26/05/2011

Other UK News In Brief

Research Focuses On Creative Industries Financing

The findings of an independent study into creative industry businesses accessing finance have been published today. The research, which was jointly commissioned by DCMS and the Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS), reveals variations in access to finance across different creative industry sub-sectors, with some sectors more likely to have their finance applications rejected by finance providers compared to other businesses with similar risk profiles. The research which pulls together statistical analysis of existing surveys with recent interviews with SMEs and finance providers was carried out by Dr Stuart Fraser of Warwick Business School and the qualitative fieldwork was undertaken by IFF Research. Many of the conclusions of the research will form the basis of further focussed investigation and discussion by the Creative Industries Council (CIC), a joint forum between the Creative Industries and Government. DCMS and BIS are currently developing a Creative Industry Funding Guide, based on the existing DCMS Money Map.

Appeal Launched To Trace Missing Siblings

The Metropolitan Police are appealing for assistance to trace a brother and sister who have gone missing. Sophie Ryan, 12, left her home address in Primrose Square on Monday 23 May. She was last seen with her 14-year old brother, Daniel, in the Camden area on Tuesday 24 May. Neither have been seen since. Officers believe that they may still be in the Camden or Hackney area. Anyone who has seen the siblings is asked to contact the Hackney Missing Persons Unit

Couple Admit Running Fake ID Factory

A couple from south east London have admitted running a factory that made fake passports and identity documents. Abiola Olatunji-Orelope, 34, was arrested along with his wife Folashade, 28, after their home in Lewisham was raided by the UK Border Agency on 9 September 2010. Officers uncovered 50 counterfeit passports in various stages of construction purporting to be Ghanaian, Nigerian, Irish, Czech and even British issue. They also seized 20 counterfeit German, Dutch and French Identity cards, around 40 fake Home Office and other National Government rubber visa stamps and ink pads, cutting boards, razor blades, paint thinners, glue, laminates, forged visas and around 30 blank birth and marriage certificates. Officers even found a book containing a list of orders from clients and passport sized photos ready to be used in the forgeries. Abiola Olatunji-Orelope pleaded guilty to fraud, deception and possessing false identity documents. On Monday 23 May at Croydon Crown Court he was sentenced to three years in prison. His wife admitted possessing false identity documents and was given a one year suspended sentence plus 140 hours community service.

(BMcN/GK)

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