A spokesperson West Mercia Police said;

"South Wye SNT, have been informed about concerns relating to the sales of 'vapes' to children (under 18) by shops in the area of south Hereford.

Due to this information all shops have been visited to check they are checking for ID on sale. We were impressed by how some of the shops challenge age, however there is still room for improvement with others.

Police will be informing Trading Standards of the information and our findings to challenge the illegal sales to children within our community"

Image credit: pavel_shishkin

More than 200 knives have been surrendered and 15 people arrested as part of a national campaign to tackle knife crime.

Last week, West Mercia Police took part in Op Sceptre – a national dedicated week of action to tackle knife crime. During the week:-

• 231 knives were deposited in our knife surrender bins
• 15 people arrested
• 87 stop searches carried out
• 178 visits to local schools were made where officers talked to pupils about the dangers of carrying a knife
• 37 community events were held
• 50 diversionary visits
• 10 test purchases carried out to ensure retailers were complying with the law and not selling knives to children and young people under 18
• 207 retailer visited and advised around their responsibility in selling knives.

Superintendent Edward Hancox said: “We were pleased to once again be involved in operation sceptre, the dedicated week of action gives us an opportunity to highlight the work we do all year round to tackle knife crime.

“While our level of knife crime is relatively low across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcester, we are not complacent and we know that incidents do happen, often with devastating consequences. One incident is one too many which is why we will not stop in our work to bring down the level of knife crime even further.”

During the week police also joined up with the NHS to highlight vital first aid people can give to someone who has been stabbed.

Supt Hancox added: “Police alone cannot tackle knife crime and the support we have from our partner agencies, such as expert advice from the NHS, is absolutely crucial in helping prevent the number of people killed or seriously injured by a knife.

“While much of our work focusses on prevention and early intervention to stop a knife incident in the first place, if someone is stabbed first aid in the initial aftermath could potentially be the difference between life and death.”

Four simple steps to help someone who’s been stabbed:

1. Is it safe to approach? Consider your own safety

2. Put pressure on the wound.

3. Call 999.

4. Keep pressure on the wound until and ambulance arrives.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion said: “It is brilliant to see the impact West Mercia Police has made across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcester to tackle a crime that tears communities apart.

“As PCC, I am committed to delivering my Safer West Mercia Plan by ensuring your police force has the resources and tools it needs to combat knife crime.

“By working closely with local partners, society can turn the tide on knife crime by educating young people about the dangers of carrying a weapon and offering them the support they need to enjoy their childhood free from harm.”

Damien Lucas, 36, of New Street in Leominster was sentenced to 92 months in prison at Hereford Crown Court on Tuesday 23 May when he pleaded guilty to eight charges of:

1: Attempt to arrange / facilitate the commission of child sex offence - rape / assault by penetration of child under 13 (26/10/2022)

2: Make indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (23/06/2021) Particulars: 114 Cat A images

3: Make indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (23/06/2021) Particulars: 58 Cat B images

4: Make indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (23/06/2021) Particulars: 270 Cat C images

5: Make indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (28/02/2023) Particulars: 85 Cat A images

6: Make indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (28/02/2023) Particulars: 101 Cat B images

7: Distribute an indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (26/10/2022) Particulars: 1 Cat B image

8: Make indecent photograph / pseudo-photograph of a child (28/02/2023) Particulars: 279 Cat C images

Detective Inspector Matt McNelis said: “The strength of this 7 year sentence sends a strident message to online child sex offenders across the country. The possession, making and distribution of indecent images of children and the grooming of children to provide opportunities to commit contact offences are abhorrent crimes that we are fighting hard to prevent every day. Damien LUCAS pleaded guilty to having hundreds of images including 199 Category A images. Each of these depicts the rape and / or torture of a child. The possession and sharing of these images and videos re-victimises each child in perpetuity and we continue to work with partners, including Lucy Faithfull Foundation and Family Matters, to stamp out this vile trade in human misery.”

If you have been affected by child sexual abuse, you can contact police on 101 and speak to a police officer in confidence.

