Author Archives: brian_hawkins

First snow

Blue-black skies alive with winter’s fire-flies
Snowflakes,
caught in street-lamps’ glow,
floating blobs feigning bog-cotton blooms.
Gentle as a mother’s first kiss,
touching, resting, on skeletal branches,chimney pots, roof-tops, ivy-clad walls;
nudging, gathering,
silently weaving downy layers
turning emerald grass, grey asphalt
white
as a virgin canvas.
Still, serene,
waiting,
for waking eyes to wonder at a crystal-dusted world.

E J

Leek Police Drop-In Session

Following a recent reorganisation Inspector Claire Francis and Sergeant Lee Crowther have organised a drop-in session at St. Peter’s Church from 3.00 pm. to 6.00 pm. on Monday 5th December. They would like to hear what we think of the Police and any issues that individuals have. They will tell us about their new structure and how it can support our community. Tea & coffee will be available.

Beware – Postal Scam

The Trading Standards Office are making people aware of the following scam: A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a premium rate number). DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize. If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed £315 for the phone call. If you receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 020 7239 6655.

Police Rural News for September

From Pc Andy Beresford:-

From mid June to mid July this year we have suffered a marked increase in crime across a number of the villages reached by this newsletter.

Criminals are mainly targeting vehicles and outbuildings (sheds, garages and barns) with some vehicles left insecure and an invitation to the thieves.

Although our area enjoys a relatively low crime rate, this recent spate confirms we are not immune and a timely reminder to secure your vehicles and if you are unable to remove valuables at least put them out of sight.

Criminals know that some people keep expensive items in outbuildings so ensure these are kept secure and checked on a regular basis. Please be extra vigilant and report any suspicious activity to us.

If you need any advice or assistance with your security contact one of your officers or our specialist Crime Reduction team on the number below.

In response to the above we have increased patrols in the relevant areas and are gathering intelligence on suspects. We also work closely with our partners at the local Council to do all we can to reduce crime in our communities.

In the last few days we have arrested two men from Stoke on Trent in connection with vehicle crime in our villages.

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By the time you read this your local Police team will have moved from Waterhouses to the community fire station on the main road through Ipstones. If you are passing you are welcome to call in but please don’t make a special journey as it will not be permanently manned and we try to be out on patrol or dealing with incidents as much as possible.

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If you need any advice on Policing issues contact myself Pc Andy Beresford or one of my colleagues at Ipstones Fire Station;  Pc Bridget Kelly, Pc Paul Bolam or PCSO Paul Flowers.

For non-emergency matters contact us on 0300 123 44 55 asking for your local officers.

If I’m not in the office you can leave me a voicemail message. I check this every duty day. You can also email me on andrew.beresford@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk

In the event of an emergency you should always ring 999 and even if there are no Ipstones officers available there is continual 24 hour cover from one of our neighbouring stations.

Garage Theft in Wetton

Neighbourhood Watch have sent the following message:-

Between Thursday 14th and Saturday 16th July a garage burglary was committed at a dwelling in Wetton.  Entry was gained by forcing a padlock from the door.  Stolen were a Cement mixer, 2 Makita drills, a petrol Lawn Mower, a grinder and a Sthil Saw.  Which indicates that some sort of vehicle was used.  No one was seen or heard.  Please pass this message onto your neighbours since thieves are targeting barns, sheds garages in the Moorlands area.  Ask them to be extra vigilant and security conscious and to report any suspicious person, incident or vehicle to the Police immediately.

Cricket Practice Sessions for Wakes

Cricket practice for the Village Cricket Match on Wakes Sunday, starts on Friday 10th June from 5.30 to 6.30 pm. and then every Friday at the same time until the match. Everyone aged 11 and over is welcome. This is NOT a match against the Gargoyles but girls/ladies v. boys/men of the village. Come along and have a go.