AN independent evaluation has rated the Small Countries Financial Management Programme (SCFMP) as excellent in three out of four key areas.

The programme brings together officials from finance ministries, central banks and regulatory bodies in small developing countries for a two-week executive education programme designed to stimulate fresh approaches to the challenges they and their countries face.

The evaluation focused on changes in economic and financial management in 29 small countries after participants from the first three annual programmes returned home and put into practice what they had learned in the Isle of Man and at Oxford University.

In three out of four areas – relevance, effectiveness and efficiency – the programme was given the top rating.

But in the area of sustainability it was rated as modest, with concerns raised that the programme was ‘not yet on a firm financial footing’.

Small Countries Financial Management Centre executive director Tim Cullen, a former senior World Bank official, welcomed the results, saying: ‘An evaluation of this thoroughness and independence is the norm for institutions like the World Bank, the IMF and regional development banks, but is rare amongst charities and NGOs and is almost unheard of for executive education programmes at major universities and business schools.

‘The results are a tremendous endorsement for the programme and really justify the confidence that the government here and the World Bank and the Commonwealth Secretariat have shown in what we are doing through their strong financial and other support.’

THE man accused of murdering police officers Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes is due in court today.

Constable Fiona Bone, aged 32, whose family live in Port St Mary and who went to Castle Rushen High School, was killed with colleague Constable Hughes on Tuesday in Greater Manchester.

Dale Cregen is accused of their murder and with murdering Mark Short and his father, David, earlier in the year.

He is to appear before Manchester magistrates at 10am.

THE planning inquiry into Heritage Homes’ application for 95 dwellings in Kirk Michael has been postponed.

It was due to start again on October 4.

However, planning inspector David Hollis has been taken ill. After major surgery, he has told the government’s chief secretary that he is unable to finish the case.

The Council of Ministers appointed Mr Hollis. He began to hear the case on July 24. He had to decide whether the application was ‘substantially the same’ as Heritage Homes’ previous application for the area, which the Council of Ministers rejected.

Mr Hollis could not complete the hearing in July because one of Heritage Homes’ witnesses was unable to attend as he was taken ill and ‘due to issues that needed to be explored’.

Mr Hollis said he intended to retire but that he would finish his interim report for the Council of Ministers covering how similar the application was to the rejected one.

Heritage Homes’ proposal includes developing part of the existing school field. In return a new school field and playground would be created elsewhere.

The government hopes that a new inspector will be appointed soon.

A VAN has been involved in a crash in Port Erin this afternoon (Tuesday).

The vehicle is understood to have left the road near the Falcon’s Nest Hotel and travelled down the grass bank and crashed into a stone wall at the bottom. No-one was in the vehicle at the time.

The police attended the scene.

THERE would be little support from the public if the bus drivers went on strike, the Chief Minister believes.

Allan Bell said he was ‘very disappointed’ that drivers had overwhelmingly voted to reject new terms and conditions – despite the union leadership recommending the deal.

Community Culture and Leisure Minister Graham Cregeen MHK has warned that drivers could lose their jobs if the new terms and conditions are not adopted.

Eric Holmes of the Unite union said the matter was now in the hands of the minister but that a ballot for industrial action could follow if an improved offer wasn’t made.

Under the offer rejected by the Unite membership, drivers’ lunch breaks will no longer be paid, sick pay will reduce to being based on 37 hours per week and maximum driving time will increase from three hours 45 minutes to four hours 10 minutes,

Mr Bell said: ‘I felt that relations between the unions and management had improved to the extent that all parties would recognise the very serious challenges facing the department at the moment. There is a need to rebalance some of the terms and conditions not just for bus drivers but right across government.

‘It would not be well received by the wider public if strike action were to be taken, especially as the majority of the workforce are suffering wage freezes and changes to their own terms and conditions.

‘We are doing our very best to rebalance public finances without wholesales reductions across government. We are trying to minimise the pain but overall there does need to be a change of mind-set.’

Mr Bell said he could not influence the situation but hoped that industrial action could be averted.

THE venue for the next ‘Roamin’ CoMin’ meeting has been announced.

Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK says he is looking forward to another lively public debate at the next community meeting to be hosted by the Council of Ministers, which will take place at the Erin Arts Centre on Tuesday, October 23.

It is the third in a series of regional meetings and will follow a similar format to successful events held at the Manx Museum in March and Peel Centenary Centre in June, providing a further opportunity for island residents to engage with Ministers on matters of national importance.

The Chief Minister will open the meeting in Port Erin with a review of the current administration’s first year in office, and a look ahead to future priorities at national and international levels.

Social policy reform will be among the topics for discussion and Social Care Minister Chris Robertshaw MHK will deliver a brief update on the consultation looking at the challenge of reducing government expenditure while providing fair, appropriate and sustainable public services.

There will also be an open question and answer session where members of the public can ask Government Ministers about key issues and challenges facing the Isle of Man.

Mr Bell, who will chair the session, said: ‘The community meeting in Port Erin is now less than three weeks away and I expect there will be robust exchanges and some strong opinions expressed. These events are an important part of my promise to promote open and transparent government and to work with the public in the best interests of the Isle of Man. They are extremely valuable in terms of generating direct and honest dialogue with local people and we take on board the ideas, comments and concerns that are voiced.’

The community meeting at the Erin Arts Centre will start at 7.30pm on October 23. The event is free and open to all members of the public. There is a limit on the number of people the venue can accommodate and seats will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. No bookings will be taken.

Looking further ahead, the community meeting in the north of the island will be held in Ramsey on January 30, 2013.

THE secondment of a senior civil servant to Sark does not mean the commitment to economic growth here is being downgraded, Chief Minister Allan Bell insisted.

Mr Bell accepted it may seem an unexpected turn of events that Colin Kniveton, chief executive officer of Department of Economic Development, would be going on a four- to six-month secondment to help set up a permanent civil service in the tiny Channel Island of Sark.

Mr Kniveton’s post would be temporarily filled by Chris Corlett, chief executive of Social Care, whose department is itself facing major challenges in the shape of a spiralling benefits bill and proposed welfare reform.

‘There may be a perception that we have somehow downgraded the Department of Economic Development but that is certainly not the case,’ said Mr Bell.

Creation of a civil service in Sark was one of the recommendations made in the review of the Channel Island’s government by former UK senior civil servant Belinda Crowe.

Sark, three and a half miles in length and a mile and a half wide and with a population of less than 600, was Europe’s last feudal state until a fully democratic government was introduced in 2006.

Related article: {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/key-government-official-seconded-to-isle-of-sark-1-4961967|Key government official seconded to isle of Sark}.

Mr Kniveton has been given a leave of absence to undertake his role, which is to help Sark’s Chief Pleas implement the recommendations of the Crowe report, including the creation of a small permanent civil service. All his costs are being paid by the Sark Government.

Mr Corlett’s role at the Department of Social Care will be filled by the deputy chief executive Yvette Mellor.

Mr Bell said: ‘We’ve been aware about the issue with Sark for a long time. I think that this issue above all has been causing the Ministry of Justice some serious headaches.’

He said that it would be a challenge that Mr Kniveton, an experienced senior officer, would relish.

And the Chief Minister said it was an opportunity for the Isle of Man to assist the Ministry of Justice.

Mr Bell said Mr Corlett had extensive experience as a former chief executive of the Department of Trade and Industry, while Ms Mellor was a ‘very experienced and highly thought of’ officer who would be able to work closely with Social Care Minister Chris Robertshaw MHK.

He said both were highly qualified individuals who were committed respectively to promoting economic growth and protecting the vulnerable, which were two of three planks of government policy.

THE chairman of a Manx family owned company has received national acclaim at a prestigious vending awards ceremony in Portugal.

Brian Leahy, chairman of MannVend, has been voted ‘Member of the Year 2012’ at the Associated Vending Service’s Awards held at a glamorous gala dinner in the grounds of the Tivoli hotel on the Marina in Villamoura.

Nominations for the award are made for the person who has made the biggest contribution to the association from the UK vending industry during 2012.

Brian, who has been in the vending industry since 1969, also scooped this accolade in 2011.