We recognise that not everyone has the confidence to speak to police, but there are support services available that can help you if you are a victim of abuse.

Anyone who has experienced abuse in childhood or is concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC helpline confidentially on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk. Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111.

Karen and Alex wrote to us today;

"Hi Colin,

We are the newest bar on bridge street situated between the Left Bank Village and The Tipsy Kat, lovely out door seating area with garden bar that opens over summer period, we offer free event hire (subject to conditions).

Perfect for hen, stags , parties , weddings , christening , wakes .

We have a small indoor play area to keep little ones entertain and offer a meal deals to keep the cost down. 

Open Monday to Sunday and later nights on a Friday and Saturday 

Thank you" 

Great to see the former unit previously occupied by The Den to be open again with this new and exciting business. 

Call in and say hi and on a gorgeous day like today try the ICE CREAM!! 🍧🍨🍦

Hereford Voice wish Karen and Alex all the very best and look forward to sampling that ice cream for ourselves! 

Hereford has some superb restaurants, pubs, bars and venues and this is another welcome addition to our fantastic city! 

Full Council yesterday announced how Herefordshire Council will be governed in the 2023/24 municipal year.

Councillor Jonathan Lester has been elected Leader of Herefordshire Council,

Councillor Roger Phillips is Chairperson of the Council and Councillor Stef Simmons is Vice-Chairperson of the Council.

Full Council also appointed Herefordshire Council’s committee chairpersons, confirmed as:

Audit and governance committee
Chairperson: Councillor David Hitchiner
Vice-Chairperson: Councillor Aubrey Oliver

Children and young people scrutiny committee
Chairperson: Councillor Toni Fagan
Vice-Chairperson: Councillor Liz Harvey

Connected communities scrutiny committee
Chairperson: Councillor Ellie Chowns
Vice-Chairperson: Councillor Ed O’Driscoll

Employment panel committee
Chairperson: Councillor Jonathan Lester
Vice-Chairperson: Councillor Ellie Chowns

Environment and sustainability scrutiny committee
Chairperson: Councillor Louis Stark
Vice-Chairperson: Councillor Helen Heathfield

Health, care and wellbeing scrutiny committee
Chairperson: Councillor Pauline Crockett
Vice-Chairperson: Councillor Kevin Tillett

Planning and regulatory committee
Chairperson: Councillor Terry James
Vice-Chairperson: Councillor Clare Davies

Scrutiny management board
Chairperson: Councillor Liz Harvey
Vice-Chairperson: Councillor Jenny Bartlett

Licensing sub-committee
Chairperson: Councillor Polly Andrews

Herefordshire Council have recently introduced QR codes displayed at over 500 bus stops across the county, providing instant information on the next bus due at your stop.

Much of this will be in 'real time' so you can see exactly when your bus is on its way!

There was not an empty seat anywhere! 

The Cathedral was packed full of people for the memorial service of David Morris and John Davies who died in a factory fire in the city almost 30 years ago. 

Jon Pryce Chief Fire Officer & Chief Executive for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said following the service;

"An incredible privilege to speak tonight at Hereford Cathedral to commemorate the installation of a permanent memorial to David Morris and John Davies who lost their lives fighting a fire in Hereford city 30 years ago. Thanks to all who worked so hard to arrange this service"

Chief Fire Officer Jon Pryce with the plaque in the Lady Arbour.

Mark, Stuart and Paul representing Leominster Fire Station at the presentation of a memorial plaque to John Davies and David Morris at Hereford Cathedral. A heart felt address given by CFO John Pryce remembering the sacrifice given at Sun Valley on 6th September 1993.

Photographs courtesy of Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service.

'Thank You For Your Service'

Photo: SWNS

Judge Nicholas Cole at Worcester Crown Court this afternoon slammed the farmer for his 'outrageous behaviour' but reduced his sentence by 2 months down to 10 months.

