Changes considered to help bereaved families, ‘Ditch the Blade’ Campaign

Bereaved families may soon be able to scatter their loved ones’ ashes within the beautiful and peaceful grounds of Bradwell Crematorium or Keele Cemetery.

Dedicated areas of natural meadowland and wildflowers at both sites would be available for the spreading of cremated remains from September, under plans being considered by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.

Cabinet members are discussing adding the new policy as part of a review of services and regulations at the crematorium and cemeteries.

David Hutchison, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Sustainable Environment, said: “The Council continually reviews customer feedback and seeks residents’ views to ensure its bereavement services continue to meet their expectations and remain at a high standard.  We’ve identified that there’s an opportunity to increase choice, and further support residents at a very difficult time, by enabling them to scatter their loved ones’ ashes at Bradwell for the first time if they wish to do so.

Meanwhile, confirmation is being sought on the policy relating to welfare funerals so that all customers understand the services provided.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is a gold award member of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management’s (ICCM) Charter for the Bereaved.

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Staffordshire Police have recovered more than 125 knives as part of a week of action aimed at tackling knife crime across Staffordshire.
Running from 13 to 19 May,  the ‘Ditch the Blade’ campaign tied in to national knife awareness initiative, Operation Sceptre, with officers intensifying their efforts in the fight against knife crime in the county.
Officers carried out nine weapon sweeps, 12 stop-and-searches, set up knife arches in public spaces and encouraged people to safely dispose of blades anonymously in nine knife banks. As a result, they made seven arrests and 120 blades were surrendered.
Officers from our local policing teams (LPTs) also took part in more than 400 educational visits, speaking to young people about the dangers of carrying a knife. They also gave advice on the support services available to youngsters who feel pressured to keep one on them.
We have also been using Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok to educate young people, with just under 143,000 reaches across all platforms so far.
Detective Chief Inspector Rob Hessell said: “It is vitally important that we continue to encourage conversations around knife crime within our communities, which is a national issue that requires a multi-partnership approach.
“This operation builds upon our progress to educate young people on the dangers and consequences of carrying a knife and to reduce the number of knives on the streets by working alongside our partners in the Violence Reduction Alliance, education, charities, local authorities and retail.
“Ditch the Blade has proven effective in bringing all of those groups together to provide advice and guidance, as well as to highlight the real-life experiences of those directly impacted by knife crime.
“We’re pleased to see a fall in knife crime (three per cent fewer crimes) in the 12 months to December 2023, compared to the national increase; but there is still more work to do.”
For more information on the #DitchTheBlade campaign, and links to support organisations visit: https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/news/staffordshire/news/2023/november/staffordshire-police-relaunches-ditch-the-blade-campaign/