Bikesafe scheme launched in bid to reduce deaths on Cumbria’s roads

Police in Cumbria are set to launch 2012’s Bikesafe scheme this weekend in a bid to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on the county’s roads.

In Cumbria in 2011, there were 152 road collisions on public roads involving a powered two wheeled vehicle that resulted in injury. Eight of these were fatal, 43 collisions resulted in casualties sustaining serious injuries and 101 collisions saw casualties sustain slight injuries.

Seven of the eight fatal collisions – almost 88 per cent - occurred on large capacity machines and, every rider who tragically lost their life last year was male.

As April sees the start of the summer biking season when thousands of motorcyclists flock to Cumbria to enjoy the open roads and breath taking views, officers are inviting riders to sign up to the successful Bikesafe scheme to build on their knowledge and awareness and help prevent serious collisions in 2012.

Sergeant Jo Lennox is a police motorcyclist from Cumbria’s Roads Policing Unit who coordinates the Bikesafe scheme locally and works as part of the national Bikesafe team. She said “A lot of effort goes into providing educational events for motorcyclists as, unfortunately, statistics show that motorcyclists are 50 times more likely to be killed or injured on British roads.

“In 2011, we saw a rise in the numbers of motorcyclists killed on Cumbria’s roads. Police officers had to deliver tragic news to eight families who lost a loved one and whose lives will never be the same again.

“In Cumbria, the number of motorcyclists killed on the county’s roads last year doubled in comparison to previous years which causes us real concern.

“As a police motorcyclist, I share the passion of riding on the open roads and host events throughout the year to speak to fellow bikers, promote road safety and encourage people to attend the educational events that we run.

“People may think that you learn how to ride a motorcycle when you pass your test but there are always new skills to learn. Any opportunity to improve your safety and skills as a rider should be grasped with both hands and Bikesafe encourages just this.

“A sad fact is that almost 50 per cent of collisions that result in injuries involve men aged 41-56 who ride larger speed bikes. This group tends to feel experienced and like they would have nothing new to learn or gain - but with bikes developing and roads changing, absolutely everybody would benefit from attending Bikesafe. In fact, statistics suggest that riders that fall within this age group should be the first to sign up.

“The Bikesafe courses are now a one day event where riders can benefit from some educational input in the morning and an assessed ride-out by an advanced motorcyclist in the afternoon. Participants also get an input from the North West Ambulance Service who provide advice on basic first aid and what to do if motorcyclists are the first to arrive on scene of a road traffic collision.

“I can’t recommend these courses highly enough. For the sake of a £10 admin fee and a few hours of a motorcyclists’ time, they can walk out of the course with so much additional knowledge to get more out of their riding and hopefully the enthusiasm to seek further training through an approved agent such as the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

“We look forward to welcoming motorcyclists into Cumbria as the biking season starts and hope that Bikesafe is as successful as previous years as we want our roads to be safer for all road users.”

For further information about future courses, contact Sgt Jo Lennox on 101, email her at joanne.lennox@cumbria.police.uk or visit the Bikesafe website www.bikesafe.co.uk.

Titanic Tea at Barrow Library - 3 April 2-4pm

Samaritans Information Evening for Volunteers

Monday 2 April 2012.

An information evening is to be held at 7pm at16 Hartington Street, Barrow.
 
The presentation will cover the work of the Samaritans, training and the commitment required (3-5 hours per week generally evenings, nights and early morning.) So if you feel that you may be interested in joining a 24/7 listening service with 200 branches and 18000 volunteers nationally, answering over 5 million calls per year please come down on Monday and hear what we have to say.

Signal Films – Work Placement Opportunity

Signal Films are offering a week’s work placement position in the delivery team of a youth training film shoot.

Working alongside the production team leaders you will get chance to learn about training young people on a creative project as well as gaining actual film production experience.

To apply you must be over 18 and available from Monday 2 April - Friday 6 April 2012.

The placement will take place in Barrow-in-Furness and is unpaid although we will cover expenses.

