Police update:

The following is a local policing update for the Rural Flegg Villages neighbourhood

Weekly crime summary 23 February 2016

Great Yarmouth Police are advising owners of vans and trucks to be aware of leaving tools in their vehicles overnight after three incidents of work vehicles being broken into in the Gorleston area.

All incidents have happened when the vehicles have been left overnight and it is clear thieves are targeting these vehicles to steal any tools they find within. Power tools and other items have been stolen.

Drivers are advised to take the following precautions:

· Ensure that your vehicle is always locked, alarmed and immobilised prior to leaving it. Double check that the lock has activated, don’t just rely on the fob.

· Always park your vehicle in a well-lit place or somewhere that is overlooked, preferably where there is CCTV coverage or where people will react if the vehicle alarm is activated.

· Power tools or other expensive items should never be left on display in any vehicle whilst it’s left unattended

· If possible do not leave any valuables in your vehicle overnight and display a notice on the vehicle to that effect.

There are also a number of other things you can do to prevent your tools being targeted.

· Clearly mark your tools with your postcode as it will make them less valuable to opportunist thieves and keep a record of the serial numbers.

· You could also take pictures of them should they need to be traced. Police do recover suspected stolen items and it is frustrating if we cannot prove that it is stolen and return it to the rightful owner.

If you see anyone acting suspiciously or a vehicle you are unfamiliar with in your street in the early hours of the morning please contact police on 101 or if you suspect a crime may be in progress please alert police immediately using 999.

The Parish Council;

This year is an election year for the Parish Council at Martham.  All of the present Councillors stand down, and a new Parish Council will be elected on 5th May.

Anyone who lives, or works, within 3 miles of the village can stand as Councillor – with a few exceptions – if you are interested in standing the Clerk would be very happy to talk to you if you have any questions, or need to clarify anything at all.

The commitment is for one meeting a month, except for August and to keep up to date with the necessary paperwork and legislation to enable you to make informed decisions.  The Council operates as a corporate body and all decision making is within monthly meetings by vote.

The calendar, nomination forms and additional information for the election can be found on the Electoral Commission website here;   http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/

Nomination forms can be downloaded, or will be available from the Parish Clerk in a few weeks.  They have to be hand delivered to Great  Yarmouth Borough Council between the end of March and 4pm on the 7th April, and you need to be nominated and seconded by a member of the Parish – their electoral role numbers can be obtained from the Parish Office.

After the 7th April all those standing will be published.  If there are 11 or less, then they will become ‘elected’ members automatically (an unopposed election).  Any unfilled positions on the Council will then be filled by co-option.  This is when an individual applies directly to the Council, and their appointment is agreed by those elected.

If there are more than 11 people standing then there will be a Parish Poll on the 5th May, and the 11 that receive the most votes will be elected.

Being a Councillor can be challenging, but as a Councillor you can have a positive impact on the future of the village.  It is a good way to be involved in village life, and make a difference to where you live.

There is a Good Councillors Guide here;  http://www.nalc.gov.uk/library/publications/801-good-councillors-guide/file and a lot of support available from the Clerk in taking up the role.

If you have any interest in standing, or would like to know more about the work of the Council in Martham, then all meetings can be attended by members of the Public, and the Clerk is a good source of information.   The Parish Office can be contacted on 01493 749938 or email; clerk@martham.gov.uk.

All of the relevant dates will be published on both the website, facebook page, and noticeboards.

Policing update:

The following is a local policing update for the Rural Flegg Villages neighbourhood

Weekly crime summary 9 February 2016

There have been a spate of moped, motorbike and pedal cycle thefts in the Great Yarmouth area over the last week and we would like to remind residents of a few simple security measures that can prevent you from becoming a victim of this type of crime.

· If possible park your bike off the road, in a garage, front garden or well-lit side alleyway.

· Secure your bike with a good lock to an object that cannot be moved or where possible to a good quality anchor.

· Security marking every large removable part may help recover your vehicle if stolen.

· Fit and secure a cover to your vehicle – this will often deter thieves.

· Fit an alarm or immobiliser.

· Never leave your keys with your vehicle.

