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CARDIFF'S STUDENT WEEKLY
ISSUE 900 JUNE 08 2009
THE 900TH EDITION OF CARDIFF UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER
PLUS QUENCH GOES
inside:
jo brand
GLOSSY
WITH FRIENDLY FIRES, our first ethical living supplement KILLA KELLA & MORE
+ the de to su mm er fin itive Guide festivals '09
confessio
n box:
"writing no vels is a gr eat excuse stay in an to d not get dressed"
your sord id truths revealed!
"We're jus t striving to create th e perfect pop song "
FRIENDLY F IRES
40 THIEVES Sent to
IMAGE: BBC
Purgatory Eleanor Joslin News Editor
Huge police operation leads to arrest of dozens of crooks who target student properties Emma Barlow News Editor A police operation that resulted in the arrests of more than 40 people will spell good news for students. Police in Cardiff arrested more than 40 people over a 24-hour period between midnight on Wednesday May 27 and midnight on Thursday May 28. South Wales Police launched the
intelligence-led and forensicbacked Operation Jaguar to arrest as many criminals as possible. Police Liason officer for the University, Bob Koehane, said that the arrests of these criminals will be especially beneficial to students as it is the areas and houses in which students live, including Cathays which is the “busiest place in Cardiff for burglaries,” and is particularly targeted by thieves. He said: “While these people are in custody and going before courts
we will hopefully quickly see a reduction in crime against students.” Chief Inspector Marc Lewis, who led Thursday’s day of action, described it as a great success: “I firmly believe that these arrests will have a significant impact on the city in reducing crimes such as robbery and burglary. continued on page 3
Cardiff University has distanced itself from Father John Owen, one of the University chaplains, since gair rhydd published controversial comments that he made live on television in May. The University has removed the chaplain’s profile from their website and has stated, “No chaplains are employed by Cardiff University”. Following last week’s article, a University spokesperson issued a statement which declared: “Cardiff University is a secular organisation that does not require or promote religious belief in general or any religious belief in particular. No chaplains are employed by Cardiff University. “The opinions expressed by Father John Owen, one such chaplain, during the BBC’s Big Questions on Sunday May 24, are his own personal opinions, independent of Cardiff University, and in no way reflect the views and beliefs of the institution.” In relation to the recently published
Ryan report, which revealed that sexual abuse is prevalent within Irish Catholic industrial schools and orphanages that are run by the Church, Father John Owen stated live on television that “most of the offences are being committed by homosexuals”. He continued: “Stick to the facts: the vast majority of the abuse cases in the country – certainly in America – were not taken against what I would call children but 95 per cent of the time taken against teenage boys. Now what does that tell you?” The spokesperson also said: “The University aims to establish an inclusive culture free from discrimination and based on the values of dignity, courtesy and respect. The University recognises the right of every person to be treated in accordance with these values. “Such an environment cannot be created or sustained if staff or students are subject to any type of discrimination because of their faith, religious affiliation, philosophical beliefs or non-belief, sexual orientation or any other aspect of their identity.”