Please send a CV and a cover letter detailing why you would like to be considered for the role to Signal Films, Cooke’s Studios, 104 Abbey Road, Barrrow-in-Furness, LA14 5QR or Email: info@signalfilms.co.uk

Seat Belt Campaign is a success but highlights the risk people still take

Police officers across the county brought awareness of the importance of wearing a seat belt as part of the European campaign.

A campaign was launched across Europe on 12^th March 2012 until 18^th March to education people about the importance of wearing a seat and ensuring the correct child seat is used to make children safer when in a vehicle.

Police officers across Cumbria were being vigilant about stopping those drivers and passengers who were seen without a seatbelt and over the week:

·         170 fixed penalty tickets were issued at a £60 fine.

·         29 vehicle occupants were verbally warned

·         Two drivers will be summoned to court

During the campaign local officers also detected eleven drivers using a mobile phone, thirteen drivers speeding, one vehicle seized for having no insurance and three drivers arrested on suspicion of drink driving.

The campaign has seen a number of schools being visited throughout the week by officers who gave talks about the importance of wearing a seat belt and making sure they were in the correct child seat.

PC Lee Hill, who was the lead for Cumbria Constabulary on this campaign, said “It has been a very successful campaign and will continue to promote the necessity of wearing a seat belt, not only is it law but it also will save your life.

“Our work to make sure children are in the correct child seat will also continue, with information leaflets being sent to every registered child minder in Cumbria.

“One thing that was noticed during the campaign, and of concern, was the increasing number of drivers and passengers who are not wearing their seat belts correctly.  Many that were stopped for failing to wear seatbelts were in fact tucking the chest strap under their arm. This is not using the seat belt as it was intended and will not protect them in the event of an accident.

“Not wearing a seat belt correctly does carry a penalty of a £60 non-endorseable Fixed Penalty. It is important to wear a seat belt correctly and in not doing so you risk your own life and those lives of your passengers.”

You more information about wearing a seat belt, please visit the Government website at the link below: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Roadsafetyadvice/DG_4022064

Thought for the Week

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” Lao Tzu

Barrow Growing Spring Festival 31 March 2012

New display for hygiene standards when eating out

Customers will be better informed when eating out, thanks to the introduction of a new scheme which tells them about the hygiene standards of food outlets.

 

Barrow Borough Council has announced that it will switch to a new way of displaying the hygiene standards of food businesses to consumers. The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) will be run across the borough from 1st April 2012.

 

This national scheme, developed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in partnership with local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, provides information on food hygiene standards to help people to choose where to eat out or shop for food. The new scheme will build on the success of the Scores on the Doors scheme that the Barrow Borough Council has been running.

 

Food outlets, such as restaurants, takeaways and pubs, are inspected by food safety officers from Barrow Borough Council, to check that their hygiene standards meet legal requirements. The hygiene standards found at these inspections are rated on a scale ranging from zero at the bottom (which means ‘urgent improvement necessary’) to a top rating of five (‘very good’).

 

These ratings will be available for anyone to view on the FSA website at www.food.gov.uk/ratings and the food business will be given a sticker and certificate and encouraged to display these at the entrance to their premises. This is so that their customers can easily see them and decide if they want to go in.

 

Around one million people suffer from food poisoning every year, and the FSA’s aim in developing the FHRS is to reduce this number. The ratings will give consumers a glimpse of what is going on in the kitchen when they eat out, or behind the scenes at the places they shop, before they make their decision about which place they prefer to visit.

 

Julie Hodgson, Environmental Health Officer said, ‘Although we have run our own successful food hygiene scheme, we have opted to change to the FHRS, as we can see the benefits for local food businesses and the people that eat or shop in them. Having a single scheme which is consistent nationwide means that the rating will have the same significance wherever people are buying food. The public will be able to use the information when deciding which food outlets to visit, and we hope that food companies will recognise that displaying a good hygiene rating is good for business.’

