Tamworth Blog

BTP are looking to question this man

British Transport Police are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen two mean who had a Knife on a train service between Nottingham and Birmingham New Street.

A male passenger on the service on Friday 29 Jan, feared the two men were going to rob him of his ipod after boarding in Burton upon Trent.

The victim told the Police that he over heard the two men discussing stealing his ipod and noticed one of the men was carrying a flick knife.  Fearing for his safety, the passenger locked himself in the toilet of the train until the trains arrival at New Street, where he notified the British Transport Police at around 10pm.

It is believed the two men also got off the train at Birmingham New Street, but despite a search of the area, the men couldn’t be found.

BTP are also looking for this man

British Transport Police today released CCTV images of the two men they wish to talk to in relation to the incident.  They are both described as white, in their early 20s, of proportionate build, about 5ft 9in and wearing tracksuits.  Both men were carrying holdalls and one was also carrying a snooker cue holder.

Anyone who recognises either man, or who knows their whereabouts, is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, quoting incident number 610 of 29/01/2010.

QEMs High School, saved earlier in the year

Tamworth is to play host to the The Great Education Debate on Thursday 11 March 2010, giving the people of Tamworth a platform to ask questions about what is best for the children of Tamworth.

With a general election looming there is a renewed debate about what is best for our schools, with Tamworth being used as a test area for the new academy system the Government are proposing.

Are Free Schools or Academies the way to improve the childrens education in Tamworth?  With Landau Forte set to open a post 16 education centre in Tamworth at Woodhouse School, makes Tamworth a good area for debate.

There are arguments both for and against the proposals in Tamworth, arguments against have led to protests across the Tamworth area about the Landau Forte proposals. 

The debate will take place on Thursday March 11 at 7pm at the Tamworth Assembly Rooms, speakers include:

Ally Bird – Former Tamworth School Pupil
Jenny Pinkett - Lib Dem Candidate for Tamworth
Alasdair Smith – Anti Acadamies Alliance

The debate will be hosted by the Anti-academies Alliance.

Marmion House, Tamworth Borough Council

Tamworth Borough Council are to hold an Open Coffee Morning this Thursday (25 Feb) to launch a new conifdential crime reporting service in Tamworth.

The Open Coffee morning which will run between 11am and 12 noon will launch the service devised by the council to ensure it plays an active and prominenant role in monitoring and reducing incidents throughout the town.

Tamworth Borough Council will be the first council in Staffordshire to record these incidents as part of the Trent Valley PACH (Partners Against Crime and Hate) initiative managed via the Community Safety Partnership.

Hate crimes and incidents, which can involve sexuality, disability, race, religion, age or gender, are a vastly under reported problem and the new reporting service is aimed at addressing the issue.  Anyone who has experienced, or is aware of incidents of this nature, is welcome to attend to see how it works. 

Councillor Robert Pritchard said,

“This important new service will provide valuable support to improve the lives of those affected by these issues and help towards our goal of making Tamworth an ideal place to live, work and raise a family.

“This service has been set up along the lines of our successful “Tell Us” scheme and in accordance with our corporate standards.  We offer a range of methods to report incidents  which include printed forms, by telephone, face to face and now electronically, widening the choice for our customers.  

“It’s important for us to know what residents think about this new service which can be found on our website www.tamworth.gov.uk  by clicking on the Report it button. Customer feedback plays a vital role in helping us improve and deliver the services we provide.”

The new site for reporting these crimes can be accessed here.

Operation Nemesis

Last week saw those arrested late in 2009 as part of the dawn raids in Operation Nemesis, admit to over 80 drug related offences, pleading guilty to possession and supplying class A Drugs, at Stafford Crown Court.

Three of those arrested have now been jailed, one has received a suspended sentence and the remainder will be sentenced in March.

Inspector Emma Griffiths, Commander of Tamworth neighbourhood policing unit said:

“People who make up Tamworth’s neighbourhoods tell us they want to see positive action taken against drug dealers.

“Their criminal activity and the anti-social behaviour it attracts concerns people. Together with our partners, we are determined to continue working hard to rid communities of the scourge of drug dealing and the negative effect it has on neighbourhoods.”

Inspector Griffiths was keen to also stress that Operation Nemesis wasn’t just aimed at getting dealers of the street, but also helping those addicted to get help, she added:

“There is a great deal of support readily available to people who want to help their relatives or friends kick their drugs habit. Now is probably the best time to help someone you know or love turn their life around,”

River Anker - Pic: Paulette Sedgwick.

Multi Agency River Clean up of Tamworth Town Centre Water Ways involving Tamworth Borough Council, Sea scouts, Fire Service, Police,Street Wardens (TBC), Street Scene(TBC),Environment Agency, The Angling Trust, HSBC Volunteers, Staffordshire Youth Service and more.

Anyone wishing to volunteer for the day meet at Holloway Car Park 9.30am for registration and health and safety brief.

Main activities will include litter picking, helping collate items recovered from the river, scrub clearance, information awareness on litter, fly tipping and pollution plus more plenty for everyone.
It will be a good day drinks provided, people are asked to dress appropriatley.