He said: ‘To receive this award for a second time is a great honour and I am a little overwhelmed!

‘I’ve enjoyed more than 40 years in this industry and to be recognised by my peers is the greatest commendation of all.’

TYNWALD’S summer break ends next week when our politicians go back to work.

While many members will no doubt have completed departmental and constituency work during the period, the court hasn’t sat since the open air July 5 sitting.

One item for discussion is a proposal to radically redraw House of Keys constituency boundaries.

Currently, a constituency can have one, two or three members.

Under proposals from the Boundary Review Committee, the court will be asked to agree to have 12 constituencies, each with two members.

This would mean the traditional boundaries would have to be scrapped and it could cause friction as areas such as Onchan, which currently elects three MHKs, are divided between two Keys constituencies.

Members will be asked to direct the Boundary Review Committee to come up with a recommendation on how the boundaries should be drawn up by the June 2013 Tynwald.

The current system has been criticised for many shortcomings, including the fact that the last time there was a review was in the 1980s.

Since then, populations in different constituencies have changed considerably. For example, in Middle there are 3,794 voters while Glenfaba has 1,880. However, both return one MHK.

The fact that some people have three votes while others have only one has also been criticised as being against the ‘one person, one vote’ principle.

Among the other items up for discussion are a number of spending commitments.

The new Education Minister, Tim Crookall MHK, will ask for £1.773,000 for a ‘special unit’ for the Isle of Man College.

Environment Minister Phil Gawne wants £178,000 for site clearance and enabling works in Tromode. He also wants £631,000 for what’s described as a ‘salt barn’ - a facility for storing grit for icy roads in the south of the island.

Mr Gawne is also seeking £565,000 to stablilise the cliff at Ballure. A landslide earlier in the year disrupted the trams between Ramsey and Laxey.

Other highlights of the sitting will include the Chief Minister giving a statement about the government’s priorities.

Allan Bell has been in the post now for more than a year. His government’s biggest challenges are tied to the economy. The big drop in VAT income is the administration’s biggest headache.

The scope of government is likely to be a part of his statement. It is certain that more services will be transferred from the state to the private sector or to arm’s-length organisations, the extent of those changes have not yet been spelt out.

Another statement will be given by John Houghton (Douglas North). The MHK is chairing a committee looking into the amount of time and money that’s spent on civil legal proceedings. He will give a statement about that.

The Speaker Steve Rodan will move that the report on the select committee on local authorities should be received.

It was set up after a Petition for Redress of Grievance on Tynwald Day 2011, when a member of the public complained about a lack of a register of interests for members of local authorities.

The committee’s first recommendation is that there should be a new law to require all members of local authorities to register any interest ‘which could reasonably be regarded as bearing upon the way in which a member may carry out his or her duties’.

The second recommendation is that the definition of ‘relevant interest’ should be the same as for members of Tynwald, except that shares in UK companies need not normally be declared unless they become relevant to a matter under consideration.

The third recommendation is that the Department of Infrastructure should introduce legislation to require that all registers of interests held by local authorities should be open to public inspection.

Tynwald will also be asked to elect a new chairman for the public accounts committee.

Graham Cregeen (Malew and Santon) had held the position. But his promotion to the Council of Ministers means he’s no longer allowed the job.

The current members of the committee are Leonard Singer (Ramsey), Alfred Cannan (Michael), Brenda Cannell (Douglas East) and Geoff Corkish (Douglas West).

THE Department of Economic Development, which would be much more arresting in name if it was the Department of Economic and Administrative Development, has been carrying out a review of people’s shopping habits in the Isle of Man.

Why? Well I suppose they have to do something with their time.

But the declared intention, as officially announced last month, is to identify any changing habits among shoppers and plan for the future.

What? The future of shoppers? It’s a good job it’s not called DEAD.

The survey ended a week ago. The intention had been to ring up 1,000 people at random and invite them to take part in it.

They didn’t invite me. But I think it is my duty as a good citizen to try and do my best. The interrogation might have gone like this.

‘Hello Mr Cringle. It’s good of you to take part. First let me ask: Do you like shopping?’

‘No’

‘Do you go shopping?’

‘Yes.’