 

Catriona Stewart, Head of the Food Hygiene Ratings Team at the FSA said, ‘We recognise the real progress that has been made in improving hygiene standards in food outlets through ‘local’ food hygiene rating schemes. But having a single nationwide scheme will mean a level playing field for businesses across the country, and consumers will be able to recognise and use the ratings in their own area, as well as further from home. So it’s great news that Barrow Borough Council have announced their intention to switch to the new national scheme’.

Queen''s Diamond Jubilee Street Parties and Olympic and Paralympic parties

Barrow Borough Council is inviting organisers of street parties to make applications for Road Closures. The Government has produced a step-by-step guide with practical advice for anyone looking to hold a street party to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee, the Big Jubilee Lunch, or the 2012 Olympics or Paralympics. It addresses some of the popular myths surrounding street parties and sets the record straight on what is actually needed (including information on road closures, charges, playing music and insurance) as well as providing links to external organisations who offer support and advice to those looking to organise their own street parties.

The guidance includes a model street party form showing the sort of information local authorities will need to know about the event. If you wish to hold a street party in Barrow Borough can you please complete this standard form. Forms are available to down load from ...

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/doc/2056950.doc

or printed copies are available from Barrow Town Hall.

Barrow Borough Council is not charging a fee for closing a road to hold a street party. We do however ask that you get applications into us as soon as possible and by no later than 1st May, 2012.

Completed forms should be returned to Brenda Gill, Legal Services Department, Barrow Town Hall, Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 2LD Tel 876346.

If you require any further information please contact Mrs Ann Taylforth Town Centre and Festivals Manager on 01229 876389 or Brenda Gill in the Council’s Legal Section on 01229 876346.

Barrow Society of Artists - Spring Showcase at the Dock Museum

Fire Fighter's Charity Car Wash

The Fire Fighter's Charity - Barrow.

Charity Car Wash

Barrow Fire Station

(enter the station yard to the rear off Phoenix Rd)

Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th March 2012.

10am to 5pm both days.

Come and have your car washed for a donation towards

 'The Fire Fighter's Charity'

By Red Watch Personnel & Barclays Bank staff.

FREE Tea & Coffee whilst you wait.

Look at the Fire appliances stationed at Barrow too.

Thank you for your continued support.

Thought for the Week

"If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change." Buddha

Cumbria Libraries - Summer Volunteer Scheme

European Seat Belt Campaign launches this week- belt up!

Police officers across the county will be highlighting the importance of belting up when in a car as it could save your life.

The European Campaign launches today and will run until 18^th March. Police officers in Cumbria will be attending schools to education young children about the importance of wearing a seat belt and drivers will be advised of the best car seat for their children.

In 2011 the campaign saw 115,038 penalties issued for not wearing a seatbelt, including 3,642 relating to children not being restrained correctly.

PC Lee Hill, who is the lead for Cumbria Constabulary on this campaign, said, “It is important that we highlight the importance of wearing a seat belt, no matter what the age, recent statistics show that in a serious accident you are twice as likely to survive if you are wearing a seatbelt. However, a number of children are not being restrained correctly when in a car.

Child seats can be expensive but it is a small cost to give a child the most protection when in a car. We will be handing out leaflets to people which provides more information on the correct child seat to use.

We will be focusing on educating drivers, but those who drivers and passengers who fail to wear seatbelts in the front and back of vehicles are breaking the law and face on-the-spot fines of £60. If prosecuted, the maximum fine is £500."

To assist, some of the regulations have been summarised below. For more information go to ... http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Roadsafetyadvice/DG_4022064

·  You must wear a sealtbelt is one is fitted.

·  Anyone aged 14 and over is responsible for wearing their seatbelt.

·  It is the drivers’ responsibility for anyone under the age of 14.

·  Children must use a correct car seat until they reach 135 cm or 12^th birthday

There are exemptions to wearing a seatbelt, for example:

• Reversing.
• Goods vehicle on deliveries travelling no more than 50 meters between stops.
• A licensed taxi driver ‘plying for hire’ or carrying passengers.

