Other UK News In Brief

Officers Link Armed Robberies

Flying Squad detectives have revealed they are linking a robbery at a dancewear shop in Covent Garden with one that occurred at the same company four years earlier. The most recent incident happened shortly before 5pm on Saturday 30 April at Dancia International in Drury Lane. Upon entering the shop the man threatened the female employees with a handgun demanding the till be opened before stating "'I will cut you if you don't." One of the employees was struck in the head with a fist, receiving minor injuries. The man fled the premises via a passageway connecting Drury Lane to Shelton Street, where he was clearly captured on CCTV. The suspect was wearing an 'old man' latex mask, a white builder's helmet, reflective jacket and see-through plastic gloves. Dancia International was subject to a robbery in May 2007 when it was located at another address on Drury Lane and due to similarities officers are now linking the two offences. Officers are reissuing two CCTV stills of the suspect in the hope that he will be recognised. Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Mark O'Shaughnessy of Finchley Flying Squad said: "The suspect has been very clearly caught on camera and will most definitely be recognisable to someone. I am urging people who might know him or have knowledge of his whereabouts to contact Crimestoppers”.

Rock Legend Celebrates 63rd Birthday Of The NHS

Metal Rock star and famous family man Ozzy Osbourne today led tributes in celebration of the 63rd birthday of the NHS. Born in Birmingham in 1948, the same year the NHS was created, the Black Sabbath front man was one of the first generation to be delivered by NHS doctors. He was also treated by emergency services and the NHS when he was rushed to intensive care in Slough, following a near fatal accident in 2003. Ozzy Osbourne told NHS Staff: “If it wasn’t for the hardworking staff of the NHS following my serious quad bike accident I may not be here today to continue my career as the Prince of Darkness. I want to say a big thank you to all of the dedicated doctors, nurses and everyone else who makes up the NHS across the country – from Birmingham to Berkshire. Just like me, it’s still going strong after 63 years. Long may we both keep it up.” The NHS was born on July 5 1948 out of a long-held ideal that good healthcare should be available to all, regardless of wealth. When then Health Secretary Aneurin Bevan launched the service at Park Hospital in Manchester, it was the climax of a hugely ambitious plan to bring good healthcare to all. For the first time, hospitals, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, opticians and dentists were brought together under one umbrella organisation that was free for all at the point of delivery – as it remains today. Today, the NHS treats a million people every 36 hours and NHS staff are in contact with around 15 million people every day. Staff around the country are expected to hold local celebrations today to mark the important role they play in making the NHS the national treasure it has become.

Olympic Security Plans Tested

A programme of exercises to test the readiness of government, police and other agencies ahead of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been announced today. The exercises will test a range of scenarios that could impact on the smooth running of the Games, such as long queues or crowds, transport disruption or a terrorist attack. They will test how government departments, police and emergency services respond, work together, and share information with the public. Home Secretary Theresa May said: “This programme of exercises will play a key role in helping deliver our commitment of a safe and secure Olympic and Paralympic Games. We have a robust safety and security strategy. The testing of our plans, structures and responses to ensure they can deal with any incident is vital. It is important we learn lessons ahead of the Games. I want to reassure everyone that with a year-to-go, we will leave nothing to chance in our plans to deliver a Games that London, the UK and the whole world will enjoy.”

(BMcN)