Robbers get the blues

THE new generation of security equipment from Saltash-based manufacturer, Spinnaker International, proved its worth in Stockholm - leading to the capture of a notorious gang of bank robbers.

The Swedish gang had attacked a security guard, and made off with the Spinnaker strong box stuffed with Swedish krona. They took the box back to their hideout, where it activated, filling the entire house with blue smoke and dye. At the same time a tracking device inside the box alerted the police to its location. The police arrived to find the gang frantically trying to clear the indelible blue dye off the money, their clothes, and the walls.

Spinnaker's manager director, Colin MacKenzie, said: 'It would be difficult to talk your way out of that situation. Spinnaker normally uses red dye on its boxes, but for the Swedish market, since the 20 krona note is red, we use blue. So on this occasion the villains were literally caught blue-handed.'

He added: 'This is the first time one of our new generation of boxes has been put to the test, and of course we are delighted that it performed so well. It's good news for the Swedish authorities, too. Stockholm has a very high incidence of robberies of this kind, and the police had apparently been trying to catch this gang, who are allegedly part of the Polish Mafia, for the past year.'

Death of

motorcyclist

A 37-YEAR-OLD Pensilva man was killed in the early hours of Wednesday morning when his motorcycle was in collision with two parked cars. The motorcyclist, who police say was not wearing a crash helmet while riding the 600cc Yamaha motorcycle, received severe multiple injuries. The accident, which involved two parked and unattended Vauxhall Cavalier cars, occurred in Higher Road, near the junction of Belmont Road. Yesterday next of kin had been informed, but the formal identification was yet to be carried out.

Absenteeism is

low in Cornwall

NEW data reveals that Cornwall has a lower rate of school absenteeism compared with the rest of the country. According to a report, compiled by the NHS and Cornwall County Council, recorded absences are 'particularly low' with 0.4% of unauthorised half days missed, compared with 1% in England.

Bathers beware

BATHERS, and paddlers, in the seas off South East Cornwall are being warned to avoid stepping on poisonous weever fish, which bury themselves in the sand. The fish have spines, which pump poison into anyone who treads on them.