He said: “Crime figures in Coventry offer no reassurance to people who live in Kirkby.

“There is a clear increase in reported crimes around the football stadia on match days, with the Ricoh Arena demonstrating the worst impact.

“Many young families describe Kirkby as a good place in which to bring up their families. Weekly sight of police lines in the streets, heavy crowd management and supporter rivalry before and after matches will not improve perceptions of stability and security in the town.”

No-one cross examined Dr Stratford as barristers representing Tesco, Everton and Knowsley Council had previously told the inspector they would avoid questioning anyone who did not have legal representation.

We need centre investigation

REV TIM STRATFORD, former vice-chair of the Ruffwood School governors, used the inquiry yesterday to suggest that Knowsley changed its plans for Children’s Centres in Kirkby because of Tesco’s designs.

He said: “A thorough investigation should be conducted into whether the desire to develop the All Saints site by Tesco has influenced the decisions that should have been made on an entirely educational basis.

“The choice not to build a learning centre where All Saints School was located and to put the new Catholic Secondary Learning Centre on the same site as a new Community Primary Learning Centre leaves the impression of compromise.” This allegation has been strenuously denied by the council, who have submitted a letter from the Government’s Department of Children Schools and Families, that was sent to the Kirkby Resident Action Group (KRAG) that Rev Stratford chairs, more than 13 months ago.

It said: “The proposed BSF programme was reduced to seven learning centres because of forecast changes in the distribution of pupil numbers and a detailed site options appraisal of the school estate.”

* READ a dedicated archive of stories on the controversial stadium and superstore bid here