Stafford: Staffordshire smart alert - Protect your bike from theft

Protect your bike from theft

If you’ve ever had your bicycle stolen, you’ll know how upsetting it can be. Our practical tips will help keep your bike safe and out of the hands of thieves – and also advise on how to get it back if it is stolen.

The most important thing to remember is, double lock your bike and register the frame number.

Ten ways to protect your bike

Follow these 10 tips to ensure your bike remains safe, secure and not a statistic.
1. Double lock it

Using two locks slows thieves down and makes your bike less of a target. Use two quality locks, at least one of which is a D-lock. Thieves are less likely to carry multiple tools, so use two different types of lock if possible.
2. Lock the lot

Lock the frame and both wheels to a secure cycle stand.
3. Secure it

Secure your bike as close to the stand as possible to give any thieves little or no room to manoeuvre.
4. Take removable parts with you

Take parts that are easy to remove with you, such as wheels, lights, baskets or the saddle. Or use locking skewers or nuts which can increase security by securing the bike's components to the frame permanently.
5. Park securely

Lock your bike at recognised secure cycle parking. It should be well lit and covered by CCTV.
6. Register it

Register your frame number on a national bike registration database approved by Secured by Design. The frame number is usually found underneath the bike between the pedals or where the back wheel slots in. If your bike is ever stolen and recovered by the police, it can be traced back to you.
7. Mark it

Get your bike security marked. It’s a highly effective, visible deterrent to bike thieves. They know that if they are caught with a registered bike, the owner can be traced and they will be arrested. Security marking products can be found at Secured by Design.
8. Remember safety begins at home

Take the same care to lock your bike securely at home as you would on the street. Avoid advertising that you have a bike at home, for example, by removing car roof racks, and creating ‘privacy zones’ on apps like Strava to avoid disclosing your location.
9. Check ownership

Ask for proof of ownership and check the bike frame number on national bike registration databases approved by Secured by Design.
10. Act fast

If your bike has been stolen, contact us as soon as possible by reporting online. Give us your frame number, cycle database number, a photo and any other details and make sure you update the status on the cycle database where you registered it. The sooner we know, the sooner we can act, which might stop it being sold on.
What to do if your bike is stolen

It is worth posting a description and photo of your missing bike on the following forums:


Ride.cc Bike Forum


Bikeradar


CycleChat

Information provided by Stafford HIVE

Haverfordwest: Regular Groups at Cashfield Community Centre

Cashfield Chimps Tots Group - weekly on Tuesdays, starting 14 Jan 25 (Term-time only)
Chill & Chat - Thursday mornings - last Thursday of each month.

Information provided by Wales HIVE Hub.

Stafford: Staffordshire smart alert - Ask for Angela? Be safe wherever you are

Ask for Angela? Be safe wherever you are.

If you're on a night out and maybe….

Feeling Unsafe?

Need a safe way out?

On a date that isn't working out?

Something not feeling right?

The Ask for Angela initiative aims to ensure that anyone who is feeling vulnerable or unsafe is able to get help and support discreetly. This could be on a night out, on a date or meeting friends.

The initiative works by training staff in vulnerability management and what to do when someone ‘Asks for Angela’. When someone asks for Angela, the trained member of staff will understand the person is in need of help and support and will be able to respond in an appropriate, discreet way. This could be offering them an alternative way out of the venue, calling them a taxi, or in a more serious situation alerting venue security and/or calling the Police.

Please pass this information on to friends and family, it might help them in their time of need.

Information provided by Stafford HIVE

Grantham: Whisby Nature Park

Whisby Nature Park is a beautiful landscape near Lincoln, full of wildlife, walks and trails. Once barren and lifeless, this amazing place now abounds with wildlife. The park was created by quarrying for sand and gravel, but nature has reclaimed the pits and bare sand, creating habitats for many species.

For more information click here:
 

Grantham: Lincolnshire County Council supporting families with all their needs

For all your local needs including: 

Schools & Education

Roads & Transport

Recycling & Waste

Jobs & Careers

Council & Councillors

Childcare & Family Support

Library, Leisure & Heritage

& much more at: www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

 

Stafford: Staffordshire smart alert - Rogue Traders

Following reports in your area, Staffordshire Police are urging residents to stay vigilant against rogue traders targeting local communities. We strongly advise against hiring traders who knock, uninvited, on your door. These individuals often offer services such as driveway repairs, roofing or gardening services. Their work is often unnecessary, overpriced, substandard, or sometimes not done at all. Many lack formal training and some may even be linked to distraction burglaries. Rogue traders will often ask you to pay cash upfront before any work is completed.