The farmer from Kingsland was sentenced to 12 months in jail by a district judge last month following the destruction of 1.5km of the protected River Lugg in 2020

Photograph courtesy of Jon Simpson

Following a 'Freedom Of Information' request made by Hereford Voice we can now outline the costs the Showman's Guild (May Fair) pay to Herefordshire Council (flat fees) for the duration of the May Fair in both 2022 and 2023 Hereford and Leominster;

• Hereford - £43,000
• Leominster - £7,000
• Total £50,000

The prices are paid are for each year 20220/2023 - £100,000 in total.

The Showman’s Guild do not pay for the removal of street furniture.

In 2022 the costs for the temporary relocation of street furniture and their return was £8,331.88. The costs of this for 2023 are not yet known at the time of writing. The cost associated with the removal of street furniture is always paid via the Public Realm contract. 

West Mercia Police are appealing for witnesses following a collision between a car and pedestrian at Hereford Country bus station yesterday afternoon.

At around 4.45pm yesterday (Monday 15 May) a grey Ford Mondeo collided with a pedestrian at the junction of Union Walk and the exit of the bus station.

The pedestrian, a 76-year-old man, was taken to hospital with injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.

We’re keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen the collision or have dash-cam footage.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Insp Darren Godsall on 07976939109 or darren.godsall@westmercia.police.uk quoting incident reference 376i of 15 May 2023

Herefordshire Council and its partner, Balfour Beatty Living Places (BBLP), are working together this spring and summer to maintain roadside verges in a way that will ensure the safety of road users while improving local biodiversity.

Road verge flora is deteriorating in many parts of the UK, with the decline, in part, down to the way we cut and manage verge habitat. Across the UK, cutting generally begins in the spring and is repeated in the summer so that few plants have a chance to set seed before the mowers return.

Combined with the practice of leaving cut vegetation to rot down in situ, this has caused a decline in roadside species and an increase in weed species such as nettles, cow parsley and hogweed, which is bad news for wildflower numbers and diversity.

It is also bad for populations of bees, beetles and butterflies that rely on these plants for food, and for the birds that eat these invertebrates.

A rural county like Herefordshire has the opportunity to value our verges by encouraging the verge to become a natural habitat for a wide range of plants, flowers, insects and other animals.

Ross Cook, Herefordshire Council Corporate Director of Economy and Environment, said: “The council and BBLP have been working with the group Verging on Wild for a number of years to improve how we manage our roadside verges. We first and foremost need to keep our roads safe, but it’s possible to do this in a way that also promotes biodiversity.”

You can report overgrown verges that are affecting visibility via the council website or by calling 01432 261800.

The new Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) will have the capacity to do 38,000 tests, examinations, and scans annually will open in Hereford later this year, the Government has confirmed.

Six new community diagnostic centres to deliver more than 500,000 lifesaving checks a year.

New CDCs to open in regions across the UK, adding to the 106 centres already up and running and helping to cut NHS waiting lists.

Tens of thousands of patients across the country are set to benefit from six new community diagnostic centres (CDCs) opening this year – with the ‘one-stop shops’ due to deliver more than 500,000 additional tests, checks and scans a year.

Cutting waiting lists is one of the government’s key priorities and the six new CDCs will offer patients a wider range of diagnostic tests closer to home, reducing the need for hospital visits and getting them the care they need sooner.

Regions including the East of England, Midlands and the South East will benefit with all new centres open to patients before the end of the year – with the government investing £2.3 billion to deliver up to 160 across England by 2025.

The new centres include:

• North Lincolnshire CDC – situated in a car park in Scunthorpe town centre, the facility will offer more than 146,000 additional checks a year. This will include ultrasound checks, blood tests and CT and MRI scans.
• Pitsea CDC – opening in the next few months it will provide up to 46,000 tests, checks and scans a year. Located in a retail park, it will boost the number of endoscopy rooms in the regions for cancer patients and offer potentially life-saving CT and MRI scans
• Ilkeston Community Hospital (Walton) CDC – providing more than 100,000 tests, checks and scans per year It will be based at Walton NHS Community Hospital and give patients access to ultrasound checks, X-rays and cardiology and respiratory diagnostics.
• North Solihull CDC - Set to open in Winter 2023, the new CDC will be based on a commercial retail site in Chelmsley Wood, North Solihull. It will offer access to MRI, CT and X-ray scans, along with cardiology and respiratory diagnostics – delivering 116,000 tests, checks and scans a year.
• Hereford City CDC – opening in winter, the new CDC will be based on an NHS community hospital site in the city. It will offer MRI, CT and X-ray scans, alongside ultrasound and respiratory checks, alongside blood tests – delivering 38,000 tests, checks and scans a year.
• Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley CDC - the facility, a refurbishment of Livingstone Community Hospital in Dartford, will offer access to ultrasound checks, blood tests, along with CT and MRI scans. Opening in Autumn 2023, it will deliver over 96,000 tests, checks and scans.

