Other News In Brief

Northern Ireland Economy Is Growing Stronger - Villiers

The Secretary of State took part in a roundtable discussion on the NI economy at Bloomberg's European HQ in London today.

The roundtable was hosted by Bloomberg’s Director Constantin Cotzias, and the Secretary of State was joined by representatives from Northern Ireland business, politics and academia.

Theresa Villiers said: "My thanks to Bloomberg for hosting a wide-ranging discussion on the Northern Ireland economy earlier today.

"Participants agreed that the Northern Ireland economy is growing stronger and more competitive, as shown in yesterday’s PMI data. Of course, we all realise it’s still a work in progress with difficult decisions to be made. But the UK government is committed to working with the Executive to deliver the economic pact and secure a better future for everyone in Northern Ireland."

Four Arrested In Drugs Find

Four people have been arrested after a van was stopped on the M6 motorway with a large quantity of drugs worth millions of pounds inside.

Officers from the North West Motorway Police Group stopped the VW van close to Sandbach services (southbound) in Cheshire shortly after midday and arrested the 46-year-old driver, who is from Middlesex.

A search of the van by officers from Titan discovered 225 kilograms of white powder and more than 50 large packets containing cannabis. The white powder was later tested and found to be ketamine, a Class C controlled drug.

Detectives estimate the ketamine to have a street value of £6.75 million and the cannabis to be worth in the region of £1 million.

They had been hidden among pallets of frozen food.

At around the same time, officers in Manchester arrested a 66-year-old man at a house in Salford and two men aged 21 and 31 at an industrial premises in Trafford Park.

All four men have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs and will be questioned today at various police stations throughout the North-west.

An investigation led by Titan remains ongoing.

MPS Support Safer Internet Day

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) will be supporting this year's Safer Internet Day (SID) today, Tuesday 11tg February.

Organised by the UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC) their aim are to promote the safe and responsible use of online technology and mobile phones for children and young people. This year's theme is 'let's create a better internet together'. The day offers the opportunity to focus on both the creative things that children and young people are doing online, as well as the role and responsibility that all stakeholders have in helping to create a better internet.

Taking the lead within the MPS, will be will the Safer Schools officers, Safer Neighbourhoods officers and Volunteer Police Cadets who will be raising awareness with children and young people through various activities in schools and local communities across London.

Activities include e-learning sessions with cyber mentors, presentations in schools using various resources such as videos by Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP). Officers will initiate discussions around online safety, 'sexting', social networking, malicious communications, harassment and grooming, incorporating internet safety into scenarios for use.

(CVS/CD)