Bobby Roberts' Circus, Crown takes over Cruelty Prosecution of Mr & Mrs Roberts

Bobby & Moira Roberts ( Roberts Circus, Peterborough) former owners of Anne the Elephant (aged 58) facing CPS cruelty charges before Corby Magistrates in Northamptonshire, on 16 November.

Anne the 58 year old Elephant moved to a place of safety
at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire

 Two circus owners Bobby  & Moira Roberts have been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to an elephant.

The elderly elephant Anne was moved to 'a place of safety' at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire. The legal action was originally brought by Animal Defenders International which investigated the elephant's welfare at Bobby Roberts' circus in Peterborough. 

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had now taken over the prosecution of both husband and wife Bobby and Moira Roberts, who run the circus who have Winter animal sheds near Peterborough.

Mr and Mrs Bobby Roberts will appear before Corby Magistrates in Northamptonshire, on 16 November.

Bobby and Moira Roberts  are charged with keeping the 58-year-old elephant chained to the ground at all times. They are also accused of failing to prevent an employee from repeatedly beating Anne. The beating was captured on CCTV set up by Animal Defenders International and widely shown on the Internet.  The elephant Anne was brought from Sri Lanka to The Bobby Roberts Super Circus in Peterborough in the 1950s. (In addition to live circus animal performances, the Roberts family also hire out live animals for film and tv productions)

A CPS spokesman said: "Given the public concern over the case, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, has now agreed that the Crown takes over and continue the legal proceedings against Bobby and Moira Roberts."

.. (C) Stanground & Park Farm News 2011 E&OE Tel: 01733 345581 ..... ALL ENQUIRIES LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE: 0345 4564564 OR Dial 999. If you have information about crime contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to Court. >> Broadcast Quality ISDN 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & ATX >> Media Enquiries: JULIAN BRAY 01733 345581 www.tinyurl.com/STANGROUNDPFNW  E&OE

Latest OFSTED report on Peterbrough Childrens Services Released

'Bungle' from ITVs MAGPIE

Interim Executive Director of Children's Services Adrian Loades claimed the annual performance assessment by Ofsted for Peterborough City Council provided a sound reflection of the council's strengths and weaknesses.

Peterborough's annual children’s services performance assessment, published  8 November 2011 by Government inspectors Ofsted, paints a stark overview of children's services performance in Peterborough, based upon published findings gathered from inspections throughout the past 12 months. The assessment does not take into account conditions since the inspections.  Peterborough could only receive a performing poorly judgement because safeguarding was judged as inadequate following an inspection of safeguarding services in August.

Mr Loades, who is on loan to Peterborough for 12 weeks, said: “It is important to remember this assessment is not based on new information, it is a reflection of all the Ofsted inspections carried out throughout the year including the safeguarding inspection in August. I believe it is a fair synopsis of Peterborough and I am pleased to see that our key strengths are outlined. Unfortunately because we received an inadequate judgement in the safeguarding inspection we couldn’t receive any other overall judgement than performing poorly.

“We recognised these weaknesses and took immediate and direct action and are already starting to work through a robust improvement plan to ensure children in Peterborough are being safeguarded properly.”

Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Councillor Sheila Scott who refused several calls for her resignation said: "It has been a difficult year for Peterborough but we have never hidden away from that."

Read the OFSTED report in full by clicking on the headline above.....

.. (C) Stanground & Park Farm News 2011 E&OE Tel: 01733 345581 ..... ALL ENQUIRIES LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE: 0345 4564564 OR Dial 999. If you have information about crime contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to Court. >> Broadcast Quality ISDN 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & ATX >> Media Enquiries: JULIAN BRAY 01733 345581 www.tinyurl.com/STANGROUNDPFNW

Community Champions launched by Cambs Fire and Rescue

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) is launching a pilot Community Champion scheme in South Cambridgeshire to encourage residents to carry out safety checks on their homes.

