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Becky Hodgetts

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Staffordshire Police

MESSAGE FROM CHIEF INSPECTOR NORBURY

I wanted to send a message of reassurance concerning the recent events that we have witnessed Nationally and within Staffordshire.

We have seen South Staffordshire Police officers deployed to both Stoke on Trent and Tamworth over the weekend, I myself was on duty in Stoke on Trent on Saturday commanding the Police response to the acts of disorder you will have seen. Our Officers did an outstanding job and I am incredibly proud of them, all were keen to return to their duty posts this morning with your local Policing team.

Please be reassured that despite some officers having been abstracted, Policing in South Staffordshire remains intact and there is very much a ‘business as usual’ response to incidents within South Staffordshire, we are retaining numbers through a number of options authorised by the Executive leadership team.

I would also like to reassure you that we have no current intelligence of any planned incidents of this nature within South Staffordshire and I continue to rely on yourselves and the general public to provide any information or intelligence that will support our planning of any such activity or that will support our investigation of the incidents that have occurred in other Geographical areas.

If any of you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask me and I will try my very best to answer them for you.

I will continue to work closely with Cllr Roger Lees who as always, has remained supportive throughout.

 

SSDC News

 August 6th 2024

Good News for Crime figures in South Staffordshire

Working together to keep South Staffordshire a low crime district

When comparing crime figures over a 12-month timeframe, South Staffordshire has seen reductions in the majority of all crime types. South Staffordshire Community Safety Partnership has been focussing on the most common crimes including burglary and vehicle crime and also is working with Staffordshire partners to tackle violence, which includes Domestic Violence (DV) and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

Theft from motor vehicle vehicles has seen a 41% reduction since March 2024 with theft of motor vehicles remaining the same at 132 crimes. Burglary residential also remains the same but burglary business has reduced by 28% to 39 crimes. More serious violence (including DV and VAWG) has reduced by 37% with less serious violence recording a 13% reduction with 192 recorded crimes. However, drug offences has seen an increase over the past 12 months of 41% to 32 recorded offences since March 2024 .

Property marking pens use an indelible ink which cannot be removed, and are a simple protection for laptops, computers, iPads, TVs etc. The Community Safety Partnership is encouraging homeowners to write their postcode on valuable items, and pens can be requested through local Police or by contacting communitysafety@sstaffs.gov.uk

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) has also seen a 25% decrease with regular police patrols being made on Fridays and Saturdays in areas where ASB is occurring and has been reported by residents and businesses too.

Councillor Roger Lees, Leader of the Council is asking residents to think about home security and states “In the warm weather don’t leave windows open at the front of your property where a thief may enter easily and don’t leave windows open when you go out. Also, when out in your vehicle, don’t leave items on view but put them in your boot or glove box and put a steering lock on your steering wheel, even if you’re leaving your vehicle for a short time. Let’s all work together to keep crime low in South Staffordshire and reduce the opportunity for would-be thieves”.

For further advice about home and/or vehicle security Crime prevention advice | Staffordshire Police

If you don’t want to click on the link then contact communitysafety@sstaffs.gov.uk

Keeping our communities safe is everyone’s responsibility

As a resident, community group, local businesses or local volunteer you can help to keep South Staffordshire one of the safest areas by reporting anything you see or hear that you think is suspicious or out of character for your local area.

If you hear a group or individual living or working in South Staffordshire using means (leaflets, one or more social media sites, a website, WhatsApp messages or word of mouth) to express views which justify or glorify violence, foster hatred or seek to provoke others into acts of violence – this is something that needs to be reported.

If you know of any group who are based in South Staffordshire who use threatening language or threats of violence to justify their cause – this is something that needs to be reported.

If you see graffiti that you know or believe to be a symbol of an organisation linked to extremist views – this is something that needs to be reported.

Doing nothing should never be an option and the Community Safety Partnership is encouraging residents and communities to work together to keep South Staffordshire one of safest districts in the Country.

If you have any concerns there are several ways to report:

0800 011 3764 is the number of the Prevent Team.

Report any online material promoting terrorism or extremism to Report online material promoting terrorism or extremism – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

If you don’t want to click on a link contact communitysafety@sstaffs.gov.uk to make a report or for further information about Prevent

Safe and secure driving

South Staffordshire Police are investigating car thefts in South Staffordshire district where drivers of stationary vehicles have been approached and their cars stolen.

South Staffordshire Community Safety Partnership suggests you “keep your vehicle locked when stopping at traffic lights, dial 999 if you see anyone acting suspiciously and drive away to a place of safety as soon as you can.”