‘How often?’

‘Every day.’

‘Why’

‘Because I eat and drink every day. I don’t do a weekly shop.’

‘Why not?’

‘I’ve just told you why not. Watch my lips.’

There is a pause. He has put his hand over the phone to tell the colleague next to him: ‘I’ve got a right trouble maker here.’ He comes back on.

‘Do you shop online?’

‘No. I don’t know how to.’ I say this with my thumb in my mouth.

‘Do you pay by cash or credit card?’

‘Why do you ask?’

There is a heavy pause. ‘Now look here, pal. We do the questions. You do the answers. You understand that surely.’

‘Yes I do. And don’t call me Shirley.’ (I saw ‘Airplane’ again the other week).

My interlocutor is now sounding a mite strained. ‘Where do you buy most of your food?’

‘The shelf where you can buy it cheap because it’s past is sell-by date.’

‘Are you in straitened circumtances?

‘No. I’m a cheapskate.’

‘How much do you spend a week on drink?’

‘I would say it’s something in the order of £100.’

‘What? You spend a hundred quid a week on drink? Why for heaven’s sake?’

‘Because it’s so bloody expensive.’

One more heavy pause and then: ‘Now look here. I don’t think you’re taking this seriously. Why did you agree to take part in this survey in the first place?’

‘I thought I might get something out of it for my column in the Examiner.’

The phone goes dead – or should that be DEAD?

WE’VE all started to contribute to our pensions, MHKs insist.

Tynwald will be asked at the first sitting of the court after the summer recess to vote on changing the members’ scheme to make contributions compulsory in future for those newly-elected or re-elected to the Manx parliament.

Voluntary contributions, phased in over three years starting at 3 per cent of salary and rising to 5 per cent, were introduced from April.

The Examiner revealed last week that five Tynwald members had still not been making voluntary contributions to their pension as at the August payroll.

The Clerk of Tynwald’s office – via the Treasury – supplied that information to us after an inquiry almost two weeks ago.

It was subsequently confirmed that the figure is actually four – as the five includes the Bishop who is not part of the Tynwald pension scheme. However, it is understood that the Attorney General, who also has separate pension arrangements, is not one of the other four.

We contacted each Tynwald member in turn to establish who was paying the minimum 3 per cent voluntary contribution - but the numbers still don’t add up.

All MHKs said that they were now contributing to the scheme.

Three – Treasury Minister Eddie Teare (Ayre), Laurence Skelly (Rushen) and Kate Beecroft (Douglas South) – said they were paying a higher rate of 5 per cent.

One – Bill Henderson (Douglas North) – said he was contributing now but conceded he may not have done so straight away.

‘I went over and put in my papers,’ he said. ‘It could well have been after April but before this furore in the summer’, he said.

Six MLCs – Dudley Butt, Alan Crowe, David Callister, Alex Downie, Phil Braidwood, Tony Wild – and Tynwald President Clare Christian all confirmed they were paying towards their members’ pension. Mr Butt and Mrs Christian said they were paying a higher rate of 5 per cent.

Eddie Lowey MLC declined to comment, saying he would not be ‘blackmailed into revealing personal details’. Mr Lowey is the member of the emoluments committee that proposed the phased contributions to the Tynwald members’ pensions which were approved at the March sitting of Tynwald.

Juan Turner MLC also declined to comment.

Clause B2 of the 1995 pension scheme does allow for members to opt out of the scheme altogether.

Speaker Steve Rodan, who chairs the emoluments committee, said Tynwald was being asked to bring into technical effect the changes to the 1995 pension scheme to allow for the compulsory contributions from all new members and those current members who are subsequently re-elected if they go out of office.

The report points out that members are not obliged to make a contribution until they go out of office.

Members who entered Tynwald before 1995 and chose to stay on the old pension scheme will get a pension based on the highest office they reached in their parliamentary career while those who joined after the current scheme was introduced in 1995 will get a pension based on their average pay over their whole career. Those elected to Tynwald before 1995 had the opportunity to stay on the old scheme or move to the new one.

Chief Minister Allan Bell said: ‘I was very surprised to hear that some members are still not making any contribution to their pension.

