Tamworth Blog

Police Tape - Photo: Andrew Rickman

Last night saw another handbag theft in Tamworth and Police are appealing for witnesses in the area, especially a gentlemen who passed the 55 year old woman minutes earlier.

The incident that happened shortly after 10pm last night (July 15) saw a 55-year old woman pushed to the ground and robbed.  During the struggle the victim sustained bruises and was shaken by the incident was treated at the scene by paramedics.

The lady was walking home, down a footpath linking Caledonian and Bancroft in the Glascote area of the town when she was attacked.  Police have carried out door to door enquiries on the houses which border the footpath, but their main witness is a cyclist who passed the woman minutes before she was attacked.

Detective Constable Julie Hines of Tamworth CID said:

“We would appeal for this man to come forward as well as anyone else who may have seen anything suspicious in the Bancroft area,”

The attacker is described as a white man, in his late teens/early 20s, around 5ft 11tall and of slim build. He was wearing a dark hooded top, a scarf and wire rimmed glasses.

DC Hines continued:

“Fortunately, this lady was not seriously hurt although she was badly shocked. It beggars belief that someone would carry out this kind of assault on a person who was simply walking home.”

Police are urging anyone who was in the Bancroft area and who may have seen anything suspicious, to contact DC Hines at Tamworth CID, telephone 0300 123 44 55 or, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Dosthill Pools (Allen Cook, RSPB)

Tamworth bird lovers but don’t know where to start when it comes to spotting them and other wildlife are invited to attend an introduction to discovering the birds and wildlife at the RSPB Middleton Lakes.

This Sunday July 19, join volunteer Richard Rogers to explore the reserve and discover the wildlife and birds at the lakes which are currently being developed into a nature reserve for conserving birds and wildlife in the local area.  Don’t worry if you don’t have binoculars as you will be able to borrow some whilst on the session.

If you wish to attend then please book your place by calling 01827 259454 or emailing middletonlakes@rspb.org.uk.

The number of cases of Swine Flu in Tamworth is on the increase with cases already reported at Belgrave High School, Woodlands Primary School and St Gabriels RC Primary School.  Maybe you know someone who has been infected by this outbreak.

South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust have issued an update to coincide with the governments change from containment to treatment.  The PCT have urged those who suspect that they have Swine Flu to stay at home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and take over-the-counter flu remedies to help relieve symptoms.

John Wicks, Flu Director for the Primary Care Trust said:

“For most people this is a mild illness and you should start to feel better after a few days without needing to go to your GP or A & E.”

If you start feeling unwell and suspect you have Swine Flu you should:

• Stay at home;
• Check your symptoms on www.nhs.uk if possible;
• Call the Swine Flu Information line on 0800 1513 513 to hear the latest advice;
• If you have taken these steps and are still concerned, call your GP or you can call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47;
• People should not go to their GP surgery or local accident and emergency department unless advised to do so or if you are seriously ill – because you might spread the illness to other.
• Further information can be found at www.hpa.org.uk or at NHS Direct Online – www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk.

However, if you are pregnant, over 65,  or have long term conditions such as asthma or diabetes or if the patient is very young, you are urged to talk to your doctor if you think you have Swine Flu.

To protect yourself and your family you can take simple steps like covering your nose when you sneeze, using tissues to blow your nose and disposing of them hygienically, maintaining basic hygiene and cleaning hard surfaces properly.  These should help you stop the spread of the virus.

John Wicks continued:

“There are simple steps that everyone should take now to help prevent catching the flu based on good respiratory and hand hygiene:

“Covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing; using a tissue when possible; disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully; maintaining good basic hygiene, for example washing hands frequently with soap and water to reduce the spread of the virus from your hands to face or to other people; cleaning hard surfaces (e.g. door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product and making sure your children follow this advice.