Police are advising the public to be on their guard following a recent scam involving a PPI claim

Police are advising the public to be on their guard following a recent scam involving a Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) claim.

 

Police are investigating a fraud in Kendal on 1st March 2012 in which a vulnerable female has parted with her savings after falling victim to a telephone scam relating to PPI . The scam consisted of a company contacting her purporting to be working for a Government Department dealing with PPI compensation.

 

The victim was contacted by phone and advised that she was entitled to around £8,000 in compensation in relation to the use of her bank debit card. Money was requested from her for insurance and tax purposes before the compensation could be paid. The victim then made a series of UKASH purchases from her savings account, which she then used to provide the caller with serial numbers for the money to be transferred. When this was successful, the victim was told the compensation she was entitled to had been miscalculated and was in fact £18,000. More money was then requested for tax and insurance which the victim paid. When the compensation cheque failed to arrive, she realised she had been the subject of a fraud.

 

UKASH is a genuine service that works as an internet money transfer scheme and it is the voucher serial number which is needed to claim the money. Police are advising that people only give the serial number to people they trust and to whom they want the money to go, and to treat the vouchers as they would cash.

 

Police wish to advise people to first check with their bank if they are informed they are entitled to compensation and to remind people of the risks of agreeing to pay cold callers upfront for something they are told they are entitled to and will later receive.

 

Please pass this warning onto elderly or vulnerable friends, relatives and neighbours. If anyone has any doubts about the validity of someone's identification, please call Cumbria Constabulary for advice on telephone number 101.

 

For further information about protection from Financial Crime contact the Action Fraud Hotline on 0300123 2040 or visit www.actionfraud.org.uk. 

Easter Fayre at Jubliee House, Barrow 5 April

FREE Gardening for Wildllife Workshop - 17th March

Men sentenced to 18 years and 7 months for supplying drugs in Barrow

Four men have been sentenced today to a total of 18 years and 7 months in prison for for their involvement in a Conspiracy to illegally supply Class A Drugs into Barrow in Furness.

At Preston Crown Court, Nicholas Flaherty, aged 21 from Cleadon Road, Liverpool was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment; Kurtis Carney, 22, from Blossom Grove, Liverpool was sentenced to 5 years and 5 months imprisonment, Daniel Barclay, 21, from Greengate Street, Barrow was sentenced to 3 years and 7 months imprisonment and Andrew Millington aged 28 from Lindal Street, Barrow was sentenced to 3 years and 7 months imprisonment.

The sentencing follows a lengthy investigation conducted by the Targeting Unit based in South Cumbria that focused on the illicit supply of controlled drugs from the Merseyside area to Barrow in Furness. The conspiracy came to a conclusion on the 25^th June 2011 when Flaherty and Carney were stopped in a local taxi in the area of Schneider Road. Quantities of heroin and crack cocaine were recovered with a street value of £240. This consisted of 11 street deals of cocaine and one street deal of heroin. Both were arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.

As a result of these arrests, police attended the home address of Andrew Millington who was not present when the police entered. However Barclay was present and when searched they found 18 bags of cannabis in £20 street deals, £115, a cannabis grinder and a mobile phone.

Also at the address were a machete, shotgun cartridge and paraphernalia associated with the supply of drugs. On searching one of the bedrooms police located a hold all that belonged to Carney which had £1,800 cash within it.

Police then searched a property on Greengate which was the home address of Barclay and found mobile phones and £1,000 worth of cocaine in his bedroom.  Officers then searched an outhouse in the property and found 108 street deals of cocaine that appeared to be in ‘crack’ form.  This had a street value of £2,160.

Andrew Millington was soon arrested for his involvement in this conspiracy as he was the owner of a property on Lindal Street, Barrow. He handed himself into the police on the 30^th June 2011.

An integral part of this investigation was centred on mobile phones and the use of what is described as a ‘dirty phone’. A ‘dirty phone’ is often used by a drug dealer which, in this case, was heavily contacted by Barrow drug addicts. Police were able to establish that 36 different Barrow residents, known by the police to be drug addicts, had been in contact with that ‘dirty phone’ on many occasions.

