Caradon had 659 accidents in 1999

Some people, but not all, heeded the warning in last month's Cornish Times regarding vehicle tax.

Twenty untaxed vehicles were seen throughout February which has resulted in reports to the DVLA for prosecution. Untaxed vehicles quite often do not have a current MOT Certificate which shows if a vehicle is roadworthy.

The fewer unroadworthy vehicles being used on the road means less chance of it being involved in an accident.

On the subject of accidents here are some facts and figures:

Over the last 12 months there have been 659 reported road traffic accidents in the Caradon District, 32 of which have been fatal or serious injury accidents.

The total cost to society for a simple damage only accident is on average £2,000. The cost rises to £10,000 for a slight injury accident, £100,000 for a serious injury accident and costs on average £1 million per fatality. This figure does not (nor can it ever) take into account the grief involved.

Much time is spent trying to reduce the number of accidents. Cars are so much safer these days but please do not get complacent AND ALWAYS use your seat belt.

I took great interest in the letter recently published in the Cornish Times, the author of which was concerned with PC BEN HOLLINS of Looe and his article about no seat belts.

I hope the figures above explain the concern with people not wearing seat belts and how why one of the objectives of the Police of Caradon District is to reduce injury road traffic accidents.

ACCIDENT PREVENTION IS NOT A TRIVIAL MATTER.

Freed from car by fire crew

A fire crew and rescue tender from Bodmin attended an accident on the A38 on Monday and used crash rescue equipment to free two people from a car.

The accident happened near Cartuther Barton Farm, Liskeard. The two people were taken by ambulance to Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, where they were treated for minor injuries.

Petrol siphoned in Polruan area

Within the last seven days there have been two occasions in the Polruan area where cars have had petrol and diesel syphoned off.

The petrol caps were forced from cars parked in car parks, a similar pattern to incidents which have been occurring in the Caradon area for some time.

Police are asking for car owners and people in the area to be especially vigilant and recommend that cars are parked in garages or outside homes if owners can do so.

Garages broke in to

Garage break ins have taken place near houses in Menheniot, Pensilva and Callington, with the reported theft of power tools and garden machinery.

It is believed there is some connection between these break ins and a series of barn and outbuilding break ins also reported within these and surrounding areas.

Police ask the public to be vigilant and contact them with any available information. Additionally, they recommend that particularly expensive items be kept within the house hold.

Three in crash free themselves

An accident on the A390 road near Callington last Thursday night involved three young men, who escaped without serious injury despite their car apparently rolling four times.

The K registered Citroen ZX ended up in a field, but all inside, including the driver, aged 17 from Upton Cross, managed to free themselves. They were taken to Plymouth's Derriford Hospital for treatment. Police, fire crews and an ambulance attended the scene.

The car was travelling towards Callington from the Sevenstones direction when it left the road at Kit Hill Bends.

Police said that all of the three people were wearing seatbelts. An appeal has gone out for witnesses to the accident, which happened around l0.30pm.

Calling all event organisers

Should any forthcoming event require police assistance could you contact your local station as early as possible. With so many events taking place in the summer it is difficult to provided resources at short notice. Please contact either Sergeant Steve Torr at Liskeard or your local Community Officer for advice if needed.

Pensioner dies in fire

Police are treating as a tragic accident a fire in a home in Lostwithiel last week, in which a pensioner died.

Police and firefighters were called to the property at Victoria on Saturday night around 11.10pm, and found it heavily affected by smoke. The 87-year-old man was discovered to be dead at the scene.

A police spokesman said investigations into the blaze were continuing, but it is thought by firefighters that newspapers, kept too near an electric fire, may have been the cause.

The police spokesman said there will be a joint investigation with the fire brigade, but at this stage it is thought to have been a 'tragic accident'.

Unsolicited first aid kits

Householders are being warned by the Office of Fair Trading to be wary of first aid kits which are being sent through the post.

The OFT has received dozens of complaints from people who have received a particular first aid kit being sold by an overseas company. In many cases the £23 kits have arrived out of the blue, in others they have followed a telephone call purporting to be from a charity or research company. Some complainants were told that some of the proceeds from the sale would go to charities such as the Red Cross.

John Bridgeman, director general of fair trading, said: 'If you haven't requested a kit or have refused the offer of one then you are within your legal rights to keep it without payment if, 30 days after you have told the company that you do not want it, they have not collected it and you have not prevented them from doing so. Do not be bullied by demands for payment, or threats of interest charges for delayed payments. If these are made for unsolicited goods, the company is in breach of the law.'