Following a referral from a GP or consultant, patients will be able to get their symptoms checked much closer to home and receive a diagnosis for a range of conditions such as cancer, heart or lung disease, rather than travelling to hospital. This is not only more convenient for patients, it is also more efficient for staff and will free up clinician time to help further cut the waiting lists.

So far, 106 community diagnostic centres are open across England, including three temporary sites, in a variety of settings including shopping centres and university campuses, and the CDC programme has delivered over 3.8 million additional tests, checks and scans since July 2021. 32 other facilities are due to open before the end of the year.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

“I have pledged to cut waiting lists and these new Community Diagnostic Centres will do exactly that. By offering checks, tests and scans closer to home, we can speed up the diagnosis of illnesses like cancer and heart disease and ensure patients get their treatment quickly.

“These centres revolutionise the way the NHS delivers care and crucially, they are saving lives.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:

“We know early diagnosis and treatment leads to better outcomes for patients, which is why these centres are so vital.

“Based in the heart of communities, they are making it easier for people to access life-saving checks and cutting out unnecessary hospital visits.

“They have already made a huge difference, delivering nearly four million tests, checks and scans since the programme started in July 2021, helping to deliver on the government’s commitment to cut waiting lists.”

Dr Vin Diwakar, NHS Medical Director for Transformation, said:

“The NHS delivered a record 2.3 million diagnostic tests in March, up more than 128,000 on the previous monthly record, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff.

“These new CDCs will continue to increase access to care by providing vital scans, X-rays, endoscopies and blood tests closer to patients’ homes, building on the progress we have already made to drive down the longest waits and diagnose cancer earlier.”

As a result of this, and wider measures, the government successfully met the first target in its Elective Recovery Plan to virtually eliminate waits of over two years and has cut 18 month waits by over 91% from the peak in September 2021.

Further action to cut waiting lists and offer patients quicker access to healthcare include the government’s publication of its Primary Care Recovery Plan which will get rid of the 8am rush for GP appointments, enable patients to get prescriptions and medication directly from a pharmacy without a GP appointment, free up around 15 million GP appointments over the next two years and improve patient access to their own medical records through the NHS App.

After the unexpected Herefordshire election result, everything changed at the top.

Following yesterday's (May 4) elections, the Conservatives defied the national trend to become the largest party in Herefordshire, but they still lack a general majority in the county.

In the 53-seat council, the party gained 21 seats, up from 14, but fell short of the 27 needed for an absolute majority.

Two men have been sent to prison for an assault that happened in 2018

Darren Sutton, 30 years-old, of Dry Thistle Close in Bromyard in Herefordshire was sent to prison for four years.

Samuel Walker, 27-years-old, C/o HMP Hewell - formerly of Kenwater Close in Leominster in Herefordshire was sent to prison for 30 months.

Both men were both found guilty at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday 26 April after a 7-day trial.

The court heard how the two men attacked the victim at his house in Leominster in the early hours of 4 September 2018, during the attack they kicked the victim to the head and body leaving him unconscious with a fractured eye socket and ribs and heavy bruising to his whole body.

Investigating officer Police Constable Stefan Hawes, Hereford Safer Neighbourhood team said: “This has been a long and drawn-out case with delays due to covid and other extenuating circumstances, so we are pleased to finally close this case. This was a violent attack that caused serious injuries to the victim. We are pleased that these two dangerous individuals have now been put before the court for these charges. Incidents like this have no place in society and we won’t hesitate to apprehend and seek prosecution those responsible and, in this case, however long it takes!”

