FENLAND: Dieters lose the pounds - and their trousers - for Air Ambulance

DIETERS LOSE THE POUNDS - AND THEIR TROUSERS - FOR AIR AMBULANCE

MARCH: Ten sponsored dieters from a rail freight haulage firm had problems keeping their old trousers up when they handed over cash to the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

The dieting team from First GBRf's depot in March managed to lose the weight of the average man between them to raise money for the charity.

Those taking part in the sponsored 'Freight Weight Challenge' managed to lose a total of 12 stone 6 lbs in three months - and gained £1165 for the air ambulance cause.

Fatty fish and chips were traded for healthy salads by the group of office workers, train drivers and ground crew in return for sponsorship.

Maggie Beecher, Regional Operations Manager East at Whitemoor, who helped organise the diet, said: "The Freight Weight Challenge has been a really positive experience, because by losing weight and asking friends and family to sponsor us we have not only helped ourselves but helped a fantastic local charity at the same time.

ASSAULTED POLICE OFFICERS AWARDED £75 COMPENSATION

WISBECH: Two police officers who were assaulted by drunken teenager Deejay Chapman were awarded £75 compensation each this week by District Judge Ken Sheraton sitting at Wisbech courthouse.

He heard how Chapman bit, kicked and spat at PC Paddy Reeve, and then lunged at PC Shell Bidwell.

The officers had been called out by paramedics, who were dealing with Chapman in West Parade, Wisbech, on March 27, said prosecutor Andrew Williams. Chapman was aggressive, and was arrested after shouting.

Chapman, 19, of Cherry Road, Wisbech, admitted two charges of assault and using threatening behaviour. He was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and also pay £60 costs.

Solicitor Roger Glazebrook said Chapman had drunk too much that night, because his girlfriend had finished with him.

"He does not remember what happened, and apologises for his behaviour," he added.

WOMEN WARNED TO SAFEGUARD THEIR PURSES

FENLAND: Safeguard your purses. That's the message from police in the Fenland area after four thefts took place on Monday.

Two of the thefts were in Thing Me Bobs in Broad Street, March, at about 10.30am. Both victims, who were women over 70, had their purses stolen from their handbags and one of the women also had her make up bag stolen at the same time.

Also in March, at the Factory Shop in Wisbech Road at about 1pm, a woman's purse was stolen from her handbag, which had been left unattended.

In North Brink, Wisbech, at about midday, a 60-year-old woman was jostled by three women described as being in their early 20s. The woman then discovered her purse had been stolen.

Trevor Bracken, community engagement and crime reduction manager, said: "It is likely that the three March offences are connected.

"Two men and two women were seen acting suspiciously in the Factory Shop at the time of the offence and were then seen to drive off in a dark blue Vauxhall Astra car with modified rear lights known as Lexus rear lights.

"Unfortunately, this type of offence is on the increase and shoppers must be extra careful with their purses.

"Handbag or purse alarms costing £2.50 are also available at all police stations in Fenland.

"If anyone has information concerning these offences, or the Vauxhall Astra, please contact police."

CONTACT: Crime Management Unit on 0845 456 4564 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

SCRAP VEHICLE BATTERIES STOLEN FROM RECYCLING CENTRE

WHITTLESEY: Two tonnes of scrap vehicle batteries have been stolen from a recycling centre.

The theft, from Whittlesey Recycling Centre on New Road in Whittlesey, took place between 5pm on Monday, April 7 and 8.10am the following day.

Offenders broke into the premises and stole the batteries from plastic bins.

PCSO Matthew Smart, who is investigating, said: "I would like to speak to anyone who saw anything suspicious at the centre during these times. The batteries would have needed to be transported in a large vehicle.

"Please get in touch if you know anything."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PCSO Smart at Whittlesey Police Station on 0845 456 4564 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

TEENAGER WHO DEALT DRUGS IN FRONT OF CCTV CAMERA GIVEN SUSPENDED JAIL SENTENCE

WIMBLINGTON: A teenager caught dealing drugs right in front of a CCTV camera was given an eight week suspended jail sentence this week.

David Brandon had admitted supplying deals of herbal cannabis, and being in possession of 15.2 grams of the class C drug.

Brandon, 18, of March Road, Wimblington, must carry out 180 hours of unpaid work during the 18-months of his suspended sentence, and was ordered to pay £60 costs by District Judge Ken Sheraton .

Prosecuting, Andrew Williams said Brandon had taken plastic bags and scales to the home of a friend, who had obtained some cannabis. They divided it into £20 deals, and went into March town centre to sell it.

Brandon had been naïve, said solicitor Anita Waterman. "He had no idea of the seriousness of what he had got involved in," she said. "He saw it as helping a mate."

She said Brandon only supplied to friends who were cannabis users, it was social supply.

POLICE ISSUE WARNING AFTER VEHICLE THEFTS

FENLAND: Police are asking drivers not to leave valuable items in vehicles.

The warning comes after a number of thefts from vehicles across central division (Huntingdonshire and Fenland).

At about 4pm last Thursday (April 10) a Ford Transit van was entered in Sweeting Avenue, Little Paxton and an HD digital recorder was stolen.

Between 6pm on Tuesday, April 8 and 10.35pm the following day a blue Citroen Saxo was broken into in Muntjac Close, Eaton Socon. A CD/radio player was taken.

CDs, a CD player and loose change were stolen from a black Citroen Saxo parked in Milton Avenue, Eaton Ford. The theft took place between 7pm on Tuesday (April 8) and 7.30am the following day.

Between 3am and 4am last Tuesday (April 8) a gold Peugeot 306 was broken into in Salcott Drive, Wisbech. A laptop, sat nav, CDs, a rucksack and digital camera were taken.

Sally Davies, community engagement and crime reduction manager, said: "Any items left inside a vehicle can be tempting to an opportunist thief.

"The best advice is to remove all items from inside your vehicle so that the temptation isn't there - that includes your glove box. If you leave it open, a thief can see there is nothing inside to take."

WATERFRONT EDUCATIONAL PROJECT WINS NATIONAL AWARD

WISBECH: An educational project in Wisbech led by Cambridgeshire Environmental Education Service (CEES) has won a national award.

The project - which centred on the Nene Waterfront Regeneration scheme - won the Education and Learning Category of the National Waterways Renaissance Award. The project was selected from more than 20 shortlisted and the award was presented recently at a special ceremony in Manchester.

CEES - which is part of Cambridgeshire County Council - offers Cambridgeshire schools support for environmental education and education for sustainable lifestyles from its bases at Stibbington, Upware, Wisbech and Coldham.

Working with Fenland District Council and its partner organisations, CEES has been developing the award-winning education package during the past year. Focus for the work is the multi-million pound Nene Waterfront Regeneration project based around Wisbech Harbour.