New anti-terror unit for Lancashire

A new anti-terror police unit will soon be operating in the county.

Lancashire Police is targeting all members of the community with a project called Preventing Violent Extremism.

The project, led by Inspector Andrea Bradbury, involves workshops and presentations designed to encourage the public's discussion of the role of the police in counter-terrorism.

The aim is to protect against the influence of violent extremists.

Superintendent Andy Pratt said: 'This is formalising work that Lancashire has been doing over three years.'

Hospital bus company slams drunken louts

Revellers have been condemned for using a free shuttle bus service between two East Lancashire hospitals.

Drivers for Tyrer Bus, the company offering the service between  Burnley General Hospital and the Royal Blackburn Hospitals, are being abused by drunken casualties, while some people use the service purely to travel between the towns for nights out.

Tyrer Bus operations director Gary Hawthorne said: 'When these people get on our buses in these kinds of states, the onus ends up being on us and the health trust to look after them, so sometimes we have to refuse them entry.

'The bus is there for patients, visitors and staff, for the sole reason of transporting them between hospitals, but we have a few idiots who try to disrupt it for everyone.'

Top job in sight for ex-Lancashire police chief

Lancashire police bosses are backing their former chief for the UK's top police job.

Sir Paul Stephenson, 55, from Rossendale, is one of the favourites to become the  boss of the Metropolitan Police once Sir Ian Blair steps down.

Sir Paul, who was previously Lancashire Chief Constable,  joined the Met in 2005 where he became Sir Ian Blair's successor as deputy commissioner.

Malcolm Doherty, chairman of Lancashire Police Authority, said: 'I think he's a very good candidate for the job.  The work he did in Lancashire was groundbreaking.

'He is very positive, and thinks very quickly on his feet, which is another attribute that will serve him well at the Met.'

Python found in garden

A gardener had a lucky escape after finding a large python on his allotment on Monday.

Ronnie Kenyon, 58, went to pick up what he thought was a branch on the plot of land in Blackburn when he realised his mistake.

Police managed to put the 5m snake in an evidence bag to take to a local vet. 

Sgt Graham Brownsmith, of Lancashire Police, said: 'The only advice we were given was "Don't approach it from the front".

'Luckily it was a cold day so it was quite docile.  There's obviously a lot of strength in a snake of that size.'

No one has claimed the python and police believe it may have grown too big for its owner to keep.

Lancashire best for neighbourhood policing

Lancashire police officers have been recognised as the best in the country for neighbourhood policing.

A report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabularies (HMIC)  said Lancashire Constabulary 'exceeds the standard' in both neighbourhood policing and developing citizen focus - the highest possible grade.

As the only force in the UK to receive such an award for neighbourhood policing, the force was praised by HMIC for its innovative approach and reluctance to stand still.

The report says Lancashire is now a 'beacon force' which acts as an example to other authorities.

Police officer 'responsible' for road death

A police officer says he feels responsible for the death of a retired lecturer in a car accident almost two years ago.

Liverpool Crown Court heard yesterday that Pc Andrew Massingham, 41, led a police driving course on 2 November 2006 in which his colleague, Pc Sean Schofield, was involved in a head-on collision with Peter Williams' car on a country lane near Over Kellet, north Lancashire.

Mr Williams, 67, of Bolton-le-Sands, died of his injuries the following day.

Pc Massingham told the jury: 'I wish I hadn't chosen that road.  I feel responsible for it.'

Pc Schofield, 38, an advanced driver with Lancashire Police, had been driving at over 100 mph, despite the 60 mph speed limit.

Both officers deny causing death by dangerous driving.

New NowCards only, please!

Holders of NowCard concessionary bus passes should ensure they only use the new version after today.

That's the advice from Lancashire County Council, which has updated the NowCards to feature a hologram.  The card entitles holders to concessions on local buses and most other community transport schemes across Lancashire, including the Blackpool tramway.

Those who have yet to update their old card should call the NowCard helpline on 0845 058 1096.

Bob the idle builder?

Rising demand for social housing in East Lancashire is not being met.

A report by the National Housing Federation shows over 20,000 of the region's households await social housing, yet only 226 affordable homes were built last year. The Federation says demand stems from the near-impossibility for new buyers to get onto the property ladder, in the wake of the credit crunch.

The problem most obviously affects Blackburn and Darwen, where 10,066 households were on 2007's waiting list.  Across the whole North West, nearly 500,000 people now need affordable housing.