Cameron Opens Airbus Factory

David Cameron has officially opened the Airbus’ new £400 million wing factory in Wales. The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will assemble the wings for Airbus’ advanced A350 XWB long-range aircraft family. The Prime Minister joined hundreds of guests and Airbus employees to unveil the giant, environmentally friendly Airbus North Factory at Broughton, Flintshire. Bigger than Wembley Stadium, it is one of the largest manufacturing facilities to be built in the UK in recent years and will produce high-tech carbon fibre ‘composite’ wings for the A350 XWB. Some 650 people will eventually work at the Airbus North Factory with a further 5,000 UK jobs being supported by the A350 XWB programme across the wider supply chain. This multi million pound investment will ensure that the UK retains its key position as Airbus’ global centre of excellence for wing design and manufacture. Mr Cameron said: “The Government is committed to building a more balanced economy with stronger manufacturing, exports and private investment, creating jobs and opportunities across the UK. I welcome the opening of Airbus’s new state of the art facility, which will contribute to this and support our programme to create sustainable economic growth."

Police Officer Injured In Struggle

An officer has had his leg broken in two places during an incident in Bermondsey in the early hours of Friday morning. Officers on routine patrol spotted a black VW Golf drive through a red light in Dunton Road, approximately 1am. The vehicle was followed into Willow Walk and then into Buttermere Close. The car then stopped at the end of the close and the driver, a 26-year old man, ran from the vehicle pursued by a male police sergeant. His colleague, a male police constable, went to the vehicle to prevent the three passengers from escaping. The officer attempted to arrest the 26-year old man and during a struggle on the ground his right leg was broken. He has been taken to a central London hospital where it has been confirmed that he has a double break in his leg that will require surgery. More officers then arrived and the 26-year old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a class A drug; Assault with intent to resist arrest and drink drive and taken into custody. Two of the male passengers were arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession of class A and B drugs. They are currently in custody.

Reward Offered Over 1997 Murder Inquiry

Detectives investigating the murder of a young Islington father are now offering a substantial reward for information about the incident. Ricky Smith, 25, was fatally stabbed in the chest as he walked towards his Highbury home with his partner in 1997. A reward of £20,000 has now been made available for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of the person responsible. The reward comes after a recent police appeal for information following the discovery of fresh evidence linking Ricky Smith's murder to another knife attack. Despite a major investigation by detectives at the time and numerous appeals no one was charged with Ricky's murder. Fourteen years on, officers re-examined the case as part of a routine review. Following new forensic analysis on clothing discovered close to the murder scene, officers have been able to link the case to a stabbing incident, which happened on the same night, several miles away, in west London. Ricky Smith, a floor fitter from the Highbury Park area, had walked to a kebab shop on Friday October 3, 1997 at around 11.40pm before heading home along Highbury Park. As they walked near Hamilton Road a man approached Ricky and immediately stabbed him in the chest. The attacker made off on foot along Highbury Park turning left into Aubert Park, right into Avenell Road and right into Conewood Street, which is opposite the old Arsenal football ground. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Incident Room at Hendon on 020 8358 0100 alternatively, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

(DW)