‘MHKs are not badly paid by any standard - certainly in comparison with wages levels we had a few years ago. Therefore there is no excuse, especially in the current climate, for any member to feel unable to make a contribution.’

But he added: ‘This is a parliamentary issue - I can’t force them to pay. But the current debate may make these members rethink their position.’

Police are looking for a dark coloured hatchback car which was displaying two ‘L’ plates on the bonnet and two ‘L’ plates on the rear tailgate as part of their inquiries into vandalism caused to 70 cars on Sunday.

The cars were vandalised between late afternoon and late evening on Sunday as {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/police-say-vandals-caused-50-000-of-damage-in-attack-on-cars-1-5003998|we reported here.}

The hatchback car the police are trying to trace was seen on the Honna Road junction with the Bradda Road in Port Erin at about 8:15pm on Sunday.

Sergeant Gary Heaton said: ‘Inquiries are continuing and we are keen to trace a dark-coloured hatchback car which was displaying two ‘L’ plates on the bonnet and two ‘L’ plates on the rear tailgate which was seen on the Honna Road junction with the Bradda Road at about 8:15pm.

‘The vehicle may prove vital in relation to the inquiry and I would urge the driver to contact the police to assist us with our inquiry.

‘I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the public for their assistance so far in the inquiry.

‘I also want to say to those members of the public who have had their vehicles damaged. While we would normally visit victims of crime at the beginning of an inquiry when the matter is reported, due to the sheer number of victims that this incident has created, now standing at approximately 70 cars resources are stretched but as an interim measure we will be writing to them with information as to how to obtain a crime reference number and other information to help, which will be hand delivered but at a time when it may not be feasible to talk to the victims.

‘I also re-iterate the reward offered by Crimestoppers of up to £1,000 leading to the arrest and conviction of offenders involved in the incident.

‘Finally I would urge anyone who may have sold the substances unknowingly to contact the police to assist with the inquiry or anyone with any information to call any police station or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.’

More on this story, including photographs, in tomorrow’s Manx Independent.

JDF is hoping to extend its disabled holiday accommodation in the near future.

Looking back on two successful years since it was opened by Joey’s widow Linda and TT star John McGuinness in 2010, Braddan Bridge House has welcomed many guests to enjoy breaks in the island.

Kevin Quirk, of the JDF, said: ‘During TT 2012 we invited former TT winner and MotoGP rider Eddie Laycock to stay with us for race week. Eddie and his family had a brilliant holiday plus it gave Eddie the opportunity to catch up with [former world motorcycle stars] Kevin Schwantz and Randy Mamola.’

At the same time, another terminally ill guest realised his ambition to visit the TT and, courtesy of Paul Phillips and Milky Quayle, of Government Motorsport Development met John McGuinness, Guy Martin and Simon Andrews.

The charity hopes to begin extending the house in 2013 to 2014.

Call the JDF office on 677741 for tombola tickets at £1 each to win John McGuiness’s Fireblade – currently registered to John as first keeper ‘delivery mileage – never raced or rallied’ and with a paint job by Padgets resembling a pint of Guinness. For more details about the JDF, log on to {http://www.joeydunlopfoundation.com.joeydunlopfoundation.com}.

A MINUTE’S noise to remember departed motorcycling friends has taken off and gone global, according to organiser Bill Snelling.

The event will be on Laxey sea front on November 11 at 10am to avoid any clash with the traditional minute’s silence or remembrance church services.

Those who are still there will then observe the traditional minute’s silence one hour later.

Mr Snelling of Laxey said: ‘It’s to remember all our motorcycling friends who have passed under the chequered flag – who are no longer with us.

‘Not just racers or people who have died in accidents.’

He said since the idea was posted on Facebook parallel events were being planned in America, Canada, Sweden and other parts of the British Isles including the Isle of Wight.

The idea was born last year when similar ventures happened around the world to celebrate the life of racer Marco Simoncelli who died in an accident at the Malaysian MotoGP in October 2011.

Mr Snelling hopes to attract around 100 to take part this year. Also attending the event will be the TT Marshals’ Association, Joey Dunlop Foundation and the record breaking Bonneville bike, provided it is back in time from America.

