> life in lozells

Archive for October, 2011

With the clocks recently going back and the darker nights firmly upon us, officers in Lozells and East Handsworth would like to encourage local residents to think about their home security.

Statistics show that burglary offences traditionally rise during the winter months, with many people leaving their proprty insecure or failing to follow a few easy to apply crime prevention techniques.

To help secure your home during the winter months, please consider the following advice.

- Consider purchasing a timer switch for your lights. These are inexpensive and ensure homes are not left in darkness to alert burglars to an empty property.
- Always ensure that windows and doors are securely locked when ot in use. An opportunistic burglar only needs a few seconds to enter an insecure property and steal your belonging.
- Remember to cancel any milk or newspapers that you usually have delivered if going away for a few days. A burglar may notice these and be alerted to an empty home.
- Keep sheds, out houses and garages locked – your tools could be used to break into your home.
- Neighbourhood Watch is an effective way to keep your home and local community safe. You can find details of how to join or set up a scheme from the partnerships officer at your local station. Please call 0345 113 5000 for details.

Sergeant Lucy Bird, responsible for policing in Lozells and East Handsworth, said: “Figures have just been released to show that there have been 2,300 fewer victims of burglary so far this year compared to last. By following the helpful advice above, you can help us to further reduce this figure and ensure that your home remains as safe and secure as possible this winter.”

For more crime prevention advice, daily police updates and interaction, please visit us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/brumpolice.

For further advice about keeping your home secure, please visit: www.safer-homes.org.

Contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team with any intelligence or information regarding crime at lozells@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk or on 0345 113 5000 ext 7862 6712.

Stark Statistics; ‘ nearly half (47%) of those aged 55+ in Britain cannot walk to their nearest GP’s – surgery, while 58% cannot walk to their nearest bank.2 ‘ 

taken form the Living Street Website, a charity which supports pedestrians to reclaim the streets ,to make you live, work, shop and play in safe, attractive and enjoyable spaces. For More Information see http://www.livingstreets.org.uk/take-action/ –  – possibly start our own Lozells Walking or Jogging Club.

If anyone has any useful information or would like to get in touch, you can contact us through the feedback section at the bottom left

Its goodbye from me Gillian as I am about to start a new role over in Dudley working for the InterFaith Network there. I have been looking after the site for the Lozells Neighbourhood Forum since April. Technically its been a huge learning curve for me but I have enjoyed the process. Now though I am handing over to Alla who has much more skill and lots of ideas for giving the site a real buzz. Please support him by continuing to comment on the articles. Already we have added some fresh authors from the Forum committee. So as well as continuing to get details of local events and opportunities you should soon be seeing a host of new ideas and opinions. I will be logging on myself often to keep up with developments. A big thank you to Hannah at Chamberlain Forum for her support and training and to Jo at Midland Heart also.
Bye….

Stop The Taffic Community Roadshow
2pm -5pm Saturday 19th November 2011

Stop TheTraffic Birmingham Roadshow flyer

I walk in Georges Park every week to keep fit and I see lots of people like me walking. I thought of an idea to make it more exciting. Lets have a sign which will encourage other people to walk. The sign could tell us how far once round the park measures and how many calories it will burn. We are approaching organisations to ask for funding for this sign. Do you thnk its a good idea? – send me a comment.