2018 Local News Stories

[boatbuilder]

Latest post of the previous page:

Motorcyclists clocked speeding at 155mph near Norwich

Five motorcyclists were clocked speeding at 155mph (249km/h).
The three men and two women were stopped by police on the A47 near Norwich in August last year.
They are due to face a disqualification hearing in court in June.

Watch the Police Motorcyclist Video

[Trigger]

Lowestoft 'frozen to death' patient had been evicted

A man thought to have frozen to death 16 hours after police voiced concerns about his welfare had recently been evicted from his home, it has emerged.
Concerns about Anthony Barnard, 57, were first voiced after he was spotted sitting outside the property in Lowestoft on 27 December.
The East of England Ambulance Service decided at that stage no ambulance was required.
The following morning - 16 hours after the first 999 call - he was found dead.
Suffolk Police has confirmed it has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) - formerly known as the Independent Police Complaints Commission - over its handling of the incident.
The ambulance service is currently investigating its handling of Mr Barnard's case but has previously told the BBC his death occurred during a very busy period.
The BBC has now learned Mr Barnard was declared bankrupt in 2017 and that he had been evicted from his Priors Close home at the end of September.
Full article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-42818123

[Trigger]

Ipswich Town fan nets player's shirt after Twitter 'banter'

A football fan who chanced his luck "for banter" on Twitter ended up with a signed shirt worn by one of his team's players.
Jordan Hockold, 25, from Lowestoft, Suffolk, asked Ipswich Town player Bersant Celina on Twitter: "How many retweets for a signed shirt?".
Celina tasked him to get 1,000 retweets and the social media world obliged.
The player kept his word and gave Mr Hockold the shirt he wore against Leeds, which Celina scored the winner.
As first reported by the East Anglian Daily Times, Mr Hockold admitted he did not expect to hit the target but as soon as he did, "proper top bloke" Celina sent him a congratulatory direct message and arranged to meet him.
"Not only did he give me the signed shirt he took time to answer any question that I had and listen to my point of view," Mr Hockold said.
"He even said to me football is nothing without fans."
Celina, 21, is currently on loan at Portman Road from Premier League side Manchester City and has scored eight goals in 27 matches for the Tractor Boys.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-42821858

[Trigger]

MP ‘absolutely horrified’ after 12-year-old schoolgirl is attacked by drunken men in broad daylight

The 12-year-old girl was grabbed by three men, who brandished a broken piece of glass and scratched her face, arms and wrist with it.
Police are seeking witnesses in connection with the assault, which happened in broad daylight at about 9am on Thursday, January 25.
Investigations are under way after the attack happened on a footpath between St Margaret’s Road and Church Road in Lowestoft.
The young girl was walking alone along the footpath in Lowestoft when she was approached by three men, who were wearing black hooded tops and described as “very drunk.
They grabbed her and then scratched her causing superficial cuts, according to police.
The victim bravely managed to free herself and flee, while the attackers “staggered away.”
A Suffolk police spokesman said the incident happened while the 12-year-old was walking to school, and the young girl was subsequently admitted to hospital for further treatment following the attack.
Condemning the incident, Waveney MP Peter Aldous urged people in Lowestoft to come forward with any information about the assault.
Full article: http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/ ... -1-5371438

[Trigger]

County council apologises for ‘difficult journeys’ after 37 crashes on icy Norfolk roads

Failure to grit roads led to 37 crashes during the morning rush hour as motorists navigated icy and hazardous conditions.
Norfolk County Council has apologised for not taking action after weather forecasts had predicted more clement conditions.
However commuters woke to temperatures of below freezing, with Norfolk Police called to reports of 37 crashes around the county between 7am and 9.30am.
Many were attended by Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service, who had to cut around 10 people from their cars.
A Norfolk County Council spokesman said: “We buy a weather forecast service from a specialist provider which we use to inform our decision on whether to grit, and also where and when.
“While it’s usually very accurate, the forecast for Thursday night suggested road temperatures would not dip below freezing, so on this occasion we unfortunately didn’t have the information needed to send the gritters out.
“We’re sorry if this meant that some people experienced difficult journeys this morning.”
The council also attracted criticism for a tweet it had posted on Thursday, which stated: “The sun has got it’s [sic] hat on, the weather’s mild and bright, the sun has got it’s [sic] hat on and there’s no gritting tonight”.
That “gleeful tweet” was criticised on Facebook, but the council said it had been posted in the early afternoon, based on the forecast at the time.
Full article: http://www.edp24.co.uk/motoring/norfolk ... -1-5371480

