28.02.23 – Woman jailed over fire in NUL, Nuisance Bikes and ASB
Written by Hitmix Local News on 28 February 2023
A woman has admitted deliberately starting a fire in a disused flat in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Sarah Salt, 44, from the Porthill was jailed for 27 months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court last week after pleading guilty to arson at an earlier hearing.
The court heard how crews from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service received reports, shortly after 11.20pm on 15 October 2022, of a fire inside of an abandoned flat near Boulton Street.
Crews from Hanley and Sandyford arrived at the scene two minutes later and forced entry into the room in order to bring the blaze under control as quickly as possible. Additional crews from Longton and Burslem arrived shortly after and made sure everyone was evacuated from nearby properties as a precautionary measure.
The fire was extinguished in the early hours of 16 October and residents from nearby evacuated properties were then able to return home. No one was reported injured.
Darren Jackson, Station Manager at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “I am pleased that Salt was handed a custodial sentence for her dangerous actions. Such actions have a significant impact upon local communities and put our fire fighters at risk.”
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Staffordshire Police are teaming up with partners in Stoke-on-Trent to tackle reports of nuisance bikers and anti-social behaviour (ASB).
Officers from Stoke north local policing team (LPT), are working with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to target those who are damaging public green spaces and putting the public at risk through the illegal use of off-road motorbikes.
Part of this work will see Police increasing patrols around hotspot areas and seizing bikes which are used to commit ASB in the locality.
Reports of nuisance bikers usually increase during the summer and hotter periods, although incidents still happen year-round and remain a concern for residents and businesses who are repeatedly affected.
Sergeant Jonathan Tench, who is leading on the operation, said: “Tackling reports of anti-social behaviour remains a neighbourhood priority for the team and nuisance bikers are no different.
“Those who are riding these bikes are committing traffic offences and putting others at risk with their actions, which we simply do not tolerate.
“Nuisance bikers can be a constant source of concern for our communities and we’re keen to proactively target those who are repeatedly causing distress and alarm amongst the public.”
If you need to report nuisance bikes in your area, email Stoke-on-Trent City Council at OperationTransom@stoke.gov.uk
Incidents which are happening live should be reported to us through Live Chat on our website – www.staffordshire.police.uk – or by calling 101.