It’s seems that there are private security personnel patrolling around the Mayfair…who’s employing them & paying for it…is this not the job of the police to do?….another question is could this be the future for our streets on a Friday & Saturday night where private security firms deal with the anti social behavior that sometimes occurs on city streets at the weekend instead of the police?

Banks of the River Lugg were damaged in December 2020 causing suspected significant and long-term ecological harm.

• Natural England and the Environment Agency are today launching legal action against the landowner
• The area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which means permissions need to be granted before work can take place

Natural England and the Environment Agency have announced today they are beginning legal action against a landowner for damage to a protected area of the River Lugg in Herefordshire.

This follows a joint Natural England and Environment Agency in-depth investigation into ecological harm to the 1.5 kilometre of the protected stretch of the River Lugg. This investigation followed reports of unauthorised activity including dredging and changing the shape (profiling) of the riverbank in Kingsland in Herefordshire in December 2020.

This has been a serious and complex investigation which has taken a considerable length of time to complete.

The charges being brought against the landowner relate to:

• Unconsented operations and causing damage to a Site of Special Scientific Interest
• Carrying out activities within 8 metres of the River Lugg which were likely to cause damage to or endanger the stability of the river
• causing a water discharge activity, namely a discharge of silt into the River Lugg
• Failing to take reasonable precaution to prevent agricultural pollution from land management and cultivation practices on agricultural land
• Wilfully disturbing spawn or spawning fish, or any bed, bank or shallow on which any spawn or spawning fish may be
• Breach of a stop notice

The charges also relate to further works which are alleged to have been carried out by the landowner in December 2021.

Court action will now follow at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court.

Oliver Harmar, Chief Operating Officer at Natural England said:

"The decimation of this section of the River Lugg has been devastating to the local environment and to local people, destroying the habitats of iconic wildlife such as otters, kingfisher and salmon. It was heart-breaking to see this beautiful riverside illegally damaged"

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/multiple-agencies-investigate-damage-to-the-river-lugg

