Our weekly news round-up… A campaign from the Gloucester Citizen to give tougher sentences to criminals has moved a step forward.The paper had been trying to hold the Labour Government to a pledge that Jack Straw made when he was
Jack Straw
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Citizen appeals for Blunkett to get tough on drug dealers
The Gloucester Citizen has published an open letter to Home Secretary David Blunkett, asking him to uphold a pledge to get tough on judges who give lenient sentences to drug dealers. Earlier this year two convicted heroin dealers from the
Meeting new faces
The Society of Editors is seeking early meetings with new Government ministers after recent changes to the Cabinet. The Society’s contacts at the Home Office and the Department of Culture Media and Sport have changed in the recent reshuffle. There
Bored kids put under the microscope
The Manchester Evening News has received Government praise for its battle against ‘mob culture’ – but a new survey reveals there is still much to do. Home Secretary Jack Straw congratulated the newspaper for making communities aware of young menaces
Former editor defends reporting restriction
Former Weston Mercury editor Jerry Williams has defended a decision to preserve the anonymity of a teenager who went on a reign of terror. Mr Williams is the chairman of Woodspring magistrates, at Weston-super-Mare. The 16-year-old was sentenced to eight
Man cleared of murder thanks Telegraph for its support
A Lancashire man cleared of a double murder after 17 years in prison has spoken to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph about the support he received while behind bars. During his time in prison, Peter Fell wrote to various reporters at
Goodbye to glass terror
Glass attacks in Manchester are a thing of the past – thanks to a joint campaign between the police and the press. The Manchester Evening News teamed up with Greater Manchester Police to call for pubs and clubs in the
High level support for beat bobbies
A campaign in Windsor to get more bobbies on the beat is being backed by a local politician. Windsor MP Michael Trend has given his support to the Windsor and Eton Express appeal for more police to patrol the area
Jack Straw to be quizzed on Downing delay
The fight to free convicted murderer Stephen Downing has taken another twist with Home Secretary Jack Straw being summoned to the commons to explain delays in the appeal hearing. Here, campaigner Don Hale, editor of the Matlock Mercury, writes about
Pioneering sex register role praised
A regional newspaper’s role in exposing perverts has been praised by the parents of murdered schoolgirl Sarah Payne. They highlighted the pioneering paedophile ‘register’ held at the Bournemouth Daily Echo for its vital role. It was the first of its
Third time lucky for Echoas thug is named
The Sunderland Echo has finally won the right to name a teenage tearaway who has terrorised Wearside. City magistrates lifted the ban which protected the identity of 16-year-old Daniel Sayers, of Tadcaster Road, Thorney Close, at the paper’s third attempt.
Undercover gun investigation by Bristol
Home Secretary Jack Straw is being asked to tighten the laws surrounding the sale of gas-powered guns, following an undercover investigation by the Bristol Evening Post. The call comes after the paper revealed how the BB guns had become the
New poll on hunting debate
The great hunting debate has captured the imagination of readers of a second Devon newspaper. Hot on the heels of a survey in the Mid Devon Gazette, its sister paper the North Devon Journal has come to the same conclusion
Telegraph poll on law and order
The Grimsby Telegraph has launched a massive survey inviting its readers to tell the Government what they think about law and order. Five years ago, the newspaper conducted a poll among its readers on crime and its effects. Hundreds of
Post breaks Straw arrest story
The Nottingham Evening Post beat the national media to a story alleging that Home Secretary Jack Straw’s brother had been charged with assault The paper changed its front page for yesterday’s final edition to carry the story by reporters Tom
Straw urges courts to name young offenders after Post victory
Home Secretary Jack Straw has given a ringing endorsement to newspapereditors who challenge magistrates to lift legal restrictions banning the identification of juveniles. Mr Straw was speaking after the Lancashire Evening Post joined forces withPreston Council to persuade a magistrate