Parents of teenage crash victim pay tribute to daughter
The parents of a teenage girl who died in a car crash on Saturday have released a heartfelt tribute to their "beautiful daughter."
Firefighters talk about road safety
Firefighters in Wiltshire have been raising awareness about road safety.
Fire warning over chip pans
People are being warned of the dangers of chip pan fires as the nation celebrates its favourite food.
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Fire bomber caught by blast
Explosion. Was this arsonist badly burned? It happened on Sunday 31st March 2013 between 2.30am and 3am at the Mookrakers pub car park, Gorse Hill, Swindon. A silver Renault Megane parked in the pub car park was set alight. It happens at 57 seconds into the video.
CCTV images show a suspect on a bike approach the vehicle in the car park before setting it on fire. The vehicle then explodes into flames and it is believed that the suspect may have suffered burns as a result of this explosion before then cycling down the side of the pub.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.
New police commissioner unveils plan
Newly-elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Wiltshire and Swindon, Angus Macpherson, has published his first "Police and Crime Plan" today.
He said: "There is an underlying theme throughout the plan: partnership, pro-activity, prevention. This is key to me in helping to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in Wiltshire and Swindon.
"For example, I want to strengthen neighbourhood policing by creating Safer Neighbourhood Teams, involving not just the police but other agencies, such as local authorities, and communities themselves, such as through the various ‘watch’ schemes."
Other initiatives include a £1 million fund for outside organisations to help reduce crime to come from the PCC’s reserves. Organisations may be able to apply for the funding as early as mid-April.
The full version of the plan can be read here.
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Banned from streets in Swindon
The 12-month injunction was brought against Krystal O’Sullivan, 29, of no fixed address, at Swindon County Court under the Housing Act by Swindon Borough Council and backed by West Swindon Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Police have been called to Crawford Close 81 times in the last 12 months, mainly for disturbances involving Ms O’Sullivan and a man. She is banned from engaging in, or threatening to engage in, conduct capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to anyone at Elsie Hazel Court, Freshbrook
Engaging in, or threatening to engage in, conduct capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to anyone at a specified address in Crawford Close, Freshbrook. Entering, or being in, the address in Crawford Close and entering the area below:
Aston Martin written off after being hit by pink Corsa
A £100,000 sports car will have to be written off after it was hit by a pink Vauxhall Corsa at a Wiltshire petrol station.
The Aston Martin DBS, like one used in James Bond films, was parked at the Esso garage at Kingshill, Swindon, when the Corsa came off a roundabout and hit the vehicle on the forecourt yesterday afternoon.
No one was injured in the crash.
The Aston Martin owner, who asked not to be named, told the Swindon Advertiser: "That will be a write-off. They won't fix that. I was filling up and then I saw the car coming towards me. My car moved into the pump and bumped the pump off."
Firefighters talk about road safety
Firefighters in Wiltshire have been raising awareness about road safety.
Read the full storyBedroom fire 'caused by mirror' firefighters say
A fire that badly damaged a bedroom in a house at Charlton, near Malmesbury, on Saturday was most likely caused by sunlight reflecting off a mirror, firefighters say.
Four Wiltshire crews were called to the property in Park Street, at 2.50pm, after fire broke out in a first floor bedroom.
Six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the room where the blaze was contained because of the quick-thinking occupier, who closed the doors on the affected area.
Investigators later concluded that the most likely cause was sunlight reflecting off a mirror.
– Group Manager Ian JearyWhere you have a mirror or any other glass object, such as an ornament, that is curved, this allows the glass to act as a lens.
"When the sunlight hits it, it becomes concentrated, and if the rays are bounced onto something flammable, such as curtains in this incident, then a fire can start.
"It does depend on the angle of the sun, but any mirror or glass ornament with a curve in it should never be left on a windowsill or surface by a window.”
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Wiltshire - 96% of pupils get first choice secondary school
Wiltshire Council has posted offers of secondary school places today to all applicants whose forms were submitted by the deadline of 31 October 2012.
The authority said 4,400 children have applied to start secondary school in the county in September 2013.
Officials say a record 96% of children have been offered their first choice school, up from 93.5% last year.
Offers must be accepted or rejected by 18 March, after that deadline the 200 submissions made after the closing date will be considered.
– Lionel Grundy, Cabinet member for children services“This is an important time for children and their parents and to be able to provide so many with their first choice of secondary school is particularly good news.”
– Debbie Clare, Admissions co-ordinator“I am pleased we have handled so many applications on time and such a high proportion of children are being offered their first choice school. My team has worked extremely hard to ensure we have effectively handled all applications.”
TRAVEL - ROADS: WILTSHIRE - A360 closed
The A360 Amesbury Road blocked in both directions blocked at Shrewton in Wiltshire after an accident, three vehicles involved between Rollestone Road and A344 (Airman's Corner). One of the vehicles has overturned. All emergency services are on scene.
Rare book signed by Richard III goes on display
A book that was given to King Richard III as a teenager has gone on public display at Longleat for the first time since it was written 550 years ago.
The rare signed book, which was written on vellum and features tales by Chaucer as well as other popular stories of the time, is part of a new exhibition on the Yorkist king which has opened at Longleat House in Wiltshire.
The book is one of only 13 of Richard III's books that is known to still exist.
It is especially valuable as he has signed it 'R Gloucester' as he was only the Duke of Gloucester as a young man.Above his signature he also wrote the words 'Tant le desieree', which means 'So much desired'.
Dr Kate Harris, curator, said: “It is a fascinating piece of history. His handwriting is extremely competent, which shows he was highly educated.
“Within the book are tales of derring-do, as well as classical Greek and Rome. Most of the books of the time were in French and Latin, so the fact that this one is in English is also unusual."
As well as the signed book, the new exhibition ‘The King’s Body: Richard III King of England 1483-1485’ features portraits on panel of the King alongside his two predecessors on the throne his brother, Edward IV and his nephew, Edward V as well as his successor Henry VII.
TRAVEL - ROADS: WILTSHIRE - J17-J16/M4 queues
Queueing traffic on M4 Eastbound between J17 A350 / A429 / B4122 (Chippenham) and J16 A3102 / B4005 (Swindon West). In the roadworks area.
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