14.11.22 – Support for Armed Services Community, Property Closure in Cobridge, Be Warm Be Safe Campaign SFRS, Local Football Rsults

Members of the armed forces community who are worried about the cost of living pressures are being reminded that support is available.

Staffordshire County Council’s ‘Here to help’ campaign and dedicated webpages have information and advice with things like paying bills, food and essentials, funding for childcare, staying warm and helping others.

Members of the forces and their families can also access practical and financial support from various organisations including the Royal British Legion (RBL).  The RBL’s Everyday Needs Grants programme is making grants of up to £2,400 available to Eligible applicants.  Funding can be used to help with the costs of everyday essentials including energy costs, clothing and kitchen appliances.  People can find out more at www.rbl.org.uk/costofliving.

Other armed forces charities such as SSAFA also offer support and the County Council’s online community support directory, Staffordshire Connects, is a one-stop shop for all things health and care in Staffordshire.

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Staffordshire Police have successfully closed a problem property in Cobridge which had been linked to anti-social behaviour.  North Staffordshire Justice Centre ordered that the address on Furnival Street close from Friday (11 November) for three months. It has since been securely boarded-up.
The closure order was granted as a result of evidence submitted by officers, from Stoke-on-Trent North Local Policing Team, which showed the property was being used by those conducting anti-social behaviour and associated criminality. A problem property in Chesterton was also closed for three months last week.
Chief Inspector Scott McGrath, of Stoke-on-Trent North Local Policing Team, said: “A property closure order is one of the many tools used by local officers to deal with problem addresses and tenants, who are having a detrimental impact on the community.
If you have been affected by anti-social behaviour in your area, contact Staffordshire Police on Facebook, Twitter, or call 101.

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“Don’t make cuts to your fire safety this winter” is the stark warning from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The service is expecting an increase in accidental house fires as people potentially make changes to the way they heat their homes and use energy this winter. They are launching a campaign today “Be Warm. Be Safe” in an attempt to raise awareness and limit the impact the cost of living crisis could have on the number of fires.

The service is teaming up with partner organisations, opening some of its fire stations as warm spaces and distributing posters and leaflets to locations across the county to raise awareness of the campaign, highlighting the simple steps people can do to ensure they, and those they care for, are as safe as possible from fire in their homes.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Michelle Hickmott said: “We are dealing with the unknown this winter but our prediction is we may see a rise in accidental house fires, which increases the likelihood of more injuries and sadly the potential for more deaths. It is deeply concerning, which is why we are going to be doing everything we can to encourage people to think carefully about their fire safety, and launching our campaign “Be warm.  Be safe.”

More information on the campaign “Be. Warm. Be Safe” is available on the home page of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s website www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk. Information is also available as to whether you or someone you know can qualify for a free Safe and Well Visit. The visit involves a firefighter or technician visiting your home to identify fire safety hazards and provide equipment or advice to reduce the likelihood of a fire occurring. Alternatively, you can call freephone 0800 0241 999 to see if you are eligible for a visit.

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In local football  this weekend …. A mixed bag of results, but not the est weekend for our local teams … It was  West Bromich Albion 2- Stoke City 0 … Oxford United 4 –  Port Vale 0 ….. and Crewe Alexandra 1 – Colchester 0.  And for our local non-league teams .. it was Newcastle Town 1 – Glossop North End 1, Runcorn Linnets 2 – Kidsgrove Athletic 0, and 1874 Northwich 0 –  Hanley Town 1