The kiosk on the seafront will be serving free teas and coffees.

There will also be a charity collection and all donations will be divided between the TT Marshals’ Association, the Joey Dunlop Foundation and the Manx Grand Prix Supporters’ Club which raises money for the rescue helicopters.

‘As it is on Remembrance Sunday I have checked with the local vicar and she is happy there will be no interruption to remembrance day services,’ Mr Snelling said.

Last year’s Isle of Man event was supported by around 20 riders who assembled on Laxey sea front to rev engines and sound horns at the appointed time.

CAR enthusiasts had a chance to become the first man on the island’s road.

1 MAN, possibly the most desirable registration plate in the Isle of Man, was among a number of lots of automobilia that went under the hammer at the Mount Murray Hotel and Country Club.

It went for £65,000 in the sale which was held by Murray’s auctioneers on Tuesday.

In 2009, MN1 went to auction and fetched £100,000.

If the Governor fancies a cash boost, he could consider putting his number plate up for auction. MAN 1 is the plate on his car.

It is certainly one of the most invigorating aspects of my role at Boston Group that myself and a team of colleagues took the opportunity to attend the prestigious Monaco Yacht Show, described as the most successful and exciting yachting event to date.

Now in its 22nd consecutive year, the annual show attracted more than 500 exhibitors within the luxury yachting sector, including 103 super and mega yachts averaging an impressive 153ft and yet which were still topped by the 190ft, six-deck Nirvana, with its 3D on-board cinema, and the Athena, a 195ft sailing yacht available for a cool £100 million!

With more than 28,000 private and professional visitors in attendance from over 38 different nations, and requiring almost 300 organisers in order to ensure its smooth running, the Monaco Yacht Show is understandably one of the most anticipated events in the yachting industry calendar.

The show represented the perfect opportunity for Boston Group to launch our yachting services to the market.

The much-anticipated service launch was attended by leading industry experts and guests who were met with a champagne reception and greeted CEO Greg Ellison and I.

Our yachting team worked tirelessly during the entire show and as a result brought home several high value leads which we are confident of converting into new business.

Yacht owners and managers were extremely warm to our clear service offering as well as being able to draw on the expertise of our teams in both the Isle of Man and Malta.

It was fantastic to be able to fly the flag for Boston and Isle of Man PLC at the annual show.

There were a number of Manx-registered yachts on display, coupled with a significant presence of Isle of Man providers.

A well-positioned and re-designed Isle of Man Government stand enabled the island to continue to raise its profile as a leading jurisdiction for yacht ownership and registration.

We had a number of clients both from the yachting and wider industries attend the show and our launch party, and this event continues to be a focal point for Boston’s business development.

The prestigious event lived up to its global reputation, with many high profile delegates in attendance at the Port Hercules marina, including the patron of the event, Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Six mega-yachts with an average length of 263ft, each twice the size of an average superyacht, stole the show with some featuring on-board gyms, basketball courts, football and tennis platforms and, of course, the obligatory helicopter pad.

Many also competed for the accolade of the most luxurious and well constructed yacht in the marina, including the stunning 41-metre Ocean Emerald, one of a series of four exclusive yachts designed by world-renowned British architect Sir Norman Foster.

Also on display were some remarkable toys and technologies designed for the discerning customer, including U-boat submersibles, the most advanced private submarines ever built, and fascinating new technology from JetLev, the makers of personal water-powered jet backpacks.

Overall, the Monaco Yacht Show was a success for Boston Trust Company, which was proud to support the Government in raising the profile of the island.

CIVIL servants and members of Tynwald have been given a pay rise, the Manx Independent reveals today.

They each get 20p an hour more. So whatever happened to the public sector pay freeze?

On page 3, we report on the vandalism that damaged the paintwork on 70 cars and talk to a victim.

Elsewhere in the paper, we meet the team from the island who helped in the search for April Jones, the youngster from Machynlleth in Wales.

One of our reporters went to the select committee meeting that looked into privatised pre-school nurseries. He heard one government minister describe the new situation as a ‘remarkable success’.