Community Champions will be recruited to speak to local communities about home fire safety and escape plans. They will also referring those people who don't feel confident about undertaking a check of their own home. The volunteers may also be asked to complement the service already being delivered by attending community events and providing support.

Community Champions will participate in training to enable them to develop interpersonal skills, enhance their CVs, make new friends and improve their knowledge of the work undertaken by the CFRS.   No previous qualifications or specific skills are needed as CFRS are seeking people from diverse backgrounds.   CFRS is working in association with Cambridgeshire ACRE, a community charity, to deliver the scheme.

 Graham Stagg Chief Fire Officer said: "Having Community Champions from the local population gives us an ideal opportunity to reach into local communities and increase fire safety awareness. Community Champions will help to spread the message about the importance of completing a home fire safety check and of having an escape plan that the whole family know how to follow in the event of an emergency.  By recruiting local people who know the area where they live, we are aiming to reach all of the community and particularly those people who would not normally think about fire safety."

If the pilot scheme is successful, it will be rolled out across the County.

• Anyone interested in becoming a Community Champion or in finding out more should telephone Lynda Bubb on 01353 865037 quote PFNW         

.. (C) Stanground & Park Farm News 2011 E&OE Tel: 01733 345581 ..... ALL ENQUIRIES LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE: 0345 4564564 OR Dial 999. If you have information about crime contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to Court. >> Broadcast Quality ISDN 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & ATX >> Media Enquiries: JULIAN BRAY 01733 345581 www.tinyurl.com/STANGROUNDPFNW

Your City ~ Your Council, Cabinet Meeting 7th November 10am

Your City ~ Your Council

Cabinet Meeting Monday 7th November 10am, report by Morag Irving

A short agenda for today starting off with the presentation of a proposed ‘Single Equality Scheme’ presented to the cabinet by Cllr Irene Walsh. This is an ‘umbrella’ document which would cement all the council’s equality schemes into one.

Cllr Scott hoped the document would be accepted, and Cllr Walsh expressed her hope this would happen as she "wanted to see this going forward sooner than later".however, under questioning from other members of Cabinet, it emerged the document was put together with out of date information.

Cllr Holdrich questioned if the cabinet should agree this document. Cllr Cereste suggested it was re-introduced at the next PCC meeting with amendments made.

At this point Cllr Walsh changed her position and said she would not put her name to it, and was “not happy with the way this was put together as the statistics need looking at and I am not prepared to put my name to it”. Incredible, a complete turnaround, 10 minutes it would seem is a long time in politics. What a mess!

Cllr Hiller presented the “Draft Housing Strategy 2011-2015", Cllr Hiller stated Peterborough was one of the first councils to produce a Strategy. It includes sections devoted to affordable housing and takes into account a growing population. (I am reading this document closely as I would like to report on how this impacts our areas).

The final item again presented by Cllr Hiller was the ‘Peterborough Local Development Framework”. This one is much more interesting than it sounds. It includes a list of buildings of local importance.

Guild House - On the list

Simon Machen Head of Planning answered questions from the cabinet. As the document states it will ‘protect woodland’. Cllr Fitzgerald was very keen to add that one tree could stop a development and said some people considered a tree more important. The Cllr went on to point out if ancient woodland had not been cut down the Bretton centre would not exist, some of us would consider that a bad bargain Cllr Fitzgerald !

Cllr Lee also pointed out that some trees although not ancient and not of any special species remained important to people - indeed.

Cllr Fitzgerald then turned his attention to the Bridge Street trees, saying that some people had sought to save them, when the councils report (which has not been made public) said the trees should be thinned out ~ (perhaps someone should take Cllr Fitzgerald aside and tell him about Peterborough’s Green policy!)

Watch out! Here comes Cllr Fitzgerald & his little axe

A final note from Cllr Goodwin who asked about section PP6, the criteria for tourism in villages.

