Police clampdown on illegal off-road driving in Barrow

Police are continuing to work partner agencies in their clampdown of illegal off-road driving.

Police have received numerous complaints of 'off-roading' by members of the public throughout Barrow-in-Furness in locations such as The Vulcan Bowl and the nature reserves around the town.

The Barrow Borough Neighbourhood Policing Team would like to remind individuals that such anti-social behaviour can spoil those areas and reserves and cause damage. This is shown by the attached picture that shows a vehicle that drove in to the sand dunes at Sandscale. The driver, a 24 year old man from Barrow, has been prosecuted and dealt with by way of a fixed penalty ticket.

Police concerns are echoed by the wardens of the reserves. The nearby Sandscale Haws NNR also records regular incidents involving off-road vehicles and motorbikes.

National Trust Ranger Neil Forbes, who has passed video and photos to the police highlighting the problem, said “Since starting joint patrols with the police two years ago we have seen a significant reduction in the number of incidents recorded. However, we do still witness damage to extremely fragile sand dune and salt-marsh habitats and have even seen rare species like the Natterjack Toad run over by a vehicle. This issue also affects everybody’s enjoyment of the site –  even when you can’t see the vehicles the noise has an impact and many visitors tell us that they are concerned for their safety.”

Natural England’s Senior Reserve Manager, Steve Benn said: “The small numbers of irresponsible visitors who drive vehicles onto the North Walney NNR need to be aware that their actions are illegal and result in a negative impact on the sensitive habitats and on our local and migratory wildlife.  This site is important for resident and visiting birds and they need to be free from disturbance while they are busy in their day to day activities such as nesting, roosting and feeding” 

The Barrow Borough NPT has agreed to maintain the effective joint patrols with reserve managers to present a united front against this type of illegal activity.

PC Karen Park said: “It’s about making people aware of the problem. People just think they are coming down for a bit of fun, but they don’t realise the damage they cause to this fragile environment.”

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service re: smoke alarms

Message from Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service re: smoke alarms

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service (CF and RS) have been providing homeowners with free smoke alarms as part of their prevention work for over a decade. The alarms provided have about a 10 year battery life. Once the battery that is within the alarm has come to the end of its working duration the alarm will beep intermittently to alert you to change the battery.

CF and RS have been issuing ‘Fire Angel’ smoke alarms since 2007. These Fire Angel alarms have a battery encased within the alarm that cannot be accessed or changed by the homeowner. Once this type of alarm starts to beep the whole alarm will need to be replaced.

A small percentage of these alarms may show signs that the battery life has come to an end and the alarm starts to beep before the 10 year battery life has ended. If this fault occurs please contact the manufacturer directly on 0800 141 2561 to receive a replacement alarm free of charge within 48 hours. If you experience any problems in gaining a new alarm please contact CF and RS on our Freephone number 0800 358 4777.

For advice and information on our new Home Safety Visit Assessments please visit www.cumbriafire.gov.uk and follow the link at https://secure3.cumbria.gov.uk/surveys/cumbria/firehomesafetyv5.htm

Thought for the Week

“This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.” Shakespeare

'Paws for Thought' with St Mary's Hospice

Easter activities at the Dock Museum

'Life on the home front' at the Dock Museum

St Mark's Church, Barrow

Thought for the Week

“The good life is inspired by love and guided by knowledge.” Bertrand Russell

British Legion - Advice Days start 1 April

Roller Derby - Bout 2

Job seeking skills programme

Thought for the Week

“Only the person who has faith in himself is able to be faithful to others.” Erich Fromm

Crafts of the World

Cakes, Coffee and more ...

Get Connected at St Matthews Community Halls

Cumbria Constabulary to bolster their ranks with new recruits

Cumbria Constabulary is asking the question: ‘Could you?’ ahead of their latest recruitment drive which will see 84 officers join the force over the next year.

During the financial year 2014-2015, the force is looking to recruit 72 full-time Police Officers and 12 transferees in a bid to bolster its ranks in order to continue to offer a high-quality policing service to its communities.

The application process for the new recruits opens on the 10^th March 2014 until midday on 1^st April 2014; however it may close early if the Constabulary believes it has received enough quality applications to choose from.

The new officers will help deliver community policing and support the front line; working within the local communities and tackling their policing priorities.

Assistant Chief Constable Michelle Skeer said: “Police Officers work hard to support our communities, to tackle crime, anti-social behaviour and focus on the issues that matter most to local people.

“The new officers will support the front line and will be visible within local communities working with local people focussing on the areas that are important to them.

“This application process is designed to help us maintain our officer numbers and prepare for the future by replacing some of those who have retired and served the Constabulary so well during their careers. Promotions within the force mean that we have been able to maintain high levels of skill and expertise.

“Whilst the force is reducing the number of officers over the next few years, the officer numbers will be lower than the projected future officer number due to natural depletion. Therefore we need to recruit to make sure that the force has enough officers to serve the county.

“The successful applicants will join a top performing Police force and will help to fight crime through community policing so that Cumbria continues to be a safe place to live, work and visit.

“We are looking for applicants that are high in enthusiasm and energy who want to help serve the local communities of Cumbria. The force is always looking for new ideas or techniques to help maintain and improve its service; we are looking for applicants who have a passion to make a difference.”

In welcoming the recruitment drive, Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes said: “I urge those who seek a role that is demanding, is one that can provide great job satisfaction, exciting opportunities and a chance to make a real difference in their local community, to have a look at the information on the website and give serious thought to this opportunity to become a Police Officer in Cumbria.”

Cumbria Constabulary is committed to ensuring that the force represents the community in which it serves, further details about the role of a police officer are available on the Cumbria Constabulary website – http://www.cumbria.police.uk/join-us.

The force welcomes applications from all sections of the community and would welcome members of under-represented groups to attend awareness events that are being put on during the application process. Spaces are limited; therefore booking is required by emailing csd.employeeservices@cumbria.pnn.

The events take place between 10.30am-12pm and 1pm-2.30pm on:

·         Saturday 8^th March at Barrow Police Station

·         Saturday 15^th March at Workington Police Station

·         Saturday 22^nd March at Durranhill Police Station

Prior to submitting your application, please take time to complete the pre-application questionnaire in order to determine your eligibility and suitability for the role of a Police Constable. In order to do this, please click on the following link: http://www.ncalt.com/pre-join/index.html.

The Constabulary expects to receive a high number of applicants and urges those who want to apply, to do so in good time as the application process will close early if the required number of quality applications is received.

Skills Fest, Barrow - Sat 29 March

Consultation event on Barrow Island this weekend