It was good to have another walkabout in Podsmead this week with PCSO Suzanne Sexton. We looked at concerns in Earls Park, chatted to residents in Chaucer Close and Duke of Beaufort Court, and called in to see the scheme managers in Badger Vale Court and Halford House.
This a regular practice for us in Podsmead and if you have any concerns or areas you would like us to look at please let me know.
‘WHAT DOES SMART SECURITY MEAN FOR MY HOME?’
FREE WEBINAR
Join this virtual chat with a smart security expert from ERA, plus Q&A
Thursday 10th March, 5 – 6pm
Find out what smart security means for your home and how simple changes can vastly improve its security. During the webinar Neighbourhood Watch CEO, John Hayward-Cripps, and ERA’s smart security expert, Sumier Foster-Shah, will discuss:
Following the discussion, they will run a live Q&A session to answer all of your questions and concerns.
BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE*
*Maximum 500 places. Register early and sign in promptly on the day to guarantee your place.
Best wishes
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NETWORK
A tree was brought down by the storm in Podsmead and the guttering on Halford House was loosened.
The tree has been removed now except for the stump, and the guttering has been tied to the building pending a full repair.
I have also reported other concerns such as the bus shelter on Podsmead Road and the nearby trees which were leaning after the storm.
All issues reported have been attended and I am grateful to council staff and council partners for their work.
If you know of any issues as a result of the storm, or just generally, please let me know.
Our research shows two thirds (67%) of people are worried about their home being broken into, yet there are simple, proven measures we can all take to reduce our chances of becoming a victim of burglary by up to 50%.
To help you be and feel safer at home, we are running our Think WIDE(N)burglary prevention campaign (1st-31st March), highlighting the simple, evidence-based WIDE measures which can be taken in any home on a variety of budgets.
At Neighbourhood Watch, we also believe neighbours keeping an eye out for each other is key to reducing burglary, so we’ve extended the WIDE acronym to WIDE(N):
To learn more about WIDE(N) and burglary prevention measures, visit ourwatch.org.uk/thinkwiden.
John Hayward-Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch Network, said ‘It is not okay for two-thirds of people to fear being burgled. More needs to be done to help people be and feel safer, and when it comes to burglary, prevention is always better than cure. Since 1982 we have been supporting communities to feel and be safer. We know that by securing your home’s windows, interior, doors, exterior and keeping an eye out for neighbours, we can all give ourselves the best chance of not being burgled. If you have been burgled recently, criminals are familiar with your home and may come back once you’ve had time to purchase new items. Act soon to avoid being retargeted – use the WIDE(N) advice for a combination of simple yet effective prevention measures.’
We have joined forces with our longstanding primary smart security partner, ERA Home Security, to bring their expertise to our Think WIDE(N) burglary prevention campaign. We are excited to invite you to some events this month:
Member discount
In addition, as a thank you for your continued support of Neighbourhood Watch, ERA is offering a discount of 10% off all alarm kits using the code NHW2022. Click here to take advantage of this special offer. Take advantage of this offer by 31st March 2022.
If you have any questions or feedback regarding the campaign, please email enquiries@ourwatch.org.uk.
Kind regards
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NETWORK, Central Support Team
Follow us.. ourwatch.org.uk / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn
Neighbourhood Watch Network is a charity registered in England & Wales, CIO no: 1173349
There are events on Tuesday 22nd and Thursday 24th February on Robinswood Hill.
Please see the posters for more information.
There is still a small amount of funding available in the ward councillor pot for Podsmead. If you have an idea for something that would benefit the community, let me know.
Ideally it would be a few projects in the range of £50-100, as this would enable several projects to be backed. The money must be allocated by the end of March.
For Podsmead collections that were postponed due to Storm Eunice, the advice from the city council is as follows:
‘We have rescheduled the collections for next week. Please visit our website for more information https://www.gloucester.gov.uk/environment-waste-recycling/waste-recycling-and-street-cleaning/waste-and-recycling-updates/
The exception is garden waste, as crews will not be able to return to residents who have not had a garden waste collection. The next collection of garden waste will be on Friday 4th March.’
Please put your brown food waste caddy and domestic waste (black bin) out by 7am Monday 21st February for rescheduled collection.
Recycling will be a double collection on Friday 25th February. You can present extra recycling in clear plastic bags.
Any questions please contact me.
It has been a busy day for storm reports, and I am grateful to residents for letting me know of any issues.
Scott Avenue tree – I have reported the fallen tree to the Parks and Open Spaces manager, who has added it to the cleanup list.
Scott Avenue street light – it looks like the street light took a hit from the tree on its way down. I have reported this to the street light team.
Podsmead Road bus shelter – I reported this to the bus stop team and they have confirmed that Clear Channel, who manage the shelter, will attend. It has now been taped over pending repair.
Halford House gutter – this has been reported to Gloucester City Homes for their awareness.
Please take care out there and do let me know of any issues.
Gloucestershire’s Local Resilience Forum has this morning declared a major incident due to the risks posed by Storm Eunice.
A red weather alert and flood warnings running along the Severn Estuary up to Longford have been put in place for tomorrow morning (Friday 18 February) from 7am, coinciding with the arrival of Storm Eunice.
Local agencies are asking residents in properties that are expected to flood to heed the warnings and take the necessary action. Residents across the county as a whole also need to be vigilant due to the high winds.
Staff from local councils and the emergency services will be knocking on doors this afternoon to ensure people who need to evacuate safely. Those who are evacuating are asked to pass on this notice and knock on neighbours’ doors if possible.
If you can, please stay with family or friends. Rest Centres are being set up by local councils for those who need them.
Information on the flood warnings can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/check-flooding
Information on the red weather alert can be found here: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/press-office/news/weather-and-climate/2022/red-weather-warning-issued-for-storm-eunice
What to expect:
• Flying debris resulting in danger to life
• Damage to buildings and homes, with roofs blown off and power lines brought down
• Uprooted trees
• Roads, bridges and railway lines closed, with delays and cancellations to public transport and flights
• Power cuts affecting other services, such as mobile phone coverage
• Large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and homes, including flooding of some coastal properties
What you need to do:
• If you live in a flood risk area, you are advised to leave your home and stay with family or friends if possible.
• If you are unable to do that, you are advised to move to the nearest rest centre tonight.
If you are isolating due to Coronavirus, you should still leave your property – please wear a mask, stay in a separate room if possible, and open a window if safe to do so.
More information
• Weather – Met Office: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/
• Flooding – Environment Agency: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency
• Highways – Report highways emergencies 08000 514514. Drive slowly & safely. Beware of storm damage including fallen trees, and loose manhole covers that may be hidden by puddles. https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/
• Danger to life – dial 999