Julian Bray (who attended) adds: In all, the Cabinet robustly debated the issues and one flawed major piece of work has been rightly rejected and sent back to be reworked. Clearly Cllr Walsh (and all other Councillors for that matter) need to take a closer detailed interest, outside of council meetings in all projects bearing their name. It seems strange that Cllr Walsh would not have closely read through, checked and signed off the document in consultation with officers prior to the formal cabinet meeting. The 70 page document contained out of date information and therefore totally misleading and incorrect. Cllr Walsh had clearly not seen this version of the document prior to cabinet. It was also sad to see that not all members of Cabinet were wearing poppies. ..

 (C) Stanground & Park Farm News 2011 E&OE Tel: 01733 345581 ..... ALL ENQUIRIES LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE: 0345 4564564 OR Dial 999. If you have information about crime contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to Court. >> Broadcast Quality ISDN 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & ATX >> Media Enquiries: JULIAN BRAY 01733 345581 www.tinyurl.com/STANGROUNDPFNW

Crimestoppers Figures October 2011 ~ From Tim Edgley

Crimestoppers Figures October 2011 ~ from Tim Edgley

Good news this month!

51 new leads received, 2 detections, 1 convicted person and 5 successful leads

So, if you have ever wondered if its worth making that call - it is.

(C) Stanground & Park Farm News 2011 E&OE Tel: 01733 345581 ..... ALL ENQUIRIES LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE: 0345 4564564 OR Dial 999. If you have information about crime contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to Court. >> Broadcast Quality ISDN 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & ATX >> Media Enquiries: JULIAN BRAY 01733 345581 www.tinyurl.com/STANGROUNDPFNW

INDIVIDUAL INTER-COUNCILLOR 'SECRET' WRITTEN REPLIES - PFNW BREAKTHROUGH

 Information Detention Centre

Your right to know ~ boldly campaigning on your behalf...
Morag Irving writes: A brilliant result for PFNW this week!

When a councillor asks a question at council, the responding councillor will often reply by letter or e mail. Thus the public are not given access to the reply and the reply is not usually publicly available online....

We have formally requested the public be shown these replies.  The PCC has now agreed that from now on those written replies will now be shared and added to the minutes of council meetings..... excellent news! 

.. (C) Stanground & Park Farm News 2011 E&OE Tel: 01733 345581 ..... ALL ENQUIRIES LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE: 0345 4564564 OR Dial 999. If you have information about crime contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to Court. >> Broadcast Quality ISDN 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & ATX >> Media Enquiries: JULIAN BRAY 01733 345581 www.tinyurl.com/STANGROUNDPFNW

Peterborough, Stanground Newsagents robbed at knifepoint video released

Cambs POLICE have released a CCTV video on YouTube of an armed robbery taking place at a Peterborough newsagents, Stanground News, in a bid to generate new leads. The robbery at Stanground News, in Ayres Drive, took place at about 5.30am on October 14th

The shop had just opened when two men entered dressed in  black clothing and black scarves around their heads, one brandished a claw hammer and the other a knife.

A member of staff was told to lie on the floor and was then struck with the hammer. He tried to protect himself with a case of cans, before the other robber approached and lunged at him with the knife.

The victim managed to get out of a door at the rear of the shop and also locked it after him. He was treated for minor injuries. The robbers made off with about 20 packets of tobacco.

Detective Sergeant Dave Taylor, who is investigating, said: "This was terrifying incident for the shopkeeper who was threatened and struck by these masked men.

"I would urgently appeal for anyone who was in the area at the time or who thinks they recognise the men involved to contact police."

Anyone with information should contact Det Sgt Taylor on
0345 456 456 4, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
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.. (C) Stanground & Park Farm News 2011 E&OE Tel: 01733 345581 ..... ALL ENQUIRIES LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE: 0345 4564564 OR Dial 999. If you have information about crime contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to Court. >> Broadcast Quality ISDN 01733 555319 ISDN Codecs G722 & ATX >> Media Enquiries: JULIAN BRAY 01733 345581 www.tinyurl.com/STANGROUNDPFNW