Speed Sign - Pic: Craig Rodway

Two schools in Tamworth will see speed limits on the roads around the school, reduced to 20mph in an ambitious new scheme launched by Staffordshire County Council.  The scheme building on the success of the trials run across the county over the past school year.

Both Glascote Heath Primary School and Wilnecote High School will be put in place between now and Christmas and it is planned that this will reduce the risk to children in the Tamworth area.

County Councillor Mike Maryon, Cabinet member for Highways and Road Safety said:

“Road safety is a top priority for Staffordshire and this ambitious scheme clearly reflects that view.

“Ideally, I would like to roll this system out across the entire county straight away but we have more than 400 schools and are facing incredibly challenging financial times. We are carefully balancing and prioritising the resources that we have to get maximum results for our communities.

“Motorists also have a responsibility to reduce their speed when driving past schools. Residents have told us that they want action on this issue and we have listened.”

Speaking specifically about the effects on the local area, County Councillor Lee Bates said:

“This is a first class safety scheme and I am sure it will receive full support from the community.

“The aim of the project is to drastically change driver behaviour. We don’t want motorists putting children at risk by speeding past schools when the pupils are being dropped off or picked up. The impact of the 20mph zones could potentially be lifesaving.”

Staffordshire already the best in the UK for child road safety. It’s a position achieved through innovative road safety action, including the Walking Bus and Safer Routes to School programmes and a host of education and training projects. The 20mph zone initiative is a continuation of a winning formula.

County Councillor Brian Beale, who represents the area that Glascote Heath Primary School falls into, added:

“These signs give motorists a clear warning – slow down around schools. Hit a child at 20mph and they have a chance of surviving – but this drops dramatically by 30mph.

“I am looking forward to other schools in and around Tamworth benefitting from this part time 20mph zone during the coming year.”

Fire Engine in Tamworth

Friday night saw firefighters called to three fires across the town, ranging from heath being set fire deliberately to a chip pan fire.

The first incident occurred in Belgrave, at 4.20pm when crews were called to a shed fire on Belgrave Road.  The accidental fire saw two crews, both from outside Tamworth attend the incident, with a male and female receiving checks from Paramedics as a precaution.

The second fire, was an area of Heath that was set alight on purpose in Glascote. The 20mx20m piece of Heath land, Gaskins Wood, just off Albert Street saw two crews from Cannock and one from Stafford attend the incident at 8.35pm (approx). The crews were on site for two hours, tackling the fire.

The final incident of the evening saw two crews from Tamworth called to a Chip Pan fire at Alton Court, Neville Street, in Tamworth.  The first floor flat was on fire, following a chip pan fire.  The fire caused damage to the kitchen and one male was treated for smoke inhalation.

Assistant Area Commander, Ian Read said:

“Chip pans can cause serious fires because they can very quickly overheat and then ignite. We would urge people to use deep fat fryers instead. They are much safer because they are thermostatically controlled which means they can’t overheat.”

A busy night for the firefighters of Staffordshire, for information on simple fire safety visit www.staffordshirefire.gov.uk

Location of the new CCTV by the Arches

Tamworth will soon be getting another CCTV camera which will be positioned at the foot of the Glascote Road, in front of the arches. It is hoped that the camera will help in the fight to tackle ongoing crime and anti-social behaviour issues that have blighted that area for many years.

At present, it is widely known that the town CCTV does not reach further than the Odeon cinema car park. Beyond this as far as the arches, up into MacGregor Park, Bolehall, the Kettlebrook Road and the area surrounding the underpasses leading to the Castle Grounds is not covered by CCTV. These areas have become hotspots for anti-social behaviour and there have been several muggings as well as some serious assaults.

David Fern, Community Safety Manager for Tamworth Borough Council said,

“The good news is that the installation of the equipment is imminent and the pole that supports the camera is due to go in next Wednesday with the rest of the installation soon after. The camera is fully supported by all partners and will be monitored as part of CCTV system in Tamworth and will provide re-assurance to the public in this location.”

It will be the hope of local residents and those using the area surrounding the arches that the new CCTV make safer the ‘No Mans Land’ that has seen so much crime in the past few years.

Police in Tamworth are trying to peice together the movements of a man who suffered mysterious neck injuries Friday evening in the Maitland area in Glascote.

View Mystery Injuries in Maitland Area in a larger map

The injuried man, who is in his 30’s, managed to stagger home after being injured but then had to be taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment. 

Detectives are now attempting to peice together the mans movements, officers believe the injuries occured about 10.30pm on Friday June 4.

Detective Constable Lee Neal who is investigating the incident said:

“At this stage, it is not clear whether he was the victim of a nasty assault or received his injuries some other way,”

Anyone with information is urged to contact DC Neal at Tamworth CID on 0300 123 44 55 or, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Police Tape - Photo: Andrew Rickman

Tamworth Police are appealing for any information following a collision between a car and a 12 year girl on the Silverlink road in Glascote on April 27.

