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Operation Snap

Members of the public can submit (via a secure online form – https://www.nextbase.com/en-gb/national-dash-cam-safety-portal/) digital footage showing potential traffic offences.

This can range from driving dangerously or carelessly to overtaking on solid white lines, using a mobile phone while driving, ignoring traffic lights or dangerous driving around other road users, such as horse riders and cyclists.

Your submission will be sent to West Mercia Police where the evidence will be reviewed by one of their road traffic officers, who will enforce against any offences committed.

Any footage submitted through the portal can also be used by the Police to help educate other road users and to advise on case results.

Village Hall Gates

In response to anti-social behaviour and illegal activities, which has involved the police, the Village Hall trustees will be installing gates at the entrance & exit to the car park and parking post in the service road.

Gates will only to be opened for the duration of the hire period and will be locked at the end of each hire. This will prevent unauthorised vehicles accessing the car park and deter anti-social & illegal activities, which have included drug dealing.

To restrict vehicle movements during a hire period, hirers will be allowed to shut the gates.

With several users reporting near misses of vehicles using the service road to do a “u-turn” and an intervention by the local police, posts will be installed prohibiting vehicle access. The posts will only be retracted for emergency vehicles or with the authorisation of the trustees.

The Village Hall trustees appreciate that the gates may inconvenience some motorists, however, our duty is to provide a safe venue for Hall users.

Protecting Your Shed From Burglary

Although theft from outbuildings and sheds is uncommon there have been a few over recent months across the West Mercia Police area. Therefore police are asking residents to remain vigilant.

Police have seen a number of sheds and outbuildings across Shropshire being targeted and the Police do need people to take precautions to protect their property. Please ensure you keep Valuable tools out of sight lock buildings, fit good security lights and alarms where possible.

If you have CCTV look at using it to cover your sheds and outbuilding as well as the house.

Whitewash the shed window or put a curtain across to stop any one looking inside the shed.

Fit good locks and attach the fittings with bolts. Cover the screw heads on hinges so they can’t be taken out.

Remember, sheds that are not attached to homes or are out of sight at the bottom of a garden can be quite vulnerable. Look at making sure that your boundary fences and hedges are in good condition and grow shrubs such as Firethorn or Hawthorne in your hedges. Don’t make it easy for the thief.

Put tools away and out of sight after use and don’t forget to lock the shed up before popping off to the shops.

Home and Property Security Advice

 

There’s no place like home, and it’s important to make your home as protected as possible to ensure that it is a safe place for you, your property, and your loved ones. Follow our advice on keeping your home and property secure from most criminal threats:

Make sure all points of entry to your home or property have locks.

When you leave the property, no matter for how long, make sure that these entry points are all locked. Also make sure you lock up before going to bed at night.

There’s no point leaving your keys in an accessible place – don’t leave them in doors/windows or hanging within easy reach of the front door.

Think about further security measures – a fence, burglar alarm or security lights can be a good investment and are much more likely to deter burglars. They may also decrease your insurance payments.

When leaving the property to go on holiday, use timers on lights and radios to create an impression that someone is still in the property, or ask neighbours to make occasional visits to your property or park in your driveway.

Finally, to ensure you feel secure when answering your door, fit a “spy hole” so you can see who is calling. You should also fit a door chain. Don’t let anyone into the property that you feel unsure about, and always ask to see identification – if they don’t have any, do not let them in.

Dog Fouling in the Village

In response to residents’ concerns, volunteers from the Community Association have this morning cleared dog faeces from the cut grass verge along Brook Road.

For some having a dog leave its mess on the path, cut grass verge, recreation ground or on someone’s garden appears to be a laughing matter. Last year an elderly resident stepped in some dog mess, unfortunately unknown to the resident there was a slight cut on her foot and she became infected, subsequently requiring hospital treatment.

Please spread the word, clear up dog mess after your dog has defecated.
Place dog poo bags in the bin, not on a tree, hedge, railings, side of road etc.

To report dog fouling please complete the online form http://www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/my-place/street-cleaning/litter,-street-cleaning,-dead-animals-and-street-name-plates.aspx

Doorstep Pedlars – It could be a scam

Who are Nottingham Knockers?

They are doorstep callers who target areas offering small household products for sale. These callers may claim to be ex-convicts attempting to mend their ways, however they are not part of any recognised rehabilitation scheme.