The River Lugg in Herefordshire, pre December 2020

The River Lugg, post 2020

The River Lugg, post 2020

🟩 Ledbury West ward - Justine Haslewood: GREEN GAIN
🟩 Leominster South ward - Mark Woodall: GREENS RETAIN
🔷Three Crosses ward - Jonathon Lester: LOCAL CONSERVATIVES RETAIN.
🔷 Leominster West ward - Allan Merlyn: CONSERVATIVE GAIN
🔷 Kings Acre ward - Robert Geofrey Charles Williams: CONSERVATIVE GAIN.
◽ Ledbury North ward - IT'S OUR COUNTY INDEPENDENT RETAIN
🔶 Red Hill ward - Dan Powell LIBERAL DEMOCRATS GAIN
🔶 Widemarsh ward - Polly Andrews: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS RETAIN.
◽ Tupsley ward - Jim Kenyon: INDEPENDENT RETAIN
🔶 Newton Farm ward - Jacqui Carwardine: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS GAIN 
🟩 Ledbury South ward - Stef Simmons: GREEN GAIN
🔷 Bromyard West ward - John Stone: CONSERVATIVE RETAIN
◽ Stoney Street ward - David Hitchiner: INDEPENDENTS RETAIN 
🔶 Ross East ward - Ed O'Driscoll: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS GAIN.
🔶 Ross West ward - Louis Stark: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS RETAIN.
🟪 Whitecross ward - Dave Boulter: IT'S OUR COUNTY RETAIN.
🔷 Hampton ward - Bruce Allen Baker: LOCAL CONSERVATIVES GAIN.
🔷 Weobley ward - Nicholas Mason: LOCAL CONSERVATIVES GAIN.
🔷 Penyard ward - Harry Bramer: LOCAL CONSERVATIVES GAIN.
◽ Hagley ward - Ivan Glenn James Powell: INDEPENDENT RETAIN.
🔷 Golden Valley North ward - David Phillip Price: LOCAL CONSERVATIVES GAIN.
🟩 Leominster East ward - Jenny Bartlett: GREEN PARTY RETAIN
🔷 Kerne Bridge ward - Simeon Wood: CONSERVATIVE GAIN.
🔶 Saxon Gate ward - Aubrey Oliver: LIBERAL DEMOCRAT GAIN.
◽ Golden Valley South ward - Peter Charles Jinman: INDEPENDENT RETAIN.
🔷 Old Gore ward - Barry Alan Durkin: LOCAL CONSERVATIVE RETAIN 
🔷 Mortimer ward - Carole Gandy: LOCAL CONSERVATIVES RETAIN.
🟩 Hope End ward - Helen Ruth Heathfield: GREEN PARTY GAIN.
🔷 Llangarron ward - Elissa Jane Swinglehurst: LOCAL CONSERVATIVES RETAIN
🔶 College ward - Ben Proctor: LIBERAL DEMOCRAT GAIN
◽ Credenhill ward - Bob Matthews: INDEPENDENT RETAIN
🔷 Castle ward - Robert Arnold Highfield, LOCAL CONSERVATIVES GAIN.
🟩 Greyfriars ward - Diana Toynbee: GREEN PARTY RETAIN.
◽ Eign Hill ward - Elizabeth Mary Foxton: INDEPENDENT RETAIN.
🔶 Belmont Rural ward - Mark Eden Dykes: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS GAIN.
🔶 Ross North ward - Chris Bartrum: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS RETAIN.
🔷 Bircher ward - Dan Hurcomb: CONSERVATIVE GAIN.
🔷 Bromyard & Bringsty ward - Peter John Stoddart: LOCAL CONSERVATIVES RETAIN.
🟩 Bishops Frome & Cradley ward - Ellie Chowns: GREEN PARTY RETAIN.
🔷 Backbury ward - Graham Russell Biggs: CONSERVATIVES GAIN.
🔷 Wormside ward - Richard John Thomas: CONSERVATIVES RETAIN.
🟩 Central ward - Catherine Ruth Gennard: GREEN PARTY RETAIN.
🟥 Aylestone Hill ward - Adam Spencer: LABOUR PARTY GAIN.
◽ Bromyard West ward - Clare Davies: NO POLITICAL PARTY RETAIN.
🔶 Hinton & Hunderton ward - Kevin Tillett: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS RETAIN
🟩 Birch ward - Toni Anne Fagan: GREEN PARTY RETAIN.
🔷 Dinedor Hill ward - David Eirian Davies: CONSERVATIVE GAIN
🔷 Holmer ward - Frank Cornthwaite: CONSERVATIVE RETAIN 
🔶 Bobblestock ward - Robert Charles Owens: LIBERAL DEMOCRAT GAIN
🔶 Kington ward - Terence Morgan, James: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS RETAIN.
🔷 Roger James Phillips: CONSERVATIVES RETAIN.
🔷 Peter Bryce: CONSERVATIVE RETAIN

A 36 year old man has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 18 years for the murder of his friend in Ross-on-Wye in October 2022.

Kestutis Lekunas, 36, of Bluebell Close, was sentenced today, Thursday 4 May at Worcester Crown Court.

He was found guilty of murdering Nerijus Liukpetris on 28 March 2023.

On 2 October 2022, Lekunas stabbed his friend, 40-year-old Nerijus Liukpetris, on Bluebell Close in Ross-on-Wye following a disagreement.

The pair had been at a party at Lekunas’ house that evening and after stepping outside became involved in an argument.

Following the argument, an altercation took place where Nerijus assaulted Lekunas. Lekunas then went back into the house and came back outside with a knife, where he delivered the fatal stab wound to Nerijus’s neck.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Steve Cook, said: “I’m pleased that the case has concluded today and that Lekunas will now pay the price for his actions on that night back in October.

“This case is a devastating example of the consequences which can come from a split-second decision when tensions are high.

“Our thoughts remain with Nerijus’s family at this difficult time.”