SCC TV

Staffordshire County Council are broadcasting their debate as they decide on this years council tax increase this Wednesday (February 3) and next (February 10).

It is expected that Staffordshire County Council will pass a lower than inflation increase this year.  The 1.9% increase will be the lowest implemented since the Council Tax was introduced in 1993.  A family living in a band D property will pay an extra 39p a week for their services.

Leader Philip Atkins said:

“Our manifesto pledge at the elections in June was to improve services in key areas while keeping council tax as low as possible, which is why I am making this recommendation.

“We have consulted extensively on what our budget priorities should be and I believe 1.9 per cent strikes the right balance. A below inflation rise means council tax should not unduly add to the strain on the budgets of most families, including the elderly and vulnerable groups.

“I am aware that we are still struggling with the affects of the economic slump. But to reduce council tax further would mean we could not keep our manifesto promise to raise standards in schools, improve care for the elderly and invest in roads.”

The County Council have identified over £21m of savings for next year by becoming more innovative in the way in which the council is run.

Atkins added:

“We are committed to sensible long-term financial planning, not panic measures or quick fixes. That is why we have committed to an additional £30m in highways programmes and other investments such as the Tipping Street development and the Building Schools for the Future programme for Tamworth and Rugeley. Both represent initial outlay that will pay dividends for many years to come. It is responsible budgeting.”

The debate will be broadcast online on SCC TV from 10am Wednesday morning (Feb 3 and 10).  You can watch it afterwards as well by downloading the meeting.  To access it simply go to the Staffordshire County Council Website and click the SCC TV icon.

Tamworth Castle

Nominations are now open for this years Mayors Cup, which recognises the hard work, time and dedication given to the borough through the towns youth groups.

This is your chance to nominate the youth groups that you think have made an outstanding contribution to Tamworth and deserve the award.

You can nominate a local group by sending your nomination in writing, explaining who they are and why you think they deserve the award.  The winning entry will be presented the cup by Mayor of Tamworth, Cllr Gerry Pinner.

Entries must be received by Friday February 26 and can be sent too:

Civic Administration Team,
Tamworth Borough Council,
Marmion House,
Lichfield Street,
Tamworth
B79 7BZ

Or you can email entries too civic-administration@tamworth.gov.uk.

Cars covered in Snow - Pic: Stuart Brown

This mornings Snow fall has once again affected collections throughout Tamworth. 

Collections will only be made on roads where it is safe for the collection lorries to get down the road safely.

Today has already seen collections missed across Stonydelph.  The list of roads already missed include:

Whilst every effort is being made to complete the collections and complete the back log, Tamworth Borough Council will be updating their website with changes as they happen.

For the latest visit www.tamworth.gov.uk

Sir Robert Peel Hospital - Pic: Angella Streluk

With the cold snap continuing our medical services are stretched to breaking point and the Primary Care Trust are asking for those with suspected fractures or injuries from slipping in the snow, to not go to their A&E (Accident and Emergency) departments, but instead go to the Minor Injuries Unit at Sir Robert Peel Hospital.

The Minor Injury Unit for Tamworth is at Sir Robert Peel Hospital and is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week for these type of injuries.

Yvonne Sawbridge, Director of Quality and Nursing, South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust said:

“If local residents fall then they should go straight to one of our MIUs located in Cannock, Lichfield and Tamworth where they will receive treatment and if necessary be referred to a consultant. Staff there are highly experienced in dealing with a broad range of injuries.

“We are expecting a busy weekend and want patients to be treated as quickly as possible in the most appropriate place. MIU should also be the first port of call for treatment and advice for minor illnesses, coughs, colds, ear infections, skin infections, burns, bites, sprains and strains”.

“A&E departments are designed to deal with serious life threatening illnesses or accidents, therefore using alternatives such as MIUs keep hospitals free to deal with these cases.”

Tamworth's Recycling boxes

The collections of Recycling and Garden Waste are still suffering the effects of this cold snap.

Even though the wagons attempted to fulfill todays collection routes, some roads just proved to be impassable and unsafe for the collection trucks.

Roads effected today included:

Grassholme
Falcon 17-24 & 45-58
Gayle
Marrick (after first cul-de-sac)
Garrigill
Crossfell
Hanlith
Torside
Hartlyburn
Ealingham 40’s & 50’s
Hawkside
Lothersdale
Hebden
Litton
Orkney Drive
Lowforce
Skye Close
Maldale
Arron Drive
Lowdham
Shetland Avenue
Wandsbeck (part)
Brambling 10 – 31
Irwell
Amicombe
Kennet
Broadlee (part)
Derwent (part)
Brendon
Medway
Holsworth Close

Tomorrow there will be no collection of bulky or scrap items.  Those who were scheduled to have items collected today (Thursday) or tomorrow will be contacted to rearrange.

For those whose recycling has not been collected, Tamworth Borough Council have said they will collect additional recycling next time it is collected provided it is presented with their usual recycling.