SEE PAGES 14-15 SEE SPORT First pictures of new £7.5m pool Full report from last night's game MK’s FAVOURIT E Newspaper powered online by www.mkweb.co.uk MK NEWS Wednesday , April 10, 2013 | Issue number: 553 | www.mk-news.co.uk | £1 where sold City breaks records for business MILTON Keynes has broken a number of its own business records in 2012 – according to a new report. The Duport Business Confidence Report reveals a series of remarkable economic statistics last year, including a record number of company formations. The group say that the report signals an MK econo my that is doing well in the face of tough financial conditions. There were a total of 2,725 company formations – more than any other year in the history of the city and a 13 per cent rise on 2011. Meanwhile, there were more companies started in the city in the months of October and November of 2012 than any other year in MK’s history. This, combined with a fall in company closures, led to a record year for net company growth. Milton Keynes also broke its own record for UK company share, reflecting its growing importance in the UK economy. In 2012 Milton Keynes formed 0.6 per cent of all UK companies, an improvement on 2011 when the city was responsible for 0.5 per cent. And whi le not record-breaki ng, the good news continued as it emerged that while 1,361 com- panies had been dissolved, it was 3.3 per cent lower tha n 2011 . And 2013 looks set to be just as successful, with accountancy firm PwC predicting GDP growth in the region to reach 1.8 per cent, the highest growth outside Greater London and the south east. Managing director of Duport. co.uk Peter Valaitis said: “Milton Keynes is becoming a significant economic hub, as the report shows. The number of new com- panies setting up will strength- en the economic base.” Could you take down the Titan? KILNFarmClub is chall engi ng peopleto conque r thei r Tit an Burgerto raise money foryoung canc ervictimHenry Allen. Thebeastlyburger contains three 6ozsteak burgers, cheese, bacon,onion rings andhot chilli , with caramelised onions. All this isservedon a mountai n ofchips. Compe titorsare beingspon- soredto tryandeat t h e w h ol e dish, withmoneygoing towards Henry, agedthree,who suff ers fromneuroblastoma. Henry’sparents Dawnand Mark setup theHenryAllen Appeal, andhave already rais ed £30, 000 shouldthey need to send him abroadfor treatment which would not be available in the UK. Thechallengestartsat 7.30pm onSaturday at KilnFarm Club. Police warning over thefts of car parts DRIVERS are being warned over increasing thefts of costly catalytic convert ers from cars and vans in MiltonKeynes. In thelatestincide ntsthievesstolea catal ytic convert erfrom a Jeep Grand Che rokee in a car park in South Second Stre et last Wednesday. Another theft took place in the early hours of Tuesday April 2 from a Peugeot Expert van, in a car park in Fern Grove, Bletchley. Catalytic converte rs, or ‘cats’ as theyare known,are partof a vehi cle ’s exhaust system and control emis- sions from the engine. They are stolen because they con- tain precious metals and the thieves are cashing in on rising prices. The thefts can be very expensive for motorists as ‘cats’ cost £300 or more each to replace. PC Dirk Pym, of Milton Keynes CID, said: “Following these recent thefts in the Milto n Keynes area, we are urging owners of vehicles with catalytic converters to put them in a garage if they can. “Industrial estates, car parks, and new car forecourts are also some of the places that are being targe ted, where the more appeali ng vehicles are parked overnight. “Vans, 4x4s and trucks are easier to target due to their height off the ground and easy access to the under- neath of the vehicle.” Crime Reduction Advisor for Milton Keynes, Ed Allington, has confirmed police are still actively investigating the crimes after a string of incidents in January. He urged drivers to park vehicles in a way which restricts access under- neath them. Fixing bolts on ‘cats’ can also be welded shut. Wit ness es can ca ll 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. BY ANNABEL HOWARD [email protected] S e e mo r e o n t hi s s t o r y b y v i s i t i ng mk - ne w s. c o . uk