Man Charged After Boy Stabbed

A man has been charged under Section 18 wounding offences after a boy was stabbed in Rochdale. Kamran Akram, 26, of Kingsway, Rochdale is due to appear at Rochdale Magistrates Court today, Thursday 8 January. At 11pm on Tuesday 6 January 2009, police were called to Moss Street, Kingsway, after a report that a boy had been stabbed. Officers went to the address and a 16-year-old boy was taken to hospital with a stab wound to his neck and hand. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening and he remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Colin Foxall Reappointed As Member Of BTP

The Minister of State for Transport, Andrew Adonis, is delighted to announce the reappointment of Colin Foxall as a member of the British Transport Police (BTP) Authority. Colin Foxall has been appointed for a further four years from 4 January 2009. Remuneration will be £14,881 per annum for a time commitment of 30 days per annum. The Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 requires one member of the Authority to be a person who has knowledge of the interests of persons in Wales - Colin Foxall is that member.

Tindall Given Driving Ban

England and Gloucester rugby player Mike Tindall has been banned from driving for three years, after he admitted drink-driving. The Gloucester centre, admitted being over the legal drink-drive limit, on the M4 in Berkshire, on 15 March last year. The 30-year-old of Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire - boyfriend of Zara Phillips - was also fined £500 with £75 costs by Reading Magistrates.

Stronger Public Vote For Local Policing

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith today joined Merseyside Police to witness their work with local communities to tackle crime and deliver the new Policing Pledge to local people. Visiting Picton Neighbourhood and Children's Health Centre in Liverpool, the Home Secretary joined a community meeting between officers and local residents discussing policing priorities for the area. They witnessed first hand the positive impact of neighbourhood policing and the growing involvement of communities in the fight against crime. Following the meeting, Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe and representatives from the neighbourhood policing team unveiled the national Policing Pledge which the force is delivering for the people of Merseyside.

New Health And Social Care Commissioner Appointed

Ann Lloyd has been appointed to the post of Health and Social Care Commissioner for London at the Appointments Commission, it was announced today. As the Commissioner for London, Ann will be responsible for ensuring that the best possible people from all sections of our society are recruited to serve as Chairs and Non-Executive Directors on NHS bodies in the Greater London area through a transparent, rigorous and effective selection process. Ann will also provide pastoral support and mentoring to those appointed and will participate in the Appointments Commission's training activities. In addition, Ann will undertake the lead Commissioner role for a number of national health and social care bodies.

(JM/BMcC)