Please warn your neighbours, particularly elderly or vulnerable neighbours, not to open the door to strangers or buy or sell on the doorstep. Some doorstep callers may offer poor quality goods at inflated prices and if a caller is not genuine, they may be gathering information for future crime.
Please keep in mind that if cold callers don’t get any sales in your area, they are less likely to return.

How they work

The sellers may say that they are on a “rehabilitation course” arranged by probation services or other organisations trying to find people work. This is not the case and often they are known criminals. Probation services do not run such schemes.

They may show a card which claims to be a “Pedlars Licence” or work permit.

A bag of household products (including the typical tea-towels!) is supplied at a minimal sum by the person who employs them. Once they sell enough to cover the cost of the products they get to keep anything else earned.

Usually they are deposited in an area from a transit van and given a list of streets to work. An hour or so later they are picked up and dropped off in another location. They often work from 9am to 9pm.

They will knock on a door, offering cleaning items which they know are cheap and of very poor quality; the householder also knows they are rubbish but that is part of the scam. Many people will purchase items and pay them something, just to get rid of them. There have been cases of elderly residents handing over large sums as these lads can be very persistent and confrontational.

The price for whatever has been purchased usually comes to a note; usually £10. The householder disappears to get the money, this is when the scam begins. When the note is handed over, the lad examines the condition and how long it took the person to get it. If it is crumpled, they accept it and move on. If it is crisp flat and new, they are much more interested and may engage the person in more conversation, to obtain details about them. As they leave they will smell the note. If it is slightly musty, this is an indication that there is more in the property. Those addresses are noted. The addresses of elderly / vulnerable / gullible people are all noted.

These are handed to the employer and there is a small amount of cash handed over for each one.

These addresses are then sold in prisons and pubs. If there is a later break-in, the employer expects a further cut of the proceeds.

These lists are purchased by all sorts of people including; tarmaccers, tree workers, roofers, dodgy builders etc., and can be shared amongst the travelling community. Once on a list, your address could be sold on and on. Hence the repeat nature of these persistent callers.

TURN THEM AWAY

REMEMBER if cold callers don’t get any sales in your area, they are less likely to return.

Operation Snap – report poor driving and dangerous behaviour

 

Road users across Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Warwickshire can report incidents using footage from dashcams or other devices

As part of Operation Snap, members of the public can submit (via a secure online form ) digital footage showing potential traffic offences. This can range from driving dangerously or carelessly to overtaking on solid white lines, using a mobile phone while driving, ignoring traffic lights or dangerous driving around other road users, such as horse riders and cyclists.

Your submission will be sent to West Mercia Police and Warwickshire Police where the evidence will be reviewed by one of our road traffic officers, who will enforce against any offences committed. Any footage submitted through the portal can also be used by us to help educate other road users and to advise on case results.

See the Frequently Asked Questions section (https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/article/47353/National-Dashcam-Safety-Portal-NDSP-FAQs)

For further information regarding the Safer Roads Partnership please visit the West Mercia Police Website, (Crime & Safety Section) Safer Roads Partnership

https://www.westmercia.police.uk/article/38869/About-Safer-Roads-Partnership

Is crime harming your community?

If you have any information about criminal activity and you know who is responsible but you feel that you can not go to the police because you are scared that it would mean going to court and giving evidence, or you are scared of what might happen to you or your family if those responsible find out? You can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and tell them what you know. You will remain 100% anonymous.

Always!

Just tell them what you know, not who you are.

Contact Crimestoppers about crime anonymously:

Tel: 0800 555 111
Website: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
Twitter: @CrimestoppersUK

Traffic Issues – Background and Update on What Is Being Done to Address the Issue

During a visit to a FVCA meeting in February 2017, the Chief Constable recognised that there was an issue with regard speeding through the village and suggested that the following measures needed to be adopted:

1. Psychological interventions e.g. signs,

2. Enforcement and

3. Engineering work.

The first two have been achieved, with better signage in the village, a speed limit that is now enforceable (at the time the Traffic Regulation Order for Stourbridge Road was non-compliant) and now visits by the Mobile Enforcement Officer. The Safer Road Partnership found that the road through the village was of concern, in fact the speeds can be so high that it is deemed unsafe to operate Community Speedwatch.

The last things that needs to be done is Engineering Works. FVCA in partnership with the Parish Council, having considered the options and the community impact (residents, school, businesse, etc), have suggested suitable works for consideration by Highways. It is vital that any works are effective and have minimal negative impact on the community (residents, businesses, school, etc).