Staffordshire Police are committed to deter car thieves with more than 120 arrests in the County since 2022 – see the article on Staffordshire Police’s website https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/news/staffordshire/news/2024/february/more-than-120-arrests-and-50-charged–heres-what-were-doing-to-tackle-vehicle-theft/

If you don’t want to click on the link and would like more information, contact communitysafety@sstaffs.gov.uk

 

To say thank you for being a subscriber to this Newsletter the Community Safety Partnership are offering you the chance to win a Streetwise Urban X Steering Wheel Lock”.

Please send an email with the title “Community Safety Newsletter Competition” to communitysafety@sstaffs.gov.uk and you will be entered into a prize draw.

Terms and conditions are available on South Staffordshire Council’s website South Staffordshire Community Safety Partnership | South Staffordshire District Council (sstaffs.gov.uk)

Closing date for entries is Friday 30th August at 5.00pm

Weekly News 360

Council and district news

Sytch Lane Cemetery honoured with prestigious

Green Flag award

South Staffordshire Council is celebrating receiving a Green Flag Award for Sytch Lane Cemetery in Wombourne.

The cemetery joins existing Green Flag Award winning sites in South Staffordshire, Wom Brook Walk and Baggeridge Country Park.

It was opened in December 2009 and was awarded the accreditation as it is officially recognised as one of the country’s best green spaces. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that care for the cemetery.

The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

Keep Britain Tidy’s Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, Paul Todd MBE, said:

“I would like to congratulate everyone involved at Sytch Lane Cemetery on achieving a Green Flag Award. The cemetery is a vital green space in South Staffordshire where people can lay their loved ones to rest in a place for quiet contemplation and reflection that is well-maintained, also providing important opportunities for people to enhance their physical and mental wellbeing. 

We know that staff work tirelessly to ensure that it maintains the high standards of the Green Flag Award, everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement. It is important that our spaces are maintained to the Green Flag Award standard, making them accessible for all members of the community while ensuring the environment is protected.”

Cllr Kath Perry commented:

“Our cemeteries are important community assets, and we want to encourage people to visit, get involved in their management, and continue to improve them for future generations of families who will lay their loved ones to rest with us.” 

Celebrating 50 years!

We are officially on countdown with just under eleven weeks to go for our 50-year anniversary celebration!

As we prepare to commemorate this significant milestone, we will be sending out a survey shortly and are asking residents of South Staffordshire to send in their stories, photographs and memories of our borough to record our history.

It’s a great chance to celebrate:

  • 50 years of our borough
  • our communities
  • our borough’s wonderful achievements and to look forward to the next chapter

Have you got a special memory of South Staffordshire? It could be of a particular place, view or building that you love and feel should be celebrated?

We would love to hear and see your photos of South Staffs in the last 50 years. Whether its a favourite spot or a special or unusual event, please share your memory with us to: Comms@sstaffs.gov.uk.

Councillor Roger Lees commented on this momentous occasion:

‘It’s a huge honour to mark the start of the 50th anniversary of South Staffordshire Council and it has been an honour to serve our community.’

Climate Action Fund to help local communities

Staffordshire County Council is dedicated to cutting greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and acknowledges the necessity of adapting to our evolving climate.

Working together to reduce climate change impacts across Staffordshire is a top priority.

The Climate Change Action Fund offers financial assistance to local communities to build resilience and reduce Staffordshire’s contributions to climate change.

For more info please click on the link below ⬇️

Climate Action Fund – Staffordshire County Council

Better Health Staffordshire campaign

The NHS Campaign Support Unit are looking at new ways to achieve a healthy lifestyle.

Our Better Health web pages contain lots of useful information, advice and tips to help everyone lead healthier lives. For more guidance visit ⬇️ www.staffordshire.go.uk/BetterHealth.

You can access links on our better health pages to local walking routes that are also rated on difficulty – so they can be enjoyed by all ages.

As it is meant to be summer, we decided to focus our campaign on encouraging people to walk, which is good for your physical and mental health. Plus, it’s free.

You can also find:

  • links to chair exercises 💺
  • advice on meal planning 🍴
  • healthy snack ideas from a qualified nutritionist at Everyone Health 🥜
  • meal planning 📅
  • healthy recipes on a budget 💷
  • how to check you’re a healthy weight 📏
  • links to apps 📱
  • local service details such as Everyone Health.