[Trigger]

Waveney councillors approve 28.6pc rise in allowances

Waveney councillors have voted to award themselves a 28.6pc allowance increase following a recommendation from an independent panel.
The increase will see district councillors receiving £4,787.57 in basic allowances each year, back dated to April 2017, a rise from the £3,722 previously paid.
The change, however, was voted against by members of the Waveney Labour group who said it was the wrong time for an increase when the “inevitable increase” in council tax would land on residents’ doormats in a few weeks time.
Twenty-three Conservative councillors voted in favour, with one abstention.
In its report to the council, the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) said the disparity in the amount of basic allowance between Waveney district councillors and those at Suffolk Coastal had been recognised, particularly in light of the shared working between both councils and the similarity of roles and responsibilities.
It said the disparity also highlighted the fact that Waveney councillors had, over a number of years, foregone any increases in their basic allowance, and that the council’s allowance was very low in comparison to other councils in the area.
Full article: http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/ ... -1-5370389

[Trigger]

“Your worst nightmare” - house on residential street is devastated by fire

Fire crews spent hours battling a devastating fire as it tore through a house on a residential street.
Firefighters, police and the ambulance service were initially called to the property on Addison Road in Gorleston at about 11.30am this morning.
Nobody was in the house when the fire began, but a quick-thinking neighbour was on hand to rescue two dogs before the fire crews arrived.
Crews discovered that the blaze had spread rapidly through the house, including to the roof.
Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service took to Twitter to warn people to “avoid the area” and to “close windows and doors”, whilst people on social media described seeing “thick smoke”.
Full article: http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/firefighter ... -1-5372143 link includes videos

[Trigger]

Watch footage of falcon swooping at murmuration of starlings above Suffolk

Stunning footage capturing a peregrine falcon swooping at a murmuration of starlings in Suffolk has attracted admiring comments from nature enthusiasts far and wide.
RSPB Minsmere posted the video on its Twitter account yesterday and it was quickly liked and shared by hundreds of followers.
“Forgive us for sharing starlings so much, but oh, how we’ve missed this spectacle,” it tweeted.
“Nothing so beautiful or exciting as seeing a peregrine stoop at tens of thousands of starlings, art and life entwined.”
Nature fans thanked the RSPB for sharing the video, which has been described variously as “amazing”, “awesome” and a “particularly beautiful display”.
Full article: http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/rspb-minsmer ... -1-5372025

[Trigger]

Strong smell of cannabis in tiny village as police dismantle huge drug factory

Police are still dismantling the huge cannabis factory that was discovered behind the walls of an industrial unit in a tiny Norfolk village.
Two people are awaiting questioning over the find of the 1,000 plants and growing equipment off Chequers Road, Tharston, near Long Stratton.
A forensics van and a police car are parked outside the building, while detectives are spending their second day taking apart the operation.
The factory was found at unit four on an industrial estate on Santareen Road. A search was carried out on Sunday at 2.30pm and is continuing today.
Det Supt Mick Roxby, from Norwich CID, said: “Police came down here yesterday and found one of these units was being used to grow a significant amount of cannabis.”
DS Roxby said the factory was the biggest one he had ever seen and described it as a significant set up.
A man in his 50s and a man in his 20s have been arrested and are at Wymondham Police Investigation Centre (PIC) awaiting interview.
Full article: http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/crime/canna ... -1-5373382

[boatbuilder]

122 People caught using mobile phones whilst driving in one week

More than 120 people were caught driving while using a mobile phone in Suffolk during a week-long enforcement campaign.

Operation Ringtone ran between Monday 22 January and Sunday 28 January, coinciding with a nationwide campaign led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

Officers patrolled the roads with marked and unmarked cars and motorcycles, which were all fitted with cameras to obtain evidence to help secure successful prosecutions.

In total roads policing officers issued 122 Traffic Offence Reports (TORs) to drivers using a mobile phone whilst driving. This compares with 62 TORs issued during the last week of action which took place between 10 and 16 July 2017.

Chief Inspector Kris Barnard, Head of the Norfolk and Suffolk Joint Roads Policing and Firearms Operations Unit, said: "This is a staggering number of people caught breaking the law - an average of 17 a day - and I am deeply concerned that such a high number of people are willing to risk other people’s lives by using their phone whilst driving.

"However, I think the fact almost twice as many people were caught during this week of action compared with the last one in July 2017, is as a result of an intelligence-led concerted effort of officers across the county.