Take a photograph of your bike as if it is stolen this will aid recovery
If you have any information regarding suspicious behaviour in your area you can contact your Safer Neighbourhood Team on 101 or alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Safer Internet Day

Norfolk Constabulary is supporting Safer Internet Day which takes place on Tuesday 9 February and is organised by the Safer Internet Centre.http://www.saferinternet.org.uk/ ‪#‎SID2016‬ @UK_SIC

This annual event highlights the positive uses of technology and promotes the role that everybody can play in helping to create a safer, better online community.

Everybody can get involved in the ‪#‎shareaheart‬ social media campaign to help inspire kindness online and help raise awareness about the issue of online hate.

Chief Constable Simon Bailey of Norfolk Police and National Policing Lead for Child Protection and Abuse Investigation is pleased to once again support the work of the Safer Internet Centre in its co-ordination of Safer Internet Day stating that “the event not only provides a great opportunity to engage with industry, education and Police Partners, who are working together to help keep children safe online but provides a direct engagement with the public on key messages and support services. The reach of the event last year was testament to all the agencies working together to positively challenge and promote online safety and safe family participation.”

Children use the internet constantly in this day and age. It is a brilliant resource that enables children and young people to connect, communicate and be creative. They are often light years ahead of their parents in terms of online know-how but blissfully unaware of those who might seek to take advantage of them and naïve about the quantity of totally unsuitable content on the web.

It is important that your children know how to stay in control online. Sharing the following ‘SMART’ rules with your children will enable them to be safe and be smart online.

Safe – Keep safe by being careful not to give out your personal information such as your name, e-mail, home address or school name, phone number to people online.

Meeting – Meeting someone you have only been in touch with online can be dangerous. If you feel that you ‘have to’ meet, then for your own safety you must tell you parent or carer and take them with you – at least on the first visit.

Accepting – Accepting emails, messages on IM or opening files, pictures or texts from people you don’t really know or trust can lead to problems – they may contain viruses which can wreck your computer, or nasty messages and images.

Reliable – Remember that people online may not be who they say they are, and so online ‘friends’ are really strangers, no matter how many times you have chatted with them, unless you know and trust them in the ‘offline world.’

Tell – Tell your parent or carer if someone or something makes you feel uncomfortable or worried.

Attached is further information from Childnet International with advice for supporting young people online. You can also visit the following:

www.saferinternet.org.uk/

www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

www.getsafeonline.org/

www.norfolk.police.uk/sa…/personalsecurity/onlinesafety.aspx
Next of kin appeal – John William Wiseman

Police are appealing for help to trace the family of a man who died recently.

71-year-old John William Wiseman died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn on 1 February 2016.

John’s wife predeceased him but it is believed that she had children, his step children, including a girl called Pat whom the coroner would like to trace.

John was apparently well known in Kings Lynn and also had connections with Great Yarmouth and Gorleston.

Anyone with information relating to John should contact the Coroner’s office in Norwich on 01603 276493.

Election, May 5th 2016

Thinking of standing for election this May to become a councillor on the Parish Council?

Information can be found on the site below, along with a calendar and forms for nomination.

Nomination packs will be available from the Parish Office from the beginning of March – completed forms will need to be submitted between the date of advertisement of the election (by 30th March) and the closure of submissions (4pm on 7th April). They need to be hand delivered to Great Yarmouth Borough Council.

The Clerk will assist anyone who requires support with information, or electoral role numbers for their form.

http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/…/local-elections-eng…

Allotments:

The annual shuffle has taken place on the allotment site and there are still some vacancies – if you would be interested in taking an allotment please contact the Parish Office on 01493 749938 or email; clerk@martham.gov.uk

Public Right of Way Registration

The Parish Council is seeking to register onto the definitive map a public right of way along Cess Road down to the riverbank, intersecting Footpath 1 which runs along the embankment.

In order to obtain this registration the Council needs witness statements from individuals who have travelled down Cess Road, and onto the Riverbank in either direction over the last twenty years.

If you have walked, ridden or driven this route, and are prepared to fill in a short form and confirm this please can you contact the Parish Clerk who can provide the necessary paperwork.

 

Registration Application Form Cess Road