News | Page 36

New seaside toilets have been opened to the public partly thanks to council funding. The local council has given its backing to the new facilities at Weymouth and has allocated £100,000 for the improvements.

A man was given a four year Criminal Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO). This ban restricts him from a number of leisure centres in the Midlands after stealing many items from the premises.

The Energy Networks Association (ENA), which represents communications firm BT and Network Rail, says better legislation is needed to deal with the soaring theft of metals.

Toilets are being touted as marketable properties for business by a council, which says they have failed as public conveniences.

Three members of the same family admitted a range of theft charges in court and were jailed for a total of more than four years. Prosecutor Gareth Parry said Ashley Critchley – the middle brother of the Wales-based criminal trio – told police a house on a building site was targeted three times.

Two teenagers have been convicted of looting a wholesalers during last year’s riots.

Insurers dealing with one small diocese alone have received 80 claims after lead was stolen from churches.

A councillor has defended £30,000 being splashed out on bespoke bollards.

An investigation conducted by the BBC has lifted the lid on widespread fencing of ‘hot’ scrap goods. The broadcaster was given a large quantity of copper cable from BT, which has reported a surge in thefts.

A Chamber of Commerce member has objected to plans to charge for entry to public conveniences. The drastic measure is one of a number of scenarios to meet savings targets in the Roman city of Chichester.

A “mindless” crime of completely destroying a number of parking meters which would cost at least £20,000 in repairs has been condemned.

In a rare move, English Heritage has allowed a church to have a stainless steel roof after lead thefts left it stripped.