"Many of the drivers who were stopped stated that they were not aware the penalties for the offence increased last year and offenders now receive a £200 fine and six penalty points, which for someone who has had their licence for less than two years would see it revert back to a provisional one.

"What all this does highlight though is that far too many people are oblivious to just how dangerous using your phone whilst driving is and the devastating consequences it can have if it causes you to be involved in a serious or fatal collision.

"Our message is simple – don’t put lives in danger and leave your phone alone whilst behind the wheel.”

Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Tim Passmore, said: "Time and time again we see drivers using their phones on the move so I was fully behind the Constabulary’s Operation Ringtone campaign to increase enforcement on our county’s roads.

"Using a mobile phone at the wheel is reckless and costs lives. It absolutely horrifies me when I see drivers on their phones and sadly we see it all too often.”

He added: "I hope the publicity around these campaigns, the higher penalties that drivers face for using their mobile phone, and the fact that members of the public are submitting footage, will finally make those who continue to flaunt the law take note.”

The above is a full transcript of the details issued by Suffolk Constabulary on 30th January 2018

[Trigger]

Live WWI bomb kept above fireplace shelf in Norfolk

A man has discovered he had a live mortar bomb from the First World War sitting on his mantelpiece for five years, police have revealed.
Its owner, who did not want to be identified, thought the shell had been deactivated when given it as a gift.
The man from Wormegay, Norfolk, gave it pride of place above the fireplace before his son decided to send a photograph of it to a collector.
He identified it as a live German Granatenwerfer mortar.
Norfolk police and a bomb disposal team were notified and a controlled explosion of the mortar was carried out.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-42872281

[Trigger]

Councillor admits “embarrassing oversight” as he fails to pay council tax on time

A councillor who failed to settle his council tax on time has labelled the incident an “embarrassing oversight”.
Edward Back, who represents the Oulton ward for Waveney District Council (WDC), missed two reminders and received a court summons after he failed to pay £444.08 in the 2016-17 tax year.
Mr Back explained he had let things get on top of him since his wife Susan died at the end of 2013.
The tax was for a property he owned but had previously rented out.
Mr Back said: “It wasn’t intentional on my part not to pay it. Sometimes one over looks things and unfortunately I did - as soon as I realised I settled it.”
WDC said the late payment was a “private matter for Mr Back and in no way impacts on his role as a councillor in Waveney”.
A spokesman said: “We are aware that this was an oversight on his part, that it has been resolved and that no further action will be taken.”
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/edward-back ... -1-5375306

[muzzy]

MP ‘absolutely horrified’ after 12-year-old schoolgirl is attacked by drunken men in broad daylight

The 12-year-old girl was grabbed by three men, who brandished a broken piece of glass and scratched her face, arms and wrist with it.
Police are seeking witnesses in connection with the assault, which happened in broad daylight at about 9am on Thursday, January 25.
Investigations are under way after the attack happened on a footpath between St Margaret’s Road and Church Road in Lowestoft.
The young girl was walking alone along the footpath in Lowestoft when she was approached by three men, who were wearing black hooded tops and described as “very drunk.
They grabbed her and then scratched her causing superficial cuts, according to police.
The victim bravely managed to free herself and flee, while the attackers “staggered away.”
A Suffolk police spokesman said the incident happened while the 12-year-old was walking to school, and the young girl was subsequently admitted to hospital for further treatment following the attack.
Condemning the incident, Waveney MP Peter Aldous urged people in Lowestoft to come forward with any information about the assault.
Full article: http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/ ... -1-5371438

Still trying to work out why this girl simply made the story up. Police have confirmed they are no longer investigating, having found out it was all a work of fiction.

[boatbuilder]

Muzzy, where did the information about the police no longer investigating come from? If it was 'made up' and as she apparently had hospital treatment then was she 'self harming' or what?

edit: I see it was reported in the journal yesterday. When making such responses, it would help to include a link that verifies it. I just happened to see it when I went back to the original link so here it is.
http://www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/news/ ... -1-5373036

What a waste of police time!

[boatbuilder]

RSPB Minsmere winter starling murmuration

Tens of thousands of starlings have been thrilling RSPB reserve visitors with an aerial ballet before settling down to roost.
The birds performed their spectacular murmuration at the Minsmere reserve in Suffolk.

VIDEO

What a fantastic sight.

[boatbuilder]

Great North Sea flood of January 1953 remembered

More than 300 people were killed 65 years ago when a tidal surge hit the east coast of England.
Richard Blundell talks about his experience as a boy, when he woke in the middle of the night to see water pouring into his house in Felixstowe, Suffolk.

VIDEO REPORT