Some of our readers sent us photos of the Northern Lights, which were visible in Manx skies. We have a picture special on them.

Our What, Where, When guide to island life includes a preview of Milton Jones, who’s coming to the island next week. We also look forward to the Service Players’ new production and its director, Shawn Sturnick, completes his top 10 for us.

There’s also our usual two pages of what’s on for the island.

The main story on the back page concerns the visit of Kelly Holmes, the double Olympic champion, who launched an education scheme in the island.

The Manx Independent is in the shops now.

JAN Knight, who lives in Truggan Road, Port St Mary, was one person affected.

‘I got up in the morning and found some nice person had sprayed it for me,’ she said.

‘It’s even melted the plastic of one of the back lights. I’ve been estimated £200 for the repair bill. If I go through the insurance I have to pay £150 excess.

‘In a sense I was glad it wasn’t a personal attack on me but when I heard how many were involved...It’s an awful lot of money. Our camper van had been parked there and it’s just been repainted so I’m glad we moved it.’

Jan said she had just started up a new nursery at Colby and set up costs meant money was tight.

‘A bill like that hits even harder,’ she said.

‘And the other knock-on effect is needing the car for work and to pick the children up from school. Now I have to go and get the car sprayed and that means I can end up letting other people down. It’s just mindless. Have they got nothing better to do? You can either waste your time or you can make something of your time. This is £200 I can ill afford to pay out at the moment.’

Related article: {http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/police-hunt-car-with-l-plates-after-vandals-attacked-70-cars-1-5010806|Police hunt car with L-plates after vandals attacked 70 cars}.

Port Erin Commissioners’ chairman Ged Power said cars had been targeted around the south of the island, possibly by a substance sprayed from a passing vehicle.

‘Port Erin has had excellent crime levels for many years so for something like this to happen is surprising but I have every confidence the police will be pursuing every avenue and will catch the perpetrators,’ he said.

Mr Power said such incidents were rare but not completely unknown, referring to a similar incident of damage to cars in Peel 12 years ago, but he added this would make a big spike in the Port Erin crime figures which were usually around 150 per year.

Sergeant Gary Heaton of Port Erin police said the vandals struck between 6.30pm and 9pm on Sunday in Truggan Road, Athol Park and Ballafesson Road, Port Erin, and Bowling Green Road, Bridge Street and Arbory Road in Castletown.

He said they were renewing their appeal for people to come forward with infomation: ‘Someone must know something. I don’t believe they have kept their mouths shut.’

Anyone with information should contact Port Erin police on 832222 or Crimestoppers, which has offered a £1,000 reward for information, on 0800 555111.

TWO of the Royal Navy’s patrol vessels are due to be in Peel tomorrow.

HMS Biter, the Universities Royal Naval Unit (URNU) ship for Manchester and Salford, is due to arrive this afternoon and will be closely followed on Friday by sister ship HMS Pursuer, Glasgow universities’ craft.

Both ships will host a number of youth groups, schools and colleges during their time in port.

Among those visiting the two vessels are Bunscoill Primary School, St John’s School, Marown School, Castle Rushen High School, Isle of Man Sea Cadets and St John Ambulance Cadets.

In addition, 40 guests will also be hosted for a reception on Friday.

POLICE investigating vandalism committed to 70 cars have traced a car about which they had appealed for information.

On Sunday, cars throughout the south of the island were damaged by a corrosive liquid.

On Wednesday, police said they were looking for a dark hatchback seen in Honna Road, Port Erin.

However, police inspector Mark Newey said: ‘The owner of the vehicle made contact straight away with the police and I can confirm that the person had nothing to do with the investigation.

‘Another vehicle that I need to identify is a light coloured hatchback which travelled along either the Ballachurry Road or Ballafesson Road towards the Honna Road on Sunday evening at approximately 10pm. As the vehicle approached the Surby junction on its right hand side, the vehicle then turned around in the junction and left in the same direction from which it had arrived. I would like the driver or any occupant of the vehicle or anyone else who may know who this was, to contact the police so that they can be eliminated from the inquiry.’

{http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/damage-to-cars-is-just-mindless-1-5014220|See the damaged vehicles here}