Huntington summer fete

This Sunday, 21st July, between 10am and 3pm, South Staffordshire Council will be at Huntington Fete offering advice on benefits, energy efficiency, dementia support, as well as a back-to-school stationery giveaway and much more – this event is not to be missed!

  • Get your children school ready for the new term, stationery give away to support those in need.
  • Looking for ways to create a warmer home at a fraction of the price this winter? Pop along and meet our Community Homes Solutions team and see how we can help you.
  • “Do you look after someone with dementia? Do you know someone who does and is struggling? Pop along to our stand today, we will have support materials on hand”.
  • Creating brighter futures – Are you out of work and looking to launch a career but need the training?
  • Welfare service support – your local support advisors will be on hand.
  • Leisure Prizes on offer in the Huntington Parish Councils raffle.
  • Free doggy poo bags, courtesy of our Street Scene cleansing team” Help us to keep community play areas and streets clean.

South Staffordshire Council are supporting the local community and families on low income.

The team will be on hand, to raise awareness of a number of services available to the community. See you all there!

🏘️ Village Green, Huntington

📅 July, 21st

⏲️10am – 3pm

Vacancies

  • Leisure Assistant, Codsall Leisure Centre, closing August 11th
  • Planning Solicitor, open closing date

All vacancies can be viewed in full and applied for on our recruitment site: https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/vacancies.

Leisure latest

Engaging residents to raise awareness of climate change

Thanks to Cheslyn Hay Running Club for organising Chez Fest on Saturday, July 13th.

This was a lively and very well attended community event.

South Staffordshire Council were onsite to talk about our leisure offer and healthy lifestyles, and we were also proud to work with Staffordshire County Council and welcome the Carbon Bubble to Cheslyn Hay.

The event was organised by Cheslyn Hay & Great Wyrley Running Club to help promote healthy lifestyles and exercise with lots of local companies on hand throughout the day to share their knowledge and experience.

Did you know that the average household produce 12 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year?

The carbon bubble helps to show the scale of carbon usage, and we were able to provide lots of information and tips to help residents reduce their own carbon footprint.

Easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint

  • Lower your energy use – Insulate, lower thermostat temperature and install LED lights.
  • Active Travel – Swap short car journeys for walking or cycling.
  • Buy Local – Check labels and buy local or UK produce if possible.
  • Using Public Transport – can help to reduce emissions and relieve congestion.
  • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Only buy what you need, reuse or donate and recycle at home or at the recycling centres.

Please click below for more info on climate change ⬇️

Climate change – Staffordshire County Council

Summer holiday activities for children and young people

This summer South Staffordshire Council’s leisure centres are offering a range of activities for children and young people to take part in. 

Here’s a quick run-down of what’s on offer:

  • Summer holiday swimming sessions
  • The Space Scheme discounts (8-17 year olds)
  • Active Youth – supervised gym sessions for 13 years+
  • Aspire Active Camps (5-14 year olds)
  • Wolves Soccer Schools
  • Training courses
  • Save 10% on full-price activities with the Leisure Advantage card
  • Student and apprentice memberships

 

Health and wellbeing in the community

South Staffordshire Council offer community-based programmes consisting of instructor-led community walks and gentle exercise classes.

The activities take place every week and run from various locations around the district.

To find out more visit https://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/sports-and-fitness/health-and-wellbeing-community

Summer holiday swimming timetables

daily swimming sessions between Monday, July 22nd to Friday, August 30th. No booking required – just turn up!

Cheslyn Hay summer swimming times

Codsall summer swimming times

Penkridge summer swimming times

Wombourne summer swimming times

 

Aspire Active camps

Aspire Sports provide children’s summer activity camps for 5-14 year olds which are available every weekday throughout the summer at Codsall and Wombourne leisure centres. 

To find out more and to book, click on the links below:

Codsall Aspire Active Camps

Wombourne Aspire Active Camps

Get 10% off leisure centre activities with the ‘Leisure Advantage Card’

Adults and children can now sign up to a new ‘Leisure Advantage Card’ offering discounts of up to 10% off individual leisure centre activities including exercise classes, swimming and the gym.  

Pop into your nearest leisure centre to get your card activated and start saving NOW.

Find out more here.

The Space Scheme – summer discounts for young people

From Monday, July 29th to Friday, August 30th, young people aged 8-17 years, living in South Staffordshire can enjoy discounts on swimming, gym sessions and 3G pitch hire thanks to funding from the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner.

  • Swim for £1
  • Gym for £1
  • 3G pitch hire for £10.

For full details, click here

 

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