The incident occured at about 8pm on Silverlink Road near to Torc College.

The girl suffered minor injuries to her leg and was taken to Tamworth’s Sir Robert Peel Hospital.

The driver of the car who drove off from the incident is being looked for by the Police.  The driver is described as white, possibly aged in her 50’s, red hair and was wearing red rimmed spectacles.  She was driving a silver Vauxhall Astra.

Police in Tamworth are asking for any witnesses or anyone with any information to call the Tamworth Neighbourhood Police unit on  come forward 0300 123 4455, quoting incident 777 of 27 April.

Police Tape - Photo: Andrew Rickman

There have been a series of burglaries in Tamworth. Homes in Glascote Rd and in Tamworth Rd, Amington have been broken in to today, during the daytime.

Yesterday, homes in Comberford Rd and Thackeray Dr were burgled. Please alert your neighbours, and be observant for any suspicious activity in your area.

If anyone has any information please contact the police on 0300 123 4455
or email robert.nunn@staffordshire.pnn.police.uk.

Tamworth Police Station - Photo: Paulette Francessca Sedgwick

Staffordshire Police are warning Tamworth residents of a bogus trader after a builder caused damage to a home after not completing his first job.

The rogue builder targetted the same home in Glascote twice. On Saturday Feb 13, he offered to paint the outside of his home for £580. The 37 year old victim handed the builder the £580 in cash. The paintwork was then primed but not actually completed.

The ofender returned to the same house on Tuesday February 23 and offered to complete the work. Whilst completing the work and without the homeowners permission he removed removed roof tiles, damaged wooden beams and a bedroom ceiling.

The rogue builder then demanded over £1,250 deposit to fix the damage, he only left the property when the victim contacted the Police, threatning to cause more damage to the property.

The rogue builder is described as as white, aged in his 50s or 60s, 5ft 6ins tall, chubby with short grey/white hair. He was clean shaven, spoke with an Irish accent and wore a zipped navy blue fleece and jeans. He turned up at the home, with other workmen, in a white van.

PC Alison Pearson, from Tamworth police, said:

“This rogue trader claimed to be from a legitimate roofing company, and handed over leaflets containing these details about it.

“We’d urge anyone who is approached by him not to hand over any money but to contact police straight away.”

Anyone with information should ring PC Pearson on 0300 123 4455 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.  Tamworth Police are working with Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards.

BP Garage Cordoned Off Yesterday - Pic: Debbie

The police press office have stated that searches have now finished in Glascote Road and the police cordon has been lifted. The two men arrested last night remain in custody.

Police Tape - Photo: Andrew Rickman

Officers from Staffordshire Police were handed a suspect package at approximately 4.30pm yesterday (Monday) by a member of the public in Tamworth.

The package had been found in Glascote Road and was taken to the police station in Spinning School Lane.

The police station was cordoned off while the package was examined and deemed safe. No member of the public was at risk at any time and the station was re-opened last night.

Officers have also cordoned off an area in Glascote Road while further searches are carried out this morning (Tues) to ensure the safety of the public and gather evidence from the scene.

A 27-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy, both from Tamworth, were arrested last night in connection with the incident. They remained in custody overnight and will be questioned today.

Inspector Emma Griffiths, from Tamworth police, said:

“We’d like to thank local residents and businesses for their patience and co-operation while we investigate this unusual incident.

“Enquiries are ongoing and we would appeal for anyone with information to contact Staffordshire Police on 0300 123 4455, quoting incident number 472 of February 1, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”

Traffic Cones - Pic: Ian Britton

Glascote Road is to receive a much needed revamp wtih Staffordshire County Council spending some £700k on resurfacing the road and improving the drainage system on the stretch through Glascote.

The disruption will see the stretch between Marlborough Way roundabout and Abbey Road being resurfaced and improved over a 18 week period begginning on February 1.

The drainage system improvements which will see some 200 metres of piping replaced is hoped to relieve the flooding which occurs in the area during heavy rain.

The main work will see Temporary Traffic lights used, with side streets periodically closed to reduce congestion.  A diversion will also be in place utilising the A5 bypass.

Busses will continue to use their usual routes and schedule, likewise businesses and homes in the area will still have access to their properties.

Local county councillor Michael Oates said:

“This is a first class scheme which will have a positive impact on the area for many years to come. The drainage system has struggled to cope when we have had heavy downpours in the past so this investment will be a big boost to the area.

“The B5000 is one of Tamworth’s busiest routes and is used by thousands of motorists every day. However, in the short term we do understand that the work to improve the stretch of road may inconvenience people and would like to apologise for that in advance.”

The final stage of the construction will see the stretch between Marlborough Way and Dumolows road closed due to it being a narrow carriageway.  All traffic will be diverted along the A5 bypass and busses will be diverted along Dumolows lane.