly trained, very enthusiastic, and they can do the

job of twenty people. I'm not talking about male presenters! And,

after two years of preparation, they're finally ready to get to

work. Yes, Cornwall Search Rescue team

has just welcomed two new members to its ranks ` the first four legged

volunteers in the charity's ten year history. Spotlight's Andy Birkett

has been to see them in action. Sharon and her dog Millie have

reason to celebrate. They have just graduated from training and are now

officially part of the Cornish search and rescue team. But it was

luck that brought them to the service.

It was just a chance conversation. On joining the team, I realised I

could bring two things together. I already had my dog as a young puppy

who was keen to be working. She needed something to do.

There are 11 search and rescue dogs in the South West but, before Sharon

and her colleague qualified this month, the Cornwall team didn't have

any, so this will make a huge difference.

Effectively, we are doubling the size of the team by adding two dogs

because each of the dogs can basically cover what 20

foot`searchers can do. Hidden in the bag is team`mate Phil.

Millie has got to find him. She is sniffing for that sent that

she can pick up. You can see her behaviour changed slightly. She has

found her dogsbody so she is coming back and will tell Sharon she has

found him. Then we just need to follow her.

She is loving this, isn't she? You can tell.

Absolutely. It is all just fun and a big game for them and the reward is

the ball. That's all she is doing it for really.

Eager to join in is Ziva, the next generation. She has clearly got the

enthusiasm but he has only just done her training.

The first process is trying to get the basic obedience before moving on

to the specialist search dog training. As you've seen today, she

is quite an energetic mood and I have been struggling to keep her in

a calm state. But Ziva has a long way to go. It

takes about two years on average to get the dog up to speed. Now it was

my turn to be a dogsbody. Body Andy in position and ready.

Thankfully, Millie didn't let me down.

She is getting close now, here they come.

WOOF! That didn't take very long.

But for her this is what it's all about.

They love it, don't they? I know, I would be tempted to leave

and do there. Now, do you know how old the Big Ben

bell is? Or when King Richard III was killed? Well, they're questions

you'd have to answer if you were looking to move to the UK from

abroad. They're part of the Life In The UK

test and people in North Devon have been finding out how British they

are by trying to answer some of the questions in a pub quiz. Spotlight's

John Danks went to see how they got on.

Which of these forts were part of Hadrian 's Wall? Choose to answers.

The monarch is the head of the Church of England, true or false?

The questions cover everything from history and politics through to the

British constitution. How often are elections held in

Britain? This crowd weren't planning to stay

in Britain but were taking its just as seriously.

They are starting to sweat. This lady has taken the real

citizenship test and questions from friends led her to host this quiz.

Akram is, as we say in the United States. The differences, if I don't

pass, I'm out of here. If they don't pass, they get another is gone ``

another scone or whatever it is. Some were surprised how difficult it

was. A lot of them were to modern day living.

I just guessed the answers and was lucky if I got right.

I passed so I can stay. The results are in and did everyone

get them all right? No, in fact quite a few fields to get 75%, the

pass mark. I think less than half past I passed

so, you know what, you guys are stuck with me. I'm here.

The British citizens must try harder.

It looks really difficult, doesn't it?

I might go online and have a look later.

Let us know if you've passed. We have got more rain in the

forecast not only for tomorrow but also for Sunday. The rain keeps on

coming. Tomorrow it will be accompanied by quite strong winds

but at least it is milder. Part of Somerset still badly flooded. We do

have a warning for further rain, particularly for those areas in

Somerset that are sensitive to rainfall. There will be quite tricky

driving conditions tomorrow. All of it is coming from this cloud that is

racing across the Atlantic. It will produce more persistent rain in the

early hours of the morning and widespread rain throughout tomorrow.

There will be mist and fog over the motherland. `` over the moorland.

Briefly today we did get some brightness but it was short`lived

because the cloud has been streaming and. Some glimpses of sunshine here.

With a bit of shelter, the south coast hasn't been so bad.

Temperatures up to eight or nine degrees. There are some fairly big

seas out there. Tonight, the rain is patchy nature and widespread by the

end of the night. Initially, we might see temperatures into single

figures but we won't have anything to worry about. Those temperatures

continue to increase as the milder air sets on but so does the rain. It

doesn't really clear until the evening. Unusually warm for the

month of January. Quite a wet day for the Isles of Scilly.

The surf is pretty mist up because of the wind.

Very messy conditions, quite dangerous on some beaches. Poor

visibility out at sea because of the rain. We still have several flood

warnings in place. There is the flood line number. Brighter on

Saturday but more wet weather on Sunday and Monday.

If you want to enjoy those search and rescue dogs again or any of the

other items they are on our Facebook page. Good night.

A star will be born on The Voice 2014!