Residents, School Parents, Commuters etc are invited to email Cllr Alan Amos, Cabinet Portfolio holder for Highways, detailing their experiences and personal observations. This will help focus his mind as he considers our suggested works, i.e. works before the entrance to the village to slow down traffic and a traffic table between school drive and the post office. Please email Cllr. Amos at AAmos@worcestershire.gov.uk Please copy your email to Cllr Shirley Webb swebb2@worcestershire.gov.uk

Of course, people will be wanting more. A systematic step by step approach is required.

It is worth noting that a pedestrian crossing was considered in 2016, the cost would be £100,000 + (cost of build, consultants, electricity, etc) and the County Council said that there was a long waiting list. The works that are being proposed would provide traffic calming across the village (Stourbridge Road), whereas a pedestrian crossing provides a one-point piece of calming that in reality will only be effective when someone wants to cross the road.

Even though the County Council have trialled 20mph zones outside schools located on minor roads, the Council will not adopt a similar policy on a main B-road, i.e. Stourbridge Road.

Parking restrictions do have a part to play with regard accessibility for pedestrians, especially for enabling safe accessibility for young children, the elderly and people with mobility issues. FVCA are urging Highways to adopt strategically placed lines that have minimal negative impact. Before adoption, any further parking restrictions will need consultation.

Lastly, the Parish Council have agreed to consider an extension to the Recreation Ground carpark. Unfortunately, we need someone with planning experience to help guide us through the maze that is Green Belt regulations. If you or you know anyone that can assist us do please contact fvcommunityassociation@outlook.com

318 Bus Update

13th July 2018

Kev’s Coaches have been awarded the contract to operate the 318 Service from 2nd September.

Kevin will be at August’s Community Meeting (Monday 6th, 7.30pm, Fairfield Villa Club House) to discuss community requirements and issues – please attend.

14th May 2018

Update received from Cty Cllr Webb “The replacement service is currently out to tender and an extension has been agreed with Diamond buses to align the start dates, the service will continue with Diamond bus until September.”

21st February 2018

Diamond Buses have acquired Central Buses – From Monday 26th February 2018, Central Buses services will be operated by Diamond Buses.

Diamond last year announced that they would be withdrawing from the 318 service, the service was re-tendered and awarded to Central Buses, delivering the 318 service from 26th February 2018.

The County Council’s commercial team have been in discussions and have decided not to novate the contract to Diamond buses but to re-tender the 318 again. The County Council have agreed to an extension of the 318’s current operation with Diamond buses until the 3rd June 2018 to allow the commercial team time to complete a tender exercise.

5th January 2018

Central Buses will replace Diamond to deliver the 318 bus service. There will be no break in service.

4th December 2017

Diamond will continue to operate the service to the current timetable including Fairfield until the 25th of February 2018, the County Council will be going out to tender for a longer term option.

1st December 2017

Diamond Cancels 318 Bus Service: Linking Fairfield to Catshill, Bromsgrove, Belbroughton & Stourbridge

It was announced by Worcestershire County Council on Thursday 30th November 2017 that Diamond are withdrawing this partially subsided and partly commercial service. The County Council are in discussions with operators to provide a replacement contract for a similar service on Mondays to Saturdays.

County Hall have confirmed that Diamond are withdrawing from the 318 bus service with effect from 2nd January 2018, i.e. the scheduled last Diamond Bus Service will be on Saturday 30th December 2017.

FVCA has raised concerns with local County Councillor Shirley Webb. Withdrawal of the bus service will impact many residents, including school children and the elderly.

FVCA have been informed that the County Council are considering replacement services, further details are not known. Cllr Webb has said she will update FVCA when she has further news.

In the meantime, FVCA has asked the Parish Council to discuss the issue as a matter of urgency and it will also be discussed at the FVCA meeting on Saturday 9th December (10am, Village Hall), open to all residents.

Financial Support For Elderly Residents

Did you know that Belbroughton United Charities provides grants for the relief of poverty for the elderly residents in the Parish of Belbroughton & Fairfield.

If you know of an elderly resident in the Parish struggling to pay their bills, keeping their home warm or have little food to eat Belbroughton United Charities offers one off grants.

To apply or for more information contact:

Pauline Jones

Telephone: 0121 453 7785

Email: pjones45650@btinternet.com