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

Barrow to host cycling extravaganza in May - announced as venue for Pearl Izumi Tour Series

Barrow to host cycling extravaganza in May

Cumbria will again play host to some of the world's best professional cyclists this year - with Barrow now confirmed as one of the 10 host venues of the Pearl Izumi Tour Series in May.

Following on from the success of the Tour of Britain in September 2013, Cumbria County Council is again working with the Tour organisers to arrange a special event - this time an adrenalin-filled team race around the streets of Barrow rather than the endurance test a full stage of the Tour represents.

Cumbria County Council will be working closely with Barrow Borough Council as the lead local delivery partners.

The race will be held on Thursday 15 May, the second date in the 10-venue, five-week national Pearl Izumi Tour Series. Barrow is the only venue in the North West to host an event this year and it is the first time Cumbria has ever hosted a Pearl Izumi Tour Series event.

More details are to come on the event next month, but the Tour Series works by having a one-hour race in a city or town centre closed circuit, normally around 1 mile in length and held in the early evening. For more details on this unique, team based event visit http://www.tourseries.co.uk/about/how_it_works.php

The races will be televised by ITV4, bringing action packed and exciting team-based racing into living rooms across the UK and presenting an opportunity for Barrow to showcase its location on a national footing. The event could attract up to 10,000 overnight visitors – bringing a big boost to the local economy.

Cllr David Southward, Cumbria County Council's Cabinet Member responsible for economic development, said:

"I'm delighted that once again Cumbria will be playing host to some of the cream of world cycling in what promises to be a special event. Last year the Tour of Britain interested and inspired both young and old and I'm sure the Tour Series will ignite Barrow this year with its unique blend of excitement and economic benefits. It will be a big day for the town and there's lots to look forward to."

Barrow Borough Council’s spokesperson for sport, Cllr Tony Callister, said:
"What a fantastic opportunity this is to raise interest in cycling and the benefits that keeping fit and healthy do to increase our wellbeing. Our local residents will have the chance to watch fine athletes competing on their doorstep.
“Barrow has a rich history of sporting activity and once again being the centre of attention to the television and news media keeps Barrow well and truly on the map in top places to visit on the fringes of the Lake District. I’m looking forward to a top day of sporting activity and the benefits it will bring for local trading."

The Pearl Izumi Tour Series 2014
2014 will be the sixth season of The Pearl Izumi Tour Series, a unique team based, televised city centre cycling series organised by SweetSpot Group Ltd, the company behind the organisation and promotion of The Tour of Britain. The Pearl Izumi Tour Series brings together the very best in British professional teams and riders, competing on town and city-centre circuits in front of packed crowds as a part of a full day of cycling activities.

Round One Tuesday 13 May Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire (includes Team Time Trial)
Round Two Thursday 15 May Barrow, Cumbria
Round Three Tuesday 20 May Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Round Four Friday 23 May Aberystwyth, Ceredigion
Round Five Tuesday 27 May Durham, County Durham
Round Six Thursday 29 May Edinburgh, Lothian
Round Seven Tuesday 3 June Redditch, Worcestershire
Round Eight Thursday 5 June Canary Wharf, London
Round Nine Tuesday 10 June Woking, Surrey
Round Ten Friday 13 June Gorey, Jersey (includes Hill Climb event)

Barrow Raiders next home game

Thought for the Week

“Do the right thing. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” Mark Twain

Walk to Remember 2014 with St Mary's Hospice

Open evening at Adventures Youth Club

Thought for the Week

“The giving of love is an education in itself.” Eleanor Roosevelt

Cumbria Police issue advice to eBay and PayPal users

Cumbria Police are advising caution when responding to emails received as a result of transactions on eBay or PayPal.

There have been reports of emails circulating to genuine eBay sellers that are from scammers trying to get items posted that they have not purchased.  Some also falsely state that additional funds have been deposited, above the value of the item and request that the seller transfer the extra money into another account.

When purchasing items on eBay and paying via PayPal, any subsequent contact or emails should be checked via your personal account on the website direct. Do not click onto any links on emails received but log into your account on the genuine website, with a secure password and check the inbox.

If you believe you have been a victim of a scam involving these websites, please visit www.actionfraud.police.uk  for more advice on reporting.

For more information about staying safe, you can visit:

eBay: http://pages.ebay.co.uk/safetycentre/help.html

PayPal: www.paypal.com/uk/webapps/mpp/phishing

Advice is also available on the Cumbria Police website at: http://www.cumbria.police.uk/admin/uploads/attachment/files/Advice_and_Info/Fraud/eBay_PayPal_safe_guide.doc