David Ruffley

Tens of thousands of girls cannot join the Guides because potential leaders are being put off by criminal records checks, the Children's Commissioner said yesterday.

Nearly 50,000 girls aged from 10 to 14 face severe delays in joining a patrol because red tape means there are not enough adults cleared to supervise them, said Professor Sir Al Aynsley-Green.

Other groups are understood to have raised concerns about criminal records checks, including St John Ambulance.

The toll of kids prosecuted for being "drunk and disorderly" has fallen by up to 80 per cent in the past decade.

In England and Wales the overall decline was 17 per cent but in Cleveland it was 79 per cent, and 70 in Merseyside, Essex and Cheshire.

Shadow police reform minister David Ruffley , who revealed the figures, said: "People who are drunk and disorderly should face up to it in court, not just get a slap on the wrist."

THE number of drunk children before courts is 17 per cent lower than in 1997, it was revealed yesterday.

Shadow police reform minister David Ruffley said this is sending out the wrong message.

He added: "We need more police on our streets to make arrests."

The number of police officers wounded in shootings has risen 60 per cent in four years.

Figures released by the Tories show the toll increased from 12 in 2002/03 to 19 in 2006/07.

Shadow Home Office minister David Ruffley said: "It's a consequence of Labour's failure to tackle the scourge of gun crime and its causes."

The number of police officers wounded in shootings has increased by 60% in four years, according to figures released by the Conservatives.

The statistics, which cover officers in England and Wales shot while on duty, show the number rose from 12 in 2002/ 03 to 19 in 2006/07.

Shadow Home Office Minister David Ruffley said the figures showed the

Government was failing "to tackle the scourge of gun crime".

He said: "With the trade in illegal weapons soaring through porous borders, ministers are presiding over a service with a falling number of armed officers.

David Ruffley MP formally opened the major extension and refurbishment of the clubhouse at Bury St Edmunds Rugby Club on Saturday 14th November.

The Club is now the largest community sports club in St Edmundsbury, following a half a million pound extension to its clubhouse. It now caters for a diverse range of sports, including rugby, six a side football, hockey and next year's marathon. The club also boasts the best facilities in the county, which include en-suite changing rooms, a new gymnasium and improved disabled facilities.

David said:

David Ruffley MP visited Palmers (Haughley) Ltd on Friday, 20 November to celebrate the family's 140 years of baking at Haughley.

Palmers have been bakers and confectioners in Haughley since 1869 when the business was founded by William James Palmer. The business is currently run by Kenneth Palmer, assisted by Kieron Palmer.

On the actual day of the 140th anniversary- 4 December- Palmers will be handing out free mince pies to their customers at all their branches.

David Ruffley MP will perform the official opening of the new, larger offices of Energy Resourcing Ltd at 10a Brunel Business Court, Eastern way. Bury St Edmunds. IP32 7AB on Friday, 20 November.

David Ruffley MP will visit Tollgate Primary School in Tollgate Lane, Bury St Edmunds, IP32 6DG on Friday, 20 November at the invitation of Headteacher, David Hicks.

David will present awards to the children in a celebration assembly at 10.45 a.m.

Following the assembly David will be given a tour of the school and meet staff and pupils.

David Ruffley said:

'I regularly keep in touch with schools in my constituency so I'm looking forward to meeting David Hicks, who took up his post as Headteacher of Tollgate Primary School at the beginning of this year.

Lukeswood- Elmswell's community woodland project- has been chosen for the final of the People's Millions TV competition, run by the Big Lottery Fund.

If the Elmswell project wins on Monday evening, £49,999 will be awarded to the Lukeswood project- 7 acres of amenity woodland open to all- that will enrich the lives of Elmswell residents for generations to come. Lukeswood will be competing against a project in Lowestoft.