Remember

- Don't agree to work offered on the spot.

- Always ask for written quotes and check reviews or references.

- Be wary of any pressure tactics - take your time to decide.

- Verify ID and ensure traders are from a reputable business.

To report local doorstep crime and protect a vulnerable person, call the Staffordshire Trading Standards Confidential hotline at 01785 330356.

For advice and guidance on resolving issues, contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline at 0808 223 1133.

If you suspect a rogue trader you can call Staffordshire Police on 101 or report anonymously to crime stoppers at 0800 555 111.

In an emergency always call 999

Information provided by Stafford HIVE

 

Grantham: One You Lincolnshire expands services with additional funding to help more people quit smoking!

OYL Smoke Free Generation
 

oneyoulincolnshire.org.uk

Information provided by Grantham HIVE

DIO Service Family Accommodation (SFA) communications update – utility bills

 

Water bills
We are aware of instances where water providers have written directly to SFA homes, requesting payment of water bills. Families in SFA are not responsible for water charges as a contribution is included in your accommodation fee and so this is paid by DIO. These letters have been sent in error and we apologise for any concern they may have caused. DIO is engaging with water and energy providers to resolve this issue.

If your water provider mistakenly sends you a letter directly to your SFA address, do not make any payments. Please scan, or take a picture of each page of the letter and forward to: DIORDAccn-PFI@mod.gov.uk, as soon as possible. DIO will then work with the water provider to ensure the account details are updated.

DIO has received questions regarding credit ratings concerning these bills. Please note, a credit history relates to an individual, rather than an address. Therefore, any letters that are not addressed directly to yourself, should not impact your credit report.


Gas and electricity bills
As a reminder, you are responsible for sourcing your own gas and electricity providers when moving into a new home and must close the existing accounts at move out. Unfortunately, DIO and its suppliers cannot do this on your behalf.

If you receive a gas or electricity bill for a period of time in which you did not live at the address, please scan, or take a picture of each page and forward this to the appropriate departments:

• For homes located in the North, Central region or Northern Ireland forward to Amey; Utilitybill@ameydefenceservices.co.uk
• For homes located in the South forward to VIVO; Utilities@vivodefence.com

If you are unsure what area your home falls under, please refer to this map on the Pinnacle website.

More information on Utilities, including Fuel Subsidy Scheme, MOD fuel supplied properties and SFA occupied by Virtue of Appointment is available on the Pinnacle Service Families page.

Stafford: Staffordshire smart alert - Your council tax 2025-26

Your council tax 2025-26

A council tax increase of £19 per annum across Police and Fire & Rescue has been confirmed by the Police, Fire & Crime Panel.

At meetings taking place on 3 and 10 February, the Panel approved the following increases:
5.12% increase for Police & Crime (an extra £14 per year for a band D property)
5.8% increase for Fire & Rescue (an extra £5 per year for a band D property)

Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime Ben Adams said: “I know from my council tax consultation that residents want their services to keep improving, to further increase officer numbers and to evolve so they can address local priorities such as vehicle crime, rural crime and ASB, and work with other agencies to keep people safe. Regrettably, next year, central government grants will not cover increases in pay, national insurance and inflation – cutting total funding in cash terms.

“I am acutely aware that household budgets are tight. Nevertheless, to protect the progress both services have made, limit the impact on service levels and to continue to prepare for an uncertain future, I need to increase the council tax precepts for both services by the maximum allowable.

“Together, they should put Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire Fire & Rescue in the best possible position to continue to keep us safe.”

To watch the latest Panel meeting, visit: Agenda for Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel on Monday 10th February 2025, 10:00am - Staffordshire County Council

Information provided by Stafford HIVE

Introducing MyCadet

MyCadet is a digital app specifically designed for parents and guardians of the Army Cadet Force, making it easier than ever to keep up to date with your cadet’s progress.

Find out more by visiting: https://armycadets.com/mycadet/