The defendant Flaherty was connected to this ‘dirty phone’ on regular occasions throughout the entire period of the police investigation. Those four defendants entered into this conspiracy all playing different roles.

All four defendants pleaded guilty at Barrow Crown Court on the 10^th January 2012.

Detective Constable Jamie Eaton said, “Today’s hearing marks the end of a complex investigation that uncovered a group that were involved in the supply of Class A drugs in the Barrow in Furness area.

“Thanks to the hard work of the targeting and intelligence units at Barrow police station, we have managed to apprehend and convict a network of drug dealers who crossed two force areas.

“Police work hard to tackle drugs in Barrow and lot of work goes on behind the scenes to build up cases so that we can take early, preventative steps to stop illegal drugs being pedalled onto our streets. Members of the public played a large part in this enquiry and we thank them for their support as we work together to tackle drugs in our communities. We rely on the public informing us of suspicious activity or information around illegal drug use or supply in the area. If you have information, please contact Barrow Police on 101.”

Detective Sergeant John Carton from South Cumbria’s Target Unit said, “Police are determined to bring anyone involved in the illegal supply of controlled drugs within Cumbria to justice. We know that the abuse of controlled drugs is a stain on our local communities and we endeavour to catch the offenders - wherever they live.

“We will not tolerate those who believe that they can travel into our county and bring drugs onto our streets.

“Today’s result shows the result of thorough police investigations. We make sure that the criminals involved are brought before their courts.”

Wildlife and gardening in Barrow

‘Making it wild at South Walney’

Wednesday 14 March 10-3pm

Come and help out with the last preparation before breeding season starts. Call Sue Thurley on 01229 471066 to book or for further info. Booking is not required but preferred. Where; South Walney Nature Reserve, Walney. Grid ref; SD 215 621.

‘Wildlife in the urban landscape’

Thurs 15 March 7.30-9.30pm

Sue Thurley, Barrow’s Wildside Project Officer, talks about some of the less obvious hidden local gems. Takling place at the Forum, Duke St, Barrow. No need to book, first come first served.
For further information contact Cumbria Wildlife Trust on 01539 816300.

 

 

 

FREE 'Gardening for Wildlife' workshop (run By Cumbria Wildlife Trust)

Saturday 17th March 2012

Neighbourhood Management office,

242/244 Dalton Rd. Call 01229

876546 or email neighbourhoodmgt@barrowbc.gov.uk to book a place. Find out what to plant to support wildlife, learn about bird and bat boxes and much more.

Signal Films 'Shoot First' - FREE filmmaking workshops for 11-18yr olds.

Thought for the Week

“A heart that loves is always young.” Greek proverb

Disability Information Day - 14th March

Traditional European Food and Craft Fair - Thurs 1 to Sat 3 March 2012

Traditional European Food and Craft Fair

Thursday 1 to Saturday 3 March 2012.

Taking place on Dalton Road, Barrow from 9am-5pm. Come and sample the delights of the Continent!  Barrow town centre will be transformed into a bustling market place.  Professional continental market traders from France, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Holland, Poland and many more countries will be wearing traditional costumes, selling high quality products including Brittany biscuits, olives, Italian nougat, delectable cheeses, sausages, tartiflette (a delicious cheese and potatoes dish from the Alps), charcuterie, fresh bread, croissants and much, much more!  Or, for those of you with a sweet tooth, there will also be freshly made crepes.

As well as all of these delectable tasty goods, you will also be able to choose from a wide range of products including hand bags & leather items, Marseille soaps, lavender, children’s toys and pashminas! There really will be something for everyone!

All of the traders will also wear their traditional local costumes from 100 years ago, as well as decorating their stall to represent the region of the country they come from. The market will therefore provide you with a true flavour of the continent...

For more information contact: Traditional Market Ltd, Olivier Simonin, Market operator or visit www.traditionalmarket.co.uk Mobile: 07833937251.