Safety

New Local Plan for Cabinet Approval

2 June 2016 0 Comments

ABC CrestAshford Borough Council’s Local Plan to 2013 will go before the Council’s Cabinet on 9 June 2016. The Plan includes proposals for development on new sites in South Ashford as well as further development in Kingsnorth.

Following approval by Cabinet the proposals will be published for public consultation.

Daniel Carter, Principal Policy Planner from Ashford Borough Council will attend the South Ashford Community Forum Meeting on 13th July to discuss the proposals.

https://secure.ashford.gov.uk/committeesystem/ViewAgenda.aspx?MeetingId=2003

Ashford Borough Council, News, Planning and Development, Planning Policy, Safety

Scam, Safety and Recall Alerts

6 May 2016 0 Comments

Twitter_logo_blueWe get many scam alerts and safety and product recall notices. If we posted them all on our website and Facebook page our other posts would be missed among all of the alerts. Instead we have included a number of organisations that provide alerts in a twitter feed shown in the right hand column of our website. Watch this feed for public protection alerts.

The feed currently includes: (more…)

Consumer, Crime, News, Safety, website

If you live alone what would happen in an emergency?

12 April 2016 0 Comments

Ashford LifelineLifeline

If you live alone or someone you care for does, do you worry what would happen in an emergency?

Ashford Lifeline is a 24 hour service providing an instant response at the touch of a button.

The service gives you a personal security system at your home enabling you to live or work independently and safely.

You may need to use an alarm when you can’t get to the phone due to injury, when feeling unwell, having suffered a fall or if there is an intruder. The alarm is there for any emergency situation when you need some help. (more…)

Ashford Borough Council, News, Safety

Wheelz, motorbike event

7 April 2016 0 Comments

wheelzMotorbike fanatics are in for a treat as Wheelz, a special motorcycle event, is taking place in Ashford.

Whether you’re an experienced motorbike or scooter rider, or you’re considering learning to ride, Wheelz is a fantastic opportunity to pick up some safety riding tips, see great bike displays, grab some fun freebies and meet other motorbike enthusiasts. The event will also help motorcyclists understand road safety and remind them of the importance of wearing the appropriate riding gear.

The event, which is free to attend, will include lots of exciting activities including motorbike displays and demonstrations, Well known bike retailers will be also in attendance including Dexerity, Laguna and Alexandra Motorcycles. Visitors can visit their stalls and ask for advice and tips on bike related issues. (more…)

Ashford Borough Council, News, Safety, Transport

Child Sexual Exploitation Day

18 March 2016 0 Comments

Today is national child sexual exploitation awareness day. Do you know the signs to look out for? The following guidance is provided by Kent Police

Signs of child sexual exploitation

Op Willow image

Operation Willow is a partnership between Kent Police, Kent County Council, Medway Authority and the NHS to respond to concerns and promote awareness of CSE by working closely with schools, GPs, taxi firms, hotels and pubs.

Children and young people often don’t realise they’re being exploited.

If you’re a parent, you work with young people or you’re just concerned that someone may be at risk of CSE, there are a number of signs you can look out for:

  • Unexplained gifts or expensive items eg clothes, mobiles
  • Drug or alcohol use
  • Bruises or marks on the body
  • Suffering from sexually transmitted infections
  • Going missing or regularly running away
  • Missing school or not taking part in education
  • Getting into or out of different vehicles
  • Changes in behaviour eg aggressive, defensive, mood swings
  • Inappropriate sexual behaviour eg over familiar with strangers, sexting
  • Changes in appearance eg losing weight, malnourished
  • Hanging out with anti-social groups, gangs, known criminals and/or fighting
  • Having older boyfriends, girlfriends or friends
  • Involved in abusive relationships, feeling fearful of certain people.

Are you concerned about a child?

If you’re concerned a child is suffering or is likely to be harmed, you can either call:

More information is available on

Kent Police Child Sexual Exploitation page
http://www.kent.police.uk/advice/victims/abuse_assault/vulnerable_people/vul_child.html

Kent Safeguarding Children Board Child Sexual Exploitation page
http://www.kscb.org.uk/guidance/sexual-abuse-and-exploitation

Children, Crime, Kent County Council, News, Safety

Safer Internet Day 2016

9 February 2016 0 Comments

Safer Internet Day Masthead

Play your part for a better internet!

Today is Safer Internet Day!

Safer Internet Day 2016 is taking place today, on the 9th February, with the theme Play your part for a better internet!

Coordinated in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre the celebration sees over a thousand organisations get involved to help promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people. (more…)

Communications, News, Safety

KCC to consider return to all-night lighting

5 February 2016 1 Comment

Streetlights-LEDA preferred option to return to all-night street lighting when Kent’s new energy-efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) lamps are installed – meeting residents’ needs and savings targets – will be considered next week by Kent County Council members.

Work to convert the county’s 118,000 street lights to LED is due to begin in residential areas next month and will be completed within 38 months.

This will save Kent taxpayers up to £5.2 million a year, once installed.

The newly-upgraded lighting will be connected to an individual central management system (CMS) that will allow the authority to monitor and provide optimal lighting levels in the future. (more…)

Environment, Kent County Council, News, Safety, Transport

South Ashford burglaries

3 February 2016 0 Comments

Kent against burglaryWe understand that five burglaries were committed in the Beaver Road area yesterday.

As was the case with these, most burglaries happen on weekdays, in daylight, when you’re more likely to be out.

Kent Police remind you:

Burglars are often opportunists who will target an open window, an unlocked door or valuables on display if they think they can get away with it.

Remember to lock up before you leave

Also:

  • double-lock uPVC doors and windows
  • keep keys, cash and expensive items out of view
  • use timer switches on lights and radios to make it look like someone is home
  • keep garden gates locked and garden boundaries secure
  • lock sheds and garages – bikes, tools and garden items could be stolen or used to break into your home
  • watch Kent Police’s video Burglary – keep your home safe

Crime, News, Safety

Battery risks to children

2 February 2016 0 Comments

Small in size. Risk of a large problem
The poster by Newcastle City Council’s
Trading Standards department on button cell batteries.

What do key fobs, musical toy books and calculators all have in common? All three, along with some remote controls and other electrical devices are powered by small button cell batteries.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is warning parents about the dangers of children swallowing these batteries as with more and more compact electronic devices appearing in the home, the risk of children swallowing these small batteries is increasing.

We all know that very young children find out about the world by putting things in their mouths, but what many parents don’t realise is that lithium batteries react with saliva so that they leak acid within as little as an hour.

Therefore, if a child swallows a battery it can cause severe trauma, such as burning a hole in their throat or stomach or further damage to other internal organs within a few hours. (more…)

Children, News, Safety